To show the role of cultural values in the process of positioning territorial brands, the authors of the article refer to the Russian and Swiss experience in the formation of concepts and the application of cultural geography methods. On the basis of such sources as interviews with Russian informants and texts of Russian and Swiss websites, the transformations of the realities of the geographic space in people's minds — ideas, concepts, analogies, reflected in territorial (geographic) images — were analyzed.Branding is one of such development factors as territory marketing, image policy development. The image of the territory is an external image, attractive to consumers of goods and services, contributing to the growth of internal and external tourism. In order for territorial objects, in particular, the mountains of the North Caucasus, to become a cultural brand again, their image must be reflected in the behavior and consciousness of people. However, as the authors of the article show by the example of Adygea, nowadays, for the Adyghe people themselves, the mountains are not of great value: residents of lowland villages rarely go to the mountains, for their daily life the mountains as a "local landscape" do not play an important role. It was noted that, in relation to the North Caucasus, geographical images are easily transformed into geographical-political ones: their modeling has a number of difficulties related to how historical circumstances evolved for over more than 200 years. Strategies for the development of regional identity (linking to sub-ethnic groups, linking to large physical-geographical areas, linking to administrative units) here are connected with the peculiarities of the inclusion of the region into the Russian Empire. The search for a positive scenario aimed at forming a specific geographical image of the Caucasian territory and taking into account the potential of already existing cultural brands is relevant. To clarify a number of aspects of the problem, the authors of the article, by analyzing the geographic images used in positioning territorial brands on travel sites (329 Russian and 60 Swiss websites), studied how certain regions of Switzerland work on the image of the territory. When comparing the experience of a relevant practice in the North Caucasus (Adygea) and in Switzerland (Canton Neuchâtel), it is established that the interests and preferences of the foreign cultural public are little taken into account. Disagreement with the expectations of tourists or even with the established image of the territory in a foreign language consciousness creates certain obstacles: it does not allow certain territorial brands to become attractive for tourists speaking foreign languages or living outside the representative territory.


OBJECTIVE
The United States Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported in 1991 that the evidence indicates a causal relationship between the currently used rubella vaccine and acute and chronic arthritis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the associated arthritic reactions reported following rubella immunization from 1991 through 1998 to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database.

METHODS
A certified copy of the VAERS database was obtained from the CDC. Microsoft Access was used to analyze the database.

RESULTS
The results show that rubella vaccine is associated with a number of arthritic reactions reported to the VAERS database.

CONCLUSION
Adult female patients need to make informed decisions on whether or not rubella vaccination is right for them. Doctors and patients must together make an informed consent decision about the risk verses the benefit to the patient in their particular life situation. Additionally, those patients who have had an adverse reaction to rubella vaccination should be informed that they may seek compensation under the no-fault Vaccine Compensation Act, which is administered by the US Claims Court.


Effective volcanic hazard management in regions where populations live in close proximity to persistent volcanic activity involves understanding the dynamic nature of hazards, and associated risk. Emphasis until now has been placed on identification and forecasting of the escalation phase of activity, in order to provide adequate warning of what might be to come. However, understanding eruption hiatus and post-eruption unrest hazards, or how to quantify residual hazard after the end of an eruption, is also important and often key to timely post-eruption recovery. Unfortunately, in many cases when the level of activity lessens, the hazards, although reduced, do not necessarily cease altogether. This is due to both the imprecise nature of determination of the "end" of an eruptive phase as well as to the possibility that post-eruption hazardous processes may continue to occur. An example of the latter is continued dome collapse hazard from lava domes which have ceased to grow, or sector collapse of parts of volcanic edifices, including lava dome complexes. We present a new probabilistic model for forecasting pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) from lava dome collapse that takes into account the heavy-tailed distribution of the lengths of eruptive phases, the periods of quiescence, and the forecast window of interest. In the hazard analysis, we also consider probabilistic scenario models describing the flow's volume and initial direction. Further, with the use of statistical emulators, we combine these models with physics-based simulations of PDCs at Soufrière Hills Volcano to produce a series of probabilistic hazard maps for flow inundation over 5, 10, and 20 year periods. The development and application of this assessment approach is the first of its kind for the quantification of periods of diminished volcanic activity. As such, it offers evidence-based guidance for dome collapse hazards that can be used to inform decision-making around provisions of access and reoccupation in areas around volcanoes that are becoming less active over time.


In the previously described model of interpreting the numerous results in the switching states of the conduction in the films of PVC composites [1,2] was noted the need to involve hopping mechanism and percolation theory to explain the phenomenon of giant jumps conductivity, just as was done for the interpretation of such jumps for disordered semiconductor films. It was also shown that to explain the totality of spontaneous and stimulated transitions between states of the conduction in PVC composites requires the existence of an internal process that is able to produce a fixed observable current - voltage delay and switching electrical conductivity levels lifetime. In this paper one of the possible relaxation processes that lead to the emergence of the delay time, and the occurrence of spontaneous and stimulated transitions sample conductivity of nanocomposites PVC is presented. In particular, as a mechanism for determining time delay and lifetimes of the conduction states the reaction of dehydrochlorination is proposed, which should be reversible in case when HCl molecules separated from macromolecule physically can not "travel" far from "their place" in the macromolecule, as it just takes place within a local PVC free volume. In a frame of developed model all previously observed and called "anomalous" electrical phenomena receive a reasonable and predictable behavior.


Introduction. This paper presents an initial proposal for a formal framework that, by studying the metric variables involved in information retrieval, can establish the sequence of events involved and how to perform it. Method. A systematic approach from the equations of Shannon and Weaver to establish the decidability of information retrieval systems and Conrad's equation is used to interweave the ecosystem components. Analysis. This work was developed from a detailed analysis of the scientific literature on information retrieval and through a set of inductive processes; it has been possible to build each of the components of this proposal. Results. First, we have proposed a simple way of assessing the implications of the sequence of events that occur in a search related to the overall response. Secondly, we obtain a formal equation that determines all the interrelated human and technological elements in the information retrieval processes. Conclusions. The establishment of this formal framework allows us to ascertain why we evaluate information retrieval and how one has to intervene in times of imbalance.


Despite the fact that most CT scans performed on head injured patients are negative, CT remains the "gold standard" for evaluation of head injury in the Emergency Department. This study investigates the utility of the BrainScope One ii EEG based classification algorithm to aid in the reduction of unnecessary CT scans in the mild head injured population. Evaluations were performed on 64 patients (mean age 43.5, 58% male, 98% GCS=15), enrolled in the BrainScope One Registry, who sustained closed head injury and were evaluated in the ED at Washington University (mean time since injury 10.1 hours) and were referred for CT scans by standard clinical site practice pathway. Results were compared with those from BrainScope One evaluation. In this population of ED patients, the BrainScope One decision pathway would have resulted in a 32.8% reduction in the overall number of CT scans referrals compared to the clinical site practice decision pathway. Importantly, this reduction in CTs was achieved without incurring any false negative cases (100% sensitivity).


Branched polyglycerols (PGs) are a versatile class of functionalisable, hydrophilic, hydroxylated polyethers with ideal properties for numerous applications. Historically, synthetic limitations have restricted the study of such materials to globular hyperbranched polymers ( 1000 nm). In this Emerging Area minireview we describe how we use miniemulsion polymerisation to prepare polyglycerol nanogels on previously unobtainable length scales. Various cases are discussed with particle sizes that are highly tunable between 25 and 350 nm diameter; methods to surface functionalise such particles are also described. Biodegradable polyglycerol based nanogels have also been prepared by incorporating redox active disulfide branching points within the nanogel structure. Cell culture studies show that these nanogels are highly biocompatible. Additionally, dye labelled nanogels are shown by optical microscopy techniques to readily internalise into cells by endocytic mechanisms. We believe that these polyglycerol nanogels will emerge as excellent materials for use in a broad range of biomedical applications.


The electric
power infrastructure that has served huge loads for so long is rapidly running
up against many limitations. Out of many challenges it is to operate the power
system in secure manner so that the operation constraints
are fulfilled under both normal and contingent conditions. Smart grid
technology offers valuable techniques that can be deployed within the very near
future or which are already deployed nowadays. Flexible AC
Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices have been introduced to solve various
power system problems. In literature, most of the methods proposed for sizing
the FACTS devices only consider the normal operating conditions of power
systems. Consequently, some transmission lines are heavily loaded in
contingency case and the system voltage stability becomes a power
transfer-limiting factor. This paper presents a technique for determining the
proper rating/size of FACTS devices, namely the Static Synchronous Compensator
(STATCOM), while considering contingency cases. The paper also verifies that
the weakest bus determined by eigenvalue and eigenvectors method is the best
location for STATCOM. The rating of STATCOM is specified according to the required
reactive power needed to improve voltage stability under normal and contingency
cases. Two case system studies are investigated: a simple 5-bus system and the
IEEE 14-bus system. The obtained results verify that the rating of STATCOM can
be determined according to the worst contingency case, and through proper
control it can still be effective for normal and other contingency cases.


