Observation of a large flux of antiprotons in cosmic rays prompted many to postulate new ideas relating to the origin and propagation of cosmic rays in the Galaxy, within the framework of the secondary hypothesis. Under this hypothesis, cosmic rays traverse a large amount of matter either in the source region or in the interstellar space. As a result, large amounts of deuterium and He-3 are also produced as a consequence of spallation of helium and heavier nuclei. In this paper, the spectra of these isotopes are derived, using various models for the propagation of cosmic rays and compare with the existing observations.


Michael Cunningham published his novel The Hours in 1998,creating three female protagonists who are connected in one way or another with the female protagonist Mrs Dalloway in Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs Dalloway published in 1925.Compared with Mrs Dalloway,these female protagonists are living a fuller life,no matter in terms of living space,self actualisation,or their attitudes towards lesbians.They fully demonstrate their subjectivity as women.


The Academic Computing Services Department at the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) has been operating a Bulletin Board System (BBS or "board") for approximately two years. In this time, the CSULB BBS has changed and progressed in several ways. Three different BBS software program, four different computers, and two different modems have been used. In addition, has changed hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, printers, video boards and monitors several times. Some of these changes have been by design while others were due to hardware or software incompatibilities or failures. Despite all this, it could be easily argued that the largest department expenditure has been the hundreds of man-hours devoted to setting up and running the BBS. Yet, the CSULB BBS has proven to be an invaluable resource to its users and probably worth the investment made. This paper will attempt to outline some of the considerations that should be made before and after setting up a campus bulletin board system.


Osteoporosis is a major health problem in the world; it is an insidious disease that, silently, reduces bone mass making the bones weak and more prone to fractures. The attention that is paid is very great, especially in industrialized countries where the life expectancy is high and in which osteoporosis is becoming a disease with high social impact. In paleopathology, many studies have focused on bone loss in past populations. The aim of these works is to define the traces of a disease that is only apparently modern. The current study investigates a new methodological approach to assess bone health in recent and ancient human skeletal remains. The use of the Quantitative Ultrasonometry (QUS), applied for the first time on skeletal samples, has allowed to evaluate bone tissue identifying characteristics not only related to its mass and density, but also to the structure and to its elastic component. Starting to the differences found between sexes and age, ultrasonometric standard were created to provide a reference point for archaeological and to help identify osteoporosis or simple bone loss cases. The application of this method on a medieval sample has allowed to validate it on an archaeological sample demonstrating its efficacy.


We developed a real‐time numerical simulator for the solar wind–space–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling system, adopting the three‐dimensional (3‐D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation code developed by Tanaka. By using the real‐time solar wind data, which is available from the ACE spacecraft every minute, as the upstream boundary conditions for density, temperature, flow speed, and interplanetary magnetic field, our MHD simulation system can numerically reproduce the global response of the magnetosphere and ionosphere at the same time as in the real world. We achieved real‐time 3‐D simulations of the solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling system with a 44 × 56 × 60 mesh size by adapting high‐performance FORTRAN language with eight CPUs on a supercomputer system located at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). Simulated plasma temperature and density in geostationary orbit were also plotted as an index to predict satellite charging. In addition, we present real‐time virtual AE indices obtained from simulation results that directly compare with geomagnetic field activities as well as real‐time plasma temperature and density in geostationary orbit. Our real‐time MHD simulator now runs routinely on NICT's supercomputer system. We will present a detailed configuration of the real‐time simulator system in this paper. Some examples are presented from system output to show how solar wind variations result in geomagnetic disturbances.


Mozart, perhaps one o f the greatest geniuses of modern age, d ied myster ious ly at the age of 35 in Vienna in 1791. The causes of his death are still somewhat obscure and debated s ince we do not have any documentat ion acceptable by current scientific standards. Inevitably, the conclus ions reached are highly debatable. In the present article the various interpretat ions of Mozart's death are taken into considerat ion-from his poss ib le po i son ing to causes of death more acceptable by the present diagnostic criteria. We suggest that the terminal cause of death was brain hemorrhaging or stroke, compl icated by broncopneumonia and associated with renal failure induced by proliferative g lomerulonephrit i s and glomerulosclerosis. HUM PATHOL 28:519-521. Copyright © 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company


Liquid crystal elastomers are currently of great interest due to their large thermally stimulated changes in shape. Here the authors show that by using an existing network and conducting carbon nanoparticles dispersed in a solvent with high swelling capability, a surface integrated layer can be created. This layer allows the effective resistivity to be reduced from highly insulating to usable values for electrical actuation and withstands large changes in geometrical shape both in contraction and expansion. Utilizing a resistive "Joule" heating effect, the reprocessed system shows a 150% length change and can be cycled beyond 10kcycles.


Nile Delta Lagoons have been formed 7000 years before the present. The lagoons were aqua-cultural and ecological keystones for the early Egyptian agricultural civilization. The water quality of Nile Delta Lagoons has been deteriorated with the economic development, population rapid increase, and the related industrialization, which exert high pressure on the surrounding environment. The 4 lagoons (1) Maryut, (2) Edku, (3) Burullus, and (4) Manzala are large is surface area, shallow in depth and located on the Nile Delta that receive great amounts of agricultural drainage, sewage, and industrial effluents before discharging into the Mediterranean Sea. The aim of this study is to monitor and assess the water and sediment quality of the lagoons. In light of this assessment, it was found that excessive nutrients are discharged into these lagoons causing severe eutrophication. In addition, relatively low values of dissolved oxygen were recorded causing fish mortality in the lagoons which amplifies in summer as the temperature increases. The article also examined the physical and biological parameters in addition to the chemical concentration of trace metals (Zn, Fe, Pb, Mn, Cr, and Cd) in the water and sediment samples that were collected from the 4 lagoons. High values of biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococci, ammonia (NH3), total nitrogen, and total phosphorus were recorded. In addition, high concentrations of trace metals were found in the water and sediments of the 4 lagoons.


Abstract:Despite explicit comparisons to Lancelot and Tristram throughout the Morte Darthur, the Muslim knight Sir Palomides is denied their status as both a great knight and a great lover because of his race and religion. Malory offers a surprisingly compelling glimpse of the psychological toll of that liminality and isolation.


The backaction of quantum measurement on the Kondo effect in a quantum dot system is investigated by considering continuous projective measurement of singly occupied states of a quantum dot. We elucidate the qualitative feature of the Kondo effect under quantum measurement and determine effective Kondo temperature affected by the measurement. The Kondo resonance in the spectral function is suppressed when the measurement strength reaches the energy scale of the Kondo temperature without measurement. Through the spin susceptibility, we identify the generalized Kondo temperature under continuous quantum measurement. The measurement backaction changes the singularity in the spin susceptibility into a highly non-monotonic temperature dependence around the generalized Kondo temperature. The dependence of the generalized Kondo temperature on the measurement strength is quantitatively discussed.


This paper presents a simple method to solve the P4P problem based on co-planar feature points. By enhancing the geometric constraints of the feature points which attached to the target previously, we obtain the three-dimensional camera coordinates of the feature points in two different formulas. Then the translation vector and three rotation angles describing the relationship between target coordinate system and camera coordinate system are computed using a closed-form solution directly. In order to improve the precision about the extraction of the image center coordinate of the feature point, we use the morphology expansion operation to achieve it. The experimental results and theoretical analysis which were compared with the previous method demonstrate that our method is more fast and effective.


Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in health services adapting the delivery of routine assessments, with many operating remotely. This paper aims to explore the lived experiences of individuals undertaking remote autism assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods service evaluation was completed in an adult autism and neurodevelopmental service based in the north of England. A total of 24 participants, who had undergone remote autism assessments between March 2020 and July 2020, completed a questionnaire about their experiences. Thematic analysis was performed, and additional quantitative data were analysed descriptively to allow contextual information to be included.

Findings
The evaluation identified three main themes. The first, practical and sensory issues of remote assessment, indicated that internet connectivity problems were common and sometimes impeded a successful assessment. Additionally, participants identified some elements of the videocall impacted their sensory sensitivities. The second theme, emotional responses to remote assessment, demonstrated relief and exhaustion to be common following sessions. The ability to complete assessments from a safe space were favoured by most. The final theme, pros and cons of different assessment methods, highlighted the preference for video assessments above telephone and in person sessions.

Originality/value
This study provides an original contribution to the literature by gathering autistic adults' perspectives on remote autism assessments. The findings suggest that video assessments were the most preferable, over face-to-face and then telephone. Services should offer video and face-to-face assessments while keeping telephone assessments to a minimum.


Hydrogen transfer reaction is a kind of reduction reaction,in which the hydrogen donor is used as hydrogen source.Compared with hydrogenation using hydrogen gas,hydrogen transfer reaction is widely applicable both in laboratory research and industrial production,benefit from its mild reaction condition and low equipment requirement.Based on the hydrogen transfer reaction of aromatic sulfonic acid,related reaction factors are summarized,including reaction condition,catalyst,hydrogen donor and applicable reaction types.Related literatures published after the year of 2000 are mainly reviewed.Hydrogen transfer reaction is indicated to be an efficient and green technology to perform hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reduction.


Abstract. Cyberaggression and cybervictimization have gained momentum as a research focus given associated mental health sequelae. To date, however, there remains little consensus on the conceptualization and measurement of these constructs. The purpose of this study was to explore construct validity evidence for the Cyber-Peer Experiences Questionnaire (C-PEQ), a novel measure that assesses experiences of cyberaggression and cybervictimization. Undergraduate participants ( n = 735) completed an online survey including the C-PEQ and other theoretically related instruments. Confirmatory factor analysis did not provide support for the hypothesized two-factor model [MLM χ2(125) = 293.58, RMSEA = .06, CFI = .87, SRMR = .06]. The C-PEQ displayed evidence for internal consistency reliability. Evidence for convergent validity with theoretically similar constructs was mixed. Specific areas of model misspecification included items 1 and 2 on both subscales (altering social media friend lists). Future research may explore additional construct validity evidence of the C-PEQ in novel samples with these items removed.


