Abstract We developed a new approach for chemical ligation of oligonucleotides using the electrophilic phosphorothioester (EPT) group. A nucleophilic phosphorothioate group on oligonucleotides was converted into the EPT group by treatment with Sanger's reagent (1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). EPT oligonucleotides can be isolated, stored frozen, and used for the ligation reaction. The reaction of the EPT oligonucleotide and an amino-modified oligonucleotide took place without any extra reagents at pH 7.0–8.0 at room temperature, and resulted in a ligation product with a phosphoramidate bond with a 39–85% yield. This method has potential uses in biotechnology and chemical biology.


Total particulate matter (PM) emissions were estimated for recent fires (1979-1990) and the presettlement period (prior to 1935) in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness (SBW) in Idaho and Montana. Recent period emissions were calculated by 10-day periods for surface fire and crown fire based on estimates of percentage fuel consumption and emission factors applied to fuel models constructed for each of eight fire regime types. Presettlement emissions were derived from estimates of historical fire occurrence. The occurrence and duration of smoke episodes in a large adjoining valley were documented for a 30-year period (1960-1990). During the presettlement period, smoke emissions were 1.3 times greater than during the recent period. Dispersion modeling indicated that during presettlement, visibility averaged 25% less than during the recent period. Valley smoke episodes ranged from 2 to 10 days in length and were 1.3 times more likely to occur during the presettlement period. Regression analysis indicated that a valley smoke event was likely above a 10-day PM threshold of 1,500 Mg. Characteristics of smoke episodes were described for none, minor, moderate, and extreme smoke categories. Occurrence of smoke did not differ between periods of full fire suppression and prescribed natural fire management.


ABSTRACT Water samples (< 0.45 μm) from the Mejerda hydrographic system were analysed for trace metals and Pb isotopes, together with Pb isotope measurements of galena from the mines of the system. Water was collected (i) within the mines, (ii) in tributaries lying as close as possible to the mines, (iii) along the tributaries, (iv) along the main Mejerda River, and (v) in dammed lakes. All metal concentrations measured in the waters are below the limits given for health purposes of surface water, though some of them are close. Metals such as Al, V, Ni, Cu, Pb, and U are slightly enriched in the uppermost part of the system but they do not exceed 20 ppb (μg l−1), with the exception of Al reaching 120 ppb. In the lower Mejerda sector, a few high Zn concentrations of up to 550 ppb are observed, and up to 80 ppb for Ba. Lead isotopic compositions of 41 water samples show large variations, yielding ratios at 17.736–18.884 for 206Pb/204Pb, 15.504–15.977 for 207Pb/204Pb, and 37.135–39.992 for 208Pb/204Pb. In contrast, Pb isotopic compositions of 11 galena samples from different mines define a surprisingly narrow field, being systematically more radiogenic in 206Pb than water. Compared to water and galena, Pb in Tunisian gasoline has a very different and much less radiogenic Pb isotopic composition at 16.351, 15.493, and 36.135, respectively. No significant contribution of such gasoline Pb can be detected either in the main Mejerda River or the numerous tributaries. The same observation is made for galena Pb, with the particularity that water lying closest to the isotopic compositions of galena was sampled in the lower part of the system where mines are absent. For the upper part of the system, minor contributions from the mines cannot be ruled out. The full set of Pb isotopic data substantiates the ultimate sources of Pb to have evolved with large variations in time-integrated U/Th/Pb ratios, including differences in mantle extraction ages. Simple mixing between two end-members can be ruled out for most of the water Pb data. It is therefore suggested that Pb and other metals of Mejerda water originate from local soils, from where they can be leached from alteration phases. In contrast to water showing a wide variation of ultimate source lithologies, the particularly narrow field of galena Pb isotopic compositions requires Pb extraction from a surprisingly homogenous and strongly U- and Th-depleted reservoir. This reservoir is most likely the Triassic evaporites, essentially gypsum, forming in a well mixed water volume devoid of significant detrital input.


According to achieved empirical results main conclusions are as follows: (1) a direct causal relation exists from budget deficits to trade deficits as expected in conventional theory. This causality has alsa feedback; (2) the relations among exchange rate, inflatian and money supply indicate a vicious circle explanation; (3) treasury interest rates have direct impact on the trade balance. Financing method of budget deficits caused interest rates to be the most im portant variable w i thin the economy; ( 4) there is a sensitive balance among real domestic income, money supply and infiation; (5) there is no any direct connection between exchange rates and foreign trade balance. Exchange rates have impact on the trade balance only through budget balance. An important implication of this study is that the fundamental problem of Turkish economy stems from internal imbalances. For this reason, a stabilization program should begin with correcting the internal aspect of the issue. An improvement in internal balance would have a positive effect on the external balance as well.


A graphical technique for finding all proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers that stabilize a given single-input-single-output (SISO) linear time-invariant (LTI) system of any order system with time delay has been solved. In this paper a method is introduced that finds all PID controllers that also satisfy an H∞ complementary sensitivity constraint. This problem can be solved by finding all PID controllers that simultaneously stabilize the closed-loop characteristic polynomial and satisfy constraints defined by a set of related complex polynomials. A key advantage of this procedure is the fact that it does not require the plant transfer function, only its frequency response.Copyright © 2008 by ASME


The Vita Augustini written by Possidius has come down to us in a very great number of manuscripts. Understandably its editors worked with a rather small selection of them. Among the textual witnesses left aside there is Cod. 571 of the Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen (S). This beautiful manuscript of Carolingian age shows, apart from many erroneous or otherwise negligible lectures, a certain number of peculiarities which at least could be of some interest, though very few of them offer a better reading of the text as such. The mere fact that the scribe of S committed a great number of mistakes of its own, makes it probable that these other, more interesting variants go back to an earlier stage of the transmission of the text. Many of them are attested also by other textual witnesses recorded by the editors, yet a considerable number of the special readings of S have been unknown so far. In this paper they are presented and briefly discussed. - In S the text of the Vita is divided into 50 chapters, in contrast to the textus receptus: 31 chapters (besides the praefatio). The hitherto unknown table of contents preceding the Vita in S is edited as an appendix.


Due to the society progress, the consumption of energy is dramatically increasing. Moreover, the utilization of fossil fuels generates pollution that is affecting to the environment. The utilization of renewable sources of energy and the improvement of the current electricity generation technologies is vital to ensure the development of the world.
Cogeneration is a technology of electricity generation. Its main benefit compared with other power plants is the increase of efficiency, as the energy wasted in the condensation of the traditional Rankine cycle is used as utilizable heat. In this study, the electrical enhancement of the output power of a cogeneration unit with an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) unit will be analyzed. An ORC uses an organic compound instead of water as the working fluid, and offers an important advantage regarding conventional Rankine cycle as it is capable of generating electricity from low to medium temperature heat sources.
Different working fluids have been analyzed for the ORC, and its selection depended on the electrical enhancement and its efficiency. N-Hexane is the chosen compound, enhancing the electrical generation in a 4.31 %. Cogeneration increases the overall efficiency in a 27.3 %.
Furthermore, the possibility of using trigeneration to fulfill the cold requirements of a warm country as Spain has been studied. A theoretical case has been analyzed in order to evaluate the cooling power of the unit. It is capable to maintain the temperature of a building at 20.8 oC when the outside temperature is 35 oC.
The economic viability of the project has been studied considering that the profit of the installation is the money saved when no energy or gas needs to be bought to the energy companies. The economical balance shows an annual benefit of 585,347 €, with a return period around 5 years.
Finally, the safety of the installation has been analyzed utilizing the TNT equivalent method. The potential harm of the unit is small, with a potential of causing deceases if the distance to the installation is closer than 5.76 m.


Feature Issue on Optical Access NetworksThe wide deployment of fiber-optic and WDM technologies has dramatically increased the bandwidth capability in metropolitan area networks and wide area networks. Optical access solutions, such as FTTB, FTTC, and FTTH, promise huge bandwidth to service providers and end users, and have therefore widely been considered the technology of choice for future access networks. The purpose of this feature issue is to present a collection of papers that reflect recent research advances in optical access networks.


n this article the author reviews the work of a major commission of inquiry established by the Federal Government of Canada in 1974 to consider the environmental, social and economic impact of the then proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline on the land and people in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories - Canada's northland. This commission of inquiry, which is commonly referred to as the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry, was presided over by Mr. Justice Thomas Berger, a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. One of the principal issues which quickly emerged in the work of the Inquiry was that of the legal and political rights of the aboriginal peoples of the North. One of the most significant contributions of the Inquiry was the establishment of new procedures which permitted a clear and comprehensive articulation by the aboriginal peoples of how they understood their rights. These procedures were not developed on an a priori basis but were derived from the volksgeist and law ways of the aboriginal people. These procedures in turn resulted in the substance of aboriginal rights or, as they are generally termed, "native rights", being given a radical content; radical in the sense that the rights as articulated by native peoples, while much broader than those which have been recognized by Canadian courts, reflected the original principles which had governed the relationships between aboriginal peoples and the European colonialists who came amongst them some 400 years ago. An analysis of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry in the context of the articulation of native rights provides, therefore, an opportunity not only to assess within the sociology of law the important role of commissions of inquiry in developing new procedural forums but also to better understand the close relationship between procedural and substantive rights as revealed in the historical evolution of native rights in Canada.


