Current energetic context involving skyrocketing oil prices, population growing rates without precedents and increasing concerns about nuclear energy and climate change issues requires rapid, economically feasible and reliable progress in the field of renewable energies. We have the responsibility today of building the energetic scheme of tomorrow. Amongst renewable energies, thermal solar energy has already proven both reliable and competitive with adequate feed-in tariffs and offers some key advantages such as the possibility to store the energy as well as the good controllability of the transformed energy that translates into a great connectivity to the grid. The goal of this project is to perform a thermo-economic analysis and optimization of a solar thermal power plant combining two existing technologies, namely a tower and a parabolic trough power plant. To do so, accurate and reliable modelling of both power plants has been necessary. For the energyintegration, software developed at LENI (EPFL) has been used such as Osmose or Energy Technologies [2]. For the multi-objective optimization MOO [3] software, a LENI tool as well, has been used. Trough–tower combination power plants, when properly integrated, present higher energy efficiencies than those of either the tower or the trough power plants individually. Large power plants (around 80 MW) can be thus imagined (as large as current trough power plants) yet featuring an energy efficiency (17%) even higher than current state-of-the art tower power plants and similar levelised energy costs (0.08 USD/kWh) to typical values of trough power plants. These results represent another step forward for concentrating solar power, technology that is certainly called to play a major role in tomorrow's energetic scheme.


ABSTRACT The article addresses the sphere of performing arts as part of Russia's security policy and, in particular, its propaganda dimensions. The authors approach cultural representations as appeals to universal norms rather than to national interests and in this respect focus on two specific cases of aestheticization of military force applied beyond the national borders of the Russian Federation — in Georgia in August 2008 and in Syria since September 2015. These cases are comparable with each other, since the external projections of Russia's hard power were accompanied by similar cultural gestures — namely, public concerts of classical music performed by the world-famous Valery Gergiev's Mariinsky Theater in two sites controlled by Russian troops, Tskhinvali and Palmyra. The article argues that the Russian government uses two strategies of aestheticizing its military missions — mimetic (implying the closest possible correspondence to reality) and aesthetic (based on imageries), though the distinction between the two is not always well fixed.


Contributing to democratic malaise in operative democracies are transnational constitution-like commitments such as those found in international investment law. Among its constraints, citizens are legally discouraged from initiating policy innovations that will upset investment expectations. Yet, one of the great virtues of democratic society, according to Tocqueville, is the capacity to change minds: an ability to repair mistakes. Though the threat of continual legislative innovation resulted in costly instability, it served as a catalyst for an energetic public and private life. So as to tame the threat of intemperate change, Tocqueville looked to the guiding hand of lawyers and judges – the functional equivalent of an aristocracy – to moderate majoritarian excess. International investment lawyers have lost sight of the equilibrium that Tocqueville envisaged, privileging legal disciplines over the ability of democratic polities to experiment and innovate. For Tocqueville, democratic life would be intolerable and citizens reduced to a 'herd of timid animals' if too many constraints were placed upon legislative energy. This paper brings Tocqueville's lessons to bear on the field of international investment law. It pleads for a reduction in the influence of lawyers and their legal disciplines, beyond those contained in national constitutional systems, on democratic practice.


Fractional Calculus and Fractional Processes with Applications to Financial Economics presents the theory and application of fractional calculus and fractional processes to financial data. Fractional calculus dates back to 1695 when Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz first suggested the possibility of fractional derivatives. Research on fractional calculus started in full earnest in the second half of the twentieth century. The fractional paradigm applies not only to calculus, but also to stochastic processes, used in many applications in financial economics such as modelling volatility, interest rates, and modelling high-frequency data. The key features of fractional processes that make them interesting are long-range memory, path-dependence, non-Markovian properties, self-similarity, fractal paths, and anomalous diffusion behaviour. In this book, the authors discuss how fractional calculus and fractional processes are used in financial modelling and finance economic theory. It provides a practical guide that can be useful for students, researchers, and quantitative asset and risk managers interested in applying fractional calculus and fractional processes to asset pricing, financial time-series analysis, stochastic volatility modelling, and portfolio optimization.Provides the necessary background for the book's content as applied to financial economicsAnalyzes the application of fractional calculus and fractional processes from deterministic and stochastic perspectives


This article aims to contribute to a discussion of what design anthropology brings to the deployment of critical modes of engagement and artefacts in design. And, conversely, discuss how this specific framing of design anthropology may add to its disciplinary potential. I propose to do this by discussing how design provocations and critical artefacts, as transitional devices, and at different stages in a design process, can evoke a critical stance or render intrinsic controversies visible, while turning the artefacts into objects of mediation between heterogeneous assemblages of stakeholders, contexts and concerns. By framing design anthropology within a distinctly speculative and critical approach to design, this article furthermore brings into question the value of ethnographic inquiry as merely implications for design, and goes on to suggest a richer and more interventionist application of anthropology with specific relevance for the scaffolding and articulation of a critical stance in design.


This paper examines the impact of international soccer games of three major soccer clubs of Turkey (Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Galatasaray), as well as the Turkish national team on Turkish Lira (TL) against the U.S. dollar and TL against Euro during the period between 2003 and 2010. We find that draws and losses do not affect the exchange rates. However, when the effect of wins for each team is analyzed, it is found that a win effect exists only for the Turkish national team. Early studies found that TL tends to depreciate after a Turkish soccer club win over foreign rivals. However, a depressing effect after a win is rare in the literature. This study provides evidence that local currency actually appreciates after a win.


Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and ischemic heart disease is the most common manifestation. Despite improved outcomes during the last decades, patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are still at substantial risk of recurrent ischemic events and mortality.The aims of this thesis were to investigate the effect of the novel antiplatelet agent ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS), overall and in relation to initial revascularization, and to explore this effect in relation to cardiac biomarkers. The impact of timing of revascularization in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was also studied, by assessing risk of mortality and recurrent myocardial infarction in relation to delay of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a nation-wide cohort. Finally, a novel clinical prediction model based on angiographic findings, biomarkers, and clinical characteristics was developed to estimate risk of ischemic events after performed revascularization.Ticagrelor treatment compared with clopidogrel was associated with a reduction in the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction/stroke and mortality alone, without any increase in overall major bleeding, but increased non-CABG-related major bleeding. The effect of ticagrelor over clopidogrel was consistent independent of initial revascularization. Elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T predicted benefit of ticagrelor over clopidogrel, while no difference between treatments was detected at normal levels. In patients with NSTEMI, PCI treatment within two days after hospital admission was associated with lower risk of all-cause death and recurrent myocardial infarction compared with delayed PCI. The new clinical prediction model included the following variables: prior vascular disease, extent of coronary artery disease, level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and estimated glomerular filtration rate; and showed good discriminatory ability for the risk prediction of cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction/stroke and cardiovascular death alone.In conclusion, these results show that ticagrelor reduces the risk of recurrent ischemic events and mortality in patients with NSTE-ACS when compared with clopidogrel, and this effect seems independent of performed revascularization. The results also indicate that biomarkers could be used to select patients who would benefit most from more intense platelet inhibition. Furthermore, early PCI in NSTEMI seems to be associated with improved outcome. Finally, the novel clinical prediction model based only on four variables showed good discriminatory ability, which makes it a potentially effective and simple tool for tailored treatment based on individual risk of recurrent events.


Cell patterning during embryogenesis is essential for establishing the identity of the developing body plan. Hox genes are fundamental regulators of tissue organisation along the anterior-posterior body axis of the developing embryo. These homeodomain-containing proteins act as transcription factors during normal development. The function of the homeodomain is to bind sequence-specific DNAmotifs which allows either activation or repression of downstream effector genes, which consequently results in the control of tissue-specific determination and differentiation. Aberrant expression of such Hox genes, including Hoxa-9 can result in homeotic transformations leading to phenotypic malformations and oncogenesis. However the normal function of Hoxa-9 is poorly understood. This study explored the potential role for Hoxa-9 in normal development and differentiation. An in situ hybridisation approach was taken to define the expression of Hoxa-9 in the developing mouse. Hoxa-9 was found to expressed in a temporarily and spatially regulated manner, in particular being detected in the developing cardiac atria, ventricles and cardiac vessels during E9.5-E12 stages of development. The expression of this homeotic gene during in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes and haematopoietic cells demonstrated a profile that correlated with the emergence of these cell types. The functioning relationship between Hoxa-9 expression and lineage commitment was Airther explored using over-expression in embryonic stem cells. A potential role for Hoxa-9 in normal development is discussed.


The excitation efficiency of a morphology-dependent resonance (MDR) by an incident beam is defined as the fraction of the beam power channeled into the MDR. The efficiency is calculated for a focused Gaussian beam of arbitrary width incident on either a spherical particle or a cylindrical fiber located at an arbitrary position in the plane of the beam waist. In each case a simple formula for the efficiency is derived by use of the localized approximation for the beam-shape coefficients in the partial-wave expansion of the beam. The physical interpretation of the efficiency formulas is also discussed.


Many variables useful for clinical research (e.g. patient disease state, treatment regimens) are trapped in free-text clinical notes. Structuring such variables for downstream use typically involves a tedious process in which domain experts manually search through long clinical timelines. Natural language processing systems present an opportunity for automating this workflow, but algorithms still have trouble accurately parsing the most complex patient cases, which may be best deferred to experts. In this work, we present a framework that automatically structures simple patient cases, but when required, iteratively requests human input, specifically a label for a single note in the patient's timeline that would decrease uncertainty in model output. Our method provides a lightweight way to leverage domain experts. We test our system on two tasks from a cohort of oncology patients: identification of the date of (i) metastasis onset and (ii) oral therapy start. Compared to standard search heuristics, we show we can reduce 80% of model errors with less than 15% of the manual annotation effort that may otherwise be required.