Companies that have installed telephones at every bedside in some NHS hospitals are to be investigated amid claims they are ripping off callers.


Hydroxyl has strong destructive effect on three elementary molecules (nucleic acid, protein and glucose) in the cell. When the ratio concentration of hydroxyl attains to 0.63mg/L,the total content of protein in algae solution decreases from 1.49g/100mL to 0.993g/100mL,which decreases 33.4%;The content of RNA and DNA in the nucleic acid decreases respectively from 2.34μg/mg and 0.96μg/mg to 1.29μg/mg and 0.19μg/mg, which decreases respectively 46.9% and 80.2%; The content of glucose increases from 0.246mg/100mL to 0.492mg/mL, which increases one time. The test data indicate that hydroxyl can oxidize, decompose and destroy three elementary molecules (nucleic acid, protein and glucose) in the microorganism cell, which is one of the main biochemical reasons for microorganisms being killed.


Great thinker and educator Confucius opened the grassroots education precedent.Confucius education thoughts especially for moral education has very high values both on theory and practice.Facing to repeated teenage crime cases in contemporary society,we must examine the current situation of moral education again,derive the essence of Confucius moral education thoughts,strengthen and improve the ideological and moral construction of the youth.


One of the powers of spectroscopy is the ability to deduce the quantity of an absorbing material in a sample. As mentioned in the last chapter, this concept is called Beer's law. Here, we will take a closer look at Beer's law, particularly from a historical perspective.

Beer's law relates the absorbance of a signal to the concentration of the absorbing species. This implies that we are interested in the height of the line. So aside from the straightforward relationship in Beer's law, what are the factors that contribute to the height of a spectral signal? We will explore some of those factors here.

Also, we should recognize that spectral lines do not appear at certain, exact frequencies. We sometimes speak of them that way, such as "€œwe have an absorption at 687.22 nm,"€ as if the signal were perfectly monochromatic. The reality is, signals are not perfectly monochromatic, and a signal will, upon close inspection, exist over some range. That is, all spectral lines have some width to them. We will also consider factors that impose a width to spectral signals.


The theoretical basis of cocoa butter pre-crystallization process during industrial production of chocolate is presented. Different physico-chemical transformation occurring during this process are reviewed. The polymorphic transformations of cocoa butter triglyceride, affecting the pre-crystallization, are emphasized. The paper presents a possibility for better technological control of the process as well as the advantages and disadvantages of some temperature-time regime of tempering which are being applied for the pre-crystallization of chocolate mass in the industrial scale production.


Using a combination of surface X-ray diffraction and mass spectrometry at realistic pressures, the CO oxidation reactivity of a Rh(111) model catalyst has been studied in conjunction with the surface structure. The measurements show that a specific thin surface oxide is always present in the high activity regime of Rh-based CO oxidation.


BACKGROUND
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile applications used by patients diagnosed with mental disorders.

METHODS
An electronic literature search in five databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsychInfo was conducted. The keywords used were "mental disorder," "mental illness," "mobile phone," "smartphone," "mHealth," "application," and "app". The search was restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) written in English and Korean.

RESULTS
Fourteen RCTs, involving 1307 patients diagnosed with depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder were included in the analysis. The included studies were published between 2012 and 2020 and used mobile applications. The risk of bias tool was used to assess methodological quality and the overall risk of bias of the included studies was moderate. The pooled data favored mobile application interventions in reducing the disease-related symptoms of depression (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.255, 95% CI: -0.370 to -0.141), mania symptoms (SMD = -0.279, 95% CI: -0.456 to -0.102), and positive (SMD = -0.205, 95% CI: -0.388 to -0.022) and negative psychotic symptoms (SMD = -0.406, 95% CI: -0.791 to -0.020). In subgroup analysis, the incorporation of feedback, notification, and data tracking features in the mobile application intervention produced better outcomes.

CONCLUSION
This review provided evidence that mobile applications could well-assist patients diagnosed with mental disorders. Greater benefits could be achieved by well-designed interventions incorporating strategies with thoughtful consideration of the disease characteristics. Mobile applications present the potential to be effective supplements to clinical treatment.


Using polyclonal antisera to avidin, streptavidin, and biotin binding protein‐II (BBP‐II), the extents of immunological cross‐reactivities shared by this family of biotin‐binders were investigated. In Western blot analysis, varying degrees of cross‐reactivities among these proteins depending on the antisera used was observed. Using liquid phase radioimmunoassay, evidence for the existence of common antigenic determinants shared by all the biotin‐binders was deduced. Antibodies directed against such epitopes inhibited the binding of [3H]biotin to as well as displace the bound ligand from all the three high affinity biotin‐binders in a dose dependent manner.


: An increasing number of researchers are working on Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications. However, the high price of traditional commercial accelerometers is known to be one of the significant drawbacks of SHM methods. On the one hand, to apply SHM applications to structures with a lower budget dedicated for their health and safety assessments, development of low-cost sensors can be an answer. On the other hand, low-cost sensors are known to have lower accuracy and resolution compared with those of traditional commercial accelerometers. For the first time in the literature, this paper represents a methodology for improving the resolution and accuracy of low-cost, low-resolution accelerometers. To do so, this paper proposes averaging the outputs of several aligned synchronized low-cost accelerometers. The validity of the proposed methodology has been examined through a series of laboratory experiments. These experiments tested accelerometers made from one, two, three, four and five combined MPU9250 chipsets on a shaking table. Moreover, two commercial accelerometers (393A03 and 356B18) were used to validate the accuracy of the developed solutions.


This paper evolves analytically, for the first lime an absolute expression for temperature dependent short-channel threshold voltage reduction and temperature coefficient of threshold voltage of a thin film fully depleted SOI MOSFET. The model, applicable in the enhanced range of temperature (25/spl deg/C<T<200/spl deg/C), is applicable for compact MMIC design and circuit/device simulation and can further be modified for low temperature regime as well.


In this paper, we propose an approach for the magnetic and thermal modeling of an encapsulated busbars system for high voltage using QuickField software. This paper proposes a numerical model developed by coupling of the magnetic field problem with the stationary and transient heat field problems for the geometry of a single-phase execution busbars system. The coupling of problems is realized by importing specific losses from the magnetic field problem as heat sources for thermal field problem. The magnetic field problem is also coupled to the electrical circuit. The shields are short-circuited at both ends and they are connected to the ground. For this constructive solution, in the shields occur induced currents, approximately equals to those of conductors. Due to the shielding effect, the magnetic field is practically zero outside of shield and therefore the electrodynamic forces do not occur between phases. In the model it was taken into account the variation of electrical conductivity with the temperature. The thermal model has been validated by experiment. The global coefficient of heat transfer by convection and radiation used in thermal model was estimated using the power losses computed by magnetic model. There is a good agreement between numerical and experimental temperature values. The presented model can be used for analysis, design and optimization of three-phase busbars system in single phase execution.


Sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU) was considered as an alternative material for low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The possibility of manufacturing sPSU films by a continuous extrusion process is examined. The use of a plasticizer (polyethyleneglycol, PEG) is essential to decrease the glass transition temperature of the material in order to make it processable in the melt state. However, the acidic character of sPSU induces significant degradation of the sPSU/PEG mixtures even at low temperatures (120°C), necessitating the use of high amounts of PEG to perform the extrusion of sPSU film. In these experiments, 30–40% of plasticizer had to be used to successfully produce a film, but a high level of porosity was produced in the membrane after removing the PEG. Although porosity significantly improves the proton conductivity of the membranes, in a fuel cell, the fuel crossover also increases as a result. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 25: 121–126, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20066


Objective: The objective of the study is the identification of the specialty intentions, the reason behind that choice and the preferred practice location of the study population. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted using a self administered questionnaire distributed at the end of the academic year 1994. One hundred and forty nine (149) male and 104 female graduating medical students representing the four medical colleges in Saudi Arabia were included Results: The four major clinical specialties were selected by more than half of the students; Internal Medicine (17%), Surgery(16%), Paediatrics (14%) and Obstetrics (11%). Twenty seven percent were not sure of their future career choice. Primary health care was chosen by only 1.6% of the students. More men chose Surgery but more women chose Obstetrics and Ophthalmology. Discussion: "Financial incentives", "no night duties", "social reasons" and "less responsibilities" were the less frequently mentioned reasons for career choice. The qualifications in view were mostly Canadian Board for 49% of the students and Arab Board for 48% of them. The most frequently preferred locations for postgraduate training were Saudi Arabia (56%) and Canada (40%). The majority intended to practice in hospitals (90%) and in cities (85%). Conclusion: The current drastic deficiency of trained Saudi Family Physicians will continue unless targeted strategies to produce more generalists are undertaken.


Chapter 1 considers how detective fiction has interacted with the history of differential deodorization. Whereas nineteenth-century texts tend to frame the hyperosmic detective as an agent of deodorization who seeks out and expunges deviant odors, the author argues that the form has also developed accounts of "environmental detection" wherein the detective's body and mind become exposed and transformed through the very process of sniffing out crime. In the cases of black detective fiction, hard-boiled crime fiction, and narratives of multiple chemical sensitivity that mobilize detective tropes, smells are no longer just clues to be read but material agents of violence.


Until his death in 1935, Aron Nimzowitsch was one of the world's leading chess players. The leading Grandmaster of the Hypermodern school, his games were full of new ideas and plans. This text looks at the games and career of one of the most influential chess players.