Do you ever wonder about the origins of mathematical terms such as ergodic, biholomorphic, and strophoid? Here Anthony Lo Bello explains the roots of these and better-known words like asymmetric, gradient, and average. He provides Greek, Latin, and Arabic text in its original form to enhance each explanation. This sophisticated, one-of-a-kind reference for mathematicians and word lovers is based on decades of the author's painstaking research and work. Origins of Mathematical Words supplies definitions for words such as conchoid (a shell-shaped curve derived from the Greek noun for "mussel") and zenith (Arabic for "way overhead"), as well as approximation (from the Latin proximus, meaning "nearest"). These and hundreds of other terms wait to be discovered within the pages of this mathematical and etymological treasure chest.


The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) dictates climate variability from the eastern seaboard of the United States to Siberia and from the Arctic to the subtropical Atlantic, especially during winter. It strongly affects agricultural yields, water management, fish inventories, and terrestrial ecology. In their Perspective,
 Hurrell, Kushnir, and Visbeck
 report recent research into the NAO discussed at an American Geophysical Union Chapman Conference at the end of 2000. Much remains to be learned about the NAO, but it seems increasingly less likely that natural variability is the cause for the recent upward NAO trend.


India's diesel consumption is several times that of petrol. In this article, we examine two options for meeting India"s diesel demand: coal to liquids and bio-diesel. Coal gasification, followed by Fischer- Tropsch (FT) synthesis offers an opportunity for large-scale production of diesel as proven by South Africa, and now being attempted by China and Qatar. India could consider this option given its large coal reserves. Four such plants consuming 60-76 million tonnes (mt) coal per annum can generate 12 mt of FT liquid, which is 20% of the expected diesel demand in 2011-12. This would require an investment of about Rs 54,000-90,000 crores. FT synthesis is a proven technology, coal prices are relatively stable and land requirements are modest. However, coal supply and transportation could be a concern and the process increases India's CO 2 emissions by about 80 mt. Oil-bearing plants such as jatropha, palm and sunflower can be cultivated on wastelands to produce bio-diesel. This option has several advantages: it can be integrated with the rural economy, almost CO 2 neutral and a large employment generation potential. However, it is a mammoth undertaking requiring an investment of about Rs 45,000-58,000 crores. We also briefly discuss the potential of energy conservation using gasoline-hybrid cars, which can potentially increase fuel efficiency up to 200 miles per gallon.


Cannabis contains over 700 known cannabinoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and so on; however, the roles and importance of these components have yet to be fully understood. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is believed the most psychoactive component in cannabis, whereas cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol, and cannabigerol are the most well-known non-psychoactive components. THC, but not CBD, has been shown to produce abnormal behavior in animals; these effects are caused, at least in part, by binding to cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) in the brain. Regarding the risks associated with cannabis use, acute effects of THC, such as a "high", cognitive deficits, and irritability, are considered more important than potential dependence. On the other hand, CBD has shown anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, analgesic, and anticancer effects. However, CBD has very low affinity (in the micromolar range) for the CB1 receptor, as well as for the CB2 receptor, and its underlying mechanism remains obscure. In this review, we demonstrate that THC induces abnormal behavior such as catalepsy-like immobilization, spatial memory impairment, and high and low sensitivity to ultrasonic vocalization after an aversive air-puff stimulus. Moreover, we demonstrate that THC and CBD improve brain injury in middle cerebral artery occlusion in a mouse model through different mechanisms. These findings suggest the need to discuss the recent development of "THC and CBD pharmacology" in animal studies, as well as the utility and risk of various cannabis components in humans.


CASE DESCRIPTION The primary subject matter of this case is a study of the U.S. carpet and floor covering industry. Secondary issues include consolidation of mature industries, global pressures, mergers and acquisitions, and rising raw material and fuel costs. The case permits in-depth discussion of the various externalities facing this changing industry including internationalization and consolidation pressures as well as shifting customer preferences away from carpet and toward hard surface flooring. It is designed for senior-level classes in strategic planning and business policy. It is expected to require two to three hours of outside preparation by students. CASE SYNOPSIS Dalton, Georgia is the carpet capital of the world and is home to the area's leading floor covering and carpet producers. The old world industry attracted the interest of Warren Buffet prompting him to purchase Shaw Industries, Inc. in 2001. Shaw and their key competitor, Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a rich history of growth through acquisitions. The industry giants have consolidated much of the formerly fragmented flooring industry they helped establish. Each is a full-line flooring producer manufacturing carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate flooring, wood flooring vinyl, and other surfaces for commercial and residential customers and both continue to battle for the number one position in the U.S. The industry has experienced recent fiscal growth from the U.S. housing market boom and higher product sales prices exceeding analysts' expectations. However, rising fuel prices, competition from low-price Asian imports and actions by competitors continue to challenge the industry. Small suppliers exiting the industry have caused raw material prices to rise. Changes also include a shifting product mix driven by consumer preferences toward laminate, wood and ceramic tile flooring and away from carpet and vinyl products. The rug segment is growing along with hard surface flooring. Even with wood or laminate floors, consumers decorate with area and scatter rugs. The industry is changing and the leaders must consider additional ways to grow. Interviews with industry analysts, trade associations, and consultants provide additional insights. INTRODUCTION Carpet industry executives throughout Dalton, Georgia home of the world's leading floor covering and carpet producers reviewed industry challenges as they prepared their strategic plans for 2006 and beyond. The leading firms had a rich history of growth through acquisitions, consolidating much of the formerly fragmented flooring industry they helped establish. While the entire industry experienced recent fiscal growth from the U.S. housing market boom, this market had slowed in 2006. Also, while higher product sales prices exceed analysts' expectations, the rising fuel prices, competition from low-price Asian imports and actions by competitors continued to challenge the industry. Raw materials were also more expensive since several small suppliers left the industry. Executives pondered consumer's future floorcovering preferences. Recently customers seemed to choose laminate, wood and ceramic tile flooring along with area rugs instead of carpet or vinyl products. Clearly, the industry was changing and the executives wondered what future strategies should be. INDUSTRY CHALLENGES Rising Costs - Fuel, Raw Material, and Employee Health Care Increasing oil and energy prices, raw materials and other supply shortages, a record number of lower-priced Asian imports, escalating health insurance costs for employees, and the falling U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, particularly the Euro, has carpet and floorcovering executives worried. While industry consolidation and vertical expansion had boosted profitability levels, rising fuel prices made 2006 and beyond more uncertain. The ability to obtain raw materials on a just-in-time basis is critical. The principal raw materials include nylon, polyester and polypropylene resins, fibers, and carpet backings, which are used exclusively in the carpet and rug business - talc, clay, nepheline syenite and various glazes, including grit (ground glass), zircon and stains, which are used in ceramic tile business. …


This project aims to advance the study of prayer by analyzing it as a social interaction – on a human-divine as well as a human-human level utilizing Randall Collins's interaction ritual theory within a comparative framework articulated by Ann Taves to investigate religious experiences. Cases are presented to compare prayer practices in two contemporary devotional movements respectively inspired by Padre Pio (Padre Pio Prayer Groups) and Said Nursi (Nur Movement) that seek to develop the faith of their adherents as they negotiate living in secular contexts. Based on historical research, textual analysis, and ethnographic fieldwork conducted in the United States, this project addresses how ritual context and habitual entrainment affect the prayer experiences and conceptions of adherents within these two movements while also offering generalizable knowledge about prayer applicable to other contexts. As an outcome of the comparison, three propositions are put forward: (1) Prayer practices enact communicative relationships between the human person and an ascribed divine which can result in an "embodied confidence" in the reality of those relationships; (2) Prayer and worship practices can enact relationships between and among human persons of a shared tradition, which results in the formation of communal bonds and a forum for testifying to the power of an ascribed divine; and (3) Prayer and worship practices can constitute a form of training that is intended to prepare and protect religious practitioners in spiritual battles that are fought within the human person and among human persons throughout one's life in order to sustain and strengthen relationships with an ascribed divine. The process of habituation for attaining "embodied confidence" is termed the "vernacularization of charisma", as prayer practices are socially learned, adopted in form, and appropriated at the individual level, while being creatively translated as a mode of relating to an ascribed divine whereby the person owns and draws strength from the practices across different situations. This project provides a new perspective for understanding prayer that extends current methodological and theoretical discourses related to research on "lived religion" and "disciplinary practices" and offers grounds for hypothesis formation to advance the scientific study of religion. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Religious Studies First Advisor Randall Collins


A small but signi cant amount of dissolved titanium is always present in the molten cryolite based electrolyte used during electrowinning of aluminium. The fact that titanium can appear in several oxidation states may be a cause for reduced current ef ciency for aluminium, although codepositon of titanium should be thermodynamically favoured. Voltammetric studies were carried out in molten Na3AlF6 Al2O3 (sat) containing TiO2 at 1020°C. The results suggested that titanium was reduced in two steps from Ti (IV) to Ti (III) followed by reduction of Ti (III) to Ti metal. Experiments were also carried out in industrial aluminium cells. Large quantities of TiO2 were added to the electrolyte during electrolysis, and samples of electrolyte and produced metal were taken and analysed as a function of time after addition. The results suggested that titanium was codeposited at the aluminium cathode by a diffusion controlled reaction. The apparent current ef ciency for titanium deposition was estimated to be higher than 90%. The valency problem seems to be less challenging when depositing liquid titanium alloys from molten uoride electrolytes. This approach may give rise to the development of production of a valuable titanium containing alloy TiAl3. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MK201632]


We optimized the far-field emission pattern of one-dimensional photonic crystal nanobeams by modulating the nanobeam width, forming a sidewall Bragg cross-grating far-field coupler. By setting the period of the cross-grating to twice the photonic crystal period, we showed using three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations that the intensity extracted to the far-field could be improved by more than three orders of magnitude compared to the unmodified ideal cavity geometry. We then experimentally studied the evolution of the quality factor and far-field intensity as a function of cross-grating coupler amplitude. High quality factor (>4000) blue (λ = 455 nm) nanobeam photonic crystals were fabricated out of GaN thin films on silicon incorporating a single InGaN quantum well gain medium. Micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy of sets of twelve identical nanobeams revealed a nine-fold average increase in integrated far-field emission intensity and no change in average quality factor for the optimi...