This book is a reference guide for healthcare executives and technology providers involved in the ongoing digital transformation of the healthcare sector. The book focuses specifically on the challenges and opportunities for health systems in their journey toward a digital future. It draws from proprietary research and public information, along with interviews with over one hundred and fifty executives in leading health systems such as Cleveland Clinic, Partners, Mayo, Kaiser, and Intermountain as well as numerous technology and retail providers. The authors explore the important role of technology and that of EHR systems, digital health innovators, and big tech firms in the ongoing digital transformation of healthcare. Importantly, the book draws on the accelerated learnings of the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic in their digital transformation efforts to adopt telehealth and virtual care models. Features of this book: Provides an understanding of the current state of digital transformation and the factors influencing the ongoing transformation of the healthcare sector. Includes interviews with executives from leading health systems. Describes the important role of emerging technologies; EHR systems, digital health innovators, and more. Includes case studies from innovative health organizations. Provides a set of templates and frameworks for developing and implementing a digital roadmap. Based on best practices from real-life examples, the book is a guidebook that provides a set of templates and frameworks for digital transformation practitioners in healthcare.... Download ebook, read file pdf How Consumerism, Technology and Pandemic are Accelerating the Future


Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have proved to be a useful tool for unveiling many aspects of pore formation in lipid membranes under the influence of external electric fields. In order to compare the size-related properties of pores in bilayers of various compositions, generated and maintained under different physical and chemical conditions, reference metrics are needed for characterizing pore geometry and its evolution over time. In the present paper three different methodologies for evaluating electropore geometrical behavior will be compared: (i) the first allows analysis of the dimensions of the pore through an algorithm that uses a Monte Carlo simulated annealing procedure to find the best route for a sphere with variable radius to squeeze through the pore channel; (ii) a more recent procedure extracts pore volume from an integration of a three-dimensional model of the irregular shape of the pore; (iii) a new method based on a statistical approach (following essential dynamics principles) describes pore geometrical fluctuations in a robust and reproducible way. For the same pore height of 2 nm the three methods give rise to mean electropore radii up to 3-fold different. The three approaches described here are not system-specific, i.e. the methods can be generalized for any kind of pore for which appropriate structural information is available.


Two cousins grow up in the 1860s on a lonely farm in the thirsty mountain veld. Em is fat, sweet and contented, a born housewife; Lyndall, clever, restless, beautiful...and doomed. Their childhood is disrupted by a bombastic Irishman, Bonaparte Blenkins, who gains uncanny influence over the girls' gross, stupid stepmother...This novel is one of the most astonishing, least-expected fiction masterpieces of its time and one that has had an enduring influence.


Energy policy needs to rely on the proper understanding of the interactions between policy instruments, consumer preferences, investment behavior, market structure, electricity supply, and the wider policy environment. This asks for appropriate modeling tools, able to represent precisely electricity supply options, model all types of energy and climate policies, as well as the reactions of the rest of the economy. Chapter 2 describes the ELECTRA-CH framework, developed to analyze electricity markets in Switzerland. This framework is composed of two component models: (1) a dynamic electricity supply model, CROSSTEM-CH, and (2) a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of the Swiss economy, GENESwIS. The two models are coupled through an iterative soft link. Electricity market liberalization is altering pricing mechanisms in wholesale electricity markets, and thus the links between generation costs and user prices. This will affect the effectiveness of climate and energy policies. Models used to simulate such policies must be responsive to pricing rules. Chapter 3 shows how this can be done with the ELECTRA-CH framework and simulates a tightening of climate and energy policies. In the coupling procedure, the link between wholesale electricity prices (top-down) and generation costs (bottom-up) depends precisely on regulatory market assumptions: In the regulated market, wholesale electricity prices are "cost-plus", while they depend on marginal generation costs in the liberalized market. We show that, in Switzerland, an electricity tax is significantly more effective in reducing electricity demand in the liberalized than in the regulated market. Technology restrictions are still widely used in energy policy. Concerns about security, climate, or jobs preservation induce political quasi-selections of electricity generation technologies. Instruments inherited from regulation, technology restrictions may have different impacts on the economy when markets are largely liberalized. In chapter 4, we analyze (1) a balanced-trade scenario in which Switzerland's annual electricity production must be equal to its consumption; and (2) a no-gas scenario that forbids gas-fired power plants, but accepts net electricity imports. For Switzerland, the prohibition of gas-fired power plants and relaxation of trade constraints lower average cost while increasing marginal cost. With marginal cost pricing in liberalized markets, this increases profits. Reduction in total system cost and increase in electricity price affect welfare in opposite ways. A pure bottom-up analysis would overestimate the benefits of technology restrictions. Our framework's strength lies in the capacity of exploring interactions in a complex economic system, rather than in strict policy recommendations. Therefore, in this thesis, the emphasis is put on the understanding of mechanisms. At the end of this research, it has been shown that energy modelers must communicate and temper their results carefully. While much has been said about the impact of assumptions on substitution elasticities and exogenous costs projections on modeling results, this research adds to the awareness on the effects of market liberalization assumptions and choice of modeling framework on policy assessment.


Synthesis and Reactions of 8-membered Heterocycles from 3-Dimethylamino-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine and Saccharin or Phthalimide

3-Dimethylamino-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine (1) reacts at 0-20° with the NH-acidic compounds saccharin (2) and phthalimide (8) to give the 8-membered heterocycles 3-dimethylamino-4,4-dimethyl-5,6-dihydro-4 H-1,2,5-benzothiadiazocin-6-one-1,1-dioxide (3a) and 4-dimethylamino-3,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2,5-benzodiazocin-1,6-dione (9), respectively. The structure of 3a has been established by X-ray (chap. 2). A possible mechanism for the formation of 3a and 9 is given in Schemes 1 and 4.

Reduction of 3a with sodium borohydride yields the 2-sulfamoylbenzamide derivative 4(Scheme 2); in methanolic solution 3a undergoes a rearrangement to give the methyl 2-sulfamoyl-benzoate 5. The mechanism for this reaction as suggested in Scheme 2 involves a ring contraction/ring opening sequence. Again a ring contraction is postulated to explain the formation of the 4H-imidazole derivative 7 during thermolysis of 3a at 180° (Scheme 3).

The 2,5-benzodiazocine derivative 9 rearranges in alcoholic solvents to 2-(5′-dimethylamino-4′,4′-dimethyl-4′H-imidazol-2′-yl) benzoates (10, 11), in water to the corresponding benzoic acid 12, and in alcoholic solutions containing dimethylamine or pyrrolidine to the benzamides 13 and 14, respectively (Scheme 5). The reaction with amines takes place only in very polar solvents like alcohols or formamide, but not in acetonitrile. Possible mechanisms of these rearrangements are given in Scheme 5.

Sodium borohydride reduction of 9 in 2-propanol yields 2-(5′-dimethylamino-4′,4′-dimethyl-4′H-imidazol-2′-yl)benzyl alcohol (15, Scheme 6) which is easily converted to the O-acetate 16. Hydrolysis of 15 with 3N HCl at 50° leads to an imidazolinone derivative 17a or 17b, whereas hydrolysis with 1N NaOH yields a mixture of phthalide (18) and 2-hydroxymethyl-benzoic acid (19, Scheme 6). The zwitterionic compound 20 (Scheme 7) results from the hydrolysis of the phthalimide-adduct 9 or the esters 11 and 12. Interestingly, compound 9 is thermally converted to the amide 13 and N-(1′-carbamoyl-1′-methylethyl)phthalimide (21, Scheme 7) whose structure has been established by an independent synthesis starting with phthalic anhydride and 2-amino-isobutyric acid. However, the reaction mechanism is not clear at this stage.


Consensus in macroeconomics helps policymakers formulate a coherent and logically consistent group of policies. At different times in the post-war era there has been consensus around first Keynesian and then monetarist ideas. Economic crises have frequently brought one type of consensus to an end, allowing another to be formed. For much of the 1990s and 2000s there seemed to be consensus built on compromise about the way in which fiscal and monetary policy should be used. However, this collapsed with the global financial and economic crisis. For a brief interlude, a Keynesian consensus re-emerged, but this did not last. At present, there are sharp divisions among economists concerning the effects of macroeconomic policy, and this means that life has become much more confusing for policymakers. This article explores what has been going on, and considers the implications for the future.


The main focus in this thesis is metamorphoses and transformations in A.E. Stallings' early poetry, where I explicate poems from her two volumes of poetry, Archaic Smile (1999) and Hapax (2006). The volumes share similarities, such as thematic use, however, the volumes are different on many terms as well. I argue that a shift has happened from volume one and volume two, and argue my case that Stallings herself has gone through a change due to various reasons which this thesis will try to unravel. In the introduction I will present A.E. Stallings and some of her background, possible influences and writing style, moreover introduce my thesis statement. In chapter I, New Formalism will undergo a critical discussion, as the movement is often linked to A.E. Stallings, which she strongly dislikes. In this chapter I also draw in Ovid's Metamorphoses and argue that A.E. Stallings, due to many reasons, must be influenced by the work. In chapter II, the poems from Archaic Smile with metamorphosis or transformation are going through explications, and the same happens in chapter III, although now the poems from Hapax with metamorphosis and transformation are the target. The last chapter, IV, contains conclusions of my findings, in addition to some comparisons between the volumes of poetry. In this chapter I will answer the questions from my thesis statement. At the end of the thesis is an appendix with an e-mail from A.E. Stallings, where she replies back from questions I have asked her in a previous e-mail. She is aware that I write a master's thesis about her poetry, and she says she is honored that I write about this.


Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is known to alter DNA structure and impair cellular function in all living organisms. One proposed mechanism of injury involves the production of harmful free radicals. The DNA damage caused by UV radiation can lead to a myriad of medical issues, but there is limited research on potential rescue interventions. However, studies have suggested that naturally occurring antioxidants may exert their positive influence on an organism by reducing oxidative injury, which leads to the purpose of this project: to study the effects of UV radiation and determine whether antioxidant-enriched nutrition can combat the potential deleterious effects of UV radiation on Drosophila melanogaster. We hypothesized that UV radiation would diminish the lifespan and fertility of Drosophila, as well as causing physical abnormalities. We also predicted that Drosophila cultured in the presence of media enriched with the antioxidant curcumin would have enhanced lifespans and fertility. Finally, we hypothesized that raising Drosophila with curcumin-enriched media, would diminish the negative impact of UV radiation on the organism's longevity and fertility. We found that UVB (320nm) radiation caused a 59% decrease in the Drosophila lifespan and mutagenic effects on flies' physical appearance, but did not significantly affect fertility. Curcumin significantly prolonged lifespan and enhanced fertility for both UV- and non-UV-exposed flies. Therefore, we conclude that curcumin can prolong lifespan, enhance fertility, and mitigate the deleterious effects of UV radiation on Drosophila. Our research demonstrates that we can harness the positive potential of natural antioxidants and use them as weapons in our war against radiation-induced diseases, including conditions like cancer.


The third-order ghost imaging with the second-order intensity correlation is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. The resolution and visibility of the reconstructed image are discussed, and the relationship between resolution and visibility is analyzed. The theoretical results show that a tradeoff exists between the visibility and resolution of the reconstructed image; the better the image resolution, the worse the image visibility. Numerical simulations are carried out to verify this theory, and a ghost imaging experiment is conducted to validate our calculations. The experimental results agree with the theoretical predictions.


This paper describes the observations and the first data release (DR1) of the ESO public spectroscopic survey "VANDELS, a deep VIMOS survey of the CANDELS CDFS and UDS fields". The main targets of VANDELS are star-forming galaxies at redshift 2.4 < z < 5.5, an epoch when the Universe had not yet reached 20% of its current age, and massive passive galaxies in the range 1 < z < 2.5. By adopting a strategy of ultra-long exposure times, ranging from a minimum of 20 h to a maximum of 80 h per source, VANDELS is specifically designed to be the deepest-ever spectroscopic survey of the high-redshift Universe. Exploiting the red sensitivity of the refurbished VIMOS spectrograph, the survey is obtaining ultra-deep optical spectroscopy covering the wavelength range 4800–10 000 Å with a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio to investigate the astrophysics of high-redshift galaxy evolution via detailed absorption line studies of well-defined samples of high-redshift galaxies. VANDELS-DR1 is the release of all medium-resolution spectroscopic data obtained during the first season of observations, on a 0.2 square degree area centered around the CANDELS-CDFS (Chandra deep-field south) and CANDELS-UDS (ultra-deep survey) areas. It includes data for all galaxies for which the total (or half of the total) scheduled integration time was completed. The DR1 contains 879 individual objects, approximately half in each of the two fields, that have a measured redshift, with the highest reliable redshifts reaching zspec ~ 6. In DR1 we include fully wavelength-calibrated and flux-calibrated 1D spectra, the associated error spectrum and sky spectrum, and the associated wavelength-calibrated 2D spectra. We also provide a catalog with the essential galaxy parameters, including spectroscopic redshifts and redshift quality flags measured by the collaboration. We present the survey layout and observations, the data reduction and redshift measurement procedure, and the general properties of the VANDELS-DR1 sample. In particular, we discuss the spectroscopic redshift distribution and the accuracy of the photometricredshifts for each individual target category, and we provide some examples of data products for the various target typesand the different quality flags. All VANDELS-DR1 data are publicly available and can be retrieved from the ESO archive. Two further data releases are foreseen in the next two years, and a final data release is currently scheduled for June 2020, which will include an improved rereduction of the entire spectroscopic data set.


Using an optical pyrometer method, the thermal conductivity of tungsten has been found to vary linearly from 1.170 watts/(cm2 K°/cm) at 1100°K to 1.026 watts/(cm2 K°/cm) at 2000°K. Similarly, the thermal conductivity of molybdenum has been found to vary linearly from 1.083 watts/(cm2 K°/cm) at 1200°K to 0.666 watt/(cm2 K°/cm) at 1900°K. Spectrographic analysis indicated only traces of impurities in samples of the two metals used in the investigation.


This paper presents a new approach for the evaluation of the detection of synonymy relations between terms. Our goal is to help the terminology structuring. This approach exploits the synonymy relationships which have been extracted from lexical resources to infer synonymy links between complex terms. The inferred links are then validated by an human expert in the context of a terminological application. In a previous evaluation on documents dealing with electric power plant, the expert has underlined that the most important point is to increase the recall even if the precision is low and if some links are mistyped. This paper reports new experiments which help to understand how this synonymy detection approach is to be used. Various lexical resources — from general language dictionary to very specialized semantic information — are exploited and compared as bootstrapping knowledge. Results show the complementary of the different sources. The first evaluation relied on traditional recall and precision measures. However, those scores do not reflect the usefulness of the inferred links for the terminology structuring. From the terminologist's point of view, erroneous links are quick to eliminated. They may even suggest good ones. Above all, the system points out relations between terms which are generally not found manually. We thus aim at proposing a new evaluation criteria which better reflects the expert's and terminologist's point of view in the application context. This score points out the quality of the results and the validation cost rather than the proportion of validated links. We have designed an evaluation score which takes into account the productivity of the dictionary links. It can be viewed as a normalization of the precision.


Since the years 2000, three space missions, CHAMP, GRACE, and GOCE, have led us to consider the Earth's gravitational field and its measurement in a new light, using dedicated sensors and adequate data processing, revealing the changes in the Earth's field as the true signal rather than the disturbing terms in addition to the geostatic reference field. Besides the possibilities offered by new technologies for the development of inertial sensors, a space environment of course involves special constraints, but also allows the possibility of a specific optimization of the concepts and techniques well suited for microgravity conditions. We will analyze and compare with others the interest in the electrostatic configuration of the instruments used in the main payload of these missions, and we will consider the recent MICROSCOPE mission, which takes advantage of the same mission configuration as a gradiometry mission to test the universality of free fall whatever the mass composition. A few days after launching the satellite in April 2016, we will show how we intend to validate the future result, the existence or not of a violation signal of the equivalence principle, taking into account the laboratory tests, where available, and the in-flight demonstrated performance during the calibration phases and the scientific measurements. With regard to ground measurements, either fixed or mobile, or under marine or aircraft conditions, we will demonstrate the complementary interest of the atomic interferometer. Finally, we will briefly discuss the future envisaged for these technologies, like that already implemented in the Lisa-Pathfinder mission without a gold wire for the electrical control of the charges of the mass, and these types of mission.


Anaerobic bacteria inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract have evolved various enzymes that modify host-derived steroids. The bacterial steroid-17,20-desmolase pathway cleaves the cortisol side chain, forming pro-androgens predicted to impact host physiology. Bacterial 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20β-HSDH) regulates cortisol side-chain cleavage by reducing the C-20 carboxyl group on cortisol, yielding 20β-dihydrocortisol. Recently, the gene encoding 20β-HSDH in Butyricicoccus desmolans ATCC 43058 was reported, and a nonredundant protein search yielded a candidate 20β-HSDH gene in Bifidobacterium adolescentis strain L2-32. B. adolescentis 20β-HSDH could regulate cortisol side-chain cleavage by limiting pro-androgen formation in bacteria such as Clostridium scindens and 21-dehydroxylation by Eggerthella lenta. Here, the putative B. adolescentis 20β-HSDH was cloned, overexpressed, and purified. 20β-HSDH activity was confirmed through whole-cell and pure enzymatic assays, and it is specific for cortisol. Next, we solved the structures of recombinant 20β-HSDH in both the apo- and holo-forms at 2.0–2.2 Å resolutions, revealing close overlap except for rearrangements near the active site. Interestingly, the structures contain a large, flexible N-terminal region that was investigated by gel-filtration chromatography and CD spectroscopy. This extended N terminus is important for protein stability because deletions of varying lengths caused structural changes and reduced enzymatic activity. A nonconserved extended N terminus was also observed in several short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family members. B. adolescentis strains capable of 20β-HSDH activity could alter glucocorticoid metabolism in the gut and thereby serve as potential probiotics for the management of androgen-dependent diseases.


