Thor's OS Xodus: Securely Migrating from Microsoft Windows to Mac OS X provides readers with everything they need to securely and successfully migrate from Microsoft to Mac. It includes information that can be found nowhere else, enabling users to execute a MSFT to OS X migration seamlessly and with minimal downtime.

The text is the most complete roadmap for entities that want to move away from Microsoft and decouple their dependency on Microsoft products. It is a perfect choice for enterprise computing, providing the ease and simplicity of a UI that can also be incredibly customized via configuration files because of its BSD core.

The text, authored by Thor Mullen, the founder of the "Hammer of God" security co-op group and Principal Security Architect for a worldwide, multi-billion dollar commerce platform, provides the perfect combination of Windows and Unix.

Provides the best way to migrate from Microsoft products to OSX with information found in no other text
The most complete roadmap for entities who want to move away from Microsoft and decouple their dependency on Microsoft products
Authored by Thor Mullen, Principal Security Architect for a multi-billion dollar commerce platform, who teaches users how to create a secure OSX installation
Unique resource that provides valuable information on moving from IIS to Apache, from MS SQL Server to MySQL, from .NET to PHP

Table of Contents

Introduction

Alternatives to Apple Hardware

From the Ground Up

Authentication Infrastructures

From Exchange to MacMail

IIS to Apache

MS SQL Server to MySQL

.NET to PHP

Windows Firewall/TMG vs OSX Firewall Services

Certificate Services, Encryption, and PKI

Client Controls


Current studies on individual investors' decision-making often rely on observable sociodemographic variables to proxy for underlying psychological processes that drive investment choices. Doing so clearly ignores the latent heterogeneity amongst investors in terms of their preferences and beliefs that form the underlying drivers of their behavior. To gain a better understanding of the relations among individual investors' decision-making, the processes leading to these decisions, and investment performance, this paper analyzes how systematic differences in investors' investment objectives and strategies impact the portfolios they select and the returns they earn. Based on recent findings from behavioral finance the researcher develop hypotheses which are tested using a combination of transaction and survey data involving a large sample of online brokerage clients. In line with the researcher's expectations, the researcher find that investors driven by objectives related to speculation have higher aspirations and turnover, take more risk, judge themselves to be more advanced, and underperform relative to investors driven by the need to build a financial buffer or save for retirement. To the researcher's surprise, the finding is that investors who rely on fundamental analysis have higher aspirations and turnover, take more risks, are more overconfident, and outperform investors who rely on technical analysis. The researcher's findings provide support for the behavioral approach to portfolio theory and shed new light on the traditional approach to portfolio theory.


Multidisciplinary underwater observatories represent an exceptional technological resource that can signify a qualitative forward step in marine scientific research as well as operational oceanography and climate change study. A cabled underwater observatory system that can provide broad bandwidth communication and power to oceanographic instruments is developed. The observatory consists of a subsea junction box that is fixed at a cable terminal, enabling real-time communication, power conversion, and power distribution of up to eight oceanographic instruments and one connection for a junction box. Therefore, the observatory has the capacity to cover a large range of distance-time observations, and to provide new opportunities for research and technological innovation. However, there are some issues to consider when designing the electronic system for the underwater observatory. The main concern is the location of the equipment in a hostile environment with difficult access for inspection and repair. Hence, appropriate heat management of the electronic apparatus has a significant influence on the useful life of this equipment. Specific validation and study of the behavior of the system prior the deployment, and permanent equipment status monitoring is essential to assure fault-free operation over the longest possible period of time. In this study, we present the thermal studies carried out on the junction box of the Observatorio Submarino Expandible Cableado (OBSEA) (expandable underwater cabled observatory) and the monitoring procedures are established. The underwater observatory has been deployed off the coast of the Balearic Sea and has been operating in real conditions for more than three years without interruption. The results show that this underwater observatory system is adequate for subsea real-time and long-term observations.


Retirement behaviours and elderly poverty issues have been the subject of much attention and discussion in recent years as most countries are facing a rapidly ageing society. Ireland enjoys a relatively young population compared with other European countries, but is also struggling with increasing fiscal pressures. This paper analyses the retirement pattern and the replacement rate observed in Ireland using the Living in Ireland panel dataset. Since traditional empirical estimations may have selection bias issues as people with low replacement rates may not choose to retire, the paper adopts a combined method with both synthetic household simulation and empirical estimates. The study reveals the social economic attributes patterns associated with the replacement rates and retirement behaviours, and explores the heterogeneities of replacement rates among retirees.


In a prospective randomized trial in patients with metastatic melanoma we compared two agents that had been used for metastatic melanoma intratumoral injections. Each patient had progressive metastatic disease no longer surgically controllable. Multiple metastases included satellitosis in the form of progressive nodules around the previously excised original melanoma site, and/or in-transit metastases in the form of observable tumor nodules progressing in a linear fashion toward a lymph node bearing area. As patients were receiving intratumoral injections, serially collected blood samples were tested for general immunologic reactivity and anti-melanoma reactivity. Specificity controls included breast cancer and lung cancer extracts.
Additionally, as a measure of cell-mediated immunity, the patients were serially skin tested against antigens to measure general and melanoma-specific immunity. Depending on the patients' clinical courses, we have divided the patients retrospectively into groups whose clinical courses were either better or worse than their cohorts, and determined the relationship between the immune testing and the clinical courses that the patients were experiencing as the serial testing was being conducted. Additionally, in a group of similar patients that were 'cured for life', we analyze their treatment in light of therapeutic attempts made by others to similarly haptenize melanoma antigens. We describe potential synergies between newly discovered melanoma therapies and intratumoral injection treatments and point out potential combination therapies that may offer the potential for enhancement of antitumor effects without increased systemic toxicity, a desirable goal now that combinations of recently acceptable immunotherapies have been associated with severe potential toxicities including death.


Chromatic adaptation transforms are used in imaging system to map image appearance to colorimetry under different illumination sources. In this paper, the performance of different chromatic adaptation transforms (CAT) is compared with the performance of transforms based on RGB primaries that have been investigated in relation to standard color spaces for digital still camera characterization and image interchange. The chromatic adaptation transforms studied are von Kries, Bradford, Sharp, and CMCCAT2000. The RGB primaries investigated are ROMM, ITU-R BT.709, and 'prime wavelength' RGB. The chromatic adaptation model used is a von Kries model that linearly scales post-adaptation cone response with illuminant dependent coefficients. The transforms were evaluated using 16 sets of corresponding color dat. The actual and predicted tristimulus values were converted to CIELAB, and three different error prediction metrics, (Delta) ELab, (Delta) ECIE94, and (Delta) ECMC(1:1) were applied to the results. One-tail Student-t tests for matched pairs were calculated to compare if the variations in errors are statistically significant. For the given corresponding color data sets, the traditional chromatic adaptation transforms, Sharp CAT and CMCCAT2000, performed best. However, some transforms based on RGB primaries also exhibit good chromatic adaptation behavior, leading to the conclusion that white-point independent RGB spaces for image encoding can be defined. This conclusion holds only if the linear von Kries model is considered adequate to predict chromatic adaptation behavior.


The MWCNT/ZnOw/epoxy composites have great potential as microwave absorbing material. The synthesis of ZnO whiskers (ZnOw) was carried out using precursors ZnSO4 and Na2CO3 via hydrothermal method with temperatures of 120°C, 160°C, 200°C, and 240°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were applied to find out the morphology and structure of ZnOw powder. The best results of the XRD and SEM-EDX at hydrothermal temperature of 160°C showed the best crystallinity of ZnO compound, that is at 2θ values of 31.7°, 32.2°, 34.3°, 36.1°, 37.9°, 56.5°, 62.8°, 67.8°, 76.8° and 89.5° with a Miller index of 111, 100, 002, 101, 102, 110, 103, 112, 202 and 203, respectively. At 160°C, ZnO whiskers had a size of 97.7 nm, with a purity level of 72.6%. By adding 4% MWCNT, the result of synthesis via spray pyrolysis method (purity 90%) and 4% of epoxy, the ZnOw synthesised by hydrothermal method formed MWCNT/ ZnOw/epoxy composites. To determine the composite's microwave absorption capability, a vector network analyser was administered at hydrothermal temperatures of 160°C and 200°C. The MWCNT/ZnOw/epoxy composites had a reflection loss of –11.9 dB. This value exceeds the standard for microwave absorbing material which is –11.9 dB. Therefore, the composite has great potential as a microwave absorbing material.


The geography of race and class in the San Francisco Bay Area has shifted dramatically over the last decade, and suburban poverty is on the rise. The need for social services has grown in communities outside of the urban core, outpacing the abilities of anti-poverty organizations to provide assistance. Using eastern Contra Costa County as a case study, this paper outlines some of the challenges for the current anti-poverty network in suburban locales, and lays out a framework for building capacity to better meet the needs in these urban fringe areas.


