This comprehensive study featured the resource potential of the agro-industrial complex and its role in territorial development. The research objective was to study the structure of the resource potential of agro-industrial enterprises in the post-industrial society and factors that make it efficient. Systemic changes in modern society require new approaches to understanding the category of resource potential. Informatization of society and digitalization of agriculture change the prospects for resource provision in the agro-industrial complex. The author analyzed various domestic and foreign approaches to the concept of resource potential and included in it the potential of an agricultural enterprise as a complex of material, energy, information, and labor resources. The interdisciplinary approach made it possible to consider the phenomena from different angles and as a complex unity. The author considered the resource potential of the region as a synthetic indicator: a whole enterprise cannot be assessed based on a singular resource. The competent management of the resources available to the enterprise proved to be the key to its successful functioning, personnel being the core of its resource potential. The paper introduces a number of measures that contribute to the effective implementation of the resource potential in agro-industrial complex in the information society. The research results can help to improve the concept of sustainable development of enterprises, which is one of the priority tasks of complex modernization.


It is said that in Japan, technological innovation has progressed but social transformation has not. The challenge for Japan is not so much innovation and technology, but rather the lack of progress in implementing them in society and linking them to social transformation. From now on, linking innovation and technology to social transformation and social implementation has the potential to improve life in Japan and restore Japan's competitiveness. And design activities have the potential to contribute to such activities. In this section, we will explain the framework for social implementation, social experiments and experience prototypes as an approach to social implementation.Social experiments and experience prototypes are important for design activities toward social implementation. Here, social implementation is defined as activities to change society. Social experimentation is defined as a small experiment for social implementation. An experiential prototype is defined as a prototype that can be experienced, which is necessary for social experiments. These three elements are defined as the "framework for social implementation. Social implementation, social experiments, and experience prototypes are explained below.Social experiment is "a trial of a new system, technology, or other measure in a limited location and time period to verify its effectiveness, identify problems, and sometimes to determine whether or not to introduce the measure on a full-scale basis. It also serves to exchange opinions with local residents, and to inform the public and build consensus. In some cases, the term "social experiment" is defined as "a social experiment that is implemented in a social context. Here, a social experiment is defined as "a small experiment for social implementation.Experiential prototypes are defined as "prototypes that can be experienced, which is necessary for social experiments. An experience prototype is one of those prototypes that is intended to be experienced by users and citizens. The experience prototype for service design leads to the experience prototype to plan services in an event-like manner and within a limited time frame.From the perspective of the process toward social implementation, there are top-down and bottom-up approaches. There is a top-down approach, in which the vision of what kind of social implementation is desired is first considered, then the necessary social experiments are studied, and the experience prototypes necessary for the social experiments are prepared. There is also a bottom-up approach, in which the vision for social implementation is not clearly defined from the outset, but rather a series of experience prototypes and small social experiments are conducted to the extent that they are feasible, and the vision for social implementation is considered. As a university education for social implementation, we will introduce a case study of the Department of Creative Innovation at Musashino Art University. In this department, the first and second years are based on formative education, and from the third year, an educational program for social implementation begins in earnest. The "Industry-University Project Practice" in the second semester of the third year is an educational program for acquiring practical creative innovation skills through the execution of projects with local communities, governments, and companies.Here, "Framework for Social Implementation," social implementation, social experiments and hands-on prototypes are explained. The case of Musashino Art University was introduced as an example of university education for social implementation. We hope that the discussion will deepen on approaches for social implementation and methods of social experiments in the future.


A new water-soluble conjugated polyelectrolyte containing triphenylamine groups with aldehyde pendants was synthesized, which featured distinctly different emission colors according to its states, in aqueous solution and in the solid. Paper-based strips containing the polymer were prepared by simple immersion of filter paper in the polyelectrolyte solution for practical and efficient detection of biothiols including cysteine and homocysteine. The presence of aldehyde groups enables us to demonstrate noticeable fluorescence emission color changes (green-to-blue) because of the alterations in electron push–pull structure in the polymer via a reaction between the aldehyde group of the polymer and the aminothiol moiety in biothiol compounds. The presence of an aldehyde group and a sulfonate side chain was found to be indispensable for the cysteine reaction site and for a hydrophilic environment allowing the easy approach of cysteine, respectively, resulting in a simple and easy detection protocol for biothiol compounds.


Intelligent transportation systems have created new traffic monitoring approaches and fueled new interests in automated incident detection systems. One new monitoring approach utilizes actual travel times experienced by vehicles, called probes, equipped to transmit this information in real time to a control center. The database needed to design and calibrate arterial incident detection systems based on probe travel times is nonexistent. A microscopic traffic simulation package, Integrated Traffic Simulation, was selected and enhanced to generate vehicle travel times for the incident and incident-free conditions on an arterial. We evaluated the enhanced model. Significant variations in probe travel times were observed in the event of incidents. Average travel time, contrary to average occupancy, may increase, decrease, or remain constant on arterial streets downstream of an incident.


The fauna and lithology of a marine band in the lower Edale Shales (Namurian E2b) at Edale, Derbyshire, England, are described quantitatively. Two brachiopods, Rugosochonetes sp. and Productus hibernicus were the dominant elements of the fauna. The average age at death was about 3 years, although the maximum age of Rugosochonetes (ca. 7 years) was probably a little greater than that of Productus (ca. 5 years). Both sediment deposition and fauna were climatically controlled. The climate was seasonal from wet to dry. Quartz was deposited and Rugosochonetes sp. flourished during the wet periods. Carbonate deposition and Productus hibernicus were dominant during the dry periods.