Abstract New ENDF-6 formatted nuclear data libraries are presented for 204,206,207,208Pb and 209Bi, for incident neutrons and protons. Apart from the resonance range, which we have adopted from the best available source in existing libraries, the nuclear data evaluations are completely revised in the 0 to 20 MeV energy range and moreover extend up to 200 MeV. This collection of isotopic evaluations is created by using the nuclear model code TALYS with a consistent set of input parameters for all isotopes. The most important nuclear reaction models and parameters needed for our data files are described. We have intended to make these evaluations complete in their description of reaction channels, and use a consistent method to store the data in ENDF-6 format, which includes cross sections, angular distributions, double-differential spectra, discrete and continuum photon production cross sections, and residual production (activation) cross sections including isomers. It is shown that the data present in our libraries give an improved agreement with existing basic experimental data. Moreover, we have validated the new libraries with criticality and shielding benchmarks, where available. We present the results of neutronics calculations on subcritical accelerator-driven systems to show the impact of our new nuclear data on critical reactor parameters, such as keff, when compared with the existing ENDF/B-VI, JENDL, and JEFF libraries.


Under the Second Empire in France, Cordier received several assignments in North Africa and there he completed "scientific" busts that were just as much works of art. His busts in silver or gilt bronze, onyx and coloured marble are delicate gems, reflecting Cordier's interest in other civilizations, most notably African. The Musee d'Orsay in Paris has organized an unprecedented international exhibition of Cordier's work, highlighting seventy-five sculptures and approximately forty ethnographic photographs. Filled with several texts on his life and work compiled by the exhibition's organizers, this book was created and based on the research by Jeanine Durand-Revillon for the Ecole du Louvre in 1980.


The lumber industry has given special attention for lumber grading and selection stages. Machine Vision Systems have been proposed as a technological solution for automation of these stages. The proper feature selection for discriminating defect and clear wood is one of the most challenging in the development of such technology. The objective of this work was to evaluate, using multivariate analysis, the discriminating power of color images percents. In this work, linear and quadratic discriminant analysis were accomplished for classification of defects and clear wood in digital images of eucalyptus lumber. The percent features of the histogram for the red, green and blue bands, from two sizes of image blocks were used for developing and testing the discriminant functions. 492 blocks were used, containing the 12 studied defects and clear wood, derived from images of 40 lumbers randomly sampled. The features were analyzed with their original values, scores of the principal components and scores of the canonical variables. The smallest global misclassification errors were 19% and 24% for linear discriminant function with the canonical variable scores using block sizes of 64x64 and 32x32 pixels, respectively. The percent features were considered appropriate to discriminate defects and clear wood in digital images.


Information systems (IS)/Information technology(IT) has become an essential part and a major resource of the organization. IS/IT is a major resource that can radically affect the structure of an organisation, the way it serves customers, and the way it helps people in organisations to communicate both internally and externally, and the way an organisation runs its business. Managing information and information systems effectively and efficiently have become an essential part of the life of 21st century managers. This book is about Managing information and information systems and focuses on relationships between information, information systems/information technology, people and business. The impacts, roles, risks, challenges as well as emerging trends of information systems will be an important element of the book. At the same time, many strategic and contemporary uses of information systems such as implementing enterprise planning systems for improving internal operation, adopting customer relationship management systems and supply chain management systems to enhance relations with customers and suppliers/partners respectively, and establishing knowledge management systems for better managing organizational knowledge resources as well as using different information systems for supporting managers' decision making in all levels will be an integral part of the book. In addition, essential and critical information systems management skills including using information systems for competitive advantages, planning and evaluating information systems, system development & implementing information systems, and managing information systems operations will be a critical part of the book.


Scientists have come to realize that any one gene accounts for only a small risk for most diseases and that many "common" diseases like diabetes are the result of many distinct DNA variations. Many diagnostic companies have therefore shifted focus and offer so-called multiplex tests, which can scan dozens of genes and study the molecular products of each. Patents last up to 2 decades, however, so they cannot evolve as quickly as genetics has. In fact, one-fifth of human genes—especially potential moneymakers associated with diseases—are covered by patents, so a commercial outfit developing a diagnostic test faces quite a "patent thicket." But diagnostics is only the most obvious area in which critics say gene patents and gene science have become misaligned. Disputes over the proper way to patent genes—especially how many patents to grant and how broad to make them—have affected most areas of biotechnology. This News story and another on genomic medicine (p. 526) launch a series of features this month commemorating the 10th anniversary of Science 9s and Nature 9s publications of the human genome, which are gathered here.


It has been experimentally observed that the efficiency of distributed training with stochastic gradient (SGD) depends decisively on the batch size and -- in asynchronous implementations -- on the gradient staleness. Especially, it has been observed that the speedup saturates beyond a certain batch size and/or when the delays grow too large. We identify a data-dependent parameter that explains the speedup saturation in both these settings. Our comprehensive theoretical analysis, for strongly convex, convex and non-convex settings, unifies and generalized prior work directions that often focused on only one of these two aspects. In particular, our approach allows us to derive improved speedup results under frequently considered sparsity assumptions. Our insights give rise to theoretically based guidelines on how the learning rates can be adjusted in practice. We show that our results are tight and illustrate key findings in numerical experiments.


Abstract. Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models are rarely verified for mountainous regions during the winter season, although avalanche forecasters and other decision makers frequently rely on NWP models. Winter precipitation from two NWP models (GEM-LAM and GEM15) and from a precipitation analysis system (CaPA) was verified at approximately 100 stations in the mountains of western Canada and the north-western US. Ultrasonic snow depth sensors and snow pillows were used to observe daily precipitation amounts. For the first time, a detailed objective validation scheme was performed highlighting many aspects of forecast quality. Overall, the models underestimated precipitation amounts, although low precipitation categories were overestimated. The finer resolution model GEM-LAM performed best in all analysed aspects of model performance, while the precipitation analysis system performed worst. An analysis of the economic value of large precipitation categories showed that only mitigation measures with low cost–loss ratios (i.e. measures that can be performed often) will benefit from these NWP models. This means that measures with large associated costs relative to anticipated losses when the measure is not performed should not or not primarily depend on forecasted precipitation.


In this study, our aim was to diagnose lymphoid leukosis and Marek's disease, which are neoplastic diseases of chickens, by ELISA and Indirect Immunofluorescence Test (IIF), respectively. Samples (eggs and tissues) were selectively taken from the flocks suspected of having lymphoid leukosis and Marek's disease. The tissues were macroscopically and microscopically examined. Tissues belonging to some flocks showed typical lesions for lymphoid leukosis and Marek's disease. Seven broiler breede flocks and three commercial layer flocks were tested for avian leukosis virus (ALV) group specific antigen (p27) in the albumen. ALV p27 antigen was detected in five out of ten flocks. The rate of ALV p27 antigen positive albumens among the flocks examined ranged from 10 to 42%. The lymphoid leukosis infection rate was found to be 15.06% (36/239 eggs). All the flocks with lymphoid leukosis were broiler breeders and they were 23-33 weeks old. In the diagnosis of Marek's disease, bone marrow smears were used for the detection of MDV antigen by IIF. Of fifteen flocks examined, twelve were determined to be positive. Fluorescent antigen-positive cells were seen in large numbers and these cells exhibited diffuse cytoplasmic staining with discrete granules. Results showed that smears of bone marrow cells are a suitable test material for a rapid and specific diagnosis of MDV infection in chickens. The chickens infected with MDV were 10-20 weeks old.


Papernumber:
Changes and Societal Development through Co-Design in the Information Society
Bertil Lind
University College Boras, Sweden
firstname.lastname@example.com

Information and knowledge are available all around us as never before. At the same time we experience changes – changes that have a great impact on the whole society, companies and institutions as well as on individual human beings. But changes is nothing new. Already Herakleitos told us panta rei – everthing is floating. The changes today is occur however more rapidly than before. Looking at changes from the perspective of an individual human being it is possible to identify two different kinds of changes: internal changes that affects the internal human being and external changes that has an impact on the surrounding world. Internal changes occur when an individual somehow gain new knowledge (learning) and depending on the perspective on knowledge learning occurs in different ways. From a cognitive perspective the person constructs knowledge on his or her own from impressions from the environment. The social constructivist perspective instead views learning as a result from interaction between people. A person learns by taking part in a social action together with other people and by doing so he can perform tasks that he would not be able to do on his own. Apart from internal change there is also external change and such changes occurs through actions performed by people. But what causes actions? Can internal changes cause actions that will also influence the world? This question is discussed further in the paper. But interaction between people has a further dimension than individual learning. According to Churchman, interaction between people means that different perspectives meet and the more perspectives that we can identify, the better understanding we will get. This idea leads into co-design, where one perspective is that people meet to create something together. Co-design thus take advantage of the fact that several perspectives are present at the same time. The social constructivist perspective does not fully consider the power of co-design. Though the main focus is the social action, the theory still has an individual perspective. Yrjo Engestrom has however enhanced Vygotsky's ideas in his activity theory where he sees production as the ultimate goal of human activity. He also stresses that though individual learning through social interaction will mean much for the development of the individual learner, it will not contribute to the development of the society. The knowledge that the person gains is already available in the society. Therefor societal development requires new activities created through co-design. This paper aims at clarifying the relationship between knowledge, internal change, action, activity and societal development. Some models of cybernetic loops illustrating these relationships are presented.

Keywords: knowledge, social constructivism, co-design, learning, action, activity


Our early ancestors lived in small groups and worked actively to preserve social equality. As they created larger societies, however, inequality rose, and by 2500 bce truly egalitarian societies were on the wane. In "The Creation of Inequality", Kent Flannery and Joyce Marcus demonstrate that this development was not simply the result of population increase, food surplus, or the accumulation of valuables. Instead, inequality resulted from conscious manipulation of the unique social logic that lies at the core of every human group. A few societies allowed talented and ambitious individuals to rise in prestige while still preventing them from becoming a hereditary elite. But many others made high rank hereditary, by manipulating debts, genealogies, and sacred lore. At certain moments in history, intense competition among leaders of high rank gave rise to despotic kingdoms and empires in the Near East, Egypt, Africa, Mexico, Peru, and the Pacific. Drawing on their vast knowledge of both living and prehistoric social groups, Flannery and Marcus describe the changes in logic that create larger and more hierarchical societies, and they argue persuasively that many kinds of inequality can be overcome by reversing these changes, rather than by violence.


