In the light of Mozambique's natural resources boom—especially its large-scale investments in mining, oil, and gas—this paper analyses the prospects for the extractive industries to contribute to economic transformation from an institutional perspective. To this purpose, we address the institutional dynamics of the resources sector and consider the underlying causes of the identified outcomes. The National Development Strategy, as the instrument presenting the vision for economic transformation and diversification, is discussed. The paper is based on a desk review—documental and bibliographic—and on primary data gathered by the authors as part of their research into the field of natural resources and the political economy of development. We conclude that, given Mozambique's political patronage and clientelism, intra-ruling elite competition, limited productive base, weak state capacity, high level of poverty, and recurrent fiscal deficits, the prospects of the current resource boom leading to economic transformation, despite its considerable potential, are at best uncertain.


Purpose
This study aims to indicate the advantages of using cloud computing services, including the ways in which firms use cloud-based services to achieve accessibility, better communication, flexibility and effective provision of services. However, little evidence has been obtained related to the effectiveness of applying cloud computing services to supply management chains.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a sample of 223 top 1,000 manufacturing firms in Taiwan that had implemented cloud-based supply chain management systems (CSCMs) was surveyed to determine what kind of internal resources in these companies were allocated to this implementation effort, how collaborative relationships were established in the existing supply chain to help make the transitions successful, how well their systems are working now that they have been implemented and whether these new systems have improved cycle time performance and the overall performance of their organizations. The study also examines the interrelationships among these variables.

Findings
The results reveal that, from the perspective of the managers who were surveyed, an effective allocation of internal organizational resources does have a positive, strong effect on external CSCM conditions. They also showed that when the relationship between internal and external resources is well constructed, the result is that CSCM improves supply chain management cycle time performance, which, in turn, leads to positive organizational performance.

Originality/value
The study reports some useful insights from the managers of CSCM systems related to how the execution of CSCM solutions can improve cycle time and organizational performance by enhancing internal organizational management and joint collaboration among supply chain partners. The findings from this survey will be useful to managers who are considering creating cloud-based supply management systems in the future.


Dixit's 1975 paper "Welfare Effects of Tax and Price Changes" constitutes a seminal contribution to the theory of tax reform analysis within a second-best general equilibrium framework. The present paper clarifies ambiguities with respect to normalisation which have led to misinterpretation of some of Dixit's analytical results. It proves that a marginal tax reform starting from a proportional tax system will improve social welfare if it increases the supply of labour, whatever the rule of normalisation adopted, and shows that this result provides the key to understanding what determines the optimal system of commodity taxation as reflected in the Corlett and Hague analysis of optimal taxation in an economy with two produced commodities. Recasting work by Deaton (1981b), it generalises, using an alternative definition of the complementarity between consumption and leisure, to an economy with many commodities the insight that the optimal tax system is determined as a trade-off between two objectives: 1) to encourage the supply of labour to the market, and 2), to limit the distortion of the pattern of consumption of produced commodities. This insight cannot be illustrated by simulation studies using standard additive separable utility functions. However, extending work of Atkinson and Stern (1980, 1981) the paper presents a parameterised utility function with explicit representation of the use of time, the CES-UT, which allows a flexible representation of the relationship between consumption and leisure. This functional form is used to provide a quantitative illustration of the trade-off which defines the optimal tax system and thus desirable directions of tax reform.


This paper presents a framework for knowledge discovery and concept exploration. In order to enhance the concept exploration capability of knowledge‐based systems and to alleviate the limitations of the manual browsing approach, we have developed two spreading activation‐based algorithms for concept exploration in large, heterogeneous networks of concepts (e.g., multiple thesauri). One algorithm, which is based on the symbolic AI paradigm, performs a conventional branch‐and‐bound search on a semantic net representation to identify other highly relevant concepts (a serial, optimal search process). The second algorithm, which is based on the neural network approach, executes the Hopfield net parallel relaxation and convergence process to identify "convergent" concepts for some initial queries (a parallel, heuristic search process). Both algorithms can be adopted for automatic, multiple‐thesauri consultation. We tested these two algorithms on a large text‐based knowledge network of about 13,000 nodes (terms) and 80,000 directed links in the area of computing technologies. This knowledge network was created from two external thesauri and one automatically generated thesaurus. We conducted experiments to compare the behaviors and performances of the two algorithms with the hypertext‐like browsing process. Our experiment revealed that manual browsing achieved higher‐term recall but lower‐term precision in comparison to the algorithmic systems. However, it was also a much more laborious and cognitively demanding process. In document retrieval, there were no statistically significant differences in document recall and precision between the algorithms and the manual browsing process. In light of the effort required by the manual browsing process, our proposed algorithmic approach presents a viable option for efficiently traversing large‐scale, multiple thesauri (knowledge network). © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and compare the rates of substance use in parents of children with substance use disorders in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Between January 2009 and December 2011, a total of 528 participants, comprising 255 fathers of children with substance use-related problems (study group) and 273 fathers of children without problems (comparison group) attending the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, were assessed, using a modified form of a 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization's guidelines for students' substance use surveys. The demographic characteristics of the respondents were similar. Locally available substances including alcohol were used more frequently than illicit substances by both groups. Possible reasons for using these substances included ready availability, unidentified personal problems, performance enhancement and unemployment. Substance use is on the increase in our environment and this may be attributable to environmental pressures and weak parental discipline.


Microelectromechanical devices are increasingly being integrated into electronic circuitry. One of these types of devices is the microswitch, which acts much like a three-terminal field-effect transistor (FET). While various microswitches are currently being developed, their dynamic behavior is not well understood. Upon closing, switches bounce several times before making permanent contact with the drain. In this paper, a time-transient finite difference analysis is used to model the dynamic behavior of two different electrostatically actuated microswitch configurations. The model uses dynamic Euler-Bernoulli beam theory for cantilevered beams, includes the electrostatic force from the gate, takes into account the squeeze-film damping between the switch and substrate, and includes a simple spring model of the contact tips. The model and simulation can be used as design tools to improve switch performance and reduce switch bounce in future designs.


Manufacturing processes are generally monitored by observing sampled process signals. The purpose of this monitoring is to ensure process, and thereby, product consistency and to help diagnose causes of process instability. The interpretation of process signals requires the recognition of what we refer to here as primitive variations, or changes, in signal values which are typically buried in a background of other process related variations and random noise. These primitive variations include changes such as positive or negative sharp peaks, sudden step-like increases or decreases, or gradual ramp-like variations in the signals. Such changes in a given signal indicate a process change which when combined with corresponding changes in other signals could lead to the identification of the cause, or at least a rank order of possible causes, which produced these changes. In this paper, we discuss a two-level AI-based procedure for automatic recognition of these primitive changes. This procedure essentially involves applying syntactic analysis either directly to the raw process signals or, whenever not possible, to a filtered version of them. The first level, therefore, involves applying special purpose nonlinear filters which are designed to enhance or isolate, a particular primitive variation in the signal. The second level consists of a Signal Interpreter process written in LISP. This process analyses the filtered signals and produces a data structure which represents the primitive variations. A description of the entire interpretation system will be presented, and an example illustrating the application of the method to a process signal of an actual Aluminum sheet rolling mill will be shown.


The paper introduces the basic theories about the definition of numerical quadrature formula and composite Simpson quadrature,and provides the source code file which implements the composite Simpson quadrature,proves the basic theory of composite Simpson with some examples.It could be the reference for the relevant engineers,technicians and scientific researchers who couldn't solve integral problem with Calculus,and turn to composite Simpson quadrature.


This article aims to reveal the structure of the academic field of communication by portraying the people at its dominant pole. The study is based on the sociology of Bourdieu and 57 personal interviews with International Communication Association (ICA) fellows. It shows that the communication field's legitimization problem is intensified by social climbers' prevalence at the field's power pole. These first-generation college graduates were raised to value education, hard work, and a certain type of public conduct. They entered the field when they realized that it matched their habitus, as communication attracted people with both an affinity for natural sciences and the wish to make a difference. Quantitative methods and psychological approaches promised scientific authority as well as knowledge for the outside world. The idea of this article is pretty simple: to reveal the structure of the communication field by portraying the people at its dominant pole. Anyone wishing to link the article's scope and title will probably ask for the empirical and theoretical background: Why ICA, and why the fellows? Why a portrait including the origin environment, for example, instead of canonic texts? These questions are addressed in the


Digital management of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company (PCOC) was a modern management mode for "three-low" oil and gas reservoir economic development. Based on the establishment of digital management "three terminals and five systems", supported by digital technology, we set up one unified platform for production operation management, production operation scheduling, and emergency response and rescue, which provided an efficient collaborative work environment for management decision-making and scientific research. Combined digital technology with management, we promoted a shift in terms of labor organization structure, production organization and production operation mode.


Vietnam transport and logistics activities are on the rise along with the increase in import and export activities. According to a recent announcement by the World Bank (WB), Vietnam is ranked at position 39 with a significant improvement in its LPI (Logistics performance index). 3.27, ranking 3 in ASEAN (after Singapore position 7 and Thailand position 32) ranking of 2018 logistics activities, is considered to have better logistics service performance than comparable income markets. Surveying enterprises of Vietnam Report transport and logistics industry shows that they expect that legal corridors, infrastructure and IT applications will be prioritized to improve enterprises' efficiency in transport services and logistics in Vietnam. Along with the development trend of e-commerce, the entry into Vietnam market of big foreign retailers increases the risk of acquiring local logistics channels, which makes domestic enterprises face many disadvantages. According to Vietnam Report, management agencies need to see this issue, supplement necessary legal corridors (such as regulations on the limit of foreign ownership ratios in e-commerce enterprises, logistics), appropriately adjust tax regulations to avoid price transfer and tax evasion, thereby creating a fair, competitive environment for logistics enterprises.