A corporate leniency program provides relief from government penalties to the first member of a cartel to come forward and cooperate with the authorities. This study explores the incentives to apply for leniency when each cartel member has private information as to the likelihood that the competition authority will be able to convict them without a cooperating firm. A firm may apply for leniency because it fears being convicted ("prosecution effect") or because it fears another firm will apply ("pre-emption effect"). Policies by the competition authority to magnify concerns about pre-emption - and thereby induce greater use of the leniency program - are also explored.


Branding has become an important issue within higher education. The use of core value statements and visions are expressions of this. To be a successful brand, organisations must also make sure they are different from others. However, in both the scholarly discourse and in political rhetoric, the Nordic model highlights equal access to education and opportunities for all. Values such as egalitarianism and diversity may be difficult to fit into a frame of reference where excellence is at the centre. Historically higher education has also been an important part of nation branding initiatives. This paper asks how different branding perspectives (corporate branding and nation branding) are matched and harmonised with respect to higher education in two Nordic countries. The study shows that there is a lack of harmonisation between nation branding and corporate branding, and that the discourse on excellence is not conducive to differentiation at the organisational level.


We propose a nonparametric method to construct confidence intervals for quantile marginal effects (i.e., derivatives of the conditional quantile function). Under certain conditions, a quantile marginal effect equals a causal (structural) effect in a general nonseparable model, or equals an average thereof within a particular subpopulation. The high- order accuracy of our method is derived. Simulations and an empirical example demonstrate the new method's favorable performance and practical use. Code for the new method is provided.


The aim of this study was the characterization of the intracellular effectors of the antiproliferative activity of somatostatin in PC Cl3 thyroid cells. Somatostatin inhibited PC Cl3 cell proliferation through the activation of a membrane phosphotyrosine phosphatase. Conversely, PC Cl3 cells stably expressing the v-mos oncogene (PC mos) were completely insensitive to the somatostatin antiproliferative effects since somatostatin was unable to stimulate a phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity. In PC mos cells basal phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity was also reduced, suggesting that the expression of a specific phosphotyrosine phosphatase was impaired in these transformed cells. We suggested that this phosphotyrosine phosphatase could be r-PTP eta whose expression was abolished in the PC mos cells. To directly prove the involvement of r-PTP eta in somatostatin's effect, we stably transfected this phosphatase in PC mos cells. This new cell line (PC mos/PTP eta) recovered somatostatin's ability to inhibit cell proliferation, showing dose-dependence and time course similar to those observed in PC Cl3 cells. Conversely, the transfection of a catalytically inactive mutant of r-PTP eta did not restore the antiproliferative effects of somatostatin. PC mos/PTP eta cells showed a high basal phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity which, similarly to PC Cl3 cells, was further increased after somatostatin treatment. The specificity of the role of r-PTP eta in somatostatin receptor signal transduction was demonstrated by measuring its specific activity after somatostatin treatment in an immunocomplex assay. Somatostatin highly increased r-PTP eta activity in PCCl3 and PC mos/PTP eta (+300%, P < 0.01) but not in PCmos cells. Conversely, no differences in somatostatin-stimulated SHP-2 activity, (approximately +50%, P < 0.05), were observed among all the cell lines. The activation of r-PTP eta by somatostatin caused, acting downstream of MAPK kinase, an inhibition of insulin-induced ERK1/2 activation with the subsequent blockade of the phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and proteasome degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1). Ultimately, high levels of p27(kip1) lead to cell proliferation arrest. In conclusion, somatostatin inhibition of PC Cl3 cell proliferation requires the activation of r-PTP eta which, through the inhibition of MAPK activity, causes the stabilization of the cell cycle inhibitor p27(kip1).


Big Data analytics, the process of organizing and analyzing data to get useful information, is one of the primary uses of cloud services today. Traditionally, collections of data are stored and processed in a single datacenter. As the volume of data grows at a tremendous rate, it is less efficient for only one datacenter to handle such large volumes of data from a performance point of view. Large cloud service providers are deploying datacenters geographically around the world for better performance and availability. A widely used approach for analytics of geo-distributed data is the centralized approach, which aggregates all the raw data from local datacenters to a central datacenter. However, it has been observed that this approach consumes a significant amount of bandwidth, leading to worse performance. A number of mechanisms have been proposed to achieve optimal performance when data analytics are performed over geo-distributed datacenters. In this paper, we present a survey on the representative mechanisms proposed in the literature for wide area analytics. We discuss basic ideas, present proposed architectures and mechanisms, and discuss several examples to illustrate existing work. We point out the limitations of these mechanisms, give comparisons, and conclude with our thoughts on future research directions.


A number of low workfunction metals (samarium, alkali metals) were deposited onto vacuum sublimed thin films of pentacene. The change in the valence electronic structure of the organic material was studied by in situ ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS). Alkali metal intercalation leads to the appearance of a new photoemission feature within the pentacene energy gap, due to a charge transfer from the alkali atoms to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the organic material. The energy spacing between this emission feature and the relaxed highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the pristine molecule is 1 eV. From X-ray photoemission spectroscopy core level analysis, we estimate a concentration ratio of two alkali metal atoms per pentacene molecule at maximum intercalation level, leading to a complete filling of the LUMO. This is consistent with the results from UPS that the new emission is always observed below the Fermi-level. Samarium is found to exhibit a more subtle interaction with pentacene: the molecular orbitals remain almost unperturbed upon Sm deposition. The resulting energy level alignment at this interface seems to be very favorable for the injection of electrons from Sm into pentacene, as the HOMO-onset is found at 1.8 eV below the metal Fermi edge. This value is close to the 2.2 eV HOMO-LUMO gap of pentacene measured by UPS and inverse photoemission spectroscopy, thus corresponding to a small electron injection barrier.


The family Anaspididae is a relictual Gondwanan group of malacostracan crustaceans now surviving
only in cool waters and caves of Tasmania. Its most widespread species, Anaspides tasmaniae, is also
the most morphologically plesiomorphic of the order Anaspidacea, and shows very little development
since Triassic fossil anaspid forms. A number of issues relating to the systematics and taxonomy of the
family Anaspididae have been raised since the first discovery of the extant species. In particular, the
separate species status of Anaspides spinulae has been questioned. The level of genetic differentiation
among populations of Anaspides tasmaniae has never been ascertained, but has been presumed to be
high due to the long periods of isolation between populations. The relationships between the three
anaspid genera are also of interest as they elucidate the early evolution of the family in Tasmania.
In order to clarify the systematics of the genus Anaspides, an allozyme and mitochondrial
DNA study of populations of Anaspides tasmaniae, A. spinulae, Paranaspides lacustris,
Allanaspides helonomus and Allanaspides hickmani was undertaken. Anaspides populations
were sampled over the entire geographic range of the genus and a wide variety of habitats,
including caves. Genetic affinities ascertained from the allozyme and 16S mtDNA analyses were
largely congruent. The allozyme study also provided information on within-population processes and
the mtDNA analysis provided confidence levels on phylogenies and molecular clock estimates for
divergence times. The results showed that: • Anaspides spinulae was not supported as a species separate from A. tasmaniae.
• Cave populations do not form a distinct genetic group despite the common loss of
pigmentation. All cave populations sampled shared genotypes with the nearest epigean
populations.
• Populations of Anaspides tasmaniae (including A. spinulae) were characterised by generally
low levels of within-population genetic variation, with many instances of fixed differences
and private alleles, and often high levels of among-population genetic differentiation.
• The genus Anaspides contains three distinct geographical groups all of which were supported
genetically as separate species. These are found in the south (Huon area), the southwest and
the Central Plateau / Derwent areas. It is proposed that these groups be considered as separate
species requiring detailed description.
• Differentiation among Anaspides populations within the Central Plateau was significantly less
than that within the southern and southwestern group. Speciation appears to be continuing in
isolated populations, particularly in the southwest. • The Central Plateau group has a core group of 8 populations, and 5 populations on the fringe
of the Plateau that are more distant. An isolation by distance test found a significant
correlation between inter-population structure and geographical distance.
• The southern group of Anaspides showed the same high level of differentiation from the other
two Anaspides groups as from Paranaspides. This level of differentiation is similar to genuslevel
divergence in other crustacean groups. As a result, it is recommended that the southern
Anaspides group be described as a new genus. A thorough examination of morphological
characters should be undertaken in order to establish the southern Anaspides as a new genus.
• The emergence of Allanaspides was found to be the earliest divergence from the anaspid
lineage, estimated at about 43 million years ago by molecular clock calculations. The
separation of Paranaspides lacustris and the southern group of Anaspides, and the divergence
of the two Allanaspides species is likely to have occurred between about 20 and 25 million
years ago. The Central Plateau and southwest groups appear to have diverged approximately
10 million years ago. The estimated time at which the last common ancestor occurred within
geographical groups is approximately 6 my for the southwestern group, 3.5 my for the
southern group and 2 my for the Central Plateau.
• Biogeographical explanations for divergences in the family Anaspididae are suggested. These
include climatic warming in the Eocene, increasing aridity in the late Oligocene and Miocene,
various geological faulting and tectonic events in the Tertiary and the invasion of Tasmanian
freshwaters by fish predators. Vicariant speciation in the Tertiary appears to have been the
major influence on evolution in the Anaspididae, with Pleistocene glaciation and/or recent
warming possibly forcing populations into cave refugia. There is evidence that glacial
meltwater may have allowed some populations to mix, having a homogenising effect on
genotypes, and possibly overlaying more ancient relationships between populations.