The marginalised position and unequal health status of Aboriginal people in Australia are a direct consequence of the trauma and dispossession of colonisation. Aboriginal women experience even greater levels of distress and ill health than Aboriginal men, and are more disadvantaged than any other group of women in Australia. While strength of cultural identity leads to increased social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) and reduced socioeconomic hardship, Aboriginal people in urban and regional areas suffer greater discrimination and resultant psychological stress than those in remote areas; they are additionally subjected to accusations of inauthenticity. Improving Aboriginal women's SEWB is pivotal in advancing Aboriginal SEWB overall. This research has explored nine regional Aboriginal women's experiences of culture and identity by a process of deeply listening to each woman: Ngara Dyin (Dharawal language). The aim was to discern means to strengthen cultural attachment and enhance positive cultural identity for this group of women, and consequently their community. Through the process of interpretive phenomenological analysis, seven interdependent over-arching themes were developed: walking and talking black; it's not easy growing up in a white society; we sit down and listen; connection to Country; strong black women; the way forward; and, wanting that magic. Decolonising approaches to increasing Aboriginal women's SEWB dictate that understandings of culture and identity must be informed and guided by the very people whose experience is being sought, and these women clearly indicate the need for strengthened cultural connection through funded gatherings and connections with senior women from remote areas. ISSN 1837-0144 © International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies


Lines of Activity: Performance, Historiography, Hull-House Domesticity. By Shannon Jackson. (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2000. 384 pp., 36 photos; $45 cloth, $21.95 paper.) Few people in the United States are unfamiliar with the extraordinary accomplishments of Jane Addams and her colleagues at Chicago's Hull House, a landmark, both figuratively and literally, in the history of social work and social welfare in America. The settlement house, founded in 1889, initially occupied a single building, the former Hull family mansion at the corner of Polk and Halsted streets, by then an immigrant and working-class neighborhood in the Nineteenth Ward, on the city's West Side; by 1907, Hull House's thirteen buildings comprised one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States, its facilities including a day nursery, gymnasium, meeting and recreation rooms, arts-and-crafts workshops, classrooms for adult education, a music school, a theater for amateur dramatic performances, and a social service center. The list of "firsts" accomplished at HullHouse is impressive: the settlement established the first public baths in Chicago as well as the city's first public playground, public swimming pool, public kitchen and first public gymnasium; Hull House also housed the first little theater in the United States, and offered the first citizenship preparation classes. Hull House residents performed Chicago's earliest investigations into truancy, sanitation, typhoid fever and tuberculosis; the distribution of cocaine, and midwifery. Settlement-sponsored research led to creation and enactment of Illinois' first factory laws and the first model tenement code as well. Labor unions organized at Hull-House, including the Women Shirt Makers, Women Cloak Makers, the Dorcas Federal Labor Union and the Chicago Woman's Trade Union League. Shannon Jackson's intriguing study Lines of Activity: Performance, Historiography, Hull-House Domesticity brings readers inside the hectic hive of Hull House. Her interest is less the personalities that shaped the settlement's mission or the political and intellectual climates in which their work evolved than on life inside the settlement itself, and what the various and sundry "lines of activity" constantly underway reveal about the settlement's internal culture, broadly defined. Jackson's scholarship embraces a particular approach that has become increasingly attractive to cultural historians in recent years, emphasizing the "performative" nature of social interaction, that is, the way in which the "interdisciplinary event of culture" can be understood through the multiple and recurring gestures, words, and movements of what are literally historical actors who rehearse and perform (e.g. express) their beliefs through overt ceremony (like bona fide theatrical events) as well as the common rituals of everyday life. As Jackson suggests early on, "Hull-House's legislative and governmental accomplishments are well known to scholars in American history. In this book, I want to track an adjacent history. By following the set of affective, aesthetic, rhetorical, and ethical preoccupations that propelled [the redefinition of the state's relationship to the polity via these innovative forms of intervention], I want particularly to understand the messy and paradoxical nature of reform work ... While the daily life of Hull-House is intimately bound up with activities in larger public spheres, social encounters and artistic practices are usually relegated to the periphery of critical inquiry" (pp. 5-6). Jackson wants to move those latter subjects - social encounters and artistic practices - to the center of her analysis in order to better understand Progressive-Era social activism and the impulses behind and consequences associated with turn-of-the-century reform. Given Jackson's interest in plumbing deeply the routine encounters of settlement life for insight into the larger nature of social reform, Lines of Activity is essentially a microhistory of Hull-House, an intimate look at life inside the settlement. …


Realism remains the most important and controversial vision of international politics. But what does it mean to be a realist? This collection addresses this key question by returning to the thinking of perhaps the most influential realist of modern times: Hans J. Morgenthau. In analyses of issues ranging from political philosophy, to international law, to the impact of nuclear weapons and the challenges of American foreign policy, the authors demonstrate that Morgenthau's thinking exemplifies a rich realist tradition that is often lacking in contemporary analyses of international relations and foreign policy. At a time when realism is once again at the center of both scholarly and political debates, this book shows that the legacy of classical realism can enrich our understanding of world politics and contribute to its future direction.


Background Loss or reversal of the normal asymmetry of the planum temporale (PT) has been reported in schizophrenia, and may be due to aberrations in the gene(s) controlling the development of brain asymmetries. We tested this hypothesis in a sample of schizophrenics and their relatives from families multiply affected with the disorder. Method We compared 32 schizophrenics and 55 of their non-schizophrenic first-degree relatives with 39 matched community controls. Volumetric measurements of the cortical volume beneath the PT were obtained using the Cavalieri method from three-dimensionally reconstructed magnetic resonance imaging images. Results PT volume asymmetry coefficients from patients and their relatives did not differ significantly from those of the controls. Gender-specific analysis did not reveal any differences. Conclusions Abnormalities in PT volume asymmetry are not present in familial schizophrenia, where genetic factors appear to predominate.


The objectives of this thesis were to evaluate in practice workload, fitness and welfare of riding horses under work and training conditions. Chapter II presents an overview of the parameters used in earlier studies on training, behaviour and equine welfare, and describes the evaluation of the physiological and behavioural responses of horses in field work. Chapter III describes a study on the fitness and responses to training of young Friesian horses. The fitness of horses appeared to improve but there was wide heterogeneity in responses to training. A familial aggregation of heart rate (HR) response to training was identified in horses for the first time. Chapter IV describes a study monitoring the complete national selection of event horses and ponies during preparation for the European Championships in 2010 and 2011. Fitnessassessment provided a useful way to predict the potential risk of injury, since 'good performers' were less likely to get injured than 'average performers' and HR measured during conditioning training had predictive value for impending injury. Chapter V presents a study on riding school horses, which were monitored for their fitness, workload and the causes of temporary training breaks and premature training terminations.Untrained horses sustained injuries earlier in the training period than trained horses. Horses which were not given time off in response to minor injuries, were more likely to end the training period prematurely than horses that were immediately given a few days off. Chapter VI describes a study on the behavioural and physiological responses of horses encountering challenging objects with three different riders. 'Matching' horse-rider combinations exhibited less stress than 'mismatch' horse-rider combinations. HR was also a valuable tool for assessing the compliance of horses. Chapter VII reveals that experience is not a key factor in how police-horses handle stress. Horses showed almost no stress during the police-training tests. Since three of these tests reflected normal police work, the findings suggested that this type of work has no significant or detectable negative impact on the horse's welfare. Chapter VIII demonstrates that during extreme duties, such as riot control training and night patrols the workload and stress of police-horses, were low and were again unlikely to cause behavioural problems and wastage. However, the rider's control over an individual horse's fear responses proved to be important in the stress that police-horses experience during challenging situations. Chapter IX describes a study on the stress that horses experience during air transport. HRs during air transport, were lower than those reported in studies on road transport. This supports the concept that air transport is probably more comfortable and less stressful for horses than road transport. Chapter X reviews the different methods used to evaluate the fitness of Warmblood sporthorses under field conditions. For event and dressage horses several types of exercise tests have been developed, but there are no validated methods for show jumping horses. In event horses, VLA4 is related to performance and impending injury. In riding horses, fitness level was also an important determinant for the occurrence of injuries.


A one-growth step fabrication scheme for strained Ge FinFET structures has been successfully developed and implemented in a device fabrication scheme. From device point of view, the concept including two growth steps might be even more favorable. However, it requires an improvement of the pre-epi oxide removal from Si1-xGex surfaces.


The aim of the study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of extracts of 10 plant species used in traditional Uruguayan medicine against the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria spp. The plants were selected on the basis of their reported ethnobotanical uses. Aqueous, saline buffer and acid extracts of different plant species were screened in vitro for their antifungal activity against Alternaria spp. For the antifungal evaluation we used a microspectrophotometric assay. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the extracts were determined. Three solvents were assayed on different tissues of the plants and among the 29 evaluated extracts, 31% of the extracts inhibited growth, similar to the effects of a chemical fungicide. Acid extracts of the plants were more effective than the aqueous or buffer extracts against Alternaria spp. The MIC values of the extracts were determined ranging between 1.25 and 25 µg mL -1 . The MFC values of the extracts ranged between 1.25 µg mL -1 (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and 10 µg mL -1 (Cynara scolymus L.). MICs and MFCs values obtained from leaves (Salvia officinalis L. and R. officinalis ) and seeds extracts (Salvia sclarea L.) were quite comparable to values obtained with the conventional fungicide captan (2.5 µg mL -1 ). The extracts of Salvia sclarea, S. officinalis and R. officinalis could be considered as potential sources of antifungal compounds for treating diseases in plants. These extracts showed maximum activity, even at very low concentrations, and the same fungicide effects as chemical fungicide. We conclude from this that these extracts exhibit amazing fungicidal properties that support their traditional use as antiseptics.