A series of smart hydrogels based on dual stimuli responsive star-block copolymers responding to pH and temperature were prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) employing the core-first method. They consist of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMA) inner blocks and outer blocks comprised of poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PDEGMA). The aggregation behavior of these block copolymer stars is analyzed by dependence on block length and arm number. The dual stimuli responsiveness of the stars is demonstrated by turbidity as well as dynamic light scattering on dilute aqueous solution, and the gelation behavior of concentrated aqueous solutions is studied by rheology. Above the transition temperature of the PDEGMA outer blocks the stars form flower-like aggregates in dilute solution or free-standing gels at higher concentrations. When the temperature is increased further above the transition temperature of the PDMA inner block, the aggregates start to contract and a weakening was observed for soft gels, whereas for strong gels no influence on the moduli was detected. The behavior is controlled by both concentration and pH value. In addition, we show that the minimum polymer concentration for gel formation can be lowered by quaternizing the inner block of the stars, but a second response to stimuli is lost during the procedure.


This paper considers finite lattice paths formed from the set of step vectors {→, ↗,↘, ↑, and ↓} with the restriction that vertical steps (↑, ↓) can not be consecutive. We provide a recurrence relation for enumerating paths that terminate a horizontal distance n and vertical distance m from the starting point and apply the relation to paths which are restricted to the first quadrant and paths which are not. We provide an explicit algorithmic bijection between these paths and a bisection of the Motzkin triangle paths. Finally, we extend Dyck paths in a similar manner and show that using the same mapping there is a bijection to a subset of Motzkin paths.


"Those About Him Remained Silent": The Battle over W.E.B. Du Bois. By Amy Bass. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 2009. 224 pages. $24.95 (cloth). "We are inviting outside interference at a time when there are many willing to interfere," wrote a concerned citizen in a letter to the Berkshire Eagle. "We are preparing a marvelous bed for radicals, kooks, agitators and other undesirables from outside." It was March 1968, and the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Committee had recently announced its intention to honor the famous sociologist and author of The Souls ofBhck Folk. Du Bois was not only a scholar of international standing when he died in Ghana in 1963. He was also a Berkshire County native son, having been born and raised in the southern Berkshire town of Great Barrington. Amy Bass' book explores the way anti-communist hysteria nearly derailed efforts to commemorate the life of Du Bois. Her study is significant, for the Great Barrington debate proved to be "among the first of its kind, as it asked, How should civil rights be remembered?" (xviii). Bass frames her story within the larger narrative of Du Bois' biography and his foundational role in the NAACP. Her chapter on "Du Bois in Great Barrington and Beyond" draws a great deal on Du Bois' own autobiographical writings and on secondary source material such as Bernard Drew's definitive volume, Great Barrington: Great Town, Great History (Great Barrington Historical Society, 1999). For the history of the Great Barrington debate, Bass relies to a great extent on the archives of the daily erkshire Eagle and the weekly Berkshire Courier, along with interviews of some of the key actors in the Du Bois drama. One of those key actors was also a character: a former ACLU southern secretary and labor organizer, Walter Wilson was one of the leading realestate developers in Berkshire County when he and his friend and fellow activist Edmond Gordon bought the parcel of land in Great Barrington that had once belonged to W.E.B. Dubois' family. Although at first residents were wary of Wilson's intentions - they had assumed he would exploit the land for a development deal - the resistance reached a fever pitch as soon as Wilson and Gordon announced plans to haul in a plaque and build a Du Bois memorial park on the site. Between 1968 and 1969, when a crowd of 800 gathered to hear Julian Bond speak at the official dedication ceremony, anti-communist hysteria had so twisted the debate that more than thirty bomb threats were made against the proposed park. Bass finds anger in abundance on the letters pages of the Eagle and Courier. The majority of letter writers took issue with Du Bois' decision later in life to move to Ghana and embrace socialism. For them, a Du Bois memorial park would be tantamount to having a Soviet beachhead in Great Barrington. But this anti-communist narrative was often shot through with racial animosity. "The general idea of all this," intoned one letter to the Berkshire Eagle, "is to vote the whites out of large areas of the U.S., take over in the name of black leadership and then set up some vague sort of communal living" (70). While the Eagle editorial board was supportive of a Du Bois memorial park, the same could not be said of the weekly Berkshire Courier. …


SOUTHER, NICOLE. Development of a Multiplex PCR to Identify Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, a Probiotic Organism. (Under the direction of Dr. Todd R. Klaenhammer.) Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM is a probiotic organism used in food products and dietary supplements since 1972. A recent study recovered strains of L. acidophilus from various foodand probiotic products currently being used in the food industry demonstrating a genetic fingerprint comparable to that of L. acidophilus NCFM. Reliable strain identification in commercial products is of paramount in regards to food safety and consistent probiotic features. A multiplex PCR system to identify Lb. acidophilus NCFM was established and used to distinguish this strain from other Lactobacillus species and Lactobacillus acidophilus strains. The genome of this organism revealed the presence of seven distinct transposase elements. Three of these genes were found in multiple, highly conserved copies ranging from two to six replicas, indicating relatively recent multiplication events. A total of four different primer sets were designed around four selected transposase genes to generate semi-conserved PCR products. Various strains of L. acidophilus, including NCFM, were tested with the primer sets. The multiplex reaction identified six of these strains as NCFM, or closely related to Lb. acidophilus NCFM. Five of the L. acidophilus strains showed distinguishing banding patterns. We were able to demonstrate the use of multiplex PCR to identify L. acidophilus NCFM and NCFM-related strains, and distinguish these from other species and closely-related strains of L. acidophilus. Development of a Multiplex PCR to Identify Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM – a Probiotic Organism


The 1993 Session of the Virginia General Assembly lessened restrictions relating to the application of aftermarket tinted window films to motor vehicle glass. Effective July 1, 1993, vehicles are allowed to have window tinting treatments that do not reduce the transmittance of light below 35% for rear and rear side windows and 50% for front side windows, but no aftermarket tinting may be applied to windshields. However, the new legislation allows lower transmittance levels for the windows on vehicles used by individuals with a medical waiver. The traffic safety community is concerned that aftermarket window tint film may increase the incidence of traffic crashes by limiting a driver's ability to see out of a vehicle, and it may compromise the safety of police officers by limiting an officer's ability to see into a vehicle that he or she has stopped. The window tinting industry, however, notes the lack of empirical evidence correlating window tinting and traffic crashes or police officer injuries or fatalities. The concerns of industry and the traffic safety community were balanced by the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 293, which directed the Virginia Departments of Motor Vehicles and State Police to study the issue. The study found that window tinting reduces the ability to detect targets that would be difficult to see through clear glass, and this can be a liability when ambient lighting is low. In addition, the adverse effects of window tinting become increasingly pronounced as transmittance goes below 70%, particularly for people who wear spectacles and for older drivers. There is no evidence, however, that reduced visibility significantly affects drivers' performance during well-illuminated daytime hours. The difficulties are more likely to be manifested at night. Further, by reducing the amount of light transmittance, window tinting reduces the ability of an outside observer to see into a vehicle, which has led to the concerns about the safety of police officers. Although there are only limited optical benefits to be derived from window tinting and there are a number of potential optical detriments, there is no empirical evidence to indicate that the tinting allowed under Virginia's current laws creates a safety hazard in terms of driver performance. Thus, it is recommended that Virginia's new laws on window tinting not be changed unless compelling evidence that the standards compromise safety is found in the future. However, further research is recommended. It is also recommended that federal regulations and/or action by the states to achieve national uniformity be encouraged in order to promote uniformity in laws and regulations concerning aftermarket window tinting.


This paper presents the exploitation of the thermal solar energy converter by SAH in drying application. At once, we present the results of an experimental investigation performance for five configurations of air flat plate solar collector at Biskra (latitude 34°48'N and longitude 5°44'E), Algeria. The thermal efficiency between absorber plate and air in flat-plate solar collector has been enhanced by introducing obstacles rows in the dynamic air vein of the collector. A flat plate solar collector, of 1.73 m2 area and 2.5 cm air gap, has been designed and constructed. These obstacles formed with two parts; the first part is perpendicular to fluid flow and the second part is inclined, they are mounted in a staggered pattern, are oriented perpendicular to the fluid flow and are soldered to the back plate.  Experiments had been performed for air mass flow rates of 0.018 kg/s and 0.043 kg/s. First case solar air heater without obstacle (case 1) and Four cases of SAH with obstacles (case 2, case3, case 4 and case 5) were tested and compared. The highest efficiency had been obtained in case 5 at 0.043 kg/s. Also, the comparison between the thermal efficiency of the SAH tested in this study with the ones reported in the literature had been presented, and a good agreement had been found. In second parts of this travel, the results of the drying chili were presented. The solar collector Case 5 leads to a very significant improvement in the efficiency/temperature rise couple, and in the reduction in drying time of the product.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.23.3.14209


The last decade has witnessed major changes in British doctoral education. The emergence of professional and practice-based doctorates in particular, are beginning to prompt broad questions concerning the purposes, processes and products of graduate study. A growing diversity of doctoral provision is coupled with a disparate student population. For doctorates to evolve in a responsive manner, the complexity of provision and need must be understood. This work provides new insights into these changes by specifically focusing on the perspectives of students and graduates;
something relatively unexplored. The perceptions and experiences of 217 students and graduates from different types of doctorates at 4 institutions were examined through postal questionnaires and
follow-up semi-structured interviews. Interviews were also conducted with 8 supervisors from each institution and 9 employers, to provide a snapshot of understanding in relation to students' views.
Results suggest that motivation varies with age. Younger students were more driven by the prospect of career enhancement and the development of research techniques, whereas older students gave more credence to personal development. Noticeable agreement was found over those resources that were regarded as both important and unimportant and all students considered both independence and collaboration important ways of working during a doctorate. Students' concepts of a doctorate and
their understanding of doctoral capability did not seem to recognise the complexity and transferability of skills. The views of supervisors and employers varied in important respects from those of the students.
These findings are discussed and their political, institutional and methodological implications are explored. It is recommended that further work concentrates on exploring the perspectives of employers to continue enriching the understanding of doctoral education.


