This study aimed to determine the growth and carcass traits of Anadolu-T broiler pure lines, which were kept breeding and selection over five generations from 2017 to 2021, in comparison with a commercial hybrid. After the selection process, pure lines (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2) and commercial hybrid (Ross-308) eggs were incubated and 120 female-male chicks were produced from each genotype in each generation. The broiler chickens were reared in broiler production standards for 6 weeks and carcass traits were determined by slaughtering at the end of this period. In this study, growth traits such as body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and livability; breast and thigh meat ratio were considered as carcass traits. The highest average BW (2961.2 to 3481.2 g) and best FCR (1.43 to 1.60) at 6 weeks of age over the five generations occurred in Ross-308 commercial hybrids; followed by sire (BW: 2633.8 to 3180.2 g; FCR: 1.65 to 1.77), dam lines (BW: 2307.7 to 2698.5 g; FCR: 1.65 to 1.78), respectively. Although there were some numerical differences in livability between generations in pure lines, it was generally at a similar level (96-100%) with commercial hybrids. The breast ratio was lower than commercial hybrid in both dam and sire lines, but it was determined that the thigh ratio was higher in pure lines. The fact that pure lines have a short selection history of five generations does not allow for detailed evaluation. We expect that the use of individual feed efficiency test in dam and sire lines, and additionally using body weight and breast


A practical recursive linear robust estimation scheme is proposed for target localization in the sensor network which provides range difference of arrival (RDOA) measurements. In order to radically solve the known practical difficulties such as sensitivity for initial guess and heavy computational burden caused by intrinsic nonlinearity of the RDOA based target localization problem, an uncertain linear measurement model is newly derived. In the suggested problem setting, the target localization performance of the conventional linear estimation schemes might be severely degraded under the low SNR condition and be affected by the target position in the sensor network. This motivates us to devise a new sensor network localization algorithm within the framework of the recently developed robust least squares estimation theory. Provided that the statistical information regarding RDOA measurements are available, the estimate of the proposition method shows the convergence in probability to the true target position. Through the computer simulations, the omni- directional target localization performance and consistency of the proposed algorithm are compared to those of the existing ones. It is shown that the proposed method is more reliable than the total least squares method and the linear correction least squares method.


Algae cultivation has multiple potential applications including biofuel production, wastewater treatment, and carbon capture.  However, dewatering and dehydration remain a challenge for commercialization.  Research has focused mainly on microalgae, but filamentous algae have recently gained attention due to their larger size and thus relative ease of harvesting.  The drying mechanics of filamentous algae has yet to be fully understood and optimized.  This study investigated the drying behavior of the filamentous algae Oedogonium at 50℃, 60℃ and 70℃.  The moisture content of triplicate samples of microalgae and Oedogonium (intact filaments, fractured filaments, and aggregated forms) was measured during drying. Intact Oedogonium filaments were fractured using a food blender. Intact Oedogonium had an average shorter falling rate phase and higher diffusivity then microalgae at all temperatures, resulting in a 15%, 8.3%, and 11% faster total average drying time at 50℃, 60℃ and 70℃ respectively. Fractured Oedogonium further had a shorter falling rate phase than intact Oedogonium at 50℃ and 60℃ where its average total drying time was respectively 18% and 9% faster, but the effect of the fracturing treatment reduced with increasing temperature and became negligible at 70℃. Thus, Oedogonium appears to dry more effectively than microalgae, and fracturing Oedogonium results in faster dehydration at lower temperatures. These findings could help optimize industrial drying and assist in the commercialization of algae cultivation.


During embryogenesis, the pallial–subpallial boundary (PSB) divides the two main progenitor domains in the telencephalon: the pallium, the major source of excitatory neurons, and the subpallium, the major source of inhibitory neurons. The PSB is formed at the molecular interface between the pallial (high Pax6+) and subpallial (high Gsx2+) ventricular zone (VZ) compartments. Initially, the PSB contains cells that express both Pax6 and Gsx2, but during later stages of development this boundary is largely refined into two separate compartments. In this study we examined the developmental mechanisms underlying PSB boundary formation and the postnatal consequences of conditional loss of Pax6 function at the PSB on neuronal fate in the amygdala and olfactory bulb, two targets of PSB-derived migratory populations. Our cell fate and time-lapse imaging analyses reveal that the sorting of Pax6+ and Gsx2+ progenitors during embryogenesis is the result of a combination of changes in gene expression and cell movements. Interestingly, we find that in addition to giving rise to inhibitory neurons in the amygdala and olfactory bulb, Gsx2+ progenitors generate a subpopulation of amygdala excitatory neurons. Consistent with this finding, targeted conditional ablation of Pax6 in Gsx2+ progenitors results in discrete local embryonic patterning defects that are linked to changes in the generation of subsets of postnatal excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the amygdala and inhibitory neurons in the olfactory bulb. Thus, in PSB progenitors, Pax6 plays an important role in the generation of multiple subtypes of neurons that contribute to the amygdala and olfactory bulb.


Various recent studies have shown that in many companies workers can spend near half of their time looking for information. Effective internal search tools could make their job more efficient. However, a killer application for this type of solutions is still not available. This paper introduces an envisioned architecture, which should represent the foundations of a new generation of tools for searching information within enterprises.


Based on the dynamic model of the nonlinear vibration system which driven by double exciting motors, the rotate speed difference and phase difference state space equations have been deduced. According to the design feature of the nonlinear vibration system and the vibration synchronization requirement of double exciting motors, the approach control synchronization strategy has been deduced with sliding mode reaching law. The practical examples and tests shows that the reaching law synchronization controller can effectively control the double exciting motors to realize the synchronization movement, and the synchronization controller has stronger robustness. The analysis result can provide the theoretical and test basis for the further exploitation of synchronization vibrating machine.


We have isolated insertion and deletion mutants in glnB, the structural gene of PII, a member of the adenylylation system for glutamine synthetase of Escherichia coli, to study the role of PII in the regulation of the synthesis of glutamine synthetase and of histidase in response to nitrogen deprivation or excess. We have studied the effects of this mutation alone and combined with null mutations resulting from the insertion of transposons or from a deletion in the other genes affecting this regulation, glnD, glnF (ntrA), glnG (ntrC), and glnL (ntrB). Our results confirm that only the products of glnF and glnG are essential for this regulation. In cells of the wild type, the response is mediated by the products of glnD and glnB via the product of glnL. In the condition of nitrogen excess, PII, the product of glnB, appears to convert the product of glnL to a form that prevents the activation of transcription of the structural genes for glutamine synthetase and for histidase by the products of glnF and glnG. During nitrogen deprivation, uridylyltransferase, the product of glnD, is activated by the intracellular excess of 2-ketoglutarate over glutamine and converts PII to PII-UMP and changes the form of the glnL product to one that stimulates the activation of transcription of glutamine synthetase and histidase by the products of glnF and glnG.


This paper attempts to explore the contribution of Joint Forest Management in improving conservation and local livelihood in Rufiji District. The study was carried in three villages (Mkupuka, Mangwi and Muyuyu). Household survey, key informants interviews, focus group discussions, and archive information were used to collect data. A total of 90 households, 10 key informants, and 9 Focus Group Discussion members were involved. Results indicate that 57% of the respondents had the view that local communities around Ngumburuni Forest Reserve did not realize direct benefits from JFM practices. Findings have also revealed that 82.2% of the respondents perceived the increased trend of deforestation after the introduction of JFM, a feature that does not promise sustainability of the forest reserve. Findings indicate that challenges hindered effective management of forest reserve include the increase of human population, expanding agriculture, and insufficient fund. The study concludes that, JFM has failed to show substantial contributions towards enhancing conservation and livelihood of local communities in the study area. It is recommended that for sustainable management of the forest resources there is a need to strengthen the JFM in improving conservation and enhancing local livelihood through conservation awareness, involvement of the local community in implementation of the JFM strategies, to ensure equal distribution of benefits realized from forest conservation, and strengthening patrol of the forest resources.


Triplochiton scleroxylon is a tropical forest-tree species that is valued for its timber and also stem barks, whose aqueous extract is commonly used as an anti-diabetic preparation. Stem bark extracts (aqueous and 50% ethanol) and powder of T. scleroxylon were investigated for elemental and proximate compositions. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (Buck Scientific VGP 210) was used for elemental analysis. Standard analytical methods were utilized for proximate investigation of the powdered stem bark of T. scleroxylon . Heavy metals identified were present at tolerable levels, namely, cadmium (<0.01 ppm), lead (<0.08 ppm) and nickel (<0.05 ppm) in the stem bark powder, aqueous and 50% ethanol extracts. Calcium content of stem bark samples was higher than all other elements determined at approximately 2.60% while potassium followed with 1.32%. Magnesium was highest in 50% ethanol extract at 0.26% while zinc, copper and manganese were 6.45, 2.30 and 14.50 ppm respectively. Sodium content was only 0.01%. Proximate analysis of stem bark powder showed carbohydrate content of 80.70% and nitrogen free extract of 78.9%. Crude protein, fat and fibre contents were 5.90, 6.80 and 0.80% respectively. Percentage ash content was 6.92 while moisture content of the stem bark powder was 0.68%. Stem bark samples of T. scleroxylon could be a good source of calcium and potassium to complement major sources. The use of the extracts in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in some parts of Nigeria is safe as heavy metals identified were present at sub-lethal levels. However, like all drugs, abuse of any form, is to be avoided.