This study presents a combined experimental and numerical investigation of an inplane tension-tension (IPTT) biaxial test geometry. The IPTT specimen was based on an existing design which was previously optimized to minimize stress concentrations in the corners of the cruciform geometry. To facilitate ex situ 3D Xray computed tomography (CT) imaging of the gage region, the overall dimensions of the specimen were scaled down. In parallel with the experimental effort, a numerical simulation using AFRL's BSAM code was performed to assess the feasibility of using high-fidelity progressive damage tools for design and optimization of biaxial test geometries. The single experiment performed in this study revealed that the IPTT test is highly sensitive to local geometric imperfections, which had an unexpected effect on initiation and evolution of transverse cracking and delamination in the gage region. This was concluded from post-mortem X-ray CT and optical imaging of the specimen, which revealed an intricate network of intralaminar cracks and delaminations that emanated from a machining flaw on the surface of the circular gage region. The numerical simulation of the idealized IPTT test geometry showed good promise in predicting the overall pattern of inter- and intralaminar damage. Overall, this study provided a wealth of experimental and numerical data that will be used as a starting point for further development of the IPTT test geometry.


Using a combination of stable isotope analyses (SIA), fatty acid profiling (FAP), and FA‐specific SIA, we investigated the relative importance of terrestrial‐ and marine‐derived carbon, and spatial (inshore vs. offshore), seasonal (wet vs. dry season), and ontogenetic variations, in the relative contribution of detrital pathways to the white‐spotted bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium plagiosum in the Pearl River estuary. SIA and FAP suggested the sharks acquired carbon from both marine‐ and terrestrial‐derived detritus via consumption of polychaetes and small crustaceans, with carbon from terrestrial sources being more important to juveniles (25–50 cm long) at inshore locations. Juveniles generally had significantly higher levels of diatom FA, bacterial FA, and long‐chain‐carbon–saturated FA biomarkers than adults (> 65 cm), especially during the wet season, suggesting that they relied on primary consumers which assimilated a mixture of autotrophic and detrital carbon sources. Levels of zooplankton and animal‐derived FA biomarkers generally increased with shark size, indicating an ontogenetic dietary shift. Utilizing the results of FA‐specific SIA (i.e., δ13C values of individual bacterial FA of detritus) from four sources (i.e., terrestrial plant litter, macroalgae, phytoplankton, and sediments), Bayesian mixing models revealed juveniles in the inner estuary assimilated significantly higher amounts of terrestrial carbon (37–45%) than adults (22–37%) or sharks in the outer estuary (1–36%). The combined use of multiple dietary tracers effectively revealed the interaction of various detrital pathways to marine predators in the Pearl River estuary, and highlighted the importance of terrestrial–marine linkages for interpretation of energy flow in coastal ecosystems.


Writing an application for a public funding program can be complex and time consuming. At the same time, public funding programs play a key role in many innovation processes and are a lucrative way to finance your development ventures.
In this session Kamil Zajaczkowski from IMCG will provide the audience with key information about writing successful applications based on many years of experience from writing, managing and reporting large international EU-projects. Kamil will dive into the mechanism of writing a successful application and discuss the most common mistakes as well as provide the audience with practical advice on how to maximize their chances to acquire funding from EU- as well as national programs. The session will include:
- The most common mistakes made when writing an application and how to avoid them.
- Key success factors.
- What you should know about the project evaluation phase which may not always be obvious based on the call description.
- How to at an early stage estimate the probabilities of succeeding with your application.
The goal of the session is to both encourage the audience to apply for public funds as well as broaden the understanding for how to approach these processes.


We explain why CEOs favor new directors who are similar in narcissistic tendency or have prior experience with other similarly narcissistic CEOs. Because powerful CEOs are more able to select such individuals onto their boards, CEO power is predicted to be positively associated with the above characteristics of new directors. These associations are expected to be stronger when a new director is more different from the CEO in salient demographic characteristics. Moreover, we explain why new directors favored by CEOs are more supportive of their decision making, strengthening the positive relationship between CEO narcissism and risk-taking spending. Our findings provide considerable support for our theory. This study introduces personality theories to corporate governance research on director selection and to research on how triads influence dyadic relations


Economists have long puzzled over the fact that large firms pay higher wages than small firms, even after controlling for worker's observed productive characteristics. One possible explanation has been that firm size is correlated with unobserved productive attributes which confound firm size with other productive characteristics. This study investigates the size-wage premium in the context of firms competing within a single market for a relatively homogeneous product: hogs. We pay particular attention to the matching process by which workers are linked to farms of different size and technology use, and whether the matching process may explain differences in wages across farms. The study relies on four surveys of employees on hog farms collected in 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005. We find that there are large wage premia paid to workers on larger farms that persist over time. Although more educated and experienced workers are more likely to work on larger and more technologically advanced hog farms, the positive relationships between wages and both farm size and technology adoption remain large and statistically significant even after controlling for differences in observable worker attributes and in the observed sorting process of workers across farms.


A notion of "radially monotone" cut paths is introduced as an effective choice for finding a non-overlapping edge-unfolding of a convex polyhedron. These paths have the property that the two sides of the cut avoid overlap locally as the cut is infinitesimally opened by the curvature at the vertices along the path. It is shown that a class of planar, triangulated convex domains always have a radially monotone spanning forest, a forest that can be found by an essentially greedy algorithm. This algorithm can be mimicked in 3D and applied to polyhedra inscribed in a sphere. Although the algorithm does not provably find a radially monotone cut tree, it in fact does find such a tree with high frequency, and after cutting unfolds without overlap. This performance of a greedy algorithm leads to the conjecture that spherical polyhedra always have a radially monotone cut tree and unfold without overlap.


The population-level preference for the use of the right hand is one of the defining characteristics of Homo sapiens and as such, its evolutionary origins within the human genus remain a topic of interest. Identifying hand preference in extinct hominin species is complicated by the difficulty in distinguishing markers of laterality in the bones of the upper limb. These difficulties are further compounded by the range of osteological methods available to study asymmetry and the under-representation of the bones of the hand in such studies. To better understand the evolution of handedness within the hominin lineage, the effect of methodology on asymmetry expression must first be clarified, as this in turn influences our notions of handedness in individuals and groups. The current study took an inclusive approach to the measurement of upper limb asymmetry in both modern human and non-human primate samples. To assess the contribution that the bones of the hand can make to asymmetry research, data from the metacarpals and phalanges were compared with that from the humerus, a more commonly-studied region of the upper limb. Both metric and musculoskeletal stress marker (MSM) data were collected and compared in order to assess the comparability of asymmetry profiles generated by contrasting methodological approaches. Asymmetry was determined for a sample of modern human skeletons and a non-human primate sample comprising Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii and Gorilla gorilla gorilla. Two key findings emerge from these analyses: 1) The expression of asymmetry differs, in terms of both direction and magnitude, between the bones of the hand and the humerus. Differences are also apparent between the metacarpals and phalanges. 2) Metric and MSM methods differ in the asymmetry profiles they generate, with the MSM method generally underestimating the magnitude of asymmetry present in a sample, relative to that identified by a metric approach. In addition, the various skeletal samples studied exhibit variation in their relative asymmetry profiles which can be attributed to potential differences in functional recruitment patterns in the upper limbs of these individuals. Together, these findings clearly highlight the care that must be taken in analyses of asymmetry, due to the level of methodological variation present in currently inter-changeable approaches. The relatively neglected region of the hand has an important contribution to make to our understanding of asymmetry in the upper limb. The results of this study recommend the adoption of a more inclusive approach to the study of upper limb bilateral asymmetry, particular when inferences are to be made regarding handedness. By combining methodological approaches and incorporating data from across the upper limb, a more accurate picture of asymmetry expression will emerge and allow us to better understand the evolutionary development of this trait in our hominin ancestors.


In the paper we deal with optimization of manipulation logistics using Data Matrix codes. Our goal is scanning and decoding Data Matrix codes in real-time. We have designed and verified an efficient computer aided method for location of the Data Matrix codes. This method is also suited to real-time processing and has been verified on a test set of images taken from real industrial world. We have proposed a modified, computationally efficient local thresholding technique that uses local mean and variation under the sliding window. The proposed Data Matrix code localization algorithm utilizes the connecting of the adjoining points into the continuous regions and determining of the boundaries of the outer region and it works in two basic steps: localization of the Finder Pattern and verification of the Timing Pattern. Part of the al - gorithm deals also with the decoding of the Data Matrix code using external libraries. Data Matrix codes can be used to mark logistic units, parts, warehousing positions, but also for automated robot navigation. Because of their low cost, accuracy, speed, reli - ability, flexibility and efficiency, as well as the ability to write large amounts of data on a small area, they still have a great advantage in logistics.


Based on an examination of factors affecting grain-fed beef prices in Australia, there is evidence that Australian market prices for grain-fed beef are not a true reflection of world prices for that product. Although no evidence was found of attempts to manipulate or otherwise distort market prices through collusion, exercising market power, or shifting profits out of Australia, the available price data suggest that Australian prices have been lower than they otherwise might have been. This report presents a brief overview of the structure of the Australian fed-beef industry and examines factors affecting the pricing of Australian fed-beef.


