Did Ugaritans gather in separate quarters of the city and, whether it is the case, how is it marked architecturally? Six criteria have been established which allow to classify 33 houses in terms of social stratification. These are groundsurface, use of ashlar, hydraulic equipment, funeral devices, modifications of the surface and organisation of the house. Their application seems to indicate a strong distinction between people from the north-western part of the tell and those living in the following trenches : « Centre de la ville », « Ville et Sud » and maybe « Sud Acropole ». Actually, investment in domestic architecture seems much more important in the Residential and North-western quarters. The landed mobility on the tell is also looked into through the established criteria.


The European Society for New Methods in Agricultural Research (ESNA) is an international society originally established in Wageningen (The Netherlands) in 1969 with the aims of exchanging ideas and techniques to promote the advancement of agricultural sciences. The original scope - the co-ordination of research in the application of nuclear techniques in agriculture - has gradually changed and now the Society also covers aspects of environmental protection and the application of new methods and biotechnology in agricultural research. The Society organizes annual meetings in various European countries and the scientific programme is devoted to fundamental and applied issues from the above-mentioned areas. For more information see http://www.mendelu.cz/esna/. One of the 6 working groups, where current research is presented as oral papers or posters is Working Group 3 with the scientific topic SOIL PLANT RELATIONSHIPS, comprising soil science, plant nutrition (including microbial aspects), application of stable and radioactive isotope techniques, plant physiology, behaviour of pollutants in soil-plant system. Proceedings of Working Group 3 from the annual meetings since 2001 are published here. Present Chairmen of this working group are V. Licina and. G. Zibold. Professor Dr. V. Licina, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, 11 080 Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, SerbiaM E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; Professor Dr. G. Zibold, University of Applied Sciences Fachhochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten, D 88241 Weingarten, Germany; E-mail: email@example.com


Children in US military families share common experiences and unique challenges, including parental deployment and frequent relocation. Although some of the stressors of military life have been associated with higher rates of mental health disorders and increased health care use among family members, there are various factors and interventions that have been found to promote resilience. Military children often live on or near military installations, where they may attend Department of Defense–sponsored child care programs and schools and receive medical care through military treatment facilities. However, many families live in remote communities without access to these services. Because of this wide geographic distribution, military children are cared for in both military and civilian medical practices. This clinical report provides a background to military culture and offers practical guidance to assist civilian and military pediatricians caring for military children.


One of the main important aspects in designing an active control system is the optimization of position and number of sensors and actuators. In this paper this problem is addressed for the implementation of a multi-channel active noise control (ANC) system with the aim of global reduction of broadband noise in a telephone kiosk. This includes optimizing the locations for loudspeakers and microphones, finding proper size of the control system, i.e. the number of loudspeakers and microphones, and optimization of the control signals. The mean of acoustic potential energy in the enclosure in a frequency range of 50 Hz to 300 Hz is selected as the performance index for optimization purpose. Several genetic algorithms are proposed and compared to find the global minimum of this performance index. In order to have a better performance in reaching the global minimum, the parameters of these genetic algorithms are tuned, and the best genetic algorithm is selected among them. The main difference between the proposed algorithms is the used coding scheme. Numerical simulations of the acoustical potential energy and also sound pressure at the height where the head of a person may be located, confirms the optimality of the locations proposed by the genetic algorithm.


Although continued investments in nanotechnology are made, atomically precise manufacturing (APM) to date is still regarded as speculative technology. APM, also known as molecular manufacturing, is a token example of a converging technology, has great potential to impact and be affected by other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and ICT. The development of APM thus can have drastic global impacts depending on how it is designed and used. This article argues that the ethical issues that arise from APM - as both a standalone technology or as a converging one - affects the roles of stakeholders in such a way as to warrant an alternate means furthering responsible innovation in APM research. This article introduces a value-based design methodology called value sensitive design (VSD) that may serve as a suitable framework to adequately cater to the values of stakeholders. Ultimately, it is concluded that VSD is a strong candidate framework for addressing the moral concerns of stakeholders during the preliminary stages of technological development.


A methodology to perform a rigorous verification of Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulations is presented, both for assessing the correct implementation of the model equations (code verification), and evaluating the numerical uncertainty affecting the simulation results (solution verification). The proposed code verification methodology is a generalization of the procedure developed for plasma simulation codes based on finite difference schemes that is described by Riva in [Riva et al, Physics of Plasmas, Volume 21, Issue 6, 2014, p.062301] and consists of an order of-accuracy test using the method of manufactured solutions. The generalization of the methodology for PIC codes consists of accounting for numerical schemes intrinsically affected by statistical noise and providing a suitable measure of the distance between continuous, analytical distribution functions and finite samples of computational particles. The solution verification consists of quantifying both the statistical and discretization uncertainties. The statistical uncertainty is estimated by repeating the simulation with different pseudorandom number generator seeds. For the discretization uncertainty, the Richardson extrapolation is used to provide an approximation of the analytical solution and the grid convergence index is used as an estimate of the relative discretization uncertainty. The code verification methodology is successfully applied to a PIC code that numerically solves the one-dimensional, electrostatic, collisionless Vlasov-Poisson system. The solution verification methodology is applied to quantify the numerical uncertainty affecting the two-stream instability growth rate, which is numerically evaluated thanks to a PIC simulation.


Raised bogs are important ecohydrological systems in which there are strong two‐way links between plant succession, litter and peat decay, and hydrological functioning. Using recently established protocols, we measured the hydraulic structure of a raised bog in West Wales. We tested two hypotheses: (i) that the hydraulic conductivity (K) of the peat shows depth dependency such that lower layers of peat are effectively impermeable, and (ii) that the K of the marginal peat of the bog dome is lower than that in central areas. From 107 piezometer measurements we found there was depth dependency of K but that lower peat layers were not poorly permeable or impermeable. We also found that the K of the peat on the margin of the bog dome was generally significantly lower than that in central areas. Our results suggest that, for some bogs at least, it is important to simulate water flow through deeper peats when simulating peatland development or growth. They also raise the intriguing possibility that the low K of marginal peat is important in maintaining wet conditions in central bog areas, allowing bogs to reach greater thicknesses than they would do in the absence of the low‐K margin; an idea first proposed for blanket bogs by Lapen et al. (2005). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Psychological ownership of Information Technology (POIT) is becoming an increasingly relevant
phenomenon in theory and practice since privately-owned consumer technologies and bring-yourown-
device (BYOD) strategies effectively shaping today's workplaces. While Information Systems (IS)
research is in the beginning to explore POIT, the full complexity of the ownership phenomenon has
not yet been understood. Here, we draw on psychological ownership theory to propose an extended
view on POIT. Choosing a grounded theory methodology, we gathered original data (20 expert
interviews, 5 and more years of work experience) and discovered "Appreciation of Technology" as a
key characteristic of psychological ownership which has not been considered so far. Additionally, we
identified three new antecedents ("Freedom of Choice", "Multi-Context Use" and "Surveillance")
and one new effect ("Exception Handling") of psychological ownership of IT. Along with previous
studies, our extended view provides a new lens through which ownership and technology acceptance
can be viewed and BYOD phenomena better understood. Based on these new insights, we derive
several implications for theory and practice


We present Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) observations of AU Microscopii, a young M dwarf with an edge-on, dusty debris disk. Integral field spectroscopy and broadband imaging polarimetry were obtained during the commissioning of GPI. In our broadband imaging polarimetry observations, we detect the disk only in total intensity and find asymmetries in the morphology of the disk between the southeast (SE) and northwest (NW) sides. The SE side of the disk exhibits a bump at 1′′ (10 AU projected separation) that is three times more vertically extended and three times fainter in peak surface brightness than the NW side at similar separations. This part of the disk is also vertically offset by 69 ± 30 mas to the northeast at 1′′ when compared to the established disk midplane and is consistent with prior Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph observations. We see hints that the SE bump might be a result of detecting a horizontal sliver feature above the main disk that could be the disk backside. Alternatively, when including the morphology of the NW side, where the disk midplane is offset in the opposite direction ∼50 mas between 0 4 and 1 2, the asymmetries suggest a warp-like feature. Using our integral field spectroscopy data to search for planets, we are 50% complete for ∼4 MJup planets at 4 AU. We detect a source, resolved only along the disk plane, that could either be a candidate planetary mass companion or a compact clump in the disk.


Within the past few years video usage has grown in a multi-fold fashion. One of the major reasons for this explosive video growth is the rising Internet bandwidth speeds. As of today, a significant human effort is needed to categorize these video data files. A successful automatic video classification method can substantially help to reduce the growing amount of cluttered video data on the Internet. This research project is based on finding a successful model for video classification. We have utilized various schemes of visual and audio data analysis methods to build a successful classification model. As far as the classification classes are concerned, we have handpicked News, Animation and Music video classes to carry out the experiments. A total number of 445 video files from all three classes were analyzed to build classification models based on Naive Bayes and Support Vector Machine classifiers. In order to gather the final results we developed a "weighted voting meta classifier" model. Our approach attained an average of 90% success rate among all three classification classes.