Challenges remain to regenerating oak (Quercus spp.) in eastern upland hardwood forests. It is well established that to be competitive, advance oak reproduction must be of sufficient size to respond favorably upon release. We also know altering the understory light regime, through reductions in stand stocking, basal area, or canopy cover, promotes the growth and competitiveness of small oak advance reproduction. Reductions in stand density can be accomplished by herbicide treatment of the existing midstory, prescribed fire, or harvesting. We found midstory herbicide treatment resulted in an ephemeral increase in light, from < 1 percent of full sunlight pretreatment to 15 to 20 percent post-treatment. This increase in light levels dissipated after three growing seasons. Oak seedlings responded to increased light levels but so did both sugar maple (Acer saccharum L.) and yellow-poplar (Liridendron tulipifera L.). One and two prescribed fires, implemented on a 3-year-return interval, resulted in 12 percent of full sunlight, compared to 8 percent pre-burn. Conversely, a one-time thin to 50 BA (basal area in square feet per acre) resulted in 50 percent full sun following the initial thin and burn and 37 percent after the second burn. Because these fires were repeated on a 3-year interval, the increase in light was sustained over time compared to the thin only. However, much of the growing space was occupied by aggressive red maple (Acer rubrum L.) sprouts after the prescribed burning.


Objective: To assess the pulmonary function and quality of life in asthma patients receiving vitamin D3 supplementation with inhaled budesonide and formoterol. Materials and Methods: This was a double blinded, randomized, comparative study. Patients were recruited as per the study criteria and randomized into two groups: usual care group (n = 69) patients received budesonide (800 μg) with formoterol (24 μg) and intervention care group (n = 72) patients received vitamin D3 (1000 IU) supplementation along with budesonide (800 μg) plus formoterol (24 μg) for a period of 6 months. Results: A total of 140 patients completed the study. Significant within-group improvement and non-significant between-group improvement is observed with respect to FEV1. In terms of health-related quality of life, within-group comparison revealed a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in all the domains of SGRQ. However, between-group comparisons showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) improvement in symptom, impact and total scores. Conclusion: On the basis of our findings, we conclude that supplementation of vitamin D3 is effective in improving the quality of life rather than pulmonary function in severe asthmatics. However, further studies are warranted to substantiate the present findings.


Summary and Conclusions
1.
Little or no difference was found among the three strains of T. spiralis in regard to longevity and sex ratio of the adults and the rapidity of larval development.
2.
Animals infected with small doses of T. spiralis showed considerable variations in the average proportions of larvae recovered to larvae fed. The results were much more consistent when the doses bordered on the lethal.
3.
There was greater regularity in the longevity of T. spiralis adults in the intestines of mice infected with doses bordering on the lethal as compared with those lightly infected. After the first two weeks, the adults in the intestines of mice were lost rapidly. The worms appeared to withstand the effects of the host in the large intestine better than in the small intestine, as indicated by the exclusion of adults from the latter site usually after the first month. Adults were not observed later than 54 days after infection.
4.
There was considerable regularity in the course of the sex ratios. In animals possessing a reasonable number of adults, the ratios remained invariably in favor of the females until the 16th or 18th day but then became reversed in favor of the males. In only one animal infected with 10 larvae per gram of body weight was the sex ratio in favor of the females on the 20th day. The reversal in many cases was so complete that males were found to the exclusion of females. These results are contrary to the generally accepted view that the males are lost soon after the females are fertilized.


A web site is an additional communication channel between a company, its existing customers, and possibly new customers. It gives company greater market reach and is like having a 24-hour telephone line combined with a company sales brochure that can be updated quickly. Ecommerce is definitely international in nature and provides customers with access to important global markets such as the US, Europe and Asian countries. However, how many Malaysian companies have embraced this channel as one of their marketing strategy? Based on a study conducted on 618 companies listed in the Malaysia Bourse Main Board only 252 companies have web site. This clearly indicates that E-commerce is still "alien" to Malaysian corporation. The paper articulates a number of issues and challenges, and advantages, to promote greater diffusion of ecommerce technologies among Malaysian companies. The need to prepare themselves is a "must" because the volume of Internet-based-e-commerce had reached $150 billion in 2000 and more than $1 trillion in 2010. Keyword: E-commerce, Internet, Strategy, Marketing, Strategic Management


This paper examines the effect of a regulatory action (the Home Valuation Code of Conduct) that was designed to reduce the incidence of inflated collateral valuations. We identify the impact of the regulation using a difference-in-difference identification strategy. Our baseline results confirm that the regulation reduced inflated valuations in refinance transactions by 16% in the large lender sample, compared to small lenders and a placebo sample. The effect is most significant in low-liquidity and low-distress markets, but not in other markets. We find that the regulation had a significant impact on loan to value ratio and interest rate, and it also led to a significant increase in defaults but a decrease in prepayments.


Abstract. Fracture attribute scaling and connectivity datasets from analogue systems are widely used to inform sub-surface fractured reservoir models in a range of geological settings. However, significant uncertainties are associated with the determination of reliable scaling parameters in surface outcrops. This has limited our ability to upscale key parameters that control fluid flow at reservoir to basin scales. In this study, we present nine 1D-transect (scanline) fault and fracture attribute datasets from Middle Devonian sandstones in Caithness (Scotland) that are used as an onshore analogue for nearby sub-surface reservoirs such as the Clair field, west of Shetland. By taking account of truncation and censoring effects in individual datasets, our multiscale analysis shows a preference for power-law scaling of fracture length over 8 orders of magnitude (10−4 to 104 m) and kinematic aperture over 4 orders of magnitude (10−6 to 10−2 m). Our assessment of the spatial organization (clustering and topology) provides a new basis for up-scaling fracture attributes collected in outcrop- to regional-scale analogues. We show how these relationships may inform knowledge of geologically equivalent sub-surface fractured reservoirs.


Abstract. This guide to estimating daily and monthly actual, potential, reference crop and pan evaporation covers topics that are of interest to researchers, consulting hydrologists and practicing engineers. Topics include estimating actual evaporation from deep lakes and from farm dams and for catchment water balance studies, estimating potential evaporation as input to rainfall-runoff models, and reference crop evapotranspiration for small irrigation areas, and for irrigation within large irrigation districts. Inspiration for this guide arose in response to the authors' experiences in reviewing research papers and consulting reports where estimation of the actual evaporation component in catchment and water balance studies was often inadequately handled. Practical guides using consistent terminology that cover both theory and practice are not readily available. Here we provide such a guide, which is divided into three parts. The first part provides background theory and an outline of the conceptual models of potential evaporation of Penman, Penman–Monteith and Priestley–Taylor, as well as discussions of reference crop evapotranspiration and Class-A pan evaporation. The last two sub-sections in this first part include techniques to estimate actual evaporation from (i) open-surface water and (ii) landscapes and catchments (Morton and the advection-aridity models). The second part addresses topics confronting a practicing hydrologist, e.g. estimating actual evaporation for deep lakes, shallow lakes and farm dams, lakes covered with vegetation, catchments, irrigation areas and bare soil. The third part addresses six related issues: (i) automatic (hard wired) calculation of evaporation estimates in commercial weather stations, (ii) evaporation estimates without wind data, (iii) at-site meteorological data, (iv) dealing with evaporation in a climate change environment, (v) 24 h versus day-light hour estimation of meteorological variables, and (vi) uncertainty in evaporation estimates. This paper is supported by a Supplement that includes 21 sections enhancing the material in the text, worked examples of many procedures discussed in the paper, a program listing (Fortran 90) of Morton's WREVAP evaporation models along with tables of monthly Class-A pan coefficients for 68 locations across Australia and other information.


It is at times of stress that the media come under particular scrutiny amid fears that they have the capacity to make a bad situation worse. Over time, this has led researchers to focus on the treatment of racial minorities, women, "deviant" groups and terrorism. Since 9/11 and the War on Terror, a major focus of such research has been on the portrayal of Islam and Muslim communities. These studies have shown that the modern business of media and the processes and practices of journalism in the digital age impact on the nature of reportage in ways that can often disadvantage minority groups. The following analysis examines Australia's television news services in order to explore if and how the representation of ethnic minority groups differs from the representation of the "Anglo" majority. Examining both the quantity and the quality of television news content over a two-week period, the study not only looks at what was reported, but also how it was reported. In this way, it attempts to show how the characteristics of the medium impact on the nature of the portrayal of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The dominant representations of ethnic minorities as "mad", "bad", "sad" or "other" sends a subtle but unmistakable message to the viewer about who is "them" and who is "us" in the wider Australian community.


Background. There is potential for unintended effects on intervention outcome when using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in intervention studies. Purpose. To determine the effect of blinded parent-proxy ratings of the COPM on outcomes at later endpoints. Methods. Data were drawn from a randomized trial of 50 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy aged 19 months to seven years. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-intervention, and six months. Parents of 36 children were randomly allocated to complete six-month COPM proxy ratings blinded or unblinded to previous ratings. A group of 32 parents rated the six-month COPM blinded and then re-rated it after access to previous ratings. Findings. There was no statistically significant difference in ratings between those completing the COPM blinded compared to unblinded. Implications. The COPM should continue to be rated blinded at post-intervention endpoints in the absence of further research to the contrary.