"Prevention of Adolescent Reoccurring Violence and Alcohol Abuse: A Multiple Site Evaluation" is a multiple component alcohol abuse and violent behavior prevention strategy, targeted to adolescents ages 16–21 who have high levels of anger, or who are victims/perpetrators of violence, and their families. Three community centers located in upstate New York provided group participants (N = 210) known to have conduct disorder and substance abuse history. The centers were used as the intervention sites over a seven-week period with the youth assessment staff using objective screening measures. The participants were exposed to a two-pronged intervention, using a parental involvement cohort with approximately half of the study participants. The Teams, Games, and Tournaments strategy was the intervention method. Teams, Games, and Tournaments is a Social Learning Theory-based intervention with demonstrated empirical evidence of the model's effectiveness. A 2 × 3 factorial design with two follow-up points encompassed: anger control, alcohol/substance abuse, and family interactive education. The goals of the study were to help adolescents reduce their alcohol use, to increase productive family interaction, and ultimately to reduce the adolescents' aggression levels and subsequently reduce the possibility of their becoming victims or perpetrators of a violent crime. Consistent with Social Learning Theory, the Teams, Games, and Tournaments treatment intervention makes use of adolescents as peer counselors. The practical implications include that professionals or students in our public schools, juvenile courts, correctional institutions, and residential treatment centers can easily implement this program. A standardized treatment manual is available. It offers a complete, ready-to-use, and cost-effective tool for reducing adolescent violence and alcohol abuse. Further, the data provide support for a hypothesis of social learning theory, that is: interventions using multiple components are more effective than single treatments on their own.


The case of the Giant mine illustrates how a large, long-lived Au mine has resulted in a complex regional legacy of As contamination and an estimated remediation cost of almost one billion Canadian dollars (AANDC 2012). The mine, located a few km north of the city of Yellowknife on the shore of Great Slave Lake (Figs. 1, 2) produced more than 7 million troy ounces of Au (approximately 220 tonnes) from a largely underground operation. Giant mine was the largest producer in the Yellowknife greenstone belt, which produced more than12 million troy ounces (~370 tonnes) in total (Bullen and Robb 2006). Arsenopyrite-bearing Au ore was roasted from 1949 to 1999 as a pretreatment for cyanidation (Fig. 3a). Poor or nonexistent emission controls in the early years resulted in the release of an estimated 20,000 tonnes of roaster-generated As2O3 to the surrounding environment through stack emissions (CPHA 1977; Wrye 2008). Over the lifetime of the mine, however, most of the As2O3 (237,000 tonnes) was stored in underground chambers (Fig. 3b) and is a now an ongoing source of As to groundwater and surface water (INAC 2007; Jamieson et al. 2013). Other roaster products include As-bearing maghemite and hematite (calcine) were deposited with tailings and re-mobilized into creek and lake sediments. Under reducing conditions, post-depositional remobilization of As associated with roaster-generated Fe oxides results in release of As to sediment pore water and reprecipitation of some As as a sulfide phase (Fawcett and Jamieson 2011). However, As(III) in maghemite and As2O3 persists in the oxidizing conditions of near-surface tailings and soils (Walker et al. 2005; Jamieson et al. 2013).

Ore roasting increases the solubility, toxicity, and bioaccessibility of As by converting sulfide-hosted As to oxide-hosted As. At Giant, …


QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING WITH VIBRATIONALLY EXCITED THIOPHOSGENE MOLECULE AND DOUBLE-WELL ION TRAPS Dmytro Shyshlov, B.S., M.S. Marquette University, 2015 For practical realization of quantum information processing we need a quantum system that provides reliable preparation of the initial state, high-fidelity quantum gate operations, error tolerance, readout of the result of quantum computation and scalability of the system to increase the number of qubits. In this dissertation we show how these requirements can be addressed for molecular quantum computer. For computational study of quantum information processing with molecules we employ thiophosgene (SCCl2) molecule that has been used as a test system for quantum control experiments [Mol. Phys. 105, 1999 (2007)]. We investigate the gateway scheme of control in which transitions between the vibrational states that encode qubits are only allowed through the intermediate "gateway" state in the B electronic state. This scheme of control provides reliable preparation of the initial qubit state and allows using UV/vis laser pulses. We demonstrate that high-fidelity quantum gates are possible to achieve in molecular quantum computer. The optimal control theory is employed to obtain a shape of laser pulse that performs CNOT gate with ~0.9999 fidelity. Analysis of frequency profile of the optimal pulse shows that preparation of the high-fidelity computational pulse requires only 64 frequency channels. Error tolerance of the computational pulse is studied by modifying amplitudes and phases of frequency components. It is shown that gate fidelity remains high after small modifications are introduced to the optimal pulse. The scheme of readout of quantum information using quantum beat spectroscopy is proposed. The quantum beat signal is obtained from excitation of the final superposition of the qubit states to a readout state in the B electronic state with a time-delayed pulse. We find that fitting the quantum beat signal with a standard fitting expression produces a phase error and propose a new accurate expression that includes phase correction term. The system of two atomic ions trapped in a double-well potential is also studied as a first step towards scalable quantum computation with trapped molecular ions. The rigorous computational treatment of the system provides explanation of the vibrational energy transfer between the ions in terms of wave packet dynamics in the accurate asymmetric potential.


Activation of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 on endothelial cells suppresses the cytokine storm during influenza infection. Cells of the innate immune system are the first responders to infection by a pathogen; however, excessive activation of these cells (for example, during chronic influenza infection) results in the excessive production of inflammatory cytokines, the "cytokine storm," which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality (see commentary by Iwasaki and Medzhitov). Noting that intratracheal administration of a nonselective agonist of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors (of which there are five) inhibits the cytokine storm in mice infected with influenza viruses, Teijaro et al. investigated the cellular sources of these cytokines. Treating mice that were infected with a mouse-adapted influenza virus or the human pathogenic isolate H1N1 with CYM-5442, a specific agonist of the S1P receptor S1P1, resulted in the production of smaller amounts of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines than were produced by vehicle-treated infected mice and caused the reduced recruitment of innate immune cells to the lungs. Early administration of a different S1P1 agonist resulted in improved survival of mice infected with a lethal dose of H1N1 virus compared with that of vehicle-treated mice. Flow cytometric analysis showed that S1P1 was found on pulmonary endothelial cells and lymphocytes; however, treatment of lymphocyte-deficient mice with an S1P1 agonist still resulted in decreased cytokine production during infection, ruling out a role for lymphocyte-localized receptors in this process. Administration of recombinant chemokines to CYM-5442–treated mice resulted in the recruitment of specific innate immune cell types to the lungs but failed to substantially increase cytokine production. Together, these data implicate endothelial cells as central regulators of the cytokine storm and suggest that activation of S1P1 signaling in endothelial cells may provide a means to inhibit pathology during influenza infection. J. R. Teijaro, K. B. Walsh, S. Cahalan, D. M. Fremgen, E. Roberts, F. Scott, E. Martinborough, R. Peach, M. B .A. Oldstone, H. Rosen, Endothelial cells are central orchestrators of cytokine amplification during influenza virus infection. Cell 146, 980–991 (2011). [PubMed] A. Iwasaki, R. Medzhitov, A new shield for a cytokine storm. Cell 146, 861–862 (2011). [PubMed]


This talk is about interactions between cultures – Navajo & non-Navajo, scholarly & pedagogical, theoretical & descriptive – in research and applications of linguistics.
I report on work by Navajo linguists and colleagues in the Navajo Language Academy (NLA) / Dine Bizaad Naalkaah. The NLA has held summer workshops on Navajo linguistics every year since 1997. Members of the NLA held similar workshops during the 1970s.

Participants in the workshop include professional linguists, some of whom are native speakers of Navajo, professional language teachers, graduate students in linguistics, and occasionally undergraduates. A range of interests and needs are represented in these groups and after some experimentation, the NLA has settled on a workshop format that is successful at offering a lot to everyone. To address the needs of the language teachers the NLA always offers a course in the structure of the verb and a course in how to teach verbs to students. The structure course usually is based on Faltz (1999) or Williams (2009), although sometimes is focuses on using the Young & Morgan (1987) dictionary. The pedagogical course is usually based on Wallace, Holm, & Silentman's (1997) Situational Navajo. The linguists who attend the workshops give colloquia on developing research that, in addition to serving the needs of the presenters also help get other participants interested in scholarly work. To help with the development of prospective linguists the workshop always offers a course is one of the basic sub-fields of linguistics. Beyond the courses and colloquia, there are discussions about language planning, the needs of teachers, and topics such as what kinds of reference works would be useful to develop. The workshop is a bridge between linguists and language teachers. Linguists make an effort to relate their often-esoteric work to language teachers, thus developing an immediately practical use for it. At the same time, language teachers are gaining skills in the linguistic analysis of human languages.

We discuss some challenges that can arise and ways the NLA has tried to get beyond them. For example, research on verb morphology requires attention to small parts of words. This kind of attention has sometimes made people feel that the language was being dissected in a disrespectful way. I discuss ways in which we have tried to show respect for the beauty of the language while also attending to the needs language teachers have for understanding the function of each morpheme.