Envisat's MERIS and its successor Sentinel OLCI have proven invaluable for documenting algal bloom conditions in coastal and inland waters. Observations over turbid eutrophic waters, in particular, have benefited from the band at 708 nm, which captures the reflectance peak associated with intense algal blooms and is key to line-height algorithms such as the Maximum Chlorophyll Index (MCI). With the MERIS mission ending in early 2012 and OLCI launched in 2016, however, time-series studies relying on these two sensors have to contend with an observation gap spanning four years. Alternate sensors, such as MODIS Aqua, offering neither the same spectral band configuration nor consistent spatial resolution, present challenges in ensuring continuity in derived bloom products. This study explores a neural network (NN) solution to fill the observation gap between MERIS and OLCI with MODIS Aqua data, delivering consistent algal bloom spatial extent products from 2002 to 2020 using these three sensors. With 14 bands of MODIS level 2 partially atmospherically corrected spectral reflectance as the NN input, the missing MERIS/OLCI band at 708 nm required for the MCI is simulated. The resulting NN-derived MODIS MCI (NNMCI) is shown to be in good agreement with MERIS and OLCI MCI in 2011 and 2017 respectively over the western basin of Lake Erie (R2 = 0.84, RMSE = 0.0032). To overcome the impact of MODIS sensor saturation over bright water targets, which otherwise renders pixels unusable for bloom detection using R-NIR wavebands, a variant NN model is employed which uses the 9 MODIS bands with the lowest probability of saturation to simulate the MCI. This variant NN predicts MCI with only a small increase in uncertainty (R2 = 0.73, RMSE = 0.005) allowing reliable estimates of bloom conditions in those previously unreported pixels. The NNMCI is shown to be robust when applied beyond the initial training dataset on Lake Erie, and when re-trained on different geographic areas (Lake Winnipeg and Lake of the Woods). Despite differences in spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution, MODIS algal bloom presence/absence was correctly classified in >92% of cases and bloom spatial extent derived within 25% uncertainty, allowing the application to the 2012–2015 time period to form a continuous and consistent multi-mission monitoring dataset from 2002 to 2020.


Abstract : The objective of this research was the characterization of molecular species which are important because of (a) their occurrence in high-temperature environments, as for example in the vapor over refractory solids, and in combustion, flames, and propellant burning; (b) their relevance to clarification and/or extension of the basic theory of molecular properties. The molecules studied were usually highly reactive or metastable and often inaccessible by the usual gas-phase spectroscopic methods. They were therefore trapped in a solid matrix, usually neon or orgon, at 4 deg K and investigated by optical and electron-spin-resonance (ESR) spectroscopies. This isolation procedure is known to produce only small perturbations and to yield information pertinent to the gas-phase species. The species studied included boron and bromine atoms, methylene radicals, diatomic boron, beryllium hydroxide, diatomic chlorine anion, carbonyl silene, diazasilene, the first-row transition-metal mono-, di-, and tri-fluorides and their corresponding hydrides and oxides, and a few rare-earth hydrides and fluorides. Vibrational frequencies, electronic transitions, g factors, spin-rotation constants, hyperfine coupling constants, zero-field-splittings, ground-state multiplicities, and perhaps some information about structure, were obtained. The molecules contained from one to seven unpaired electrons. (Author)


Introduction The Operating Characteristic Function (also known as OC Function) is one of the most useful tools in practical statistical applications. Unfortunately, it is also under utilized and often misunderstood mainly because of confusing information. Some theoreticians think of the OC Function as the result of elaborate calculus-based manipulations, while some practitioners reduce it to a table of values, whose origins are obscure, but whose results are very useful. Missing the strong connections between theory and applications affects the use of the OC Function as the excellent design and analysis working tool that it is.


To determine whether hormonal manipulation improves the biochemical outcome for men with intermediate or high‐risk prostate cancer and undergoing permanent brachytherapy with or without supplemental external beam radiation therapy.


Basing on the interpretation about the theory of Separation and Reunification of Unit Space, this article summarizes the practice guided by the theory in the fundamental course of design,which is to help students pass through the complex representation of form and understand related spatial mode so as to create richer levels of space and form.


The Gain scheduling approach is utilized in many control systems and mechanical applications. In addition, the present research is focused on Magnetic bearing performance improvements such as rolling and Speed function. Usually, the function of the bearing is controlled by any kind of control system. However, the poor controller has provided the average bearing control performance. For this, the current article has aimed to design a novel Bat Recurrent-Gain Scheduling-Proportional-Integral-Derivative (BR-GSPID) controller to tune the bearing functions. Here, the function of the GSPID control parameters is regulated by the Bat Recurrent (BR) algorithm. Then the performance of the designed BR-GSPID control system is tested for the bearing application. Initially, the GSPID is modeled in the MATLAB platform for the linear parameter Varying (LPV) systems. Subsequently, the accuracy and error parameters of the BRGSPID are validated and compared with other recent and have earned the best high accuracy and less error measure.


Abstract : This paper describes the work carried out by DERI for the Enterprise Search track at TREC 2008. We participated in both the expert search task and document search task of the track. For both tasks we made use of novel learned term-weighting schemes. For the expert search task, we used two different approaches (namely a profiling approach and a two-stage document centric approach). We found that the document centric approach outperforms the profiling approach on previous years TREC data. For the document search task we adopted a standard retrieval framework and made use of the learned term-weighting schemes previously developed for the ad hoc retrieval task.


ABSTRACT 'Social distance,' and 'social distancing' have become the linguae francae of our world ravaged by COVID-19. Pandemic related social distancing prescriptions, however, do not operate in a vacuum. How do social distancing strategies for containing the pandemic intersect with extant social divisions? Using a unique census-scale micro-dataset from rural Karnataka (an Indian state as large as France), we meditate on this question by drawing on theoretical insights from multiple disciplines including the intellectual genealogy of 'social distance' as a measure of social divisions. Our rich dataset contains independent India's first census-scale enumeration (n ≈ 36.5 million) and coding of elementary caste categories (≈700 jatis). Our dataset is also the first to combine self-reported jati and religion information. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first systematic large-n portrait of intra-village residential segregation in rural India. Our micro-segregation analysis along jati and religion axes provides evidence for a 'permanent cordon sanitaire.' Our analysis also sheds light on how the pandemic intersects with internal migration trajectories in India.


also expressed as a relative percentage of the maximum velocity (%Vmax) achieved by each participant during the 2.5kg test. The variation in %1RM for each velocity was described by the standard deviation and range amongst participants. A similar approach was used to estimate the %Vmax that would have been achieved using a range of loads (15-100% 1RM). RESULTS: Lower %1RM and higher mean velocities were associated with the largest variation in training intensity across participants (Table 1). CONCLUSION: Using specific absolute mean velocities as "targets" could result in substantial variation to the corresponding %1RM and %Vmax across a group of athletes. To accommodate the abilities of each performer, it may be important to use relative velocity targets.


In this paper, an opportunity networks routing algorithm, which is suitable a certain social model, is proposed based on social. In this algorithm, the relationship degree between nodes is computed based on the social nature; and the central of nodes is computed based on the level of activity in opportunity networks. An opportunity networks routing algorithm ComOR, which achieves selective forwarding data packets by using the central and relationship degree of nodes,is proposed. Simulation results show that the routing algorithm significantly reduce the consumption of buffer space of equipments and effectively reduce the count of forwarding data packets compared with the present algorithms.In a word,ComOR improves the packets delivery rate and performances stably.


Petroleum hydrocarbons are among the top contaminants of the natural environment with serious concern worldwide due to their effects on soil, water, and surroundings. A two-year field experiment was implemented to evaluate reclamation of hydrocarbon contaminated (diesel fuel, crude oil) soils in central Alberta Canada using amendments (20% city waste compost, ammonium sulphate inorganic fertilizer) and seeding with a native grass mix. Soils amended with compost or compost-fertilizer had the greatest vegetation cover and biomass and lowest hydrocarbon concentrations at the end of the study. Fertilizer treatments had less vegetation cover and higher hydrocarbon concentrations, which were similar to the no amendment treatment. Seeding with native grasses had no effect on hydrocarbon degradation or total canopy cover, although vegetation composition showed some effect. Seeding increased cover of perennial native grasses in all amendment treatments, with greatest cover in compost and compost-fertilizer amended soils. Within two years after reclamation concentrations of F2 (carbon length > C10–C16) and F4 (>C34–C60) hydrocarbons in crude oil contaminated soils were below Canadian guidelines. Overall, compost was an effective amendment for reclamation of diesel fuel and crude oil contaminated soils and seeding was beneficial for reducing cover of non-native forbs. Fertilizer addition to compost may not enhance revegetation and remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils.


The model based on Mueller-matrix description of mechanisms providing optical anisotropy typical for polycrystalline smears of liquor (including optical activity, birefringence as well as linear and circular dichroism) has been suggested. Within the statistical analysis of such distributions, the objective criteria of differentiation of smears of liquor taken from dead patient at different moments after his death have been determined. From the viewpoint of probative medicine, the operational characteristics (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) of the method of Mueller-matrix reconstruction of optical anisotropy parameters have been found and the efficiency of this method in another task - diagnostics of diseases of internal organs of rats - has been demonstrated.