The brain is a network and our intelligence depends in part on the efficiency of this network. The network of adolescents differs from that of adults suggesting developmental changes. However, whether the network changes over time at the individual level and, if so, how this relates to intelligence, is unresolved in adolescence. In addition, the influence of genetic factors in the developing network is not known. Therefore, in a longitudinal study of 162 healthy adolescent twins and their siblings (mean age at baseline 9.9 [range 9.0–15.0] years), we mapped local and global structural network efficiency of cerebral fiber pathways (weighted with mean FA and streamline count) and assessed intelligence over a three‐year interval. We find that the efficiency of the brain's structural network is highly heritable (locally up to 74%). FA‐based local and global efficiency increases during early adolescence. Streamline count based local efficiency both increases and decreases, and global efficiency reorganizes to a net decrease. Local FA‐based efficiency was correlated to IQ. Moreover, increases in FA‐based network efficiency (global and local) and decreases in streamline count based local efficiency are related to increases in intellectual functioning. Individual changes in intelligence and local FA‐based efficiency appear to go hand in hand in frontal and temporal areas. More widespread local decreases in streamline count based efficiency (frontal cingulate and occipital) are correlated with increases in intelligence. We conclude that the teenage brain is a network in progress in which individual differences in maturation relate to level of intellectual functioning. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4938–4953, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


During the periapsis pass of Revolution 89, specifically on day 291 of 2008, the Cassini spacecraft observed unusual field-aligned current signatures in Saturn's high-latitude southern hemisphere in the midnight and dawn sector. The region of open field lines was found to be contracted close to the pole, and surrounded by an unusual region containing hot keV electrons and 'leading' field signatures indicative of super-corotating flow. Usual 'lagging' fields indicative of sub-corotating flow were also present at lower latitudes, though of unusual strength. Unique within the ∼40 similar nightside auroral region Cassini passes during 2008, the overall field-aligned current system thus consisted of a central region of downward current flanked by two regions of upward current. This distinctive signature coincided with the first in situ encounter of Cassini with a source region of Saturn kilometric radiation, located within the unusual poleward region of upward current adjacent to the open-closed field line boundary. We propose that these unusual conditions relate to a major open flux closure event in Saturn's tail, possibly triggered by solar wind compression of the magnetosphere.


The thermal fatigue behavior of alumina-magnesia based and alumina-chromia based purging plug materials are comparatively studied. By comparing thermal shock parameters, the changes of elastic modulus and hot modulus of rupture after thermal shock cycles, we come to a conclusion that microcracks emerge in the alumina-magnesia based material, which hinder the crack growth during thermal shock cycles. The fine-grained and network structure of alumina-magnesia based material are also helpful to improve thermal shock resistance. However, cracks are difficult to form in the alumina-chromia based material but it tends to fracture damage quickly once the cracks nucleation due to coarse-grained structure of alumina-chromia based material.


It has been reported that doping with aromatic hydrocarbons in an in situ powder-intube fabrication process of MgB2 tapes is effective for increasing the critical current density (Jc) under magnetic fields. In this study, the mechanism of the Jc enhancement by doping with C4H4S was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The C4H4S-doped MgB2 tape has a denser cross-sectional microstructure than that of a non-doped MgB2 tape. Electron diffraction and dark-field TEM observation indicated that the grains of MgB2 are well crystallized and slightly increase in size with the C4H4S doping. X-ray diffraction and twodimensional elemental mapping using characteristic x-rays suggested that C atoms substitute part of B atoms in MgB2 crystals. Unlike other kinds of impurity doping, such as SiC-doping, there were few nanosized inclusions formed by C4H4S doping. Thus, it is concluded that the Jc enhancement with the C4H4S doping is due to (i) increasing supercurrent and magnetic-flux pinning at grain boundaries by the formation of dense and well-crystallized MgB2 matrix and (ii) increasing the upper critical field by the formation of Mg(B,C)2.


Widely recognized as an excellent solution of global warming and oil crisis, electric vehicles (EVs), however, suffer remarkable weakness, such as the limited cruise range, which can be partly addressed by introducing en-route charging navigation systems. Different from traditional navigation, which solves a shortest path problem, the en-route charging navigation resorts to a joint charging and routing optimization. In this brief, we formulate the en-route charging navigation in a dynamic programming setting in both a deterministic and a stochastic traffic network. Specifically, to relieve computational complexity in navigation systems, a simplified charge-control (SCC) algorithm is presented in the deterministic case, which can simplify the charging control decisions within an SCC set. In the stochastic case, an online state recursion algorithm is designed, which can provide an accurate navigation utilizing online information. Numerical simulation verifies the computing burden and accuracy of the proposed algorithms in a deterministic and a stochastic network.


resources to users based on the orthogonal multiple access (OMA) principle. Nevertheless,as the number of users increases, OMA based approaches may not meet the stringent emerging requirements including very high spectral efficiency, very low latency, and m ssive device connectivity. Nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) principle emerges as a solution to improve the spectral efficiency while allowing some degree of multiple access interference at receivers. In this tutorial style paper, we target providing a unified model for NOMA, including uplink and downlink transmissions, along with the extensions tomultiple inputmultiple output and cooperative communication scenarios. Through numerical examples, we compare the performances of OMA and NOMA networks. Impl ementation aspects and open issues are also detailed.


Efficient strategies for selectively performing fault-free simulation, critical path tracing in fanout-free regions, and fault simulation of stem faults in a parallel pattern evaluation environment are presented and analyzed in an implementation-independent manner. The dynamic changes in the complexity of the fault simulation components as the fault simulation progresses and faults are detected are shown to be extremely significant. In particular, fault-free simulation tends quickly to become more expensive than both the critical path tracing within fanout-free regions and the explicit simulation of stem faults. In addition, the presence of redundant faults is shown to have an inhibiting effect on the reduction of the fault simulation complexity.<<ETX>>


From the Publisher:
The book provides much needed straightforward advice on how to create a web-base education system. From administrative planning and selecting resources to individual course development, it offers clear, novice-friendly information on the entire process of online learning.


Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in patients with unusual ectopic pregnancy and present a brief review of the literature. Patients and methods: Twenty- seven cases with ectopic pregnancy in unusual locations were classified in five groups; two cesarean scars, six cervical, six cornual, two ovarian, and eleven heterotopic pregnancies. All of data were retrospectively analyzed according to the patient's gestational week, gestational sac location, obstetric history, treatment modality and treatment success. Results: Eleven patients with heterotopic pregnancy treated by surgery. Five of remaining sixteen patients were treated medically and two of them required major surgical procedure (hysterectomy and bilateral internal iliac artery ligation). Minimal invasive procedures and follow-up were done each remaining patient. Conclusion: The suspicion of the ectopic pregnancy and evaluation the whole pelvic cavity through ultrasonography are crucial for diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Three-dimensional ultrasonography can be helpful tool for accurate diagnosis. Early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy provides patients to utilize fertility preservation as well as choice several treatment modalities.


The main aim of this minireview is the demonstration of the recent progress achieved in the development of nanocontainer-based self-healing coatings for the protection of metal structures. This minireview covers the reports publishedwithin the last three years. Twomain types of nanocontainers – polymer capsules and porous composite inorganic nanoparticles loaded with inhibitors or healing agents – are described. The release of the encapsulated active material is achieved by two main triggers: mechanical rupture of the container shell or changes of the local pH in the corroded area. Despite considerable steps made in the field of nanocontainer-based coatings in recent times, challenging problems remain with the mixing of nanocontainers with the coating polymer matrix, effective loading of nanocontainers with inhibitors or healing material and distribution of nanocontainers in the coating matrix.


NCSA's Environmental Cyberinfrastructure Demonstration (ECID) project is developing a cyberenvironment to support environmental science and hydrology research. The ECID Cyberenvironment is based on a set of coordinating technologies that together provide unique capabilities for integrating local and remote work and for capturing and exploiting data and interaction provenance. The CyberCollaboratory portal provides collaboration tools to discover, share, analyze, and discuss data and information. The CyberIntegrator is a meta-workflow engine combining heterogeneous (local and remote) tools into workflows to support complex scientific analyses and simulations. Both of these tools record rich provenance into the RDF-based Tupelo 2 Toolkit where it can be graphically browsed or used through CI-KNOW, social network analysis software, to provide context-specific recommendations within the CyberCollaboratory and CyberIntegrator. These capabilities, and the ability to dynamically connect new tools into group spaces, workflows, and provenance trails, will be critical to the next-generation of community-scale, persistent cyberinfrastructure efforts.


The purpose of this paper is to develop the concept and mathematical-programming methodology of matrix games with payoffs represented by Atanassov's interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) sets. In this methodology, the concept of solutions of matrix games with payoffs represented by Atanassov's IVIF sets is defined, and some important properties are studied using multiobjective-programming and duality-programming theory. It is proven that each matrix game with payoffs represented by Atanassov's IVIF sets has a solution, which can be obtained through solving a pair of auxiliary linear/nonlinear-programming models derived from a pair of nonlinear biobjective interval-programming models. Validity and applicability of the proposed methodology are illustrated with a numerical example.


