In this paper, the Wiener polynomials Wn(G;x) for some special graphs G including path graphs and cycle graphs are obtained. Moreover, for vertex-disjoint connected graphs G1 and G2, formulas for the Wiener polynomials of Steiner n-distance of compound graphs G1•G2 and G1:G2 are obtained in terms of those polynomials for G1and G2.


In this paper we develop a new model for deep image clustering, using convolutional neural networks and tensor kernels. The proposed Deep Tensor Kernel Clustering (DTKC) consists of a convolutional neural network (CNN), which is trained to reflect a common cluster structure at the output of its intermediate layers. Encouraging a consistent cluster structure throughout the network has the potential to guide it towards meaningful clusters, even though these clusters might appear to be nonlinear in the input space. The cluster structure is enforced through the idea of unsupervised companion objectives, where separate loss functions are attached to layers in the network. These unsupervised companion objectives are constructed based on a proposed generalization of the Cauchy-Schwarz (CS) divergence, from vectors to tensors of arbitrary rank. Generalizing the CS divergence to tensor-valued data is a crucial step, due to the tensorial nature of the intermediate representations in the CNN. Several experiments are conducted to thoroughly assess the performance of the proposed DTKC model. The results indicate that the model outperforms, or performs comparable to, a wide range of baseline algorithms. We also empirically demonstrate that our model does not suffer from objective function mismatch, which can be a problematic artifact in autoencoder-based clustering models.


Observing and measuring the weld pool geometry in the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process is the key to understanding and control of a complex welding process. The harsh environment and highly dynamic characteristic of a weld pool surface made the observation extremely challenging. In this paper, a reflection-based GMA weld pool surface observation system is proposed to monitor the three-dimensional weld pool geometry. A low-power five-line laser pattern is projected onto the weld pool and the reflected pattern, which is the result of an intercepted reflected laser beam on an imaging plane, is captured and analyzed. To image the reflected laser pattern, the elements in the imaging system including laser and weld pool surface are analyzed and modeled. The effects of their parameters such as laser density, projection angle, weld pool surface geometry, and weld pool surface fluctuation on the imaging of the laser pattern are examined and analyzed. The effectiveness of the proposed method and parameter ranges are verified through simulation and experiments. As a result, acceptable images of laser pattern reflected from the weld pool surface in pulsed GMAW were acquired. An image processing algorithm has been developed to successfully extract the reflected laser pattern for subsequent weld pool surface reconstruction.


The growth of three tumors, of different cell type and origin, was associated with low levels of serum properdin in mice. This relationship was not observed in mice bearing a myeloid leukemia. Shigella antibody titers also remained relatively un altered in the latter animals. Depression in properdin occurred toward the end of survival, at a time when the tumor hosts had reduced their food consumption and were losing weight. Similar serological changes could be produced by food deprivai; this finding suggests that the relationship is probably nonspecific.


The purpose of this research is to find out how product diversification is carried out by Bank Syariah Indonesia after the merger to attract customers. The research methodology used is descriptive qualitative research. The informants in this study were employees of the Denpasar Branch of Bank Syariah Indonesia using a purposive technique. As well as data collection in the form of interviews and documentation. This study describes the results of product diversification carried out by Bank Syariah Indonesia after the merger to attract customers, namely by launching BSI products that were launched which did not exist in previous banks, namely Imas and BSI smart agents. Verification conducted by Indonesian Islamic banks is more effective in increasing customer interest which is increasing every month and is also suitable for expanding market share.


Is to be a semiconductor chip through a bonding material on the front surface of the substrate made of a film, and the plurality of bump electrodes on the back surface of the substrate is formed in an array pattern, the semiconductor chip is a semiconductor of the grid array type ball is sealed with the resin the package is disclosed. Specifically, the insulating film so as to cover the wiring pattern formed on the surface of the substrate is formed on the insulating layer and the semiconductor chip is mounted via the adhesive. The insulating film in the lower portion of the semiconductor chip is divided into a plurality of discrete portions each other. By the divided portions and the insulating film prevents a short circuit of the semiconductor chip and the wiring pattern, is also suppressed and deformation of the substrate made of the flexible film. A semiconductor device, BGA, flexibility (flexible) film, a base substrate, the adhesive, the sealing resin, the wiring, the pad electrodes, is mounted.


Long-term research on the effect of deicers on groundcover plants can open up usage of groundcover plants for ornamental purposes on the roadside affected by deicer salt. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of CaCl2 on morphological and physical responses of purple chrysanthemum (Aster sphathulifolius) grown in a greenhouse. Five different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 g/L) of road deicer (CaCl2 74%) solutions (100 ml) were applied twice a week for a 5 month period. Survival rate, growth parameter, biomass, and physiological indices were measured. Increased CaCl2 concentration resulted in decreased survival rate, especially at concentrations higher than 10 g/L. Exposure to increasing CaCl2 concentrations resulted in dramatic decreases in growth index, number of leaves, leaf width, and leaf length at concentration higher than 2 g/L. Biomass was also negatively affected by increasing deicer salt stress, with shoot mass being reduced more than root fresh weight. Chlorophyll b content was decreased, while chlorophyll a and proline contents in leaves had a gradual increase when plants were exposed to increasing salt stress. Although a clear roadside negative effect did exist, there was no significant difference between plants under 1 g/L of CaCl2 and control treatment for 5 months. Our results suggest that Aster sphathulifolius planting could be highly beneficial to the roadside or urban areas with mildly salt-affected soils.


This experiment was aimed to determine the chemical composition of the rice gluten meal (RGM) and the effect of its feeding on the growth performance, some blood parameters, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens as an alternative to corn gluten meal and soybean meal. Ross 308 one-day old broiler chicks (n = 300) were randomly divided into six experimental groups, receiving diets containing rice gluten meal with six different inclusion levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5%) for 42 days. The experimental diets were formulated from maize, soybean meal, corn gluten meal and/or rice gluten meal and vegetable oil. All diets were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) was incorporated in the finisher period into each diet at a rate of 5 g/kg as an indigestible marker to enable assessment of nutrient digestibility (dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and starch). Growth performance parameters like body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were monitored weekly. At 42 days of age, blood samples were collected and serum was separated for determination of serum lipid profile, glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin. Five birds from each treatment were slaughtered on day 42, for measuring the carcass dressing percentage, and internal organ weights. Results showed that birds fed rice gluten meal with different inclusion rates up to 12.5% have had the same performance parameters like the control diet and there was no significant difference between the different treatments in BW, BWG, FI and FCR. Serum lipid profile, glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin of the different treatment were within the normal range and did not affected by increasing the level of rice gluten meal up to 12.5%. There were no differences in the dressing percentage and internal organs among treatments. Digestibility of DM, CP, EE, NDF and starch were similar across different treatments without any significant differences. In conclusion, birds fed the rice gluten diets compared well with those fed the control for growth performance, carcass dressing and nutrient digestibility and can be included in the broiler diet up to 12.5% without any adverse effect.


This paper discusses its central argument that the nationalist and radical social critique  of the national democratic social movement continues to be relevant in the Philippines. Hernandez's and Lumbera's discourse  are positioned in  this critique.  In the present debate among intellectuals  who espouse  the  postcolonial critique of ideology, and those who oppose it, the writings of Hernandez and Lumbera continue to be relevant to Philippine conditions  in the ongoing struggle against imperialism in its present form. Keywords: Nasyunalismo, postkolonyal, Hernandez, Lumbera, kritisismo, kilusang makabayan


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder mainly characterized by inflammation of the synovial tissue that can lead to destruction of bone and cartilage. Sinomenine is an alkaloid extracted from the stem of the Chinese medicinal plant Sinomenium acutum. It has been reported that sinomenine has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of sinominine on IL-1β-induced human RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RAFLS) is poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of sinomenine on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in IL-1β-treated human RAFLS in vitro and the underlying mechanism. RAFLS viability was evaluated using the MTS assay after sinomenine treatment. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured with ELISA, RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The levels of TLR4 and its downstream signaling targets were determined by western blot analysis. We found that sinomenine suppressed not only NO and PGE2 production but also iNOS and COX-2 expression in IL-1β-induced RAFLS. It also inhibited the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in IL-1β-stimulated RAFLS. Furthermore, sinomenine prevented IL-1β-induced TLR4, MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65 expression. Taken together, these results demonstrated that sinomenine prevented IL-1β-induced inflammation in human RAFLS at least in part by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, suggesting that sinomenine could be a potential agent in the treatment of RA.


The purpose of this work is to review the dialectical relationship between El noticiero de RCN Colombian public television channel and independent journalism published on YouTube, specifically the case of the opinion column La Pulla of the newspaper El espectador, the project conducted an analysis of material referring to the National Strike both of the RCN channel and the column, taking into account the political-social situation of the country. The research methodology was based on the case study during the end of 2019. A review of the theory of social movements and their implications was conducted. At the same time, it appealed to the postulates of journalism itself. It is concluded that the audiovisual can be implemented as a mobilizing object that has enormous potential not only for collective manipulation, but also for social revolutions. This makes it a political trigger that, following Puttnam (1998), has a powerful influence on society.


In 4 experiments, rats were initially trained with an A+ AXo discrimination in which Stimulus A by itself signaled the delivery of food, A+, whereas the simultaneous presentation of A and X was followed by nothing, AXo. In each experiment X was then paired with food prior to a test phase in which A and X were again presented for a discrimination. The discrimination was of the form A+ AXo in Experiments 1 and 2, whereas it was of the form X+ AXo for Experiments 3 and 4. In all 4 experiments the test discrimination was acquired more rapidly than a control discrimination. The results are interpreted in terms of the original A+ AXo discrimination resulting in the growth of an association between a representation of the entire AX compound and the effects of nonreinforcement.