This systematic review addressed 3 issues regarding current treatments for chronic hepatitis C: (1) efficacy and safety in treatment‐naive patients; (2) efficacy and safety in selected subgroups of patients; and (3) effects on long‐term clinical outcomes. Electronic databases were searched for articles from January 1996 to March 2002. Additional articles were identified by searching references in pertinent articles and recent journals and by questioning experts. Articles were eligible for review if they reported original human data from a study that used virological, histological, or clinical outcome measures. For data collection, paired reviewers assessed the quality of each study and abstracted data. This systematic review found that the combination of high‐dose peginterferon and ribavirin was more efficacious than standard interferon and ribavirin in persons infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 (sustained virologic response [SVR] rate: 42% vs. 33%) and that ranges of SVR rates were higher with peginterferon than standard interferon monotherapy in naïve patients (10% to 39% vs. 3% to 19%). Reports were consistent in showing treatment with interferon and ribavirin was more efficacious than interferon monotherapy in treatment‐naive persons and previous nonresponders and relapsers. Studies were moderately consistent in showing that treatment decreases the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The evidence on treatment in important subgroups was limited by a lack of randomized controlled trials. Thus, the combination of peginterferon and ribavirin was the most efficacious treatment in patients with HCV genotype 1. Long‐term outcomes were improved in patients with hepatitis C who achieved an SVR with treatment.


Prohibition of both beach and boat seines and trawl fishery along the İzmir Bay coasts in the Aegean Sea signifies intensive usage of gillnets and trammel nets, for catching red mullet (Mullus spp.) species in particular. Trials were realized between March 2009 and February 2010 with trammel nets in the areas on the boundaries of the sea grass (Posidonia oceanica) meadows in the Bay. Guarding net (selvedge) was attached to the lead line of experimental nets (Exp1-Exp2) 36 and 40 mm inner panel. Differences for discard amounts between control group nets (C1-C2) (having the same inner panel as the experimental nets), used by commercial fishermen, and experimental nets are 54.7% for C1-Exp1 and 62.8% for C2-Exp2 (p<0.05). Use of nets with selvedge not only reduced regularly discarded invertebrates (Hexaplex trunculus, Bolinus brandaris, Maja spp.) in the region, but also avoided net damage caused by these species.


This article offers a series of reflections and proposals concerning the visitors usage of Catalonia's Natural Parks. The basis of these affirmations is the analysis of the parks which exist at the present in Catalonia, as well as the study of the current legislation in Catalonia and in Spain. Although the article deals exclusively with protected natural areas, it must be remembered that people's recreational activities affect the entire natural environment. It is therefore necessary to extend planning to the impact of such activities in all natural areas. The author proposes as a possible solution a hierarchy of leisure zones in natural spaces, divided into three different levels: Municipal Parks, Regional Parks as well as Natural and National Parks


Previous studies have shown that cardiac inward rectifier potassium current (I(K1)) channels are heteromers of distinct Kir2 subunits and suggested that species- and tissue-dependent expression of these subunits may underlie variability of I(K1). In this study, we investigated the contribution of the slowly activating Kir2.3 subunit and free intracellular polyamines (PAs) to variability of I(K1) in the mouse heart. The kinetics of activation was measured in Kir2 concatemeric tetramers with known subunit stoichiometry. Inclusion of only one Kir2.3 subunit to a Kir2.1 channel led to an approximate threefold slowing of activation kinetics, with greater slowing on subsequent additions of Kir2.3 subunits. Activation kinetics of I(K1) in both ventricles and both atria was found to correspond to fast-activating Kir2.1/Kir2.2 channels, suggesting no major contribution of Kir2.3 subunits. In contrast, I(K1) displayed significant variation in both the current density and inward rectification, suggesting involvement of intracellular PAs. The total levels of PAs were similar across the mouse heart. Measurements of the free intracellular PAs in isolated myocytes, using transgenically expressed Kir2.1 channels as PA sensors, revealed "microheterogeneity" of I(K1) rectification as well as lower levels of free PAs in atrial myocytes compared with ventricular cells. These findings provide a quantitative explanation for the regional heterogeneity of I(K1).


Aloe vera dodol is a traditional food of West Kalimantan that has short shelf life because of its microbial activity. Antimicrobial edible packaging could be used to maintain the quality of packaged food product actively.The purpose of this study is to prolong the shelf life of food products using antimicrobial edible packaging from durian peel and basil ( Ocimum sanctum L.) essential oil. The research was conducted through 4 phases,i.e. the extraction of pectin from durian peel, basil essential oil distillation, Aspergillus flavus inhibition assay, and antimicrobial edible coating production incorporated with Ocimum sanctum L. essential oil. The results showed that pectin extracted from durian peel at pH 4.5 could give yield of 5.9% with a clear coat (Colourless).The concentration of Ocimum sanctum L. essential oil by 0.6% could inhibit the growth of Aspergillus flavus and prolong the shelf life when applied as an antimicrobial ingredient in edible coating.


Motivated by a recent optical-lattice experiment by Choi et al. [Science 352, 1547 (2016)], we discuss how domain-wall melting can be used to investigate many-body localization. First, by considering noninteracting fermion models, we demonstrate that experimentally accessible measures are sensitive to localization and can thus be used to detect the delocalization-localization transition, including divergences of characteristic length scales. Second, using extensive time-dependent density matrix renormalization group simulations, we study fermions with repulsive interactions on a chain and a two-leg ladder. The extracted critical disorder strengths agree well with the ones found in existing literature.


This dissertation had two over-arching goals. The first was to study the cognitive mechanisms underlying effective source monitoring by clarifying the role that developing executive function skills play in children's increasing ability to monitor sources. The second goal was to examine whether a particular interview technique called "source-monitoring training" could help children to recall the sources of their memories more accurately. These two separate lines of research were furthered by the same methodology, and thus, these separate research questions were examined simultaneously within both of the experiments conducted for this dissertation. In the first study, the difficulty of the source-monitoring decisions was manipulated by testing 4to 8-year-old children's memories of a lab-based event after a shorter delay (1-2 days) or a longer delay (8-10 days). Within these two conditions, I explored both the relationship of source monitoring to executive function, as well as the effectiveness of the source-monitoring training procedure. The results of this study showed that executive function was related to source monitoring, and mediation models demonstrated how children's source monitoring improves with age due to developments in working memory, which improve event encoding and therefore, source monitoring. The effects of source-monitoring training were not as clear as expected; the only group to benefit from the training were older children in the shorter delay condition. Interestingly, neither the relationship between executive function and source monitoring nor the effects of source-monitoring training were affected by the difficulty of the task in the way expected. In the second study, 4to 8-year-old children's source monitoring was examined within a repeated-event paradigm. The inclusion of more than two sources (i.e., events) created a more Source Monitoring viii realistic and generalizable task. Again, both the relationship between executive function and source monitoring and the effectiveness of source-monitoring training were examined within the same study. In this study, there was evidence that two broad components of executive function as measured through parent reports were related to source monitoring. The source-monitoring training did not improve source accuracy, but did impact the types of errors children made, such that older children who received the training were more likely to say, "don't know" instead of confusing the events. Testing these relationships in a variety of conditions illustrates how cognitive and interview factors are related to source monitoring, demonstrating clear links between executive function and source monitoring, but mixed evidence for the effectiveness of source-monitoring training. Collectively, my doctoral program of research contributes a greater understanding of how source monitoring develops and whether source-monitoring training could be used in practice. Source Monitoring ix


The question of whether clinical ethics consultants may engage in patient advocacy in the course of consultation has not been addressed, but it highlights for the field that consultants' allegiances, and the boundaries of appropriate professional practice, must be better understood. I consider arguments for and against patient advocacy in clinical ethics consultation, which demonstrate that patient advocacy is permissible, but not central to the practice of consultation. I then offer four recommendations for consultants who engage in patient advocacy, and consider the implications of this issue for the field.1


Poverty among rural women in Nigeria hinders the economic and social wellbeing of families. Alleviating such poverty is therefore a major issue for national survival. This study investigated the strategies for inculcating Home Economics based life (survival) skills among rural women as a panacea for poverty alleviation. The study was a descriptive survey that was based on two research questions. From a population of 1,815 respondents, purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 253 respondents (40 home economics teachers and 213 secretaries of registered women cooperative societies in ten Local government Areas of Anambra State. A questionnaire titled "Inculcating Home Economics-Based Life Skills for Poverty Alleviation (IHELSPA)" was used for data collection. Data was analysed using mean ratings. The findings included that several Home Economics based life skills could be inculcated among the rural women using a range of networking approaches. Among the recommendations was that Government and non-governmental organizations should mobilize communities, youth groups, and other private sector organizations to network and contribute in building the capacities of rural women in Home Economics based life (survival) skills


The calibration and testing of acoustical instruments by a manufacturer is primarily a quality control function. Design parameters are differentiated from production test parameters during the design phase. Design parameters are inherent in the final product and may or may not be tested during production. Production testing is performed to ensure product uniformity within tolerances set by the manufacturer, many of which are dictated by national and international standards. Type testing by a third party is often used as a means of verifying compliance to standards, often at the request of customers. Independent testing is also beneficial as a means of verifying in‐house test procedures.


Importance
Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are critically ill and require care in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Objective
To evaluate the independent risk factors associated with mortality of patients with COVID-19 requiring treatment in ICUs in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Design, Setting, and Participants
This retrospective, observational cohort study included 3988 consecutive critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 referred for ICU admission to the coordinating center (Fondazione IRCCS [Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico] Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy) of the COVID-19 Lombardy ICU Network from February 20 to April 22, 2020. Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay of nasopharyngeal swabs. Follow-up was completed on May 30, 2020.