This paper uses micro-census income data from the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) to measure the current and future burden of financing public transfers, especially benefits supporting the aged and near-aged. The analysis distinguishes between income obtained from households' own saving and labor earnings, on the one hand, and the part financed with unfunded transfers, on the other. The burden of unfunded transfers is defined as the tax on factor income that is needed to pay for such transfers under a balanced budget rule. The paper develops a framework for estimating and forecasting this burden using micro-census reports on the current age distribution of factor incomes, the age distribution of transfer incomes, and U.S. Census Bureau projections of the future age structure of the population. Because survey data are inaccurate and incomplete, the micro-census income reports are adjusted to reflect under-reporting based on estimates of aggregate income from the national income and product accounts. Empirical estimates of current and future tax burdens are derived for four OECD countries. These show that the burden of German and U.S. transfers is unusually sensitive to the effects of an aging population. In contrast, the burden of public transfers in Finland and Britain is less sensitive to the effects of an older population because transfers in those countries are less heavily tilted toward aged beneficiaries. Factor incomes received by aged Americans are high by international standards, providing a partial offset to the sharp tilt of U.S. transfers in favor of the elderly. As the U.S. population grows older, factor incomes will decline more gradually than is the case in other rich countries, helping to maintain the size of its tax base.


Purpose: To present the latest data on the newly‐developed RADPOS 4D in vivodosimetry system including comparisons with the Phillips Bellows and Varian RPM systems. Methods and Materials: A 4D Quasar phantom was set‐up on the couch of a Phillips Brilliance CT scanner and set to move in a sinusoidal pattern with amplitude of 1 cm. The Phillips Bellows belt was secured around the moving translation stage and was used to record the motion of the stage. The same motion was also measured by a RADPOS detector. This procedure was repeated on the couch of a PET/CT scanner using the Varian RPM system. A RADPOS detector and the RPM optical block were placed on top of the phantom's translation stage and the motion was recorded by both systems. The feasibility of using the RAPDOS system for in vivo dosimetry during daily external beam radiation therapy is also being studied. Results: When used to measure simulated breathing motion on a 4D Quasar phantom, the RADPOS‐measured displacements were on average within 0.13 and 0.05 mm of those recorded by the Phillips Bellows and Varian RPM systems, respectively. The correlation between the RADPOS displacements and those measured by the Bellows and RPM systems were 0.96 and 0.99, respectively. Initial results for clinical use in radiation therapytreatments show that the RADPOS system can be set‐up quickly, requiring minimal additional time for each scheduled treatment fraction. Conclusions: In conclusion, the RADPOS system agrees well with currently accepted position monitoring systems and provides sufficient information to identify changes in the patients breathing pattern and other patient motion. Acknowledgements: This project is supported by grants from HTX and ORCC Foundation. Financial and technical support from Best medical Canada is also acknowledged.


Femtosecond pulses circulating in a synchronously driven fiber ring cavity have complex amplitude and phase profiles that can change completely from one round-trip to the next. We use a recently developed technique, combining dispersive Fourier transformation) with spectral interferometry, to reconstruct the spectral amplitude and phase at each round-trip and, thereby, follow in detail the pulse reorganization that occurs. We focus on two different regimes: a period-two regime in which the pulse alternates between two distinct states and a highly complex regime. We characterize the spectral amplitude and phase of the pulses in both regimes at a repetition rate of 75.6 MHz and find good agreement with modeling of the system based on numerical solutions of the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation with feedback.


Transcript of recorded letters sent by Captain Edward P. Jaeger (Ed) to his parents while stationed in South Vietnam as part of the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He discusses both personal and military topics including a chronicle of his departure for Vietnam; description of Vietnamese village life and culture; assignment to the 17th Field Hospital at An Khe; physical description of facilities at 17th Field Hospital; his responsibilities as medical supply officer; descriptions of and comments about unit personnel; problems in procuring medical supplies; problems with drunkenness among personnel; enemy mortar attacks; discipline problems; his institution of reforms in the medical supply operations; effects of constant changeovers in unit command; remodeling of the Officer's Club; leisure time and recreational activities; racial tensions; comments about U S domestic politics; personal financial matters; planning for a leave in Hawaii with his wife, Elizabeth, and parents; drug problems among personnel; comments about the anti-war movement in the States; description of Cam Ranh Bay and the military facilities there; medical supplies and black marketeering; description of the medical depot supply system; future civilian employment plans; transfer to Qui Nhon to the 67th Evacuation Hospital; comments about the Paris peace negotiations for ending the war; interest in stateside sports; comments about the doctors and nurses; comments about the Army's decorations and commendations policies; plans for leaving Vietnam and separation from the Army.


Based on the numerous studies cited and their evidences, the present study comes with the idea of combining both leucine and phosphatidic acid exogenously (supplementary), since the studies cited analyzed the compounds separately and obtained positive results as for its efficiency to increase protein synthesis, and consequently of strength, lean mass, skeletal muscle increase and insulin sensitivity. The objective of the study was to verify the activation of mTOR in animal model due to the supplementation of Leucine and phosphatidic acid. Based on the assumption that both components supplied as food supplements increase their intracellular amounts, the combination of both could potentiate the results of weight training even more, thus providing better health outcomes for practitioners and improvements, enhancing the production of proteins.


Nanotechnology has already contributed significantly to technological advances in energy industry and has the potential to revolutionize the drilling industry. Traditional blocking agents are difficult to form effective mud cake to prevent liquid penetration due to extremely low permeability and tiny pore throat of shales, while nanoscale particles can block shale pore and throat to prevent liquid into formation, thus maintaining wellbore stability and protecting the reservoir. The surface of nano SiO2 particles was modified by silane coupling agent KH570 under ultrasound to introduce vinyl functional group. Through the radical graft copolymerization of thermosensitive monomer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and hydrophilic monomer acrylic acid (AA) onto the modified surface of SiO2 nano particles at 80°C, a series of thermosensitive poly(NIPAmAA)/nano-SiO2 composite blocking agents with different lower critical solution temperature (LCST) values were prepared by adjusting the mole ratio between NIPAm and AA and were characterized by FT-IR, TEM and TG. The temperature response behavior was studied by light transmittance test and the sealing performance was studied by the pressure transmission test with Longmaxi Formation shale samples. Laboratory investigation showed that the blocking agents with sensitive temperature response behavior had obvious LCST value which arises with the increase of hydrophilic monomer AA. If the temperature was higher than the LCST value of the products the blocking agents played a dual role of physical plugging and chemical inhibition, slowing down pressure transmission remarkably. The surface of shale sealed by the new products presented a hydrophobic property, completely cutting off the water invasion.


The asymmetric unit of the title homopropargyl alcohol, C20H16OS, contains two independent molecules comprising a hydroxy group, a 3-(2-thiophenyl)propargylic moiety and two aromatic rings linked to a central carbon atom. The two unique molecules are linked into a dimer by an O—H...O hydrogen bond. In one molecule, the thiophene ring is disordered over two orientations rotated by 180° with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.575 (4):0.425 (4). The crystal structure is stabilized by O—H...π and C—H...π hydrogen-bond interactions. The crystal studied was a two-component non-merohedral twin, the refined ratio of the twin components being 0.575 (4):0.425 (4).


Lupus myelitis (LM) is a rare but serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 2009, Birnbaum et al. suggested that LM could be classified into two subtypes, namely gray and white matter myelitis, based on neurological examination findings. Here we describe three cases of this disorder, one with signs of white matter dysfunction and two with signs of gray matter dysfunction. We discuss the potential role of autoantibodies in the development of LM.


Evolutionary biologists typically represent clines as spatial gradients in a univariate character (or a principal-component axis) whose mean changes as a function of location along a transect spanning an environmental gradient or ecotone. This univariate approach may obscure the multivariate nature of phenotypic evolution across a landscape. Clines might instead be plotted as a series of vectors in multidimensional morphospace, connecting sequential geographic sites. We present a model showing that clines may trace nonlinear paths that arc through morphospace rather than elongating along a single major trajectory. Arcing clines arise because different characters diverge at different rates or locations along a geographic transect. We empirically confirm that some clines arc through morphospace, using morphological data from threespine stickleback sampled along eight independent transects from lakes down their respective outlet streams. In all eight clines, successive vectors of lake-stream divergence fluctuate in direction and magnitude in trait space, rather than pointing along a single phenotypic axis. Most clines exhibit surprisingly irregular directions of divergence as one moves downstream, although a few clines exhibit more directional arcs through morphospace. Our results highlight the multivariate complexity of clines that cannot be captured with the traditional graphical framework. We discuss hypotheses regarding the causes, and implications, of such arcing multivariate clines.


In this paper, a model to estimate personal savings is constructed using an estimate of permanent income. Traditional approaches to studying aggregate personal savings depend on many independent variables that serve as the determinants of personal saving. Because some of the determinants used in such approaches can be difficult to obtain, estimating aggregate saving in this manner can be time-consuming and arduous. Using an estimate of permanent income based on Friedman's Permanent Income Hypothesis (PIH), this paper creates a model to estimate personal savings and tests the model by examining the Marginal Propensity to Save (MPS) that is derived from it. Permanent income was estimated using a two-stage least squares (2SLS) method and aggregate personal savings is estimated using ordinary least squares (OLS). The empirical evidence reveals that savings estimates and marginal propensities to save are consistent with results obtained studies using conventional approaches except during periods in which a wealth effect occurs. During such periods, additional variables need to be added to the model to account for a wealth effect. This analysis therefore serves to further validate the PIH and shows that it can be applied to studying household savings as well as consumption.