We construct the signature of a μ-colored oriented link, as a locally constant integer valued function with domain (S1 - {1})μ. It restricts to the Tristram–Levine's signature on the diagonal and the discontinuities can occur only at the zeros of the colored Alexander polynomial. Moreover, the signature and the related nullity verify the Murasugi–Tristram inequality. This gives a new necessary condition for a link to bound a smoothly and properly embedded surface in B4, with given Betti numbers. As an application, we achieve the classification of the complex orientations of maximal plane non-singular projective algebraic curves of degree 7, up to isotopy.


We analyse phase matching characteristics and nonlinear conversion in the self-frequency doubling material Yb:YAB and demonstrate a simple non-destructive technique for measuring crystal quality. By imaging the nonlinear conversion using a CCD camera we observe phase matching characteristics similar to that obtained in quasi-phase-matched crystals and attribute these effects to twin inversion defects induced during crystal growth.


Studies have found that it is feasible to meet government energy reduction targets through the use of various technical measures - largely in relation to refurbishment of existing housing which (i.e. those built in the 20th century) has been estimated will constitute a large majority (65-70%) of the housing stock in 2050. It has been argued that an increase in demolition rates may not therefore be necessary in order to make sufficient cuts to carbon emissions from residential buildings (Lowe 2007). However, the extent to which the will of government and industry is set to achieve this has been the subject of debate. In addition, the role of the consumer is critical. Potential barriers are evident in relation to the lack of consumer demand for low carbon measures (UK Green Building Council 2008). But perhaps more crucially, and up until recently, largely neglected, is the role of the occupant once actions have been taken to install energy efficient measures. There is, however, increasing recognition of the potential impact of occupant behaviour upon the subsequent energy performance of buildings, and the need to measure this (Janda 2011; Stevenson and Leaman 2010). This is discussed in this paper in reference to relevant literature. It also explores influences on energy consumption related behaviour.


ABSTRACT SUBMISSION NURSING ETHICS CONFERENCE 2017CONTACT INFORMATIONPersonal details corresponding authorName: LairdFirst Name: ElizabethTitle: DrOrganisation: School of Nursing / Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University……..Email Address: email@example.com……..Street Address: Northland Road……..Postal Code: BT48 7JL…….City: Derry……..Country: Northern Ireland……..Phone Number: 028 71675006TITLEA strengths based approach in a study of facilitated reminiscence ABSTRACT AimTo highlight the ethical issues that we encountered and addressed in a dyad focused reminiscence study Background Without due attention, ageism and dementia-ism on the part of researchers can contribute to the malignant social psychology experienced by older adults living with dementia.Strengths based approach Our study, underpinned by values of personhood and empowerment focused on the strengths of older adults in the development of an i-Pad App to support individual specific reminiscence. In a joint approach, adults living with dementia and their family carers were considered dyads, with both having an equally active role throughout the entire research process. Collaborators in the planning of the study encompassed a lead dyad, reminiscence experts, and professionals employed in statutory memory services and the Alzheimer's Society. Three phased studyPhase 1: The co-creation and testing of a reminiscence i-Pad App and user friendly information by a User Development Group comprising a sample of six dyads.Phase 2: A sample of 60 participants (30 dyads) recruited to a quasi-experimental study received guidance about facilitating reminiscence and the collection of memorabilia from trainers of the Reminiscence Network Northern Ireland, and training from an IT assistant in the use of the App to reminisce. Following this, the participants used the system in their own homes for three months. Data were collected pre-intervention and then at mid- and end- points during the intervention period. Outcome measures examined the impact of reminiscence on mutuality, wellbeing, quality of life and quality of the care-giving relationship. Phase 3: In a qualitative study, interviews were conducted with a sample of participants to explore their views and experience of using the reminiscence App. Ethical issues Each phase of the study presented the research team with ethical issues, and these will form the basis for the presentation. Ethical issues included: 1. Embracing inclusive ways in planning the study2. Developing sensitive use of language and rhetoric in verbal and written communications3. Utilising a co-creation model in the development and testing of the App and study documentation, and doing so in such a way that met the requirements of the ethics committees.4. Developing recruitment procedures that were appropriate, inclusive and not paternalistic.5. Managing the different needs of adults living with dementia and their carers in the context of a dyad focused research study.6. Facilitating informed consent in all stages of the study and in the presence of some aspects of cognitive decline.7. Observing a reappraisal of past painful memories. 8. Conducting interviews involving sensitive issues 9. Responding to disclosures about past events in situations where the adult living with dementia and the carer have different views on how to proceed.ConclusionThis study highlights how potential ethical challenges in a research study involving older adults living with dementia can be overcome through user engagement and reasonable adjustments. Such measures have facilitated the involvement of older adults living with dementia and their carers in the co-creation and utilisation of technology to positively impact quality of life and relationship. AUTHORSAssumpta Ryan, Brendan Bunting, Maurice Mulvenna, Kevin Curran, Elizabeth Laird, Claire McCauley, Aideen Gibson, Finola Ferry, Raymond BondUlster University…………


In this paper, a novel layout technique for single-event transient (SET) mitigation based on dummy transistors is proposed. Numerical simulations using technology computer-aided design with 90-nm twin-well CMOS technology show that the proposed layout technique can efficiently reduce SET pulsewidths. This layout design methodology is thoroughly discussed for the case of the inverter cell, and the discussion is then extended to other logic cells. We also compare the proposed layout technique with the "guard ring" (for P-hit mitigation) and the "guard drain" (for N-hit mitigation) layout techniques, and we find that not only does the proposed layout technique provide the benefit of greater SET mitigation but it also presents a smaller area penalty.


We report enhanced thermoelectric performance in SnTe, where significantly improved electrical transport properties and reduced thermal conductivity were achieved simultaneously. The former was obtained from a larger hole Seebeck coefficient through Fermi level tuning by optimizing the carrier concentration with Ga, In, Bi, and Sb dopants, resulting in a power factor of 21 μW cm(-1) K(-2) and ZT of 0.9 at 823 K in Sn(0.97)Bi(0.03)Te. To reduce the lattice thermal conductivity without deteriorating the hole carrier mobility in Sn(0.97)Bi(0.03)Te, SrTe was chosen as the second phase to create strained endotaxial nanostructures as phonon scattering centers. As a result, the lattice thermal conductivity decreases strongly from ∼2.0 Wm(-1) K(-1) for Sn(0.97)Bi(0.03)Te to ∼1.2 Wm(-1) K(-1) as the SrTe content is increased from 0 to 5.0% at room temperature and from ∼1.1 to ∼0.70 Wm(-1) K(-1) at 823 K. For the Sn(0.97)Bi(0.03)Te-3% SrTe sample, this leads to a ZT of 1.2 at 823 K and a high average ZT (for SnTe) of 0.7 in the temperature range of 300-823 K, suggesting that SnTe is a robust candidate for medium-temperature thermoelectric applications.


The ability to successfully manage change is an essential part of business. It is a skill that is much valued by employers and it is therefore one of the most commonly delivered courses. This book helps you to understand three key activities for managing change: diagnosing, explaining and enacting. Both practical and action-oriented, it gives students and managers the tools they need to deal with the messy reality of change. It combines theory and diagnostic tools with practical examples that focus on actions and outcomes. It also includes short vignettes and longer cases, from a range of international contexts, for classroom study or for use on distance-learning courses. Managing Change is written for advanced undergraduates and graduate students taking modules on change management, strategy and organizations. Its class-tested approach has been successfully delivered in a wide variety of settings, including over fifty executive short courses with FTSE-listed businesses.


Novice, adolescent driver overrepresentation in road crashes is a well-documented, robust phenomenon. Driver education and training are popular but controversial interventions that have rarely demonstrated safety benefits. Flight simulators have proven effective in pilot training and the decreasing costs and increasing quality of simulation technology make driving simulator-based training (DSBT) more feasible. In 2010, a long-term, naturalistic, transfer-of-training (ToT) study began to examine the effectiveness of substituting DSBT for part of the on-road training. Within the ToT study, one driving simulator hour can replace one on-road hour for up to 50% of the 15 hours of mandatory on-road lessons. The final results of the ToT study, due in 2015, will address two main questions. One, how does DSBT compare with on-road instruction in terms of performance on the government road exam? Two, does DSBT affect adolescent driver safety? This article presents questionnaire data from the first cohort of graduate learner drivers who substituted at least one hour of on-road training with one driving simulator hour. The questionnaires address learners' general perceptions of learning to drive and their specific perceptions of DBST and its comparative efficiency to on-road training as well as driving teachers' perceptions of their learners' driving competence. Results indicate that DSBT compared favorably with on-road lessons and is perceived to be either more efficient than or equally efficient to on-road lessons for 13 of 15 specific driving skills. In addition, driving teachers gave their learners high competency ratings.