Reconfigurable architectures are important elements on the design of software radios. Nowadays, diverse platforms are being developed to support multiple tasks; these platforms are designed specially for the different layers of the OSI (Open System Interconnection) reference model. Specifically, the security architectures described in the MAC sublayer should be evaluated, which are based on cryptographic algorithms that require high computational costs. In this work, two proposed AES-CCM hardware architectures for the IEEE 802.11i-2004 and IEEE 802.16e-2005 standards are implemented in diverse FPGA devices to examine implementation costs and performance evaluation. The results presented in this work will be used for designing and developing a reconfigurable platform with software-radio applications, which will include the high-performance AES-CCM hardware architectures meeting the specifications of the IEEE 802.11i-2004 and IEEE 802.16e-2005 standards.


In the last decades the importance of global trade for economic growth has been increasing and the integration of the poor population in developing countries into world trade is seen as one strategy of successful poverty reduction. With regard to a better integration of small farmers into world trade the value chain approach has gained growing importance in developing cooperation during the last years. Value chain analysis considers not only the efficiency of production but also any other factors which determine the participation of small farmers in final markets. The challenge for development cooperation is to promote those possibilities of integration that allow for sustained income growth of small producers, e.g. through processing or other value adding activities rather than supplying raw materials only. However, it has to be kept in mind that small farmers are confronted with different kinds of requirements regarding quality, price, delivery reliability and compliance with standards; requirements which generally increase with a higher integration into markets. An ongoing field survey in Ghana analyses constraints and potentials in two different value chains for chilli pepper, with one chain serving export markets and the other one concentrating on domestic markets. The question is which one offers better opportunities for small farmers, or if both or none offer noteworthy chances. The analysis of the two chains will focus on their general structure, the different participants at the single stages in the chains and their share in adding value. The distribution of incomes and benefits in the chains will be identified and their respective constraints and possibilities will be compared. Through the detailed analysis of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats arising from the integration in the different chains possible impacts can be identified and the importance of value chain integration for small farmers can be appraised. This will allow conclusions about targeted interventions of development cooperation which can improve small farmers' livelihood.


The predicates that are used to encode a planning domain in PDDL often do not include concepts that are important for effectively reasoning about problems in the domain. In particular, the effectiveness of rule-based policies in a domain depend on the concepts that can be expressed in the language used to capture those policies. In this work we investigate complimenting planning domain descriptions with abstract concepts and methods for making distinctions between similar objects. We present an architecture that allows a rulebased policy to reason with these additional concepts, using them to reason over structures that the rules would not be able to reason over without support. We demonstrate that this is sufficient to allow a rule-based policy to provide control in benchmark domains with interesting structures and we argue that our architecture could allow control knowledge learners to learn policies that provide control in these domains.


Research on genetic diversity and intra-species classification of Indonesian Dioscorea alata L. based on morphological characters has been done, and the result shows that there are 4 sub-groups of green cultivars group, and 5 sub-groups of purplish-red cultivars group. The objectives of this study are to determine the phylogenetic relationship cultivars of D. alata Indonesia compared to D. bulbifera as nearest species as well as 3 cultivars from GenBank. The young leaves of 18 water yam cultivar accessions were collected from Java, Madura, South Sumatera, South Kalimantan, Centre Celebes (Sulawesi), Ternate, West Papua, and Nusa Tenggara islands of Indonesia. DNA Isolation was conducted using Phytopure reagent. DNA amplification was conducted using thermocycler, predenaturation at 95 o C 5 minutes, denaturation at 95 o C 1 minutes, annealing at 60 o C 3 minutes, and elongation at 72 o C 2 minutes along with 30 cycles. The PCR products were electrophoresed in 1.5% agarose and visualized under UV transiluminator. Fifty-five µl of PCR products with positive targeted band between 700-800 bp were sent to 1 st Base Singapore for purification and sequencing of 18S, ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2, and 28S rDNA. The DNA sequences were compared and aligned by BioEdit program (version 184.108.40.206) and MEGA programs. Comparison of entire sequences of the tested samples were aligned by software ClustalW (version 1.83). Phylogenetic trees were based on hierarchical clustering of the alignments of 18S, ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2, and 28S rDNA and produced by Neigbor-Joining using MEGA 5 software of the bootstrap values (1000 replicates). The study result shows that D. alata cultivars have high genetic variability on ITS-1, 5.8S, and ITS-2 rDNA region. Groups of green and purplish red cultivars formed based on morphological characters are not formed based on ITS-rDNA markers. Sub-groups were formed based on ITS-rDNA molecular markers derived from both the green and purplish-red cultivar groups. This result revealed that two cultivar groups are not similar with RAPD and morphological characters.


The nutrients and antioxidative activities of fruits and leaves from Metasequoia glyptostroboides were investigated to provide basic data for the future development of functional foods. The nitrogen-free extract contents of fruit and leaves were 69.04% and 50.47%, respectively. Total phenolic content was higher in leaves (21.75 mg/GAE g) compared to the fruit (19.95 mg/GAE g). The mineral components of fruit and leaves mainly consisted of calcium (2,136.08 and 304.85 mg/100 g, respectively), potassium (1,355.53 and 1,144.04 mg/100 g, respectively), and phosphorous (426.30 and 350.50 mg/100 g, respectively). In terms of amino acid composition, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, and leucine were relatively high, but methionine and cystine were low. The hot water extract from leaves was a more potent free radical-scavenger and had higher reducing activities than extracts from fruit. Thus, phenolics of M. glyptostroboides leaves can be utilized as an effective functional food substance for its natural antioxidant properties.


INTRODUCTION
Our understanding of how immune-based strategies designed to enhance T-cell activation might effectively control glioblastoma progression has been limited by our ability to identify and monitor tumor-specific T cells. The "cancer immunogenomics" approach has facilitated the search for tumor-specific antigens over the past 4 years by applying comprehensive cancer genomics to tumor antigen discovery. We applied this methodology to identify tumor-specific "neoantigens" in preclinical brain tumor models susceptible to checkpoint immunotherapy.

METHODS
The C57BL/6-derived GL-261 and VM/Dk-derived SMA-560 H-2b haplotype brain tumors underwent DNA whole exome and RNA sequencing. High-affinity candidate neoepitopes were predicted by using in silico computational approaches. Tumor-specific T-cell recognition was assessed using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and mutant-specific tetramer analyses of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from tumors injected subcutaneously and intracranially.

RESULTS
The GL-261 and SMA-560 tumors harbored 4644 and 2066 nonsynonymoous exome mutations, respectively, of which half were expressed. We applied H-2Db- and H-2Kb-specific neoantigen prediction algorithms to identify candidate tumor antigens. To validate the immunogenicity of these candidate neoantigens, we assessed tumor-specific T-cell responses of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes harvested from GL-261 and SMA-560 tumors transplanted heterotopically and orthotopically into their respective syngeneic hosts. Using interferon-γ ELISPOT and tetramer analysis, we confirmed H2-Db-restricted IMP3-D81N (GL-261) and ODC1-Q129L (SMA-560) as endogenous neoantigens that were functionally immunogenic. Neoantigen-specific T cells were detected within intracranial tumors as well as draining lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION
We credentialed the immunogenicity of 2 predicted high-affinity neoepitopes in well-studied orthotopic syngeneic preclinical brain tumor models, GL-261 and SMA-560. Furthermore, we identified tetramer-positive, antigen-specific T-cell populations within transplanted brain tumors and draining lymph nodes. We therefore extend cancer immunogenomics-based neoantigen discovery to glioblastoma models and establish a foundation to expand studies of the tumor-specific mutanome and explore fundamental mechanisms of T-cell activation in central nervous system immunobiology.


ExPlanTech's multiagent approach offers a unified framework for decision-making support and provides a proven alternative to known mathematical and system science-modeling technologies for simulating the manufacturing process. ExPlanTech provides technological support for various manufacturing problems and comprises different components, which you can assemble to develop a customized system that supports a user's decision making in different aspects of production planning. The system should help human users size resources and time requirements for a particular order, creating production plans, optimizing material resources manipulation, managing and optimizing supply chain relationships, visualizing and analyzing medium- and long-term manufacturing processes, and accessing external data.


Objectives: This paper portrays a recently developed, optimized and validated isocratic RP-HPLC strategy for the separation of two antidiabetic drugs (sitagliptin and metformin) in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations with the aid of quality by design and multi-criteria decision making approach. Methods: The effective chromatographic separation was accomplished by utilizing the Monolithic C18 segment (100×4.6 mm id, 5μm molecule size) and PDA-UV- detection at 210nm.The scope of independent variables utilized for the streamlining were methanol: 40- 50% v/v, pH: 3.5-4.5 and flow rate:0.3-0.5ml/min. Results: Ideal conditions decided for assay were methanol, acetonitrile, pH 3.5±0.5 balanced with the diluted orthophosphoric acid solution and flow rate of 0.484ml/min and pH 3.946. Peak area ratio of the analyte was utilized for the evaluation of pharmaceutical formulation tests. Total chromatographic analysis time per sample was approximately 4.33 min with metformin and sitagliptin eluting with retention times of 3.3 and 4.4 min respectively. The optimized assay circumstance was validated as per ICH guidelines and applied for the quantitative analysis of marketed tablets containing sitagliptin and metformin. Conclusion: The validation study upheld the determination of the assay conditions by affirming that the assay was specific, accurate and linear, precise and robust. Therefore, this RP-HPLC method can be used as a routine quality control analysis of gliptin derivative like sitagliptin in combination with metformin.