Driving is one of the riskiest work tasks, accounting for around one third of fatal crashes in the UK. Organisations are expected to manage work-related road safety (WRRS) in the same way that they manage other health and safety risks. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Department for Transport (DFT) issue joint guidance on this in INDG382 'Driving at work: managing work-related road safety'. HSE and DFT were seeking to update INDG382 to include reference to vehicle safety technologies that could enable employers to monitor safety related events or driver behaviours, to support learning and safety improvements. They commissioned TRL to - Conduct a literature review focused on evaluations of the impact of these technologies on work-related road safety (specifically, crash risk) Lead in-depth interviews with representatives of organisations who had implemented technology-based safety monitoring in their fleet and stakeholders and experts who provided further insights into factors affecting successful implementation. TRL found that telematics systems, drowsiness and distraction recognition systems, and collision warning systems have significant potential safety benefits, but rigorous published evaluation of safety-focused telematics in the fleet context is limited. There is good evidence for the safety benefits of intelligent speed assist in private and fleet vehicles. Successful implementation relies on procuring systems that match needs, managing the potential for data to overwhelm and embedding monitoring and driver feedback within good management systems and strong safety leadership. This report provides recommendations for updating guidance for organisations considering implementing vehicle safety monitoring technologies (telematics).


Since the 1980s, Mexican leaders have followed other Latin American countries in pursuing neoliberal economic policies designed to stimulate foreign investment, reduce public spending, and promote free trade. Recent studies of indigenous movements and popular protests challenge the idea that these market-based economic reforms enjoy a broad consensus and suggest that elites impose them by force. By turning the focus to middle-class Mexicans, I argue that some nonelite sectors of society avidly welcome the reign of the free market. Although they do not profit directly from unregulated capitalism, the middle class looks to neoliberalism to ensure access to the material markers of class status. The rising popularity of multilevel marketing companies in Mexico, which glorify consumption and celebrate the possibilities of entrepreneurship, demonstrates the appeal of neoliberalism to citizens fearful of diminished purchasing power. By tying consumption to globalized free markets, neoliberalism does not need coercion to win acceptance.


Evaluating seismic forces and soil liquefaction potential during the development of offshore wind farms in Taiwan is crucial. Wang et al. (2016) conducted a seismic hazard analysis and proposed a design earthquake response spectrum for the bedrock at the Changbin offshore wind farm. In this study, the recommended acceleration response spectrum was used to generate two design earthquakes (BH01_EW and BH01_NS) at the bedrock level that were compatible to the seismic characteristics of the Changbin offshore wind farm. The original soil data of borehole BH01(TORI) at the site were used to conduct a ground motion analysis and obtain design seismic surface forces. In engineering practice, simplified engineering soil profiles are commonly used to design foundations. The simplification of soil profiles causes uncertainties in the ground motion analyses. To determine the effects of soil profile simplification on design seismic loading, we established two engineering soil profiles for borehole BH01(TORI) and compared the ground motion analyses results. One of the simplified engineering soil profiles comprised a simplified profile of shear wave velocity distributed along the depth, whereas the other involved a simplified profile of soil unit weight along the depth. The soil profile with a simplified distribution of shear wave velocity engendered a significant underestimation of the maximum design seismic load at the seabed surface. The acceleration responses at the seabed level obtained from the ground motion analyses were used to evaluate the soil liquefaction potential at BH01(TORI) by employing the New Japan Road Association simplified empirical method. The results indicated a high potential of soil liquefaction in the seabed at the Changbin offshore wind farm, Taiwan. We observed more than 10-m-long liquefiable soil layers. A risk assessment of foundation stability loss due to soil liquefaction should be considered in offshore wind turbine foundation design.


The Constitution requires that the facts that expose an individual to criminal punishment be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. In recent years, the Supreme Court has taken pains to ensure that legislatures cannot evade the requirements of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and jury presentation through artful statutory drafting. Yet current Commerce Clause jurisprudence permits Congress to do just that. Congress can avoid application of the reasonable-doubt and jury-trial rules with respect to certain critical facts - the facts that establish the basis for federal action by linking the prohibited conduct to interstate commerce - by finding those facts itself rather than providing for case-by-case proof to a jury. As the Court's decision last Term in Gonzales v. Raich illustrates, such findings-based statutes are subject to a presumption of constitutionality and will be sustained so long as the underlying legislative judgment was rational. The conflict between legislative findings and the constitutional requirements for criminal prosecutions is ignored in the vast literature on the commerce power, which focuses overwhelmingly on whether Congress can reach certain activities (and whether courts can or should impose meaningful limits on Congress's legislative authority), but pays scant attention to how Congress legislates. Commentators assume that, since Congress's power to act on the basis of its own findings regarding the connection between the regulated conduct and interstate commerce is well established in the civil sphere, it must be equally clear in the criminal context. As this article demonstrates, however, findings-based statutes generate unique costs in criminal prosecutions by depriving defendants of procedural protections designed to make it harder for the government to send an individual to jail than to regulate her conduct by civil means. The common justifications for leaving questions of commerce largely to Congress's discretion, moreover, ring hollow when considered in the context of criminal law. Given the considerable costs of findings-based criminal prohibitions and the absence of any countervailing benefits, I argue that legislative findings should not serve as the basis for criminal punishment. Instead, courts should require case-by-case proof of the facts that demonstrate the necessary connection between the defendant's conduct and interstate commerce.


Membraneless organelles are platforms for many aspects of RNA biology including small non-coding RNA (ncRNA) mediated gene silencing. How small ncRNAs utilise phase separated environments for their function is unclear. To address this question, we investigated how the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway engages with the membraneless organelle P granule in Caenorhabditis elegans. Proteomic analysis of the PIWI protein PRG-1 revealed an interaction with the constitutive P granule protein DEPS-1. Furthermore we identified a novel motif on DEPS-1, PBS, which interacts directly with the Piwi domain of PRG-1. This protein complex forms intertwining ultrastructures to build elongated condensates in vivo. These sub-organelle ultrastructures depend on the Piwi-interacting motif of DEPS-1 and mediate piRNA function. Additionally, we identify a novel interactor of DEPS-1, EDG-1, which is required for DEPS-1 condensates to form correctly. We show that DEPS-1 is not required for piRNA biogenesis but piRNA function: deps-1 mutants fail to produce the secondary endo-siRNAs required for the silencing of piRNA targets. Our study reveals how specific protein-protein interactions drive the spatial organisation and function of small RNA pathways within membraneless organelles.


We analyze 26 archival Kepler transits of the exo-Neptune HAT-P-11b, supplemented by ground-based transits observed in the blue (B band) and near-IR (J band). Both the planet and host star are smaller than previously believed; our analysis yields Rp = 4.31 R⊕ ± 0.06 R⊕ and Rs = 0.683 R☉ ± 0.009 R☉, both about 3σ smaller than the discovery values. Our ground-based transit data at wavelengths bracketing the Kepler bandpass serve to check the wavelength dependence of stellar limb darkening, and the J-band transit provides a precise and independent constraint on the transit duration. Both the limb darkening and transit duration from our ground-based data are consistent with the new Kepler values for the system parameters. Our smaller radius for the planet implies that its gaseous envelope can be less extensive than previously believed, being very similar to the H–He envelope of GJ 436b and Kepler-4b. HAT-P-11 is an active star, and signatures of star spot crossings are ubiquitous in the Kepler transit data. We develop and apply a methodology to correct the planetary radius for the presence of both crossed and uncrossed star spots. Star spot crossings are concentrated at phases −0.002 and +0.006. This is consistent with inferences from Rossiter–McLaughlin measurements that the planet transits nearly perpendicular to the stellar equator. We identify the dominant phases of star spot crossings with active latitudes on the star, and infer that the stellar rotational pole is inclined at about 12° ± 5° to the plane of the sky. We point out that precise transit measurements over long durations could in principle allow us to construct a stellar Butterfly diagram to probe the cyclic evolution of magnetic activity on this active K-dwarf star.


An informed, and accurate, characterization of the wave energy resource is an essential aspect selection of suitable sites for the first commercial installations of wave energy converters. This paper describes a detailed study on the variability of wave climate and measured spectral shapes and how they differ from the standard formulations prescribed by theory. In particular dissonance between the ratio of the energy period (TE) to the average zero-crossing period (T02) is investigated at a range of open ocean locations. This relationship is important in the context of resource assessment as many previous works, lacking in detailed spectral data, have often assumed an incorrect ratio. This in turn has influenced the accuracy of the resulting estimates of wave energy. It is demonstrated that the earlier use of the frequently-employed wave period ratios is erroneous and more suitable relationships are presented for the Bretschneider and JONSWAP theoretical spectra. Furthermore, analysis of measured buoy data from real sea-states is used to illustrate that this relationship can in fact vary significantly in practice, depending on geographical location and the prevalent wave conditions. The variability that exists in spectral shape and bandwidth, and the effect this has on the relationship between TE and T02, is illustrated through the comparison of recorded spectra with the Bretschneider spectrum. Analysis of a fifteen year dataset measured by a buoy off the coast of Southern California is presented to illustrate how the wave period ratio fluctuates on a seasonal and interannual basis, while it is also shown that previous studies of the Irish wave energy resource may have underestimated the theoretical power available by as much as 18%.