In this paper we show several results obtained by combining the use of stable distributions with pseudorandom generators for bounded space. In particular: we show how to maintain (using only O(log n//spl epsiv//sup 2/) words of storage) a sketch C(p) of a point p/spl isin/l/sub 1//sup n/ under dynamic updates of its coordinates, such that given sketches C(p) and C(q) one can estimate |p-q|/sub 1/ up to a factor of (1+/spl epsiv/) with large probability. We obtain another sketch function C' which maps l/sub 1//sup n/ into a normed space l/sub 1//sup m/ (as opposed to C), such that m=m(n) is much smaller than n; to our knowledge this is the first dimensionality reduction lemma for l/sub 1/ norm we give an explicit embedding of l/sub 2//sup n/ into l/sub l//sup nO(log n)/ with distortion (1+1/n/sup /spl theta/(1)/) and a non-constructive embedding of l/sub 2//sup n/ into l/sub 1//sup O(n)/ with distortion (1+/spl epsiv/) such that the embedding can be represented using only O(n log/sup 2/ n) bits (as opposed to at least n/sup 2/ used by earlier methods).


Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by impaired levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Adenosine and endocannabinoid systems tightly interact in the modulation of dopamine signaling, involved in the neurobiology of ADHD. In this study, we evaluated the modulating effects of the cannabinoid and adenosine systems in a tolerance to delay of reward task using the most widely used animal model of ADHD. Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Wistar–Kyoto rats were treated chronically or acutely with caffeine, a non‐selective adenosine receptor antagonist, or acutely with a cannabinoid agonist (WIN55212‐2, WIN) or antagonist (AM251). Subsequently, animals were tested in the tolerance to delay of reward task, in which they had to choose between a small, but immediate, or a large, but delayed, reward. Treatment with WIN decreased, whereas treatment with AM251 increased the choices of the large reward, selectively in SHR rats, indicating a CB1 receptor‐mediated increase in impulsive behavior. An acute pre‐treatment with caffeine blocked WIN effects. Conversely, a chronic treatment with caffeine increased the impulsive phenotype and potentiated the WIN effects. The results indicate that both cannabinoid and adenosine receptors modulate impulsive behavior in SHR: the antagonism of cannabinoid receptors might be effective in reducing impulsive symptoms present in ADHD; in addition, caffeine showed the opposite effects on impulsive behavior depending on the length of treatment. These observations are of particular importance to consider when therapeutic manipulation of CB1 receptors is applied to ADHD patients who consume coffee.


As a result of a process initiated by the end of the 1 7th century, in the second half of the 18th century the history of medicine became an autonomous branch of the medical knowledge. The uses of the past were no longer those which prevailed in the Renaissance times, and the inherited knowledge played no more a significant role in the production of active medical knowledge. The ideas of the French anatomist and doctor Félix Vicq d'Azyr (1748-1794) on the history of medicine represent an original synthesis of the new frames of historical thought, from a theoretical and methodological point of view as well as in regard with the institutional and pedagogical functions of medical history. Vicq d'Azyr was the first, in fact, to assign to what he viewed as an independent discipline a specific place as a new chair in medical education.


The high cost of oceanographic cruises often makes it advisable to use opportunity vessels for simple measurements, such as determining the temperature of the water column with expandable bathythermographs (XBT). In this work we examine the goodness and reliability of a method aimed at obtaining the maximum possible information from XBT data, and we apply it to the Canary Islands region. It consists in calculating analytic relations between temperature and salinity from historical conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) data for the region, which are then used to hindcast/forecast the salinity and density distribution, as well as the distribution of other inferred quantities such as velocity. A hindcasting is carried out using direct independent temperature measurements obtained from a hydrographic cruise south of the island of Gran Canaria. At depths greater than 100-150 m the results show good agreement with the calculations obtained from CTD in situ data.


As the web moves increasingly towards publishing data, a significant challenge arises when integrating data from diverse sources that have heterogeneous security and privacy policies and requirements. Data Integration Systems (DIS) are concerned with integrating data from multiple data sources to resolve users' queries. DIS are prone to data leakage threats, e.g. unauthorised disclosure or secondary use of the data, that compromise the data's confidentiality and privacy. We claim that these threats are caused by the failure to implement or correctly employ confidentiality and privacy techniques, and by the failure to consider the trust levels of system entities, from the very start of system development. Data leakage also results from a failure to capture or implement the security policies imposed by the data providers on the collection, processing, and disclosure of personal and sensitive data. This research proposes a novel framework, called SecureDIS, to mitigate data leakage threats in DIS. Unlike existing approaches that secure such systems, SecureDIS helps software engineers to lessen data leakage threats during the early phases of DIS development. It comprises six components that represent a conceptualised DIS architecture: data and data sources, security policies, integration approach, integration location, data consumers, and System Security Management (SSM). Each component contains a set of informal guidelines written in natural language to be used by software engineers who build and design a DIS that handles sensitive and personal data. SecureDIS has undergone two rounds of review by experts to confirm its validity, resulting in the guidelines being evaluated and extended. Two approaches were adopted to ensure that SecureDIS is suitable for software engineers. The first was to formalise the guidelines by modelling a DIS with the SecureDIS security policies using Event-B formal methods. This verified the correctness and consistency of the model. The second approach assessed SecureDIS's applicability to a real data integration project by using a case study. The case study addressed the experts' concerns regarding the ability to apply the proposed guidelines in practice.


In the Central Laboratory of Public Health in Buenos Aires, rabies was detected in a cat that was brought in for diagnosis by its owners. The animal, which was displaying symptoms of the furious form of the disease, had attacked three people in the rural area of Chascomus, near the Rio de la Plata. All three of the people who had been bitten received the necessary treatment. The diagnosis was made using the fluorescent antibody test and the inoculation of mice and the results were communicated to the Zoonoses Division of the Ministry of Health. The virus was then typed at the Institute Pasteur of Buenos Aires using monoclonal antibodies, where it was found to be antigenic variant 4 of serotype 1, i.e., the type of virus usually found in insectivorous bats. This area has been free of the canine variant since 1984. This is the first known case in the province of Buenos Aires of a cat becoming infected with this type of virus. It confirms that there is a link between the air and terrestrial cycles of rabies in this area.


Life-stories offer an approach to understanding personality processes within a larger, developmental context. This study examines the role that one area of a person's larger context (namely romantic relationships) plays in that person's life-story. Specifically, the study examines whether this role changes over the lifespan. Nineteen students from a consortium of colleges in southern California, and an equal number of older adults living in a nearby retirement community, were interviewed about their romantic relationship history. The interview was semi-structured and asked participants about past and current relationships, and their most meaningful relationship overall. The interviews were coded for the themes of agency, redemption, and contamination, reported self-growth, and an additional variable called unprompted discussion of sexuality that was added based on a series of unexpected occurrences during the interviews. The results showed significant differences in both agency and unprompted discussion of sexuality between the romantic relationship narratives of young and older adults. However, no significant differences were found between the age groups on any of the other three variables, or between the sexes on any of the five variables. The results not only help us to better understand the ways in which our stories about our romantic relationships change across the lifespan, but also suggest significant differences between how younger and older adults think about love and sex.


We observe a series of sharp resonant features in the tunnelling differential conductance of InAs quantum dots. We found that dissipative quantum tunnelling has a strong influence on the operation of nano-devices. Because of such tunnelling the current-voltage characteristics of tunnel contact created between atomic force microscope tip and a surface of InAs/GaAs quantum dots display many interesting peaks. We found that the number, position, and heights of these peaks are associated with the phonon modes involved. To describe the found effect we use a quasi-classical approximation. There the tunnelling current is related to a creation of a dilute instanton-anti-instanton gas. Our experimental data are well described with exactly solvable model where one charged particle is weakly interacting with two promoting phonon modes associated with external medium. We conclude that the characteristics of the tunnel nanoelectronic devices can thus be controlled by a proper choice of phonons existing in materials, which are involved.


A quantitative, process relevant analysis of ten mesoscale (ca 10–90 km2) catchments in the Cairngorm mountains, Scotland was carried out using 10‐m digital terrain models (DTMs). This analysis produced a range of topographic indices that described differences in the landscape organisation of the catchments in a way that helped explain contrasts in their hydrology. Mean transit time (MTT)—derived from isotopic tracer data—was used as a metric that characterised differences in the hydrological function of the ten catchments. Some topographic indices exhibited significant correlations with MTT. Most notably, the ratio of the median flow path length to the median flow path gradient was negatively correlated with MTT, whilst the median upslope area was positively correlated. However, the relationships exhibited significant scatter which precluded their use as a predictive tool that could be applied to ungauged basins in this region. In contrast, maps of soil hydrological properties could be used to differentiate hydrologically responsive soils (which are dominated by overland flow and shallow sub‐surface storm flow) from free draining soils (that facilitate deeper sub‐surface flows). MTT was negatively correlated with the coverage of responsive soils in catchments. This relationship provided a much better basis for predicting MTT in ungauged catchments in this geomorphic province. In the Cairngorms, the extensive cover of various glacial drift deposits appears to be a first order control on soil distributions and strongly influences the porosity and permeability of the sub‐surface. These catchment characteristics result in soil cover being a much more discerning indicator of hydrological function than topography alone. The study highlights the potential of quantitative landscape analysis in catchment comparison and the need for caution in extrapolating relationships between landscape controls and metrics of hydrological function beyond specific geomorphic provinces. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


We isolated 100 morphologically-distinct halotolerant/halophilic yeasts from five estuarine sediments in Qua Iboe estuary, South-South Nigeria. A three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the distribution was significant at p < 0.01; adjusted r2 = 0.851 suggesting that 85.1% of the variations in the number of halotolerant/halophilic yeast could be explained by the model. Sample, media and salt level main effects were all significant at p < 0.01, r2 = 0.732; 0.403 and 0.463 respectively. Only 17% of the yeasts demonstrated biosurfactant production potential by the oil displacement assay. Positive isolates were identified by macro/micro-morphological and physiological characterizations as species of Torulaspora, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Candida, Debaryomyces, Kluyveromyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Rhodotorula and Hortaea but the dominant halotolerant genus was Candida. Douglas creek sample harbored the highest number of halotolerant biosurfactant-producing yeasts probably by reason of its better proximity to Qua Iboe terminal where petroleum activity is high. Biosurfactants produced by all 17 yeasts could reduce surface tension to < 40 mN/m suggesting that halotolerant/halophilic yeasts in stressed environments secrete only effective surface-active compounds or not at all. Significant but moderate correlations existed between all correlate pairs involving oil displacement activity, surface tension, critical micelle concentration and emulsification activity of biosurfactants. The Pillai's Trace test of a one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) involving surface tension reduction, oil displacement activity and emulsification activity was significant at F (48,102) = 3119.004, p < 0.005, partial ƞ2 = 0.999.