Contrast‐enhanced MRI, immunostaining and electron microscopy were used to detect areas of intense angiogenesis in experimental tumors. This work was also aimed at evaluating the possible effect of the surrounding tissues on tumor microvasculature and at studying the penetration of macromolecules in avascular areas. Human colon carcinoma cells were implanted in subcutaneous tissue of nude mice. Dynamic T1‐weigthed 3D pulse sequences were acquired before and after administration of Gd‐DTPA‐albumin to obtain parametric maps of fractional plasma volume (fpv) and transendothelial permeability (Kps). The maps suggested that tumor can be subdivided into 4 zones located in the peripheral rim (zones I–II) or in the core (zones III–IV) of the tumor itself. Significant differences (p<0.001) were found in the values of Kps and fpv of zones I–II with respect to zones III–IV. In the peripheral rim, permeability was significantly higher (p<0.01) in the muscle‐peripheral region (zone I) with respect to the skin‐peripheral region (zone II). In areas with high Kps, histological and ultrastructural examination revealed clusters of newly formed vessels and signs of intense permeability. Numerous vascular vesicular organs were visible in these areas. In the tumoral core, analysis of the microcirculatory parameters revealed regions with mild permeability (zone III) and regions with negligible permeability (zone IV). These 2 zones were discriminated by the average value of Kps (p<0.05), while their fpv was not significantly different. Upon histological examination, the tumoral core exhibited necrotic areas; CD31 immunocytochemistry exhibited that it was diffusely hypovascularized with large avascular areas. Upon ultrastructural examination, capillaries were rarely visible and exhibited signs of endothelial cell damage. The results suggest that segmentation based on microvascular parameters detects in vivo zones characterized by immunocytochemical and ultrastructural aspects of intense angiogenesis. The finding that a certain amount of contrast agent penetrates in the tumoral core suggests that high oncotic and hydrostatic pressure only partially hinders the penetration of macromolecules. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe parents' perceptions towards their children with /or at risk of behavioral problems. It included parents' insight about their children with problem behaviors, parents' perceptions of the strategies/or servises they receive from the school, and about the support they receive from school personnel. Semistructured interviews were conducted with two parents who have children with challenging behaviors. The data were collected, transcribed, and analyzed in a three-week period. The findings section revealed the importance of collaboration between parents who have children with behavioral problems and schools.


Atlantic Electric (AE) is an electric utility serving 375,000 customers in Southern New Jersey. AE is in the process of installing a new real time Energy Management System (EMS) which will monitor, control and analyze conditions on our Generation/Transmission Network. Remote Terminal Units (RTU), installed at our generating stations and major substations, collect required data and transmit this data to the control EMS computer. The Load Dispatchers monitor the network from their consoles and perform required Supervisory Control. The control signals are sent from the EMS computer through the RTUs to the controllable devices. Generator control signals are transmitted from the Pennsylvania-Jersey-Maryland (PJM) power pool computer through the EMS computer to the generators. Additional Security Analysis programs continually check for network overloads and contingency overloads resulting from possible loss of generators, transmission lines, and substation buses. AE believes that its approach to the EMS development has been slightly unique. We have concentrated on the Man-Machine Interface, future expansion capability, Security Analysis, Corporate Computer Interface and PJM Computer Interface, while maintaining cost effectiveness. This paper will review our procedure to implement the EMS and detail application programs which aid AE in providing safe, reliable electricity to our customers by the most economical means possible.


Performance measurement systems have a critical role in organizations management, transforming data into relevant information for decision makers. In recent decades, the amount of data and information generated and shared has increased immensely, providing unprecedented opportunities and challenges for such systems. Faced with this scenario, this article aims to analyze the use of big data analytics in performance measurement systems to clarify the nexus between them. Furthermore, the aim is also to identify the trends and opportunities for future research. To achieve that, we carried a scientific map out using bibliometric analysis. The major results of the research show that the use of big data analytics in PMS has increased in recent years without considering the performance measurement systems characteristics. Incorporating artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning and deep learning could improve the domain, creating opportunities for empirical works such as the use of unstructured data and applications in Industry 4.0.


PurposeThe paper is aimed at assessing the safety of the Giotto's Bell Tower, with special attention to its foundation system, i.e. the foundation works and soil. The tower, well known all over the world, has a squared plan, with sides of 14.45 m each, and a total height equal to 84.7 m. The structural response of the tower is assessed with reference to the gravitational load and to the expected seismic action, quantified according to the seismic hazard of the site and the foundation soil.Design/methodology/approachA simplified analysis has been performed to check the safety level of the tower to seismic actions. Special attention has been paid to quantify the horizontal actions representing the seismic loads. Such quantification, indeed, has been made both through the elastic spectrum of the tower and by performing a site response analysis on the foundation soil, represented as a one-dimensional stratification of soil layers, described on the basis of experimental investigations. After defining the loading actions, a simplified assessment of the foundation safety has been made by considering the action over foundation, the geotechnical data and the safety factor.FindingsThe findings of the paper concern the assessment of the safety of the tower's foundation system. A lot of experimental data on the foundation soil, provided by various geological investigations, have been provided and used for the assessment. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the materials used for the structure have been collected and shown in the paper.Originality/valueThe paper collects a lot of technical information regarding the Giotto's Bell Tower, both regarding its foundation soil and the constituting materials. On the basis of the collected information, a structural analysis has been made to assess the seismic safety of the tower, and the results of such assessment are provided and discussed.


The BMJ has published several articles over the past few years raising concerns about the accuracy and transparency of information provided to women about the benefits and harms of mammography screening for breast cancer (BMJ 2006;332:538, doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7540.538; 2009;338:b86, doi:10.1136/bmj.b86; 2010;340:c3106, doi:10.1136/bmj.c3106). Last month the professor of complex obstetrics Susan Bewley sent us for publication an open letter to England's cancer tsar (BMJ 2011;343:d6894, doi:10.1136/bmj.d6894). Here is the response from Mike Richards


Research on delivery of bioactive compounds by emulsion-based systems has increased over the last 10 years. Conventional oil-in-water emulsions (>1 µm) have poor physicochemical and oxidative stability; therefore, many efforts on novel technologies development have been employed to overcome this problem. Ultra-High Pressure Homogenization (UHPH) technology has been applied in different food emulsions in order to improve their physical stability. For these reasons, development of UHPH oil-in-water emulsions containing lipophilic bioactives, such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), to improve their physicochemical and nutritional characteristics and shelf-life is needed.
In this thesis dissertation, the influence of different technologies (UHPH and Conventional Homogenization; CH) and ingredients (soy protein isolate, SPI; pea protein isolate, PPI; soybean oil and CLA) in oil-in-water emulsions was evaluated. In addition, a final UHT milk-based product containing CLA-emulsions was developed.
This research has been divided into four parts. The first part studied the effect of UHPH (100-300 MPa, Ti=20 °C) compared to CH (15 MPa, Ti=20 °C) on physical and oxidative stability of soybean oil (10 and 20%) emulsions stabilized by SPI was assessed in order to determine the most stable formulations. Also, complete denaturation of SPI (95 °C, 15 min) before CH treatment was performed with the aim of analyzing possible improvement of emulsion characteristics. Particularly, UHPH emulsions treated at 100 and 200 MPa with 20% of oil were the most physically and oxidatively stable due to low particle size values, higher amount of oil, and greater viscosity and protein surface load at the interface. The heating of SPI did not improve physical stability of emulsions but enhanced oxidative stability when 10% oil was used.
The second study consisted in the assessment of different emulsions (20% oil) stabilized by SPI and PPI and homogenized by CH (55 MPa, Ti=20 °C) for 1 and 5 passes on the efficiency of 6% CLA encapsulation, its release and bioefficacy using in vitro digestion and a Caco-2 intestinal cell absorption model. All emulsions protected the encapsulated CLA better than the non-emulsified control in which CLA was oxidized during storage, as well as after in vitro digestion and delivery in Caco-2 cells. Similar percentages of CLA bioavailability were found for all emulsion treatments.
To evaluate the effect of UHPH (200 MPa, Ti=20 °C) in CLA-emulsions in comparison to CH (15 MPa, Ti=20 °C), a third study was performed. For another batch of CH emulsions, a heat treatment was also conducted applying a pasteurization treatment. UHPH produced a sterile CLA-emulsion and showed better physical stability during storage compared to other treatments, maintaining an optimal oxidative stability. Again, similar percentages of CLA bioavailability in Caco-2 cells were found for all emulsion treatments.
In the last study, the incorporation of CLA-emulsions obtained by UHPH (200 MPa, Ti=20 °C) and CH (15 MPa, Ti=20 °C) in a UHT milk-based product was evaluated. The final product containing the UHPH emulsions showed enhanced physicochemical stability and sensory properties during 4 months of storage.


The Large Early Galaxy Census (LEGA-C) is a Public Spectroscopic Survey of ∼3200 K-band selected galaxies at redshifts z = 0.6 − 1.0 with stellar masses M * > 10 10 M ⊙ , conducted with VIMOS on ESO's Very Large Telescope. The survey is embedded in the COSMOS field (R.A. = 10h00; decl . = + 2 deg ). The 20 hr long integrations produce high-signal-to-noise ratio continuum spectra that reveal ages, metallicities and velocity dispersions of the stellar populations. LEGA-C's unique combination of sample size and depth will enable us for the first time to map the stellar content at large lookback time, across galaxies of different types and star formation activity. Observations started in 2014 December and are planned to be completed by mid 2018, with early data releases of the spectra and value-added products. In this paper we present the science case, the observing strategy, an overview of the data reduction process and data products, and a first look at the relationship between galaxy structure and spectral properties, as it existed 7 Gyr ago.


The double-radiative process e+e− → Zγ γ → qq̄γ γ where the two hard photons escape detection at low polar angles into opposite directions, is studied in 0.62 fb−1 of data collected with the L3 detector at LEP at centre-of-mass energies L3 Collaboration / Physics Letters B 613 (2005) 118–127 121 between 188.6 and 209.2 GeV. The cross sections are measured and found to be consistent with the Standard Model expectations.  2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.