In a retrospective study the cases of 333 patients with carcinoma of the larynx treated between April 1989 and April 1999 were analyzed concerning survival rates depending on diagnostics, follow up and function preserving surgery. All regions of the larynx (supraglottic, glottic, subglottic, transglottic) were included. There were 31, 5 % T1, 30, 4 % T2, 23, 7 % T3 and 14, 4 % T4 tumors treated. 275 patients underwent surgery (including 105 patients with postoperative radiation therapy). Surgical methods were chosen depending on tumor size, localization and general criterions. 50 patients were treated with primary radiation therapy. 8 patients underwent primary chemotherapy. 5-year-survival rates were 93 % for all patients included in the study. Despite of larynx preserving surgery with increased local recurrence there were constant or improved survival rates – particularly in advanced tumors (T3 / T4) since 1980.


Direct electricity is widely used for heating purposes in Norway, leading to significant strain on the electricity grid during the heating season. Conversion to 4th generation district heating (4GDH) is an effective method for reducing the need for large investments in the electricity grid, while simultaneously improving the energy efficiency of district heating systems. This article evaluates the possibility of reducing the supply temperature in existing Norwegian apartment blocks by improving the thermal envelope and reducing the temperature levels for the heating system. The analysis is based on simulations in IDA ICE (IDA Indoor Climate and Energy) focusing on whether the reduced supply temperature guarantees thermal comfort in the building, considering the coldest room with a heating setpoint of 22 °C. Based on a recommended minimum acceptable indoor temperature of 19 °C from the Norwegian building regulations (TEK), it should be possible to lower the radiator supply temperature from 80 to 60 °C for apartment blocks newer than 1971. For older buildings, an "intermediate" renovation is necessary to maintain temperatures above 19 °C, however, a "standard" renovation is recommended to ensure thermal comfort and improve the energy efficiency of the building stock.


Domestic wastewater streams from households implemented with source separation, vacuum toilets, and food waste disposers are highly concentrated with respect to the total suspended solids. The concentrated domestic slurries (CDS), which generally consist of faecal matter, urine, ground kitchen waste (GKW) and water, need to be transported from the point of collection to its treatment. In order to design a transportation systems to convey CDS, its flow characteristics must be known. The objective of this thesis is to establish the flow characteristics of CDS that supports the design of its transportation system with pressurised pipelines. CDS is characterised as a non-Newtonian fluid with respect to its rheology. It has a shear-thinning property with a yield stress. However, at low concentrations it behaves as a Newtonian fluid, its non-Newtonian properties are only physically meaningful above a concentration of 2.0 % TSS (wt./wt.). The rheology of CDS is represented using a Herschel-Bulkley model, the parameters of which are a function of TSS concentration which describes the influence of concentration changes. The yield-stress follows a power law function with concentration and is significant only above a concentration of 2.0 % TSS (wt./wt.). The consistency index follows an exponential behaviour with the concentration, which tends towards the viscosity of water at low TSS concentration. The behaviour index follows an inverse logarithmic function decreasing from 1, and this change is significant only above a TSS concentration of 2.6 % (wt./wt.). The temperature of the slurry also influence the rheology of CDS. The influence of temperature is represented using an Arrhenius type equation with respect to the apparent viscosity. On the other hand, the influence of installing food waste disposers is reflected on the change in the overall particle size distribution (PSD) of the slurry, where an increase in the effective diameter of the particle shows an increase in the viscosity of the slurry. The pressure losses incurred in the transport of non-Newtonian slurries, including CDS, in pressurised pipelines are well represented using the Slatter transport model. The pressure loses are very much impacted by the rheological characteristics of the fluid. The pressure losses incurred increase with the increase in TSS concentration, but with the onset of non-Newtonian behaviour, the yield-stress and shear-thinning behaviour, provide some damping to the pressure losses particularly in the turbulent flow regime. The transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurs as a multi-stage process starting with the occurrence of puffs, and then to slugs and both together. The Slatter Reynolds number, provides good prediction of the transition to turbulence compared to the other available models. To conclude, a functional design of a pressurised pipeline transport system for CDS would have to meet the pressure losses estimated using the rheology of CDS at a certain concentration of TSS and temperature of the slurry.


Recently, we realized a prototype matrix transducer consisting of 48 rows of 80 elements on top of a tiled set of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) implementing a row-level control connecting one transmit/receive channel to an arbitrary subset of elements per row. A fully sampled array data acquisition is implemented by a column-by-column (CBC) imaging scheme (80 transmit-receive shots) which achieves 250 volumes/second (V/s) at a pulse repetition frequency of 20 kHz. However, for several clinical applications such as carotid pulse wave imaging (CPWI), a volume rate of 1000 per second is needed. This allows only 20 transmit-receive shots per 3D image. In this study, we propose a shifting aperture scheme and investigate the effects of receive/transmit aperture size and aperture shifting step in the elevation direction. The row-level circuit is used to interconnect elements of a receive aperture in the elevation (row) direction. An angular weighting method is used to suppress the grating lobes caused by the enlargement of the effective elevation pitch of the array, as a result of element interconnection in the elevation direction. The effective aperture size, level of grating lobes, and resolution/sidelobes are used to select suitable reception/transmission parameters. Based on our assessment, the proposed imaging sequence is a full transmission (all 80 elements excited at the same time), a receive aperture size of 5 and an aperture shifting step of 3. Numerical results obtained at depths of 10, 15, and 20 mm show that, compared to the fully sampled array, the 1000 V/s is achieved at the expense of, on average, about two times wider point spread function and 4 dB higher clutter level. The resulting grating lobes were at −27 dB. The proposed imaging sequence can be used for carotid pulse wave imaging to generate an informative 3D arterial stiffness map, for cardiovascular disease assessment.


Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has ventured "Distance Education", based on the experiences gained with the expertise of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), as its fourth frontier area to accelerate agricultural development and ensure food security. TNAU aims at empowering people through knowledge transfer by creating demand driven avenues for a life long learning process in a developing economy. TNAU offers 7 certificate courses, 2 PG Diploma and 2 PG Degree courses through distance learning mode. The courses are designed to transfer know how and do how in agriculture and allied enterprises leading to improvements in adoption of modern technologies and establishment of agro based enterprises in rural areas. The course materials meant for ODL programmes were prepared on Self Instructional Materials (SIM) mode. Scientists of TNAU were given hands on training through Tech Mode workshop at ICRISAT in various softwares available for open and distance learning materials preparation. This paper addresses issues in offering education programmes in distance mode to the farmers, unemployed rural youth, self help groups and middle level extension functionaries, extent of knowledge transfer and avenues for strengthening this mode. The experiences gained have enabled to prescribe policies for strengthening knowledge transfer through the ODL mode.


ABSTRACT Kepler Concordia, a new scientific and musical instrument enabling players to explore the solar system and other data within immersive extended-reality (XR) platforms, is being designed by a diverse team of musicians, artists, scientists and engineers using audio-first principles. The core instrument modules will be launched in 2019 for the 400th anniversary of Johannes Kepler's Harmonies of the World, in which he laid out a framework for the harmony of geometric form as well as the three laws of planetary motion. Kepler's own experimental process can be understood as audio-first because he employed his understanding of Western Classical music theory to investigate and discover the heliocentric, elliptical behaviour of planetary orbits. Indeed, principles of harmonic motion govern much of our physical world and show up at all scales in mathematics and physics. Few physical systems, however, offer such rich harmonic complexity and beauty as our own solar system. Concordia is a musical instrument that is modular, extensible and designed to allow players to generate and explore transparent sonifications of planetary movements rooted in the musical and mathematical concepts of Johannes Kepler as well as researchers who have extended Kepler's work, such as Hartmut Warm. Its primary function is to emphasise the auditory experience by encouraging musical explorations using sonification of geometric and relational information of scientifically accurate planetary ephemeris and astrodynamics. Concordia highlights harmonic relationships of the solar system through interactive sonic immersion. This article explains how we prioritise data sonification and then add visualisations and gamification to create a new type of experience and creative distributed-ledger powered ecosystem. Kepler Concordia facilitates the perception of music while presenting the celestial harmonies through multiple senses, with an emphasis on hearing, so that, as Kepler wrote, 'the mind can seize upon the patterns'.


I. Subject and aim of the project In what has been called the "environmental rights revolution", constitutions and statutory provisions in many countries around the world have combined environmental protection with rights by stipulating individual or collective guarantees relating to a sound or healthy environment. Similar guarantees can be found in a number of international documents. Environmental rights are normally granted to human beings, but sometimes to nature itself (earth rights or rights of nature), thereby putting human beings in the position of trustees. By conducting selected case studies, the ERCC project aims to examine the extent to which environmental rights provide protection and serve as a tool of resilience in the face of challenges to local cultural identity and autonomy resulting from environmental threats such as climate change, degradation through harmful economic activities, so-called land grabbing, etc. At the same time, the project recognizes the need for economic development and prosperity and the tensions that result from this. The analysis aims to show to what extent environmental rights as fundamental rights may constitute a powerful tool of protection whilst allowing for the necessary flexibility to help local communities adapt to changing circumstances.