In a nonlocal scenario, physically isolated players each have a device that inputs and outputs classical information. Certain correlations between the joint input and output of the devices almost uniquely identify the quantum state that they share. This phenomenon is known as self-testing and has applications in quantum cryptography with untrusted devices. It was for example shown that for every pure two-qubit state, there exists a two-player Bell experiment whose correlations, or rather the Bell value that is computed from the correlations, can be used here to self-test that state; the Bell value that is used stems from a family of Bell inequalities called tilted CHSH inequalities. A special case is the regular CHSH inequality, which is used to self-test the singlet, a maximally entangled state of two qubits. For practical applications, estimation errors and the presence of external noise require self-testing statements to be robust to errors. In this thesis, we extend previous work on self-testing of the singlet with the CHSH game. First, we use tilted CHSH inequalities to improve the robustness of previously found self-testing statements for (almost) all pure partially entangled states. Our result consists of the explicit construction of local quantum channels for the two players, from which we derive operator inequalities that we verify numerically. Using a recently developed method [Kan16], the improved bounds can be inferred. Furthermore, we construct a state that violates the CHSH inequality but for which there exist no local quantum channels that achieve greater delity than a trivial lower bound (i.e. achieve delity with the singlet greater than what is achievable using a separable state). This result implies that CHSH violation is not su cient for the two players to `extract' a singlet from their actual state by just local operations. Future research could focus on extending our results to di erent self-testable states such as the GHZ-states and on self-testing in the scenario where only one of the two players has a potentially untrusted device (quantum steering).


SUMMARYSignificant correlations between 25 quantitative characters of worker honey bees used for the morphometric identification of Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera), seven measures of colony defence and 12 for alarm pheromone production were calculated from data on colonies in Louisiana, USA, and Monagas, Venezuela, two years after the arrival of Africanized honey bees in the eastern portion of Venezuela. The bees in the Venezuela group were identified as European (70%), European with evidence of introgression of Africanized genes (5%), Africanized with evidence of introgression of European genes (7%) and Africanized (18%), indicative of a population undergoing hybridization. For the Venezuelan population alone, the correlations between defensive behaviour and morphometric identification as Africanized were not significant. Therefore, defensive behaviour alone is not an adequate indicator for identification or certification programmes in areas undergoing Africanization.


In 2002, a money manager is considering how to vote her shares in Hewlett-Packard on the proposal to merge with Compaq. The A case (UVA-F-1450) presents information about the strategic and financial motivations of the merger. Included are completed valuations of both HP and Compaq and detailed summaries of the leading advocate (Carly Fiorina) and critic (Walter Hewlett). The tasks for the student are to value the prospective synergies in the deal and critically assess the strategic arguments (pro and con). The B case affords a detailed examination of the terms of the proposed merger. The tasks for the student are to critically assess the specific design of the deal and its impact on shareholders. Of particular interest are the impact on earnings per share (i.e., EPS dilution), the governance of the new firm, and whether this is, indeed, a merger of equals. The C case (UVA-F-1452) describes the outcome of the proxy contest. The task for the student is to evaluate the strategies of each side in communicating with shareholders and presenting arguments. The objectives of the case module are to expose students to the mechanics of proxy contests, exercise skills in valuation and strategic analysis, and critically evaluate deal terms. The A and B cases can be taught in sequential classes or in one class. The C case is typically distributed at the end, followed by a brief discussion.


Drug delivery to the body via the inhaled route is dependent upon patient status, device use, and respirable formulation characteristics. Further to inhalation, drug‐containing particles interact and dissolve within pulmonary fluid leading to the desired pharmacological response. Pulmonary surfactant stabilises the alveolar air‐liquid interface and permits optimal respiratory mechanics. This material represents the initial contacting surface for all inhaled matter. On dissolution, the fate of a drug substance can include receptor activation, membrane partitioning and cellular penetration. Here, we consider the partitioning behaviour of salbutamol when located in proximity to a simulated pulmonary surfactant monolayer at pH 7. The administration of salbutamol to the underside of the surfactant film resulted in an expanded character for the 2‐dimensional ensemble and a decrease in the compressibility term. The rate of drug partitioning was greater when the monolayer was in the expanded state (ie, inhalation end‐point), which was ascribed to more accessible areas for molecular insertion. Quantum mechanics protocols, executed via Gaussian 09, indicated that constructive interactions between salbutamol and integral components of the model surfactant film took the form of electrostatic and hydrophobic associations. The favourable interactions are thought to promote drug insertion into the monolayer structure leading to the observed expanded character. The data presented herein confirm that drug partitioning into pulmonary surfactant monolayers is a likely prospect further to the inhalation of respirable formulations. As such, this process holds potential to reduce drug‐receptor activation and/or increase the residence time of drug within the pulmonary space.


Transonic transit-time blood flow probes were placed around each uterine artery, the fetal carotid and femoral artery to measure blood flow volume. Simultaneously percutaneous Doppler measurements of the fetal descending aorta and carotid artery were performed (LOGIQ 500). Indwelling catheters inserted in the femoral arteries enabled online recordings of maternal – fetal blood pressure and heart beat. Results: During graduated reduction of uterine perfusion the decrease of enddiastolic flow in the fetal aorta but not in the carotid artery was paralleled by increases in resistance and pulsatility indices, fetal acidemia and a reduction in fetal heart rate (p < 0.01). Before and during reduction of uterine perfusion a significant correlation was noted between direct (Transonic) and indirect (LOGIQ 500) blood flow measurements (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The descending fetal aorta is the preferred vessel for Doppler measurements during hypoxia, predicting redistribution of blood flow in fetuses suffering from placental insufficiency. Percutaneous Doppler measurements reproduce reliable information about fetal blood flow changes and reveal precisely fetal condition in utero.


Since its origination, researchers in the field of ecology have been faced with complex questions of considerable complexity (Clements, 1905; Elton, 1927; Tansley, 1935). To consider an entity within its habitat involves recurring problems of definition; of the entity, the boundary of the inquiry and the criterion for observation (Ahl & Allen, 1996; Allen & Starr, 1982; Allen, Tainter, & Hoekstra, 2003). The increasing sophistication of systems theory in the construction of ecosystem models provided new ways of studying ecologies as processes, independent of the botanical organisms they contain (E. P. Odum, 1975; H. T. Odum, 1994). Extensions of hierarchy theory allowed multiple scalar levels of systemic interactions to be observed (Allen & Starr, 1982; O'Neill, 1989; O'Neill, DeAngelis, Waide, & Allen, 1986; Simon, 1962). The development of panarchy theory has now provided a cyclical perspective on complex ecologies in multiple spatiotemporal spans (Carpenter & Cottingham, 2002; Gunderson, Holling, & Light, 1995; Holling, 1973). Yet in all the advancements of our observations of complex ecological systems, we have advanced only slightly in our observation of the observer. Recent research into developmental psychology suggests that psychosystems, like ecosystems, are not unimodal and continuously distributed in terms of their constituent parts (Commons, Richards, & Armon, 1984; Commons, Richards, & Kuhn, 1982). Patterns of thought may also form complex hierarchies appropriate to the environments of existence (Graves, 2005; Graves & Lee, 2002). Panarchy principles have proven useful in providing metaphors for the complexity of socio-political and socio-cultural dynamics (Berkes & Folke, 2002; Westley, Carpenter, Brock, Holling, & Gunderson, 2002). The governing dynamics of human thought are now being seen as crucial for the resilience, sustainability and liveability of our future societies (Homer-Dixon, 1999, 2006; Tainter, 1988). The potential exists for a more detailed construction of a theory of panarchy for human psychology to provide an explanation of the role of thought in understanding human and ecological systems. This paper considers parallels between recent findings in developmental psychology and developments in the panarchy research into complex ecologies to assess the viability of the application of panarchy theory to the ecology of human thought. Five distinctive features of a panarchy inquiry are considered with reference to the viability of their application to the psychological dynamics operating in evolutionary human social systems. The paper concludes that a theory of psychological panarchy is viable, and necessary, if roles of the observer and the observed are to be understood so as to progress the study of the resiliency of complex human societies.


In the field of microgrids with a significant integration of Renewable Energy Sources, the efficient and practical power storage systems requirement is causing DC microgrids to gain increasing attention. However, uncertainties in power generation and load consumption along with the fluctuations of electricity prices require the design of a reliable control architecture and a robust energy management system for enhancing the power quality and its sustainability, while minimizing the associated costs. This paper presents a mixed approach illustrating both simulation and experimental results of a grid-connected DC microgrid which includes a photovoltaic power source and a battery storage system. Special emphasis is placed on the minimization of the total operating cost of the microgrid while considering the battery degradation cost and the electricity tariff. Thereby, an optimal energy management system is proposed for Energy Storage Systems scheduling and enabling the minimization of the electricity bill based on simple models. Simultaneously, the differences between simulation and laboratory performances are highlighted.


Invasive species and human land use are related global change drivers that can confound interpretations of native plant declines. Invasive plant species are reported to negatively affect native plant species, but recent research questioned the interpretation that invasive plants are the sole cause of native plant species decline. At the same time human land use has resulted in direct and indirect changes to habitat and disturbance regimes. Riparian habitats are closely associated with human dominated systems and changes to the natural flow regime have been observed with development. In the southeastern United States floodplain forests are being rapidly invaded by Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet) a non-native shrub and provide a model system to investigate mechanisms driving invasive species dynamics. This study examined (1) if L. sinense is the direct cause of native plant decline and (2) what factors influence its distribution across the landscape. This project used both observational and experimental designs to investigate the effect of L. sinense on plant species. I conducted a vegetation survey of twelve floodplain forests in the Piedmont ecoregion of South Carolina. Additionally, at one site an experiment was conducted for two growing seasons (63 weeks) to compare the growth and survival of native plants under mature L. sinense stands. Results of the vegetation survey show that sites with mature L. sinense had significantly lower herbaceous plant cover, total plant abundance, and native species richness. At the local level results from the transplant experiment show drastic effects of L. sinense on native plant seedlings with both decreased survival and growth. The parallel results of landscape and local scales reveal that L. sinense is a cause of native species decline. Invasion of L. sinense inhibits the herbaceous understory and prevents the regeneration of canopy trees by suppressing seedlings. This research supports the hypothesis that certain invasive plants can have severe and dramatic impacts on native species and their associated ecosystems. Ligustrum sinense presence is correlated to urban areas, but the reason for this correlation is unknown. If L. sinense is taking advantage of disturbance created by human development than abiotic conditions should differ by dominant land cover and L. sinense should have higher growth or survival in developed watersheds. If L. sinense is competitively dominant then it should have higher survival and growth than native species in all watersheds. To test these questions I conducted a transplant seedling experiment where I monitored the growth and survival of L. sinense against three native species for two growing seasons in nine watersheds with different land covers. By monitoring both abiotic conditions along with the biotic responses of the transplant seedlings I can infer what is the mechanism driving L. sinense invasion. The abiotic conditions where similar between watersheds and do not support a disturbance gradient. Likewise growth and survival of L. sinense was not related to watershed development. These results indicate that L. sinense is not driven by disturbance and that no floodplain forests are resistant to invasion. In comparison to the native species, L. sinense had the highest mean survival. Ligustrum sinense also had significantly less herbivory than native species. These results indicate that L. sinense is a strong invader that does not need disturbance events to invade habitats. Further surveys revealed that sites that had been invaded earliest had the highest amounts of L. sinense. This shows that past propagule pressure is an extremely important element for explaining current distributions. Management of both invaded areas and prevention of new propagule introductions are needed to avert further spread of L. sinense.