We have examined whether putative Earth-mass planets could remain confined to the habitable zones (HZs) of the 111 exoplanetary systems confirmed by 2004 August. We find that in about half of these systems there could be confinement for at least the past 1000 Myr, though in some cases only in variously restricted regions of the HZ. The HZ migrates outward during the main-sequence lifetime, and we find that in about two-thirds of the systems an Earth-mass planet could be confined to the HZ for at least 1000 Myr sometime during the main-sequence lifetime. Clearly, these systems should be high on the target list for exploration for terrestrial planets. We have reached our conclusions by detailed investigations of seven systems, which has resulted in an estimate of the distance from the giant planet within which orbital stability is unlikely for an Earth-mass planet. This distance is given by nRH, where RH is the Hill radius of the giant planet and n is a multiplier that depends on the giant's orbital eccentricity and on whether the Earth-mass planet is interior or exterior to the giant planet. We have estimated n for each of the seven systems by launching Earth-mass planets in various orbits and following their fate with a hybrid orbital integrator. We have then evaluated the habitability of the other exoplanetary systems using nRH derived from the giant's orbital eccentricity without carrying out time-consuming orbital integrations. A stellar evolution model has been used to obtain the HZs throughout the main-sequence lifetime.


A challenging task in computational biophysics is to ascertain the solvent effect on the electronic structure and interatomic bonding at the atomistic level. Simulations must be carried out on reasonably large biomolecules for accurate calculations to yield valid results. We report the results of a calculation on collagen model in the form of a peptide under three different environments: vacuum, solvated and with neutral and charged sites. Quantitative results and analysis of the partial charge (PC) distribution on each amino acid are discussed. A significant charge transfer of more than 1 electron from protein to water molecules is found with similar results when the model contains charged sites. The main contributions to the interatomic bonding are from hydrogen bonds (HBs) between water-water and water-protein pairs. A connection between PC and HBs can be established since the nonpolar amino acids form no HBs and have the smallest PC and vice versa. The ab initio PC obtained are used in the NAMD simulation showing significant improvement over the default values as reflected in the root mean square deviation of atomic positions in the MD steps and the total free energy in energy minimization. These results could facilitate the interpretation of data on interaction of various ligands in charged proteins in relation to isoelectric points. VC 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Abstract. Deep learning classification models require large amounts of labeled training data to perform properly, but the production of reference data for most Earth observation applications is a labor intensive, costly process. In that sense, transfer learning is an option to mitigate the demand for labeled data. In many remote sensing applications, however, the accuracy of a deep learning-based classification model trained with a specific dataset drops significantly when it is tested on a different dataset, even after fine-tuning. In general, this behavior can be credited to the domain shift phenomenon. In remote sensing applications, domain shift can be associated with changes in the environmental conditions during the acquisition of new data, variations of objects' appearances, geographical variability and different sensor properties, among other aspects. In recent years, deep learning-based domain adaptation techniques have been used to alleviate the domain shift problem. Recent improvements in domain adaptation technology rely on techniques based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), such as the Cycle-Consistent Generative Adversarial Network (CycleGAN), which adapts images across different domains by learning nonlinear mapping functions between the domains. In this work, we exploit the CycleGAN approach for domain adaptation in a particular change detection application, namely, deforestation detection in the Amazon forest. Experimental results indicate that the proposed approach is capable of alleviating the effects associated with domain shift in the context of the target application.


In times of global change, we must closely monitor the state of the planet in order to understand the full complexity of these changes. In fact, each of the Earth's subsystems—i.e. the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere—can be analyzed from a multitude of data streams. However, since it is very hard to jointly interpret multiple monitoring data streams in parallel, one often aims for some summarizing indicator. Climate indices, for example, summarize the state of atmospheric circulation in a region. Although such approaches are also used in other fields of science, they are rarely used to 5 describe land surface dynamics. Here, we propose a robust method to create global indicators for the terrestrial biosphere using principal component analysis based on a high-dimensional set of relevant global data streams. The concept was tested using 12 explanatory variables representing the biophysical state of ecosystems and land-atmosphere water, energy, and carbon fluxes. We find that three indicators account for 82% of the variance of the state of the biosphere ::::::: selected :::::::: biosphere :::::::: variables in space and time across the globe. While the first indicator summarizes productivity patterns, the second indicator summarizes variables 10 representing water and energy availability. The third indicator represents mostly changes in :::::: surface : albedo. Anomalies in the indicators clearly identify extreme events, such as the Amazon droughts (2005 and 2010) and the Russian heatwave (2010), they . :::: The :::::::: anomalies : also allow us to interpret the impacts of these events. The indicators can also be used to detect and quantify changes in seasonal dynamics. Here we report for instance increasing seasonal amplitudes of productivity in agricultural areas and arctic regions. We assume that this generic approach has great potential for the analysis of land-surface dynamics from 15 observational or model data.


V-type asteroids are a taxonomic class whose surface is associated to a basaltic composition. The only known source of V-type asteroids in the Main Asteroid Belt is (4) Vesta, that is located in the inner part of the belt. However, many V-type asteroids cannot be dynamically linked to Vesta., in particular, those asteroids located in the middle and outer parts of the Belt. Previous works have failed to find mechanisms to transport V-type asteroids from the inner to the middle and outer belt. In this work we propose a dynamical mechanism that could have acted on primordial asteroid families. We consider a model of the giant planets migration known as the jumping Jupiter model with five planets. Our study is focused on the period of 10 Myr that encompasses the instability phase of the giant planets. We show that, for different hypothetical Vesta-like paleo-families in the inner belt, the perturbations caused by the ice giant that is scattered into the asteroid belt before being ejected from the solar system, are able to scatter V-type asteroids to the middle and outer belt. Based on the orbital distribution of V-type candidates identified from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the VISTA Survey colours, we show that this mechanism is efficient enough provided that the hypothetical paleo-family originated from a 100 to 500 km crater excavated on the surface of (4) Vesta. This mechanism is able to explain the currently observed V-type asteroids in the middle and outer belt, with the exception of (1459) Magnya.


A murine model was used to evaluate the virulence of Sporothrix schenckii conidia cultured for 4, 7, 10 or 12 days in Sabouraud's dextrose broth (SDB). A correlation was observed between length of culture and virulence. Mice infected intravenously with S. schenckii conidia cultured for 4 or 7 days showed 40-100% cumulative mortality. In contrast, mice infected with conidia from cultures grown for 10 or 12 days in SDB showed no mortality (100% survival). A much greater accumulation of fungal colony forming units (cfu) was observed in the lungs, livers and spleens of mice inoculated with conidia of S. schenckii cultured for 7 days than in mice infected with conidia cultured for 12 days. The livers of mice from the former group showed a widespread granulomatous reaction whereas mice inoculated with S. schenckii cultured for 12 days showed a more limited response with fewer granulomas. No difference in viability or replicative capacity was discerned for these S. schenckii cultured cells. However, the more virulent forms of the fungus showed differences in cell-wall sugar composition with rhamnose:mannose molar ratios of 1.7:1.0 for cells cultured for 4 days and 1.0:1.7 for conidia cultured for 12 days. These results suggest that the virulence of S. schenckii conidia may be determined by their cell-wall composition.


Tissue-engineered ear cartilage scaffold based on three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology presents a new strategy for ear reconstruction in individuals with microtia. Natural hydrogel is a promising material due to its excellent biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. However, insufficient mechanical property required for cartilage is one of the major issues pending to be solved. In this study, the gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel reinforced with bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) was developed to enhance the biomechanical properties and printability of the hydrogel. The results revealed that the addition of 0.375% BNC significantly increased the mechanical properties of the hydrogel and promoted cell migration in the BNC-reinforced hydrogel. Constructs bioprinted with chondrocyte-laden BNC/GelMA hydrogel bio-ink formed mature cartilage in nude mice with higher Young's modulus and glycosaminoglycan content. Finally, an auricle equivalent with a precise shape, high mechanics, and abundant cartilage-specific matrix was developed in vivo. In this study, we developed a potentially useful hydrogel for the manufacture of auricular cartilage grafts for microtia patients.


Given the particular characteristics of the construction sector, its rate of accidents and contracted illnesses is high. Therefore, construction companies seek to protect the
health of their workers through the design and implementation of occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). This paper presents the results of a study that aimed to perform a comprehensive diagnosis of the implementation of the requirements of the Colombian Technical Standard (Norma Tecnica Colombiana, NTC-OHSAS 18001) in Colombian construction companies through a SWOT analysis. A survey of 25 questions to industry professionals in 5 capital cities was used for data collection. The survey was conducted in two ways: virtually with the help of the Google Docs platform and directly through written forms. A total of 209 questionnaires with valid answers were received. The findings show that a
lack of commitment and a lack of knowledge about safety are the main weaknesses. On the other hand, the existence of occupational health and safety (OHS) staff and the promotion
of OHS by Occupational Risk Administrators (ORA) are the main strengths. From this data, alternatives for improving OHS are proposed, such as greater investment in builders, increasing organizational culture, and adequate monitoring by the State


Dynamical Mean-Field Theory (DMFT) is among the most widely used techniques in computational condensed-matter physics, especially in addressing electron-electron interactions. In this regard, Quantum Monte Carlo may be considered as the most accurate DMFT impurity solver, but it usually requires a high numerical cost. On the contrary, lower numerical-cost technique, such as mean-field theory, often gives inaccurate results due to complete suppression of quantum fluctuations. In this study, we propose a new potentially low numerical-cost impurity solver taking a full account of fluctuation effects. Applying this new algorithm on Hubbard model, we formulate local self-energy that depends on the occupancy fluctuations. These fluctuations act as the semi-classical degree of freedom that needs to be integrated to obtain the averaged fully interacting Green functions. We test our algorithm by addressing temperature dependence of the density of states that reveals metal-insulator transition.