The White Paper describes the context and evolution of 'national parks', their enabling legislation in these islands and globally, and the specific 'unique' case of Northern Ireland in this regard. LINI encourages DOE to follow through its desire to further develop the case of 'national parks' in Northern Ireland. It is recognised in Northern Ireland that the title 'national park' is itself problematic (a combination of 'national' – with complicated meanings in Northern Ireland; and 'park' – alluding to pleasure grounds for city dwellers rather than the Irish / Northern Irish historic evolution of land ownership and eking out a living). The term 'national park' is not used in France. LINI encourages a more appropriate term be initiated in Northern Ireland, suggesting 'Valued Landscape' as a more adequate and acceptable alternative. Current landscape 'designation' in Northern Ireland exists in the form of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Conservation Areas (CA), both of which designations have through the years commendably begun to develop into 'management' systems rather than requirements for 'protection'. However, coverage of Northern Ireland by AONB and CA is sporadic. The ELC requires that landscape recognition covers entire regions, a process which has already been enacted in Northern Ireland with the NI Landscape Character Assessment (NILCA) carried out in 2000. This process as required by the ELC should provide landscape management for the whole landscape of Northern Ireland, derived according to landscape character recognition and landscape quality objectives for landscape units of all scales. LINI is glad that this process is broadly reflected in the aims, management, and processes of the proposed 'national parks / valued landscapes'. LINI requests that a similarly clear approach must be applied to all levels of landscape in Northern Ireland, at the scale of the landscape character areas of the NILCA, and also more local landscape character areas such as Conservation Areas, Village Design Statements, and Local Landscape Policy Areas. Consideration of Northern Ireland's landscape should be holistic rather than sporadic, and LINI calls for a Northern Ireland Landscape Strategy.


REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY
There are currently few long-term follow-up data relating to recovery from injury of a collateral ligament (CL) of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and limited information about the effect of associated osseous injury on prognosis.

OBJECTIVES
To describe long-term follow-up results for horses with CL injury, with and without associated osseous injury; and to determine the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) or radial pressure wave therapy (RPWT) on outcome.

HYPOTHESES
Prognosis for return to performance for horses with CL-related osseous injury would be worse than for horses with CL injury alone.

METHODS
Magnetic resonance images from 313 feet of 289 horses with foot pain and a definitive diagnosis of collateral desmopathy of the DIP joint were analysed retrospectively for presence of osseous abnormality associated with the ligament origin or insertion and the middle and distal phalanges. Horses were assigned to groups according to the combination of their injuries. Type of treatment was recorded and follow-up information obtained. Thirty-two horses with additional sources of lameness were excluded from analysis of outcome.

RESULTS
Follow-up data were available for 182 horses, 55 of which had follow-up information for up to 2 years after presentation. Twenty-seven percent of horses with CL injury alone and 34% of horses with CL related osseous injury returned to their previous performance level. Prognosis for a combination of injuries to multiple soft tissue and osseous structures within the hoof capsule was substantially worse. There was no effect of ECSWT or RPWT on outcome.

CONCLUSIONS
The presence of mild to moderate CL related osseous injury does not appear to influence prognosis compared with CL injury alone.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Further studies of a larger number of horses are necessary in order to ascertain if specific types of osseous pathology influence return to performance levels.


Summary
The species composition and seasonal incidence of ticks on two species of monkeys (Presbytis entellus and Macaca radiata) occurring in the Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) epizootic area of Shimoga District, Mysore State, India, are presented.
The bulk of the ticks were larvae or nymphs even though a substantial number of monkeys were examined during the monsoon when adults are prevalent on vegetation in the forest. The dominant genus of ticks on monkeys was Haemaphysalis and the commonest species, H. spinigera, from which KFD virus has repeatedly been isolated. Altogether, 9 of the 14 species of Haemaphysalis known from the area were found on monkeys. Other genera taken were Dermacentor, Amblyomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus.
There was a wide seasonal variation in the infestation rate of monkeys, with a peak in November when ticks (predominantly larvae) were found on almost all monkeys, and a period during the monsoon from June to September when ticks were rare or absent on monkeys.
In a series of monkeys collected in approximately equal numbers in each month of the year, mixed infestations of Haemaphysalis spinigera larvae and nymphs were found on individual hosts during November, December and January.


ing unspecific discomfort in the right hypochondrium. She mentioned to have taken oral contraceptives up to two years earlier. The laboratory data at presentation was as follows: mild thrombopenia, AST 48 U/L, ALT 28 U/L, GGT 159 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 593 U/L, coagulation tests and proteinogram were normal. Abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple hepatic nodules of variable density. Abdominal computer tomography (Fig. 1) showed a large hypodense mass occupying the whole of the right hepatic lobe and a part of the left lobe, the latter displaying compensatory hypertrophy. Intravenous injection of contrast medium enhanced the image of the mass from periphery to center. Hepatic arteriography, during arterial phase, revealed an opacification corresponding to large concentrations of blood in both hepatic lobes. Consequently, a giant cavernous hemangioma of the liver was diagnosed. During the following 16 years, the patient remained asymptomatic with normal transaminases, mild thrombopenia, and no coagulation impairment. The hemangioma has since hardly increased in size. Because of this favourable outcome, our attitude has remained conservative so far. Cavernous hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of the liver, and are found in 5% of autopsies (1). In general, they are sporadic tumors, but some exceptional cases have been described that suggest a possible familial predisposition (2,3). They are usually small in size and asymptomatic. However, when measuring more than 4 centimeters, they are considered giant-sized and may be associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Reports exist showing a relationship between oral contraceptives and increase in size, symptomatology (4), and even recurrence of these tumors (5).


Optofluidic devices are unique as they combine properties of microreactors with an enhanced light-sample interaction. This can be advantageous for developing in situ spectroscopy as also photoactivation. However, up to now, their application in gas-liquid reactions can only be studied to a limited extend, as gas bubbles impede light transmission. To overcome this limitation in this work, a novel liquid core waveguide membrane (LCWM) microreactor combining intense light matter interaction for in situ sensing and/or photoactivation and excellent gas-liquid mass transfer is designed, realized, characterized and applied in three case studies. Basis is a liquid-filled Teflon amorphous fluoropolymer (Teflon AF) tube, which provides light transmission within the liquid core and gas permeation through the wall. Characterization of the new reactor was carried out from an optical and engineering point of view. The LCWM microreactor allows operating in a wide spectral range (240-1500 nm) with relatively low optical losses (UV/Vis regime:1.67 dB m-1). A working regime preventing gas bubble formation for CO2, N2 and synth. air was deduced for semi-batch and flow operation for pressures up to 8 bar. Furthermore, it was shown that residence time distribution (RTD) experiments can be carried out using the optical equipment of the reactor.
The capabilities of the LCWM setup are demonstrated for three case studies: i. deducing redox kinetics of different heteropolyacids during the oxidation of biomass to formic acid (the 'OxFA process'), ii. disentangling the complex network of (photo)degradation of methylene blue (MB) in glucose-alkaline solutions, and iii. studying ultra-fast (photo)degradation of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) colloids.
For the first application, the potential of this reactor concept to derive kinetics in gas-liquid reactions is demonstrated. For vanadium-substituted, Keggin-type heteropoly acids (HPA-n, n represents the degree of V substitution), the kinetics of the reduction and reoxidation step of the catalyst cycle was deduced using in situ UV/Vis spectroscopy. Reduction was studied from 40 to 80 oC under anaerobic conditions: a strong dependency of the reduction kinetics was deduced. In combination with additional cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) characterization, it can be assumed that two active centers promote this reaction, the dissolved vanadium species, and the HPA itself, while the existence and proportions of both types depends on the degree of vanadium substitution. Being the HPA-5 complex the most active catalyst for biomass oxidation. On the other side, as demonstrated in the characterization section, the rapid mass transfer allowed transient response experiments to be carried out for the reoxidation step, which was studied up to 150 oC. Switching from anaerobic to aerobic conditions, an even stronger dependency of the reoxidation kinetics on the degree of vanadium substitution was revealed. Higher V-substituted catalysts (e.g. HPA-5 and HPA-2) showed to be able to reoxidize at mild temperature conditions ( 100 oC), making the reoxidation step rate determining.
For the MB degradation study, the potential of the LCWM optical setup for revealing the complex interplay of several reaction and degradation pathways in gas-liquid photocatalytic systems is demonstrated. By combining long path lengths, intense light matter interaction for in situ characterization and/or photoactivation, and transient response studies, the photoenhanced methylene blue redox cycle in alkali is studied. Deconvolution of high resolution UV/Vis spectra, together with common liquid-phase characterization techniques, gives rise to several photo and non-photoactivated competing reaction pathways taking place. Accounting for all studied effects, it can be assumed that in addition to the redox cycle, photoexcited methylene blue fastly degrades via N/demethylation and deamination steps, forming new species which subsequently deprotonate in alkali. Furthermore, in the presence of molecular oxygen, the formation of highly reactive singlet oxygen via a photosensitizer cycle is likely, revealing an additional path for further degradation of organic matter in solution.
For the final application, the potential of the reactor to study photochemical transformations experienced in colloidal solutions is demonstrated. For highly diluted citrate-capped silver nanoparticles of average diameter ≈ 9 nm, the kinetics of the photooxidation by UV light irradiation was deduced. UV-induced photooxidation under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, variable initial citrate concentrations, and temperatures up to 80 oC was studied: a strong dependency of the photooxidation kinetics on the gas saturation was deduced following a pseudo-first order kinetic mechanism. Photoexcited NP surfaces seem to actively interact with dissolved molecular oxygen. Moreover, higher citrate concentrations seem to slow down the overall degradation process by protecting the nanoparticle surface against oxygen molecules. In addition, the effect of broader light (Vis) irradiation was studied. By applying the MIE model by fitting the UV/Vis surface-plasmon resonance (SPR) spectra recorded within the LCWM reactor, it can be assumed that in addition to the photooxidation process (fast), the indirect photooxidation of citrate (slow) induces nanoparticle growth. Being both two competing mechanisms. Finally, exemplary long-term stability studies under semi-batch and continuous operation were developed. Silver colloids in batch conditions and broad light irradiation tend to develop cyclic oxidation  reduction processes, which results in NPs degradation and re-nucleation and growth. On the other hand, flow conditions seem to enhance nanoparticles agglomeration, but also the indirect citrate oxidation, which results in metallic silver deposition to the formation of big flat surfaces. Interestingly. all above studied effects seem to happen in a shorter time scale (min to hours) compared to common batch photo-reactors (hours to months)