Abstract. The feasibility of hurricane modification was investigated for hurricane Katrina using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). The possible impact of seeding of clouds with submicron cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) on hurricane structure and intensity as measured by nearly halving of the area covered by hurricane force winds was simulated by "turning–off" warm rain formation in the clouds at Katrina's periphery (where wind speeds were less than 22 m s−1). This simplification of the simulation of aerosol effects is aimed at evaluating the largest possible response. This resulted in the weakening of the hurricane surface winds compared to the "non-seeded" simulated storm during the first 24 h within the entire tropical cyclone (TC) area compared to a control simulation without warm rain suppression. Later, the seeding-induced evaporative cooling at the TC periphery led to a shrinking of the eye and hence to some increase in the wind within the small central area of the TC. Yet, the overall strength of the hurricane, as defined by the area covered by hurricane force winds, decreased in response to the suppressed warm rain at the periphery, as measured by a 25% reduction in the radius of hurricane force winds. In a simulation with warm rain suppression throughout the hurricane, the radius of the hurricane force winds was reduced by more than 42%, and although the diameter of the eye shrunk even further the maximum winds weakened. This shows that the main mechanism by which suppressing warm rain weakens the TC is the low level evaporative cooling of the un-precipitated cloud drops and the added cooling due to melting of precipitation that falls from above.


Plasma aerodynamics can trace its origin to the beginning of the space age, and in particular to a time when designers realized that plasmas could have a significant influence on reentry flows. From the 1950s to the 1970s, there was considerable work on magnetohydrodynamic reentry systems and related technology. The recent resurgence in the field was stimulated by the disclosure of the Soviet AJAX vehicle concept in the mid-1990s. This led to an extraordinary international collaboration that has now lasted almost twenty years. Plasma-based flow control seems quite feasible, particularly for local flow control applications where power consumption is low. Plasma-based devices have a low profile, and can provide actuation over short time scales. Plasmaenhanced combustion is a very promising area for both lowand high-speed regimes. Discharges are already being used to break down fuels, enhance ignition, provide flameholding, and promote combustion efficiency. There are a number of potential breakthrough areas in the field that could have strong technological impact on the aerospace industry. Industry seems to be receptive to the adoption of plasma-based technology, but has reservations about technical risk, performance, reliability, and integration. There is a need to identify applications where plasma devices are significantly better than completing technologies, and to demonstrate prototypes in an operational environment. With a century of atmospheric flight and half a century of spaceflight behind us, the aerospace sciences remain a vigorous and exciting field. The new field of plasma aerodynamics contributes to this excitement, and supports diverse aerospace technology needs, from energy efficiency to space access.


Previously published guidelines are available that provide comprehensive recommendations for detecting and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The intent of this document is to highlight practical recommendations in a concise format designed to assist acute care hospitals in implementing and prioritizing their Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) prevention efforts. This document updates "Strategies to Prevent Clostridium difficile Infections in Acute Care Hospitals," published in 2008. This expert guidance document is sponsored by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and is the product of a collaborative effort led by SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise. The list of endorsing and supporting organizations is presented in the introduction to the 2014 updates.


Objective To explore risk factors associated with induced abortion among sexually active female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Participants This study included 556 FEWs aged 18–47 years randomly selected from entertainment establishments in the two cities in 2014 using a two-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Primary outcome measure History of induced abortion during the time working as a FEW. Results Of the total sample, 45.6% reported currently using a contraceptive method with condom (42.4%) being the most common method, followed by pills (25.6%). One-fourth (25%) of the respondents reported having been pregnant at least once, and 21.4% reported having at least one induced abortion during the time working as a FEW. After controlling for other covariates in a multivariate logistic regression model, FEWs with a history of induced abortion remained significantly more likely to be currently working in a karaoke bar (AOR=1.75, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.78), to have worked longer as a FEW (AOR=1.42, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.43), to have had a greater number of sexual partners in the past 12 months (AOR=1.86, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.54), to be currently using a contraceptive method (AOR=1.52, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.29), to be able to find condoms when they needed them (AOR=2.03, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.82), and to report inconsistent condom use with non-commercial partners in the past 3 months (AOR=1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.44). Conclusions This study highlights the high rates of unwanted pregnancies that ended in induced abortions among FEWs in Cambodia. Access of FEWs to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare services is deemed a high priority. Integrated interventions to improve sexual and reproductive health among these vulnerable women should be tailored to reach the most-at-risk groups.


BACKGROUND: Depression and personality may influence each other, but how is insufficiently known. Multidimensional personality models have appeared to be useful to study these relations. AIMS: To evaluate investigations of the nature of these relations in each personality dimension. METHODS: By using the search command 'depressive disorder and personality inventory or personality test' we selected articles from Medline. Results from retrospective and prospective studies were compared. RESULTS: Neuroticism and related dimensions are centrally involved in the relationships between personality and depression. Neuroticism enhances the vulnerability for depression and may be increased during an episode. High neuroticism has also a negative influence on remission rate. These three relationships combined result in a negative spiral effect. Moreover, in the melancholic subtype neuroticism negatively predicts long-term outcome. Next to neuroticism high rigidity and self-criticism may increase the risk of depression, which combined with neuroticism results in a stress-enhancing dynamic. A type of extraversion promotes the remission rate, while another type may be decreased during depression and may even remain decreased afterwards. Whether interpersonal dependency enhances the intensity of the depression or results from the severity of a depression is not clear. Decreased frustration tolerance may occur after a depressive episode. CONCLUSIONS: Multidimensional personality tests may be useful in clinical practice and research.


Over the last two decades, many governments around the world have implemented programs to mobilize venture capital (VC) in support of new and innovative firms. In this paper, we analyze whether and how the impact of publicly-supported VC funds varies between high-tech and low-tech regions, when compared to private VC funds. Our analyses on a sample of 898 VC-backed companies in the United Kingdom in the period 1998-2007 show for public VC funds: (a) a greater propensity to invest in early-stage and technology-based sectors, which is especially pronounced in low-tech regions; (b) a greater propensity toward staging and a greater ability to attract partners in syndication, especially in high-tech regions; (c) lower exit rates of investee companies, in terms of IPO/acquisition, as compared to private VC funds. Overall, our findings confirm that regional characteristics do matter if we want to more rigorously assess the effectiveness of public VC programs.


Background: The nose is chronically exposed to oxidative stress, which can easily lead to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated damage and lipid oxidative damage of the upper airway. ROS may also participate in various diseases, including those of the airway, although many details are not yet known.
ROS is generated by various enzymatic reactions and chemical processes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) are representative scavengers. ROS are also generated through arachidonic acid cascades. One of the primary prostaglandins (PG), PGD2, is the major PG in most types of tissue, including the nose. We attempted to evaluate the peroxide tone by measuring these factors.
Methods: A total of 42 Japanese patients with and without nasal allergies were enrolled in this study. We determined the contents of lipid peroxide (LPO) and PGD2, as well as the activities of SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px of the anterior portion of the mucosa of the inferior turbinate, obtained by inferior turbinotomy.
Results: LPO and PGD2 contents increased significantly in the nasal allergy group. No statistically significant difference appeared in the activities of SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px were demonstrated in the nasal allergy group compared with the subjects without nasal allergy.
Conclusion: The imbalance of the peroxide tone in the nasal mucosa caused by stimulation of the cyclooxygenase pathway of the arachidonic acid cascade and ROS formation was demonstrated. Moreover, the increased number of ROS was not well metabolized in the nasal mucosa with allergy.


Textures are the most important element for simulating real-world scenes and providing realistic and immersive sensations in many applications. Procedural textures can simulate a broad variety of surface textures, which is helpful for the design and development of new sensors. Procedural texture generation is the process of creating textures using mathematical models. The input to these models can be a set of parameters, random values generated by noise functions, or existing texture images, which may be further processed or combined to generate new textures. Many methods for procedural texture generation have been proposed, but there has been no comprehensive survey or comparison of them yet. In this paper, we present a review of different procedural texture generation methods, according to the characteristics of the generated textures. We divide the different generation methods into two categories: structured texture and unstructured texture generation methods. Example textures are generated using these methods with varying parameter values. Furthermore, we survey post-processing methods based on the filtering and combination of different generation models. We also present a taxonomy of different models, according to the mathematical functions and texture samples they can produce. Finally, a psychophysical experiment is designed to identify the perceptual features of the example textures. Finally, an analysis of the results illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of these methods.