We characterized the full-length genomes of nine hepatitis C virus genotype 3 (HCV-3) isolates: QC7, QC8, QC9, QC10, QC34, QC88, NE145, NE274 and 811. To the best of our knowledge, NE274 and NE145 were the first full-length genomes for confirming the provisionally assigned subtypes 3d and 3e, respectively, whereas 811 represented the first HCV-3 isolate that had its extreme 3' UTR terminus sequenced. Based on these full-length genomes, together with 42 references representing eight assigned subtypes and an unclassified variant of HCV-3, and 10 sequences of six other genotypes, a timescaled phylogenetic tree was reconstructed after an evolutionary analysis using a coalescent Bayesian procedure. The results indicated that subtypes 3a, 3d and 3e formed a subset with a common ancestor dated to ~202.89 [95% highest posterior density (HPD): 160.11, 264.6] years ago. The analysis of all of the HCV-3 sequences as a single lineage resulted in the dating of the divergence time to ~457.81 (95% HPD: 350.62, 587.53) years ago, whereas the common ancestor of all of the seven HCV genotypes dated to ~780.86 (95% HPD: 592.15, 1021.34) years ago. As subtype 3h and the unclassified variant were relatives, and represented the oldest HCV-3 lineages with origins in Africa and the Middle East, these findings may indicate the ancestral origin of HCV-3 in Africa. We speculate that the ancestral HCV-3 strains may have been brought to South Asia from Africa by land and/or across the sea to result in its indigenous circulation in that region. The spread was estimated to have occurred in the era after Vasco da Gama had completed his expeditions by sailing along the eastern coast of Africa to India. However, before this era, Arabians had practised slave trading from Africa to the Middle East and South Asia for centuries, which may have mediated the earliest spread of HCV-3.


With the introduction of wireless broadband services in indoor environments there is a growing interest in propagation models for the mobile radio channel inside buildings. Because of the increasing transmission rates propagation models should be able to calculate the field strength coverage as well as the wideband properties for these indoor scenarios. This paper presents a new ray optical approach, which enables the prediction of field strength, delay spread and impulse response within a very short computation time. Additionally, simulation results gained with the new model are compared to measurements of the different wideband channel parameters.


Systolic time intervals were measured in 24 patients with acute myocardial infarction and compared to normal values predicted for heart rate and sex. Pulmonary artery pressures were measured in 18 patients and cardiac outputs using the Fick technique in 10 patients. In all patients the QS2 interval (total electromechanical systole) was short during the acute episode. This shortening in the QS2 interval was due primarily to a reduction in left ventricular ejection time (r=0·71; P<0·001) with no change in the pre-ejection period. The mean deviation from normal of the QS2 interval was 27 ± 3·6 msec in patients with an uncomplicated clinical course and 52 ± 4·7 msec in patients with a complicated course, the difference being significant at the 1% level. Those patients with the highest pulmonary artery diastolic pressure tended to have the shortest QS2 intervals (r=−0·58; P<0·01). There was no relationship between stroke volume and the deviations in the QS2 and left ventricular ejection time intervals from normal. The implication of these findings is discussed.


Problems of combustion instability and the need for wider range in firing rates have drawn attention to the need for more fundamental knowledge of the performance and the characteristics of pressure-jet atomized oil flames. A secondary problem is the complication and inconvenience of measurements on full scale equipment. In the present study various operational conditions for a typical modern burner with a pressure-jet atomizer and a swirled air supply were investigated. The variables chosen were fuel rate and spray angle. Data obtained consisted of gas composition, velocity and temperature measurements. The development of a laboratory unit was considered desirable to provide a means of facilitating measurements on flames of this type and a rig was constructed which consisted of a suitable combustion box and 3/10ths scale burner. It was shown that the matching of the spray angle to the air register aerodynamics affected the flame characteristics very markedly, Regions of high unburnt fuel occurred due to fuel penetration and poor mixing outside and downstream of the main part of the flame. The effect of widening the spray angle which usually occurs with wide range types of pressure-jet atomizers at the lower fuel rates was shown to be particularly unsatisfactory, and to effect the black smoke limit. The general course of mixing and the progress of combustion through the flame was deduced from calculation from the gas composition results. The distribution and effects of recirculation were shown from the velocity measurements. These were related to data for simple jets. In particular, it was deduced that internal recirculation in the core was largely responsible for flame stabilization. Theoretically derived scaling criteria were investigated by comparing full scale and model results. These showed that reasonable comparisons were possible between the two, with flames scaled either on the basis of similarity in velocity and relative momentum between spray and air, or on similarity in residence times in the flame. The former was thought probably to be better, Cold flow measurements were made, and showed differences in the size of the central recirculation core between hot and cold but not in the peak velocity to peak velocity diameter early in the flame. Combustion oscillation measurements on a marine boiler produced data which suggested strongly that these were of the "non-acoustic" type. None of the theories so far suggested appear to - ii - account with much accuracy for the observed data. In the course of experimental work various special Instruments for flow measurement were developed. It was concluded that the choice of spray distribution to suit a particular aerodynamic pattern was vital to the optimum performance of the burner. In all the cases investigated this was found to be to some extent imperfect. It is considered that decided improvements could be made to the air distribution in burners of this type. The following possibilities are suggested solutions, the use of a higher degree of swirl and a confining quarl, upstream air injection or the use of multiple oil nozzles and by avoiding devices where the spray angle varies widely over the operating range.


Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of specific MR features for detection of suspected placental invasion according to observers' experience.Methods and Materials: Our study population included 25 pregnant women (mean age 35.16) investigated by prenatal MRI. In twelve out of them placental invasion was histopathologically proven, the 13 other women (52%) without placental invasion served as control group. Multiplanar T1- and T2-weighted sequences had been performed mostly without IV contrast injection (1.5 T). MR examinations of the two groups were rendered anonymous, mixed, then independently and retrospectively reviewed by two senior and two junior radiologists in view of 8 MR features indicating placentar invasion including the degree. Results were compared with surgical diagnosis (placenta normal/increta/accreta/percreta). Interobserver agrement between senior and junior readers were calculated. Stepwise logistic regression and receiver operating (ROC) curvers were performed.Results: Demographics between the two groups were not statistically different. Overall sensitivity and specificity for detecting placentar invasion was 90.9% and 75.0% for senior readers, and 81.8% and 61.8% for junior readers respectively. The most significant MR features indicating placentar invasion were T2 hypointense placental bands, followed by placenta praevia, focally interrupted myometrial border, posterior placental insertion, and heterogeneous placental signal. For each of the evaluated MR features the interobserver agreement kappa between the two senior readers was superior than that between the junior readers, ranging from bad (<0.4) to good (0.4-0.75).Conclusions: MRI can be a reliable and reproducible tool for detection of suspected placentar invasion, however very variable according to the observers' experience.


This article presents results concerning recognition and classification of the qualitative-type range measurement errors in a time-of-flight principle based 2D laser scanner used on mobile robots for navigation. The main source of the qualitative uncertainty are the mixed measurements. This effect has been investigated experimentally and explained by analyzing the physical phenomena underlying the sensor operation. A local grid map has been used to remove the erroneous range measurements. A novel fuzzy-set-based algorithm has been employed to update evidence in the grid. The results of tests show that this algorithm is superior to the common Bayesian approach, when qualitative errors in range measurements are present.


RATIONALE
Mortality caused by septic shock may be determined by a systemic inflammatory response, independent of the inciting infection, but it may also be influenced by the anatomic source of infection.

OBJECTIVES
To determine the association between the anatomic source of infection and hospital mortality in critically ill patients who have septic shock.

METHODS
This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of 7,974 patients who had septic shock in 29 academic and community intensive care units in Canada, the United States, and Saudi Arabia from January 1989 to May 2008.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Subjects were assigned 1 of 20 anatomic sources of infection based on clinical diagnosis and/or isolation of pathogens. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Overall crude hospital mortality was 52% (21-85% across sources of infection). Variation in mortality remained after adjusting for year of admission, geographic source of admission, age, sex, comorbidities, community- versus hospital-acquired infection, and organism type. The source of infection with the highest standardized hospital mortality was ischemic bowel (75%); the lowest was obstructive uropathy-associated urinary tract infection (26%). Residual variation in adjusted hospital mortality was not explained by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, number of Day 1 organ failures, bacteremia, appropriateness of empiric antimicrobials, or adjunct therapies. In patients who received appropriate antimicrobials after onset of hypotension, source of infection was associated with death after adjustment for both predisposing and downstream factors.

CONCLUSIONS
Anatomic source of infection should be considered in future trial designs and analyses, and in development of prognostic scoring systems.