An investigation was conducted on the softening behaviour of cold rolled continuous cast (CC) AA5754 Al alloy and compared to the results for the ingot cast (IC) material. The present study suggests that the CC material exhibits greater resistance to softening as compared to the IC AA5754 for the same amount of cold deformation. The differences in the softening kinetics become more noticeable with increasing level of cold deformation and from a processing point of view can be attributed to the absence of the homogenization stage during the processing of the CC material. Resistivity measurements were carried out during the annealing treatment of the CC materials to examine the possibility of concurrent precipitation, which could potentially retard the softening kinetics for these materials. In addition, the current research reveals that the CC material produces a finer recrystallized grain size as compared to the IC material.


Murcha is a traditional starter, used commonly in Darjeeling hills and Sikkim in India to ferment a variety of starchy substrates in order to produce sweet-sour alcoholic beverages, called jnards. Murcha cakes are mildly acidic (pH 5.2) and contain 13% w/w moisture and 0.7% w/w ash (dry weight basis). A total of 194 bacterial, 190 yeast and 80 mould strains were isolated from 30 samples of murcha. The counts (cfu/g fresh weight) of micro-organisms in the samples were 2.0 x 10(7) to 4.2 x 10(8) for Pediococcus pentosaceus, 4.0 x 10(7) to 6.8 x 10(8) for Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, 2.0 x 10(6) to 7.2 x 10(7) for Pichia anomala, 1.0 x 10(6) to 4.1 x 10(7) for Mucor circinelloides and < 10 to 1.0 x 10(6) for Rhizopus chinensis. While all the species were prevalent in 100% of the samples, R. chinensis was detected in only 50% of them. Both the moulds but one yeast species, S. fibuligera had amylolytic activity.


Planning for future climate risk tends to incorporate assumptions of smoothly accelerating climate change, around which unchanged variability constitutes the risk boundaries. This constitutes hypothesis H1 – forced warming and natural variability evolve gradually and independently and the climate response is trend-like. Against this, there is evidence for H2 – forced warming interacts with natural variability and the climate response includes abrupt steps. Earlier than expected breaching of risk bounds follows from H2.
New automation tools, and post-detection tests find and characterise step-like regime onsets in temperatures.
With these tools I show that step-like temperature regime shifts are detectable at all spatial scales at the land and ocean surface, and in the vertical temperature structure of the ocean. Based on published climate models shifts respond to warming by becoming more intense, wider-spread and more frequent. Regimes are regional, differ qualitatively between land and ocean, align with natural variability coincident with known bio-physical shifts. Two, circa 1976 and 1996, align with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, involving rapid vertical ocean restructuring. One, 1968 in the Southern Hemisphere ocean does not, and 1986 in the Northern Hemisphere reflects atmospheric reorganisation.
H2 is strongly supported by the findings. Step-like warming dominates trends, increasingly so at finer scale.


In the wake of 9/11, many Americans have deplored the dangers to liberty posed by a growing surveillance state. In this book, Andrea Friedman moves beyond the standard security/liberty dichotomy, weaving together often forgotten episodes of early Cold War history to reveal how the obsession with national security enabled dissent and fostered new imaginings of democracy. The stories told here capture a wide-ranging debate about the workings of the national security state and the meaning of American citizenship. Some of the participants in this debate - women like war bride Ellen Knauff and Pentagon employee Annie Lee Moss - were able to make their own experiences compelling examples of the threats posed by the national security regime. Others, such as Ruth Reynolds and Lolita Lebron, who advocated an end to American empire in Puerto Rico, or the psychiatrist Fredric Wertham, who sought to change the very definition of national security, were less successful. Together, however, they exposed the gap between democratic ideals and government policies. Friedman traverses immigration law and loyalty boards, popular culture and theoretical treatises, U.S. courtrooms and Puerto Rican jails, to demonstrate how Cold War repression made visible in new ways the unevenness and limitations of American citizenship. Highlighting the ways that race and gender shaped critiques and defences of the national security regime, she offers new insight into the contradictions of Cold War political culture.


Background: Laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration (LCBDE) allows cholecystectomy and the removal of CBD stones to be performed during the same sitting, thereby decreasing hospital stay. CBD exploration through choledochotomy can be closed primarily with an absorbable suture material but can lead to biliary leakage postoperatively. In this study, we tried to find a solution to further lower the incidence of bile leakage using fibrin glue to reinforce the sutures put on choledochotomy suture line. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi, India. Twenty patients with CBD stones documented on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with CBD diameter of 9 mm or more were included in this study. Patients were randomized into two groups, namely – Group "A" in which choledochotomy was closed with polyglactin 4-0 suture and suture line reinforced with fibrin glue and Group "B" in which choledochotomy was closed with polyglactin 4-0 suture alone. Both the groups were evaluated and compared on clinical parameters such as operative time, drain content, drain output, number of days drain was required, blood loss and transfusion requirements, length of postoperative hospital stay, and conversion to open surgery. Results: The operative time for Group A ranged from 60 to 210 min (mean: 131.50 min) and Group B ranged from 65 to 300 min (mean: 140 min). In Group A, there was no case of bile leak but there was bile leak in 2 cases in Group B, minimum 0 and maximum 900 ml with a mean of 97 ml and P= 0.147 with no statistically significant difference in bile leak in test and control groups. The minimum and maximum serous drainage in Group A was nil and 80 ml (mean: 11 ml) and in Group B was nil and 270 ml (mean: 72.50 ml).P value came as 0.028 which was statistically significant. Thus, serous leakage in Group A was significantly less than in Group B. The drains in Group A were removed from 2 to 4 days (mean: 3 days) while in Group B from 2 to 9 days (mean: 3.9 days). The patients in Group A stayed in hospital postoperatively from 3 to 8 days (mean: 5.30) while in Group B, it ranged from 3 to 10 days with a mean of 5 days. Conclusion: Fibrin glue application on CBD decreases bile leakage but in statistically insignificant manner. Fibrin glue application on CBD can significantly decrease postoperative serous drainage after LCBDE. Fibrin glue application on CBD is safe and easy technique without any significant adverse effects and can help less experienced surgeons performing LCBDE.


Generalized cases are cases that cover a subspace rather than a point in the problem-solution space. Attribute dependent generalized cases are a subclass of generalized cases, which cause a high computational complexity during similarity assessment. We present a new approach for an efficient indexbased retrieval of such generalized cases by an improved kdtree approach. The experimental evaluation demonstrates a significant improvement in retrieval efficiency compared to previous methods.


This paper deals with the negative effects of the in-vehicle network on the integrated anti-slip control (ASC) and direct yaw-moment control (DYC) of all-wheel-independent-drive electric vehicles (AWID-EVs). In the integrated control design of the modern AWID-EVs, increasing control components, e.g., sensors, controllers, and actuators, are usually connected via an in-vehicle network, such as a controller area network (CAN), rather than the traditional point-to-point communication. However, the application of CAN would also bring about unexpected problems, e.g., signal asynchrony, multiple-package transmission, and signal delay, which may degrade the control performance and even destroy the stability of the system. This paper presents a co-design methodology to deal with all these challenges caused by CAN and guarantees a satisfactory vehicle dynamics performance. First, a hierarchical structure is designed for the integrated ASC and DYC control of AWID-EVs over CAN, and an active torque distribution strategy based on a well-known maximum transmissible torque estimation approach is adopted. Then, a scheduling-based communication idea is introduced to deal with all these problems caused by CAN. Third, a Lyapunov-based pole assignment theory is applied to estimate the parameter values in the scheduling design and to guarantee the satisfactory dynamic performance of the control system. A generalized linear quadratic regulator controller is designed for the system synthesis to ensure the tracking control of the vehicle. Finally, simulations and preliminary hardware-in-loop tests indicate that the proposed co-design methodology can deal with the negative effects of the in-vehicle network and ensure reliable vehicle dynamics performance.


The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the technical efficiency of high school education in Indonesia by applying Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which is the most frequently used to measure the efficiency scores. However, this study uses a robust approach to face the complex problem of the traditional DEA, which may lead to biased results. Besides, it is a powerful approach to estimate technical efficiency when outliers contaminate the data set. Statistical data from general senior secondary schools in the period 2015/2016 is analyzed, using 34 provinces as decision-making units (DMUs), with eight input and six output variables. The results indicate that the average efficiency score of Indonesia's major political subdivisions in managing high school education is 0.936. Furthermore, as many as 32.35 percents of provinces achieve efficient performances, with an efficiency score equal to one, while 17 provinces have above average efficiency scores.  The results also indicate that efficiency scores from robust data envelopment analysis provide better accuracy. Overall, application of robust data envelopment analysis (RDEA) is appropriate for measuring the efficiency of provincial performance in organizing secondary education.