China is currently New Zealand's largest market for logs, and the major end use of sawn timber and plywood made from New Zealand logs is for concrete formwork by the Chinese construction industry. A recent study estimated that, in 2015, 47% of the volume of New Zealand logs was used for construction formwork. This end use merits further study because of its importance to the New Zealand forestry sector. This research was carried out to derive estimates of the amount of plywood and sawn timber used in this industry in China, and relate these to published data on construction activity. Fifteen construction sites in China were visited and interviews were conducted with engineers, project managers, carpenters and quantity surveyors. Results were used to generate a formwork material consumption rate model. The average estimated consumption rates of plywood and sawn timber were 11.3 m3 per 1,000 m2 of floor area and 1.7 m3 per 1,000 m2 of floor area, respectively. Comparison of total historical plywood and sawn timber consumption in China with historical formwork consumption estimated from this research suggests that formwork uses most of the plywood, but only a small proportion of the sawn timber consumed in China.


Rapid modeling and optimization of manufacturing processes, devices, and circuits are required to support modern integrated circuit technology development and yield improvement. We have prototyped and applied an integrated system, called DOE/Opt, for performing Design of Experiments (DOE), Response Surface Modeling (RSM), and Optimization (Opt). The system to be modeled and optimized can be either physical or simulation based. Within the DOE/Opt system, coupling to external simulation or experimental tools is achieved via an embedded extension language based on Tcl. The external problem then appears to DOE/Opt as a model with user defined inputs and outputs. DOE/Opt is used to generate splits for experiments, to dynamically build and evaluate regression models from experimental runs, and to perform nonlinear constrained optimizations using either regression models or embedded executions. The intermediate regression modeling can appreciably accelerate the optimization task when simulation or physical experiments are expensive. The primary application of DOE/Opt has been to process optimization using coupled process and device simulation. DOE/Opt has also been applied to process and device simulator tuning, and to aid in device characterization. Such a DOE/Opt system is expected to augment the use of TCAD tools and to utilize data collected by CIM systems in support of process synthesis. We have demonstrated the application of the system to process parameter determination, simulator tuning, process control modeling, and statistical process optimization. We are extending the system to more fully support emerging device design and process synthesis methodologies. >


There is mounting evidence that a number of inflammatory mechanisms play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of both immune- and non-immune-mediated glomerulopathies. These mechanisms include T lymphocyte activation, macrophage infiltration and the expression of several cytokines, growth factors and adhesion molecules. Inflammation may also be strongly influenced by three, until recently, unsuspected mediators: angiotensin II, cyclooxygenase derivatives and nitric oxide. Angiotensin II exerts several biological actions that are completely unrelated to its well-known haemodynamic effects, and can mediate cell proliferation, renal fibrosis and the synthesis of other proinflammatory compounds. Cyclooxygenase products have been long associated with non-renal inflammatory phenomena such as arthritis, and could mediate several steps of chronic renal inflammation. Although nitric oxide is generally regarded as a physiological vasodilator with irreplaceable homeostatic effects, it is possible that it participates in the pathogenesis of progressive nephropathies. Treatment with antagonists of these three compounds, alone or in combination, may represent a valuable therapeutic tool in the struggle to arrest or attenuate progressive renal disease.


The Ffowcs-Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) equation is widely used to predict sound generated from flow and its interaction with impermeable or permeable surfaces. Owing to the Heaviside function used, this equation assumes that sound only propagates outside the surface. In this paper, we develop a generalized acoustic analogy to account for sound generation and propagation both inside and outside the surface. The developed wave equation provides an efficient mathematical approach to predict sound generated from multiphase or multicomponent flow and its interaction with solid boundaries. The developed wave equation also clearly interprets the physical mechanisms of sound generation, emphasizing that the monopole and dipole sources are dependent on the jump of physical quantities across the interface of multiphase or multicomponent flow rather than the physical quantities on one-side surface expressed in the FW-H equation. Sound generated from gas bubbles in water is analyzed by the newly developed wave equation to investigate parameters affecting the acoustic power output, showing that the acoustic power feature concluded from the Crighton and Ffowcs-Williams equation is only valid in a specific case of all bubbles oscillating in phase.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of high mobility group-box protein 1 (HMGB1)-siRNA on invasion and migration of human hepatoma cell line HepG2, and further to explore its mechanism.

METHODS
HMGB1-siRNA was synthesized with RNA interference and transferred into HepG2 cells to down-regulate the expression of HMGB1. The invasion and migration activities were assayed by Transwell™ assay and monolayer wounding healing assay. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting in HepG2 cells after treatment with 40 nmol/L HMGB1-siRNA for 24 h.

RESULTS
The migration and invasion abilities of HepG2 cells were inhibited by 40 nmol/L HMGB1-siRNA markedly. Compared with the control group, MMP-2, MMP-9, ICAM-1 were down-regulated, TIMP-2 was up-regulated significantly by HMGB1-siRNA (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION
HMGB1-siRNA can inhibit the invasion and migration abilities of human hepatoma cells by down-regulating the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, ICAM-1 and up-regulating the expression of TIMP-2.