The Shwartzman reaction is elicited by two injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. The priming LPS injection is given in the footpad, whereas the lethal LPS challenge is given intravenously 24 h later. The injection of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) or interleukin 12 (IL-12) instead of the LPS priming injection induced the lethal reaction in mice further challenged with LPS. Antibodies against IFN- gamma when given together with the priming agent, prevented the lethal reaction in mice primed with either LPS, IL-12, or IFN-gamma. Antibodies against IL-12, when given together with the priming agent, prevented the lethal reaction in mice primed with either LPS or IL-12 but not with IFN-gamma. These results strongly suggest that LPS induces the release of IL-12, that IL-12 induces the production of IFN-gamma, and that IFN-gamma is the cytokine that primes macrophages and other cell types. Upon LPS challenge, the lethal Shwartzman reaction is induced by a massive production of inflammatory cytokines that act on the target sites already sensitized by IFN-gamma. If mixtures of TNF and IL-1 or mixtures of TNF and IFN-gamma are used to challenge mice previously primed with IFN-gamma or IL-12, mortality is induced. In the same conditions, the individual cytokines or a mixture of IL-1 and IFN- gamma do not replace the LPS challenge. When the mice are primed with LPS, the combination of TNF, IL-1, and IFN-gamma induced only a partial mortality incidence suggesting that the involvement of other LPS- induced factors.


Prices of corn, soybeans, and wheat started moving higher in the fall of 2006 and have remained generally high and well above average prices in the previous 30 years. These higher prices, and the volatility associated with the higher prices, have resulted in the kind of uncertainty reflected in the quote above. Are higher prices here to stay? If so, what is the expected level and variability of prices during the new era? From a producer's standpoint, the question really is, "What is a good price for corn, soybeans and wheat?" These questions cannot be answered with certainty, but unfolding evidence suggests that prices are indeed likely establishing a higher average than that experienced in recent history. The factors supporting this conclusion include generally tight world inventories, growing world demand for food and biofuels, and escalating costs of production (e.g., Trostle 2008).


Solar trackers are being increasingly used within the industry in order to improve the amount of power produced by photovoltaic systems. The design of these devices must pay special attention to wind action as the most relevant load seen by the generally flexible structure supporting the panels. However, standard building codes may not be particularly suitable for this sort of very flexible, extremely wind-exposed and not very critical-from-a-safety-point-of-view structures. In this context, a sensible approach in order to estimate the aerodynamic loading acting on the system, has been carried out by a coupling of CFD and structural analyses performed with FLUENT and Abaqus/Standard, respectively. Some relevant aspects such as most critical scenario selection, influence of incoming turbulence in the dynamic response of the structure, and sizing of the motion system (two axes of rotation) in order to overcome the aerodynamic loading during positioning of the tracker, were addressed.


superior vena cava with normal size of inferior vena cava, and abnormal intracranial structure. In addition, color US showed many dilated vessels in the intracranial supratentorial lesion. MR imaging/angiography revealed the huge space-occupying lesion in the posterior half of supratentorium, connected with the feeder vessels originated from bilateral middle dural arteries. These findings were compatible with DSM, and we had an expectant managemet until term. However, at 37w6d, just the day before the C/S had been planned, the fetus showed non-reassurring heart rate patterns, and emergent C-section was performed. A 2.790 gr baby girl was delivered at Apgar 1(1 min), 1(5 min), and in spite of intensive resuscitation, the baby died on the same day due to the cardiac failure. In case of congenital cardiomegaly, we always have to take it into consideration that extracardiac lesion might be involved.


People and societies thrive on a versatile and imaginative awareness. Yet the critical debate on arts education is still too often about the qualities of artefacts and technical skills, and tends to neglect issues such as the critical function of the arts in society, artistic cognition and cognitive development, changing artistic and cultural practices, and research into arts participation. Therefore it seems time for a change in perspective, shifting the focus from the qualities of artefacts to those of embodied cognitive and social processes. Arts Education Beyond Art argues that education of the arts, both for children and adults, should focus on the qualities of the processes generated by the artistic artefacts, and on these artefacts as means to an end. Instead of teaching how to look at art, we should teach how to look at life – through art.


This paper seeks to carry out design of a small scale electrically powered bending machine for a developing nation, case for Zimbabwe. The bending of metal is of great importance in the manufacture of products such as nut shelling machines and maize shelling machines. Currently being used at Company X engineering is a manual bending machine with a single operation hence this design will help to increase the number of metals being bent, an increase in the efficiency and production. The paper deals with manufacturing or bending of sheet metal by using power operated sheet bending machine. Especially discussion made the productivity analysis of manually or power operated sheet bending machine. Considering manual operation is replaced by power operated devices. It also gives information about limitation of manually operated sheet bending machine and power operated sheet bending machine. The existing machines are limited to a single operation. The aim of the research is to increase the number of bent parts and to place an adjustable table to suit the height of the user thereby reducing back pain internal injuries in the long run. The researchers visited the Company X to gather information concerning the problems faced by the employees. Material tests which are of great value were carried out and the use of software. A Plate Rolling Machine is a machine that will roll different kinds of metal sheet into a round or conical shape and a rod bending machine will roll or bend different kinds of metal sheet into right angles or circular shapes. The research aims at making it possible to do the operations on a single machine. We recommend the machine to be automated and the use of a servo motor to reduce human injuries at the workshop. Use of oils and maintenance is of great value to increase the life span of the machine


A large fraction of cool, low-mass stars exhibit brightness fluctuations that arise from a combination of convective granulation, acoustic oscillations, magnetic activity, and stellar rotation. Much of the short-timescale variability takes the form of stochastic noise, whose presence may limit the progress of extrasolar planet detection and characterization. In order to lay the groundwork for extracting useful information from these quasi-random signals, we focus on the origin of the granulation-driven component of the variability. We apply existing theoretical scaling relations to predict the star-integrated variability amplitudes for 508 stars with photometric light curves measured by the Kepler mission. We also derive an empirical correction factor that aims to account for the suppression of convection in F-dwarf stars with magnetic activity and shallow convection zones. So that we can make predictions of specific observational quantities, we performed Monte Carlo simulations of granulation light curves using a Lorentzian power spectrum. These simulations allowed us to reproduce the so-called flicker floor (i.e., a lower bound in the relationship between the full light-curve range and power in short-timescale fluctuations) that was found in the Kepler data. The Monte Carlo model also enabled us to convert the modeled fluctuation variance into a flicker amplitude directly comparable with observations. When the magnetic suppression factor described above is applied, the model reproduces the observed correlation between stellar surface gravity and flicker amplitude. Observationally validated models like these provide new and complementary evidence for a possible impact of magnetic activity on the properties of near-surface convection.


AH available information is reviewed on the characteristics and the way the "symbiosis" between algal chromoplasts and sacoglossan moHuscs works, using the existing bibliography and the authors' own studies. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the food subsidy received by the mollusc, whjch is one of the various benefits derived from the association, and on the possible benefit obtained from this consortium by the algal species involved and not by the retained chloroplasts, which are, after aH, non-autonorruc cell organelles. After making various theoretical considerations, and on the basis of the population dynamics of sorne pairs of alga-sacoglossan species, especiaHy an Acetabularia acetabulum and Elysia timida population thoroughly studied by the authors, the foHowing conclusions are drawn: a) The establishment of a symbiotic relationship between sacoglossans and chromoplasts and the different levels of mutual adaptation and efficiency reached, are a direct function of the difficulty (seasonal or otherwise) experienced by the molIusc in obtaining food. b) Depending on the moment of the biological cycle in which the animal receives it, the energy subsidy provided by the chloroplasts to the host moHusc acts either as a dietary complement, a dietary supplement or a partiaJ substitute of the normalIy obtained algal food. c) This subsidy is invested, successively ami/or altematively, in the mollusc's growth (Pg), in the shifting of its reproductive pattem from a lecithotrophic larval development to a direct one (Pr), or in increased exploratory and foraging activity (LlR). AH these entries represent a benefit for the mollusc, in allowing it to be more active, live longer, reproduce more efficiently ami/or explore a greater area of the sea bed. d) When the subsidy involves an energy complement for the sacoglossan species, it is plausible that the moIlusc reduces its grazing rate on the alga species, in the same proportion at which it receives the subsidy. In this case the alga species also benefits, which would aHow the relation between the alga and the sacoglossan to be classified as mutualistic. In aH the other cases the benefit is exclusively for the moHusc.


The role of Muslim women in the society has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. As a result of the increasing prevalence of women at all levels of education and in different fields of employment and aspects of public life, women now seek to achieve the highest leadership roles in all sectors and as well as in higher education sector and to participate on the various positions and in the decision-making process in public and private sectors. However, women who strive to assume the leadership positions are facing multiple challenges and many times give up because they become overwhelmed in dealing with multiple barriers. Therefore, the objective of this qualitative, phenomenological article is to probe into challenges that Muslim women academic leaders face both in their leadership position and in their communities by using semi- structured interview with some Muslim women academic leader. It is ascertained through the study that Muslim women academic leaders find it hard to make a significant impact in terms of knowledge due to the attitude of society toward women leaders and many women feel that society is still male dominated, and men are not accepted the idea of women holding senior posts, as well as personal and organization challenges. At the end, the article recommends different strategies to overcome these challenges and develop women in the position of leadership.