Within the framework of Monte Carlo experiments, this paper systematically compares different versions of the simulated z-test (using the GHK simulator) in one- and multiperiod multinomial probit models. One important finding is that, in the flexible probit models, the tests on parameters of explanatory variables mostly provide robust results in contrast to the tests on variance-covariance parameters. Overall, neither the amount of random draws in the GHK simulator nor the choice of a certain version of the simulated z-test have a strong influence on the test results. This finding refers to the conformity between the shares of type I errors and the basic significance levels as well as to the number of type II errors. In contrast, the number of type II errors in the simulated z-tests on variance-covariance parameters is reduced by increasing the sample size. Effects of misspecifications on simulated z-tests only appear in the multiperiod multinomial probit model. In this case, the inclusion of the concept of the quasi maximum likelihood theory in the simulated z-test provides comparatively more favourable results.


This tutorial focuses on measurement uncertainty estimation in amperometric sensors (both for liquid and gas-phase measurements). The main uncertainty sources are reviewed and their contributions are discussed with relation to the principles of operation of the sensors, measurement conditions and properties of the measured samples. The discussion is illustrated by case studies based on the two major approaches for uncertainty evaluation–the ISO GUM modeling approach and the Nordtest approach. This tutorial is expected to be of interest to workers in different fields of science who use measurements with amperometric sensors and need to evaluate the uncertainty of the obtained results but are new to the concept of measurement uncertainty. The tutorial is also expected to be educative in order to make measurement results more accurate.


Abstract Cerebral amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) angiopathy (CAA) is a common pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease and several related disorders. In this condition, the accumulation offibrillar Abeta deposits is associated with degeneration of smooth muscle cells within the cerebral blood vessel wall. We have been using primary cultures of human cerebrovascular smooth muscle (HCSM) cells to investigate pathogenic mechanisms of Abeta in CAA. The specific assembly of Abeta fibrils on the surface of these cell types initiates several pathologic responses including increased expression and cell surface accumulation of the Abeta precursor protein (AbetaPP) and induction of apoptotic cell death. These pathologic responses are not observed with preparations of Abeta that are assembled into fibrils in solution, further underscoring the significance of the fibril assembly process on the cell surface. Since cell surface Abeta fibril assembly is the key initiator of the cerebrovascular cellular pathology that is observed in vitro, inhibition of this process remains an attractive therapeutic target for CAA. We have tested the efficacy of a variety of compounds that have been reported to inhibit Abeta fibril assembly in solution and block the neurotoxic properties of Abeta in vitro. The vast majority of these agents were ineffective in inhibiting the cell surface fibrillar assembly of Abeta and the subsequent pathologic responses in the cultured HCSM cells. This emphasizes the likely requirement of therapeutic compounds that are effective in disrupting cell surface-driven Abeta fibril assembly in the treatment of CAA.


In this paper, a novel digital image watermarking algorithm based on a fast neural network known as Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) for two grayscale images is proposed. The ELM algorithm is very fast and completes its training in milliseconds unlike its other counterparts such as BPN. The proposed watermarking algorithm trains the ELM by using low frequency coefficients of the grayscale host image in transform domain. The trained ELM produces a sequence of 1024 real numbers, normalized as per N(0, 1) as an output. This sequence is used as watermark to be embedded within the host image using Cox's formula to obtain the signed image. The visual quality of the signed images is evaluated by PSNR. High PSNR values indicate that the quality of signed images is quite good. The computed high value of SIM (X, X*) establishes that the extraction process is quite successful and overall the algorithm finds good practical applications, especially in situations that warrant meeting time constraints.


The Burton--Keane theorem for the almost-sure uniqueness of infinite clusters is a landmark of stochastic geometry. Let $\mu$ be a translation-invariant probability measure with the finite-energy property on the edge-set of a $d$-dimensional lattice. The theorem states that the number $I$ of infinite components satisfies $\mu(I\in\{0,1\})=1$. The proof is an elegant and minimalist combination of zero--one arguments in the presence of amenability. The method may be extended (not without difficulty) to other problems including rigidity and entanglement percolation, as well as to the Gibbs theory of random-cluster measures, and to the central limit theorem for random walks in random reflecting labyrinths. It is a key assumption on the underlying graph that the boundary/volume ratio tends to zero for large boxes, and the picture for non-amenable graphs is quite different.


By closely correlating the action of the various drugs with the life-history of the various speciesof Plasmodium, the committee leavesno ground for disagreementfrom its final pronouncementson the details of prophylaxis and treatment. In particular, the limitations of collective drug prophylaxis are clearly defined; the superiority of vector control, and the practical impossibility of maintaining enoughdrug control to do any lastinggood are well brought out. All malariologtstsworthy of the name know this, of course, but administrative bodies tend to believe that malariacan be eliminatedby handingout bottlesof drugs; this is so much easier than organizing, say, a residual sprayingcampaign. It is most useful to have authoritative statementson the subject from recognized authorities like the membersof this committee. In the section on treatment,after laying down adequate dosages for the chosen drugs in all circumstances,the committeesettles,as far as presentknowledge and experience permit, the matter of parenteral treatment. Its decision is that since the propertiesand effects of quinine when it is injectedare fully known, its usefor urgentcases is to be preferred,until such time as chloroquinehas had enoughuse in the field to determineits value exactly. It is unfortunatethat WHO publicationshave, initially, a rather limited distribution, and that they normally do not come to the notice of most of those people whom they are most likely to benefit, althoughthereare few countries without an agent who can supply them. Although few doctors in Australia see patientswith malaria these days, it is remarkablehow many find the need, now and then, for some definite and reliable information about either treatmentor prophylaxis. This report would give them all they needed.


This paper proposes a novel, fault-tolerant, VLSI architecture, which utilizes an evolvable hardware (EHW) framework using a parallel evolutionary algorithm (EA). The architecture consists of two layers. The first layer considers the application in hand, whereas the second is used as a controller that monitors the performance of the first layer and reconfigures when appropriate, its computational elements. The demonstration of this architecture is done through a practical example of a Global Positioning System (GPS) attitude determination system. Firstly the structure and functionality of both layers is described. Subsequently, the paper provides results that demonstrate both the reliability and performance of the system, while various quantities of faults are simultaneously injected in both layers. According to these results, the first layer is capable to cope with higher amount of faults (worst-case scenario 35-40%) than the second (control) layer, which copes with faults that capture in worst-case scenario the 30% of its resources. Finally, an additional mechanism to this architecture is proposed that needs further investigation and promises further enhancing of the systems reliability.


BACKGROUND
Myocardial infarction (MI) in the absence of electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation or new bundle branch block is the cause of hospitalization for a large and steadily increasing proportion of patients with acute ischemic chest pain. Despite its prevalence, the common demographic features, current hospital-based management, and short-term clinical outcome among patients with non-ST-segment elevation MI remain poorly defined.

METHODS
A total of 183 113 patients with non-ST-segment elevation MI were identified in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction database. Using a validated model, 43 928 patients (24.0%) were retrospectively placed in major, 34 917 (19.1%) in intermediate, and 104 268 (56.9%) in minor severity clinical event categories that included hospital death, recurrent myocardial ischemia, and nonfatal recurrent MI.

RESULTS
The administration of widely available and universally recommended pharmacologic therapies, including aspirin and beta-adrenergic blocking agents, was suboptimal, particularly among patients with major severity clinical events. In contrast, coronary angiography and mechanical revascularization procedures were commonplace (>60% of all patients) and most frequently performed in patients within the minor (compared with the major) severity clinical event category (58.2% and 42.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
Patients with non-ST-segment elevation MI are a heterogeneous population, with readily identifiable demographic characteristics and clinical features associated with important early outcomes, including death. Nationwide efforts directed toward maximizing pharmacologic therapy utilization and the performance of invasive procedures according to established guidelines must continue.


One of the key strengths of service oriented architectures, the concept of service composition to reuse and combine existing services in order to achieve new and superior functionality, promises similar advantages when applied to resources oriented architectures. The challenge in this context is how to realize service composition in compliance with the constraints defined by the REST architectural style and how to realize it in a way that it can be integrated to and benefit from existing service composition solutions. Existing approaches to REST service composition are mostly bound to the HTTP protocol and often lack a systematic methodology and a mature and standards based realization approach. In our work, we follow a comprehensible methodology by deriving the key requirements for REST service composition directly from the REST constraints and then mapping these requirements to a standard compliant extension of the BPEL composition language. We performed a general requirements analysis for REST service composition, defined a meta model for a corresponding BPEL extension, realized this extension prototypically and validated it based on a real world use case from the eScience domain. Our work provides a general methodology to enable REST service composition as well as a realization approach that enables the combined composition of WSDL and REST services in a mature and robust way.


Wireless sensor networks are poised to enable continuous data collection on unprecedented scales, in terms of area location and size, and frequency. This is a great boon to elds such as ecological modeling. We are collaborating with researchers to build sophisticated temporal and spatial models of forest growth, utilizing a variety of measurements. There exists a crucial challenge in supporting this activity: network nodes have limited battery life, and radio communication is the dominant energy consumer. The straightforward solution of instructing all nodes to report their measurements as they are taken to a base station will quickly consume the network's energy. On the other hand, the solution of building models for node behavior and substituting these in place of the actual measurements is in conict with the end goal of constructing models. To address this dilemma, we propose data-driven processing, the goal of which is to provide continuous data without continuous reporting, but with checks against the actual data. Our primary strategy for this is suppression, which uses in-network monitoring to limit the amount of communication to the base station. Suppression employs models for optimization of data collection, but not at the risk of correctness. We discuss techniques for designing data-driven collection, such as building suppression schemes and incorporating models into them. We then present and address some of the major challenges to making this approach practical, such as handling failure and avoiding the need to co-design the network application and communication layers.