Chemical abortions, otherwise known as "medication-induced" abortions, were approved by the FDA in September 2000, and now account for over 50% of abortions in the United States. Women are being encouraged to order and carry out their own abortion, without in-person supervision by health care professionals, contributing to increased risks of complications. This paper describes the use of synthetic chemicals to induce abortion and the complications faced by women who obtain care in a medical setting, including hemorrhage and incomplete abortions that may require surgical intervention. Additionally, it describes the increased risks for those women who use telemedicine or the Internet to obtain their chemical abortion, especially when those abortions are completed without physician supervision (self-managed). The risks may include an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy, increased complications due to underestimated or understated gestational age, Rh isoimmunization, and undiagnosed infection. Intimate partner violence, reproductive coercion, and human trafficking are also less likely to be suspected in the absence of an in-person medical evaluation. The American College of Pediatricians strongly encourages health care professionals, policy makers, and women of all ages and their families to understand the serious risks associated with chemical abortions, especially when self-managed. Additionally, pregnant women with regrets after starting chemical abortions need to be informed about the potential for abortion pill reversal.


One of the main characteristics of cognitive-behavior therapy is that it is based on a specific clinical formulation of the case. This means that the therapist, using interviews and inventories, in a particular way, needs to understand and integrate the history of his/her client and his/her current problems. Clinical strategies can be then tailored to deal with the client 's difficulties. The establishment of adequate and warm interpersonal and therapeutical relationship depends greatly on this empathic and accurate understanding of the client 's problems. The present article intends to present this approach to case formulation based on a cognitive behavior perspective. It also includes a brief review of theoretic-clinical aspects, assessment tools and suggested procedures. The conclusion is that an adequate formulation is essential to success in psychotherapy. Keywords: cognitive-behavior therapy; case formulation; psychodiagnosis.


Introduction There are numerous causes triggering CRC. 25-80% of CRC shown a deregulation in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) pathway. Two signaling pathways downstream of the EGFR are dysregulated in CRC the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Activating mutations in KRAS and BRAF (MAPK pathway) and PIK3CA affect prognosis and/or response to anti-EGFR MoAb. PTEN is a downstream effector of EGFR pathway and is involved in PI3K pathway. Loss of PTEN protein expression can occur through epigenetic silencing and mutation or allelic loss. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the most effective way to assay for loss of PTEN expression. IHC lack of reproducibility and this has lead to discordant results regarding the concordant in paired CRC metastases and primary tumors.The aim of the work was to asses the feasibility of PTEN gene expression analysis from FFPE tissue in CRC samples. Materials and methods We selected a series of 33 patients, already tested for KRAS mutational status and resulted wild-type. At the time of the study mutational status of NRAS gene has not a role as predictive marker, so was not performed. A retrospective analysis on CRC FFPE tissue was performed. As control samples we have selected specimen of colorectal surgery not tumor-associated (diverticulitis). On these samples BRAF mutational analysis and PTEN gene expression was performed. For BRAF analysis, DNA was extracted by means of QIAamp DNA FFPE tissue kit (Qiagen, USA). BRAF mutational status was assed through direct automated sequencing (3100 Genetic Analyzer, Applied Biosystems) and TaqMan mutation detection assay (ABI PRIM 7900HT, Applied Biosystems). For PTEN gene expression, total RNA was obtained through the miRNeasy FFPE tissue kit (Qiagen, USA), according to manufacturer instructions, and reverse transcribed. PTEN expression was assessed by means of TaqMan probes. Results According to BRAF mutational status we have found 10/33 (30%) mutated samples. PTEN expression levels were evaluated by the comparison of tumor samples vs diverticula samples, the data obtained were then integrated with those from BRAF mutational analysis. Interestingly we found that all the BRAF mutated samples present also a down-regulation of PTEN. Statistical analyses were conducted through the X 2 test with the Yatesha correction (p=0.00023). The p-value was also calculated Exact Fisher Test (p= 0.00021) to confirm the results. Conclusion The determination of PTEN gene expression level is feasible with real-time PCR using TaqMan probe technology. BRAF analysis might be used as prognostic and/or predictive marker in CRC patients' treatment. The identification of a validated method for PTEN analysis would establish it as a molecular marker meriting further investigation in large numbers of available primary tumors from patients with CRC. Further analyses are requested to confirm these data. Citation Format: Christian D. Rolfo, Marta Castiglia, Daniela Cabibi, Valentina Calo9, Florinda Di Piazza, Viviana Bazan, Fabio Brocco, Stefano Caruso, Loredana Bruno, Konstantinos Papadimitriou, Francesco Passiglia, Marc Peeters, Patrick Pauwels, Antonio Russo. Molecular analysis of BRAF gene and PTEN gene expression in metastatic colorectal cancer patients: Feasibility study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 448. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-448


Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) plays a pivotal role in enhancing output power extracted from photovoltaic (PV) system. The major obstacle against MPPT is occurrence of undesired chattering and environmental variations, which may affect desire objective. Hence, in this paper, the objective of MPPT is fulfilled by using a non-linear Fast and Robust Backstepping based on sliding mode controller (FRBSMC), which has less rise time, fast convergence and robust enough against uncertainties and variations. For MPPT, a reference voltage is generated using neural network, which is tracked by proposed controller to confirm the accuracy and efficiency of aforementioned controller. To ensure the effectiveness of proposed control scheme, a comparison is carried with Backstepping sliding mode controller (BSMC), Backstepping controller (BSC) and Perturb and Observe (P&O) controllers. Simulation of the mentioned controller is done in Simulink/MATLAB.