Control of mosquitoes is something of utmost importance in the present day with rising number of mosquito borne illnesses. Deforestation and industrialized farming are also two of the factors causing an alarming increase in the range of mosquitoes. Specialty products like mosquito repellent used to combat mosquitoes are required. Each of the products used for mosquito control have varying degrees of effectiveness. Carbon dioxide and lactic acid present in sweat in warm- blooded animals act as an attractive substance for mosquitoes. The perception of the odor is through chemo- receptors present in the antennae of mosquitoes. Insect repellents work by masking human scent; a number of natural and chemical mosquito repellents were studied in this review that work to repel mosquitoes. Chemical mosquito repellents has a remarkable safety profile , but they are toxicity against the skin & nervous system like rashes, swelling, eye irritation, and worse problems, though unusual -- including brain swelling in children, anaphylactic shock, and low blood pressure. Hence it was concluded that natural mosquito repellents were preferred over chemical mosquito repellents.


PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to determine dosimetric properties of Play-Doh as bolus in clinical electron beam radiotherapy.

METHODS
Electron beam energies of 6, 9 and 12 MeV were used. Play-Doh with a thickness of 0.5 and 1cm were placed on top of a plastic water phantom. During all PDD curve measurements the SSD was maintained at 100cm, while utilizing a PTW Markus Model N23343 parallel plate chamber for the measurements. Shifts and absolute dose ratio at Dmax between the Play-Doh PDD curve and plastic water PDD curve were calculated using an unconstrained nonlinear optimization method. The same procedure was repeated using the Superflab bolus material for comparison.

RESULTS
The comparison of depth dose curves normalized to Dmax of the plastic water for each electron energy and bolus material show that the Play-Doh and Superflab cause the PDD curve to shift upstream. For a bolus of 0.5 cm of Play-Doh or Superflab, the shifts were approximately 0.1cm upstream relative to plastic water. However, for 1cm of Play-Doh the shift was approximately 0.5cm upstream for all energies while Superflab still had a shift of about 0.1cm. The absolute dose at Dmax for each set of measurements using the different bolus materials were all within ±1% of plastic water.

CONCLUSION
The PDD curve shifts for 0.5cm of the bolus material were within 0.1cm for all configurations. For 1cm of Play-Doh the shift was about 0.5cm upstream; while shifts for Superflab were within 0.1cm. The absolute dose with different bolus material was within 1% of plastic water. Based upon this investigation, it is important that clinicians understand the effect of bolus material on the PDD for electrons.


Recent developments in 3D low-light level CCD (L3CCD) image capture have resulted in vast volumes of data being produced in real time which require image registration. The amount of data involved means that acceleration of the processing is essential. One of the key steps in one iterative registration algorithm is the application of an affine transform to all the planes of a 3D image. This paper presents details and performance results for a number of parallelized implementations of the affine transform on the NVIDIA 8800 GPU series, and shows that the transform runs 128 times faster on the GPU than a C++ version on a PC, or 54 times faster when data transfer between the GPU and the host PC is included.


Localized exogenous R-tetrahydrobiopterin (R-BH(4)) corrects the deficit in local heat-induced vasodilation (VD) in hypercholesterolemic (HC) human skin through one of two plausible mechanisms: by serving as an essential cofactor to stabilizing endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) or through generalized antioxidant effects. We used the stereoisomer S-BH(4), which has the same antioxidant properties but does not function as an essential NOS cofactor, to elucidate the mechanism by which R-BH(4) restores cutaneous VD in HC humans. Intradermal microdialysis fibers were placed in 20 normocholesterolemic (NC), 13 midrange cholesterolemic (MC), and 18 HC (LDL: 94 ± 3, 124 ± 3 and 179 ± 6 mg/dl, respectively) men and women to perfuse Ringer (control site) and R-BH(4). In 10 NC, 13 MC, and 9 HC subjects (LDL: 94 ± 3, 124 ± 3, 180 ± 10 mg/dl), S-BH(4) was perfused at a third microdialysis site. Skin blood flow was measured during a standardized local heating protocol to elicit eNOS-dependent VD. After cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC = LDF/MAP) plateaued, NO-dependent VD was quantified by perfusing N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME). Data were normalized as %CVC(max). Fully expressed VD (NC: 97.9 ± 2.3 vs. MC: 85.4 ± 5.4, HC: 79.9 ± 4.2%CVC(max)) and the NO-dependent portion (NC: 62.1 ± 3 vs. MC: 45.8 ± 3.9, HC: 35.7 ± 2.8%CVC(max)) were reduced in HC (both P < 0.01 vs. NC), but only the fully expressed VD was reduced in MC (P < 0.01 vs. NC). R-BH(4) increased the fully expressed (93.9 ± 3.4%CVC(max); P < 0.01) and NO-dependent VD (52.1 ± 5.1%CVC(max); P < 0.01) in HC but not in NC or MC. S-BH(4) increased full-expressed VD in HC (P < 0.01) but did not affect NO-dependent VD in HC or MC. In contrast S-BH(4) attenuated NO-dependent VD in NC (control: 62.1 ± 3 vs. S-BH(4): 41.6 ± 7%CVC(max); P < 0.001). Exogenous R-BH(4) restores NO-dependent VD in HC human skin predominantly through NOS coupling mechanisms but increases full expression of the local heating response through generalized antioxidant properties.


This study examines demand for fruits and vegetables segmented by income levels in a complete demand system framework using the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX) from 2002 to 2006. Results show that disparities are found between high-income households and low-income households. Seasonal effects and demographic variables, such as household heads' race and gender, region, household size and household composition, play an important role in fruit and vegetable consumption for both categories of household. In contrast, urban status, household heads' educational level and age are not found to have a statistically significant impact for low-income households. Conditional price elasticities indicate that processed fruits and vegetables, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables are "gross complements" and "net substitutes". Moreover, compared to high-income households, the low-income households are more responsive to own price changes for all three categories; these households are also more responsive to expenditure changes for processed fruits and vegetables.


Daily, circadian rhythms influence essentially all living organisms and affect many physiological processes from sleep and nutrition to immunity. This ability to respond to environmental daily rhythms has been conserved along evolution, and it is found among species from bacteria to mammals. The hematopoietic process of the crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus is under circadian control and is tightly regulated by astakines, a new family of cytokines sharing a prokineticin (PROK) domain. The expression of AST1 and AST2 are light-dependent, and this suggests an evolutionarily conserved function for PROK domain proteins in mediating circadian rhythms. Vertebrate PROKs are transmitters of circadian rhythms of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the brain of mammals, but the mechanism by which they function is unknown. Here we demonstrate that high AST2 expression is induced by melatonin in the brain. We identify RACK1 as a binding protein of AST2 and further provide evidence that a complex between AST2 and RACK1 functions as a negative-feedback regulator of the circadian clock. By DNA mobility shift assay, we showed that the AST2-RACK1 complex will interfere with the binding between BMAL1 and CLK and inhibit the E-box binding activity of the complex BMAL1-CLK. Finally, we demonstrate by gene knockdown that AST2 is necessary for melatonin-induced inhibition of the complex formation between BMAL1 and CLK during the dark period. In summary, we provide evidence that melatonin regulates AST2 expression and thereby affects the core clock of the crustacean brain. This process may be very important in all animals that have AST2 molecules, i.e. spiders, ticks, crustaceans, scorpions, several insect groups such as Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, and Blattodea, but not Diptera and Coleoptera. Our findings further reveal an ancient evolutionary role for the prokineticin superfamily protein that links melatonin to direct regulation of the core clock gene feedback loops.


Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) apple juice was processed using pasteurized apple (PA), pressure treated apple (PTA), gelatine treated apple (GTA), carbonate treated apple (CTA), salt treated apple (STA), hot water treated apple (HWTA) and unpasteurized apple (UPA) was used as the control sample. Cashew kernels were also processed using oil frying and oven drying techniques and the imported cashew kernel served as the control. The effect of these treatments and techniques on the physical, chemical, tannin and sensory properties were studied. The result of the juice samples showed pH range of 4.06 – 7.28 (HWTA and CTA), colour 3.08EBC – 7.50EBC (CTA and GTA), total solid 12.76 – 24.83% (PA and GTA), titratable acidity 0.03 – 1.97% (CTA and STA), crude protein 0.22 – 8.52% (STA, HWTA and GTA), ash 0.24 – 3.72% (STA and CTA), carbohydrate 6.17 – 8.62% (GTA and STA) and tannin 0.07 – 2.84mg/100ml (HWTA and PA), respectively. Hot water treatment significantly reduced the tannin content of the juice by 96.20%. HWTA juice was observed to maintain significantly high (p<0.05) sensory attributes of colour, taste, flavour, desirability and general acceptability (4.65, 4.21, 3.60, 4.27 and 4.73, respectively) and effectively reduced the astringency of the juice with the score of 2.53. Oil frying and oven drying techniques significantly did not affect all the chemical properties of the produced cashew kernel compare to the imported sample. The reduction of tannin in the cashew kernel was achieved using oil frying technique as regards to the imported sample by 0.1%. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in all the sensory attributes between the oil fried and imported cashew kernels. From the analysis, the reduction of tannin content in cashew apple juice and cashew kernel was achieved by immersing the apple in hot water before juice expression and by frying the kernels in hot oil before the remover of tasta, respectively and still maintain the physical, chemical and sensory properties of the products.