Using nearly a trillion dollars of live trading data from a large institutional money manager across 19 developed equity markets over the period 1998 to 2011, we measure the real-world transactions costs and price impact function facing an arbitrageur and apply them to size, value, momentum, and shortterm reversal strategies. We find that actual trading costs are less than a tenth as large as, and therefore the potential scale of these strategies is more than an order of magnitude larger than, previous studies suggest. Furthermore, strategies designed to reduce transactions costs can increase net returns and capacity substantially, without incurring significant style drift. Results vary across styles, with value and momentum being more scalable than size, and short-term reversals being the most constrained by trading costs. We conclude that the main anomalies to standard asset pricing models are robust, implementable, and sizeable.


Abstract Grave environmental problems, including contamination of biota by organochlorines and heavy metals, and increasing deep-water oxygen deficiency, were discovered in the Baltic Sea in the late 1960s. Toxic pollutants, including the newly discovered PCB, were initially seen as the main threat to the Baltic ecosystem, and the impaired reproduction found in Baltic seals and white-tailed eagles implied a threat also to human fish eaters. Countermeasures gradually gave results, and today the struggle to limit toxic pollution of the Baltic is an international environmental success story. Calculations showed that Baltic deep-water oxygen consumption must have increased, and that the Baltic nutrient load had grown about fourfold for nitrogen and 8 times for phosphorus. Evidence of increased organic production at all trophic levels in the ecosystem gradually accumulated. Phosphorus was first thought to limit Baltic primary production, but measurements soon showed that nitrogen is generally limiting in the open Baltic proper, except for nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Today, the debate is concerned with whether phosphorus, by limiting nitrogen-fixers, can control open-sea ecosystem production, even where phytoplankton is clearly nitrogen limited. The Baltic lesson teaches us that our views of newly discovered environmental problems undergo repeated changes, and that it may take decades for scientists to agree on their causes. Once society decides on countermeasures, it may take decades for them to become effective, and for nature to recover. Thus, environmental management decisions can hardly wait for scientific certainty. We should therefore view environmental management decisions as experiments, to be monitored, learned from, and then modified as needed.


This study sought to examine the relationships among board activities and performance of firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This study used a census approach and a target population of the study comprised of all companies listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange between 2002 and 2016. A total of sixty five (65) companies were listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange as at 31st December 2016. The data on board activities and performance of firms were extracted from annual reports of the individuals firms. This study employed longitudinal descriptive research design to determine relationships amongst board activities and performance of firms. A panel data regression analysis was conducted using random effects model which allowed the companies to have a common mean value of the intercept to determine whether corporate governance influence firm performance. An increasing trend was observed in other board activities variables such board ownership, board meetings, board tools, board committees and number of committees meetings. The study findings on the other hand revealed reducing trend in board tenure and board remuneration of listed firms Kenya. This was inferred to indicate that listed firms in Kenya have been strengthening their corporate governance over the study period. Regression analysis indicated that board activities are insignificant predators of Return on Assets, However board tenure, committees meetings and board remuneration were found to have a positive but insignificant effect on Tobin's Q among listed firms in Kenya. Board ownership board tools, board meetings and number board committees were found to have negatively affected the performance measured by Tobin's Q in listed firms in Kenya. However, only board tools significantly affected the performance measured by Tobin's Q. The study concluded that listed firms in Kenya adopted corporate governance practices as part of the requirements of the regulating authority which had not impact on the specific company's performance. Based on the findings of this study, stakeholders of listed firms and regulating authority such as Capital Markets Authority may relook at the board activities policies of listed firms with the view revising the existing policies or formulating new and more progressive policies to ensure shareholder interests are protected. These policies may go a long way to ensure listed firms not only strengthened their board activities during poor performing seasons but rather clear systems and activities that provide a clear roadmap to guide board operations.


The paper aims at revealing the role of the Compton eect when considering the W-L scattering of the solar pho- tospheric radiation by coronal supra-thermal streams. We first document several examples of well observed cases of linear W-L coronal threads extending above flaring active regions which are good candidates to give the signature known from the interpretation of radio type III bursts. The height-dependent model problem of Compton scattering on the beam of fast elec- trons gyrating around the lines of force of the magnetic field is considered. The resulting change in frequency averaged over the beam and the solid angle, within which the photospheric radiation falls, is computed for both sunward and antisunward di- rected streams. The dependence of the eect on the height above the solar surface, the speed of electrons and the slope angle is discussed. For illustration, we consider the case, in which the frequency distribution of the incident radiation is Planckian. The eective value of the cross-section of interaction is compared with that for the Thomson scattering. In particular, we conclude that, depending on the angle between the directions of the initial outburst and the magnetic field, the streams moving away from the Sun may produce drifts in frequency to the shortwave, as well as to the longwave domains of the spectrum. The eect may become essential even for moderate energies of fast electrons, and it should be measurable using precise photometric color index determination, if only the fractional density of fast electrons is not too small.


Transfusion of Aged Blood in Head and Neck Free Flap Surgery: Perioperative Outcomes Analysis
Background: Transfusion of aged red blood cells (RBCs), those that are near their expiration date, occurs commonly at tertiary medical centers and is associated with decreased tissue oxygenation. Patients who undergo microvascular free tissue reconstruction of the head and neck may be particularly sensitive to old RBCs because the anastomosis and microvasculature of the flap require smooth flow and sufficient blood flow and oxygenation, respectively.
Methods: A retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data in a series of consecutive cases of microvascular reconstruction receiving blood transfusions was performed at a tertiary academic medical center. All patients undergoing ablative surgery of the head and neck with free flap reconstruction between September 2007 and March 2011 were selected. Rates of neck infection, wound dehiscence, free flap loss, need to return to the operating room for revision surgery, infection at the free flap donor site, and mortality were assessed as was age of RBCs transfused preoperatively or postoperatively.


Abstract. Small-scale ionospheric disturbances may cause severe radio scintillations of signals transmitted from global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs). Consequently, small-scale plasma irregularities may heavily degrade the performance of current GNSSs such as GPS, GLONASS or Galileo. This paper presents analysis results obtained primarily from two high-rate GNSS receiver stations designed and operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in cooperation with Bahir Dar University (BDU) at 11.6° N, 37.4° E. Both receivers collect raw data sampled at up to 50 Hz, from which characteristic scintillation parameters such as the S4 index are deduced. This paper gives a first overview of the measurement set-up and the observed scintillation events over Bahir Dar in 2015. Both stations are located close to one another and aligned in an east–west, direction which allows us to estimate the zonal drift velocity and spatial dimension of equatorial ionospheric plasma irregularities. Therefore, the lag times of moving electron density irregularities and scintillation patterns are derived by applying cross-correlation analysis to high-rate measurements of the slant total electron content (sTEC) along radio links between a GPS satellite and both receivers and to the associated signal power, respectively. Finally, the drift velocity is derived from the estimated lag time, taking into account the geometric constellation of both receiving antennas and the observed GPS satellites.


Thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate was improved via addition of transition metals and metal oxides. This work investigates the thermal decomposition of the ammonium perchlorate under the catalytic effect of the commercial nano-TiO2 (nTiO2). Characterization of nTiO2 showed that its average particle size ranged from 10 to 25 nm with a relatively spherical morphology. Ammonium perchlorate and nTiO2 mixes were prepared by adding three different nTiO2 mass fractionsof 1, 2, and 3 wt% to pure ammonium perchlorate. The results of thermogravimetry analysis revealed that the addition of nTiO2 to pure ammonium perchlorate resulted in a significant decline in its decomposition temperature. The most observed decrease in the decomposition temperature was 61 °C resulted from the addition of 3 wt.% nTiO2.


The sex difference in forced-choice sexual jealousy responses has over the past 20 years gradually been established as a stable sex difference by the empirical literature (e.g. Sagarin et al., 2012). The search of possible moderators of the sex-difference has therefore been intensified. In this thesis I aim to investigate to what extent, if any at all, does earlier relationship experiences act as a stable moderator of the sex-difference. For that purpose, I administrated four infidelity scenarios and questions regarding earlier relationship to 473 undergraduate students, 281 women and 192 men. The results from the infidelity scenarios support the established view that men become more upset by sexual aspects of infidelity compared to women. This result is also in line with previous studies conducted in Norway (Kennair et al., 2011; Bendixen et al., submitted). In search of possible moderators connected to earlier relationship experiences I investigated the possible moderation of whether the participants were in a relationship or not, whether the participants have experienced infidelity or not, and whether the participants were in their earlier twenties or late twenties. The results indicate that none of these three factors acted as moderators. For the participants who had experience with infidelity, I investigated the possible moderation of whether the infidelity happened in a previous or current relationship, how long ago since the infidelity occurred, and the degree of commitment in the relationship where the infidelity occurred. None of these three factors resulted in any positive findings. Overall, the results of this thesis indicate that the sex-difference is quite robust in terms of different relationship experiences. In the discussion I emphasize that future research should replicate my negative findings with larger sample sizes and with samples containing other respondents than just undergraduate students. This thesis show that the quest to find stable moderators of the established sex difference in jealousy may be harder than previously thought.