Chronic inflammation is associated with various chronic illnesses including immunity disorders, cancer, neurodegeneration, and vascular diseases. Iridoids are compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. However their anti-inflammatory mechanism remains unclear. Here, we report that scropolioside B, isolated from a Tibetan medicine (Scrophularia dentata Royle ex Benth.), blocked expressions of TNF, IL-1, and IL-32 through NF-κB pathway. Scropolioside B inhibited NF-κB activity in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 1.02 μmol/L. However, catalpol, similar to scropolioside B, was not effective in inhibiting NF-κB activity. Interestingly, scropolioside B and catalpol decreased the expression of NLRP3 and cardiolipin synthetase at both the mRNA and protein level. Our results showed that scropolioside B is superior in inhibiting the expression, maturation, and secretion of IL-1β compared to catalpol. These observations provide further understanding of the anti-inflammatory effects of iridoids and highlight scropolioside B as a potential drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis.


Neural networks are dynamic systems consisting of highly interconnected and parallel nonlinear processing elements that are shown to be extremely effective in computation. This paper presents an architecture of recurrent neural networks for solving the N-Queens problem. More specifically, a modified Hopfield network is developed and its internal parameters are explicitly computed using the valid-subspace technique. These parameters guarantee the convergence of the network to the equilibrium points, which represent a solution of the considered problem. The network is shown to be completely stable and globally convergent to the solutions of the N-Queens problem. A fuzzy logic controller is also incorporated in the network to minimize convergence time. Simulation results are presented to validate the proposed approach.


Malta, Summer 1551. Here, in a brilliant arena clouded by corruption and violence, Lymond is precipitated into an intricate and potentially lethal duel with a man famed for his leadership, his courage, his saintliness - Graham Reid Malett, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta. Malett holds in his sway the hearts and minds of many men and so, in another fashion, does the dangerous and beautiful child-woman, his sister. It seems that Lymond must either be seduced or destroyed.


Purpose. The aim of the present study was to characterize the cell of the human periosteum using immunohistological and molecular methods. Methods. Phenotypic properties and the distribution of the cells within the different layers were investigated with immunohistochemical staining techniques and RT-PCR, focussing on markers for stromal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts and immune cells. Results. Immunohistochemical results revealed that all stained cells were located in the cambium layer and that most cells were positive for vimentin. The majority of cells consisted of stromal stem cells and osteoblastic precursor cells. The density increased towards the deeper layers of the cambium. In addition, cells positive for markers of the osteoblast, chondrocyte, and osteoclast lineages were found. Interestingly, there were MHC class II-expressing immune cells suggesting the presence of dendritic cells. Using lineage-specific primer pairs RT-PCR confirmed the immunofluorescence microscopy results, supporting that human periosteum serves as a reservoir of stromal stem cells, as well as cells of the osteoblastic, and the chondroblastic lineage, osteoclasts, and dendritic cells. Conclusion. Our work elucidates the role of periosteum as a source of cells with a high regenerative capacity. Undifferentiated stromal stem cells as well as osteoblastic precursor cells are dominating in the cambium layer. A new outlook is given towards an immune response coming from the periosteum as MHC II positive immune cells were detected.


Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a lifestyle disease related with many biochemical alterations which prompt a person to type 2 diabetes and cardio vascular diseases (CVD). Widespread studies conceded right through the globe to come across superior diagnostic and prognostic markers of metabolic syndrome. Although studies are still going on the world over, broad studies are lacking from this area.

Aims & Objective: The present study undertaken with the objectives of correlating the vitamin D deficiency with insulin resistance (IR) of individuals having MetS.

Materials and Methods: We have evaluated the association of vitamin D and IR in patients with MetS. The IR calculated using serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Serum Magnesium (Mg) and Zinc (Zn) levels used as markers of glucose intolerance.

Results: From this study, it can be potted that Vitamin D deficiency found in persons with metabolic syndrome and TG/HDL found to be increased indicates an increase in IR. Serum Zn and Mg found to be decreased related to diminishing glucose tolerance.

Conclusion: These observations are in conformity with those in similar studies elsewhere. Further studies at the molecular level will help in relating the insulin resistance and alterations in vitamin D in persons with MetS.


This study aimed to develop a tool for irrigation management and to evaluate its performance. To this end, 10 lysimeters, developed from plastic buckets, 20 L in volume, were installed. The inner volume of the buckets was divided into two parts. The lower half was filled with water. The upper half was filled with soil, grown with Bermuda grass. In the interior of the soil, a porous capsule was installed, connected to a plastic tube, which the lower border was immersed into the water of the lower part. As the crop extracted water from the soil, the soil sucked water from the lower part through the porous capsule. By lowering the water level in the bucket between two periods, the initial level was restored by addition of water through the feeder tube. The volume of water spent to restore the initial level divided by the bucket superficial area determines the evapotranspiration in that period. The tool was called Simplified Lysimeter - SIL. To evaluate the performance of the SIL, the following were considered: the correlation (r) and determination (r 2 ) coefficients, Willmott agreement (d), and Camargo & Sentelhas performance (c) and standard error estimate (SEE), taking Penman-Monteith-FAO as reference. According to results obtained, the SIL, developed with easily accessible and low cost materials and easy to construct, had a performance classified as very good and overestimated the evapotranspirarion obtained by PM at 0.30 mm d -1 , on average, showing good operating conditions and allowing to estimate evapotranspiration in agreement with Penman-Monteith estimates.