Satellite payloads are becoming much more complex with the evolution towards multimedia applications. Moreover satellite lifetime increases while standard and services evolve faster, necessitating a hardware platform that can evolve for not developing new systems on each change. The same problem occurs in terrestrial systems like mobile networks and a foreseen solution is the software defined radio technology. In this paper we describe a way of introducing this concept at satellite level to offer to operators the required flexibility of the system. The digital functions enabling this technology, the hardware components implementing the functions and the reconfiguration processes are detailed. We show that elements of the software radio for satellites exist and that this concept is feasible.


The LaF/sub 3/ method for determining plutonium was investigated and found to give results below 95% of true value. The self-absorption of alphas in Pu sources containing U was measured as a function of U concentration. The absorption reaches 5% when the source contains 500 mu g of U. Hence for solutions of Pu and U better accuracy is obtained if the solution is alpha counted directly and corrected for self-absorption than if the Pu is separated by LaF/sub 3/ precipitation and counted on the La precipitate. The precision decreases as the amount of U on the source increases. (auth)


Hydroponically planting vegetables is something new for most of the KKNM participants. KKNM activities are carried out for 30 working days based on modules and WhatsApp Group. The vegetable cultivation module with a hydroponic system using used bottles is systematically arranged, equipped with pictures to make it easy for each KKNM participant to implement. WhatsApp Group is used as a means of discussion and consultation. This virtual KKNM activity aims to produce vegetables through a hydroponic system from used bottles and distribute harvested vegetables to the community. The implementation of the activity begins with the preparation of tools and materials, sowing seeds, preparing planting media, maintaining plants, until harvesting. Finally, the distribution of crops to the closest neighbors. The results showed that used plastic bottles can be used as a hydroponic planting medium with the axis system. Transplanting the seedlings to the used wick bottle media that has been filled with nutrients was carried out on the 12th day. Plant maintenance is carried out by periodically controlling the nutritional condition. Harvesting and distribution of vegetables was carried out on the 25th day after transplanting. This Virtual KKNM activity is proven to be able to increase participants' knowledge and skills, and to inspire people to do the same.


Atmospheric ozone plays an important role in understanding the processes occurring in the atmosphere and changes in the climate. This article relates to experimental results from balloon-borne research in the stratosphere for the study of chemical and dynamical processes influencing climate change and for validation of satellite observations. Total ozone observations in western Siberia were performed by the Brewer MKIV S/N 049 spectrophotometer in Tomsk and the SAOZ UV–Vis spectrometer in Salekhard. We also use 2Z-ECC ozonesondes for ozone profile observations in the winter/spring period at the Salekhard aerological station. During the winter/spring season of 2011, Arctic ozone in the 19–21 km altitude region was observed to be more than 70% less than typical values. In the winter/spring season of 2012, on the other hand, Arctic conditions were overall much warmer than in 2011, and no evidence of significant ozone loss was seen above the Asiatic regions of the Russian Federation. The aim of the article is to describe which and where these measurements were carried out and illustrate their performances by some examples of ozone data measured in western Siberia, Russia, such as that which occurred in the winter/spring season of 2011.


The following case is a composite of several clinical scenarios. Your patient is a 22-year-old woman who, after the recent death of her brother, is anxious about her risk for early death. Her brother, a 13-year-old boy with a history of syncope, died suddenly during a soccer game. Two hours before his death, the brother took diphenhydramine for an insect bite. The boy's autopsy was unremarkable. The heart was grossly normal, with an interventricular septal thickness of 8 mm (normal, 6 to 10 mm) and a left ventricular mass of 143 g (normal, 67 to 162 g). Histologic examination of all organs was nondiagnostic. Review of the decedent's medical records showed a mildly prolonged rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) of 450 ms (normal, 440 ms) on a routine, resting electrocardiogram (ECG). On another ECG, the QTc was 465 ms (normal, 440 ms). Your patient has a father, a mother, and an adolescent sister who are still living. When Should You Consider a Molecular Autopsy? When evaluating a case of sudden death, the anatomical autopsy, medical history, and circumstances of death provide complementary information. If the anatomical autopsy is unremarkable and the heart is structurally normal, the death may be classified as sudden arrhythmic death syndrome. To support this conclusion, the medical history and circumstances surrounding the death should be concordant (Table 1). Focused assessment of the medical history should include symptoms (syncope, presyncope, and palpitations), medications (including those that may prolong the QT interval), intercurrent illnesses, and history of fever (trigger for Brugada syndrome). Evaluation of the family history should include known cardiac diseases (including arrhythmias), cardiac arrest, syncope and presyncope, and epilepsy. The place, time, and circumstances of death (especially suspicious incidents of single-vehicle motor accidents or unexplained drowning) may be associated with fatal arrhythmias. Table 1. Elements of History That Point Toward or Away From a Classification of SADS A molecular autopsy or postmortem genetic analysis should be considered if the anatomical autopsy is unremarkable and the other evidence suggests sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (1). Autopsy specimens that may be used for genetic testing include 5 to 10 mL of blood preserved with K2EDTA (purple-top tube), blood spot cards, frozen tissue, and extracted DNA. Paraffin-embedded samples cannot be used for genetic testing; the DNA is difficult to extract and damage occurs with this type of specimen processing. Refrigerating specimens at 4C will preserve them only for approximately 2 weeks, but freezing and maintaining samples at 20C to 70C will preserve them for genetic testing indefinitely (2). Because postmortem genetic testing is often the last attempt to determine a cause of death, more comprehensive genetic testing is recommended. If sudden arrhythmic death syndrome is suspected, a genetic test panel for arrhythmias should be performed (Table 2). At this time, most medical examiners do not perform postmortem genetic testing and most insurance companies do not cover it. Thus, the deceased person's family members incur the cost of genetic testing, although some clinical laboratories offer a discounted rate for families paying out of pocket. The cost of a genetic test panel is policy dependent but usually varies between $1000 and $1500. With an adequate sample, results of genetic testing generally are available in 4 weeks. Table 2. Conditions Associated With Genetic Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death What Genetic Tests Are Used When Evaluating a Family in a Case of Sudden Death? Not only does a molecular autopsy help make a diagnosis for the deceased person, it also can help in the identification and treatment of at-risk family members. If a mutation is identified, all first-degree family members, such as parents, siblings, and children, should have targeted testing for the familial mutation (3). Targeted testing for a specific mutation is typically faster (with results in about 2 weeks) and less expensive (about $400) than comprehensive gene panel testing. Insurance companies often cover genetic testing for insured family members. Family members identified as carriers of the familial mutation should have relevant clinical screening. For an arrhythmogenic mutation, this would include a physical examination, ECG, exercise ECG, and echocardiogram (3). In addition, family members who are identified as noncarriers of the familial mutation are considered true negatives. Although usually informative, clinical interpretation of genetic data may be inconclusive when a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) is identified. The frequency of VUS varies by ethnic group and is lowest for individuals of European ancestry and highest for Africans, African Americans, and Asians. If a VUS is identified, follow-up of family members is necessary to further assess pathogenicity. This evaluation includes clinical assessment of relatives for features of the condition and genetic assessment to determine which family members carry the variant. Consistent cosegregation of the genetic variant with features of the clinical condition might indicate that the genetic variant is disease causing. In addition, if the variant is found for the first time in the affected persona de novo mutationit is more likely to be disease causing. A cardiovascular genetic professional can help coordinate family member testing and assess the pathogenicity of variants. What Clinical Evaluation and Testing Should a Relative Receive in a Case of Sudden Death? Because of your patient's family history of sudden death, you perform a thorough physical examination and a cardiac evaluation (resting ECG, exercise ECG, and echocardiogram). On physical examination, the patient is normotensive (no orthostatic hypotension), with a regular heart rate and rhythm. No specific murmurs are heard on auscultation. The resting ECG shows normal sinus rhythm, with a resting heart rate of 65 beats/min and a QTc of 438 ms (normal, 450 ms). The exercise ECG reveals no arrhythmias or QT prolongation. An echocardiogram shows normal systolic function and cardiac dimensions, with an interventricular septal thickness of 7 mm (normal, 6 to 10 mm). You encourage your patient to urge her sister to have a physical examination and cardiac evaluation also. On examination, her sister is normotensive (no orthostatic hypotension), with a regular heart rate and rhythm. No specific murmurs are heard on auscultation. Her resting ECG reveals a QTc of 490 ms (normal, 450 ms), with a normal heart rate and rhythm. An echocardiogram is unremarkable. Given the family history and her ECG, your patient's sister probably has long QT syndrome (LQTS). She has a score of 3.5 by the Schwartz criteria for LQTS, which corresponds to a high probability of LQTS (Table 3). She begins treatment with nadolol, and the potential risks and benefits of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) are discussed. She decides to pursue genetic testing for LQTS to make a more informed decision about an ICD and to provide genetic information to the rest of her family. Table 3. Schwartz Criteria How Do You Diagnose LQTS? Long QT syndrome has a frequency of about 1 in 2000 persons and is characterized by a prolongation of the QT interval (4). Persons with this condition are predisposed to fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias, particularly torsade de pointes. The diagnosis of LQTS includes a history of syncopal events without neurologic cause, a family history of sudden cardiac death, characteristic T-wave abnormalities, and prolongation of the QTc on ECG. (Normal QTc is 440 ms in males and 450 ms in females.) Because 25% of patients with LQTS have normal-range QTc on resting ECG (concealed LQTS), genetic testing is the most effective means for diagnosing LQTS when a familial mutation has been identified (5). An early diagnosis is particularly important, because death is the first symptom of disease in 10% to 15% of persons with LQTS, and a family history of sudden death is often associated with significant anxiety (5). Long QT syndrome has different subtypes, each with its own set of triggers and treatments. Precise management of LQTS requires diagnosis of a specific subtype through genetic testing to inform lifestyle recommendations and treatment. The LQT1 subtype (which comprises 35% of all LQTS cases) is associated with mutations in an ion channel that is responsive to adrenergic stimulus (5). Because of this relationship, approximately 88% of cardiac events in LQT1 occur during exercise or stimulated emotional states (4). Subtype LQT2, the second most common, is triggered by auditory stimuli, emotion, exercise, and sleep. The LQT3 subtype is less common and is associated with infrequent cardiac events triggered by sleep (5). How Should Positive Results of a Genetic Test Be Used? Genetic testing of your patient's sister shows that she has a heterozygous G289D missense mutation in the transmembrane region of KCNQ1 (potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1), a known mutation present in LQT1 (6). A preserved tissue sample from the deceased brother is tested for the G289D mutation in KCNQ1, revealing the same mutation. Because the pathogenicity of this variant is well documented, the cause of death is probably an LQTS-related fatal ventricular arrhythmia. The use of diphenhydramine, a QT-prolonging drug, may have triggered the fatal event (7). Genetic testing of your patient and her parents reveals that the father is a carrier of the G289D mutation, but neither your patient nor her mother have it. Your patient has an informative negative result from genetic testing and a normal cardiac evaluation. She is not at increased risk for sudden death. In addition, her results from genetic testing indicate that her future children are not at increased risk for LQTS. You inform your patient's father about his genetic test results. On