The aim of this thesis was to examine environmental covariate-related issues, the resolution dependency, the contribution of vegetation covariates, and the use of LiDAR data, in the purposive sampling design for fuzzy logic-based digital soil mapping. In this design fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering of environmental covariates was employed to determine proper sampling sites and assist soil survey and inference. Two subsets of the Laurel Creek Conservation area were examined for the purposes of exploring the resolution and vegetation issues, respectively. Both conventional and LiDAR-derived digital elevation models (DEMs) were used to derive terrain covariates, and a vegetation index calculated from remotely sensed data was employed as a vegetation covariate. A basic field survey was conducted in the study area. A validation experiment was performed in another area.
The results show that the choices of optimal numbers of clusters shift with resolution aggregated, which leads to the variations in the optimal partition of environmental covariates space and the purposive sampling design. Combining vegetation covariates with terrain covariates produces different results from the use of only terrain covariates. The level of resolution dependency and the influence of adding vegetation covariates vary with DEM source. This study suggests that DEM resolution, vegetation, and DEM source bear significance to the purposive sampling design for fuzzy logic-based digital soil mapping. The interpretation of fuzzy membership values at sampled sites also indicates the associations between fuzzy clusters and soil series, which lends promise to the applicability of fuzzy logic-based digital soil mapping in areas where fieldwork and data are limited.


This series contains research reports, written by or in cooperation with staff members of the Statistical Research Division, whose content may be of interest to the general statistical research community. The views reflected in these reports are not necessarily those of the Census Bureau nor do they necessarily represent Census Bureau statistical policy or practice. Inquiries may be addressed to the author(s) or the SRD Report Series Coordinator, Statistical Research Division, Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C. 20233.


This paper reports results from two workshops held in York, England that investigated public attitudes towards the welfare of broiler chickens. At the outset the majority of participants admitted that they knew little about how broiler chickens are reared and were shocked at some of the facts presented to them. Cognitive mapping and aspects of Q methodology were used to reveal the range of variables that participants believed affected chicken welfare, the causal relationships between those variables, and what variables were considered most and least important. While some participants focused on the importance of meeting basic needs such as access to food, water, light and ventilation, others highlighted the role of welfare regulations and public opinion. Factor analysis of the results from a ranking exercise identified two factor groups, 'Factor one; the bigger picture' and 'Factor two; basic animal needs'. The findings demonstrate that some members of the public are both interested in learning about how their food is produced and concerned about the conditions faced by broiler chickens. Some are able to see clear links between public opinion and the welfare of farm animals; an important connection if consumer behaviour is to contribute towards improving animal welfare.


Many human cancers are associated with loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN and the consequent phosphorylation and activation of the proto-oncogene Akt, with phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) accumulating at the cell membrane. Although many pAkt targets are nuclear, the role of nuclear pAkt in tumorigenesis has been unclear. Noting that prostate and colon cancer cells (cancers associated with PTEN loss) frequently lack nuclear bodies, which depend on the promyelocytic leukemia gene (Pml), Trotman et al. crossed mice heterozygous for Pten (Pten+/–) with mice lacking Pml (Pml–/–) and showed that loss of Pml exacerbated Pten-loss-dependent tumorigenesis. In Pten+/– mice, loss of Pml led to increased pAkt abundance, particularly in the nucleus, and, in cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts, lack of Pml was associated with enhanced Akt activation and accumulation of pAkt in the nucleus in response to serum stimulation. After serum stimulation, Pml–/– cells showed decreased nuclear abundance of the transcription factor Foxo3a (a pAkt target with tumor-suppressive activity) compared with wild-type cells; however, distribution of an Akt-insensitive Foxo3A mutant was unaffected. Moreover, loss of Pml was associated with decreased expression of Foxo3a transcriptional targets. Pharmacological analysis indicated that the increase in pAkt was associated with lack of dephosphorylation by the phosphatase PP2a. Consistent with this, Pml coimmunoprecipitated with both Akt and PP2a subunits, and confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that both PP2a subunits and pAkt colocalized with Pml in nuclear bodies. Thus, the authors conclude that Pml regulates the nuclear inactivation of Akt and that its stabilization might present one approach to the therapy of Akt-associated tumors. L. C. Trotman, A. Alimonti, P. P. Scaglioni, J. A. Koutcher, C. Cordon-Cardo, P. P. Pandolfi, Identification of a tumour suppressor network opposing nuclear Akt function. Nature 441, 523-527 (2006). [PubMed]


Combined heat and power (CHP) in a single and integrated device is concurrent or synchronized production of many sources of usable power, typically electric, as well as thermal. Integrating combined heat and power systems in today's energy market will address energy scarcity, global warming, as well as energy-saving problems. This review highlights the system design for fuel cell CHP technologies. Key among the components discussed was the type of fuel cell stack capable of generating the maximum performance of the entire system. The type of fuel processor used was also noted to influence the systemic performance coupled with its longevity. Other components equally discussed was the power electronics. The thermal and water management was also noted to have an effect on the overall efficiency of the system. Carbon dioxide emission reduction, reduction of electricity cost and grid independence, were some notable advantages associated with fueling cell combined heat and power systems. Despite these merits, the high initial capital cost is a key factor impeding its commercialization. It is, therefore, imperative that future research activities are geared towards the development of novel, and cheap, materials for the development of the fuel cell, which will transcend into a total reduction of the entire system. Similarly, robust, systemic designs should equally be an active research direction. Other types of fuel aside, hydrogen should equally be explored. Proper risk assessment strategies and documentation will similarly expand and accelerate the commercialization of this novel technology. Finally, public sensitization of the technology will also make its acceptance and possible competition with existing forms of energy generation feasible. The work, in summary, showed that proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM fuel cell) operated at a lower temperature-oriented cogeneration has good efficiency, and is very reliable. The critical issue pertaining to these systems has to do with the complication associated with water treatment. This implies that the balance of the plant would be significantly affected; likewise, the purity of the gas is crucial in the performance of the system. An alternative to these systems is the PEM fuel cell systems operated at higher temperatures.


Abstract

This thesis addresses women's agency in the mediation and reception of mid nineteenth-century fiction from the end of the 1840s until the beginning of the 1870s. It demonstrates how women participated in shaping an ideology of the feminine by utilising the platform of periodical reviewing to monitor constructions of womanhood in the novels of women writers.
The notion of a feminine critical discourse about gender is a familiar one.
There has been academic interest in the reactions of reviewers such as Margaret Oliphant and Geraldine Jewsbury to images of the feminine in sensation novels, but no study exists that brings together a body of women's criticism of this period, or examines the critical responses of women to a much wider spectrum of female representation, for example, in the field of domestic or religious
fiction. This thesis explores the critical reaction, not simply to the transgressive or improper feminine, but to idealised images of the domestic angel. It points to
a reshaping of the idea of the heroic which allowed women to take centre stage in fiction, and goes on to explore several constructions of the feminine that became a locus of concern for women commentators: the martyr to selfsacrifice; the injured wife; the governess; the religious heroine; the transgressor of sensation novels, and the assertive "Girl of the Period" in her various phases.
Interrogating those texts and themes that preoccupied nineteenth-century women critics, the thesis retrieves a lost context to women's writing of the period and argues that the discourses surrounding forgotten novels by writers
such as Harriet Parr and Charlotte Riddell provided a forum which allowed representations of gender to be contested, re-negotiated and re-defined. Bringing
to light new critical material by reviewers such as Eleanor Eden and Jane Williams, the thesis examines many articles and reviews that have received no previous academic attention.


The Dufour's gland of Anthophora abrupta, a solitary bee, secretes a complex mixture of liquid triglycerides containing one long-chain and two shortchain fatty acids. This is applied inside the earthen brood cells and added to the provision, where it is converted, perhaps by enzymes from the bee's saliva or gut, to solid diglycerides that are later eaten by the bee larvae. This use of Dufour's gland secretion as food and its nutritive function are reminiscent of the royal jelly secreted by honey bees.


This study examines, in a prospectively-constructed birth cohort, the association between continuity in infancy and health care utilization and recommended preventive care in early childhood. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Continuity of care is a key aspect of the patient-centered medical home and improves pediatric outcomes. Health care reform requires high-quality data to demonstrate its continued value. We hypothesized that increased provider continuity in infancy will reduce urgent health care use and increase receipt of preventive services in early childhood. METHODS: Continuity, using the Usual Provider of Care measure, was calculated across all primary care encounters during the first year of life in a prospectively-constructed cohort of 17 773 infants receiving primary care from birth through 3 years at 30 clinics. Health care utilization and preventive care outcomes were measured from ages 1 to 3 years. Confounders, including chronic conditions, number of sick visits in the first year, socioeconomic status, and site, were addressed by using multivariable regression models incorporating a propensity score. RESULTS: Demographics associated with the lowest continuity quartile included white race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25–1.64), Medicaid insurance (aOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.23–1.61), and asthma (aOR 1.59; 95% CI 1.30–1.93). Lower continuity was associated with more ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations (adjusted incidence rate ratio 2.74; 95% CI 1.49–5.03), ambulatory sick visits (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.08; 95% CI 1.05–1.11), and lower odds of lead screening (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.46–0.79). These associations were stronger for children with chronic conditions. Continuity measured during well visits was not associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Continuity may improve care quality and prevent high-cost health encounters, especially for children with chronic conditions. Novel solutions are needed to improve continuity in the medical home.