Abstract We consider a kinetic BGK model relaxing to isentropic gas dynamics previously introduced by the authors, but with Dirichlet boundary condition on the incoming velocities. We pass to the limit as the relaxation parameter tends to zero by compensated compactness inside the domain, and obtain that the limit satisfies entropy inequalities on the boundary involving weak traces of entropy fluxes. Our method is very general and could be applied to any entropy satisfying BGK model as soon as we have strong compactness of the macroscopic variables inside the domain.


Engaging in scholarly research has long been thought to improve the quality of a faculty member's teaching. But empirical studies have generally found little or no relationship between how productive a person is as a researcher and how effective that person is as a teacher. The objective of this study is to determine why research does not appear to have the beneficial effect on teaching that so many have assumed it does. Because the study was done at a single, small liberal arts college, it does not provide a firm basis for any broad generalizations. But the results should interest those at other institutions-and perhaps stimulate research that will provide a firm basis for broader generalizations.


A 54-862-MHz single-chip CMOS transceiver with a single LC voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) fractional-N synthesizer is developed for TV-band white-space communications and cognitive radio applications. The transceiver is based on a single-conversion zero-IF architecture with integrated harmonic filtering capability. A combined harmonic rejection mixer and coarse RF tracking filter significantly lessens the in-band harmonic emission problem in the transmitter, as well as the harmonic mixing problem in the receiver. A fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL) with only a single LC VCO and a wideband multimodulus local oscillator (LO) generator seamlessly covers the entire band. A wideband semi-dynamic divide-by-1.5 circuit is adopted in the LO generator to reduce the VCO tuning range requirement by 25 %. A pseudoexponential capacitor bank structure in the LC VCO substantially reduces the KVCO and fstep variations across the total band, which is beneficial for maintaining the PLL loop stability and dynamics over the wide band. The transceiver is implemented in 0.18-μ m CMOS, and operates with a single 1.8-V supply. The transmitter delivers a nominal output power of -3 dBm, and exhibits OP1 dB of >; +6.4 dBm, OIP3 of >; +15.9 dBm, and error vector magnitude (EVM) of <; -34.7 dB for 64-QAM signal. The image and carrier leakage calibration circuits suppress the leakage components below -41 dBc across the entire band. The receiver achieves about 100-dB gain dynamic range, 3.5-6.9-dB noise figure, <; -29-dB EVM, and -43.4/-59.7-dBc third/fifth harmonic mixing suppression. The synthesizer and LO generator achieves the integrated phase noise <; 0.8 rms degree over the entire band.


Purpose
In this review paper, the authors are particularly interested in the growth in the scholarly investigation of the efficacy of developmental interventions for doctoral and early career researchers. This paper aims to provide a "State of the Art" overview of the emerging fields of research and suggest areas that command more research.

Design/methodology/approach
A foundation of key disseminations relating to the new discipline has become established, and it is the outputs of these that the authors look to first in their review. However, much of the work is reported in the proceedings of two specific conferences, known to the authors and does not appear in database searches, which results in a concentration of research in two specific countries, namely, the UK and Australia. Relatively little is found from database searches, however approached, but the authors also report on this work.

Findings
There is a general gap in the depth of the body of work in all areas of literature relating to research on the practice of developing researchers. We have identified specific areas as the most limited in terms of the body of published research including research governance; work life balance; engagement influence and impact training and creativity and innovation training.

Research limitations/implications
There is much work as yet unpublished and the practice of rigorous study and publication is not yet generally embedded in this research discipline.

Practical implications
Without the depth of rigorous and robust findings of research to provide us with evidence of good practice, the emergent discipline will struggle to have integrity in its practice. Continued growth in research in this emergent discipline is essential.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first review of its kind looking at the published research in respect of the development of researchers.


Between his efforts to reform the Virginia executive and his inauguration as president, Jefferson served as delegate to Congress, minister to France, Secretary of State, and vice president. He also continued to offer reforms for Virginia's legal system, collaborated with republican sympathizers in France, and organized the nation's first opposition party. It is for this period in his life that Jefferson has been most characterized as an enemy of executive power. Indeed, Jefferson seemed to invite such characterizations when demanding a bill of rights, sympathizing with French revolutionaries, or rallying his party against Federalist "monocrats." When he positioned himself for the presidency, for instance, he contrasted himself from those who desired a more powerful executive, "I am not for transferring all the powers of the States to the general government, & all those of that government to the Executive branch." The truth, however, is more complicated. When Alexander Hamilton campaigned against Aaron Burr's election in 1800, he wrote that Jefferson was a "contemptible hypocrite" whose ideas were "tinctured with fanaticism," but pointed out that Jefferson's tenure as Secretary of State proved that the author of the Declaration was for a strong executive. That is, according to this account, Jefferson's break with Hamilton was over the application of executive power, not the amount of power the executive would have. Accordingly, Ralph Ketcham argues that Jefferson "despised not the idea of an active, independent executive" but, rather, Hamilton's schemes to corrupt the legislative branch and make it the instrument of the Treasury Department.