THE DETERMINATION OF OPTIMAL TRUE DIGESTIBLE CALCIUM TO TRUE DIGESTIBLE PHOSPHORUS RATIO IN GROWING PIGS Ntinya Cleopas Johnson Advisor: University of Guelph, 2012 Dr. J. P. Cant Three studies were conducted. In the first study, 12 Yorkshire barrows (initial BW of 23.2 ± 2.0 kg) were allotted to 2 dietary treatments with 6 replications per treatment using a completely randomized design to determine apparent Ca and P digestibility (AD), true digestibility (TD) and endogenous output (EO) in a corn/SBM-based diet. All pigs were placed in individual feeder pens that allowed for easy collection of individual feces. The AD of Ca and P were 28.4% and 23.9%, respectively. Their TD of 42% and 40% for Ca and P respectively were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the corresponding AD. EO was 0.8g for Ca and 1.3g for P per kg of dry matter intake (DMI). In the second study, the optimal dietary ratio of true digestible Ca and P was determined in terms of its effect on growing pig performance, excretion of Ca and P in feces and urine in a corn/SBM-based diet using a randomized complete block design. Thirty six growing barrows (initial BW: 24.2 ± 1.9 kg) were allotted to 6 dietary treatments with 6 replications per block. Six corn/SBM-based diets with very similar nutrient contents were formulated but differed in their dietary ratio of Ca to P. The balances of Ca and P and their true digestibility/retention were calculated for each diet. Animal performance and true retention of both Ca and P was optimal (P < 0.05) with diet 2 with a true digestible Ca to P ratio of 0.82: 1 compared to other experimental diets. The third study was conducted with a similar protocol to that used in experiment 1 involving 12 barrows (initial BW: 23.9 ± 1.1 kg) to determine Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and Zn TD values for the growing pig. Se and Zn AD of 73.9% and 9.5% significantly (P < 0.05) underestimated their TD of 82.1% and 15%, respectively. Se and Zn EO were 0.00004mg and 0.01 mg/kg of DMI, respectively. The TD and EO for Mg, Cu, Fe and Mn could not be estimated because of their negative AD.


Physical and chemical agents that promote DNA damage can induce high levels of mitotic crossing-over in eukaryotic diploid cells. Similarly, foreign DNA segments introduced by transformation processes, in the cell genome, can also induce mitotic crossing-over as an outcome of the reactions leading to chromosomic balance or due to the mechanisms aiming at the integration of the exogenous DNA. Zucchi et al. have described a system showing that RNA treatments are capable of inducing changes in the genome of haploid receptor strains of Aspergillus nidulans. To verify the genetic consequences of this process in diploid cells, conidia from two strains of this fungus were protoplastized, treated with homologous RNA and analyzed. Alterations in the gene expression and in the mitotic crossing-over frequencies between linked markers were detected. Among the main observed effects there was a generalized alteration in gene expression which was very likely caused by a reversible gene inactivation mechanism due to the methylation of cytosine residues. This was confirmed by treating the haploid segregants with the hypomethylating agent 5-azacytidine, that restored the original gene activity. The presence of a duplicated segment in the chromosome I of one of the treated diploids, interfered with the RNA general effects on its genome.


Sean M. Sanders: Techniques for the Analysis of Modern Web Page Traffic Using Anonymized TCP/IP Headers (Under the direction of Jasleen Kaur) Analysis of traces of network traffic is a methodology that has been widely adopted for studying the Web for several decades. However, due to recent privacy legislation and increasing adoption of traffic encryption, often only anonymized TCP/IP headers are accessible in traffic traces. For traffic traces to remain useful for analysis, techniques must be developed to glean insight using this limited header information. This dissertation evaluates approaches for classifying individual web page downloads — referred to as web page classification — when only anonymized TCP/IP headers are available. The context in which web page classification is defined and evaluated in this dissertation is different from prior traffic classification methods in three ways. First, the impact of diversity in client platforms (browsers, operating systems, device type, and vantage point) on network traffic is explicitly considered. Second, the challenge of overlapping traffic from multiple web pages is explicitly considered and demultiplexing approaches are evaluated (web page segmentation). And lastly, unlike prior work on traffic classification, four orthogonal labeling schemes are considered (genre-based, device-based, navigation-based, and video streaming-based) — these are of value in several web-related applications, including privacy analysis, user behavior modeling, traffic forecasting, and potentially behavioral ad-targeting. We conduct evaluations using large collections of both synthetically generated data, as well as browsing data from real users. Our analysis shows that the client platform choice has a statistically significant impact on web traffic. It also shows that change point detection methods, a new class of segmentation approach, outperform existing idle time-based methods. Overall, this work establishes that web page classification performance can be improved by: (i) incorporating client platform differences in the feature selection and training methodology, and (ii) utilizing better performing web page segmentation approaches. This research increases the overall awareness on the challenges associated with the analysis of modern web traffic. It shows and advocates for considering real-world factors, such as client platform diversity and overlapping traffic from multiple streams, when developing and evaluating traffic analysis techniques.


Concentration of influenza virus and its surface antigens in inactivated chromatographic vaccines was evaluated to an accuracy of 10% by determinations of total protein concentrations in them. This approach to the evaluation of virus concentration is possible because in the currently released inactivated chromatographic influenza vaccines at least 90% of the total protein consist of virus particle protein. This is based on the analysis of virus vaccines made by polyacryl amide gel-sodium dodecyl sulphate electrophoresis. It was calculated that 3 X 10(11) virus particles in 1 ml correspond to 100 micrograms/ml virus protein (approximate concentration of protein in vaccine preparations).


We developed a new in vitro assay for oligosaccharyltransferase (OST), which catalyzes the transfer of preassembled oligosaccharides on lipid carriers onto asparagine residues in polypeptide chains. The asparagine residues reside in the sequon, Asn-X-Thr/Ser, where X can be any amino acid residue except Pro. We demonstrate the potency of our assay using the OST from yeast. In our method, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is used to separate the glycopeptide products from the peptide substrates. The substrate peptide is fluorescently labeled and the formation of glycopeptides is analyzed by fluorescence gel imaging. Two in vitro OST assay methods are now widely used, but both the methods depend on previous knowledge of the oligosaccharide moiety: One method uses lectin binding as the separation mechanism and the other method uses biosynthetically or chemoenzymatically synthesized lipid-linked oligosaccharides as donors. N-linked protein glycosylation is found in all three domains of life, but little is known about the N-glycosylation in Archaea. Thus, our new assay, which does not require a priori knowledge of the oligosaccharides, will be useful in such cases. Indeed, we have detected the OST activity in the membrane fraction from a hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus.


The possibility of a FeS2 phase formation in the 2D MoS2 structure was investigated by an ab initio DFT approach. Various concentrations of FeS2 in MoS2 have been analyzed, and it is shown that the energy favorable structures of the Mo1-xFexS2 composition are in-plane hybrid phases, FeS2 and MoS2 domains. After increasing the Fe/Mo concentration ratio up to 0.68, a complete transformation of the whole structure is predicted. We have found that the introduction of only a small amount of Fe atoms leads to a change in the electronic and magnetic properties of the film. An increase of the FeS2 nucleus size leads to the nearly monotonous increase of the magnetic moment governed by the exponential law.


In the past decade, Switzerland has experienced a large increase in the number of individuals going into early retirement. This paper examines the determinants of such early retirement using data from the newly implemented social-security module of the 2002 Swiss Labor Force Survey. In the sixteen-month period from January 2001 to April 2002, more than 36,000 older individuals, representing 8% of all workers within nine years of legal retirement age, became early retirees. One of the most important determinants of early retirement is the wage rate, yet its effect is not linear: both high and low wages reduce the probability. Other factors that play an important role include partner's employment status, education, industry, occupation, and coverage in the three social-security pillars. A major finding of this study is that about 30% of all early retirees continue working after retirement - and mostly for the same employer.


Copper-transporting P-type adenosine triphosphatase (ATP7B) is reportedly associated with platinum drug resistance in various solid carcinomas. However, the impact of ATP7B on platinum drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. We investigated ATP7B expression in nine human NSCLC xenografts using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry, and examined the relationship between the expression level of ATP7B and in vivo cisplatin (CDDP) sensitivity. ATP7B mRNA expression was significantly correlated with in vivo cisplatin sensitivity [coefficient of determination (R(2))=0.949, p=0.005]. ATP7B protein was detected in the nine xenografts. The ATP7B protein expression level was comparable to that of ATP7B mRNA. ATP7B mRNA and protein expression levels in the CDDP-resistant xenografts were significantly higher than those in the CDDP-sensitive xenografts (p=0.0389 and p=0.0357, respectively, Mann-Whitney U test). These results suggest that ATP7B is a CDDP-resistance marker in human NSCLC xenografts in vivo.