Pesticide use is still much too often systematic on many crops. However, there is scientific consensus that many farmers could change their crop protection practices without putting their revenue in jeopardy. There is need for crop protection management systems that yield significantly lower pesticide consumption. For many crops such management systems are not available, although knowledge about the pathosystems exists. We present here two crop protection formal guidelines (Decision Workflow Systems, DeWS,) which were elicited and formalised using the Statechart (GrapeMilDeWS) and the coloured Petri nets (POD BLe) modelling languages. Elicitation and formal modelling helped the pathologists to ameliorate their design and provided a convenient computer ready format. Moreover, the main purpose of DeWS models is to provide an exhaustive specification, which can then be transferred. This permits large experimental networks to be created. Such networks are necessary to collect data about the behaviour of the pathosystem under low input management and to assess the DeWS robustness and efficiency. Finally DeWS are learning tools for the growers, development workers and for its original designers as well.


In this paper was researched such an issue as prohibited content spreading in the Darknet. Author reviews different ways of data distribution and effective actions against them. The article describes an experiment which was conducted to analyze the extent of the problem and studying the principles of content distribution, for example, one of the sites where the distribution of child pornography, which was the main object of study. During the experiment for collection and analysis of information of the investigated resource the software package was implemented. Received by results of work of modules of software complex data containing the number of active users of the resource, the number created by the video and other content, allow us to estimate the magnitude of the problem. These results prove the assumption that methods used to combat the spread of illicit content, not cope with its task, and the number continues to grow, especially on the resources of the network Darknet. In the final part of the paper provides a set of methods which the author suggests using in future works in which it is planned to try to stop the distribution of content on such sites.


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic joint inflammation. The precise aetiology of this autoimmune process remains unclear. Soluble factors produced by infiltrating synovial cells play an important role in driving the inflammatory process that leads to inflammatory cell migration and proliferation in the synovial tissue. These soluble factors consist mainly of cytokines that either promote or suppress inflammation. A number of cytokines have been identified in synovial fluid and the synovial membrane. Cytokines such as TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 stimulate T-cells and induce subsequent cartilage and bone erosion (Kang et al., 2009). Along with IL-18, these cytokines are produced by synovial macrophages and synovial fibroblasts. IL-18 causes joint inflammation and subsequent bone destruction by facilitating T-cell activation and stimulating B-cell production of autoantibodies. Deletion of the IL-18 gene in mice has been shown to result in a significant reduction in the incidence of joint inflammation and bone destruction (Wei et al., 2001). CD4+ T-cells proliferate in inflamed synovial joints through stimulation of IL-15. Inhibition IL-15 results in a significantly lower production of TNF and IL-1. As such, IL-15 blockade abolishes severe joint inflammation in collagen induced-arthritis mouse models (Ruchatz et al., 1998). In the CD4+ T-cell population, Th17 has been demonstrated as a pathogenic T-cell that produces IL-17 to induce neutrophil migration (Shibata et al., 2009). IL-17 is known to stimulate receptor-activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) production by osteoblast cells to promote osteoclastogenesis in RA bone erosion (Joosten et al., 2003). Th17 development is governed by TGF, IL-1 and IL-23 (Paradowska-Gorycka et al., 2010; Santarlasci et al., 2009). Higher concentrations of IL-23 (a member of the IL-12 family cytokines) are detected in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with greater severity of RA (Melis et al., 2010). IL-23 can also be produced by osteoblast cells after stimulation with TNF (unpublished data). It is possible that remission of joint inflammation in RA patients can occur spontaneously. The fluctuation in inflammation within the joint results from auto-inhibition through the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines via regulatory T (Treg) cells (Raghavan et al.,


Abstract The AVHotRR routine has been in operation since 2006 to process satellite data for monitoring active volcanoes in the Mediterranean area. Although originally developed to work with advanced very high-resolution radiometer (AVHRR) data, AVHotRR has been developed over the years to adapt to other sensors. In this work we present an improved version of the algorithm for hot-spot detection and effusion rate estimate. The underlying principles upon which the algorithm is based are discussed, focusing on the enhancements. The currently implemented version makes it possible to integrate results from different datasets in order to better constrain the detection of volcanic hot spots. In particular, the high temporal resolution of the SEVIRI instrument aboard MSG is key to reducing false positives in AVHRR and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer MODIS images. We propose here a new detection method based on the wavelet transform of SEVIRI data. Results from the application of AVHotRR to a dataset of AVHRR and SEVIRI images from Mt Etna, Italy, are presented and discussed with reference to the advantages and limitations of the algorithm.


We report the experimental demonstration of a 10-GS/s 5-bit real-time optical quantization using the soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS) and multistage spectral compression. We prove the feature of sampling rate transparency at 10 GS/s by transmitting 10-Gb/s multi-intensity level quasi analog signals through our 5-bit optical quantizer. Furthermore, to confirm the performance of our quantizer, we measure the bit-error-rate and calculate the effective number of bits, the integral nonlinearity error, and the differential nonlinearity error.


p145c‐kit is expressed in cell lineages of diverse origin and appears to regulate distinct cell type characteristic functions. Independent mutations at the murine Dominant White Spotting (W) locus result in the alteration of p145c‐kit tyrosine kinase activity and signalling potential, which differentially affects melanocyte migration, germ cell regeneration and hematopoietic cell differentiation. Molecules that may be involved in mediation and definition of p145c‐kit signalling pathways were investigated in cell lines of hematopoietic, melanogenic and central nervous system origin. High‐affinity association of endogenous cellular proteins with activated p145c‐kit was limited to a characteristic set of molecules that correlated with the presence of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3′‐kinase activity. The observed association pattern of proteins was cell type characteristic, and all of the proteins were displaced from the receptor by competition with excess receptor binding subunit of PtdIns 3′‐kinase. Our data indicate that PtdIns 3′‐kinase associates with p145c‐kit as part of a multimeric signalling complex, and suggest that the cell type characteristic composition of this complex influences the signalling potential of p145c‐kit in the diverse cell types in which it is expressed and thereby defines its cell type‐specific functions.


In the Brazilian popular imagination, the discovery of oil was announced on August 9, 1938, by the Viscount of Corncob. The Donabentense Oil Company drilled Caraminguá's first well, near the creek that passed through the Yellow Woodpecker Ranch ("Sítio do Picapau Amarelo," in colloquial Portuguese). The latter was the name of a famous Brazilian children's book. In fact, the first oil well flowed in Salvador, Bahia, on January 21, 1939, discovered by Manoel Ignácio Bastos (1891 - 1940), a Brazilian geographer engineer, whose business partner, Oscar Salvador Cordeiro (1890 - 1970), was the president of the Bahia Commodities Exchange. A brief analysis of documents, such as reports, Brazilian decrees and executive orders, as well as newspapers, detail the actions of these Brazilian oil pioneers. Statistical data analysis was also performed about onshore and offshore oil production between 1941 and 2019, as a part of Bastos and Cordeiros' heritage.


—Recent trends in integrated circuits industry include decentralization of the production flow by involving different integration teams, third-party IP vendors and other untrusted entities. As a result, this is opening up a door to new types of attacks that may lead to devastating consequences, such as denial of service or data leakage. Therefore, the problem of ensuring hardware security has gained much attention in the last years, especially early in the design cycle, when an attacker may insert malicious circuitry at register transfer (RT) or gate level. Due to the increased complexity of modern devices, the research community is spending a lot of effort in developing more sophisticated detection methodologies and smarter attacks. However, the main problem is that they are validated on the existing benchmarks that do not reflect the real complexity. Trying to fill this gap, this paper proposes a set of RT-Level Hardware Trojan benchmarks injected in a RISC-based pipelined microprocessor core. To prove the viability, the impacts on area, power and frequency are presented and discussed. For any proposed Hardware Trojan, the functional description, the implementation details and the effects once activated are provided.


The complex geometry underlying the Schrödinger dynamics of coherent states for non-Hermitian Hamiltonians is investigated. In particular, two seemingly contradictory approaches are compared: (i) a complex WKB formalism, for which the centres of coherent states naturally evolve along complex trajectories, which leads to a class of complexified coherent states; (ii) the investigation of the dynamical equations for the real expectation values of position and momentum, for which an Ehrenfest theorem has been derived in a previous paper, yielding real but non-Hamiltonian classical dynamics on phase space for the real centres of coherent states. Both approaches become exact for quadratic Hamiltonians. The apparent contradiction is resolved building on an observation by Huber, Heller and Littlejohn, that complexified coherent states are equivalent if their centres lie on a specific complex Lagrangian manifold. A rich underlying complex symplectic geometry is unravelled. In particular, a natural complex structure is identified that defines a projection from complex to real phase space, mapping complexified coherent states to their real equivalents. This article is part of a special issue of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical devoted to 'Coherent states: mathematical and physical aspects'.


Linguistic interaction between two people is the fundamental form of communication, yet almost all research in language use focuses on isolated speakers and listeners. In this innovative work, Garrod and Pickering extend the scope of psycholinguistics beyond individuals by introducing communication as a social activity. Drawing on psychological, linguistic, philosophical and sociological research, they expand their theory that alignment across individuals is the basis of communication, through the model of a 'shared workspace account'. In this workspace, interlocutors are actors who jointly manipulate and control the interaction and develop similar representations of both language and social context, in order to achieve communicative success. The book also explores dialogue within groups, technologies, as well as the role of culture more generally. Providing a new understanding of cognitive representation, this trailblazing work will be highly influential in the fields of linguistics, psychology and cognitive linguistics.