The DNA mismatch repair system (MMR) maintains genome stability through recognition and repair of single-base mismatches and small insertion-deletion loops. Inactivation of the MMR pathway causes microsatellite instability and the accumulation of genomic mutations that can cause or contribute to cancer. In fact, 10-20% of certain solid and hematologic cancers are MMR-deficient. MMR-deficient cancers do not respond to some standard of care chemotherapeutics because of presumed increased tolerance of DNA damage, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic drugs. Toward this goal, we generated isogenic cancer cell lines for direct comparison of MMR-proficient and MMR-deficient cells. We engineered NCI-H23 lung adenocarcinoma cells to contain a doxycycline-inducible shRNA designed to suppress the expression of the mismatch repair gene MLH1, and compared single cell subclones that were uninduced (MLH1-proficient) versus induced for the MLH1 shRNA (MLH1-deficient). Here we present the characterization of these MMR-inducible cell lines and validate a novel class of rhodium metalloinsertor compounds that differentially inhibit the proliferation of MMR-deficient cancer cells.


Arterial dissections Caused by balloon angioplasty has been implicated as a contributing factor to both acute procedural complications and chronic restenosis of the treatment site. However, no related biomechanical studies are known in the literature. The mechanical properties of the arterial wall are controlled by the rubber-like protein elastin, fibrous protein collagen and smooth muscle cells. In the media of elastic arteries these constituents are found in thin layers that are arranged in repeating lamellar units and favor dissection type of failure. The presented approach models the dissection of the media by means of strong discontinuities and the application of the theory of cohesive zones. Thereby, the dissection is regarded as a gradual process in which separation between incipient material surfaces is resisted by cohesive traction. The applied numerical frame is based on the Partition of Unity Finite Element Method (PUFEM) and has been utilized for tetrahedral elements. A tracking algorithm for 3D non-planar cracks captures the evolution of multiple non-interacting dissections. The proposed concept is applied to investigate the dissection of the media due to balloon angioplasty, where the associated material parameters are determined from failure experiments on human tissue.


Background: Rhabdomyolysis is an uncommon presentation associated with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Patients usually present late and asymptomatic, thus it carries poorer clinical outcome and higher mortality rate. Case report: We report a case of SAP in a 42year-old man who presented with persistent epigastric pain, elevated serum amylase, and characteristics of acute pancreatitis on the contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen. Investigations revealed persistent hyperkalemia and severely elevated creatinine kinase in the presence of acute kidney injury, which led to the uncommon possibility of diagnosing severe rhabdomyolysis. He suffered com. plications of intra-abdominal hypertension, feeding intolerance, severe ARDS and multiorgan failure. He succumbed to death after a month despite aggressive intensive care therapies and support. Discussion: The actual pathophysiology of rhabdomyolysis in SAP is complex. It is postulated that acute inflammation of pancreas causes ATP-dependent proton pump dysfunctions leading to skeletal muscle cells injury and therefore, rhabdomyolysis. Conclusion: Coexistence of rhabdomyolysis with SAP have higher risk for fatality, therefore, its presence allows early triage, early aggressive resuscitation and intensive care management.


The purpose of this study is to analyse the economic impacts of hunting tourism in Namibia. The economic impacts of hunting that takes place in communal land conservancies and on private lands, respectively, are studied, as well as the distribution of these impacts between different sectors and groups in the country. The study is based on data from a survey of hunters who visited Namibia during a five-year period. The income generated by hunting tourism, and the distribution of this income, are analysed using a recently developed Social Accounting Matrix (SAM). In aggregate, an extra N$ in spending by survey respondents translates into approximately one extra N$ in national income, and an average survey respondent's spending raised overall national income by an amount corresponding to two to three years' income for an average Namibian. The additional income generated by hunting tourism and associated tourism benefits rural households and urban wage earners to a greater extent, and capital owners to a lesser extent, than the average income distribution in the economy.


Na-ion batteries (NIBs) are very attractive candidates for large-scale electrical energy storage due to abundant Na resources, while developing air stable, low cost and toxic Co/Ni-free cathodes to achieve high energy/power density and long-life NIBs is very challenging. Herein, as a proof-of-concept experiment, rare P3-type K₀.₃₂Fe₀.₃₅Mn₀.₆₅O₂·0.39H₂O (KFM) made from environmentally friendly and low cost elements is first proposed and demonstrated to be a novel cathode for NIBs. Unexpectedly, the KFM exhibits outstanding electrochemical performances including high specific capacity (137.5 mA h g⁻¹), rate capability and coulombic efficiency (ca. 100%), and long cycle stability (1000 cycles). Furthermore, a highly efficient prototype NIB was first realized using this KFM cathode and a Naₓ–Sb₂O₃ anode, which shows high energy density and power density (220.5 W h kg⁻¹; 4340 W kg⁻¹) even with high round-trip energy efficiency (ca. 100%) and excellent cycling stability (over 900 cycles).


This research arises from my practice as a professional artist and my concern with issues of language and communication, particularly, the investigation of ways that arouse emotion and rational thought at once through language. Visual Poetry is a form of expression, which provokes both, and I saw the potential to expand its underlining principles further with the emergence of new technologies. With the digital medium, the main elements of visual and sound poetry: image, sound and text, can now be incorporated into the same piece of work.

The aim of this study is to explore new digital communicative systems that interweave visual, oral and semantic elements of language, to produce new media languages where the pre-linguistic and linguistic maintain their symbiotic identities. This study examines theoretical and artistic concerns emerging from the area in-between, which is created by interlacing image, sound and text in the same artwork.

It addresses the following series of questions:

How to transfer the main concepts from Visual Poetry to Digital Art?

How does computer technology transform image, sound and text to create new media languages?

What is the role of the author, reader, writer, producer in these new interactive textualities of image, sound and text?

How has this affected the new conventions of reading, looking, producing, using and thinking?

What does the digital add to the interactivelexts of Visual Poetry? What new meanings and processes of thinking, understanding and interpretation are appearing?

In which way do new technologies enhance the collaborative nature of practice?

This investigation brings knowledge from other disciplines into the art field and it explores different serniotic models such as the linguistic the visual and the aural. It blurs the barriers between the visual and the linguistic: between different art forms such as fine art, visual poetry and sound art/poetry in a new digital and technological arena. It questions the conventions applied to these critical areas with the aid of the new tools and critical concepts available through digital technology. This study challengest he viewer/listener/userw ith an interface of signsf rom different languages and serniotic systems: the visual (still and moving images), the audible and the linguistic, to participate and explore the multiple possibilities within a work. This investigation seeks to contribute to a new body of knowledge in the
development of the areas of Visual Poetry, Digital Art and the new genre of Electronic Poetry, by creating new, innovative, digital artworks for which, as a new form of expression, critical and analytical conventions are still in the process of development.


There is no evidence regarding the use of a therapeutic contract in treating severe forms of anorexia, except that it seems necessary to find some way of providing a framework for the hate we encounter. Self-hatred and hatred of the other are characteristically experienced through the body rather than expressed; the contractual format remains an appropriate response that can help overcome this ordeal.


Whistleblowing legislation and corporate whistleblowing policies typically prescribe that reports of wrongdoing must be made in "good faith." Sometimes this requirement is stated in the negative, that reports made with "malice" or "bad faith" will be disqualified from investigation or protection, or both. Although malice appears to be a popular and effective screening instrument, if not a strong signal to deter potential whistleblowers, the rationale for the no-malice rule is rarely articulated by legislators and policy drafters. Definitions in whistleblowing law and policy are hard to find. Is someone who personally seeks justice and an end to wrongdoing an actuator of malice? Given the no-malice rule, are individual and personal victims of wrongdoing ever permitted to blow the whistle? How much malice is required to disqualify a report, or is an all-or-nothing approach in effect by default? What is the process for preliminary determination of malice or good faith when a report is received? The good faith threshold standard, which focuses entirely on the messenger and not on the message in any way at all, may not be well understood by legislators, policy makers and whistleblowing administrators. It is likely a standard that is unevenly applied in practice. This article critically analyses the no-malice rule and recommends discarding it as a matter of effective whistleblowing law and policy. Keywords: whistleblowing, good faith, malice, whistleblowing policies, whistleblowing legislation


Both surface texture and littorinid grazing are known to influence the establishment of many shallow-water benthic hard-bottom communities. However, the effects of these factors and their interactions have not yet been investigated in a quantifiable manner. This investigation aims to assess the interactive effect of both factors in a strictly standardized manner. Natural recruitment by diatoms, the barnacle Balanus improvisus and the tube-building polychaete Polydora sp. was monitored under a 2-factorial treatment: grazing by the periwinkle Littorina littorea (Factor 1; 2 levels: I or no snails per plate) on artificial recruitment plates of different initial surface rugosities (Factor 2; 5 levels: smooth, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 5 mm rugosity elements), In the absence of grazers, barnacle recruitment decreased with increasing initial rugosity, polychaete recruitment peaked at intermediate rugosities, and diatoms exhibited contrasting recruitment patterns in an in vitro and an in situ experiment. When preferred recruitment sites coincided for Polydora and B. improvisus, a competition for space could be inferred from a negative correlation between the 2 species. However, when the overlap of requirements weakened on the 5 rugosities, the relationship was positive, but was not statistically significant. Grazing efficiency by L. littorea depended on initial rugosity, generally showing minimum values on intermediate rugosities which is attributable to a mismatch between radula dimensions and surface structures in these rugosity classes. Additionally, grazing effects tended to increase with higher prey densities. As all factors-initial rugosity, grazing, colonizer species-interact with each other, the outcome of recruitment under combined factors is difficult to predict from single factor effects.