This book offers an examination of the origins of Shīʿite Islam as viewed through the lens of the traditions surrounding its earliest and most infamous heretic, ʿAbd Allāh ibn Sabaʾ, and the sectarian movement he purportedly founded, the Sabaʾīya.


The recent defi nition and submission of WFD-compliant River Basin Management Plans required large efforts of water managers and highlighted a number of data, knowledge and methodological gaps that need to be fulfi lled during the next management cycle. The complexity of the WFD implementation process calls for easy-touse, reliable and scientifi cally sound decision support tools that consider relevant aspects of the basin of concern. For this purpose, a Decision Support System (DSS) for risk-based assessment and management of river basins was developed within the EU MODELKEY project. The MODELKEY DSS allows assessing the chemical and ecological status of water bodies by applying both the One-Out All-Out principle, suggested by the WFD, and a novel Integrated Risk Assessment (IRA) methodology, developed within the project. In this paper, main results obtained by DSS application to two large European rivers, i.e. Elbe and Danube, are presented and discussed, based on a set of biological, chemical and physico-chemical indicators, which have been evaluated in relation to available reference conditions. The WFD ecological and chemical status assessment as well as analysis of intermediate results was strongly affected by the methods used to derive reference conditions, the applied indicators, and the methods used to aggregate indicators results. Minimally disturbed conditions (MDC) are the best choice as reference conditions, being characterized by generally high index values (good status) for all biological indices. Where MDC are not available, historical conditions could be a good substitute; they should be preferred to least disturbed sites (in particular when the river is generally impaired as the Danube River).


Objectives: The objective of study is to investigate the influence of service and value quality satisfaction on revisit intention in orthodontic patients. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 230 orthodontic patients in Seoul, Daejeon, and Cheongju from July 1 to August 30, 2015. The contents of questionnaire included the general characteristics(6 item), quality of dental service(22 item), value(4 item), revisit intention(3 item), and satisfaction(3 item). The research tools were modified and supplemented by Han using Likert 5 points scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 program. Results: Quality of dental service was 3.88 points, value of dental service was 3.78 points, revisit intention was 4.06 points and satisfaction of dental service was 4.02 points. Conclusions: The quality of dental service was lower score than other scales. This results showed that it is necessary to increase the satisfaction in service quality in the orthodontic patients.


We describe the case of a first twin pregnancy in a 27 year old patient, who experienced acute onset epigastric and right upper quadrant pain at a gestational age of 32 weeks and 2 days. She was diagnosed with acute liver and renal failure and possible disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) syndrome without pre-eclampsia. Early labor induction was mandatory to save both mother and foetuses. In this overview we describe the differential diagnosis of severe pregnancy related liver injury in the third trimester of pregnancy without pre-eclampsia. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2017, 80, 53-57).


As far as healthy food is concerned, it cannot be categorized simply as "good" or "bad" since its effect on health depends mainly on the amount and method consumed. Today's recommendations include a diversified diet, a diet which targets energy-balance and provides all nutrients necessary. Living in an affluent society aggravates healthy choices because of a constantly available, large assortment of food items. In general, the way food is prepared these days has changed a lot: mainly, the energy content has constantly increased, while the fiber and natural micronutrient concentrations decreased. Food items with a high energy yield, containing a lot of fat and sugar, affects our energy balance, which may lead to diseases of affluence such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some kinds of tumors.


Introduction: Empathy is considered to be an important therapist offered condition. Historically the exploration of empathy has employed quantitative methodologies. It is argued that these methodologies cannot capture the socially constructed nature of psychological concepts and instead regard empathy as problematic due to its inconsistently applied definition.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore therapists' discourse around empathy by employing a qualitative methodology and acknowledging the importance of context. A further objective was to encourage a theoretical and methodological shift in the way that psychological concepts are conceptualised and investigated.

Design: A discursive psychological approach was taken in the analysis of data from discussion groups.

Method: Discourse was collected from two discussion groups conducted at an NHS Primary Care Trust: the first with a group of clinical psychologists and the second with a group of cognitive behaviour therapists. In addition some documentary information was collected from the research site in order to contextualise the service.

Results: In both discussion groups, empathy was considered fundamental to the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist. Therapists constructed empathy in two ways: as a limited therapist experience and as a quality that might develop over time. Further patterns emerged in the data; the clinical psychologists made frequent use of case studies whereas the cognitive behavioural therapists cited research evidence and made use of theoretical models.

Discussion: The results are discussed with reference to a particular model of discursive psychology where the activity done through discourse is emphasised. It is argued that through particular constructions of empathy, therapists were working up their professional accountability. It is suggested that therapists work up their constructions of empathy as factual and therefore indisputable through discursive devices, identified as the use of case studies and research evidence.


Given the current high level of technology, it is necessary to continually discuss and review the topic of ethics in the academic environment. Technological tools did not recreate the ethical standard, but began to offer students alternatives, facilitating practices such as cheating, plagiarism, and falsification, which have made the challenges for educational institutions even more complex. This article shows the damage and losses that academic dishonesty may pose to society, as it reflects on the ethical standards of future professionals. The authors sought to characterize the main types of academic dishonesty, present examples of how some unethical practices have been openly tolerated and how some medical schools approach this subject in their curriculum matrices, compare how the issue is dealt with in other cultures, and finally, present some general recommendations on changes that can contribute to improving the ethical and moral standards in academic relations.