In this paper we present numerical results concerning vibration reduction of structural-acoustic systems using the synchronized switch control technique. In order to develop a general procedure to model the coupled system (composed by the fluid domain, the structure and the piezoelectric elements), the idea is to use the performances of a standard commercial code such as Nastran. A symmetric reduced order model is derived from a general finite element description through the extraction of appropriate system matrices. For sake of brevity, we just recall that depending upon the choice of fluid field variables, non symmetric formulations are usually obtained (so-called displacement-pressure formulations), the symmetrization can be derived through appropriate choice of fluid field variables [1, 2]. A simple fluid-structure system for which an analytic solution exists will be used to verify the finite element results and to demonstrate the capabilities of the control procedure. Referring to experimental tests [3], the system consists of a straight air-filled tube with a square cross section. The tube is a rigid cavity with an elastic plate at one end and a piezoelectric patch bonded in its centre. Firstly, the conservative structural-acoustic problem is presented. The symmetric variational and finite element formulations are then described. The model is constructed using Nastran software and the finite element matrices are then extracted and assembled in Matlab. In a second step, the electro-mechanical coupling matrices are built using three-dimensional finite elements in order to take into account local moments of the piezoelectric wafers according to the equivalent thermal coefficient theory [4, 5]. Finally, the reduced electro-mechanical fluid-structure system, obtained through a modal projection, is integrated in time using a Newmark type algorithm. Numerical results are then presented showing the performance of the synchronized switch damping for vibro-acoustic applications in the low frequency domain (low modal density).© 2008 ASME


Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody that enhances the efficacy of the immune system by targeting a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), which is a protein receptor that downregulates the immune system. Nivolumab is also a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets another protein receptor that prevents activated T cells from attacking the cancer; this receptor is called programmed cell death 1 (PD-1). The FDA approved ipilimumab combined with nivolumab as a frontline therapy for patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma and as a second-line therapy for patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) metastatic colon cancer. Immune-related adverse events such as autoimmune colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, nephritis, hypophysitis, and thyroiditis may occur during or weeks to months after therapy. We report a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma following one cycle of ipilimumab and nivolumab. Only one case report of ipilimumab-induced TTP exists in the medical literature. With the wide use of immunotherapy to treat cancers, physicians need to be aware of this rare immune-related adverse event.


Title of Document: EXERTING LOCAL POWER OVER FEDERAL PROCESS: STAKEHOLDER NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN THE CANYON FOREST VILLAGE LAND EXCHANGE PROCESS 1992-2002 Barbara A. Kearney, Ph.D., 2006 Directed By: Dr., Martha Geores, Department of Geography This is a study of the National Forest Land Exchange process as it relates to the development of gateway communities. The study area is outside the Kaibab National Forest in Northern Arizona. This land exchange represented a collaborative partnership between the National Park Service, the Forest Service meant to consolidate private inholdings within the forest and to provide services for the Grand Canyon National Park outside park borders. The stakeholders involved in the land exchange discourse included the Forest Service, the developer, the National Park Service, the gateway communities of Tusayan, Williams, and Flagstaff, the Havasupai tribe, and environmental organizations. This study demonstrates that the public interest is dependent on scale. Using a mixed methodological approach, this study examined the impact stakeholders had on the land exchange process. A content analysis of articles and editorials written in local and regional newspapers, of public comments on the Environmental Impact Statement, and of semi-structured interviews of key participants in the land exchange debate helped to elucidate the most prominent concerns resonating with each category of stakeholder. A survey of the city of Williams, Arizona, was also conducted. Though it never came to fruition, the Canyon Forest Village land exchange demonstrated the economic issues facing gateway communities and their vulnerability to the actions and policies of public land agencies. By voicing their concerns and conducting a media campaign against the development plan, the gateway communities took control of both the land exchange process and their own economic development. EXERTING LOCAL POWER OVER FEDERAL PROCESS: STAKEHOLDER NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN THE CANYON FOREST VILLAGE LAND EXCHANGE PROCESS 1992-2002


We present the results of a survey using the WASP archive to search for high frequency pulsations in F-, Aand B-type stars. Over 1.5 million targets have been searched for pulsations with amplitudes greater than 0.5 millimagnitude. We identify over 350 stars which pulsate with periods less than 30 min. Spectroscopic follow-up of selected targets has enabled us to confirm 10 new rapidly oscillating Ap stars, 13 pulsating Am stars and the fastest known δ Scuti star. We also observe stars which show pulsations in both the high-frequency domain and in the low-frequency δ Scuti range. This work shows the power of the WASP photometric survey to find variable stars with amplitudes well below the nominal photometric precision per observation.


Intestinal infection by Cryptosporidium parvum causes inhibition of epithelial turnover, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. Previous studies demonstrate that a panel of parasite RNA transcripts of low protein-coding potential are delivered into infected epithelial cells. Using in vitro and in vivo models of intestinal cryptosporidiosis, we report here that host delivery of parasite Cdg7_FLc_1000 RNA results in inhibition of epithelial cell migration through suppression of the gene encoding sphingomyelinase 3 (SMPD3). Delivery of Cdg7_FLc_1000 into infected cells promotes the histone methyltransferase G9a-mediated H3K9 methylation in the SMPD3 locus. The DNA-binding transcriptional repressor, PR domain zinc finger protein 1, is required for the assembly of Cdg7_FLc_1000 into the G9a complex and associated with the enrichment of H3K9 methylation at the gene locus. Pathologically, nuclear transfer of Cryptosporidium parvum Cdg7_FLc_1000 RNA is involved in the attenuation of intestinal epithelial cell migration via trans-suppression of host cell SMPD3.


It is not a new situation for young people to struggle with the apparent contradiction between science and religion. However, that situation has become more acute in the 21st-century. This paper seeks to examine the nature of that struggle and offer a framework for response that retains the integrity of both the scientific and faith communities and that of the young enquirers themselves.


Various ultrathin planar optical elements, including cylindrical lens, spherical lens, and phase holograms, are designed based on the interface phase modulation of antenna resonances in the terahertz (THz) range. The focusing and imaging performance of the lenses and image‐reconstruction ability of the pure phase holograms are demonstrated experimentally. In contrast to conventional bulky optical elements where curve surfaces are used to control the light propagation, the manipulations of light propagation for these thin planar optical elements are achieved through designed arrays of complementary V‐shaped antennas in the planar gold films with a thickness of 100 nm (1/4000th of the wavelength of the illuminating light). The adoption of the complementary V‐shaped antennas makes the optical elements have double functions: light propagation manipulation and filtering, which improves the performance of the optical elements by blocking the disturbance from the direct transmission. This research is a significant step towards the reduction of the THz elements size and, therefore, to the development of micro‐integrated THz systems and to other applications where the compaction is necessary. The approach used here can be expanded to multifarious optical elements in different wave bands.


A whole number of factors which affect the depth as well as duration of the block after administration of non-depolarizing myorelaxants, both positively and negatively. However, the effect in one patient can be predicted only with difficulty--as this paper showed--as neither the hydration level, age nor kalemia concentration had any effect on the depth of the neuromuscular block. Neither in patients, otherwise healthy, is it possible to predict the degree of the neuromuscular block after administering a standard dose of curaremimetic. The depth of the block can only be established by an objective method--mechano-myoscopic block monitoring. For this purpose, the authors use a Czechoslovak-made neuromuscular stimulator LSN 110. The determination of the actual block depth can help to control relaxation according to the needs of the surgeon or anaesthesiologist, and according to the individual patient's sensibility. A different sensibility response to myorelaxants was found in pipecuronium, vecuronium and even in atracurium. It corresponds approximately to gaussian curve of frequency.


This paper introduces an observer-based adaptive optimal control method for unknown singularly perturbed nonlinear systems with input constraints. First, a multi-time scales dynamic neural network U+0028 MTSDNN U+0029 observer with a novel updating law derived from a properly designed Lyapunov function is proposed to estimate the system states. Then, an adaptive learning rule driven by the critic NN weight error is presented for the critic NN, which is used to approximate the optimal cost function. Finally, the optimal control action is calculated by online solving the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman U+0028 HJB U+0029 equation associated with the MTSDNN observer and critic NN. The stability of the overall closed-loop system consisting of the MTSDNN observer, the critic NN and the optimal control action is proved. The proposed observer-based optimal control approach has an essential advantage that the system dynamics are not needed for implementation, and only the measured input U+002F output data is needed. Moreover, the proposed optimal control design takes the input constraints into consideration and thus can overcome the restriction of actuator saturation. Simulation results are presented to confirm the validity of the investigated approach.


This study aimed to characterize the role of phosphorylation of caseins in selective allergy to goat milk (GM) and sheep milk (SM) in patients with good tolerance to cow milk (CM). We performed skin prick tests with milk and caseins from CM, GM, and SM and immunoblotting and specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E determinations with milk and casein from cow and GM and SM. Sensitization to milk and caseins from goat and sheep was demonstrated in all 3 patients by skin tests, determination of specific IgE, or both. Immunoblotting confirmed that GM/SM proteins but not CM proteins were involved in the allergic symptoms. IgE reacted with several protein bands from the caseins and milk extracts of both sheep and goat. Phosphorylation was involved in the different allergenicity of CM caseins. We report the implication of phosphorylation in the allergenicity of caseins involved in selective allergy to GM and SM.