The paper revisits and qualifies existing insights on security design. A rich literature argues that tranching creates debt-like instruments that are robust to adverse selection or discourage wasteful information acquisition. Yet, for a given information structure, while tranching confines and liquefies the safe part of a cash flow (the insulation effect), bundling makes the risky part more liquid (the trading adjuvant effect). Moreover, tranching always has adverse welfare effects on information acquisition: It encourages (discourages) information acquisition when it should be deterred (encouraged). The paper provides conditions under which tranching reduces welfare even when the insulation effect dominates the trading adjuvant effect. The paper's second contribution is to analyze the velocity of assets that are repeatedly traded. The dynamic model can be nested into the static one and insights are shown to be closely related to those on tranching. The central insight is that liquidity is self-fulfilling: A perception of future illiquidity creates current illiquidity.


The treatment and management of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) diagnosed in pregnancy can involve a wide range of difficulties and limitations. Thus, these cases are each unique and present challenges to physicians. The aim of this study was to present the case of a 24-year-old patient who was diagnosed with APL in the 14th week of pregnancy who was treated successfully with all-trans retinoic acid and chemotherapy.


Mobile health is gaining increasing importance for society and the quest for new power efficient devices sampling biosignals is becoming critical. We discuss a new scheme called Variable Pulse Width Finite Rate of Innovation (VPW-FRI) to model and compress ECG signals. This technique generalizes classical FRI estimation to enable the use of a sum of asymmetric Cauchy-based pulses for modeling electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. We experimentally show that VPW-FRI indeed models ECG signals with increased accuracy compared to current standards. In addition, we study the compression efficiency of the method: compared with various widely used compression schemes, we showcase improvements in terms of compression efficiency as well as sampling rate.


The paper concerns the problem of discontinuity in high pressure die castings (HPDC). The compactness of their structure is not perfect, as it is sometimes believed. The discontinuities present in these castings are the porosity as follow: shrinkage and gas (hydrogen and gas-air occlusions) origin. The mixed gas and shrinkage nature of porosity makes it difficult to identify and indicate the dominant source. The selected parameters of metallurgical quality of AlSi9Cu3 alloy before and after refining and the gravity castings samples (as DI density index method), were tested and evaluated. This alloy was served to cast the test casting by HPDC method. The penetrating testing (PT) and metallographic study of both kinds of castings were realized. The application of the NF&S simulation system allowed virtually to indicate the porosity zones at risk of a particular type in gravity and high-pressure-die-castings. The comparing of these results with the experiment allowed to conclude about NF&S models validation. The validity of hypotheses concerning the mechanisms of formation and development of porosity in HPDC casting were also analyzed.


Assessment of intern competence has traditionally been performed via subjective evaluations from supervisors and mentors. In 2009, Beaumont Hospital piloted the first pre-registration postgraduate assessment for interns.All interns working in Beaumont Hospital were assessed (n=67). The examination comprised a clinical OSCE and online written assessment comprised of EMQs and MCQs. All assessment tools focused on evaluating competence of commonly encountered intern duties, specifically in management of on-call scenarios, prescription writing and coordination of takeover of care.Regarding on-call scenarios, a majority of students were able to correctly manage hypertension following stroke (63%), assessment of falls (75%), post operative pain management (65%), neutropaenic sepsis (63%) and hyperkalaemia (56%). However, appropriate management of common emergencies such as hypoglycemia (29%), identification of septic patients (37%) and pre-operative hypertension (19%) was less optimal. Overall scores in safe prescribing were significantly lower particularly in legal prescribing (8%), prescribing science (35%), and palliative prescribing (22%). The main problem identified in coordination of takeover of care was handover of inappropriate tasks.Interns are reasonably prepared for commonly encountered on-call scenarios but prescribing competence is a cause for concern.Takeover of patient care also needs to be formally addressed within the undergraduate curriculum.


The increasing importance of sustainability in urban and architectural design is strongly questioning the actual logic of built environment dispersion. In this context, the regeneration of urban wastelands constitutes an important potential for urban densification and city revitalization. The concrete integration of sustainability in this process requires an approach that is based on the optimization of multiple criteria. Numerous sources describe this objective in theoretical terms, but an operational assessment methodology that is adapted for this kind of project does not exist yet. The development of a specific indicator system, conceived as a tool supporting the decision making process and the monitoring of the project, is the main goal of the research presented in this paper.


Abstract. Managing and controlling services spend continues to be a topic of great interest and importance to all sectors of the economy. This research presents a summary of the results of a survey administered during the summer of 2005. 162 companies from a number of different industries responded to questions on services spending, outsourcing and offshoring. With the growth in services spending and the recognition of the opportunities to improve business results through services purchasing, this topic is very timely.


There were 8 species of the genus Asarum previously recorded in Vietnam, this paper reported Asarum yunnanense T. Sugaw., Ogisu & C.Y. Cheng as a species newly recorded for the flora of Vietnam. This species was collected from Na Hang Nature reserve, Tuyen Quang province. Asarum yunnanense is characterized by the following features: herbs, rhizomes vertical, height 20-30 cm, 3-5 mm in diam., internodes 2-3 cm. Leaves paired, 1-2;  petiole 7-12 cm, villous; leaf blade adaxially deep geen with white speckles on veins, cordate-ovate, 9-11 × 16-18 cm, abaxial surface glabrous or pubescent on veins, adaxial surface sparsely hispid, base cordate, apex acute; cataphylls not seen. Peduncle declinate, 3.5 cm. Calyx slightly zygomorphic, purplish, campanulate; sepals connate beyond attachment to ovary, abaxially pilose, adaxially dark red pubescent; tube obconic; lobes spreading, triangular-orbicular. Stamens 12; filaments 0.3 mm, shoter than anthers; anthers 3 mm; connectives 0.8 mm, extended beyond anthers, subcylindric. Ovary inferior. Styles connate, short and thick, apex 6-cleft; stigmas white; stigmas terminal, radiating downward, decurrent. Fl. Nov-Dec.


Dayanita Singh's Museum of Chance is a book about how life unfolds, and asks to be recorded and edited, along and off the axis of time. The inscrutably woven photographic sequence of Singh's Go Away Closer has now grown into a labyrinth of connections and correspondences. The thread through this novel-like web of happenings is that elusive entity called Chance. It is Chance that seems to disperse as well as gather fragments or clusters of experience, creating a form of simultaneity that is realized in the idea and matter of the book, with its interlaced or parallel timelines and patterns of recurrence and return. The eighty-eight quadratone images in the book will also appear on the front and back covers in random pairs, transforming each copy of the book into a distinct piece of work by the author.


The delivery of post-disaster shelter assistance continues to be fraught with challenges derived from the coordination of resources, involvement of project stakeholders, and training of households and builders. There is a need to better understand what project elements in the delivery of post-disaster shelter projects most influence resilience and sustainability. To address this need, we examined nineteen post-disaster shelter projects in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. We first characterized coordination, participation, and training employed across the planning, design, and construction phases of shelter projects and then used fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to assess the influence of these elements, alone and in combination, on building resilient and sustainable community infrastructure systems. Findings show that early involvement of households in planning efforts, combined with subsequent training, was important in evolving recovery outcomes. Our results point to the importance of: (1) supporting household sheltering processes over delivering hard products; (2) strategically linking project processes across phases; and (3) aligning humanitarian actions with long-term development. Conclusions from this study contribute to theory of sheltering in developing communities and more broadly to theory of recovery processes that link to community resilience and sustainability.


Video is a powerful means for people to communicate with each other across space and time. Its effectiveness is largely dependent on resolution and scale. Unlike most other information technologies, video resolution was increasing slowly during the past two decades. One of the major limiting factors was display resolution, which has been improving only at a rate of about 5% per year, while processor performance, memory density, network bandwidth and disk storage capacity are doubling every 18 to 24 months as predicted by Moore's Law. To overcome the resolution limit, researchers have recently proposed ways to construct multi-projector tiled display systems driven by commodity PC clusters. However, ultra-high resolution videos have not been available on such displays for several reasons. First, video resolution has been limited to the HDTV standard. Second, it has been difficult to parallelize MPEG video decoders to run on a cluster due to limited communication performance in the typical architecture. Third, to appear seamless, ultra-high resolution videos require accurate projector calibration, which is difficult to achieve on large-scale tiled displays.
This dissertation presents a framework for decoding and displaying ultra-high resolution videos on a scalable multi-projector tiled display system driven by a PC cluster. It proposes a classification of three kinds of scalable resolution videos for tiled displays. First, a single ultra-high resolution video can be used for applications such as digital cinema or planetarium. Second, in remote scientific visualization, multiple low-resolution videos can be tiled to create scalable video resolution. Third, for immersive tele-presence applications, a high-resolution video can be formed by overlaying multiple low-resolution videos with different fields of view.
Towards realizing this framework, this dissertation presents the design, implementation and evaluation of several key components necessary for building a scalable MPEG decoding system for tiled displays. The first component, a high-performance software MPEG video decoder, is used as the underlying building block for the scalable decoding system. Secondly, we propose a hierarchical parallel algorithm to decode and display ultra-high resolution MPEG streams on a PC cluster. Finally, sub-pixel accurate projector alignment is achieved with the camera homography tree algorithm; improved color consistency is attained using a new full-gamut color matching system.
With these implementations, the system is able to accomplish a demanding task—it plays an IMAX quality, 3840 by 2800 pixel video at about 39 frames per second on a tiled display driven by a cluster of 21 PCs.