How does one test a language implementation with QuickCheck (aka. property-based testing)? One approach is to generate programs following the grammar of the language. But in a statically-typed language such as OCaml too many of these candidate programs will be rejected as ill-typed by the type checker. As a refinement Pałka et al. propose to generate programs in a goal-directed, bottom-up reading up of the typing relation. We have written such a generator. However many of the generated programs has output that depend on the evaluation order, which is commonly under-specified in languages such as OCaml, Scheme, C, C++, etc. In this paper we develop a type and effect system for conservatively detecting evaluation-order dependence and propose its goal-directed reading as a generator of programs that are independent of evaluation order. We illustrate the approach by generating programs to test OCaml's two compiler backends against each other and report on a number of bugs we have found doing so.


Disinfectants play an important role in health care- associated infection control by either minimizing or preventing microorganism dissemination. This article to study the morphological changes which may be related to the lose of antibiotic resistance after disinfectant exposure using SEM. Showed all isolates resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin, cephalexin, tetracycline, doxycycline, rifampin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim cefotaxime and erythromycin, while one of burn isolates was susceptible for gentamicin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim, and 15 of burn, 6 of wound, 5 of ear, and all urine isolates were susceptible to gentamicin using Kirby-Bauer method. The MICs of four common in use disinfectants (Hexatane, Dettol, Savlon and Povidone - Iodine) were determined for all isolates. The results showed that the MICs of Hexatane ranged from (64-512) µg/ml, Dettol (2048-16384) µg/ml, Savlon (4096:40960)-(32768:327680) µg/ml and for Povidone - Iodine MICs were (8192-32768) µg/ml. It has been found that burn and urine isolates were more resistant to disinfectants than wound and ear isolates. According to the effect of subMICs of disinfectants at different exposure patterns on antibiotic resistance, the results showed lose of resistance to tetracycline, doxycycline, rifampin, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime and trimethoprim in %72, %72, %68, %22, %28 and %36 of isolates, respectively. The results of SEM micrograph showed normal morphology and small sized bacteria with nub formation on some of them when exposed to dettol, and shape changes in cells with bulging in exposed to Povidone-iodine, while elongation and deformation were recorded in some cells in exposed to Savlon(chlorohexidine/ cetrimide) and Hexatane (chlorohexidine/ gluconate), respectively.


Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are wireless multi-hop networks built on wireless nodes that operate in an Independent Basic Set Identifier (IBSS) mode of the IEEE 208.11 wireless standard. IBSS is well known as an ad hoc mode which is found to build ad hoc wireless networks with the aid of routing protocols crafted to work in this mode. Ad hoc wireless mesh networks are always described as self-healing, self-configuring, easy to build, etc. However, these features do come at a cost because a WMN suffers performance degradation and scalability issues, which mainly come from the underlying IBSS mode that is used to form the physical network. Furthermore this is exacerbated by routing protocols in the upper layers which are intended to form a flat network architecture. Partitioning or clustering the flat network into smaller units has been proven to be a viable mechanism to counter the scalability problem in the communication network. The wired network for instance, presents a segmented, hierarchical architecture, where end user devices are organized in virtual local area networks (VLANs) using Ethernet switches and then Routers aggregate multiple VLANs. This thesis develops and evaluates a heterogeneous, clustering architecture to enhance WMN scalability and management. In the proposed architecture, the clustering is separated from the routing, where the clustering is done at the physical layer. At the routing level, each cluster is configured as a WMN using layer 2 routing for intra-cluster routing, and layer 3 routing for inter-domain routing between clusters. Prototypes for the proposed architecture have been built in a laboratory testbed. The proposed architecture reported better scalability and performance results compared to the traditional flat architecture.


This PhD thesis examines the 'working through' of traumatic memories of the Holocaust and representations of Romani cultural identity in autobiographical writing by Romanies in Germany and Austria. In writing their memories in German, these Romani writers ended the 'muteness' previously surrounding their own experiences of persecution in the Third Reich and demanded an end to the official silence regarding the Romani Holocaust in their home countries. The thesis aims to explore how the writing of these narratives works to create a space for Romani memories within German language written tradition and to assert a more positive Romani identity and space for this identity in their homelands. Further, it aims to demonstrate that, in the struggle to create this safe space, their texts also reveal insecurity and landscapes that are not free from threat. The thesis also addresses the broad question of whether or not the shift from oral to written tradition in order to represent experiences of the Holocaust will result in a continuation of Romani writing in Germany and Austria. The thesis begins by examining the first Romani accounts of Holocaust memories published in Germany (1985) and Austria (1988) and ends with more recent narratives published in 2006 (Germany) and 2007 (Austria). In chapters one and two on writing by Philomena Franz and Ceija Stojka, I focus on their pioneering texts as assertions of space for Romani identity within their homelands; I analyse how these authors work through their traumatic memories by narrating their experiences and by identifying the landscapes of Germany and Austria as Heimat. In chapter 3, I continue to explore themes of Heimat and identity in Alfred Lessing and Karl Stojka 's accounts which, while working through their own traumatic memories of the Third Reich, struggle with the loss of Romani cultural identity in their homelands. In chapter four, I address the generational memory of the Holocaust in Otto Rosenberg's account of his experiences in the concentration camps and his daughter Marianne Rosenberg's recent autobiography. In chapter 5, I will examine the presence of the 'threat of Auschwitz' in Stefan Horvath's writing, in which he remembers the attack on a Romani settlement in 1995 which killed his son and three other Romanies in Oberwart, Austria. In all of these chapters, attention will also be given to the editorial construction of these texts as well as their reception. Throughout the thesis, I take a comparative approach, referring to similarities and differences between the works ofthese authors.


Accurate data of the natural conditions and agricultural systems with a good spatial resolution are a key factor to tackle food insecurity in developing countries. A broad variety of approaches exists to achieve precise data and information about agriculture. One system, especially developed for smallholder agriculture in East Africa, is the Farm Management Handbook of Kenya. It was first published in 1982/83 and fully revised in 2012, now containing 7 volumes. The handbooks contain detailed information on climate, soils, suitable crops and soil care based on scientific research results of the last 30 years. The density of facts leads to time consuming extraction of all necessary information. In this study we analyse the user needs and necessary components of a system for decision support for smallholder farming in Kenya based on a geographical information system (GIS). Required data sources were identified, as well as essential functions of the system. We analysed the results of our survey conducted in 2012 and early 2013 among agricultural officers. The monitoring of user needs and the problem of non-adaptability of an agricultural information system on the level of extension officers in Kenya are the central objectives. The outcomes of the survey suggest the establishment of a decision support tool based on already available open source GIS components. The system should include functionalities to show general information for a specific location and should provide precise recommendations about suitable crops and management options to support agricultural guidance on farm level.


approaches to stop the global trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. To counter proliferation networks, we are working in common cause with like-minded states prepared to make maximum use of their laws and capabilities to deny rogue states, terrorists, and black marketeers access to WMDrelated materials and delivery means. Today, more than 60 countries are supporters of the PSI. Its global reach continues to expand, most recently by endorsements from Argentina, Georgia, and Iraq. The goals of PSI have been endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1540. Through training exercises involving military, law enforcement, customs, intelligence, and legal experts, many PSI partners are developing new tools to improve their national and collective capacities to interdict WMD and related shipments— whether on land, at sea, or in the air. On this foundation, PSI partners are building a record of success by stopping the transshipment of WMD-related materials, prosecuting proliferation networks, and shutting down front companies trafficking in WMD materials. I urge all responsible states to join this global campaign by endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles and by committing to work to end the security threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.


The intelligent analysis of Databases may be affected by the presence of unimportant features, which motivates the application of Feature Selection. By treating this task as a search and optimization process, it is possible to use the synergy between Genetic Algorithms and Multi-objective Optimization to carry out the search for (quasi) optimal subsets of features considering possible conflicting importance criteria. This work presents an application of Multi-objective Genetic Algorithms to the Feature Selection problem, combining different criteria measuring the importance of the subsets of features.


Learning agents may improve performance when they cooperate with other agents. Specifically, learning agents forming a committee may outperform individual agents. This "ensemble effect" is well known for multi-classifier systems in Machine Learning. However, multi-classifier systems assume all data is known to all classifiers while we focus on agents that learn from cases (examples) that are owned and stored individually. In this article we focus on the selection of the agents that join a committee for solving a problem. Our approach is to frame committee membership as a learning task for the convener agent. The committee convener agent learns to form a committee in a dynamic way: at each point in time the convener agent decides whether it is better to invite a new member to join the committee (and which agent to invite) or to close the membership. The convener agent performs learning in the space of voting situations, i.e. learns when the current committee voting situation is likely to solve correctly (or not) a problem. The learning process allows an agent to decide when to solve a problem individually, when to convene a committee is better, and which individual agents to be invited to join the committee. Our experiments show that learning to form dynamic committees results in smaller committees while maintaining (and sometimes improving) the problem solving accuracy.


Objective: We highlight some of the key discoveries and developments in the area of team performance over the past 50 years, especially as reflected in the pages of Human Factors. Background: Teams increasingly have become a way of life in many organizations, and research has kept up with the pace. Method: We have characterized progress in the field in terms of eight discoveries and five challenges. Results: Discoveries pertain to the importance of shared cognition, the measurement of shared cognition, advances in team training, the use of synthetic task environments for research, factors influencing team effectiveness, models of team effectiveness, a multidisciplinary perspective, and training and technological interventions designed to improve team effectiveness. Challenges that are faced in the coming decades include an increased emphasis on team cognition; reconfigurable, adaptive teams; multicultural influences; and the need for naturalistic study and better measurement. Conclusion: Work in human factors has contributed significantly to the science and practice of teams, teamwork, and team performance. Future work must keep pace with the increasing use of teams in organizations. Application: The science of teams contributes to team effectiveness in the same way that the science of individual performance contributes to individual effectiveness.