Due to the sharp IT budget cuts in corporate America, the slowing economy, and the offshore outsourcing trend, job opportunities for MIS graduates have become scarcer in recent years. In addition to having good academic performance, MIS students have adopted aggressive approaches, such as MIS internships, double majors, and more technical course work, to securing employment. However, research on the critical factors affecting MIS full-time job offers has not received enough attention, and little empirical research is currently available. This study intends to explore this important issue using a survey research methodology. 742 seniors majoring in MIS were surveyed in three different US universities and 213 seniors actually participated in the survey. The critical factors identified in this study include internship experience, the nature of internship experience, double majors, the time when students declare their MIS majors, grade point average, and gender difference. The research findings in this study indicate that student GP A, networking-oriented internship, and double majors are identified as the key items influencing MIS full time job offers.


The importance of the optical turbulence effect along a slant path downward on probability of exceeding the maximum permissible exposure level (MPE) from a laser is discussed. The optical turbulence is generated by fluctuations (variations) in refractive index of the atmosphere. These fluctuations are caused in turn by changes in atmospheric temperature and humidity. The structure function of refractive index, Cn2, is the single most important parameter in the description of turbulence effects on the propagation of electromagnetic radiation. In the boundary layer, the lowest part of the atmosphere where the ground directly influence the atmosphere, is the variation of Cn2 in Sweden between about 10-17 and 10-12 m-2/3, see Bergström et al. [5]. Along a horizontal path is the Cn 2 often assumed to be constant. The variation of the Cn2 along a slant path is described by the Tatarski model as function of height to the power of -4/3 or -2/3, depending on day or night conditions. The hazard of laser damage of eye is calculated for a long slant path downward. The probability of exceeding the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) level is given as a function of distance in comparison with nominal ocular hazard distance (NOHD) for adopted levels of turbulence. Furthermore, calculations are carried out for a laser pointer or a designator laser from a high altitude and long distance down to a ground target. The used example shows that there is an 10% risk of exceeding the MPE at a distance 2 km beyond the NOHD, in this example 48 km, due to turbulence level of 5·10-15 m-2/3 at ground height. The turbulence influence on a laser beam along horizontal path on NOHD have been shown before by Zilberman et al. [4].


Transition metal sulfides have been suggested as promising materials for efficient energy storage with superior electrochemical performances. Compound NiMoS4-A was synthesized by a facile chemical co-precipitation process, followed by calcining at 450°C in Ar. The as-prepared NiMoS4-A electrode exhibits a high specific capacity of 313 C g−1 at 1 A g−1 and good rate capability (83% retention at 10 A g−1). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicate that the good performances could be attributed to the low internal and charge transfer resistances. Additionally, the quantitative charge storage analysis reveals that the faradaic redox process dominates at lower scan rates (78% at 1 mV s−1), while the capacitive effect dominates at higher scan rates (56% at 20 mV s−1). Furthermore, a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC), with NiMoS4-A as the positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as the negative electrode, displays a high energy density of 35 Wh kg−1 at an average power density of 400 W kg−1. Meanwhile, the HSC exhibits excellent cycle stability, maintaining 82% of the initial capacitance after 10000 charge-discharge cycles even at a high current density of 5 A g−1. These good electrochemical performances indicate that NiMoS4-A is a promising positive electrode material for hybrid supercapacitors.


Reproduction is the most important factor in determining profitability in a cow calf enterprise. To maintain a calving interval of 365 days, a cow must re-breed in 80 to 85 days after calving. Many cows in Georgia need a higher level of condition at calving and breeding to improve reproductive performance. Poor reproductive performance is directly linked to the percentage of body fat in beef cows. Body condition scoring (BCS) is an easy and economical way to evaluate the body fat percentage of a cow. Cows can then be sorted and fed according to nutritional needs. Body condition scoring can be an effective tool for cattle producers who cannot weigh cattle, and it may be an even better measurement of cow condition and reproductive performance than weight. Most studies show that body condition decreases at a faster rate than weight loss. Therefore, body condition scoring can estimate the probability of re-breeding. Beef cattle have nutrient requirements in priority order for body maintenance, fetal development, lactation, growth and breeding. The nutrient intake is distributed in the body of the cow to fill these nutrient requirements. As each requirement is filled, the available nutrient is shifted to the next lower priority. The reverse shift is also obvious in beef cows. As nutrient requirements exceed intake, nutrients are shifted from the lower priority requirements to be sure that higher priority requirements are filled. Beef cattle store excess nutrients as body fat. The fat stores are mobilized when the nutrient demands exceed the available intake. In times of severe nutrient restriction, muscle tissue is mobilized once fat and other nutrient stores have been depleted. Researchers have determined that a certain amount of body fat is required for the reproductive system to function. Inadequate nutrition is most often the cause of poor reproductive performance. Developing a nutrition program is easier and more cost effective when all cows on the farm can be managed in a similar manner. This is especially true when all cows on a farm are managed in a single herd, which is often the case with small production units. Calving yeararound will make it very difficult to maintain adequate body condition on all cows at the critical times.


Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, with many distinct subtypes having extremely different presentations, biological aggressiveness, and response to therapy. Triplenegative breast cancer is a subtype with significant clinical implications because of its poor prognosis and aggressive behavior. It has distinct imaging features, often presenting as a mass with typically benign features on mammography and ultrasound and more suspicious findings on magnetic resonance imaging. Triple-negative breast cancer also has unique treatment limitations, with these cancers lacking molecular therapeutic targets expressed by other breast cancer subtypes. Fortunately, Triple-negative breast cancer is very responsive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is the mainstay of treatment for these patients. Patients with triple-negative breast cancer are more likely to achieve pathologic complete remission, which is associated with improved survival. Despite this, patients with triple-negative breast cancer have an overall poorer prognosis compared to other subtypes, especially in the first few years after diagnosis. As this subtype accounts for up to one-fifth of all breast cancer cases, a thorough understanding of the unique imaging features of triple-negative breast cancer, as well as the role of imaging in predicting response to therapy and long term patient prognosis, will allow all involved clinicians to more effectively care for these patients.


An important contributor to non-exhaust emissions in urban areas is airborne particulate matter originating from brake systems. A well-established way to test such systems in industry is to use inertia dynamometer benches; although they are quite expensive to run. Pin-on-disc tribometers, on the other hand, are relatively cheap to run, but simplify the real system. The literature indicates promising correlations between these two test stands with regard to measured airborne number distribution. Recent studies also show a strong dependency between the airborne number concentration and the disc temperature. However, a direct comparison that also takes into account temperature effects is missing. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to investigate how the transition temperature is affected by the different test scales, under dragging conditions, and the effects on total concentration and size distribution. New and used low-steel pins/pads were tested against cast iron discs/rotors on both the aforementioned test stands, appositely designed for particulate emission studies. A constant normal load and constant rotational velocity were imposed in both test stands. Results show that a transition temperature can always be identified. However, it is influenced by the test scale and the frictional pair status. Nevertheless, emissions are assessed similarly when an equivalent frictional pair status is analysed (e.g. run-in). Further investigations for fully run-in samples on the pin-on-disc should be performed in order to finally assess the possibility of using the tribometers for the initial assessment of different friction materials.


This article reports antler remains from the Late Paleolithic site of Climăuți II (Republic of Moldova) confirming the presence of wapiti Cervus canadensis in the Late Pleistocene of Western Eurasia. The occurrence of wapiti in the East Carpathian area by 20 ky BP coincides with the local extinction of Megaloceros giganteus , Crocuta spelaea , and Ursus spelaeus , and substitution of local forest reindeer with grazing tundra-steppe Rangifer tarandus constantini . We here provide an overview of paleontological data and opinions on the presence of Cervus canadensis in Europe, a discussion on the taxonomic status and systematic position of the extinct deer Cervus elaphus palmidactyloceros , and propose a dispersal model for wapiti in Europe during the Late Pleistocene.


The political ambition expressed by the NSPA through the Vision is to ensure that its growth potential and general importance for European economic development is recognised. At the same time, it needs to be acknowledged that sparse population patterns can require regulatory special treatment, measures to preserve local communities from external shocks and relatively higher costs in terms of infrastructure investments and public service provision. Taken in combination, these elements form the basis for the branding of the NSPA as a 'Strong, Specific and Promising' European macro-region.


The International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences took place at Copenhagen in the first week of August. In accordance with the practice of this series of congresses the presidents of sections were Danish scientific men, and the President of the whole Congress was the veteran Professor Thomas Thomsen, its Honorary Secretary being Dr Kaj Birket-Smith in collaboration with Professor J. L. Myres. Doctors Thomsen and Birket-Smith are both conservators of the National Museums, the reorganization of which during the last five years was one of the reasons for the invitation given by Denmark to the Congress. The membership reached about 700, representing over 45 countries. There were strong delegations from a great many of them, and of the British delegates twenty-five contributed papers to the Congress. The Congress was organized in thirteen sections and subjections, most of which had programmes occupying them for the better part of three days, morning and afternoon. The splendid collections at the Museums arranged in up-to-date fashion, along with films and special lectures, played a great part in the programme of the Congress, and some Greenlanders came over to give a demonstration of kayak management at Elsinore. The American Ethnographic section paid special attention to Maya and Mexican archaeology. Another subject emphasized by Professor Myres and several others was that of nomadism. Early agriculture and the adaptation of lowly agriculture to modern conditions were considerably discussed. Scandinavian and British members were at some pains to point out the inevitable limitations of any system of classification of humanity into races, while some of our German colleagues obviously felt that the principle of sub-division was of more value.