The biophysical benefits of zero tillage (ZT) are well documented in the literature. However, the literature on its economic benefits, especially in the context of small and medium-scale farmers in the temperate developing world is scanty. Using a study of 621 wheat farmers in Syria, we provide empirical evidence on the impacts of adoption of ZT on farm income and wheat consumption. We use propensity score matching (PSM) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) approaches to account for potential selection biases. After controlling for confounding factors, we find that adoption of the ZT technology leads to a US$ 189/ha (33%) increase in net crop income and a 26 kg (34%) gain in per capita wheat consumption per year (adult equivalent) – an indication of meaningful changes in the livelihoods of the farm households. Besides the biophysical and environmental benefits documented elsewhere, our results suggest that adoption of ZT can also be justified on economic and food security grounds. Therefore, ZT can have sizeable impacts in transforming the agricultural sector in the temperate developing world provided that the technology is well promoted and adopted.


The development and investigation of a convergence diagnostic for Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) posterior distributions is presented in this paper. The current method is an adaptation of an existing convergence diagnostic based on the Cumulative Sum (CUSUM, Page 1954; Yu & Mykland, 1998; Brooks, 1998c) procedure. The diagnostic under development is seen to be an improvement over the technique upon which it is based because it offers a simple way to remove one of the two major assumptions made by the previous method, namely that the shape of the distribution under consideration is symmetric. Results are mixed, but there is some evidence to indicate that the new technique is sensitive to the degree of autocorrelation present and the stability of the chains. Also, the new diagnostic behaves differently than three existing convergence diagnostics.


This article proposes a simple modification to Chomsky's (1995:chap. 4) account of Move F(eature): that this operation is able to occur before Spell-Out. This idea has numerous potential consequences. Two theoretical consequences are explored here: that Move F corresponds to weak features and Move Category to strong features, and that Procrastinate is not required. The empirical motivation for overt Move F comes from Englishhave/be raising; it is argued that the auxiliaries are simple feature bundles moved as free riders with the overtly moved (weak) V-feature.


The first goal of this study was to identify the most appropriate measure of cigarette smoking for identifying unique smoking trajectories among adolescents; the second goal was to describe the resulting trajectories and their characteristics. Using 15 annual waves of smoking data in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97), we conducted an exploratory latent class growth analysis to determine the best of four outcome variables for yearly smoking (cigarettes per day on days smoked, days smoked per month, mean cigarettes per day, and total cigarettes per month) among individuals aged 12 to 30 (n = 8,791). Days smoked per month was the best outcome variable for identifying unique longitudinal trajectories of smoking and characteristics of these trajectories that could be used to target different types of smokers for prevention and cessation. Objective statistics were used to identify four trajectories in addition to never smokers (34.1%): experimenters (13.6%), quitters (8.1%), early established smokers (39.0%), and late escalators (5.2%). We identified a quitter and late escalator class not identified in the only other comparable latent class growth analysis. Logistic regressions were used to identify the characteristics of individuals in each trajectory. Compared with never smokers, all trajectories except late escalators were less likely to be black; experimenters were more likely to be out of school and unemployed and drink alcohol in adolescence; quitters were more likely to have a mother with a high school degree/GED or higher (versus none) and to use substances in adolescence and less likely to have ever married as a young adult; early established smokers were more likely to have a mother with a high school diploma or GED, be out of school and unemployed, not live with both parents, have used substances, be depressed, and have peers who smoked in adolescence and to have children as young adults and less likely to be Hispanic and to have ever married as young adults; and late escalators were more likely to be Hispanic, drink alcohol, and break rules in adolescence and less likely to have ever married as young adults. Because of the number of waves of data analyzed, this analysis provided a clearer temporal depiction of smoking behavior and more easily distinguishable smoking trajectories than previous analyses. Tobacco control interventions need to move beyond youth-focused approaches to reach all smokers.


Background The evaluation of patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the burden associated with this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the overall impact of TB on the health status and on single health domains identified in the WHO definition of health, including physical, mental and social health aspects. Methods Four instruments for HRQOL evaluation were applied in a longitudinal multicentre study during six-month standard TB treatment in South Africa. These included the generic SF-12 and EQ-5D-5L, the disease-specific St. George´s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the condition-specific Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Statistical analysis included significance testing, univariable and multivariable analysis, and repeated measures ANOVA. Change over time in the physical component score (PCS) of SF-12 was defined as primary endpoint. A target sample size of 96 patients was estimated. Results HRQOL of the study participants was impaired in all physical, mental and psycho-social health domains at treatment start. HRQOL improved significantly and in a clinically meaningful manner during the course of standard TB treatment, over the period of the study. The greatest improvement (95%) was observed in mental health. Younger patients with higher education and who were employed had a better HRQOL. Discussion This study demonstrates the need for an integrative understanding of TB with HRQOL as core element to inform gaps in current TB management. Improvements in the management of TB following an integrative patient-centred approach will contribute towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) target and will support the End TB strategy of the WHO.


Volcanic areas are characterized by slow and rapid vertical ground deformations due to deep thermal instabilities or the resurgence of magma bodies in delimited sectors of a volcanic edifice. Moreover volcanic areas are often the loci of both tectonic and volcanic seismicity. For these reasons, in active or quiescent volcanoes, slope instability is common and may occur as sector or flank collapses gravitationally controlled, involving large rock volumes. Volcanoes experience this type of failure when they reach high relief and oversteepening in a relatively rapid period of activity. Many morphological and structural features affecting unstable volcanic edifices subjected to instability are similar to those described as associated to DGSD (Deep-Seated Gravitational Deformation). The most common features include horseshoe-shaped craters or calderas and associated large debris avalanche deposits. Most of the Italian volcanoes, active, quiescent or dormant, show distinctive horseshoe-shaped craters opened at one end. Some of them are well known and studied features, some others have received less attention due to their state of preservation. For most cases of both categories triggers and favourable factors are still debated. This paper presents case studies of slope deformations that may potentially be classified as DGSD affecting different types of volcanoes and volcanic islands in Italy.


A model system for photoreduction of CO2 to CO using visible light has been extensively studied, using a catalyst for which the CO2/CO reaction is electrochemically reversible. The hybrid system comprises metal oxide nanoparticles functionalised with the enzyme carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH), and sensitised to visible light using a ruthenium bipyridyl photosensitiser. An anatase/rutile TiO2 mixture (Evonik Degussa P25) was selected as the most suitable semiconductor, and CO production rates and stability were examined as a function of each component (photosensitiser, enzyme and TiO2). Tolerance to O2 and effects of different electron donors were also investigated, together with strategies to control enzyme binding at the surface of TiO2 in order to enhance overall activity.


This letter considers the average bit error probability of binary coherent signaling over flat fading channels subject to additive generalized Gaussian noise. More specifically, a generic closed form expression in terms of the Fox's H function is offered for the extended generalized-K fading case. Simplifications for some special fading distributions such as generalized-K fading and Nakagami-m fading and special additive noise distributions such as Gaussian and Laplacian noise are then presented. Finally, the mathematical formalism is illustrated by some numerical examples verified by computer based simulations for a variety of fading and additive noise parameters.


Southern Pacific's the "Hustler" train No. 15 northbound, headed by Engine No.650, a streamlined type 4-6-2 locomotive, entering Dallas Union Station on its run from Houston. The train is passing under the electric street railway viaduct (destroyed in the late 1950s) which spanned the railroad tracks and crossed over the Trinity River. Electric street cars to and from Oak Cliff and Interurban cars of the Northern Texas Traction Company and Texas Electric Railway used this double track facility.


Advanced production management principles, like those of lean construction, have tremendous potential to improve the construction of projects. Ideas of lean construction have been proposed for more than ten years. These have had success, but they have hardly revolutionized the industry like lean production has impacted the manufacturing industry. One significant challenge facing proponents of advance production management in construction is the ability to articulate lean construction principles in a meaningful way to new users. Advanced visualization technologies like 3D and 4D Computer Aided Design (CAD), can help managers and foremen visualize the impact and usefulness of these principles. This paper describes an experiment performed with a graduate class to assess the use of 4D CAD for visualizing the various elements of production flow. Students were asked to assess a Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule for production flow characteristics. They were then asked to review the same sequence of work in a 4D CAD model. A large proportion of the class did not identify the flow issues in the CPM schedule, but most of them identified critical flow issues in the 4D CAD model. It was concluded that this visualization technology helped the students identify, explain and develop a deeper understanding of advanced production management principles.


Paulownia spp. are deciduous trees famed for their rate of growth. They are relatively new plantation species in Western Australia. In October 2001 a severe disease was observed on Paulownia trees in WA plantations. Early in the season the disease causes black leaf lesions, while later in the season the disease causes light brown leaf lesions. Infections often started at the leaf tips and progressed to the base of the leaves as symptoms developed. In addition, discoloured sunken cankers were observed on the trunk, branches and petioles of many trees. Canker symptoms include oval sunken regions. The stem or trunk may die distal to the canker while the tree often remained healthy below the canker. This disease is capable of killing 3-5 year old trees in the field. The pathogen was isolated from symptomatic leaves, petioles and trunks. The pathogen was identified as A. tenuissima by DNA sequencing of the rDNA, and by morphological examination of the three-dimensional sporulation pattern. Koch's postulates were demonstrated by glasshouse inoculation of 6-mth old potted Paulownia trees. Stem and leaf disease symptoms were observed and A. tenuissima was re- isolated. This is the first report of A. tenuissima causing disease of Paulownia.