In 1968, Florida's voters adopted a nearly complete revision of the Florida Constitution; the resulting document was Florida's sixth constitution. That constitution provided four ways by which it could be amended; one was a method unique to Florida then and now. That provision called for a Constitution Revision Commission to meet ten years after the 1968 constitution was adopted and every twenty years thereafter to reconsider the entire constitution; determine what, if any, revisions the constitution needed; and propose revisions directly to the voting public. Two such revision commissions have met since 1968. A third will meet in 2017 and 2018. The twenty-year gaps combined with Florida's steep population growth ensure that the voters will be a substantially different group for each revision commission. The constitution and the voters will never be stepping into the same river twice.
This article provides a brief history of how the 1968 Florida Constitution came to be and considers some highlights of the revisions and attempted revisions to Florida's Constitution that have spanned the nearly fifty years since 1968. Many issues have stayed alive the entire time. Some have not changed; some have changed flavor as time has progressed and the needs of Florida's people and land have changed. The article begins in Part I with a brief overview of Florida's previous constitutions. Part II discusses the societal, political, and legal forces that caused the 1968 Constitution to be formed; Part III reviews some important procedural matters that faced the two Constitution Revision Commissions (CRCs) that have met since 1968; and Part IV reviews some major issues that have persevered in one form or another for the entire span of nearly fifty years. It does not, however, emphasize a comparison of the two CRCs, as that task has already been done ably by others. It also does not attempt to review the work of the two Taxation and Budget Reform Commissions that met in 1992 and 2008. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is now the fifth method by which the Florida Constitution may be amended. Instead, this article takes a vertical perspective of the constitution, highlighting a few major issues that have arisen since the constitution was adopted in 1968. For the reader's convenience, I address the highlighted issues in the order in which the constitution is organized. This article is intended to act as a historical guide to readers interested in current constitutional issues in Florida. As the much-quoted philosopher George Santayana has said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Perhaps Florida, with its growing and transient population, can escape this fate.


Rainfall estimates produced from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data have been utilized operationally by the United States Navy since the launch of the first SSM/I sensor in June of 1987. The navy initially contracted Hughes Aircraft Company to develop a rainfall-retrieval algorithm prior to the launch of SSM/I. This first-generation operational navy rainfall retrieval algorithm, referred to as the D-Matrix algorithm, was used until the development of the second-generation algorithm by the SSM/I Calibration/Validation team, which has subsequently been replaced by a third-generation algorithm developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information System. Results from both the D-Matrix and Cal/Val algorithms have been included in a total of five algorithm intercomparison projects conducted through the Global Precipitation Climatology Project and WetNet. A comprehensive summary of both quantitative and qualitative results from these intercomparisons is given detailing many of the strengths and weaknesses of the algorithms. Based on these results, the D-Matrix algorithm was found to produce excessively large estimates over land and to poorly represent the spatial structure of rainfall systems, especially at higher latitudes. The Cal/Val algorithm produces more realistic structure within storm systems but appears to overestimate the region of precipitation for many systems and significantly underestimates regions of intense rainfall. While the Cal/Val algorithm appears to provide better instantaneous rainfall estimates in the Tropics, the D-Matrix algorithm provides reasonable time-averaged results for monthly or longer periods.


New modified chitosan Schiff base (EP-CS-SB) composite was prepared from the reaction of chitosan, epichlorohydrin and trans-cinnamaldehyde (molar ratio 1:1:1) and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. It was applied as a new adsorbent for removal of methyl green (MG) dye. The effects of different significant parameters, such as pH solution (2-10), adsorbent dosage (0.005, 0.01 and 0.02 g) and contact time (0 – 120 min) were explored. Results show that the adsorption process was depended on pH solution. The highest adsorption capacity of EP-CS-SB was obtained 98.47% at pH =8, 120 min, and 0.02 g of EP-CS-SB. EP-CS-SB was found to be a suitable candidate for removal of cationic dye.


Most algorithms for learning and pattern discovery in data assume that all the needed data is available on one computer at a single site. This assumption does not hold in situations where a number of independent databases reside on geographically distributed nodes of a computer network. These databases cannot be moved to a single site due to size, security, privacy and data-ownership concerns but all of them together constitute the dataset in which patterns must be discovered. Some pattern discovery algorithms can be adapted to such situations &nd some others become inefficient or inapplicable. In this paper we show how a decision-tree induction algorithm may be adapted for distributed data situations. We also discuss some general issues relating to the adaptability of other pattern discovery algorithms to distributed data situations


Abstract We describe a scaffolding approach to the task of coreference resolution that incrementally combines statistical classifiers, each designed for a particular mention type, with rule-based models (for sub-tasks well-matched to determinism). We motivate our design by an oracle-based analysis of errors in a rule-based coreference resolution system, showing that rule-based approaches are poorly suited to tasks that require a large lexical feature space, such as resolving pronominal and common-noun mentions. Our approach combines many advantages: it incrementally builds clusters integrating joint information about entities, uses rules for deterministic phenomena, and integrates rich lexical, syntactic, and semantic features with random forest classifiers well-suited to modeling the complex feature interactions that are known to characterize the coreference task. We demonstrate that all these decisions are important. The resulting system achieves 63.2 F1 on the CoNLL-2012 shared task dataset, outperforming the rule-based starting point by over seven F1 points. Similarly, our system outperforms an equivalent sieve-based approach that relies on logistic regression classifiers instead of random forests by over four F1 points. Lastly, we show that by changing the coreference resolution system from relying on constituent-based syntax to using dependency syntax, which can be generated in linear time, we achieve a runtime speedup of 550 per cent without considerable loss of accuracy.


Effective systems management is a desirable, but often lacking, individual and organizational behaviour. An effective management system informs decision making for human, information, technology and machine processes, thus requiring a systemic approach. The consequences for a lack of systems competency are considerable in costs, delays, failures, etc.  In this paper, the authors present a complementarist lean systems management approach.  As a knowledge engineering approach, it combines the CX tool, Transition-Phase Management model (TPM) and Cascading Failure Model (CFM) methodologies into a meta-methodology to manage lean systems. The CX tool is a system model of both current and desired future states in an organization that aspires to be lean. Based on the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust organizational learning loop, the CX tool provides a means to analyse any current or new system, process or project.  The "C" stands for congruence or "equal state" and "X" for all the possible combinations in which the congruence can be developed or improved.  TPM provides a mean to manage process change processes; while CFM allows identifying robust process networks.  Together they quantify specific gaps to inform continuous improvement. The meta-methodology proposed is a pluralistic approach that integrates all phases of process improvement: diagnosis, solution design, implementation and control while combining social sciences, engineering management and systems engineering disciplines.


Boron added steels in quenched and tempered condition have been widely used in applications where good mechanical properties and low cost are required. In this study, impact resistance of DIN 39MnCrB6-2 steel grade was investigated due to its criticality in automotive components. Metastable phase diagrams were built to guide heat treatments. The influence heat treatment parameters and initial microstructure were evaluated. Impact toughness results showed low absorbed energy (<30J) for all tempering temperatures. CVN impact toughness was substantially increased in samples submitted to solution treatment. Microscopic observation showed coarse borocarbides in surface fracture of Q&T samples. It was concluded that the formation of borocarbides is inherent in boron steels and their coarse morphology should be avoided in order to reduce embrittlement.


A survey was conducted to identify demographics and standards of care for treatment of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the United States. Data were accrued from voluntary submission of cancer registry and medical chart information from 769 hospitals representing 2939 cases diagnosed from 1980 to 1985 and 1990 to 1992. Clinical findings, diagnostic procedures employed, treatment practices, and outcome are presented. Overall, 5‐year disease‐specific survival was 33.4%, which segregated to 63.1% (stage I), 57.5%(stage II), 41.8% (stage III), and 22% (stage IV). Survival was best for patients treated with surgery only (50.4%), similar with combined surgery and irradiation (48%), and worse with irradiation only (25.8%). This analysis provides a standard to which current treatment practice and future clinical trials may be compared.