Understanding the diversity level of seed bank is important for designing conservation and restoration programs especially in arid ecosystems. A diverse of diversity indices has been used in evaluating seed communities regardless of its suitability to measure the ecological quality of the targeted biological community. The current study aims to evaluate the spatial variability in the seed bank of Sinai Peninsula, and to evaluate the suitability of different diversity indices for application. Two hundred and twenty samples were collected from fifty-nine sites representing twenty-three localities in North and South Sinai. These localities belong to four main geomorphological districts; Mediterranean coast, northern anticlines, northern inlands, and southern mountainous massif. The content of soil seed bank in each sample was estimated by emergence method. Thirty-two species were identified including eight endemic and near-endemic species. The suitability of indices was evaluated by testing the relationships of the indices with the associating environmental factors and contribution of each index to group separation. The results of the study show that Sinai has a large scale of soil seed bank diversity that could be used in any conservation and restoration plans. The study suggests also, that the most suitable diversity indices to measure this diversity are Margalef and Q-Statistic without neglecting the importance of reporting on abundance and richness. Key words : Sinai, soil seed bank, arid environments, diversity indices, conservation, restoration.


Testing for BRCA1 mutation has important clinical implications such as identifying risk of second primary cancers and risk of cancer in the family. This study seeks to quantify the risk of having BRCA1 mutation in female breast cancer patients with triple‐negative phenotype compared with those with other phenotypes. We undertook a search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for relevant studies through 10 May 2013. Outcomes were calculated and reported as risk ratio and risk difference. 12 studies comprising 2533 breast cancer patients were included in the analysis. It was found that almost all eligible studies were performed on high‐risk population with breast cancer. By analyzing the incidence rates of BRCA1 mutation in patients with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non‐TNBC, our meta‐analysis provides a relative risk of 5.65 [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.15–7.69] and risk difference of 0.22 (95% CI, 0.15–0.29). This implies that, in selected population with high‐risk features, women with TNBC are approximately five and a half times more likely to have BRCA1 mutation compared with non‐TNBC phenotype, and approximately two in nine women with TNBC harbor BRCA1 mutation. Triple‐negative phenotype significantly increases the risk of having BRCA1 mutation in high‐risk breast cancer patients compared with non‐TNBC.


Spina bifida makes infant physically disable and sometimes mentally retarded too. Foremost cause of this defect is lack of folic acid supplementation during first trimester of pregnancy. Two types of spina bifida are there in which, occulta is the mildest form and generally asymptomatic while cystica causes a cystic enlargement under the skin. Spina bifida is a treatable defect if diagnosed earlier. Prenatal assessment and surgery reduce the degree of severity of the problem afterwards postnatal therapies and care enable the people to lead a normal life. People with spina bifida can play vital role in society when treated well.


In engineering technology, it is necessary to compare different designs in an optimization project. Therefore a big problem is how to obtain finite element analysis (FEA) data involving different parameters and how to acquire optimization parameters from the results of FEA to solve the optimization problem rapidly. The parametric mesh (Paramesh) method, automatically based on history of complicated special surfaces, is developed to obtain many results of FEA involving different parameters. This paper is presented to demonstrate the method of parametric finite element analysis (PFEA). The optimization method of process parameters optimization is based on combining PFEA/ ANN (artificial nerve net)/GA (genetic arithmetic) to find out optimization parameters. This allows one to rapidly obtain optimization parameters during a design by doing FEA only once. The research indicates that the parameters optimization method based on PFEA/ANN/GA in the product design can short the product development cycle, decrease material consumption and guarantee product quality, etc.


Abstract Research regarding the link between electromagnetic fields and cancer has generated much controversy. The results of various studies have provided evidence supporting a possible link to the absence of a connection. Recent experiments involving Xenopus embryos indicate that large magnetic fields of approximately 17 Tesla (1 Tesla = 10,000 Gauss) can change the second and third cleavage planes of development. These planes will orient vertically or horizontally to the direction of the applied magnetic field. The potential effects of magnetic fields on the growth of human fibroblast cells were investigated in this study. Cell cultures were split and the new cultures were exposed to a 1 Tesla magnetic field for approximately thirty-six hours during their growth phase. Half of the exposed cultures were counted for proliferation rate and the remainder of the cultures were analyzed for patterns of growth. The statistics showed that the data for the control and experimental groups were both significantly different from a random pattern. Since both the control and experimental groups had significant results, it can be concluded that the growth patterns of fibroblasts from the experimental group were no different than those in the control group. The results of this study indicate that magnets do not appear to have an effect on fibroblast growth rates or patterns. This work supports the contention that the reports of positive responses to magnetotherapy are due to a placebo effect. It also weakens the argument that electromagnetic fields cause cancer by increasing the growth rates of cells.


Over the past decade or so, molecular biologists have learned that cells use various combinations of the proteins called transcription factors to turn genes on and off. But recent research has shown that the precise three-dimensional shapes of those transcription factor complexes are just as critical for correct gene control as the identities of the proteins that make them up. What's more, these shapes are often sculpted with the aid of "architectural proteins," which are themselves part of the complexes and which help assemble them by forcing large bends into the DNA to which the complexes bind.


Aggrecanases (a dystrophin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif, ADAMTSs) are principal proteases involved in cartilage extracellular matrix aggrecan degradation. The role and relative contribution of MyD88, IRAK1, and TRAF6 adaptor proteins in IL-1β regulation of aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS-4) is unknown. By small interfering RNAs-mediated knockdown, we show that IL-1β-induced up-regulation of ADAMTS-4 in chondrocytes requires MyD88, IRAK1, and TRAF6 adaptor proteins. However, partial inhibition of ADAMTS-4 induction by their knockdown suggested the involvement of additional signaling proteins. Because IL-1β is also known to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) through Ras-mediated activation of NADPH oxidase, we investigated the implication of Ras in ADAMTS-4 regulation. Ras knockdown, or inhibition of ROS by antioxidants along with the ablation of MyD88, IRAK1, or TRAF6 more potently down-regulated IL-1β-induced ADAMTS-4. In addition, IL-1β-induced phosphorylation of downstream effectors, IκB kinase αβ, IκBα, and activation of transcription factor NF-κB was significantly reduced in the MyD88-, IRAK1-, TRAF6-, or Ras-deficient cells. The combined knockdown of Ras and individual adaptor proteins strongly blocked the activation of IKKαβ, IκBα, and NF-κB. These findings suggest that Ras, ROS along with MyD88, IRAK1, or TRAF6 synergistically mediate ADAMTS-4 regulation by IL1-β. Thus, complete ablation of ADAMTS-4 induction could be achieved by combined inhibition of Ras and individual adaptor proteins, which may be of therapeutic value in arthritis.


We used chromatographic separation to purify to homogeneity a monomeric monocyte chemotactic protein of 150 kDa contained in mesothelioma pleural effusions. It was identified by N-terminal amino acid sequencing and immunoblotting as complement factor H, an inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway. Specific antibodies against factor H inhibited the monocyte chemotactic activity of the purified protein, which was most active at 10 nM. Factor H is a restrictive factor of alternative complement pathway activation. The new chemotactic function assigned to factor H in recruiting monocytes to the mesothelioma site might contribute to malignant cell phagocytosis via the iC3b/complement receptor type 3 pathway. These functions link the humoral and cellular immune systems.


Dark patterns are interactive design patterns that influence technology users through deception or trickery, and which represent unethical applications of persuasive technology. However, our ability to identify dark patterns is limited, creating a situation where it is difficult to manage abuses of persuasive psychology, because it is difficult to even identify them. Although there are numerous practitioner taxonomies of dark patterns, there is no scientifically-based taxonomy available. This workshop provides an introduction to dark patterns and an overview of the psychological mechanisms that drive them. Through participatory exercises, participants will help to identify the theoretical underpinnings that drive dark patterns, and contribute to the development of a taxonomy of dark patterns, based on consensus within the scientific community. In the workshops, we will form working teams who will review the dark pattern taxonomy, looking for alternative theoretical explanations. Each working team will participate in a group sorting exercise, designed to inform the development of a theoreticallyframed taxonomy of dark patterns. All outputs of the workshop will be captured, and used to advance this study towards validation of the taxonomy. After the workshops, the authors of this paper will incorporate all the advancements into the next stage of the research, which will feed into a subsequent paper on a taxonomy of dark patterns, addressing the identified research questions.


The rational use of land should be ensured, soil-friendly agricultural branches should be developed as well as attractive environment for work, living and resting in the countryside should be created in promoting rural development in Lithuania. Areas with favourable natural conditions have a high degree of economic activity, farm size, and economic development. However, not everywhere the natural conditions for the development of agriculture are favourable. The research was carried out in the Giedraiciai rural area of Molėtai district, which deals with the factors influencing the use of land, the declared area of land, the problem of land abandonment. The methods of legal analysis, analysis of literature, analysis, comparison and aggregation of statistical data were used during the research. After the fulfilment of the analysis of the declared area of land during the period between the years 2012 and 2016, it was established that the area of agricultural land declared during the five years increased by 655 hectares, the number of farmers who declared agricultural land decreased by 104, and the number of declared parcels declined even to 1729. The process of the growing of farms is likely to occur. The area of abandoned land in Giedraiciai subdistrict reaches 300 hectares, the number of abandoned areas exceeds 800. Estimating the statistical data and solutions of the general plan of the Molėtai district area preliminary solutions for the management of the territory of the Giedraiciai subdistrict for agriculture and rural development are being provided, i.e. it is planned to implement rural development land use planning projects for the management of farms, and to select a farmhouse farm site. To reduce the abandoned land areas, it is advisable to plan forests, expand the areas of meadows and natural pastures, apply organic farming and adapt the areas for recreation. Keywords: land management, agricultural land, rural development, preliminary solutions Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.022