We attached anti-human serum albumin (anti-HSA) affibody ligands on bacterial cellulose (BC) by EDC–NHS-mediated covalent conjugation and physical adsorption and demonstrate their application for tubular biofiltration of blood proteins. The BC fibrils were first modified by carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) by incorporation of CMC in the BC culture medium, producing in situ a CMC–BC tubular network that was used as biofilter. Alternatively, BC carboxylation was carried out by alkaline TEMPO–NaBr–NaClO oxidation. The BC and modified BC, grown in the form of tubes or flat films, were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and conductometric titration. Anti-HSA affibody conjugation onto carboxylated cellulose thin film was verified from sensogram data obtained by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The HSA specific binding capacity of the carboxylated cellulose conjugated with anti-HSA via EDC–NHS was approximately eight-fold larger when compared to the carboxylated cellulose surface carrying physically adsorbed anti-HSA (∼81 compared to 10 ng cm−2, respectively). Further proof of protein binding via anti-HSA affibody conjugated on tubules of CMC- and TEMPO-oxidized BC was obtained by fluorescence imaging. Specific binding of tagged HSA resulted in a linear increase of fluorescence intensity as a function of tagged HSA concentration in the contacting solution.


New carbon and oxygen isotope data from carbonates spanning the Frasnian–Famennian (F–F) boundary in the Guilin area, South China, show a broad positive δ13C rise and fall, with sharp, short-lived negative δ13C events; this pattern is comparable to that in Europe and North America. The integration of the isotope stratigraphy with high-resolution sequence stratigraphy corroborates the onset of the positive δ13C excursion during a third-order sea-level fall in the latest Frasnian. This can best be explained through increased burial of Corg during the sea-level fall, brought about by increased organic productivity caused by increased continent-derived nutrient flux to the ocean due to enhanced weathering through the proliferation of land plants in the Devonian. This scenario would have resulted in anoxic and eutrophic conditions over epicontinental seas and blooms of cyanobacteria, creating a highly stressful and fragile ecosystem for oligotrophic normal-marine benthic organisms and leading to their massive decline. The global third-order sea-level fall near the end of the Frasnian may have led to gas hydrate dissociation (giving the negative δ13C events), and caused wild climatic fluctuations. The subsequent short-term events of sea-level rise, anoxia and eutrophication in the latest part of the F–F transition would have placed additional environmental stresses on the already weakened biota, leading to their further demise.


Abstract
 Plethodon ainsworthi Lazell was described as a new species in the slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus [Northern Slimy Salamander]) complex from two specimens collected in Jasper County, MS, in 1964. Prior to their designation as the type and paratype of the newly described species in 1998, both specimens were presumably stored in strong formalin for 26 years and thus were in poor condition. Plethodon ainsworthi is distinguished from the sympatric Plethodon mississippi (Mississippi Slimy Salamander) by a more attenuated body, as evidenced by a higher snout-vent length (SVL)/head width (HW) ratio, and shorter limbs. Despite numerous searches between 1991 and 1997, no subsequent specimens of P. ainsworthi were found. As a result, P. ainsworthi is the only modern-day amphibian in the United States to be declared extinct by the IUCN. In 2000 and 2001, we searched the presumed location of the type specimens of P. ainsworthi for additional specimens. Although we located slimy salamanders, we did not find any specimens with noticeably attenuated bodies or short limbs. We then compared SVL/HW ratios between the two specimens of P. ainsworthi, 24 specimens of slimy salamanders that we collected in Jasper County from or near the collection site of P. ainsworthi, and 50 museum specimens of P. mississippi collected from six counties in Mississippi outside of Jasper County. The upper limit of the SVL/HW ratio for some of the specimens we collected, as well as for some of the museum specimens of P. mississippi, was considerably higher than the 7.2 reported for P. mississippi by Lazell (1998). In addition, we found overlap in SVL/HW ratios between P. ainsworthi and one specimen of P. mississippi, although this individual did not have short limbs. The distinct morphology of P. ainsworthi may be the consequence of the long-term, improper preservation of specimens of P. mississippi. Our results provide compelling evidence that P. ainsworthi is not a valid taxon.


In health care, legal and ethical issues abound, and never more so in this age of managed care. Now broadened in scope to cover all allied health care professions, this practical guide provides concise, readable information relevant to the ethical issues and decisions a health care provider must deal with on a daily basis. This totally revised and expanded edition features new chapters covering the unique constructs of managed care and how it adds a whole new dimension to malpractice liability, a chapter tracing a complete malpractice action from initial incident to finding of liability, and much more. Lastly, the addition of two case studies at the end of each chapter (one real, one hypothetical) help highlight salient academic points and apply them to real world situations.


Monads have become a popular tool for dealing with computational effects in Haskell for two significant reasons: equational reasoning is retained even in the presence of effects; and program modularity is enhanced by hiding ``plumbing'''' issues inside the monadic infrastructure. Unfortunately, not all the facilities provided by the underlying language are readily available for monadic computations. In particular, while recursive monadic computations can be defined directly using Haskell''s built-in recursion capabilities, there is no natural way to express recursion over the values of monadic actions. Using examples, we illustrate why this is a problem, and we propose an extension to Haskell''s do-notation to remedy the situation. It turns out that the structure of monadic value-recursion depends on the structure of the underlying monad. We propose an axiomatization of the recursion operation and provide a catalogue of definitions that satisfy our criteria. The proofs of the claims we make throughout the report, along with other technical development, is presented in the appendices.


Back ground: Reflex sympathetic discharge caused by laryngo-pharyngeal stimulus with laryngoscopy may lead to hypertension and tachycardia. It is one of the cause for morbidity during general anesthesia. We in our study compared the two doses of Dexmedetomidine1 µg/kg and 0.5 µg/kg for attenuating this response. Material and Methods: In this study ninety patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A Received: 0.5µg/kg Injection Dexmedetomidine as bolus dose over 10 minutes & Group B - Received: 1µg/kg Injection Dexmedetomidine as a bolus dose over 10 minutes. The heart rate and blood pressure (Systolic, diastolic and mean) of the patient were noted at following intervals preoperative i.e. Baseline, during administration of the study drug at 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 6 minutes, 8 minutes, and 10 minutes, immediately at induction, At intubation and Post intubation at 1min, 5 min and 10 min. Statistical significance in mean difference was calculated using student's t test. P value of < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant and p < 0.001 was taken as highly significant. Results: Compared to the baseline all the hemodynamic parameters (HR, SBP, DBP and MAP) showed decrease during administration of the study drug which continued throughout the study period except at intubation and 1 min post intubation in both the groups. These values still remained below the baseline value. Highly significant difference in heart rate in both the groups was noted at 5 and 10min post intubation Group B showing more decrease than A(p=0.000, 0.001). Same statistical significance is noted in systolic blood pressure at induction and at 10 min. post intubation (p=0.000, 0.000). Mean blood pressure (p=0.03, 0.03) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.000, 0.001) also showed more decrease in Group B than A at 5 and 10 min post intubation with high statistical significance. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine in the dose of 0.5 µg/kg and 1µg/kg is effective in attenuating the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation


The Notch locus of Drosophila melanogaster is one of a small number of zygotically acting "neurogenic" genes involved in the correct segregation of neural from epidermal lineages during embryogenesis as well as in other postembryonic developmental events. We have generated antibody probes against three regions of the Notch protein to study the expression of Notch and begin a biochemical characterization of the protein. Consistent with predictions based on DNA sequence data, here we gather evidence showing that Notch encodes a large, glycosylated surface protein with an apparent molecular mass of 300 kD: (a) all three antibodies detect Notch on Western blots as a high molecular mass, primarily full-length product; (b) immunoelectron microscopy localizes the Notch protein to the cell membrane; and (c) lentil lectin column binding demonstrates that the protein is glycosylated, indicative of its surface protein nature. In general, the distribution of the Notch protein coincides with that of the Notch transcript determined previously by in situ hybridizations. Notch is expressed in a much wider range of tissue types than those disrupted in the neurogenic mutant, as determined by antibody localization. Early labeling in the blastoderm appears ubiquitous except for the pole cells, but as development proceeds some distinctive features emerge: stronger staining is seen within the germ band layer where neuroblast delamination occurs, and the developing embryonic nervous system shows pronounced axonal staining. In third instar larvae, Notch is expressed in imaginal disks and in the central nervous system. Based on these results, certain models for how Notch controls the neuroblast cell fate choice are eliminated. We discuss how Notch may function in this choice as well as in other lineage fate determinations.