Transcriptome and proteome dynamics in higher eukaryotes are precisely controlled in a cell type-specific manner. Epigenetic regulation of development in mammals is not a new field; however, there have been several advances in the last decade that have profoundly altered our understanding of the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation and the extent to which genome function is differentially modified in the adult during disease. As the leading cause of death in the developed world, cardiovascular disease has been an area where novel findings about transcriptome regulation in lower organisms are rapidly investigated for their relevance to human health. Furthermore, the cardiovascular field has itself been an area of innovation and discovery, with new principles of biological networks arising that have fundamental, as well as translational importance (Barabasi et al. 2010; Chang & Bruneau, 2012; Weiss et al. 2012). To discuss the state-of-the-art in this area, The Physiological Society, at its meeting 'Physiology 2014', hosted a symposium entitled 'Epigenetic regulation of cardiovascular development and disease' on 1 July 2014 in the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, overlooking Westminster Abbey, in London.


Aims: To evaluate the single and joint associations of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Methods: Study cohorts included 21,375 Finnish participants who were 25−74 years of age and free of CHD and stroke at baseline. Results: During a median follow-up period of 10.8 years, 437 participants developed CHD. The sex- and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of CHD at different levels of HDL cholesterol [<40 (reference), 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and ≥70 mg/dL] were 1.00, 1.00, 0.74, 0.58, and 0.69 (ptrend = 0.006), respectively. The sex- and multivariable-adjusted HRs of CHD at different levels of LDL cholesterol [<100 (reference), 100–129, 130–159, and ≥160 mg/dL] were 1.00, 1.25, 1.92, and 2.65 (ptrend < 0.001), respectively. In joint analyses, a decreased trend in the incidence rate of CHD with an increasing HDL cholesterol level was consistent in people with any level of LDL cholesterol. Likewise, an increasing trend in incidence of CHD with an increase in the LDL cholesterol level was consistent in subjects with any level of HDL cholesterol. Conclusion: These results suggest an inverse association between HDL cholesterol and CHD risk and a direct association between LDL cholesterol and CHD risk, independent of other risk factors. The protective effect of HDL cholesterol on CHD risk is observed at all levels of LDL cholesterol.


Highly dynamic load situations in the drive train of wind turbines can occur during operation as a result of faults in the electrical grid or damage in electrical components. The dynamic loads can lead to damage or increased wear in the drive train components. At the Center for Wind Power Drives a wind turbine research nacelle has been set up in the course of a national project. Extensive experiments with this research nacelle have been conducted with the corresponding 4 MW test rig. Furthermore multi body simulation (MBS) models of the nacelle and the test rig have been developed and validated by experiments with load cases defined in the IEC 61400. Among other experiments, a test with a highly dynamic load situation in case of a power converter fault has been conducted. For that particular load case a power converter short-circuit has been emulated. This test's results show significant high torque reversals inside the drivetrain. This paper focuses on the implementation of the measured dynamic torque excitation in the existing MBS model in order to investigate the calculated torque load propagation from the high speed side to the low speed side of the drive train. The MBS model delivers further insight into the torque load propagation by providing the torque on the intermediate speed shaft (IMS) which could not be measured on the test bench. It is shown that the highly dynamic torque ripple is filtered out mainly in the spur gear stage from the HSS to the IMS.


Introduction The dry forest and scrub vegetation in Brazil, generally called 'caatinga', covers an estimated area of 6–9 × 10 5 km 2 in the northeastern region. It is conditioned by the prevailing semiarid climate, with high potential evapotranspiration throughout the year (1500–2000 mm y −1 ) and low rainfall (300–1000 mm y −1 ), which is usually concentrated in 3–5 months and is very erratic (Reddy, 1983). Drought years are common and severe droughts lasting 3–5 years have occurred every 3–4 decades. The area has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years, mainly in the river valleys and humid mountains, but according to early colonial sources, population density was generally low. Cattle raising spread in the 18th century and still is the main economic activity. From that period on, population pressure has increased in more favorable areas, where subsistence agriculture is practised in fenced plots. Until the middle of this century, cattle roamed freely on the non-agricultural land, independently of land ownership, but most properties are now fenced. Land productivity is low and since resources are limited and birth rates have been high, the area has been a center of continuous migration to more favorable places in the same region, mainly the coastal area, or to other regions in the country. Migration increases during catastrophic drought periods. Nonetheless, population has steadily increased in the area and most of it has remained at a bare subsistence level. Social and economic parameters are the worst in the country, from lowest per capita income to highest illiteracy. Government efforts to foster economic development in the region have centered on the coastal area, except for large irrigation projects.


The Government requires the village system that can produce financial reports and other financial information in a more comprehensive that include information about the financial position, financial performance, and conditions of accountability. This system is called the financial information system of the village (Siskeudes). Granting of funds for the village (1 billion per village in the year 2017), need a big responsibility anyway, but not yet supported by the competence and expertise of the apparatus of the village. Solutions to resolve these problems has by providing training for village authorities in order to increase the competence and expertise of the village authorities in drawing up the financial statements using the siskeudes application. After acquiring the training, an increase in knowledge, understanding, and skill of apparatus in applying siskeudes. Financial statements that are the output of siskeudes can produce financial statements more accountable (responsive) and transparent (accessible) so this more relevant financial reports for decision making in the framework of a better village financial management.

Keywords: information technology, siskeudes, village fund, accountable, transparent


A new model named 'vortex-particle coupling' for the simulation of fine particle dispersion in flow field is developed and applications to several particulate flows are carried out with Largrange method. This model gives a rather simple way to get instantaneous parameters of particles in flow field. Several typical examples are given here. The numerical results show that the use of this new model in the simulation of particulate flow is successful.


When a potential for a scalar field has two local minima there arise spherical shell-type solutions of the classical field equations due to gravitational attraction. We establish such solutions numerically in a space which is asymptotically de Sitter. It generically arises when the energy scale characterizing the scalar field potential is much less than the Planck scale. It is shown that the mirror image of the shell appears in the other half of the Penrose diagram. The configuration is smooth everywhere with no physical singularity.


This chapter starts with a brief outline of the historic development of the interspecies relationships and discusses the role of norms in changing behavior. Norms play a role in maintaining the ideology of carnism which enables people to eat the flesh of certain animals due to the invisibility of meat production and to the mechanisms of objectification, deindividualization and dichotomization of livestock. According to the meat paradox theory, people alleviate the unpleasant feelings about eating animal flesh by diminishing the minds of the eaten animals. The 4N (normal, natural, necessary and nice) rationalizations which justify eating meat in current society are also pointed out. Furthermore, the role of values, attitudes and different type of motivations are discussed. In conclusion, possible ways of employing community-based social marketing are offered.


ABSTRACT This paper analyses loyalty and disloyalty among soldiers serving in the Soviet army in the border war with China in the 1960s. It argues that loyalty and disloyalty can be seen as differently weighted patterns of social attachment. In both cases, these are partial and changeable, but the two differ in that loyalty involves a paring down of diverse ties in order to elevate an object of commitment 'beyond reason', whereas disloyalty consists in the perverse retention of attachments in contradistinction to whatever has been designated loyal. Ethnography is drawn upon to suggest the actual complexity of individual cases.


Objective:To develop an HPLC fingerprint for the different compatibility proportion Persicae Ramulus and Paeoniae Radix Alba. Methods:Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)was adopted. The mobile phase was acetonitrile(A)-0.1% phosphoric acid solution(B)with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 m L·min-1,and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. Results:It developed an HPLC fingerprint for the different compatibility proportion Persicae Ramulus and Paeoniae Radix Alba. There were a total of 18 chromatographic peaks and we identified 8 chromatographic peaks. Through studying 7 proportions of fingerprint of Persicae Ramulus and Paeoniae Radix Alba,preliminary identified the main components of two herbs belonging. Conclusion:This method may be used to control quality and identificate component of Persicae Ramulus and Paeoniae Radix Alba.