Legionella pneumophila may cause a fatal pneumonia in humans known as Legionnaires' disease (LD). The strategies of L. pneumophila to adapt to and resist stressful environmental conditions include the ability to enter into a VBNC (viable but not culturable) state. The detection of L. pneumophila in environmental samples benefits from the use of standardised methods: for detection and enumeration following membrane filtration (AFNOR T90-431, ISO 11731) and detection and quantification by polymerase chain reaction PCR (AFNOR T90-471, ISO 12869). Culture is hampered by its inability to detect VBNC forms and PCR is unable to discriminate between live and dead bacteria. The present immunosensor was obtained by the immobilisation of a monoclonal anti-L. pneumophila antibody (MAb) on an indium–tin oxide (ITO) electrode by the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) method using an aminosilane. The immunosensor was characterised by wettability (contact angle measurement), atomic force microscopy (AFM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A limit of detection of 10 bacteria per mL was observed on artificial samples. c © 2015 Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences


ABSTRACT Very high-resolution (VHR) stereo satellite images provide detailed spatial and spectral information for detecting and monitoring artificial or natural objects. This information can also be used for object-based change detection. This study aims to reveal the potential of three-dimensional (3D) information generated from VHR stereo satellite images to determine the physical changes that may occur on Gordion tumuli. For this purpose, point cloud data were generated from WorldView-3 and KOMPSAT-3 stereo satellite images. The accuracy of these datasets was tested using 161 check points (CPs). On the other hand, digital surface models (DSMs) generated from VHR stereo satellite images were used for object-based modelling of tumuli. The vertical accuracy of these DSMs was tested by comparing them with reference DSMs extracted from Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) images. As a result of the vertical accuracy assessment of the point cloud data, 0.16 m and 0.53 m root mean square error (RMSE) values were obtained for WorldView-3 and KOMPSAT-3 data, respectively. The average RMSE values obtained as a result of the model-based comparison of DSMs are 0.28 m for WorldView-3 and 0.57 m for KOMPSAT-3. These results demonstrate that the sub-metre level physical changes occurring on tumuli can be determined by VHR stereo satellite images.


Establishing cause-effect relationships is a standard goal of empirical science. Once the presence of a causal relationship is established, the precise causal mechanism involved becomes a topic of interest. A particularly popular type of mechanism analysis concerns questions of mediation, that is to what extent an effect is direct, and to what extent it is mediated by a third variable. A semiparametric theory has recently been proposed which allows multiply robust estimation of direct and mediated marginal effect functionals in observational studies (Tchetgen Tchetgen & Shpitser, 2012). In this paper we extend the new theory to handle parametric models of natural direct and indirect effects within levels of pre-exposure variables with an identity or log link function, where the model for the observed data likelihood is otherwise unrestricted. We show that estimation is generally not feasible in this model because of the curse of dimensionality associated with the required estimation of auxiliary conditional densities or expectations, given high-dimensional covariates. Thus, we consider multiply robust estimation and propose a more general model which assumes that a subset but not all of several working models holds.


Strawberries are among the summer fruits popularly consumed by consumers. High antioxidant activity, anticancer, anti-inflammatory effect and high bioactive substance content are also beneficial to human health. However, their shelf life is short due to their high water content and active metabolismThey can be kept frozen and processed in order to be consumable in all seasons. During freezing, when the water in the contents turns into ice crystals, the expansion occurs. For this reason, frozen and thawed fruit is generally softer than fresh fruit. These effects can vary with different types of  freezing condition. In addition, freezing and thawing conditions can affect the stability of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity.

 In this study, fresh strawberries were frozen at different temperatures; -18 °C, -86 °C, and individually quick frozen (IQF) as freezing methods. Frozen strawberries were thawed at 24 °C at room condition, +4 °C in the refrigerator and microwave oven with thawing mode. Total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid and total anthocyanins content, and total antioxidant activity were performed to examine the effect of freezing and thawing on biocompatibility. According to the results, the total phenolic compounds in the range of 0.77-2.76 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, flavonoid content 0.32-0.90 mg catechin equivalent/g, total anthocyanin content 0.02-0.16 mg/g and total antioxidant capacity 49.06 and 55.64% were found in strawberries. According to these results, it was determined that the loss of bioactive components was minimized by frozen with IQF and thawing in the microwave oven. In addition, the shortness of the thawing time in this process provides an extra advantage.


A compact mixed mode (CMM) specimen was employed to determine the interfacial fracture toughness of adhesively bonded joints. Finite element analysis modeling for an interface crack in the CMM specimen provided the necessary stress intensity factor calibration solution. An interface crack mixed mode fracture toughness test methodology has been developed. Fracture toughness tests for interface cracks in adhesive joints were subjected to different global mixed mode loading conditions. The results showed that the mode II fracture toughness generally displayed a larger value than the mode I toughness. Failure criterion based on a failure analysis diagram or an effective stress intensity factor were proposed for interface cracks loaded under different mixed-mode fracture conditions.


Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) caused a shift in the way things are monitored. While traditional monitoring was coarse-grained and offline, using WSNs allows fine-grained and real-time monitoring. While radio-based WSNs are growing out of the stage of research to commercialization and widespread adoption, commercial underwater monitoring is still in the stage of coarse-grained and offline monitoring and research on Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UASNs) is in the early stage.
Existing WSN research can only partially be applied to underwater communication and realization of large-scale mesh networks of underwater nodes requires rethinking of communication and networking protocols.
Acoustic communication is the most widely used type of communication for underwater networks. This is because acoustic communication is the only form of communication which allows long-range communication in underwater environments. Acoustic communication, however, poses its own set of challenges for the design of networking and communication protocols. The slow acoustic propagation speed of about 1500 m/s, limited available bandwidth, high transmission energy costs and variations in channel propagation are some of the challenges to overcome.
Existing Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols for underwater communication consider data communication only, however there is a need for reliable network protocols which provide not only data communication but also localization and time- synchronization. We will show that an integrated approach has significant advantages over three separate solutions. We have developed a collision-free MAC protocol that provides both time-synchronization and localization in an energy-efficient and scalable way and with high throughput.
In this thesis we introduce a communication scheduling algorithm which we call Simplified Scheduling. A distributed scheduling approach reduces the computational and communication complexity of this scheduling algorithm to allow scheduling of large-scale networks.
We introduce a combined Time-of-Flight (ToF) and Direction-of-Arrival (DoA) localization and time-synchronization approach for non-cooperative networks, and introduce a cooperative combined localization and time-synchronization algorithm called aLS-Coop-Loc for cooperative networks. By combining localization and time- synchronization the communication overhead is reduced compared to separate solutions.
We show two examples of MAC protocols which combine the introduced schedu- ling and localization and time-synchronization techniques. In future work we will use these algorithms to design other efficient underwater MAC protocols which combine communication, localization and time-synchronization.


BACKGROUND
The economic consequences of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are severe for adult patients and their households, but the out-of-pocket expenses and economic burden of CKD and how this affects the caregivers of children with kidney disease are unclear. This study aims to describe parental perspectives on the financial impact of caring for a child with CKD.

STUDY DESIGN
Face-to-face semistructured interviews.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
Parents of children with CKD from 3 pediatric nephrology centers in Australia.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH
Transcripts were analyzed thematically.

RESULTS
27 parents of 26 children participated. We identified 5 themes: loss of freedom and control (prioritizing care, limiting occupational opportunities, and appreciating socioeconomic advantage), burden of sole responsibility (inability to rely on others, lack of respite, increased separation of family roles, and self-reliance), adapting for survival (vigilant budgeting, redefining normality and expectations, rechanneling resources to basic needs, and negotiating work flexibility), instability of circumstances (depleted capacity to work, unpredictability of child's health, burden of travel-related costs, imposition of debt, and domestic upheaval), and struggle in seeking support ("falling through the cracks" and unmet information needs).

LIMITATIONS
Few participants were fathers (n=5), and results may not be transferable to non-English-speaking caregivers because these participants were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS
Parents focused their resources and attention on meeting the complex needs of their child. Inability to sustain employment due to focus on their child's care and both medical and nonmedical expenses were major contributors to the financial impact, with financial stress compounded by difficulties accessing government support. As a result, parents experienced profound financial and social instability and physical and psychological fatigue and exercised extreme financial vigilance. Increased access to respite and domestic support and financial and psychosocial interventions are suggested to minimize the financial impact of caring for a child with CKD, which in turn may lead to better care, quality of life, and health outcomes for children with CKD and their families.


A histamine functionalized monolith was synthesized within a micro-sized channel as a permeable support for the immobilization of 5, 20 and 100 nm-sized gold nanoparticles and the resulting nanostructured hybrid monoliths were applied as microreactors for the catalytic reduction of nitro-derivatives. The whole synthetic pathway of the composite materials relies on (i) UV-induced polymerization of N-acryloxysuccinimide and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in toluene, (ii) surface grafting of histamine through nucleophilic substitution of hydroxysuccinimide leaving groups, and (iii) specific adsorption of citrate-stabilized colloidal gold nanoparticles. The achievement of the successive synthetic steps was ascertained by using a combination of experimental techniques providing information about the chemical composition (FTIR, Raman, and EDX) and porosity and surface-dispersion (SEM) of gold nanoparticles. Of particular interest, it is shown that surface-grafted histamine units exhibit strong affinity towards gold nanoparticles and allow homogeneous and dense dispersion of 5 and 20 nm sized nanoparticles. Consequently, the gold nanoparticle size-dependence of the catalytic activity (conversion of nitro and di-nitro aromatic compounds into the corresponding amino and di-amino-derivatives) was demonstrated, highlighting the utmost importance of controlling the dispersion of nano-catalysts on the support surface, while histamine protonation was also evidenced as a parameter of paramount importance regarding nanogold surface density and thus resulting catalytic activity. Histamine protonation notably allows the generation of electrostatic interactions between citrate-coated gold nanoparticles and thus-formed positive charges at the monolith surface.