Purpose: To identify the effects of increased water intake on dry eye signs and symptoms and their association to retinal vessel diameter changes in healthy optometry students using the OCT-A. Methods: Candidates were screened for their hydration status and only dehydrated candidates (those who drink less than what is required for their weight) were eligible to participate. All individuals self-reported having no systemic conditions or ocular conditions linked with dry eyes. Thirty-six qualified subjects were evaluated for dry eye signs by assessing tear break-up time, tear volume, lipid layer thickness, blink rate, and Meibomian gland health. The Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) Questionnaire was used to screen subjects for severity of dryness as well as evaluate dry eye symptoms during the study. OCT-A was used to evaluate blood vessel changes preand post-water consumption. Qualifying subjects were asked to drink a specified amount of water within 24 hours. Signs and symptoms of dry eye were re-evaluated the next day. Results: ANCOVA analysis compared each subject's post-treatment results to their pretreatment (baseline) results. There was a significant difference between the control group and the experimental group for the SPEED score (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference for tear break-up time, tear volume, lipid layer thickness, blink rate and Meibomian gland health between the control group and experimental group. Retinal vessel diameter changes were compared between the two groups using a simple scatterplot. Retinal vessel diameter changes showed mixed results for water intake and retinal diameter correlations. Overall, there was no significance in vessel diameters between groups. Conclusions: Increased water intake does not improve signs of dry eye. However, subjects in the experimental group of this study experienced improved symptoms after increased water intake. This effect must be further investigated. The study also showed inconclusive data on the effect of retinal vessel diameter changes after increased water intake. This also requires further investigation.


Both hematopoietic stem cells and immune cells in the bone marrow localize in close proximity to the bone marrow vasculature, suggesting possible interactions between hematopoiesis and the immune response in the vascular bone marrow niche. In this thesis, we therefore focus on the vascular bone marrow niche as an immunological and hematopoietic hotspot. We study the role of the vascular bone marrow niche in the bone marrow entry of hematopoietic stem- and progenitor cells. We show that VE-cadherin is crucial for the regulation of bone marrow vascular permeability and bone marrow directed migration of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Next, we identify an important role for the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis for CD8+ T bone marrow entry and subsequent localization in vascular bone marrow niches that support their survival. In addition, we study the capacity of the vascular bone marrow niche to support hematopoiesis under inflammatory challenge, as well as its ability to translate inflammatory signals to hematopoietic output. We conclude that IFN-y negatively affects the maintenance and survival of bone marrow MSCs, and does not improve their hematopoietic support function. In addition, we suggest an important role for bone marrow dendritic cells as translators between infection and hematopoiesis, in particular in anti-fungal immunity. This thesis therefore identifies opportunities for crosstalk between hematopoiesis and immunity in the bone marrow, and invites further investigations into the organization of the vascular bone marrow niche that will be of significance for our understanding of hematopoiesis and immunological memory in both health and disease.


Carbon yolk–shell microspheres are ideal sulfur host materials for Li–S batteries because they can accommodate the volume expansion of sulfur during charge–discharge cycles. In this study, yolk–shell structured carbon microspheres are prepared by spray pyrolysis, and their formation mechanism is investigated. SnO2/carbon–carbon core–shell microspheres, prepared by one-step spray pyrolysis using a solution containing tin(II) oxalate, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and sucrose, are used as precursor microspheres; the shell and core are formed from PVP and sucrose, respectively. Carbon yolk–shell microspheres with a carbon-void-carbon configuration are prepared by the elimination of SnO2 using Se under a reducing atmosphere. The carbon yolk–shell microspheres prepared from the solution containing sucrose have more filled yolk than the microspheres prepared from the solution without sucrose. The first discharge and charge capacities of the sulfur infiltrated carbon yolk–shell microspheres with a filled yolk at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 are 1503 and 1368 mA h g−1, respectively. The discharge capacity of the microspheres after the 150th cycle at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 is 602 mA h g−1. The microspheres have high reversible discharge capacities of 817, 735, 626, 513, and 340 mA h g−1 at the current densities of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 10 A g−1, respectively. The sulfur-infiltrated carbon yolk–shell microspheres with the filled yolk show superior rate performance compared to the hollow microspheres with negligible yolk.


The article deals with K.H. Hasyim Asy'ari's thought of character education. The result of the study indicates that according to K.H. Hasyim Asy'ari the characters of teachers and students in his work Adab al-'Âlim wa al-Muta'allim can be classified into three parts, are mentality or character, which should be possessed by teachers and learners: attempts to be done in order to become characterized teachers and learners, and: teaching strategies employed by educators and learning strategies used by learners. These three parts have compatible indicators with the competence of educators stated in UU Sisdiknas (The Legislation of National Educational System) year 2003 along with 18 values of character promulgated by Pusat Kurikulum Pengembangan dan Pendidikan Budaya dan Karakter Bangsa. Moreover, according to K.H. Hasyim Asy'ari, the relevance of character education with the context of character education in Indonesia consists of a number of character education elements, namely the meaning and goal of character education, the values of character for both teachers and students, the rationale of character education, the method of character education, the media of character education, and the evaluation of character education


Previous research on mood dependent memory (MDM) suggests that the more one must rely on internal resources, rather than on external aids, to generate both the target events and the cues required for their retrieval, the more likely is one's memory for these events to be mood dependent. To instantiate this "do-it-yourself" principle, three experiments were conducted in which Ss experiencing either a pleasant or an unpleasant mood generated autobiographical events in response to neutral nouns. Subsequently, Ss were tested for event free recall while in the same or the alternative mood state. All three studies showed MDM, such that the likelihood of recalling an event generated 2 or 3 days ago was higher when generation and recall moods matched than when they mismatched. Prospects for future research aimed at elucidating and extending these results are discussed.


: In immobilized rats with hemorrhagic erosions of gastric mucosa induced by 8-hour electric stimulation, the neurotropic agents were injected intraperitoneally over three days after stimulation was discontinued. Phenamine and melipramine were conductive to healing of the mucous membrane erosions and produced no effect on the recovery of noradrenaline level in the intestinal wall. Clonidin and reserpin inhibited erosion healing and noradrenalline level recovery, whereas eterofen and atropin elicited no effect on the test parameters.


There has been a great deal of hype about Amazon's simple storage service (S3). S3 provides infinite scalability and high availability at low cost. Currently, S3 is used mostly to store multi-media documents (videos, photos, audio) which are shared by a community of people and rarely updated. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the opportunities and limitations of using S3 as a storage system for general-purpose database applications which involve small objects and frequent updates. Read, write, and commit protocols are presented. Furthermore, the cost ($), performance, and consistency properties of such a storage system are studied.


The financial services industry has long been one of New York's leading engines of economic growth. The "Great Recession" of 2008-2009, however, put the industry--and everything it affects--under tremendous stress, leading to financial losses, unemployment, business failures, foreclosures, government bailouts, and calls for new approaches to regulating financial products and industries. Recognizing the widespread effect of the Great Recession, and the different perspectives on its causes, we decided that the regulation of the financial industry would make a perfect topic for this year's symposium. The symposium was held on October 8, 2009 and featured a panel of twelve experts on financial regulation--including professors, industry regulators, and practitioners from leading law firms and financial institutions--to discuss issues relating to regulatory structure and reform. The names of the esteemed panelists are listed below. Among other topics, panel members discussed the U.S. dual system of financial regulation, the role of state and federal government in fostering consumer protection, the relationship between sound business practices and financial innovation, ways to regulate irresponsible financial risk-taking, and the challenges of fashioning an appropriate regulatory scheme in light of so many moving parts. The symposium was comprised of two moderated roundtable discussions and a keynote address. The first roundtable discussion, "Exploring our Dual System of Financial Regulation," focused on issues pertaining to our dual system of financial regulation, i.e., regulation on the state and local levels. The panelists discussed the role of the state and federal government with respect to consumer protection, the licensing and oversight of industry participants, regulatory structure, regulatory arbitrage and moral hazard, and financial innovation. During a luncheon keynote address, Ms. Mary Ann Gadziala, '78, Associate Director of the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, offered remarks concerning the challenges facing the SEC and other regulatory agencies. The second roundtable discussion, "Our "Patchwork" Regulatory Scheme--Problems & Solutions," addressed the challenges associated with the "patchwork" nature of the current system of financial market regulation. The panelists considered the problems of systemic risk, the challenges associated with effective regulation financial markets, and the problems associated with regulatory arbitrage and contagion. With over three-hundred in attendance, the symposium was one of the premier events at Albany Law School in the 2009-2010 academic year. At a time when everyone has questions about the regulation of the financial industry, the symposium made a valuable contribution to the dialogue on how best to institute reform with respect to the existing structure. …


— "Reinforcement of Mouldings" is informing about the factors affecting the mechanical properties of plastics by addition of natural and synthetical fibers, the influence of matrix polymer and several reinforcing materials and accounts for the processes of thermoset moulding. Some applications in building trade (especially bridges) using reinforced polymeric material are illustrated by pictures. Chapter 3


This research departs from the existing academic anxiety, namely photographing how the role of Islamic boarding schools, in this case Al-Muayyad as a religious education institution and agent of social change in linking between Islamic understanding and Indonesianness. In addition, this paper tries to read the pattern of shifting the narrative of the nationality of Al-Muayyad from pre-independence to post-independence Indonesia based on Islamic values developed. This study uses descriptive qualitative methods, intended to describe the data obtained from observations. The analysis uses cohesion interpretation with the verstehen method, namely the interpretations sought can explain the sociological symptoms observed in accordance with the meanings given by the observed object. Data collection uses observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of the study show that Al-Muayyad as the sālafīyāh pesantren which places Islam as mābdā 'al-hāyāh thus gives birth to Islamic character which is tāwāsüth (moderate) and inclusive. Aswaja as mānhāj al-fīkr provides a frame in the creation of Islam that respects local traditions, pluralism, multiculturalism, tolerance, democracy and other humanism values in accordance with the concept of māqāshīd al-syarī'ah which includes five basic human rights (al-küllīyāt al-khāms). Al-Muayyad as a sub-culture of society that has its own uniqueness in the next aspects of value, such as the way of life adopted, the outlook on life, the values followed, and its own internal power hierarchy that is fully adhered to. As a religious education institution and agent of social change, Al-Muayyad places moderate Islamic values and locality as a medium to build a society that is peaceful, tolerant, and appreciates the diversity that exists. In affirming national identity, Al-Muayyad is based on a dynamic Islamic understanding as a form of "Islam Nusan-tara", Islam that is distinctive in Indonesian-nuanced taste by promoting pluralist, populist, and national-minded values.