This paper presents a new endeavor of using the Hybrid Firefly and Particle Swarm Optimization (HFPSO) technique in tackling the optimal power flow (OPF) problem for electric power networks. The fuel cost optimization represents the main target considering the system constraints. The decision variable of the OPF problem is chosen to be the generators output real power. The HFPSO technique is chosen to optimize the objective function and to determine the optimal solutions of the problem. Many IEEE test systems are included in this study to assure the soundness of the introduced technique such as the IEEE 14-bus, 30-bus, and 57-bus grids. To acquire a sensible outcome, actual load curves are taken into account during the examination. Simulation results are examined then investigated. They show the appropriateness and privilege of the presented HFPSO -based OPF problem over the genetic algorithm (GA) and the particle swarm optimization (PSO).


Provided herein includes (a) a mercapto-functional silicon compound having the general formula (I): and a reactive resin containing at least one epoxy and / or (meth) acrylate group. It is a composition. Also provided is a silylated resin obtained from the reaction product of a mercapto-functional silicon compound (a) and a reaction product comprising at least one epoxy and / or (meth) acrylate group.


A new design of compact 2.4 GHz microstrip antennas, where metamaterials are placed on structure substrate, is proposed. The newly designed microstrips provide an optimized patch area resulting into a substantial reduction in size compared to a typical microstrip patch designed at the same frequency of operation. It was found that the characteristics of the novel microstrip antennas with designed metamaterials placed on the substrate are comparable to the conventional patch antennas, while their gain and radiating efficiency are noticeably improved.


Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), the causal agent of tristeza quick decline and stem pitting in citrus, and its most effective vector, the brown citrus aphid (BrCA) ( Toxoptera citricida Kirk.), have been present together in Hawaii for over 50 yr. In this study the incidence, diversity, and population structure of Hawaiian CTV strains were examined. Citrus tissue samples collected on Kauai (8 sites, 91 trees), Oahu (13, 86), Molokai (4, 12), Maui (10, 87), and Hawaii (15, 129) were subjected to RT-PCR for the CTV coat protein gene as well as tissue blot immunoassays (TBIAs) using two CTV antibodies. Samples testing positive for either RT-PCR or TBIA were subjected to further RT-PCR using primers specific to CTV genotypes T3, T30, T36, and VT. The incidence of CTV on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii was 59, 87, 58, 63, and 83% respectively, with an overall incidence of 74% (298/405). Strains with similarity to T3, T30, T36, and VT genotypes were identified in these samples, although their distribution was not uniform throughout the islands. Most infections, however, were composed of CTV strains that did not resemble any of these genotypes. The coat protein (CP) sequence was determined for over 100 Hawaiian CTV strains. Phylogenetic analysis using these sequences as well as CP sequences of CTV strains from other parts of the world indicate that Hawaii has previously uncharacterized strains of the virus. Stem pitting, an economically important disease of citrus caused by Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) was first observed in Hawaii in 1952, although the disease was already widespread at the time (4). With the most effective vector, the brown citrus aphid ( Toxoptera citricida Kirk.), abundant in the islands (9), it is likely that CTV was rapidly disseminated after its arrival. This disease has reduced Hawaii's citrus industry to its present day status of small farms and backyard plantings of mostly CTV-tolerant citrus. As citrus is being revisited as a crop to vitalize Hawaii's agriculture industry, control of CTV must be undertaken. In order to develop a sound management strategy for CTV in Hawaii, we undertook a comprehensive study using molecular and serological techniques to determine the incidence, distribution, and diversity of CTV in the Hawaiian Islands. MATERIALS AND METHODS Citrus samples. Four hundred and five citrus trees were sampled from 50 sites on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii (Fig. 1). These sites ranged from groves with >500 trees to single backyard plants. Young stem segments were collected from both vigorous and unthrifty trees at each site when possible. These samples were kept on ice in the field and were then stored at -20°C until analyzed. Serological analysis. Tissueblot immunological assays (TBIAs) based on the method described by Hu et al. (7), were used to detect CTV in the citrus samples. Two antiCTV rabbit polyclonal antisera were used in these assays. The first (1212) was raised against purified virions of an Australian isolate of CTV. The second (kindly provided by the late D. J. Gumpf), designated CCPP, was raised against an in vitro -expressed 180 Sixteenth IOCV Conference, 2005—Citrus Tristeza Virus CTV CP and is used by the California Citrus Clonal Protection Program for CTV detection. In order to screen each sample with multiple CTV antibodies, each stem segment was recut 0.5-1.0 mm above the previous cut and pressed successively onto separate membranes. Molecular analysis. Approximately 100 mg of bark tissue was ground in liquid nitrogen and total nucleic acids (TNAs) were extracted as described by Stewart and Via (11), except that DIECA was omitted from the extraction buffer. Firststrand cDNA synthesis was performed using 2 μl of TNAs, random hexamers, and MMLV-RT (Promega, Madison, WI) following the manufacturer's instructions. A PCR assay using the T36CP primer set was then used to detect CTV in these samples (6). Samples testing positive by either TBIA or the T36CP primer set were further characterized with 10 additional primer sets that amplified the 5'-UTR, K17, and POL markers of CTV genotypes T30, T36, and VT, and the K17 marker of the T3 genotype as previously described (5, 6). For all PCR assays, 1 μl of the cDNA reaction was used as template in a 20 μl reaction containing 50 mM KCl, 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3), 1.5 mM MgCl 2 , 10 pmol of each CTV primer, 200 μM of each dNTP, 1 U of Taq DNA polymerase, overlaid with mineral oil. The amplification protocol consisted of one 5 min cycle at 94°C; 40 cycles at 94°C for 60 s, 56°C for 60 s, and 72°C for 60 s; ending with one 7 min cycle at 72°C. Amplification products were resolved in a 1% (w/v) agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide and viewed under UV light. Sequence variation in Hawaiian CTV. Sequence variation in the Hawaiian CTV population was assessed for each island using the coat protein gene (CP) of CTV isolates. A CTV-positive sample from each site on an island was selected, Fig. 1. Map of the major Hawaiian Islands. Noted are the sampling site locations ( ), the number of trees sampled, and the percentage of samples testing positive for Citrus tristeza virus. The shaded islands of Niihau, Lanai, and Kahoolawe (from left to right) were not included in the survey. Sixteenth IOCV Conference, 2005—Citrus Tristeza Virus 181 and l μl of the cDNA reaction (from above) for each of these samples was pooled. For example, on the island of Kauai we visited 8 sites and therefore the pooled Kauai cDNAs came from 8 CTV-positive samples. The pooled cDNA reactions were then used as template in PCR using the T36CP primer set as described above with only 30 amplification cycles. The resulting PCR product was ligated into pGEM-T Easy (Promega). Between 21 and 24 individual clones from each of the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii, and 10 individual clones from Molokai were sequenced on an ABI377 cycle sequencer (PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Plasmids were sequenced on one or both strands, depending on the signal strength of the electrophoretogram. In an exceptional case where sequencing of both strands could not resolve a base, the base was assigned the most common nucleotide at that position as determined by comparison to the other sequences. Polymorphic positions in these 'Hawaiian' CTV CP sequences were compared with those of 'exotic' CTV CP sequences from California (strain SY568, GenBank accession number AF001623), Florida (T30, AF260651; T36, U1603), Israel (VT, U56902), Japan (NUagA, AB046398), Mexico (BC15-1, AF342894; QR2753-1, AF342893), Portugal (13C, AF184113; 19-21, AF184114), South Korea (SK1, AF339088; SK2, AF249279), and Spain (B35, L12175; T385, Y18420) using the Pretty function of SeqWeb 1.2 (GCG, University of Wisconsin, WI). Primer sequences were excluded from the comparison. Nucleotide sequence alignments of the CTV CP genes were generated by neighbor joining using ClustalX (1.81) and visualized by TreeView (1.6.6).


Computational thermodynamics and CALPHAD modeling prove useful for selecting and developing new magnesium alloys. This article summarizes an ongoing effort to establish a scientific foundation of computational thermodynamics and kinetics of magnesium alloys to achieve accelerated design and optimization of these alloys for weight reduction in the transportation industries.


To evaluate the reduction in thrombotic events (TE) in patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET) treated with anagrelide versus hydroxyurea + aspirin (HU + ASA).


In this paper, a Quasi‐Balanced mode GaAs FET amplifier is proposed, where a varactor diode is connected in parallel with the gate source of a GaAs FET, forcing it to operate in a quasi‐balanced mode in order to compensate its input nonlinear gate‐source capacitance. A 30‐dB reduction for the first side‐lobe was obtained at 1‐dB g.c.p. by using optimal 2nd‐harmonic terminations and a varactor diode. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 573–577, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21055


Positive definite kernels between labeled graphs have recently been proposed. They enable the application of kernel methods, such as support vector machines, to the analysis and classification of graphs, for example, chemical compounds. These graph kernels are obtained by marginalizing a kernel between paths with respect to a random walk model on the graph vertices along the edges. We propose two extensions of these graph kernels, with the double goal to reduce their computation time and increase their relevance as measure of similarity between graphs. First, we propose to modify the label of each vertex by automatically adding information about its environment with the use of the Morgan algorithm. Second, we suggest a modification of the random walk model to prevent the walk from coming back to a vertex that was just visited. These extensions are then tested on benchmark experiments of chemical compounds classification, with promising results.


Poster advertising a concert by Dokodemo Doa, Bella, and Jetscreamer on Friday, July 20, 2001, at 10 pm, at Rubber Gloves, Denton, Texas. Poster features a color reproduction of a 2000 painting by Peter Zokosky in which a skinless human body sits holding and examining a body-less skin.


By comparing and analyzing three electronic-based full-text databases of Chinese periodicals, this paper analyses the differences and similarities on amount of general information, retrieval strategies, retrieval results,retrieval interfaces,as well as their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of these databases.