This book introduces the theory of complex surfaces through a comprehensive look at finite covers of the projective plane branched along line arrangements. Paula Tretkoff emphasizes those finite covers that are free quotients of the complex two-dimensional ball. Tretkoff also includes background on the classical Gauss hypergeometric function of one variable, and a chapter on the Appell two-variable F1 hypergeometric function. The material in this book began as a set of lecture notes, taken by Tretkoff, of a course given by Friedrich Hirzebruch at ETH Zurich in 1996. The lecture notes were then considerably expanded by Hirzebruch and Tretkoff over a number of years. In this book, Tretkoff has expanded those notes even further, still stressing examples offered by finite covers of line arrangements. The book is largely self-contained and foundational material is introduced and explained as needed, but not treated in full detail. References to omitted material are provided for interested readers. Aimed at graduate students and researchers, this is an accessible account of a highly informative area of complex geometry.


Purpose: The aurora A kinase inhibitor alisertib demonstrated single-agent clinical activity and preclinical synergy with vincristine/rituximab in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). This phase I study aimed to determine the safety and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of alisertib in combination with rituximab ± vincristine in patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive B-NHL. Patients and Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory, diffuse, large, or other aggressive B-NHL received oral alisertib 50 mg b.i.d. days 1 to 7, plus i.v. rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 1, for up to eight 21-day cycles (MR). Patients in subsequent cohorts (3 + 3 design) received increasing doses of alisertib (30 mg starting dose; 10 mg increments) b.i.d. days 1 to 7 plus rituximab and vincristine [1.4 mg/m2 (maximum 2 mg) days 1, 8] for 8 cycles (MRV). Patients benefiting could continue single-agent alisertib beyond 8 cycles. Cell-of-origin and MYC/BCL2 IHC was performed on available archival tissue. Results: Forty-five patients participated. The alisertib RP2D for MR was 50 mg b.i.d. For MRV (n = 32), the RP2D was determined as 40 mg b.i.d. [1 dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) at 40 mg; 2 DLTs at 50 mg]. Drug-related adverse events were reported in 89% of patients, the most common was neutropenia (47%). Seven patients had complete responses (CR), 7 had partial responses (PRs); 9 of 20 (45%) patients at the MRV RP2D responded (4 CRs, 5 PRs), all with non–germinal center B-cell (GCB) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Conclusions: The combination of alisertib 50 mg b.i.d. plus rituximab or alisertib 40 mg b.i.d. plus rituximab and vincristine was well tolerated and demonstrated activity in non-GCB DLBCL.


What happens when contracting parties do not expressly provide for a particular situation in their agreement? Is intervention by the courts or legislature to fill gaps in contracts justified? How should those gaps be filled? This book is unique in the way it combines comparative and theoretical perspectives to provide answers to these questions. From a comparative law perspective, relatively little attention has been given to the different interpretative and gap filling techniques available in different legal systems. A comparison of the approach to contract interpretation and gap filling in England, Germany and the Netherlands is therefore provided in this book. Comparative observations are also made in light of the CISG, PECL and the Unidroit Principles for International Commercial Contracts. This book also contains a theoretical component that draws insights and inspiration from autonomy-based theories of contract, law and economics, notions of fairness and socio-legal perspectives to establish why contracting parties leave gaps in their contracts, whether intervention is justified and, if so, how gaps in contracts should be filled. The final part of this book builds on the comparative and theoretical perspectives to develop an interpretative and gap filling strategy that combines responses from contracting parties, the contracting community, the legislature and the courts.


The European Arctic experienced a pronounced warming around 1920 and a sustained warm period in the 1920s and 1930s. The causes of this climatic event are not fully known. However, understanding this event is considered important for assessing current and future climate change in the Arctic. Here we investigate the role of atmospheric circulation variability based on newly available historical upper-air data and statistical reconstructions of atmospheric circulation. The strongest warming at the ground from the 1910s to the 1920s and 1930s was found in wintertime. Historical upper-air data in this region from the 1930s show warm temperatures also in the lower troposphere. Reconstructed geopotential height fields suggest stronger than normal meridional transport of warm air into the European Arctic during the warm period compared to the preceding cold period. We propose that the 1920-1940 warm period can be subdivided into two periods with distinct circulation regimes: During the 1920s, warm, relatively clean air masses from the North Atlantic lead to a warming, while during the 1930s warm, rather polluted air masses from Western Europe played an important role. This is reflected in a sudden increase in sulphate concentrations in an ice core from Svalbard around 1930. The aerosols might have amplified the warming via changing cloud long wave emissivity, but this mechanism remains to be further studied. The circulation anomalies in the North Atlantic region during the early 20 th century warm period that are shown in this paper form an observation-based counterpart against which model studies can be compared.


Continuing education programs at community colleges have been around for many years and typically serve adults, non-traditional learners, in non-transferable, short-term and often non-credit leisure/hobby type courses. Other words used synonymously with continuing education include community education, adult education and lifelong learning. Continuing education programs are important and will continue to grow in popularity, especially with the aging of the baby boom generation and as more professions require continuing education for their employees.. The purpose of this study was to show why students feel the continuing education program at a select Midwestern community college has seen large enrollment increases during the past ten years. The respondents felt the major reasons for departmental success was the colleges' senior citizen tuition waiver policy, reasonable tuition/fees, a relaxed and friendly classroom atmosphere and the curriculum. The study concludes by offering suggestions which could be of value to community college continuing education programs.


The ability of a compound to exert its antineoplastic activity is determined by the amount of its accumulation inside the cell, a process largely dependent on the transporter proteins which are responsible for the passage of compounds into and out of the cell. The present study is focussed on the uptake transporter proteins; their interactions with antineoplastic compounds routinely used in cancer chemotherapy, and the regulation of expression of one such uptake transporter protein, organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3). The interactions of four such uptake transporters, that are predominantly expressed in liver namely, organic anion transporter 2 (OAT2), sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B1 and 1B3 (OATP1B1 and OATP1B3), were analysed in stably transfected human embryonic kidney cells. The transporter proteins were functionally characterized using [³H] model substrates and the uptake of this model substrate was followed in the presence of 100 μM of the antineoplastic compounds. The antineoplastic compounds which were able to inhibit the uptake of model substrate by 60% of buffer control were chosen for further analysis of interaction. No compound could inhibit the NTCP mediated estrone-3-sulfate uptake by 60% of buffer control. The affinity (Ki value) of the transporter proteins for the compounds that inhibited the uptake of model substrate by 60% of buffer control was determined by Dixon-plot analysis. OAT2 was found to strongly interact with bendamustine, irinotecan and paclitaxel with Ki values of 43.3 μM, 26.4 μM, and 10.4 μM, respectively. OATP1B1 interacted with vinblastine and paclitaxel, with Ki values of 10.2 μM and 0.84 μM, respectively. OATP1B3 interacted with chlorambucil, mitoxantrone, vinblastine, vincristine, paclitaxel, and etoposide with Ki values of 37.4 μM, 3.1 μM, 18.6 μM, 17.6 μM, 1.8 μM, and 13.5 μM, respectively. From the IC50 values generated, the possibility of these interactions to contribute to potential drug-drug interactions was calculated. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the regulation of expression of OCT3 in four renal carcinoma cells (A498, ACHN, 786-O, and LN78) with variable OCT3 expression, was analysed at the epigenetic and post-transcriptional levels. Using inhibitors for the processes of histone deacetylation and DNA methylation, the contribution of these processes was validated. It was found that they do not account for the huge difference of expression of OCT3 found between A498 and ACHN cells. In addition, the methylation status of the promoter region of OCT3 was analysed by Ion Torrent sequencing. There was no considerable difference between the methylation status of the promoter regions tested in the four renal carcinoma cell lines. The post-transcriptional regulation of OCT3 by microRNAs was also analysed. MicroRNAs that have the ability to bind to 3′ untranslated region of OCT3 were obtained from in silico prediction programs and the expression of these microRNAs was analysed by qRTPCR. Two microRNAs, hsa-mir-204 and hsa-mir-143, were selected as they showed differential expression in A498 and ACHN cells. The levels of these microRNAs were altered in these cells using small molecules called microRNA mimics and antimirs, and the expression of OCT3 was followed. However, no correlation was observed between the expression levels of these microRNAs and OCT3. In this direction, the search for potential OCT3 regulators was pursued by the next generation sequencing of genome wide microRNA analysis. From the results it is clear that a many microRNAs are differentially expressed in the four renal carcinoma cells. To make more advances in the search for microRNAs which are directly or indirectly involved in the regulation of OCT3, transcriptome analysis from the same RNA samples is being performed. This approach is best suited to dissect any factors involved in the transcriptional as well as post-transcriptional regulation of OCT3.


We report on a search for the pair production of scalar leptoquarks (LQ), using 191pb-1 of proton-antiproton collision data recorded by the CDF experiment during Run II of the Tevatron. The leptoquarks are sought via their decay into a neutrino and quark yielding missing transverse energy and several jets of large transverse energy. No evidence for LQ production is observed, and limits are set on σ(pp→LQLQX→ννqqX). Using a next-to-leading order theoretical prediction of the cross section for LQ production, we exclude first-generation LQ in the mass interval 78 to 117GeV/c2 at the 95% confidence level for BR(LQ→νq)=100%. © 2005 The American Physical Society.