In this paper, we present data from experimental studies of the DC breakdown in ethanol vapour at low pressure as well as electrical and optical measurements of DC discharge parameters from low-current to high-current regimes. A Paschen curve and the corresponding distribution of emission intensities at low-current were recorded in the range of pd (pressure x electrode gap) from 0.10 Torr cm to 3.00 Torr cm, covering the region of Paschen minimum. Recorded axial profiles of emitted light from low-current discharge reveal that heavy particles make up a significant part in ethanol vapour breakdown in a wide range of values of pd i.e. E/N, for values E/N > 3 kTd they become dominant. Also, we recorded volt–ampere characteristics at working conditions close to the minimum of the Paschen curve, together with spatial profiles of low-current discharge. In the region of transition from normal to abnormal glow, sudden changes of the regime of operation were observed.


Human pancreatic cancer remains a highly malignant disease with almost similar incidence and mortality despite extensive research. Many targeted therapies are under development. However, clinical investigation showed that single targeted therapies and most combined therapies were not able to improve the prognosis of this disease, even though some of these therapies had excellent anti-tumor effects in pre-clinical models. Cross-talk between cell proliferation signaling pathways may be an important phenomenon in pancreatic cancer, which may result in cancer cell survival even though some pathways are blocked by targeted therapy. Pancreatic cancer may possess different characteristics and targets in different stages of pathogenesis, maintenance and metastasis. Sensitivity to therapy may also vary for cancer cells at different stages. The unique pancreatic cancer structure with abundant stroma creates a tumor microenvironment with hypoxia and low blood perfusion rate, which prevents drug delivery to cancer cells. In this review, the most commonly investigated targeted therapies in pancreatic cancer treatment are discussed. However, how to combine these targeted therapies and/or combine them with chemotherapy to improve the survival rate of pancreatic cancer is still a challenge. Genomic and proteomic studies using pancreatic cancer samples obtained from either biopsy or surgery are recommended to individualize tumor characters and to perform drug sensitivity study in order to design a tailored therapy with minimal side effects. These studies may help to further investigate tumor pathogenesis, maintenance and metastasis to create cellular expression profiles at different stages. Integration of the information obtained needs to be performed from multiple levels and dimensions in order to develop a successful targeted therapy.


Experiments were performed on 48 albino rats. All experimental animals were initially trained to a balancing instrumental conditioned reflex (ICR). Unilateral bulbar pyramidotomy performed in 24 rats caused contralateral hemiparesis. On the next day following the operation 12 rats (first group) were injected intramuscularly with bacterial melanin (BM) solution. Recovery periods of ICR and paralyzed hindlimb movements were registered for melanin injected rats ( n = 12) and for operated rats, not treated with melanin ( n = 12, second group). In rats injected with bacterial melanin the posttraumatic recovery is shorter than in animals not treated with melanin. Morphohistochemical examination was carried out to confirm the results of behavioral and electrophysiological experiments. Medulla slices were prepared to trace the regeneration of nerve fibers. Examination of transection area revealed that bacterial melanin increases vascularization, dilates the capillaries in nervous tissue and stimulates the process of sprouting. Ischiadic nerve transection was performed in third and fourth groups of rats (12 rats in each group). Third group animals were injected with BM on the next day of surgery. ICR was used to assess the recovery of movements after nerve damage. Method for Ca 2+ -dependent acidic phosphatase activity measurement was used to examine sections of nerve fibers and to trace the recovery of the nerve and limb movements after its injury. Acceleration of the instrumental conditioned reflex recovery and data from morphohistochemical study showed that bacterial melanin has neuroprotective action and facilitates recovery of limb movements after peripheral nerve or motor tract lesions.


Aiming at solving the colour union, variation and loss problems during cross-media reproduction in the layer-tinted map, this study proposes a colour gamut mapping model for the preservation of visual differentials in layer-tinted maps. First, many layer-tinted maps are collected for analysis and the colouring rules are concluded. Then, the dominant and non-dominant colours are extracted based on the colour gamut characteristics of the maps. For the mapping of dominant colours, the corresponding Munsell's three colour dimensions are calculated by establishing the transformational relation between CIELAB colour space and Munsell's colour system and then the colour gamut mapping of dominant colours is achieved in the Munsell's colour order system. On the other hand, the mapping of non-dominant colours is achieved by hue-angle preserving minimum ΔE clipping. The experimental results indicate that compared with the four colour gamut mapping methods recommended by the International Color Consortium, the proposed algorithm in this study can more easily distinguish the hierarchical information in the maps and perfectly remain the visual differentials among the layered colours.


Background : Chronic osteomyelitis remains difficult to treat and has a high rate of relapse after apparently succesful treatment. Cephalosporin has been greatly used for the antibiotic intervention for patient with osteomyelitis. The objective of this study was to explore bacterial profile and its microbial resistance pattern of each generation of cephalosporin from patients with chronic osteomyelitis at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital. Methods : A descriptive study was conducted to 39 medical records from patients with chronic osteomyelitis at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital that met both inclusion and exclusion criteria. The bacterial pattern and antimicrobial susceptibility test results were obtained from both medical record and laboratory database for five years, during the period of Januari 2009 to December 2014. Data of bacterial species, type of Gram staining, and numbers of resistance isolates to antiobiotic were taken from the collected data and analyzed in form of frequency tabulation and percentages. Results : As high as 43−52% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were resistant to all generation of cephalosporin. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Streptococcus spp. showed resistance to cephalosporin as high as 29% and 67%, respectively. This study also discovered that 5 of 23 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a leading number of resistance pattern for both third and fourth generation of cephalosporin (77%). Enterobacter cloacae showed highly resistance for both first and third generation of cephalosporin, between 57−86%. Conclusions : There is the high resistance of all bacteria to cephalosporin among chronic osteomyelitis patients. [ AMJ .2016;3(3):376–81] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n3.883


Tracing the power of emotion from a playwright's work to audience reaction In this bold new way of looking at dramatic structure, Jim Linnell establishes the central role of emotional experience in the conception, execution, and reception of plays. Walking on Fire: The Shaping Force of Emotion in Writing Drama examines dramatic texts through the lens of human behavior to identify the joining of event and emotion in a narrative, defined by Linnell as emotional form. Effectively building on philosophy, psychology, and critical theory in ways useful to both scholars and practitioners, Linnell unfolds the concept of emotional form as the key to understanding the central shaping force of drama. He highlights the Dionysian force of human emotion in the writer as the genesis for creative work and articulates its power to determine narrative outcomes and audience reaction. Walking on Fire contains writing exercises to open up playwrights to the emotional realities and challenges of their work. Additionally, each chapter offers case studies of traditional and nonlinear plays in the known canon that allow readers to evaluate the construction of these works and the authors' practices and intentions through an examination of the emotional form embedded in the central characters' language, thoughts, and behaviors. The plays discussed include Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Athol Fugard's "Master Harold"...and the Boys, Donald Margulies's The Loman Family Picnic, Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party, and Tony Kushner's Angels in America. Walking on Fire opens up new conversations about content and emotion for writers and offers exciting answers to the questions of why we make drama and why we connect to it. Linnell's userfriendly theory and passionate approach create a framework for understanding the links between the writer's work in creating the text, the text itself, and the audience's engagement.


In laboratory experiments we examined the interplay of light and iron availability on the intracellular iron concentrations, specific growth rates, and photosynthetic physiology of Southern (S.) Ocean diatoms (Eucampia antarctica and Proboscia inermis) and the haptophyte Phaeocystis antarctica. Intracellular iron concentrations and iron : carbon (Fe : C) molar ratios increased with decreasing irradiance in temperate coastal (Thalassiosira weissflogii) and oceanic (Thalassiosira oceanica) diatoms, in support of the well‐established antagonistic iron‐light relationship. In contrast, S. Ocean species required lower cellular iron concentrations and Fe : C ratios than temperate diatoms to grow at comparable rates, and their iron requirements decreased or remained relatively constant with decreasing light. These results suggest that the current paradigm that low light increases algal cellular iron requirements (supplied through "biodilution") is not applicable to S. Ocean phytoplankton. Although iron use efficiencies decreased at sub‐saturating light in all species, these reductions were due primarily to lower growth rates, but not higher intracellular Fe : C ratios, in S. Ocean species. We propose that S. Ocean species have overcome the antagonistic iron‐light relationship by increasing the size, rather than the number, of photosynthetic units under low irradiances, resulting in an acclimation strategy that does not increase their cellular iron requirements.


The objective of this thesis is to estimate, for a distribution network, confidence intervals containing the values of nodal hourly power consumption and nodal maximum power consumption per customer where they are not measured. The values of nodal hourly power consumption are needed in operational as well as in planning stages to carry out load flow studies. As for the values of nodal maximum power consumption per customer, they are used to solve planning problems such as transformer sizing. Confidence interval estimation was preferred to point estimation because it takes into consideration the large variability of the consumption values. A computationally intensive statistical technique, namely the bootstrap method, is utilized to estimate these intervals. It allows us to replace idealized model assumptions for the load distributions by model free analyses. Two studies have been executed. The first one is based on the original nonparametric bootstrap method to calculate a 95% confidence interval for nodal hourly power consumption. This estimation is carried out for a given node and a given hour of the year. The second one makes use of the parametric bootstrap method in order to infer a 95% confidence interval for nodal maximum power consumption per customer. This estimation is realized for a given node and a given month. Simulation results carried out on a real data set are presented and discussed.