This paper discusses factors of online apparel presentation which may influence the purchase intention of customers.We have extended the Technology Acceptance Model(TAM)by taking customer perception and internet shopping behavior into account.We have also incorporated apparel styles and apparel prices into our model.Experiments show that the presented model is effective for online apparel shopping and can provide appropriate marketing recommendation.


The multiwalled carbon nanotubes were synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition under different temperatures.The optical properties of the samples were measured by using of the SEM graph,micro-Raman spectra,and fluorescence spectra.The experimental results showed that the synthesis of well-distributed carbon nanotubes with less impurities and defects at the reaction temperature of 860℃ was achieved and the carbon nanotubes possessed diameter 110 nm.Different wavelengths and intensities of the samples synthesized under three different temperatures were observed by aids of the photoluminescence(PL)spectra experimentally.In addition,it should be mentioned that luminous intensity at the reaction temperature of 860℃ was strongest one.


Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease often have increased plasma cardiac troponin concentration in the absence of myocardial infarction. Incidence of myocardial infarction is high in this population, and diagnosis, particularly of non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), is challenging. Knowledge of biological variation aids understanding of serial cardiac troponin measurements and could improve interpretation in clinical practice. The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) recommended the use of a 20% reference change value in patients with kidney failure. The aim of this study was to calculate the biological variation of cardiac troponin I and cardiac troponin T in patients with moderate chronic kidney disease (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] 30–59mL/min/1.73 m). Methods and results: Plasma samples were obtained from 20 patients (median GFR 43.0mL/min/1.73 m) once a week for four consecutive weeks. Cardiac troponin I (Abbott ARCHITECT R i2000SR, median 4.3 ng/L, upper 99th percentile of reference population 26.2 ng/L) and cardiac troponin T (Roche Cobas R e601, median 11.8 ng/L, upper 99th percentile of reference population 14 ng/L) were measured in duplicate using high-sensitivity assays. After outlier removal and log transformation, 18 patients' data were subject to ANOVA, and within-subject (CVI), between-subject (CVG) and analytical (CVA) variation calculated. Variation for cardiac troponin I was 15.0%, 105.6%, 8.3%, respectively, and for cardiac troponin T 7.4%, 78.4%, 3.1%, respectively. Reference change values for increasing and decreasing troponin concentrations were þ60%/–38% for cardiac troponin I and þ25%/–20% for cardiac troponin T. Conclusions: The observed reference change value for cardiac troponin T is broadly compatible with the NACB recommendation, but for cardiac troponin I, larger changes are required to define significant change. The incorporation Clinical Biochemistry, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Canterbury, UK University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK Renal Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK Test Evaluation Research Group, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK Kent Kidney Care Centre, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Canterbury, UK Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK University of Leicester, Leicester, UK King's College London & King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK Institute of Health Economics (IHE), Edmonton, Canada Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK Corresponding author: EJ Lamb, Clinical Biochemistry, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, Kent CT1


This scheme describes a procedure that uses the motion characteristics of the videos to calculate the embedding tolerance for imperceptible video watermarking in wavelet domain. This procedure exploits the perceptual properties of HVS and motion content of video sequence adoptively calculating the embedding tolerance of watermark in order to improve the imperceptibility of watermarking according to the content of video. The experiment results indicate that this method can effectively reduce the degradation in the video quality.


Recently researches concerned with various applications based on collaborative virtual environment (CVE), such as virtual society, virtual shopping mall, virtual museum etc., methods to realize cooperative works by users in 3D virtual space and scalability issues of the VR space to support a number of users have been investigated. However, as the number of the users increases in CVE, usability of cooperative works by users decreases and scalable CVE cannot realized by using conventional client/server model. Also, in those researches, user interests the 3D objects in CVE are not considered. In order to overcome the difficulties, we introduce a new method which uses P2P network to realize scalable CVE and recommendation system which uses user interests to present and offer the proper objects in CVE. Using our suggest method, the objects can be distributed on the P2P networks and their computing loads can be reduced, eventually the scalability of the CVE can be improved. Furthermore, by reflecting user interest information to the application system, user can access and communication to 3D objects and contents which are more interested than the others with higher priority. Thus total usability of the system can be improved. In this paper, we provide a new system and its architecture, P2P network to realize overlay network and methodology to realize user recommendation system to reflect user interest.


This work presents micro-grids integrated to cell culture boxes. These grids allow the systematic registration of the position of a zone observed by optical microscopy in a such way that it is possible to find it again easily for new observations for instance after culture on drug injection. The position knowledge allows also the numerical superimposition of recorded images in a common position reference system with a sub-pixel precision. It become thus straightforward to perform a site by site analysis of the possible evolutions that may have occurred in the biological medium.


Many small passerine species breed earlier after a warm rather than a cold spring (long-term effect), and then start egg-formation after a clear increase in ambient temperature (T-a) (short-term effect). We investigated the role of T-a on timing of breeding and the exact time of egg-laying in both a free-living and captive breeding population of European Starlings Sturnus vulgaris. The start of the breeding season of free-living starlings in southern Germany was highly correlated with T-min from March. In captivity under ad libitum feeding conditions, low T-a during February retarded reproductive development and behavior. thereby delaying the onset of breeding. Egg-formation occurred during a period with elevated temperatures. By increasing or decreasing the temperature of the nestbox by 2-3 degrees C. from late March onwards, differences were found in the number of breeding females and the start of egg-laying between groups with heated, unmanipulated, and cooled nestboxes. Most females with cooled nestboxes started egg-formation in the week after the cooling stopped. Experiments under temperature controlled conditions in captivity showed that almost all starlings delayed egg-laying during a period when T-a was kept at 7 degrees C, then started laying one week after a 5 degrees C increase in T-a. The sensitivity of the reproductive system of starlings to spring temperatures seems to be an adaptive response, timing the period for laying (short-term effect) and for raising the young (long-term effect) to periods with high food availability.


Homology modeling is used to build initial models of the transmembrane domain of the human α1 glycine receptor (GlyR) based on the most recently published refined structure of nAChR (PDB ID: 2BG9). Six preliminary GlyR models are constructed using two different approaches. In one approach, five different homopentamers are built by symmetric assembly of α1 GlyR subunits using only one of the five unique chains of nAChR as a template. In a second approach, each nAChR subunit serves as a template for an α1 GlyR subunit. All six initial GlyR constructs are then embedded into a hydrated POPC lipid bilayer and subjected to molecular dynamics simulation for at least six nanoseconds. Each model is stable throughout the simulation, and the final models fall into three distinct categories. Homopentameric GlyR bundles using a single α nAChR subunit as a template appear to be in an open conformation. Under an applied external potential, permeation of Cl− ions is observed within several ns in a channel built on an α chain. Model channels built on non‐α chains have a constriction either near the intracellular mouth or more centrally located in the pore domain, both of which may be narrow enough to close the channel and whose locations correspond to putative gates observed in nicotinicoid receptors. The differences between these three general models suggest that channel closure may be effected by either rotation or tangential tilting of TM2. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


We investigate 158A GeV 207Pb projectile fragmentation on Al target using CR-39 nuclear track detectors. A stack containing target-detectors assembly was irradiated at SPS-CERN. After chemical etching, detectors were scanned using an optical microscope to collect the data in the form of etched cone heights. From the cone height measurements, total and partial charge changing cross sections of 207Pb projectiles on aluminum target are determined. The results are compared with both relevant published measurements available in the literature and model predictions. Odd-even effect in the formation of the fragments of 158A GeV 207Pb pro-jectiles is observed in a consistent and a clear manner over the observed range of fragments (Z=63-81). This is achieved by using optimized etching and track measurement conditions.


A study of standing spin waves in thin Permalloy films in the frequency range 50–4200 Mc/sec was conducted with a dc magnetic field applied perpendicular to the film surface. The purpose of the experiment was to study the behavior of the spin‐wave absorption lines at fields just above saturation and to investigate the possibility of exciting standing spin waves at fields below saturation. It proved possible to excite one spin‐wave line when the field was less than that required for saturation. Comparison of the field separating this line from the main absorption line with the separation of the spin‐wave lines when the dc field is above saturation indicates that this line is the N=1 line. Further study based on the concept of dynamic pinning demonstrates that the surface spins are not pinned in this unsaturated region and that this N=1 line is excited only by an inhomogeneous field. An expression for the rf susceptibility and the general boundary conditions are derived in the Appendix.


In this article, we review the main results of Volume I of Newton's Principia which relates Kepler's law of planets and universal gravitation. In order to clarify the reasoning of Newton, elementary and simple proofs are given to inspire earnest young students. All proofs are based on either the symmetry of spheres or taking great advantage of Kepler's law of area which also reflects the symmetry of centripedal forces.


RRAM based neural-processing-unit (NPU) is emerging for processing general purpose machine intelligence algorithms with ultra-high energy efficiency, while the imperfections of the analog devices and cross-point arrays make the practical application more complicated. In order to improve accuracy and robustness of the NPU, device-circuit-algorithm codesign with consideration of underlying device and array characteristics should outperform the optimization of individual device or algorithm. In this work, we provide a joint device-circuit-algorithm analysis and propose the corresponding design guidelines. Key innovations include: 1) An end-to-end simulator for RRAM NPU is developed with an integrated framework from device to algorithm. 2) The complete design of circuit and architecture for RRAM NPU is provided to make the analysis much close to the real prototype. 3) A large-scale neural network as well as other general-purpose networks are processed for the study of device-circuit interaction. 4) Accuracy loss from non-idealities of RRAM, such as I-V nonlinearity, noises of analog resistance levels, voltage-drop for interconnect, ADC/DAC precision, are evaluated for the NPU design.