A detailed study on the photophysical and complexing properties of calixarenes bearing two and four dansyl derivatives (Calix-DANS2 and Calix-DANS4) in a CH3CN/H2O mixture (60:40 v/v) is reported. Calix-DANS2 shows a high selectivity towards Hg2+ over interfering cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) and a sensitivity in the 10(-7) mol L(-1) concentration range. The complexation of mercury ion induces a strong fluorescence quenching due to a well-defined electron transfer process from the fluorophore to the metal center. Calix-DANS4 exhibits an extremely high affinity for Pb2+ with a high selectivity over various competing ions. The unprecedented detection limit (4 microg L(-1)) is fully compatible with the level defined by the World Health Organisation. The affinity of Calix-DANS4 for Pb2+ can be rationalized by the activation of the inert pair of electrons on Pb2+. The number of fluorophores involved in the complexation can be determined from a careful time-resolved fluorescence characterization.


Recently, research on new techniques of single-chamber mufflers equipped with a non-perforated intruding tube has been addressed; however, the research work on multi-chamber mufflers conjugated with open-ended perforated intruding inlet-tubes which may dramatically increase the acoustical performance has been neglected. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is not only to analyze the sound transmission loss (STL) of a multi-chamber open-ended perforated inlet-tube muffler but also to optimize the best design shape within a limited space. In this paper, the four-pole system matrix for evaluating the acoustic performance - sound transmission loss (STL) - is derived by using a decoupled numerical method. Moreover, a genetic algorithm (GA), a robust scheme used to search for the global optimum by imitating a genetic evolutionary process, has been used during the optimization process. Results reveal that the maximal STL is precisely located at the desired tone. In addition, it has been shown that the acoustic performance for both pure tone and broadband noise will increase if the muffler has more chambers.


The Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory (MAPI; Millon, Green, & Meagher, 1982) was administered at admission and discharge to 215 hospitalized adolescents. Significant mean score differences were found for both internalizing (affective disorder) and externalizing (disruptive behavior disorder) adolescents. Consistent with theory, internalizing adolescents reported significantly greater distress at both admission and discharge than externalizing adolescents. Finally, test-retest reliability coefficients were somewhat lower than those reported previously (Millon et al., 1982) for hospitalized adolescents.


Many computer science problems can be naturally and compactly expressed using quantified Boolean formulas (QBFs). Evaluating thetruth or falsity of a QBF is an important task, and constructing the corresponding model or countermodel can be as important and sometimes even more useful in practice. Modern search and learning based QBF solvers rely fundamentally on resolution and can be instrumented to produce resolution proofs, from which in turn Skolem-function models and Herbrand-function countermodels can be extracted. These (counter)models are the key enabler of various applications. Not until recently the superiority of long-distanceresolution (LQ-resolution) to short-distance resolution(Q-resolution) was demonstrated. While a polynomial algorithm exists for (counter)model extraction from Q-resolution proofs, it remains open whether it exists forLQ-resolution proofs. This paper settles this open problem affirmatively by constructing a linear-time extraction procedure. Experimental results show the distinct benefits of the proposed method in extracting high quality certificates from some LQ-resolution proofs that are not obtainable from Q-resolution proofs.


In 1772-1773 Adam Naruszewicz, one of most outstanding representatives of Polish Enlightenment, wrote the first complete translation of all Tacit's works. The study is devoted to Naruszewicz's translation work on the texts of Roman historian. Adam Naruszewicz translated them onto Polish and published them in three volume, entitled "All works of Kaj Kornelius Tacit. Translation of Adam Stanisław Naruszewicz S.J.". The study presents a translation workshop of the bishop's of Smoleńsk, with a special consideration of the description of the mechanisms governing the preparation of scientific commentaries. Previous research concerning the bishop's commentary work did not at all raise the issue of authorship, claiming that the commentaries were written by Naruszewicz. The Smoleńsk bishop's commentary work was assessed very highly by the critics. However, the outcome in comparative research of Naruszewicz's translation and the bases of translations presented in this study allowed to formulate new statements according to which scientofic commentaries in Tacit's first Polish translation betray a far-reaching, multidimensional dependence on the source of translation, which allows to set and prove the thesis that the bishop was their author.


The transition to a green economy is arguably the most important economic transformation of the next decades. To be completed it requires the mobilization of astounding resources, a flow of technological innovation and a whole series of new rules going from technical standards to financial regulation. Given the resources it needs, the transition, to be credible, requires a full engagement of the financial system. On this regard we analyze the policy set-up of Europe, the most advanced area on the issue. We identify a three-layer functioning of the EU project for transition. The first one ("green products") is fully compatible with the present financial system. A second layer entails changes in the business model and organization of financial operators but it can be phased in with minor overhauls. Finally, there is a third layer, largely incompatible with the present financial system, yet crucial to achieve transition. We show that, according to the same EU analysis, the transition needs a total change in the financial landscape and therefore it is, rebus sic stantibus, intrinsically unfeasible. We suggest ways to escape the dilemma that connects financial stability and green economy.


This research is triggered by the phenomenom of purchasing decisions on the online store Mephoto_Project. This research is used to analyze and prove the effect of reativity, innovation, and review of purchasing decisions. Quantitative methods use for this research. The sample technique used is incidental sampling technique. The numbrt of respondents are 105 consumers. Multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS software version 24. Regression equation obtained: Y = 5,063 + 0,251X1 + 0,257X2 + 0,212X3. This research has results indicate that: First, creativity has a positive impact on purchasing decisions on Mephoto_Project. Second, innovation has a positive impact on purchasing decision on Mephoto_Project. Third, the review has a positive impact on purchasing decision on Mephoto_Project. Fourth, the amount of influence contributed by creativity, innovation, and review of purchasing decisions on Mephoto_Project is 18.9%


Gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility is a severe, and common complication in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Current therapeutic methods using acetylcholine analogs or laxative agents have unwanted side effects, besides often fail to have desired effect. Various ion channels such as ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel, calcium ions (Ca2+)-activated potassium ions (K+) channels, voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels and chloride ion (Cl−) channels are abundantly expressed in GI tissues, and play an important role in regulating GI motility. The release of neurotransmitters from the enteric nerve terminal, innervating GI interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and smooth muscle cells (SMC), causes inactivation of K+ and Cl− channels, increasing Ca2+ influx into cytoplasm, resulting in membrane depolarization and smooth muscle contraction. Thus, agents directly regulating ion channels activity either in ICC or in SMC may affect GI peristalsis and would be potential therapeutic target for the treatment of GI dysmotility with SCI.


Coronoid process hyperplasia (CPH) is an uncommon disorder characterized by an enlarged coronoid process impinging against the posterior aspect of the zygomatic arch. Young male adults are usually affected, presenting with limited mouth opening, which is typically painless and progressive in nature. The diagnosis of true CPH is established by the findings of (1) uniform coronoid enlargement on radiographic examination and (2) normal bone structure on histopathological examination (i.e., the specimen should be free of any neoplastic growth, such as the previously reported cases of coronoid osteomas, osteochondromas, or exostoses). The treatment is mainly surgical, by means of a coronoidectomy. An intraoral approach is mostly preferred for this procedure to avoid an external scar. However, to avoid the drawbacks of this approach, such as limited exposure and the risk of hematoma and subsequent fibrosis, an extraoral approach may be indicated. This report describes a case of true unilateral CPH in a 17-year-old boy who presented with progressive limited mouth opening in the absence of any pain. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a uniformly enlarged right coronoid process. A coronoidectomy was performed with the aid of endoscopic systems, approaching via two short incisions in the temporal scalp. Histopathological examination of the specimen demonstrated essentially a normal bony structure with no evidence of a neoplasm. The authors present the endoscopically assisted technique of coronoid process excision as an alternative method of surgical treatment of CPH and any mass of the coronoid process in general. With this method, the incision is much shorter than a conventional coronal incision and thus morbidity is diminished considerably.


Two new genera, Malaysiapona gen. nov. and Chandrapona gen. nov. of Paraboloponina leafhoppers (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Drabescini) with their unusally developed aedeagal base are described from the Pacific (Malaysia). The following new species are also described with the new genera: Malaysiapona brevipenis sp. nov. from Sabah, M. filamenta sp. nov., from Sarawak and Chandrapona vespertilis sp. nov. from Sabah.