This thesis explores differences in the role of non-executive directors (NEDs) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): between the literature and SME practice and between the perceptions of SME NEDs and their managing directors (MDs). The explanation of these differences contributes to a richer understanding of the development of NED role trust in UK SMEs, identified as a gap in our understanding. Extending earlier research by Berry and Perren, the thesis makes a contribution to knowledge by developing a theory to explore and explain the temporal and contextual nature of the dyadic relationship between NEDs and MDs in SMEs.


BACKGROUND: Posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis is one of the most painful elective pediatric surgeries. Good postoperative pain control allows early ambulation and return of ability to tolerate oral intake. Options for analgesia in this patient population are suboptimal. We hypothesized that extended-release epidural morphine (EREM) would provide better pain control and less adverse effects compared to intrathecal (IT) morphine. METHODS: The primary outcome was total IV morphine consumption during 0–48 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included time until first patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) demand, pain scores, and adverse opioid effects. After institutional review board approval, 71 subjects undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis completed the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to 7.5 &mgr;g/kg IT morphine or 150 &mgr;g/kg EREM. The final IT morphine and EREM groups contained 37 and 34 subjects, respectively. Postoperative pain was treated with morphine PCA, ketorolac, oral oxycodone, and acetaminophen. Morphine consumption, pain scores, nausea and vomiting, pruritus, and respiratory depression were measured every 4 hours. Parents completed a caregiver questionnaire about their child's pain control regimen after the first postoperative day. RESULTS: There was no difference in total morphine consumption over the first 48 hours between subjects in the EREM and IT morphine groups: median (range) 42.2 (5.5–123.0) and 34.0 (4.5–128.8) mg, respectively (P = .27). EREM and IT morphine groups had no difference in time until first PCA demand. Pain scores were no different between the groups from 8 to 24 hours after surgery. Compared to IT morphine, EREM subjects had lower pain scores from 28 to 36 hours after surgery. The reported incidence of pruritus was lower in the EREM subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in total morphine consumption or time until first PCA demand between the EREM and IT morphine groups. EREM provides a longer duration of analgesia after posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis and may be associated with less opioid-induced pruritus.


The extension of (Internet) databases forces everyone to become more familiar wit h techniques of data storage and retrieval because users' success often depends on their ability to pose right questions and to be able to interpret their answers. University programs pay more attention to developing database programming skills than to data exploitation skills. To educate our students to become "database users", the authors intensively exploit supportive tools simplifying the production of database elements as tables, queries, forms, reports, web pages, and macros. Videosequences demonstrating "standard operations" for completing them have been prepared to enhance out-ofclassroom learning. The use of SQL and other professional tools is reduced to the cases when the wizards are unable to generate the intended construct.


The GGS includes four batteries of questions designed to contribute to studies of how people make four key life course decisions: to leave the family home, to form a union, to have a child (or another child), and to retire. Each battery is guided by Icek Ajzen's social psychological theory of planned behavior (TPB), and allows study of the extent to which the different decisions (measured as intentions) are influenced by people's attitudes to their going ahead with the decision or behaviour , their perception s of social pressure on them to go ahead or not (subjective norm), and their perceptions of the ease or difficulty with which they would be able to carry out their intention (perceived behavioural control) . The batteries are designed to permit comparison of the relative effects of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control, and the beliefs that underlie them, across countries and other potentially heterogeneous groups, as well as across the life course decisions themselves. This paper outlines key theoretical and conceptual issues that underpin valid measurement based on the TPB in the context of life course research; provides an overview of different approaches that might be taken to measuring TPB concepts with GGP data (including comparison of measurement at the level of individual beliefs with measurement at the higher conceptual level using techniques that either agglomerate or preserve information about the underlying individual beliefs) depending on the goals of the researcher; and provides examples of country - level comparisons that use each technique in order to illustrate the strengths and limitations of each approach . The paper concludes with some comments on possible improvements to TPB measurement in future waves of the GGS, focusing on measurement of perceived behavioural control.


Many turbine models have been evolved to ameliorate the functioning of the small wind energy system. The newly developed Helical Bach type vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is used in this analysis with an idea to improve the overall performance. The shape of the conventional Bach type vertical axis wind turbine is a modified form of Savonius model which has both circular and straight portions to the blade profile. The Simple Bach model has a maximum coefficient of performance corresponding to the blade arc angle of 45° and 225°. However, it consists of negative torque at the rotational angles of about 120°- 180° and 300°- 360°. Moreover, in the newly developed helical Bach rotors can reduce the variation in torque in the rotational cycle, thereby, uniform torque is achieved in all angular position with improved performance. In this paper, experiments were conducted in the natural wind at Wind Turbine Research Station, Kayathar, Tamil Nadu, India. In addition to experimental work, the three-dimensional steady-state numerical investigations have been performed in the helical Bach vertical axis wind turbine. It is found that the numerical results are well-matched with the experimental data. Based on the above computational study it is found that helical Bach models have an increase in overall performance compared to the conventional Bach models and helical Savonious.


We present a new approach to managing the appearance of handwritten symbolic information for panbased systems in which text is recognized and gradually transformed into clean typography. The approach is best suited to pen-based symbolic input and manipulation in which the user interacts directly with the display. Once a collection of user-drawn strokes has been recognized as comprising a specific symbol, the strokes begin a gradual metamorphosis into the corresponding raster image from an appropriate font. The transformation retains legibility at all intermediate stages and can proceed smoothly at widely differing rates. The metamorphosis is accomplished by an energy-based stroke correspondence algorithm, followed by level-set shape transformation that gradually introduces characteristic features of a given font, such as serifs and spurs. This technique leads to a qualitatively different form of pen-based interaction in which the user enjoys the benefits of character recognition and highly legible typefaces without abrupt changes in appearance or positioning of the text. The interplay between hand-written symbols and pre-defined raster fonts suggests a number of new methods for correcting character recognition errors; for instance, the recognizer can be given additional hints by "touching up" an incorrectly recognized symbol.


"Food safety standards that developed countries impose on developing-country exports have sometimes created a barrier to market access. But in Latin America today, the standards set by supermarkets in the region affect local producers far more than do those imposed by developed countries. Latin American farmers sell 2.5 times more to supermarkets within their own countries than they export to the rest of the world. Drawing on case studies from several Latin American countries, this brief focuses on how supermarkets in the region have gone about imposing quality and safety standards on producers of fresh fruits and vegetables for the domestic market." from Text


The focus of this paper is the characterization of Spanish subjunctive complements to negated epistemic predicates (e.g., creer 'to believe'), other negated predicates (e.g., ver 'to see'), and emotive predicates (e.g., lamentar 'to regret'). I illustrate that various properties of subjunctive complements to negated epistemics overlap with the other two types, a novel observation. I claim that negated epistemic predicates manifest with either an evidential (like indicative-selecting predicates) or evaluative (like emotives) function, accounting for the overlapping properties. Furthermore, the pragmatic classification of the predicate affects the type and scope of negation. Finally, I claim that the subjunctive mood in true negation-triggered contexts is due to anti-veridical semantics, which has the effect of creating an unbounded complement clause event.


Exceptional fossils can preserve diagenetically‐altered biomolecules. Understanding the pathways that lead to such preservation is vital to utilizing fossil information in evolutionary and palaeoecological studies. Experimental taphonomy explores the stability of tissues during microbial/autolytic decay or their molecular stability through maturation under high pressure and temperature. Maturation experiments often take place inside sealed containers, preventing the loss of labile, mobile or volatile molecules. However, wrapping tissues inside aluminium foil, for example, can create too open a system, leading to loss of both labile and recalcitrant materials. We present a novel experimental procedure for maturing tissues under elevated pressure/temperature inside compacted sediment. In this procedure, porous sediment allows maturation breakdown products to escape into the sediment and maturation chamber, while recalcitrant, immobile components are contained, more closely mimicking the natural conditions of fossilization. To test the efficacy of this procedure in simulating fossil diagenesis, we investigate the differential survival of melanosomes relative to proteinaceous tissues through maturation of fresh lizard body parts and feathers. Macro‐ and ultrastructures are then compared to fossils. Similar to many carbonaceous exceptional fossils, the resulting organic components are thin, dark films composed mainly of exposed melanosomes resting on the sediment in association with darkened bones. Keratinous, muscle, collagenous and adipose tissues appear to be lost. Such results are consistent with predictions derived from non‐sediment‐encased maturation experiments and our understanding of biomolecular stability. These experiments also suggest that organic preservation is largely driven by the original molecular composition of the tissue and the diagenetic stability of those molecules, rather than the tissue's decay resistance alone; this should be experimentally explored in the future.