The pyroxenite-peridotite sequence from the External Ligurian (northern Apennines, Italy) ophiolites is evidence of the evolution of recycled crust within the mantle. We present new major and trace element and Nd-Hf isotopic compositions of garnet clinopyroxenites and websterites from this mantle section. The garnet clinopyroxenites display clinopyroxene and bulk-rock rare earth element patterns with distinct positive Eu anomalies, which argue for the involvement of plagioclase-rich precursors in their origin. We propose that the garnet clinopyroxenites formed by crystallization of eclogite-derived melts that underwent negligible interaction with the host peridotites. The garnet websterites are interpreted to have been produced by reactions between the eclogite-derived melts and peridotites, thereby giving rise to hybrid, second-stage pyroxenites with a crustal geochemical fingerprint. In our petrogenetic scenario, a rifting-related event at ca. 220 Ma caused melting of eclogites originating from a mid-oceanic ridge basalt–type gabbroic sequence. These mafic protoliths underwent a long-lived evolution of recycling in the mantle (1.5–1.0 Ga). We show that heterogeneity of crustal protoliths, age of recycling, and interaction with the host peridotites may lead to a significant compositional and isotopic diversity of crust-derived mantle pyroxenites.


Importance The increasing use of cesarean delivery is an emerging global health issue. Prior estimates of China's cesarean rate have been based on surveys with limited geographic coverage. Objective To provide updated information about cesarean rates and geographic variation in cesarean use in China. Design, Setting, and Data Sources Descriptive study, covering every county (n = 2865) in mainland China's 31 provinces, using county-level aggregated information on the number of live births, cesarean deliveries, maternal deaths, and perinatal deaths, collected by the Office for National Maternal & Child Health Statistics of China, from 2008 through 2014. Exposures Live births. Main Outcomes and Measures Annual rate of cesarean deliveries. Results Over the study period, there were 100 873 051 live births, of which 32 947 229 (32.7%) were by cesarean delivery. In 2008, there were 13 160 634 live births, of which 3 788 029 (28.8%) were by cesarean delivery and in 2014 there were 15 123 276 live births, of which 5 280 124 (34.9%) were by cesarean delivery. Rates varied markedly by province, from 4.0% to 62.5% in 2014. Despite the overall increase, by 2014 rates of cesarean delieries in 14 of the nation's 17 "super cities" had declined by 4.1 to 17.5 percentage points from their earlier peak values (median, 11.4; interquartile range, 6.3-15.4). In 4 super cities with the largest decreases, there was no increase in maternal or perinatal mortality. Conclusions and Relevance Between 2008 and 2014, the overall annual rate of cesarean deliveries increased in China, reaching 34.9%. There was major geographic variation in rates and trends over time, with rates declining in some of the largest urban areas.


GPUs in embedded platforms are reaching performance levels comparable to desktop hardware, thus it becomes

interesting to apply Computer Vision techniques. We propose, implement, and evaluate a novel feature

detector and descriptor combination, i.e., we combine the Harris-Hessian detector with the FREAK binary

descriptor. The implementation is done in OpenCL, and we evaluate the execution time and classification

performance. We compare our approach with two other methods, FAST/BRISK and ORB. Performance data

is presented for the mobile device Xperia Z3 and the desktop Nvidia GTX 660. Our results indicate that the

execution times on the Xperia Z3 are insufficient for real-time applications while desktop execution shows

future potential. Classification performance of Harris-Hessian/FREAK indicates that the solution is sensitive

to rotation, but superior in scale variant images.


Dynamic Software Update (DSU) solutions update applications while they are executing. These solutions are typically used in production to minimize application downtime, or in integrated development environments to provide live programming support. Each of these scenarios presents different challenges, forcing existing solutions to be designed with only one of these use cases in mind. For example, DSUs for live programming typically do not implement safe point detection or instance migration, while production DSUs require manual generation of patches and lack IDE integration. Also, these solutions have limited ability to update themselves or the language core libraries, and some of them present execution penalties outside the update window. We propose a DSU (gDSU) that works for both live programming and production environments. Our solution implements safe update point detection using call stack manipulation and a reusable instance migration mechanism to minimize manual intervention in patch generation. Moreover, it also offers updates of core language libraries and the update mechanism itself. This is achieved by the incremental copy of the modified objects and an atomic commit operation. We show that our solution does not affect the global performance of the application and it presents only a run-time penalty during the update window. Our solution is able to apply an update impacting 100,000 instances in 1 second. In this 1 second, only during 250 milliseconds the application is not responsive. The rest of the time the application runs normally while gDSU is looking for the safe update point. The update only requires to copy the elements that are modified.


Colombia and Venezuela share a common border for 1,274 miles. Stretching from the Caribbean to Brazil, this boundary traverses a semi-desert flatland, two temperate mountain ranges and their subtropical valleys, the vast plains of the Orinoco basin, and finally, the Orinoco/Amazon rain forests. All along this varied ecological path the international boundary engenders among its inhabitants socio-economic differences which contrast with the homogeneous geo-ecological and cultural conditions on either side. Over the decades, however, the boundary has not always produced the same effects. In 1941 Colombia and Venezuela reached an agreement on a longstanding dispute over their land borders. Since then the boundary has not changed, but borderland relations have altered, shifting political and economic contexts on national and international levels. This paper gives an overview of the complex relations and processes which link Colombia and Venezuela all along their border and, at the same time, join borderland populations across the different boundary segments.


The Pd-catalyzed intramolecular alpha-arylation of alpha-amino acid esters is described. Starting from readily available amino acids, the synthesis of a variety of isoindolines and tetrahydroisoquinoline carboxylic acid esters has been accomplished. Additionally, fused tricyclic systems can be efficiently prepared from cyclic amino acid esters. Reaction conditions have been found that allow the use of tert-butyl ester and N-(benzyloxycarbonyl) protecting groups.


Drawing from discussions on the panacea problem in microfinance and natural resource management, we scrutinize a 'green microfinance plus' programme – Proyecto CAMBio – in a specific setting in Nicaragua, focusing in particular on its interaction with local development pathways. The programme was designed to promote biodiversity-friendly land uses through the combination of credit provision, technical assistance and conditional economic incentives. In our case study, we highlight the focus on individual producers, the implicit targeting of more established medium-sized producers, and the uncritical promotion of a particular technical model of production. The project might thereby have failed to identify and revert some negative processes of environmental degradation and did not consciously engage with the dynamics and political arenas of sustainable development. We call for a more holistic territorial perspective that is conducive to more strategic thinking about the interactive socio-technical dynamics and ensuing opportunities and constraints for different producer types and technical-commercial models. Such strategic reflection is both inevitable and political, as it impacts on the opening and closing of avenues for more or less socially inclusive and environmentally sound development pathways.


Social media has transformed the way we communicate with each other in the last decade or so. Out of 4 billion internet users, more than 3 billion are on social media. The medical community has also been transformed in terms of how we approach this vast medium of information. Microblogging sites like Twitter are beneficial in the way we share and disseminate professional knowledge. The critical care community has recently gained a lot of pace on the social media platform and are showing their presence in numbers.1 Although use of social media in critical care has great potential to benefit its users, it comes with its own challenges. This includes inaccurate information and slow adaptation. So the question arises: How can the critical care community make the best use of social media resources while ensuring the right knowledge is shared and practiced, and patient confidentiality is always respected? Twitter has been used as a medium to not only spread information but also as a platform to teach critical care physicians and nurses. There are elements which affect the usability, efficiency, effectiveness, and widespread acceptance of Twitter as a teaching aid.2 FOAM, free open access medical education, is an online movement taking place across social media, blogs, and podcasts that is challenging traditional methods of medical education.3 FOAM provides a free platform for learners to not only receive information but also share it with other users. It gives the learner a chance to tailor their resources according to their individual needs. In addition, learners can reach out for assistance from the source much more easily as compared to traditional ways. But concern has been raised on how to best approach these resources as they do not undergo vigorous checks like peer reviewed articles. Check and balance of the validity of the provided information is often left up to the learners discretion. It can leave educational gaps at times and may not be applicable worldwide. Similarly, declaration of conflict of interest is not mandatory on these platforms hence it is often impossible to identify commercial bias. It can be quite difficult to keep track of all the continuing professional development hours spent on social media but new applications are being developed, which can help. While on social media, all the norms and etiquette of healthcare professionalism should be maintained such as patient confidentiality and appropriate interprofessional relationships. There are evolving tools to evaluate the quality of various resources like SMi (Social Media Index)4 and HONcode (Health on the Net Code of Conduct).5 Social media, when used correctly, can be effective for self-directed learning, holding discussions with other critical care and healthcare professionals while reflecting on newly-acquired knowledge. Although the information must be used with due care, as the peer review is mostly inexistent in social media as people can post what they want, it is one of the most exciting and evolving areas in critical care practice.


ABSTRACT The potential for DNA vaccines encoding mutated versions of the same antigen to modulate immune responses in C3H/HeN mice was investigated. We created expression plasmids that encoded several versions of glycoprotein D (gD) from bovine herpesvirus 1, including authentic membrane-anchored glycoprotein (pSLRSV.AgD), a secreted glycoprotein (pSLRSV.SgD), and an intracellular protein (pSLRSV.CgD). Immunization of an inbred strain of mice with these plasmids resulted in highly efficacious and long-lasting humoral and cell-mediated immunity. We also demonstrated that the cell compartment in which plasmid-encoded gD was expressed caused a deviation in the serum immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype profile as well as the predominant cytokines secreted from the draining lymph node. Immunization of C3H/HeN mice with DNA vaccines encoding cell-associated forms of gD resulted in a predominance of serum IgG2a and gamma interferon-secreting cells within the spleens and draining lymph nodes. In contrast, mice immunized with a secreted form of this same antigen displayed immune responses characterized by greater levels of interleukin 4 in the draining lymph node and IgG1 as the predominant serum isotype. We also showed evidence of compartmentalization of distinct immune responses within different lymphoid organs.