Observations: A 70 years- old farmer who presented with three months' history of fever with chills, productive sputum, pleuritic chest pain, exertional breathlessness, anorexia and three days history of altered sensorium was found to have signs of pleural effusion clinically on the right side. Aspiration revealed frank pus which was drained by an intercostal tube. Subsequently the patient developed multiple abscesses in the right costal area which were drained surgically. Gram staining of the purulent material revealed Gram positive and acid fast bacilli which had branching and fragmented morphology, suggestive of Nocardia. Thorax CT revealed a resolving consolidation with pleural effusion on the right side. Cranial CT with contrast revealed multiple ring enhancing lesions with vasogenic edema in the right fronto-parietal and left occipital area. CSF did not show any abnormality. A diagnosis of disseminated Nocardiosis was made. Patient was started a treatment with Trimethoprim-Sulphmethoxazole and is on regular follow up. The case is highlighted because of the rarity of the disease and the patient in question did not have an underlying immune compromise or any other systemic disease.


As data centers evolve to sustain the economic scale in network traffic, optical interconnections are adapted to support the vast amount of capacity requirements. Among emerging solutions is the incorporation of digital-signal-processing (DSP) functionalities at the receiver to compensate for the optical fiber and optoelectronic components impairments. The bottleneck in such architecture is often implementing a high-resolution and high-speed analog-to-digital-converter (ADC) device, which usually leads to massive power consumption and high costs. In this paper, we propose novel transmission schemes based on low-resolution ADCs, termed DSP-enhanced analog-to-digital conversion. The proposed methods are based on the mathematical principle of predictive quantization, combined with linear equalization theory. Mathematical analysis and performance bounds associated with common channel impairments are derived. Simulation results demonstrate that the DSP-enhanced ADC provides a significant signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) gain and, subsequently, may enable heavy digital compensation with reduced-resolution ADCs.


The importance of learning distance functions is gradually being acknowledged by the machine learning community, and different techniques are suggested that can successfully learn a strong distance function in many various contexts. Nevertheless the studies in the area are still rather fragmentary; they lack systematic analysis and focus on a limited circle of application domains. In this paper, two techniques for learning discriminative distance function are evaluated and compared on biomedical data of different kind; learning from equivalence constraints and the intrinsic Random Forest similarity. Both techniques demonstrate competitive results with respect to plain learning; the Random Forest similarity exhibits a more robust behaviour and is shown to be less susceptible to missing data and noise.


In this issue of ALT-J we have six articles that address three broad topics of video, costbenefit analysis and the emergent learning technology community. The first two articles present case studies on the use of video in teaching and learning. Shephard et al . describe their experiences of re-purposing a back 'care video' for video streaming, and use these experiences to highlight key challenges that others may face when attempting to re-purpose a video. Blake and Scanlon use their experiences of analysing video recordings of students, who were using computers to support their collaboration in solving statistical problems, to argue that such video analysis provides useful rich data with which to interpret and understand students' experiences. DOI:10.1080/0968776030110201


In 1781 wealthy heiress Seymour, Lady Worsley, causes outrage when she cuckolds her husband, respectable MP Sir Richard Worsley, and runs away with her lover Captain George Bisset. Furious, Sir Richard responds by suing Bisset for 'criminal conversation' and demanding a record £20,000 for the damage done to his property-Lady Worsley. While Seymour and Bisset hide out in a London hotel, Sir Richard and his lawyers set about proving his wife's infidelity through a series of devious schemes. When the case comes to court, Sir Richard lies about his relationship with Seymour, painting a perfect picture of their marriage and persuading others to do the same. Bisset looks sure to be facing penury and prison, until Seymour devises a bold plan. To save her lover from ruin she discloses a shocking secret–one that astounds the court, puts her reputation in jeopardy and turns the trial into the greatest sex scandal of the eighteenth century.


Rit, a member of the Ras family of GTPases, has been shown to promote cell survival in response to oxidative stress, in part by directing an evolutionarily conserved p38 MAPK-Akt survival cascade. Aberrant Rit signaling has recently been implicated as a driver mutation in human cancer, adding importance to the characterization of critical Rit effector pathways. However, the mechanism by which Rit-p38 signaling regulated Akt activity was unknown. Here, we identify mTORC2 as a critical downstream mediator of Rit-dependent survival signaling in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress. Rit interacts with Sin1 (MAPKAP1), and Rit loss compromises ROS-dependent mTORC2 complex activation, blunting mTORC2-mediated phosphorylation of Akt kinase. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the p38/mTORC2/Akt signaling cascade mediates Rit-dependent oxidative stress survival. Inhibition of this previously unrecognized cascade should be explored as a potential therapy of Rit-dependent malignancies.


Abstract Tiering and ichnoguild analysis provide valuable evidence on marine benthic paleoecology. This paper provides the first detailed study on the ecology of a Cambrian deep-marine ichnofauna by means of the analysis of its ichnoguilds and tiering structure. Endobenthic tiering in this Early Cambrian deep-sea community was moderately developed. Biogenic structures were emplaced mostly in the uppermost millimeters of the substrate, with the exception of post-depositional burrows preserved on the base of turbidite sandstones. Four ichnoguilds are defined. The Palaeophycus ichnoguild includes semi-permanent, shallow-tier, suspension feeder structures produced by vagile vermiform organisms. The Oldhamia ichnoguild consists of semi-permanent, very shallow-tier, undermat-miner structures produced by stationary vermiform organisms. The Helminthopsis ichnoguild comprises transitory, near-surface to very shallow-tier, mat-grazer structures produced by vagile vermiform animals. The Diplichnites ichnoguild consists of transitory, surface structures produced by vagile arthropods. Comparisons with coeval ichnofaunas indicate that these ichnoguilds are widespread in Vendian–Cambrian deep-marine biotas. This analysis suggests that Cambrian deep-water communities were remarkably different from younger examples and stresses the importance of microbial mats on the ecology of Neoproterozoic–Cambrian ecosystems. Feeding strategies associated with microbial mats persisted in the deep sea after the agronomic revolution that took place in shallow-water environments, suggesting a gradual closure of a taphonomic window during the Proterozoic–Cambrian transition. The presence of post-depositional burrows of the Palaeophycus ichnoguild at the base of turbidite sandstones indicates a higher burrowing depth than those envisaged by current models.


The first monarch citizen science program was launched in the 1950s and, since then, thousands of volunteers have made fundamental contributions to our accumulating knowledge of monarch biology. We quantified these efforts and the degree to which citizen science has contributed to monarch scholarship. We estimate that, in 2011, volunteers spent over 72,000 hours collecting data useful for monarch research. Of 503 monarch-focused research publications in which new results were presented from 1940 to 2014, 17% used citizen science data. We address persistent gaps in the use and coverage of these data and show that, despite a typical view of volunteers as mere data collectors for scientists, many citizens are deeply engaged in all aspects of monarch research and data use. Finally, we argue that monarchs provide a model system for understanding the impacts of citizen science on scholarship, public engagement, and conservation.


Background Poisson model has been widely applied to estimate the disease burden of influenza, but there has been little success in providing reliable estimates for other respiratory viruses. Methods We compared the estimates of excess hospitalization rates derived from the Poisson models with different combinations of inference methods and virus proxies respectively, with the aim to determine the optimal modeling approach. These models were validated by comparing the estimates of excess hospitalization attributable to respiratory viruses with the observed rates of laboratory confirmed paediatric hospitalization for acute respiratory infections obtained from a population based study. Results The Bayesian inference method generally outperformed the classical likelihood estimation, particularly for RSV and parainfluenza, in terms of providing estimates closer to the observed hospitalization rates. Compared to the other proxy variables, age-specific positive counts provided better estimates for influenza, RSV and parainfluenza, regardless of inference methods. The Bayesian inference combined with age-specific positive counts also provided valid and reliable estimates for excess hospitalization associated with multiple respiratory viruses in both the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and interpandemic period. Conclusions Poisson models using the Bayesian inference method and virus proxies of age-specific positive counts should be considered in disease burden studies on multiple respiratory viruses.


The inhibitory effect on the increasing the postprandial blood glucose levels by Banaba extract capsule enriched corosolic acid was evaluated. First of all, blood glucose levels of 12 subjects including of 7 males and 5 females were measured at the time of fasting and in 30, 60, and 120 minutes after being ingested only starch meal (540 kcal).  Then a soft capsule of Banaba extract contained high 10mg quantity of corosolic acid was orally administered to all subjects at every morning for two weeks.  The inhibitory effect by the capsule was evaluated to compare with the postprandial blood glucose levels by being ingested the only starch meal. As a result, a significant inhibitory effect was observed at the each point of fasting and 30, 60 and 120 minutes within only one week after administrating the soft capsule. Both the weight loss and the improvement of BMI were observed also after two weeks administrating.It is clear that the soft capsule of Banaba extract contained high 10mg quantity of corosolic acid is available, as no adverse effect was observed during and after the trial.


In the battle of anti-air attack, the troops have to carry out the electronic jamming by integrated using of electronic measures in order to weaken the airborne Radar detection ability for the enemy. The allocation of jamming arms plays important role in influencing the jamming benefit directly. In this paper, we propose an arms allocation model for Radar jamming system based on the chaos genetic algorithms by thinking of the characteristic of anti-air battle. By loading the chaos variable to the variable group of Genetic Algorithms and laying a tiny disturbance using the chaos variable on the filial generation group and adjusting the jamming arguments when evolving the searching, we enhance the partial searching ability for the new algorithm, moreover, making the algorithm global optimality. Simulation shows the algorithm can solve the complex and difficult problem for the arms allocation with Radar jamming system effectively.