Exposures
Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, long-term medications, and ventilatory support at ICU admission.

Main Outcomes and Measures
Time to death in days from ICU admission to hospital discharge. The independent risk factors associated with mortality were evaluated with a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results
Of the 3988 patients included in this cohort study, the median age was 63 (interquartile range [IQR] 56-69) years; 3188 (79.9%; 95% CI, 78.7%-81.1%) were men, and 1998 of 3300 (60.5%; 95% CI, 58.9%-62.2%) had at least 1 comorbidity. At ICU admission, 2929 patients (87.3%; 95% CI, 86.1%-88.4%) required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The median follow-up was 44 (95% CI, 40-47; IQR, 11-69; range, 0-100) days; median time from symptoms onset to ICU admission was 10 (95% CI, 9-10; IQR, 6-14) days; median length of ICU stay was 12 (95% CI, 12-13; IQR, 6-21) days; and median length of IMV was 10 (95% CI, 10-11; IQR, 6-17) days. Cumulative observation time was 164 305 patient-days. Hospital and ICU mortality rates were 12 (95% CI, 11-12) and 27 (95% CI, 26-29) per 1000 patients-days, respectively. In the subgroup of the first 1715 patients, as of May 30, 2020, 865 (50.4%) had been discharged from the ICU, 836 (48.7%) had died in the ICU, and 14 (0.8%) were still in the ICU; overall, 915 patients (53.4%) died in the hospital. Independent risk factors associated with mortality included older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.60-1.92), male sex (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.31-1.88), high fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.19), high positive end-expiratory pressure (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06) or low Pao2:Fio2 ratio (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.74-0.87) on ICU admission, and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.28-2.19), hypercholesterolemia (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.52), and type 2 diabetes (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.39). No medication was independently associated with mortality (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.97-1.42; angiotensin receptor blockers HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85-1.29).

Conclusions and Relevance
In this retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients admitted to ICUs in Lombardy, Italy, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, most patients required IMV. The mortality rate and absolute mortality were high.


Using domain compilation, we present a narrative planning system that is capable of creating narrative plans that use both character intention and character beliefs. We introduce a model capable of representing character beliefs in PDDL domains. This model allows characters to fail at actions when their beliefs about the world differ from the actual world state. Domains of this type can be compiled into purely intentional domains, and fed as input to intentional planners. The resulting stories feature characters that pursue their own intentions based on their own knowledge of the world, learn from mistakes to update their beliefs, and communicate information to each other. These types of stories are not possible with purely intentional domains.


Oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) purification was achieved by capping failure sequences with a polymerizable methacrylamide phosphoramidite during automated synthesis, polymerizing the failure sequences into an acrylamide gel after cleavage and deprotection, and extraction of full-length sequences with water. The details regarding the technology including the capping efficiency of four polymerizable phosphoramidites, optimal capping time, diffusion speeds of ODN from gels with different cross-linking ratios to solution, and the efficiency of ODN extraction from gel were investigated. In addition, the technology was tested for purification of a long sequence and purification on larger scales. We also found that polymerization of failure sequences in a centrifuge tube in air did not affect purification results. Finally, we provided additional evidence that ODNs are stable under radical polymerization conditions by complete digestion of ODN followed by reversed-phase HPLC analysis of nucleosides.


Notomithrax ursus actively cuts and attaches adventitious materials to the hooked hairs on its dorsal exoskeleton. Investigation of the general biology, ecology, and behaviour of N. ursus (Section I) showed that these crabs invest considerable amounts of time and energy, at all stages of their life history, in forming and maintaining the mask. This is consistent with masking being an important adaptation.
 Data from the field and laboratory were consistent with the hypothesis that the mask functions to render the crabs eucryptic. N. ursus were anachoretic most of the time, remaining closely associated
 with algal clumps. These crabs were nocturnal and spaced out when active. They exhibited large scale dispersal but movement occurred under cover concealment. In addition, N. ursus emphasised behaviours conducive to concealment. When possible, they remained immobile. When active, movement was slow and inconspicuous. Motion was sometimes accompanied by rocking movements. The data indicated that the mask made the crab procryptic not anti cryptic. Preliminary experiments suggested that octopuses were important natural predators of N. ursus.
 Systematic laboratory observations of the interaction between free-ranging N. ursus and octopuses demonstrated that the algal mask impaired the triggering of attack by the octopuses in response to distal cues. Experiments with differing backgrounds confirmed that the mask most likely functions as eucrypsis rather than special protective resemblance. In addition, a match between the mask and the background, spacing out between individuals, and immobility of the crabs all enhanced the protection of N. ursus.
 In an experiment in which Octopus maorum was constrained to hunt by visual cues, significantly more unmasked than masked N. ursus were attacked in paired presentations against a matching background. Selection indices ranging from 0.63 - 0.76 were calculated. The eucryptic effect of the mask was dependent on ambient light intensity. It is argued that this is a phenomenon of general significance in the evolution of eucrypsis in animals.


This article critically analyses three sets of developments in India in connection with standstills and forbearance during the pandemic. First, the moratorium imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as the banking regulator, on the recovery of debt by banks and NBFCs. Second, the temporary suspension of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) in its entirety, and third, forbearance offered through court judgements. How will these forbearance measures affect the state of debt recovery in India? Will they impact all kinds of borrowers and credit segments equally? What will their impact be on credit discipline and overall contract enforcement in India? This article attempts to unravel the seen and unseen effects of these developments for the credit market in India.


In the current investigation, chitin and chitosan are extracted from Callinectes amnicola (crab) and Penaeus notialis (shrimp) shell wastes using predetermined optimization conditions. The shrimp shell produces higher chitin yield (26.08%), higher chitosan yield (16.93%) and higher degree of deacetylation (DDA) of 89.73% than the yields of chitin (19.36%), chitosan (13.29%) and the DDA from crab shell (84.20%). The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and acid-base titration methods are used to obtain % DDA of the optimized chitosan. Insignificant deviations between the DDA values from both methods are obtained. The experimental FTIR bands and standards for the refined chitosan from crab and shrimp shell wastes are in excellent agreement. The physicochemical properties of the raw precursors, extracted chitin and chitosan (raw and refined/decolorized) are equally evaluated. The extracted chitin and chitosan are characterized using analytical techniques. The implication of this study is in the current drive to produce chitin and chitosan from the underutilized shell wastes of C. amnicola and P. notialis of Nigerian sources with a high yield and a high DDA. In this study, the P. notialis shell is a better alternative source of chitin and chitosan than C. amnicola shell.

 Key words: Extraction, characterization, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy.


The migration of multiple cells as a cooperative unit known as collective cell migration is a common phenomenon in development, cancer and healing. Cooperation can be implemented by physical and/or chemical means and thus happens in epithelial as well as mesenchymal cell populations. Neural crest cells, a highly motile embryonic population, are a well-known model for epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cell migration. Neural crest cells use various strategies to cooperate and migrate collectively which make them a good model for the study of collectiveness. Further, neural crest cells' interaction with other embryonic populations also relies on cell cooperation, thus providing a model for the study of cell cooperation during organogenesis.

Key Concepts

Neural crest cells are migratory multipotent stem cells.
Neural crest cells distribute according to cell–cell and cell–environment interactions.
Some neural crest cell populations migrate collectively.
Collectiveness is based on cell–cell cooperation via paracrine chemotaxis and cell–cell adhesion.
Collectiveness influences cell guidance.
Cooperation takes place at several orders of magnitude: among neural crest cells and between neural crest cells and adjacent cell populations.

Keywords:

collective migration;
epithelial–mesenchymal transition;
neural crest;
directional migration;
development;
cell adhesion;
cadherins;
polarity;
chemotaxis


Background Some paediatricians seem to take Intra-abdominal Hypertension (IAH) and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS) for epiphenomenons of disorders which exclusively accompany illnesses that are treated only in specialised centres. Since the majority of ACS results from inflammation and capillary leakage, also disorders can lead to IAH/ACS, which superficially seem to be harmless paediatric entities. Thereby, the majority of IAH/ACS might be overseen and not be treated adequately. Aims The present study looks at the recognition and knowledge of IAH/ACS among paediatric intensivists of different sizes of ICU´s and number of cases per year. Methods In June 2010, a questionnaire was mailed to the heads of ICU´s of 265 German, Austrian and Swiss paediatric hospitals. Results Response rate was 59%. The more specialised departments are, the more often IAH/ACS is diagnosed. Predominantly, small ICU (s-ICU; <350 patients/a) underestimated critical IAP-thresholds and did not recognise IAH-/ACS-definitions. 2/3 of large ICUs (l-ICU; >700 pat./a) at least diagnosed one case of IAH; >40% at least one ACS (s-ICU: 16% and 13%). Prevalence of IAH/ACS at intermediate ICU´s (i-ICU; 350–700 pat./a) and l-ICU´s was stated to be more than twice as high. Stated underlying risk factors only marginally varied between s-ICU´s, i-ICU´s and l-ICU´s. Regular IAP-measurements are performed by 13% of s-ICU´s in contrast to 20% and 35% of larger ones. Main reason is the lack of equipment. At least one decompressive laparotomy was performed by 41% of l-ICU´s in contrast to 7% of s-ICU´s. Conclusions Definitions and guidelines regarding diagnosis and management of IAH/ACS are not applied uniformly. This variability could express an ever present lack of awareness and solid prospective data.