Huge variations in the coats of purebred dogs can be explained by the combinatorial effects of only three genes. The coats of domestic dogs show great variation—long, short, straight, wavy, curly, wiry, or smooth. To investigate how this variation arises, Cadieu et al. performed genome-wide association studies on 80 different dog breeds. The coat phenotype could be dissected into three simple traits of length, curl, and growth pattern or texture, with each trait controlled by one major gene, FGF5 (fibroblast growth factor–5), KRT71 (keratin-71), and RSPO2 (R-spondin–2), respectively. In combination, variants in these three genes alone account for the vast majority of the coat phenotypes in purebred dogs in the United States. Thus, a small number of simply inherited traits can be remixed to create extraordinary phenotypic variation. E. Cadieu, M. W. Neff, P. Quignon, K. Walsh, K. Chase, H. G. Parker, B. M. VonHoldt, A. Rhue, A. Boyko, A. Byers, A. Wong, D. S. Mosher, A. G. Elkahloun, T. C. Spady, C. André, K. G. Lark, M. Cargill, C. D. Bustamante, R. K. Wayne, E. A. Ostrander, Coat variation in the domestic dog is governed by variants in three genes. Science 326, 150–153 (2009). [Abstract] [Full Text]


This study has examined the costs incurred by Microfinance institutions in late, early or no response to the HIV/AIDs pandemic in Kenya. The general objective of the study was to investigate the costs of MFls in response to HIV/AIDS crisis in Kenya. The basic objectives of the study are: to identify and analyze the costs incurred by MFls in response to HIV/AIDs effects to their clients; to examine how staff administration costs are affected as a result of MFI staff being infected or affected by HIV AIDS crisis in Kenya; to identify and analyze the effect of a client's withdrawal of savings on an institution's borrowing costs and to identify the social responsibility cost for the purpose of disseminating information about HIV/AIDS The analysis of the study shows the trend of costs that result on the responses. Such costs include writing off of bad loans, provisioning for bad and doubtful loans and declining liquidity of the Microfinance institutions which are on rise. The early responses strategies such as training the clients and staff and educating them about the pandemic, development of special products for PLWAs as well as developing HIV/AIDs policies are at very minimal level or completely lacks in some MFls. In conclusion MFls should realize that HIV/AIDs is already having disastrous economic effects on their market segment leading to high costs on the responses. Early responses can drastically reduce the spread of pandemic and save the costs of late and non response. Early responses include training and educating the society about the pandemic. HIV/AIDs policy manuals should be developed to formalize the ways in which the pandemic can be contained. More over the institutions should join hands and fund events to disseminate the information about the pandemic.


The aim of this study was to investigate the moral judgments of students of high school and degrees on the death penalty and the reduction of criminal majority. Thus, it was used to support the theoretical and empirical typology of moral development of Lawrence Kohlberg. The study included 200 students who responded, beyond a list that requested information from some of their bio-demographic data, questions related to death penalty and reduction of criminal majority. In general, participants opined in favor of the death penalty and the reduction of criminal majority, and in defense of their views, used mainly typical arguments hierarchically lower stages of the Kohlberg's typology there, however, some differences between the responses according to level of schooling. These results were discussed taking into consideration the Kohlberg's theory and empirical studies dealing with the issues of death penalty and reduction of criminal majority.


Whilst the migration of teachers has been a phenomenon for hundreds of years, the advent of 'globalisation' has seen such migration return to prominence. This article focuses on the experiences of two developing countries in Southern Africa which have been on different ends of the process: South Africa as a net sender of teachers and Botswana as a net receiver of teachers. In comparing these two country experiences it is possible to highlight the complexity and impact of teacher mobility in developing countries. The authors argue that, in both cases, there are signs that international teacher mobility may have been a temporary issue as local markets in both countries have adjusted to meet the new demand. A possible conclusion is that the significance of international teacher mobility for developing country education systems lies less in its quantitative effects in terms of numbers of trained teachers and more in its qualitative effects in terms of the kind of teachers that move.


The Ogallala Aquifer is a key water resource for several U. S. states. TransCanada, a Canadian company, proposes to construct the Keystone XL pipeline to transport tar sands crude oil from Alberta to refineries in Texas; one proposed route would bury the pipeline in the Aquifer, raising water quality and environmental concerns. A rich inventory of information about the Aquifer predates the current controversy. This article presents a key subset of an extensive, ongoing bibliography: 128 citations to gray literature about the Ogallala Aquifer in Nebraska, which are inaccessible online and/or held in only a few libraries. The authors present several examples to illustrate the relevance of this gray literature to current events, comment on difficulties encountered during the bibliographic harvest and the identification of this subset, and reiterate the need for planned preservation through digitization of historical (print) gray literature.


K A R O L IN U M The life and work of Nikolay Lossky, as presented in this monograph, is based not only on biographical and bibliographical information, but, first and foremost is presented in a two-pronged approach, the personal and systematic, which employs spiritual theology in its methodology. Nikolay Lossky's spiritual development is described in the first part. The structure of the subsequent two parts is indicative of the systematic approach. The third part is focused on Lossky's systematic defense of mystical intuition from philosophical and theological viewpoints. The chapters in the next part include Lossky's speculation concerning mystical intuition through an analysis of the nature of the mind and the need for a supernatural transformation into mystical intuition. The final or fourth part, again uses the systematic approach to analyze Lossky's conception of the spiritual development of the personality. Nikolay Lossky, along with an entire generation of Russian emigrants in Europe, interpreted their presence as a call from Providence to renew a dialogue with the Christian West. The Russian emigrants continued to strive for cognition of the Absolute as well as familiarization with the Trinity of a personal God that can be understood through mystical intuition. K a el S lá d ek | N ik la y L ossk y a n d th e C a se or M y sica l In tu iion


Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with pod and kernel traits in cultivated peanut, to permit rapid selection of superior quality genotypes in the breeding program. SSR markers linked to pod and kernel traits were identified in two DNA pools (high and low), which were established using selected F 2:6 recombinant individuals resulting from a cultivated cross between a runner (Tamrun OL01) and a Spanish (BSS 56) peanut. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for pod and kernel-related traits, parents were screened initially with 112 SSR primer pairs. The survey revealed 8.9% polymorphism between parents. Of ten SSR primer pairs distinguishing the parents, five (PM375, PM36, PM45, pPGPseq8D9, and Ah-041) were associated with differences between bulks for seed length, pod length, number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, maturity, or oil content. Association was confirmed by analysis of segregation among 88 F 2:6 individuals in the RIL population. Phenotypic means associated with markers for three traits differed by more than 40%, indicating the presence of QTLs with major effects for number of pods per plant, plant weight, and pod maturity. The SSR markers can be used for marker assisted selection for quality and yield improvement in peanut. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification of SSR markers linked to pod - and kernel- related traits in cultivated peanut.


A new reduced size single probe fed microstrip patch antenna with irregular slits has been presented to be used as a receiving antenna for Global Positioning Systems (GPS) integrated with cellular handheld mobile wireless systems. The proposed design is based on the nearly square microstrip patch antenna with two pairs of orthogonal slits cut from the edge. It has been found that this antenna offers further reduction in size with good radiation properties required for GPS system. The resulting circular polarization bandwidth (with axial ratio ≤ 3 dB) has been found to meet that required for this application. The proposed antenna possesses an average gain of 4.5 dB overall the GPS L1 operation.


In the Sudano-sahelian region, which includes Northern Cameroon, the inter-annual variability of the rainy season is high and irrigation is scarce. As a consequence, bad rainy seasons have a massive impact on crop yield and regularly entail food crises. Traditional insurances based on crop damage assessment are not available because of asymmetric information and high transaction costs compared to the value of production. Moreover the important spatial variability of the weather creates a room for pooling the impact of bad weather using index-based insurance products. We assess the risk mitigation capacity of weather index-based insurance for cotton growers. We compare the capacity of various weather indices coming from different sources (daily rainfall, temperatures and satellite imagery) to increase the expected utility of a representative riskaverse farmer. We first find that weather index-based insurance is associated with huge basis risk, no matter what the index or the expected utility function is chosen, and thus has limited potential for income smoothing (in accordance with previous results in Niger: Leblois et al., 2011). We show that using observed cotton sowing dates significantly increases the performance of indices based on daily rainfall data. We give a tractable definition of basis risk and use it to show that calibrating parameters in sub-regions allows to reduce dramatically basis risk and to avoid non negligible balancing out between distinct geographical zones, even within a relatively bounded area. For instance the use of remote sensing indicators, that have the strong advantage of being cheap, easy to use and available freely, only improve the performance of insurance when calibrated to the appropriate spatail level. This leads to think that weather index-based insurance are worth only if calibrated on an area subject to a homogeneous climate, but potentially distinct weather during the same cropping season. In our case, the size of the area corresponds to about 1 CIRED (Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Developpement), firstname.lastname@example.com 2 CIRED, LMD (Laboratoire de M ́et ́eorologie Dynamique) 3 LOCEAN (Laboratoire d'Oc ́eanographie et du Climat Lxperimentation et Approches Num ́eriques). one decimal degree. We finally provide raw evidence showing that idiosyncratic (intra-village) yield and price shocks are also quite significant, comparing the amplitude of income variations due to those shocks relatively to weather shocks and conclude that they should be considered with greater attention. Those results have to be seen under the light of the recent findings showing very low take-up rates of weather index insurances when actually offered to farmers.


The rapid and continuous developments in computer technologies underscores the need to investigate computers' impact on students' motivation in second/foreign language (L2) reading and writing skills. Given this need, the present empirical study aims to examine the effect of computers on students' motivation in L2 reading and writing skills. 35 students studying in the English Language Teaching Program at a state university in Turkey were firstly given a motivation scale as a pretest. Then they went through a five-week treatment phase during which they carried out various reading and writing activities designed around two different authentic short stories ( The Lottery and The Cask of Amontillado ) by using three different computer programs, namely Snagit TM , Screencast, and e-mail services . Finally, they were again given the motivation scale to determine the change in their motivation level. The analysis of the data indicated a significant increase in student motivation in L2 reading and writing skills. The findings also indicated that the students' frequency and experience of computer use had no significant influence on L2 reading and writing motivation.  Based on these findings, it can be inferred that computers have a positive effect on students' motivation in L2 reading and writing skills.