Various imaging techniques are used to visualise issues regarding a painting's appearance before, during and after conservation treatments, i.e. visible light photography (VIS) raking light photography (RAK), ultraviolet fluorescence photography (UVF) and reflectance transformation imaging (RTI). However, these techniques cannot always visualise and/or quantify conservation issues. This paper presents a new approach: colour, gloss, topography imaging (CGT). CGT's applicability as a non-invasive tool for evaluating and documenting conservation treatments in comparison to VIS, UVF, RAK and RTI is discussed. Applying this to case studies with different conservation dilemmas illustrates the technique's potential and drawbacks. CGT can visualise issues such as gloss variations, resulting from (previous) cleaning tests, (partial) varnish removal, and possibly dirt and material degradation. Furthermore, CGT can elucidate topographical issues such as bulging, and losses, and also visualise high-frequency surface variations (e.g. canvas weave and crack pattern). This results in an improvement of documenting a painting's condition, and the evaluation of treatments and their effects on the visual appearance may be quantified. In conclusion, this research shows that CGT is able to better visualise texture, gloss and colour information than existing techniques like technical photography, facilitating a more precise documentation and localisation of previous and current conservation treatments.


Abstract Big-eyed bugs have been well documented as predators on a diverse group of arthropod prey in turfgrasses; however, little is known about the big-eyed bug species associated with buffalograss, or their feeding habits relative to the western chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber. This research documented that Geocoris uliginosus (Say) was the predominant big-eyed bug species associated with buffalograss, obtained information on its feeding behavior, and characterized predation rates. Laboratory studies documented G. uliginosus, as a predator of B. occiduus. While all life stages of B. occiduus were attacked by G. uliginosus, predation was greater on 1st through 4th instars than on 5th instars or adults. Low 5th instar and adult chinch bug mortality was likely the result of their larger biomass, as well as their superior size and strength compared to younger (1st through 4th instar) chinch bugs. The mean number of 1st through 3rd instar chinch bugs consumed by G. uliginosus at each evaluation period was higher than for 5th instar or adult chinch bugs. Based on this research, chinch bug management decisions should take into consideration big-eyed bug densities, especially when the majority of B. occiduus are early (1st–2nd) instars.


The Validity of Values (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1993), the second volume of Nicholas Rescher's trilogy, A System of Pragmatic Idealism , is a wide-ranging and intriguing book. Professor Rescher covers many fundamental issues in ethical theory and does so in a way that engages the reader. Topics discussed include the rationality of values, a defense of moral objectivity against both subjectivism and relativism, the relationship of facts and values, the nature of personhood, the meaning of life, optimism and pessimism, and an answer to the question, "Why be moral?" One cannot do justice to the breadth of this work in such a short essay. Here I shall focus on what Rescher has to say about the nature of morality and the role ideals ought to play in the moral life. I have selected these issues because of my own interest and their inherent difficulty.


Choir singing is known to promote wellbeing. One reason for this may be that singing demands a slower than normal respiration, which may in turn affect heart activity. Coupling of heart rate variability (HRV) to respiration is called Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). This coupling has a subjective as well as a biologically soothing effect, and it is beneficial for cardiovascular function. RSA is seen to be more marked during slow-paced breathing and at lower respiration rates (0.1 Hz and below). In this study, we investigate how singing, which is a form of guided breathing, affects HRV and RSA. The study comprises a group of healthy 18 year olds of mixed gender. The subjects are asked to; (1) hum a single tone and breathe whenever they need to; (2) sing a hymn with free, unguided breathing; and (3) sing a slow mantra and breathe solely between phrases. Heart rate (HR) is measured continuously during the study. The study design makes it possible to compare above three levels of song structure. In a separate case study, we examine five individuals performing singing tasks (1–3). We collect data with more advanced equipment, simultaneously recording HR, respiration, skin conductance and finger temperature. We show how song structure, respiration and HR are connected. Unison singing of regular song structures makes the hearts of the singers accelerate and decelerate simultaneously. Implications concerning the effect on wellbeing and health are discussed as well as the question how this inner entrainment may affect perception and behavior.


[1] The paleoceanographic recording fidelity of pelagic sediments is limited by chemical diagenesis and physical mixing (bioturbation and horizontal sediment transport). Diagenesis and bioturbation are relatively well-studied, but the effects of physical sedimentation have been largely ignored. Modeling U series isotopes (e.g., 230Th) can potentially quantify horizontal sediment movement, but model horizontal sediment focusing often equals or exceeds the vertical particle rain. We find no evidence of this level of sediment focusing in the equatorial Pacific from geophysical data or sediment core comparisons. The overestimate of sediment focusing by 230Th is probably caused by poor model assumptions: that sediment does not fractionate (does not sort according to size during transport) and that 230Th cannot leak from slowly accumulating sediments. Both assumptions are weak. U series methods do hold promise to quantify sediment focusing if properly calibrated. With calibration the trade-offs between seeking high sedimentation rates for better time resolution and the blurring by horizontal sediment focusing can be better assessed.


Coherent optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed (OFDM) systems must be carefully designed to minimize the detrimental impact of fiber nonlinearity manifested through four-wave mixing (FWM). Because of the small subcarrier spacing associated with OFDM, a significant fraction of FWM processes is well matched, resulting in a rapid buildup of FWM light with propagation distance. In this paper, we consider optical phase conjugation (OPC) as an approach to suppress such well-matched FWM processes. An analytical formula accurately predicting the degree of suppression is derived and discussed. It is shown that when combined with the methods previously proposed in the literature, the application of OPC can dramatically reduce the overall FWM power accumulated within the link for a wide range of crucial design parameters.


Preferential flow affects solute transport in natural soils, leading to high spatiotemporal variation of concentration. A multicompartment solute sampler (MCS), yielding multiple breakthrough curves at a given depth, can monitor tracer movement in a heterogeneous soil. We present a technique to estimate from MCS data whether a soil monolith is sufficiently large to capture preferential flow, which is a necessity for tracer breakthrough curves to be representative. For several soils, we estimate that an MCS should be larger than 0.1 to 0.2 m2 We also expand dilution theory to analyze the concentration variations of a tracer passing the control plane monitored by the MCS, in addition to the conventional plume spreading analysis. We characterize the set of locally observed breakthrough curves by the entropy‐based dilution index. For given first and second‐central moment, the spatially uniform log‐normal breakthrough curve maximizes the dilution index. The ratio between observed and maximum dilution index is denoted reactor ratio. For a 300‐compartment solute sampler, covering an area of 0.75 m2, we compute a reactor ratio of 0.665, compared with 0.04 for stochastic‐convective and 1 for convective‐dispersive transport. With a single, large collector the reactor ratio would be 0.958, severely underestimating concentration variations. Large collector areas are clearly inadequate to estimate dilution. Values of the dilution index and the reactor ratio for individual sampling compartments indicate efficient longitudinal mixing in most but not all cases, and considerable spatial variation of the leaching process.


ABSTRACT Introduction: We evaluated the relationship between total testicular volume (TTV) and testicular volume differential (TVD) in adolescent males with varicocele. Both low TTV and high TVD have been independently associated with higher incidences of infertility later in life, but a predictive relationship between TTV and TVD directly has yet to be described. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a database of Tanner 5 boys ages 16-21 who presented with varicocele at a single institution between 2009 and 2017. All patients had a scrotal sonogram prior to surgical intervention. TTV and TVD were calculated for each individual and four non-exclusive groupings of patients were created for statistical analysis. We chose 30 cc as a cut off value for low TTV based on prior studies. Results: 209 patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean age was 18.3 years (16–21, SD 1.7) with a mean total testicular volume of 36 cc (13.5-78.2, SD 11.1). Cut off points of TVD of 20% and TTV of 30 cc were used to separate patients. There were 65 boys (31%) with TTV < 30 cc and 58 boys (28%) with TVD ≥ 20%. Among males with TTV < 30 cc, 23 (35%) had a TVD ≥ 20%. Among males with TTV ≥ 30 cc, 35 (24%) had a TVD ≥ 20%. The relationship between TVD and TTV was found to be non-significant (p > 0.05). Discussion: Adolescent varicoceles continue to pose a challenge to pediatric urologists. The dilemma of over-aggressive treatment has proven difficult to balance with the risk of infertility. We hoped that elucidating the relationship between TTV and TVD could be useful in identifying patients who are at greater risk for infertility while decreasing the need for more intrusive testing, such as semen analysis, in an adolescent population. We looked at the direct relationship between low TTV and high TVD. In our population, there was a non-significant relationship between TTV < 30 cc and TVD ≥ 20% (p > 0.05) indicating that in adolescents with varicocele, TTV and TVD are independent variables. Our study limitations include the inherent user dependent bias of ultrasound measurements and data collection at a single institution with high ethnic diversity, possibly not comparable to all patient populations. Conclusions: Low TTV (< 30 cc) itself is not predictive of high TVD (≥ 20%) in adolescent boys with varicocele, despite their reported independent associations with impaired fertility in other studies.


Experimental data have shown that combustor temperature non-uniformities can lead to pressure side burning on first-stage turbine rotor blades. Although most modern turbines operate in an environment with significant heat transfer, the majority of hot streak experiments and simulations during the last decade have assumed adiabatic flow. This assumption can cause errors in the prediction of turbine cooling requirements. In the present investigation, three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes simulations have been performed for a 1-1/2 stage high-pressure turbine geometry operating in subsonic flow. Combustor hot streaks and heat transfer effects at the airfoil surfaces were included in the simulations. The predicted aerodynamic (pressure) data shows close agreement with the available experimental data. The predicted heat flux results agree with experimental observations.Copyright © 1997 by ASME