Background

There is a growing body of nuclear contrast agents that are repurposed for fluorescence guided surgery. New contrast agents are obtained by substituting the radioactive tag with, or adding a fluorescent cyanine to the molecular structure. This enables intra-operative fluorescent detection of cancerous tissue, leading to more complete tumor resection. However, these fluorescent cyanines can have a remarkable influence on pharmacokinetics and tumor uptake. Here we demonstrate the effect of cyanine-mediated dead cell binding of Ac-Lys0(IRDye800CW)-Tyr3-octreotate (800CW-TATE) and how this can be used as an advantage for the purpose of fluorescence guided surgery. We exposed cultured U2OS cells (alive or dead, with or without SSTR2-expression) and frozen human tumor tissue sections of NCI-H69 (SSTR2 positive) and CH-157MN (SSTR2 negative) to 800CW-TATE. We then injected 800CW-TATE into NCI-H69-tumor-bearing mice. Blocking experiment were included with DOTA0-Tyr3-octreotate (DOTA-TATE). Paraffin sections of the resected tumors were imaged for near infrared fluorescence and cell death staining was performed.
Results

Binding of 800CW-TATE could be blocked with DOTA-TATE and was absent in SSTR2 negative cells. However, strong binding was observed to dead cells, which could not be blocked with DOTA-TATE and was also present in dead SSTR2 negative cells. No SSTR2-mediated binding was observed in frozen sections, possibly due to disruption of the cells in the process of sectioning the tissue before exposure to the contrast agent. DOTA-TATE blocking resulted in incomplete reduction of 61.5 ± 5.8% fluorescence uptake by the tumors in the mice. Paraffin sections revealed that fluorescence uptake persisted in necrotic regions upon blocking.
Conclusion

This study shows that labeling peptides with cyanines can result in dead cell binding. This does not hamper the ultimate purpose of fluorescence guided surgery, as necrotic tissue appears in most solid tumors. Hence, the necrosis binding can increase the overall tumor uptake. Moreover, necrotic tissue should be removed as much as possible: it cannot be salvaged, causes inflammation, and is tumorigenic. However, when performing binding experiments to cells with disrupted membrane integrity, which is routinely done with nuclear probes, this dead cell binding can resemble non-specific binding. This study will benefit development fluorescent contrast agents.


Experiments on planar Josephson junction architectures have recently been shown to provide an alternative way of creating topological superconductors hosting accessible Majorana modes. These zero-energy modes can be found at the ends of a one-dimensional channel in the junction of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) proximitized by two spatially separated superconductors. The channel, which is below the break between the superconductors, is not in direct contact with the superconducting leads, so that proximity coupling is expected to be weaker and less well-controlled than in the simple nanowire configuration widely discussed in the literature. This provides a strong incentive for this paper which investigates the nature of proximitization in these Josephson architectures. At a microscopic level we demonstrate how and when it can lead to topological phases. We do so by going beyond simple tunneling models through solving self-consistently the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations of a heterostructure multicomponent system involving two spatially separated $s$-wave superconductors in contact with a normal Rashba spin-orbit-coupled 2DEG. Importantly, within our self-consistent theory we present ways of maximizing the proximity-induced superconducting gap by studying the effect of the Rashba spin-orbit coupling and chemical potential mismatch between the superconductor and 2DEG, and sample geometry on the gap. Finally, we note (as in experiment) a Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov phase is also found to appear in the 2DEG channel, albeit under circumstances which are not ideal for topological superconducting phase.


Objective: Craniopharyngiomas are one of the most challenging problems for neurosurgeons because of the high recurrence rates due to their localization and associated endocrinological disorders. This study reports the outcomes of surgeries and recurrence rates of 45 craniopharyngioma cases. Method: Patients who were diagnosed with craniopharyngioma in the authors' clinic between 1998 and 2016 evaluated retrospectively. Results: A total of 45 patients (25 males and 20 females; age, 3–56 years) who had previously undergone surgery for craniopharyngioma were enrolled and followed up for 12 to 222 months (mean follow-up duration, 73.5 ± 55.2 months). Among these, 25 were children (55.5%) with a mean age of 9.5 ± 4.6 years and 20 were adults (45.5%) with a mean age of 37.2 ± 12.7 years. A total of 39 (86.6%) patients underwent total tumor resection, while 6 (13.4%) underwent subtotal tumor removal. During 12 to 30 months of follow-up, the progression of residual tumor was recorded in 4 patients, 3 of whom underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Despite the total resection of tumor in their first surgery, 3 patients showed tumor recurrence during 15 to 34 months of the follow-up. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the total resection of craniopharyngiomas, when possible, results in a favorable quality of life, with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates.


We present XRTeleBridge (XRTB), an application that integrates a Mixed Reality (MR) interface into existing teleconferencing solutions like Zoom. Unlike conventional webcam, XRTB provides a window into the virtual world to demonstrate and visualize content. Participants can join via webcam or via head mounted display (HMD) in a Virtual Reality (VR) environment. It enables users to embody 3D avatars with natural gestures and eye gaze. A camera in the virtual environment operates as a video feed to the teleconferencing software. An interface resembling a tablet mirrors the teleconferencing window inside the virtual environment, thus enabling the participant in the VR environment to see the webcam participants in real-time. This allows the presenter to view and interact with other participants seamlessly. To demonstrate the system's functionalities, we created a virtual chemistry lab environment and presented an example lesson using the virtual space and virtual objects and effects.