Despite reports of being Asia's next economic superpower, India is experiencing a crisis in food that threatens development, peace, and security. Affecting 700 million Indians, the food crisis is caused by the State's failures to uphold its legal obligations to protect the international human right to food. Conflicting post-Independence agricultural policies, the Green Revolution, and neoliberal reforms imposed at the behest of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization, have dismantled the country's food production capacity. The result is increased hunger, poverty, malnutrition, starvation, deaths, vast social inequities, inflated food prices, the decimation of small-scale farming, epidemic farmer suicides, and the loss of biodiversity, each of which violate the international human right to food, and threaten development, peace, and security. Part II of this article sets out India's legal obligations to protect the right to food, the prerequisite of this right for development, and the duty of the State to ensure non-State actors respect this right. Part III of this article explains how and why policy reforms in India have removed key resources from small-scale farmers and rural Indians, leaving India with the highest malnutrition, poverty, and hunger rates in the world. Part IV concludes that the neoliberal reforms have resulted in the failure of the right to food and the right to development in the country, and have perpetuated poverty, powerlessness, and exclusion among India's poor; India must pursue a development strategy that is human-rights centered, and must implement economic reforms that are grounded in justice, equity, and respect for the inherent dignity of the human being. Some initial areas for reform are identified as a means for the Indian government to protect the right to food, and to work towards the realization of the full benefits of development for all Indians.


In order to deal with the challenges and opportunities presented by the mobile Internet, this paper proposes a new Internet-oriented mobile network architecture, dubbed i-Net, for fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems. Based on direct communications established between the base stations (BSs), i-Net can implement local data routing for mobile data traffic, which adapts to increased service localization for the mobile Internet. We first present the network architecture and main technical features, i.e., inter-connection, integration, and intelligence. Then the key techniques are discussed to show their potential in improving the network efficiency of i-Net. Field trials for inter-BS direct communications to implement cooperative multipoint oPeration (CoMP) in i-Net are carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of i-Net. It is expected that i-Net can provide a good quality of experience for end users through the efficient integration of the multi-BS, multi-band, and multi-radio-access-technology (RAT) radio resources in 5G.


Reciprocal altruism is considered to be particularly stable when occurring in small networks. Using a stable isotope approach, we tested in colonies of vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) whether food sharing occurs among few or many females; vampires are known to regurgitate recently ingested blood for starving conspecifics. Accordingly, the isotopic signatures of vampires depend not only on individual prey choice but also on the extent of food sharing among isotopically contrasting conspecifics. By measuring the stable carbon isotope ratio in tissues with varying isotopic retention in individual vampires (blood: approx. 2 wk; wing membrane tissue: approx. 2 mo; fur: >6 mo), we estimated the variation in the percentages of carbon derived from pasture (via blood from cattle and horses). We expected to find narrow ranges of percentages in individual vampires, because we anticipated food sharing only within small female networks if food sharing happened at all. Overall, vampire bats obtained 79.2 ± 12.3% of carbon from grazers. The range of percentages was small within the majority of individuals in relation to that across all individuals, suggesting that most vampires were isotopic specialists. We expected females to be more isotopically generalistic than males, as food sharing was observed to occur more often between females than between males. Indeed, stable isotope evidence suggested that more females obtained carbon from isotopically contrasting sources than males. This pattern is consistent with food sharing in small groups of female vampires, provided that food sharing occurred at all.


A new test structure for the detection and localization of short and open defects in LSI intra-layer wiring processes is proposed. In the structure, an open-monitoring element (OME) in the first metal layer meanders around lines of short-monitoring elements (SME) placed in contact with N-type diffusion regions to make the structure compact. The proposed structure allows defective test structures to be screened through electrical measurements and killer defects to be localized through voltage contrast or optical microscopy methods.


Chitosan, a biodegradable naturally occurring polymer, has drawn considerable attention in recent years as a scaffolding material in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Despite its favorable biological properties, the weak mechanical strength of scaffolds produced from chitosan has limited the scope of their application. Here we fabricated 3D pristine porous chitosan scaffolds with unprecedented mechanical strength and investigated the regulatory role of chitosan and acidic concentrations on the crystallinity and thus on the mechanical and biological properties of produced scaffolds. Chitosan scaffolds of varying mechanical properties were prepared from solutions with chitosan concentrations of 4–12 wt%. The produced scaffolds showed no apparent shape change after immersion in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), phosphate buffered saline, and simulated body fluid for two weeks. We showed that the crystallinity of the scaffold increased with increasing chitosan concentration or decreasing solution acidity, and the maximum compressive mechanical strength and modulus of 1.74 ± 0.01 MPa and 17.99 ± 0.11 MPa, respectively, were achieved at a chitosan concentration of 12 wt%. MG-63 osteoblast cells demonstrated improved adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic activity on chitosan scaffolds of increased chitosan concentration or mechanical strength. The ability to produce high-strength chitosan scaffolds and engineer their mechanical properties can substantially expand the applicability of chitosan in tissue engineering as well as other engineering applications.


Excessive levels of lead in homes pose health hazards, but exposure is discerned ex post. As a precaution, local jurisdictions assign risk levels to neighborhoods based on contamination potential and require blood lead testing, leading to decreased desirability. This paper examines capitalization effects of lead risk disclosure from such an information-based policy, exploiting spatially varying implementation of a childhood lead reduction program identifying price effects via a triple-difference border discontinuity model. Information about lead risks lowers high-risk house prices by 7.7% while shifting neighborhood composition, suggesting the program altered risk perceptions, creating unintended consequences in the market. (JEL Q58, R21)


In this paper, we examine whether former rebel parties are more likely to engage in electoral violence when compared to other parties. In many ways because of combat experience and a trained cadre of former fighters, it may be the case that former rebel parties are more likely to rely on violent acts in order to pursue electoral objectives, particularly in the first elections after the end of a civil conflict. Further, we also suggest that certain types of rebel parties, particularly those that are based more on "resource capture" are more likely to engage in violent acts during elections than those that are based on popular mobilization.


129Xe-MRI can quantify abnormal gas-exchange by defining thresholds derived from voxel-level gas-exchange distributions in healthy subjects. Previous studies assumed a constant healthy distribution independent of age. By fitting to Box-Cox Power Exponential distributions, normal distributions cannot be assumed, and the distributions vary significantly with age. The effect size of age (5-69 years) on healthy ventilation, barrier-uptake, and red-blood cell to barrier (ratio) signal distributions were 14 to 57%. Thus, age and distribution shape should be considered when defining reference distributions for gas-exchange metrics. By accounting for age-dependent variations, the reference distributions abnormal thresholds could be narrowed.


Between 2002 and 2017, the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) recovered 5,803 Salmonella isolates from retail meat collected in 21 states. Isolates were from chicken parts (CP), ground turkey (GT), pork chops (PC), and ground beef (GB). NARMS tested Salmonella for susceptibility to: amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC), ampicillin (AMP), azithromycin (AZI), cefoxitin (FOX), ceftiofur (TIO), ceftriaxone (AXO), chloramphenicol (CHL), gentamicin (GEN), nalidixic acid (NAL), streptomycin (STR), tetracycline (TET), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole ( cotrimoxazole ) (COT), sulfisoxazole (FIS), and ciprofloxacin (CIP). Using the chi-square test of association, we looked for a potential association between where retail meat was purchased and Salmonella prevalence and susceptibility (resistant or susceptible). This was to test for possible geographic differences in the distribution of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella . We adopted the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit map for the regional subdivision used in this study. The results show a significant association between region, Salmonella prevalence, and Salmonella resistance to the above antimicrobials tested except for cotrimoxazole, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. The analysis identified the Northeast as the most influential contributor to overall prevalence and resistance in most of the drugs tested, with Salmonella Typhimurium driving these associations. Although this work did not bring to light what accounts for the differential prevalence and resistance of Salmonella Typhimurium in the northeast, lack of certain resistance mechanisms in other regions was ruled out by the analysis on 484 of 485 sequenced isolates with resistance to ampicillin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline.


Phase diagrams for monodisperse and polydisperse diblock copolymer melts and a random multiblock copolymer melt are constructed using dissipative particle dynamics simulations. A thorough visual analysis and calculation of the static structure factor in several hundreds of points at each of the diagrams prove the ability of mesoscopic molecular dynamics to predict the phase behavior of polymer systems as effectively as the self-consistent field-theory and Monte Carlo simulations do. It is demonstrated that the order-disorder transition (ODT) curve for monodisperse diblocks can be precisely located by a spike in the dependence of the mean square pressure fluctuation on χN, where χ is the Flory-Huggins parameter and N is the chain length. For two other copolymer types, the continuous ODTs are observed. Large polydispersity of both blocks obeying the Flory distribution in length does not shift the ODT curve but considerably narrows the domains of the cylindrical and lamellar phases partially replacing them with the wormlike micelle and perforated lamellar phases, respectively. Instead of the pure 3d-bicontinuous phase in monodisperse diblocks, which could be identified as the gyroid, a coexistence of the 3d phase and cylindrical micelles is detected in polydisperse diblocks. The lamellar domain spacing D in monodisperse diblocks follows the strong-segregation theory prediction, D∕N(1∕2) ~ (χN)(1∕6), whereas in polydisperse diblocks it is almost independent of χN at χN < 100. Completely random multiblock copolymers cannot form ordered microstructures other than lamellas at any composition.