Capital-goods imports have become an increasing source of growth for the U.S. economy. To understand this phenomenon, we build a neoclassical growth model with international trade in capital goods in which agents face exogenous paths of total factor and investment-specific productivity measures. Investment-specific productivity measures are reflected by the price of capital-goods imports, the price of domestic-equipment investment, and the price of IP products relative to the price of consumption. We use observed prices to solve for optimal investment decisions, and understand the underlying sources of output growth in the U.S. economy. Our findings suggest that the model allocation decisions coming from changes in relative prices explain well the dynamics of investment and U.S. output. Using the model economy, we show that: (i) capital-goods imports have contributed 14 percent to growth in U.S. output per hour since 1975, (ii) capital-goods imports played a small role in the recent weakness in equipment investment, (iii) U.S. output-per-hour growth would have been 18 percent lower without the capital-goods imports technology since 1975, and (iv) in the long run, the implementation of additional tariffs on capital-goods imports would have little impact on the expenditure share of capital-goods imports in equipment investment.


The quantification of tropical tree biodiversity worldwide remains an open and challenging problem. In fact, more than two-fifths of the global tree population can be found either in tropical or sub-tropical forests1, but species identities are known only for ≈ 0.000067% of the individuals in all tropical forests2. For practical reasons, biodiversity is typically measured or monitored at fine spatial scales. However, important drivers of ecological change tend to act at large scales. Conservation issues, for example, apply to diversity at global, national or regional scales. Extrapolating species richness from the local to the global scale is not straightforward. Indeed, a vast number of different biodiversity estimators have been developed under different statistical sampling frameworks3–7, but most of them have been designed for local/regional-scale extrapolations, and they tend to be sensitive to the spatial distribution of trees8, sample coverage and sampling methods9. Here, we introduce an analytical framework that provides robust and accurate estimates of species richness and abundances in biodiversity-rich ecosystems, as confirmed by tests performed on various in silico-generated forests. The new framework quantifies the minimum percentage cover that should be sampled to achieve a given average confidence in the upscaled estimate of biodiversity. Our analysis of 15 empirical forest plots shows that previous methods10,11 have systematically overestimated the total number of species and leads to new estimates of hyper-rarity10 at the global scale11, known as Fisher's paradox2. We show that hyper-rarity is a signature of critical-like behavior12 in tropical forests13–15, and it provides a buffer against mass extinctions16. When biotic factors or environmental conditions change, some of these rare species are more able than others to maintain the ecosystem's functions, thus underscoring the importance of rare species.


This study reports on Thai science students' experiences in writing their master's dissertations in English in a Thai university. Situated in an interpretive, qualitative case study design, the study implements a theoretical framework drawing on the notions of communities of practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991; Wenger, 1998) and imagined communities and investment (Norton, 2000, 2001). The research participants were five master's students and their paired dissertation supervisors recruited from three master's programmes in science disciplines where the medium of instruction was Thai. The students, however, wrote their dissertations in English. Data were derived from questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, collaborative conversations, writing samples, and documents produced by the university. The findings revealed that the students' preference for writing their dissertations in English encompassed their negotiation and shaping of their social identities and investment in their communities of practice. The students reported that they put a great deal of effort into preparing themselves to cope with the perceived linguistic demands of dissertation writing. However, they perceived that their preparation, to a certain extent, was unsuccessful, attributing this to the university's lack of appropriate language support and their unfamiliarity with autonomous language learning. The students' negotiation with the demands of writing their dissertations during the writing-up stage reflected their multidimensional engagement in different literate activities of their communities of practice. This included making use of authoritative written artefacts, accommodating their supervisors' expectations, and developing a linguistic repertoire through interacting with other members of their communities, particularly those from their local, immediate, interactive communities of practice. This study articulates the various needs in understanding dissertation writing practices and other interconnected academic literacy practices as socially and ideologically constructed in a local, immediate milieu. The study also provides EAP practitioners with pedagogical implications for planning, preparing and delivering dissertation writing support for science postgraduate students. It also suggests that dissertation supervisors should initiate an open dialogue with their students during the supervision process and engage in collegial discussions with their colleagues in order to co-construct effective supervision practices.


Aim: To describe current practice and priorities of dietitians during the acute (≤3months) and long-term (≥6months) management of liver transplant recipients. Methods: Ten liver transplant dietitians (10/14, 71%) in Australia, New Zealand, UK and USA responded to an online survey. The survey graded nutrition priorities on a Likert scale, recorded barriers to service delivery and workforce allocation for nutrition services (ratio of full-time equivalent: annual transplant rate). Results: Just over half (n = 6, 60%) reported routine dietary assessment post-liver transplant. The majority (90%, n = 9) also provide initial dietary education in the acute setting. Thirty percent (n = 3) routinely provide ongoing acute follow up; however, no sites provide routine follow up after 6months. Dietitian-to-transplant patient ratios demonstrated a broad range of resource allocation across sites 1:244 (1:39-1:1410). 70% (n = 7) reported lack of funding as a major barrier. Protein and energy requirements (n = 10, 100%) were identified as the main clinical focus in the acute period. Prevention of post-transplant weight gain and diabetes were identified as priority areas during the acute period by 60% of respondents (n = 6) and long-term management by all respondents (n = 10, 100%). Conclusion: This international survey identified inconsistent resourcing of nutrition services post-liver transplantation, with lack of funding the main barrier to providing long-term care. While the majority of liver transplant dietitians prioritise prevention of excessive weight gain, long-term follow up is limited. Further research is needed to investigate the optimal management of liver transplant recipients.


On June 21, 2019, at the 82nd year, died a leading researcher, candidate of biological sciences, academician of the International Academy of Sciences of Ecological Safety, deserveded inventor of Ukraine Vasil Grigorovigh Kebko.

G. Kebko was born on February 4, 1938 in the village of Homutets, Myrhorod district, Poltava region. In 1961 he graduated from the zootechnical faculty of the Poltava Agricultural Institute.

From 1961 to 1963 he worked a state inspector of the Ruzaevsky Inspection by Provision of Agricultural Products, a senior zootechnician of the pedigree business and chief zootechnician of the supporting and exponential state farm "Victory of Illich" of the Ruzaevsky district of the Kokshetau region of Kazakhstan. In 1963–1968 he was the chief zootechnician of the collective farm named after Kirov city of Sambir, Lviv region.
From 1968 to 1970 – post-graduate student of the cathedra of feeding of agricultural animals of the Ukrainian Agricultural Academy. V. G. Kebko defended his dissertation for the get at scientific degree of candidate of biological sciences in the specialty "Feeding of agricultural animals and feed technology" in 1971, and in 1977 he was awarded the scientific title of senior researcher in the specialty of biochemistry.
Vasil Grigorovich's fruitful scientific researches are marked by versatility and practical importance for the development of animal husbandry in Ukraine. He engage in studied the nutritional value of feeds and the development of nitrogen-mineral-vitamin premixes for growing and fattening cattle according to detailed norms of feeding, carried out the prophylaxis of acidic disturbance of acid-alkaline balance and normalization of metabolic processes in organism of the cattle when fattening on rations with a high content acid gram-equivalents, carried out scientific securement of transaction branch of the meat cattle breeding and production of ecological friendly beef in the areas contaminated with radionuclides, developed new technology production feeds of animal origin.
According to the results of scientific researches, Vasil Grigorovich has published more than 250 scientific works alone and in creative co-authorship. His scientific developments are widely implemented in the production of agroindustrial sector different forms property of Ukraine, in particular SPE "Biokor-Argo" (ecological energy-saving technology for the production of feeds from wastes processing of fish, poultry and hydrolysed feathers raw material), CAE "Svitanok" Obuhiv district (nitrogen-mineral-vitamin premixes in animal feeding), SPE "Shupyky" of Boguslav district (mineral-vitamin preparations for balancing rations of cows and young animals) and others.
For the development of 38 authorial certificates and patents for inventions and useful models Vasil Grigorovich was awarded the honorary title of deserved inventor of Ukraine.
The personality of Vasil Grigorovich, who was able to inspire his foresight and constructiveness of approaches, originality of thinking and ability to realize his ideas, will forever remain in our memory and our hearts.


Abstract Background Inorganic nitrate, abundant in leafy green vegetables and beetroot, is thought to have protective health benefits. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet reduces the incidence and severity of coronary artery disease, whereas supplementation with nitrate can improve submaximal exercise performance. Once ingested, oral commensal bacteria may reduce nitrate to nitrite, which may subsequently be reduced to nitric oxide during conditions of hypoxia and in the presence of "nitrite reductases" such as heme- and molybdenum-containing enzymes. Objective We aimed to explore the putative effects of inorganic nitrate and nitrite on mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle. Methods Mice were subjected to a nitrate/nitrite-depleted diet for 2 wk, then supplemented with sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, or sodium chloride (1 g/L) in drinking water ad libitum for 7 d before killing. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and expression of uncoupling protein (UCP) 3, ADP/ATP carrier protein (AAC) 1 and AAC2, and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) were assessed by respirometry and Western blotting. Studies were also undertaken in human skeletal muscle biopsies from a cohort of coronary artery bypass graft patients treated with either sodium nitrite (30-min infusion of 10 μmol/min) or vehicle [0.9% (wt:vol) saline] 24 h before surgery. Results Neither sodium nitrate nor sodium nitrite supplementation altered mitochondrial coupling efficiency in murine skeletal muscle, and expression of UCP3, AAC1, or AAC2, and PDH phosphorylation status did not differ between the nitrite and saline groups. Similar results were observed in human samples. Conclusions Sodium nitrite failed to improve mitochondrial metabolic efficiency, rendering this mechanism implausible for the purported exercise benefits of dietary nitrate supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04001283.


This guide is intended to help you search for images to use in your projects and research. It is not a comprehensive list of image resources, but instead an introduction to UIUC databases and websites we think might be useful.