Iran. Abstract Introduction : Leishmaniasis is among top ten infectious diseases in the world, including the three diseases is important that the development of vaccines, medicines and insecticides is difficult to control it. The aim of in this study was Effect of direct electricity current on viability of Leishmania (L) tropica promastigotes: an In vitro study. Methods: Leishmania (L) tropica [MHOM / IR / NADIM3] to an appropriate level in NNN medium and RPMI1640 culture and promastigotes was prepared both stationary and logarithmic phases. The effects of the direct current from the electrodes 2 or 4 cm Leishmania parasite when staining the size of 1 × 1/5 cm in a arose gel and the parasites create both stationary and logarithmic phases were separate. Electrodes are 2 or 4 cm, and when the voltage in the order of 2/5, 3/5 and 4/5 was applied to the electrodes at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 70 minutes. Results: Mean number of live promastigotes stationary and logarithmic stages when the distance between the electrodes was 2 cm to voltage 2/5, 3/5 and 4/5 compared with promastigotes in the control group showed significant differences (P=0.003). Also mean number of live promastigotes static stage when the distance between the electrodes was 4 cm to voltage 2/5 and 3/5 V was not significant (P=0.148). And 3/5 and 4/5 volts for voltage are not significant (P>0.05), the mean number of live promastigotes logarithmic stage when the distance between the electrodes was 4 cm, the voltage difference between the number of parasites for 2/5 and 3/5 V Not significant (P=0.725). Conclusion: The electrodes are more sensitive and dynamic stage promastigotes lower and higher voltage electric current effect on growth control


The beginnings of historical anthropology as a transdisciplinary project have to be located in the 1970s. However, in this part of the world it is still considered as a young project. This seems to be the main reason for not having yet developed a common understanding about its aims, methods and core contents. There is also no unanimity about the perception, advocated in this volume, that historical anthropology does not represent a new scientific discipline but an altered understanding of history as a discipline as a whole for the purpose of transdisciplinarity. The intention of the endeavor 'historical anthropology' is far from questioning established disciplines such as the historical scholarship but to put man in its historical contingency and cultural complexity into the focus of research and academic teaching. Since the temporal dimension does play a central role anthropologically oriented historical scholarship occupies a specific position in this project. Historical anthropology is comprehended here as integration of disciplines in the sense of a comprehensive science of the human being.
Historical anthropology conducted in a rather peripheral region such as Southeastern Europe or the Balkans due to its specific historic development and cultural features is confronted with partly other challenges and has partly different aims compared with Western or Central Europe, for instance, which is reflected in the composition of the present volume. It consists of five parts. The first one addresses migration and adaption strategies, the second one gender relations and stages of life. The third one deals with the complex relationship of geographic features such as mountains and sea, and the human being. The fourth part is devoted to law and disciplining, and the concluding one to identities. The authors are either directly affiliated with Centre for Southeast European History and Anthropology at University of Graz or colleagues from abroad with whom the Centre has intensive collaboration.


Climate changes bring about a lot of impacts to people all at over the world. However, the impacts of climate change will be even worse if it occurs and is felt by the poor who are in nature vulnerable to various disasters such as flood, drought, landslide etc. This article aims at exploring students' ecological intelligence and critical awareness on the impacts of climate change towards socio-economic aspects of the poor communities. This study is under the research paradigm of descriptive-qualitative, which aims at systematically describing facts and characteristics of the studied subjects objectively. The data was collected in-depth interview method and organized using the inductive reasoning principles, which then generated an organized theory on the basis of such assumptions, which finally placed as a reliable hypothesis to be examined. The discussion over climate change is traceable from the ecological competence that argues climate change remains a controversial issue and is urgently addressed, for it affects the survival of human life on earth. In this study, it is argued that the climate change may not merely caused by natural factors, but humans' life activities as well. Therefore, the ecological competence is highly needed to examine the occuring climate changes, especially within the socio-economic life of the poor.


Stabilisation of simple mechanical systems in finite time with continuous state feedback is considered here. The dynamics are represented by generalised (local) coordinates. A general methodology to construct control Lyapunov functions that are Hölder continuous and that can be used to show finite-time stability of the feedback controlled system, is presented. This construction also gives the feedback control law, and results in the feedback system being Hölder continuous as well. Unlike Lipschitz continuous feedback control systems, the feedback control scheme given here converges to the desired equilibrium in finite time. Moreover, unlike discontinuous and hybrid control schemes, the feedback control law does not lead to chattering in the presence of measurement noise, does not excite unmodelled high-frequency dynamics, and can be implemented with actuators that can only deliver continuous control inputs. The advantages of continuous finite-time stabilisation over continuous asymptotic stabilisation of mechanical systems, has been described in some prior research on finite-time stabilisation of the double integrator. The finite-time stabilisation scheme given here generalises this prior research to multiple degree-of-freedom mechanical systems. A numerical comparison is carried out through numerical simulations on two example systems that are representative of a broad class of simple mechanical systems.


A Books24x7's TOP 10 title for 4 consecutive years!Java is an easy language to learn. However, you need to master more than the language syntax to be a professional Java programmer. For one, object-oriented programming (OOP) skill is key to developing robust and effective Java applications. In addition, knowing how to use the vast collection of libraries makes development more rapid.This book introduces you to important programming concepts and teaches how to use the Java core libraries. It is a guide to building real-world applications, both desktop and Web-based. The coverage is the most comprehensive you can find in a beginners book. Here are some of the topics in this book:- Java language syntax- Object-oriented programming- The Collections Framework- Working with numbers and dates- Error handling- Input Output- Generics- Annotations- Swing- Database access- Internationalization- Networking- Applets- Multithreading and the Concurrency Utilities- Servlet and JavaServer Pages- API documentation- Security- Application deploymentThis book covers Java SE 7 and was written with clarity and readability in mind.


Electricity demand in a certain locality varies during the day, depending on weather conditions, daily life routines, or a social event in a town. During high/peak demands, expensive power plants are put into operation, which affects electricity prices. Moreover, power lines are overloaded. If generation capacity is insufficient, a blackout may result. Demand response (DR) programs are widely proposed in energy research to tackle these problems. Although the benefits of DR programs are well known, customer response levels to these programs is low. This is due to the small fraction of benefits they receive against the loss of comfort, lost leisure time, and other inconveniences. The objective of this work is to study DR costs from the customer perspective by considering these factors. A customer survey-based direct approach is used to evaluate the willingness of customers to accept (WTA) a certain compensation when shifting the load is adopted. Two different methods are used to calculate DR costs: percentage compensation, which customers are WTA, and one based on a macroeconomic model, which considers the dependency factor of customers on loads and hourly wage. A linear mathematical model is presented based on both these techniques. This study reveals that DR costs are much less than interruption costs paid by the utility company, and hence is in the best interests of all stakeholders, i.e., customers, utility company, and transmission company.


Nancy Flynn is founder and executive director of The ePolicy Institute™ an organization devoted to helping employers reduce electronic liabilities, while helping employees enhance their e-mail writing and e-mail management skills. Through the ePolicy Institute Speakers' Bureau, Ms. Flynn delivers keynote speeches and conducts e-mail writing, e-mail management, and e-policy seminars for corporations, associations, and government entities throughout North America and around the globe. As you read through the material, you will quickly experience the interactive nature of the book. There are numerous exercises, real-world case studies, and examples that invite your opinion, as well as checklists, tips, and concise summaries that reinforce your understanding of the concepts presented. Coverage includes: To review workplace e-mail risks and suggest strategies for writing safe and secure e-mail to help keep the organization in business and out of court. To explore the role clear and concise e-mail plays in positioning both employees and organizations before internal and external audiences. To review strategies for writing persuasive e-mail messages that are opened and acted upon-not ignored and deleted-by readers. To discuss technological tools and common-sense techniques to help senders and receivers successfully manage, organize, and transmit their e-mail.


Background and Purpose: Amylases are most important industrial enzymes that account for about 30% of the world's food, feed, fermentation, textile, detergent and cellulosic industries. This study aimed at optimum production of thermostable α-amylase via moderate thermophilic bacterium ( Bacillus licheniformis ) which was recently isolated from Qinarje Hot spring. Material and Methods: Initially, ability of bacterium for amylase activity was determined by starch hydrolysis test using Gram's iodine staining. Then bacterial growth pattern and amylase production curves in basal production medium were graphically determined at different time intervals. Finally, effect of different temperature, pH, carbon source, nitrogen source, minerals and inoculum size were studied on bacterial growth and amylase production using turbidimetric and DNS method, respectively. Results: Optimum enzyme production achieved after 84 hours of inoculation from cultures growing at 40 ˚C and pH 9.0 in a medium containing 0.03% (w/v) of CaCl 2, compared to the basal medium, results showed that the best enzyme production happened with inoculum size of 4% (v/v). The addition of 1% (w/v) rice husk (as a Carbon source) enhanced enzyme productivity up to 160% and substitution of the peptone and yeast extract with 1% (w/v) of tryptone (as a Nitrogen source) increased the α-amylase production up to 160%. Conclusion: Our findings show that B. licheniformis -AZ2 strain has an ability to produce the thermostable α-amylase which is suitable in starch processing and food industries. To be commercialized, further investigation is required for enhancement of the enzyme production. Keywords: Bacillus licheniformis ; Optimization; Basal medium; Agricultural by-products.