Successful inter-speciuc hybrid plants were obtained through sexual hybridization between Brassica juncea cv. NRCDR2 (2n=4x=36, AABB), and B. carinata, NRCKR-304 (2n=4x=34, BBCC) using the latter as a pollen parent. Morphological and cytological analyses were carried out to conurm the hybrid nature of F1 plants. The F1 plants (2n=35) were intermediate for most of the morphological attributes. Although, the F1s showed poor pollen fertility, nevertheless, few seeds were obtained from open pollination. Meiotic analysis of F1 plants showed a predominance of univalents, a typical feature of wide hybrids. The occurrence of chromosome association ranging from bivalents (0–16), trivalent (0–1) and quadrivalent (0–1) in the F1s indicated homeologous pairing between the AB and BC genomes.  The study suggests that B. carinata has partial genome homeology with B. juncea. Patterns of variations in F2 progenies of the cross were estimated. In the F2 generation, more number of plants resembling B. juncea was observed indicating transgressive segregation. Present study also indicated that inter-speciuc hybridization in Brassica could be a potential source for generating variability besides broadening the genetic base and segregants with desirable agro-economical characteristics were selected for further advancement and evaluation.


Iraqi native chickens have tasty meat and eggs; however, they are characterized by low production efficiency. In fact, phenotypic traits, such as growth rate, are influenced by genes and environmental factors. During health and disease, a variety of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, motility, adhesion, migration, apoptosis, and immune response regulate the TGF-β genes. The enhancement in body weight can be reached through mass selection, whereas feed conversion ratio (FCR) is relatively more difficult to improve. This means, selecting for body weight has been submitted as an effective way of indirectly improving feed conversion ratio. Therefore, the present study attempts to identify associations between productive traits and polymorphism of TGF-β2 gene in local Iraqi chicken. Seventy-five male birds were used in this study. The restriction enzyme RsaI has been used to detect the target region (284 bp) in the TGF-β2 gene. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified at the position 62 in the exon 1 region of TGF-β2 by using PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing technique. The genotypic frequencies were 46.7, 40, and 13.3% for CC and TC and TT genotypes, respectively. While the allele frequency of C and T were 0.67 and 0.33%, respectively. Generally, during the last period of rearing the best significant (P<0.05) improve in the body weight, weight gain and FCR were recorded in the TT genotype of the TGF-β2 gene. In conclusion, a functional sequence in the genome could be attributed to the mutation. Therefore, genotype of the TGF-β2 gene could be exploited to select the best individual as a parent to the next generations for improving of growth rate in


We describe the specifications for an ultraviolet radiometer for measuring the F-region electron density gradients from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC). We also present a technique for determining the two-dimensional structure of the ionosphere using the measured ionospheric gradients inferred from observation of the radiative recombination emission at 1356 A in conjunction with occultations of Global Positioning System satellites observed from the COSMIC satellites. Our scheme uses a nadir viewing UV photometer to characterize the F-region gradients while obtaining altitude information about the F-region from the GPS occultation measurements. We present the results of simulations that demonstrate the applicability and accuracy of the technique and observational concept.


Background: We measured loading forces across different points of the plantar foot surface to examine how different types of casts affect load distribution through the foot and ankle. The patella tendon-bearing (PTB) or Sarmiento cast is the current "gold-standard" casting method for offloading force through the foot and ankle. We aimed to determine if a rocker bottom frame attached to a below-knee cast (Beagle Böhler Walker) would be as effective or better at reducing load distribution during full weightbearing. Method: We applied TekScan FlexiForce A201 force sensors to the first and fifth metatarsal heads and the plantar surface of the calcaneus of 14 healthy volunteers. All volunteers had force measurements taken without a cast applied and then with a traditional Sarmiento cast, a standard below-knee cast, and a below-knee cast with the Böhler Walker frame fitted. Results: Compared with a standard below-knee cast, the Böhler Walker frame reduced the mean peak force through the head of the first metatarsal by 58.9% (P < .0001), 73.1% through the head of the fifth metatarsal (P < .0001), and 32.2% (P < .0001) through the calcaneus. The Sarmiento cast demonstrated a mean percentage reduction in peak force of 8.6% (P = .39) and 4.4% (P = .87) through the first and fifth metatarsal heads, respectively, but increased the mean peak force by 5.9% (P = .54) through the calcaneus. Conclusion: Using a Böhler Walker frame applied to a below-knee cast significantly reduced weight transfer through the foot compared with a Sarmiento cast or standard below-knee cast. Clinical Relevance: This reduction in force through the foot could mean early weightbearing would be safer in patients with a wide variety of foot and ankle pathologies such as ankle fractures or operative fixations. This may reduce the incidence of immobility-dependent morbidity.


The structure of higher education systems in the USA, Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and England is analyzed. It is emphasized that in each country the system of higher education is diverse, unique, with its own peculiarities in the organization of educational process. It is noticed that despite significant achievements, innovative approaches and modern educational methods used by progressive foreign countries, it is important that Ukraine's educational integration processes into the world system of higher education proceed with preserving the achievements and traditions of Ukrainian higher education. The experience of foreign countries in the development of creative abilities of students, their cognitive activity, independence and initiative is analyzed. The attention is focus on comparative studies. It is determined that the main purpose of comparative pedagogy is to compare the educational systems of two countries in order to identify common and different in educational processes, understanding the patterns and trends. It is noted that during the "traditional" lesson most of the time teacher explains, illustrates the material and very little time is devoted to active cognitive activity, the result is low development of independent thinking, students' fear of going beyond the rules to find a non-standard solution. It is emphasis that one of the alternatives to the traditional lesson is project method. In addition, it is said that there are many teaching methods aimed to activate students: research methods, heuristic methods, contextual learning, question method, quest technologies, etc. It is shown the results of our own research of foreign countries experience for the students training of pedagogical and philological specialties. Emphasized on the implementation of the main goal – standardization of approaches to the organization of the learning process and the functioning of higher education. Noticed on the need of quality teacher training, development of their cognitive activity, creativity, mobility, self-education, continuing education. It is stated that the professionalism of the teacher is an integral part of the success of the educational process.


OBJECTIVE
The object of this study was to analyse our results with liver transplantation (LTX) for primitive malignant unresectable liver tumours in children and to discuss the controversial indications, based on our experience.

METHODS/PATIENTS
We report on 12 patients, aged 6 months to 14 years, with hepatic malignant tumours: 11 with hepatoblastoma and 1 with fibrolamellar hepatocelullar carcinoma without cirrhosis. LTX was the primary treatment in 10 patients (PRETEXT IV or any grade, if there was extension to the retrohepatic vena cava, 3 hepatic veins or portal vein) and a rescue therapy after recurrence for 1 and for persistence of unresectable macroscopic residuals in 2 patients. One of the patients who underwent a LTX as primary therapy had lung metastases previously resolved with chemotherapy. We used entire liver (n = 5), left lateral segment from cadaveric donor (n = 3), living related donor (n = 3; 2 segments II-III and 1 right lobe) and left lateral segment from split liver (n = 1). All children received chemotherapy prior and post transplantation following the SIOPEL protocol. We analysed procedure tolerance, survival, recurrence rate, disease-free period and risk factors for adverse evolution.

RESULTS
All patients overcame LTX and no early graft loss was recorded. Two cases died because of tumour relapse, 1 after primary LTX and 1 after rescue LTX (survival rate of both groups, 90% and 50%). Graft and patient survival rates at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and 14 years were 91%, 91%, 82% and 82% respectively. The boy who presented with lung metastases developed new ones one year after LTX that were removed and he is currently free of disease. The disease-free period has a probability at 1, 3 and 5 years of 91%, 75% and 75%, respectively. Tumour tissue persistence was the only risk factor for an adverse clinical course in our series.

CONCLUSIONS
LTX is a reasonable therapeutic approach for unresectable malignant liver tumours, providing outcomes comparable to those for resectable tumours. Results obtained with LTX are better when it is used as a primary treatment than when used as a rescue procedure. Proper staging and early referral to centres with enough expertise optimise the results. LTX for patients with lung metastases could be a controversial option. Living related-donor transplantation is an excellent alternative to avoid disease progression while on the waiting list for cadaveric donors.


Presentation of the journal and its most important activities in 2019. It provides a preamble and an introduction for the editorial work in the next year 2020.


The thesis covers relationship and love through different life periods – from getting to know each other to family life. The theoretical part focuses on life events and situations which change and develop a relationship. The areas which are dealt with are: how partners get
to know each other, the period of being in love, how true love develops, the decision to live together and get married, starting a family. Special attention is given to the period of pregnancy and the birth of the first child.
The thesis sees a relationship as a living organism that changes and develops, thus it focuses on the managing of partner and parent roles, how these two roles change when children grow and how partners deal with conflicts that family life brings. The empirical part of the thesis presents the results of qualitative analysis of two half-structured interviews with the marital couples. Both of the couples have been married over twenty years and have many children (namely the first couple seven, and the second nine).
We were curious how their relationship has developed until now and how they cherish it as partners. The results showed that common life and the birth of children brought a lot of changes into the relationship. Both couples mention the lack of time plus the effort and the decision to take some time for themselves. The managing of two important roles as a partner and a parent is difficult and takes effort and sacrifice. The main and effective strategy for solving conflicts in their opinion is conversation and solving problems as soon as they appear. Both couples explain that having more children does mean more adjustment, but it is not necessarily the reason for conflicts between the partners. The reasons may well be their own issues. The key difference between the couples is in their perception of how important is their role of a partner or a parent.
The research confirmed that partner or marital relationship is a living organism that goes through many ups and downs. The quality and contentment in a relationship does not depend on external factors but on the partners themselves.


World population, together with the cost of crop production inputs, is increasing rapidly. The current seven billion people on earth are expected to reach nine billion by 2050 with resulting demands on world food production. In addition, the quality of our environment is being impacted by human activities, including agricultural production and crop fertilization. Nitrogen (N) management is the process of applying N fertilizers in a way to maximize use of N by crops, while minimizing loss to the environment. It is becoming imperative, as a means of increasing crop yields and food supplies, while reducing input usage, and minimizing the impact of N fertilization on the quality of our environment, that improved N application practices be identified and utilized. The objectives for this study were to compare the timing of anhydrous ammonia (AA) fertilizer N applications, fall and spring, with and without two different nitrification inhibitors (NI) as possible tools to enhance yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in corn (Zea mays) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Kansas. Two different nitrification inhibitors were tested as alternatives, N-Serve (nitrapyrin) produced and marketed by Dow AgroSciences, and an experimental product under development by Koch Agronomic Services LLC. Three differing rates of the experimental product were used to assist in determining the optimal rate for this product. The study was conducted over two growing seasons, 2012 and 2013, which differed significantly in rainfall, rainfall distribution, and resulting NUE. Experiments were established at three sites for both crops in both years, on sites/soils selected for differing potentials for N loss, and mechanisms of N loss. One site was established at the Kansas State University Agronomy North Farm (N Farm), where yield potential was high, and N loss potential was low. A second site was established under irrigation at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field near Topeka, KS (KRV), on a coarse silt loam soil with high potential for N loss through leaching. The third site was established at the East Central Kansas Experiment Field near Ottawa KS (ECK), on a clay pan soil with a high potential for denitrification loss. Weather conditions together with soil characteristics played a major role in the performance of N timing applications and impacted the response to the use of the inhibitors. In low N loss environments such as the N Farm, fall applications of AA to increase spring timeavailability for producers showed minimal negative effects on yield or NUE. When combined with a nitrification inhibitor in the fall, performance was similar to spring application for both corn and wheat. At the KRV site leaching loss or potential loss from fall application was high for corn and wheat in both years, however little impact on NUE with NI use was observed. At the high ECK denitrification site, there was only one N loss potential event leading to inhibitor performance at Ottawa in corn in 2013.


The effect of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection, a well-characterized pig infection model, on both phase I (oxidative) and phase II (conjugative) microsomal enzyme activities was investigated in castrated male conventional pigs. A. pleuropneumoniae infection resulted after 24 hr in a significant suppression of 33% or more of all oxidative enzyme activities determined. After 40 hr, the activities were still suppressed, but did not differ from the results after 24 hr. On the contrary, all glucuronosyltransferase activities measured were not affected by A. pleuropneumoniae infection after both 24 and 40 hr. To elucidate further the mechanism of the suppression of oxidative enzyme activities, analysis of mRNA were conducted by dot-blot analysis using a human cytochrome P4503A4 cDNA probe. The results indicated that A. pleuropneumoniae infection suppressed oxidative enzyme activities. The reduction in cytochrome P4503A activity, specific for 6 beta-hydroxylation of testosterone is at a pretranslational level as measured by a decrease in the amount of mRNA.


Plasma source performance parameters, including plasma ejection density and velocity, greatly affect the operation of a short-conduction-time plasma opening switch (POS). In this paper, the plasma source used in the POS of Qiangguang I generator is chosen as the study object. At first the POS working process is analyzed. The result shows that the opening performance of the POS can be improved by increasing the plasma ejection velocity and decreasing the plasma density. The influence of the cable plasma gun structure and number on the plasma ejection parameters is experimentally investigated with two charge collectors. Finally a semi-empirical model is proposed to describe the experimental phenomenon.


This report sets out the results of five analytical projects undertaken to support the development of a Regional MCS Strategy for Pacific oceanic fish stocks. The overarching purpose of the Strategy is to support a management regime and associated measures that will ensure the long term sustainability of oceanic fish stocks and associated economic benefits flowing from them to Pacific Island Countries. Extensive consultation was undertaken in support of the projects including visits by the project team to 16 of the 17 FFA member nations, direct consultation with staff from key regional institutions (e.g. WCPFC, SPC, USP), as well as discussions with each of the four quadrilateral defence force providers.


The most important factor during electrocution in a bathtub is the amount of current flowing through a body, not the amount of voltage. A method of measurement is introduced which--under simulation of various electrical situations--provides the possibility to measure the current flowing through the heart and to determine it's direction and density in the tissue. Hereby a ranking of the different factors influencing electrocution can be set up.


Abstract: Background : Toxigenic strains of Escherichia coli are common enteric pathogens of human. The aim of this study was to detect virulence genes and antibiotic resistance pattern of the enterotoxigenic and enteroaggrigative E. coli isolated from diarhoeal stool samples. Methods : Totally, 234 diarrhoeal stool samples were collected. Microbiological examinations were done to detect the E. coli . PCR was used to identify Lt, Sta, Stb and East1 genes. Antibiotic resistance test was performed using the Disk diffusion method. Results : Out of 114 isolated E. coli , 15(13.5%) harbored Stb , 52(45.61%) East1 , 30 (26.31%) Lt gene. The Sta gene was not detected in tested samples. The lowest resistance was for gentamicin (0%) while the highest resistance was for trimethoprim (79.8%). Resistance of E. coli isolates to chloramphenicol, cephotaxime, sulphametoxazole, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin and tetracycline were 3.5%, 7.01%, 71.05%, 10.5%, 52.63% and 3.5%, respectively. Conclusions : Toxigenic E. coli strains perticipated in diarrhoea in Shahrekord-Iran. The high presences of antibiotic resistance have been shown to trimethoprim, sulphametoxazole and ampicillin. Key Words: Virulence Genes, Toxigenic Escherishia coli , Antibiotic resistance pattern, stool, Iran


Catch assessment estimates for the motorized and non-motorized canoes at Boa-Manga (Cameroon) were found to be 5.13 and 2.70 t/year, respectively, leading to an estimated lower limit for the production of the Ocean division (100 km coastline) of 1190 t/year. The net economic benefit for the motorized canoes is higher than that of non-motorized canoes. It appears better to modernize only the existing non-motorized craft.


This report brings together a series of contributions from major figures in urban and rural planning to consider the challenges and opportunities facing an incoming Labour Government in 2015.


New challenging service scenarios are integrating mobile wireless devices with limited and heterogeneous capabilities. This not only calls for novel solutions to support different forms of mobility and connectivity in wired-wireless integrated networks, but also stresses the necessity of quality of service (QoS) tailoring and adaptation, especially in resource-consuming applications such as multimedia distribution. The work presents mobile ubiQoS, a mobile agent (MA) middleware to manage the QoS provisioning of multimedia content to client devices that roam in the wireless Internet. In particular, the paper focuses on how mobile ubiQoS provides a portable solution to predict inter-cell mobility, without any external global positioning system. Mobility prediction permits to migrate personalized MAs, which tailor/adapt multimedia contents to both device profiles and user preferences, by anticipating user movements. This is crucial to proactively rearrange personalized sessions by maintaining service continuity. The adopted prediction solution is lightweight and decentralized, by exploiting the client-side monitoring information about the received signal strength of IEEE 802.11 base stations in a completely portable way. Both simulation and experimental results show that, notwithstanding the portable application-level approach, our middleware can predict the. next user cell location enough in advance to support continuous multimedia services for the wireless Internet.


Aim of this study was to recognize differences in long-term clinical outcome after femoral neck fracture and hip endoprosthesis implantation.
Total of 145 patients were examined, 32 patients with unipolar, 70 with bipolar and 43 patients with total hip endoprosthesis.
The mean values of Harris hip score, after 3.8 ± 1.9 years, were: 72.1 ± 17.8, 74.27 ± 19.1, 78.2 ± 22.5 for patients with unipolar, bipolar and total hip endoprosthesis, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed (p=0.704). The in-hospital mortality rates were: 4.3%, 4.6%, and 5.3% for groups of patients with bipolar, unipolar and total hip endoprosthesis, respectively.
Considering clinical outcomes, general health and costs, it could be concluded that choice of endoprosthesis does not pose an obstacle in patient's recovery.


Procedural activity understanding requires perceiving human actions in terms of a broader task, where multiple keysteps are performed in sequence across a long video to reach a final goal state -- such as the steps of a recipe or a DIY fix-it task. Prior work largely treats keystep recognition in isolation of this broader structure, or else rigidly confines keysteps to align with a predefined sequential script. We propose discovering a task graph automatically from how-to videos to represent probabilistically how people tend to execute keysteps, and then leverage this graph to regularize keystep recognition in novel videos. On multiple datasets of real-world instructional videos, we show the impact: more reliable zero-shot keystep localization and improved video representation learning, exceeding the state of the art.


In this document, first of all, code sections of memristor window functions (Strukov, Joglekar, Biolek and Prodromakis) were created in Pspice package program in detail. Then, the design of the wien bridge oscillator circuit with BJT with a memristor with different window functions was created. Finally, the system's oscillation start time, oscillation band settling time and center oscillation frequency analysis data were imported into the Matlab program and a comprehensive presentation was made. It was seen that the output responses of the wien bridge oscillator circuit realized with the Strukov window function were better than the other window functions. It has also been shown that designs that can be realized with memristor with different window functions in various analog oscillator circuits that can be made in the future can be obtained with this method.