We reviewed the records of 28 patients with superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) between 1973 and 1978 to establish the risk from invasive diagnostic procedures and the therapeutic value of the information obtained. Of 23 patients, this syndrome was the initial manifestation in 18. Bronchoscopy with endobronchial biopsy, thoracentesis, pleural biopsy, lymph node biopsy, and, in one patient, thoracotomy were performed without major complications. Small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the lung was found in seven of the 18 patients with SVCS as the initial manifestation of their disease. We believe that carefully performed invasive diagnostic procedures can be carried out safely. Furthermore, accurate histological diagnosis assumes major importance with the development of effective chemotherapy for small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the lung.


Combining hydroponics and aquaculture into aquaponic systems requires reconciling water quality parameters for the survival and growth of plants, fish, and nitrifying bacteria. The plants and fish are grown as cash crops while bacteria are expected to oxidize ammonia (fish by-product) into nitrite and finally nitrate which may be used by plants. The objectives of this project were to determine nitrification activity response to pH between 5.5 and 8.5 in recirculating trickling biofilters containing perlite medium. Total ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased from 5 to 0 mg L [sup-] in 12 (pH 8.5), 20 (pH 7.5), and 20-24 (pH 6.5) days after introduction of nitrifying bacteria to the perlite biofilters. Nitrite became measurable in the biofilter water at 8 (pH 8.5), 16 (pH 7.5), and 20-24 (pH 6.5) days after introduction of nitrifying bacteria. No nitrification occurred in the biofilters maintained at a pH of 5.5. These results indicate that ammonia conversion to nitrate in a perlite medium trickling biofilter startup cycle was significantly faster at pH 8.5 than at pH 7.5 and 6.5. The recommended pH for aquaculture systems is from 6.5 to 8.5 and for hydroponic systems is from 5.5 to 6.5. Results indicate the optimum pH for nitrification in this system is 8.5, however, the reconciling pH for aquaponics would likely be between 6.5 and 7.0 to optimize the production of the fish and plant cash crops.


Bridge failures in recent earthquakes such as the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake have attracted the attention of the bridge engineering community to the large number of bridges with substandard seismic design details. Many concrete columns in bridges designed before the new seismic design provisions were adopted have low flexural ductility, low shear strength, and inadequate lap length for starter bars. These problems, compounded by flaws in the design of structural systems, have contributed to the catastrophic bridge failures in recent earthquakes. In this paper, a new technique for seismic strengthening of concrete columns is presented. The technique requires wrapping thin, flexible high-strength fiber composite straps around the column to improve the confinement and, thereby, its ductility and strength. Analytical models are presented that quantify the gain in strength and ductility of concrete columns externally confined by means of high-strength fiber composite straps. A parametric study is conducted to examine the effects of various design parameters such as concrete compressive strength, thickness and spacing of straps, and type of strap. The results indicate that the strength and ductility of concrete columns can be significantly increased by wrapping high-strength fiber composite straps around the columns.


The effects of mass and radiative heat transfer on free convective flow of a viscous incompressible optically thick fluid towards a vertical surface has been investigated. The nonlinear non-dimensional, similarity-transformed boundary-layer equations governing the problem are solved using an efficient numerical method based on the fourth-order Runge-Kutta integration scheme and shooting iteration technique. Numerical calculations were carried out for different values of the various non-dimensional quantities governing the flow regime. The analysis shows that as the radiation parameter, N, increases, the temperature decreases; an increase in the prandtl number leads to a decrease in the temperature profile; a rise in the thermal Grasshof and the mass transfer number leads to increase in the velocity profile and a rise in the Schmidt number Sc leads to a decrease in the concentration profile.


Although the role of microtubule dynamics in cancer progression is well-established, the roles of tubulin isotypes, their cargos and their specific function in the induction and sustenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) were poorly explored. But emerging reports urge to focus on the transport function of tubulin isotypes in defining orchestrated expression of functionally critical molecules in establishing a stem cell niche, which is the key for CSC regulation. In this review, we summarize the role of specific tubulin isotypes in the transport of functional molecules that regulate metabolic reprogramming, which leads to the induction of CSCs and immune evasion. Recently, the surface expression of GLUT1 and GRP78 as well as voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) permeability, regulated by specific isotypes of β-tubulins have been shown to impart CSC properties to cancer cells, by implementing a metabolic reprogramming. Moreover, βIVb tubulin is shown to be critical in modulating EphrinB1signaling to sustain CSCs in oral carcinoma. These tubulin-interacting molecules, Ephrins, GLUT1 and GRP78, are also important regulators of immune evasion, by evoking PD-L1 mediated T-cell suppression. Thus, the recent advances in the field implicate that tubulins play a role in the controlled transport of molecules involved in CSC niche. The indication of tubulin isotypes in the regulation of CSCs offers a strategy to specifically target those tubulin isotypes to eliminate CSCs, rather than the general inhibition of microtubules, which usually leads to therapy resistance.


Abstract : Depot maintenance support is a critical element of peacetime material readiness and combat sustainability. The Army uses its organic depot maintenance system as a controlled source of technical capability in support of both peacetime operations and mobilization surge. During the mid-1980's, the Army lost some of its organic maintenance workload and staffing and at the same time increased its reliance on commercial sources for repair. While the Army has recently stemmed the decline in organic workload, it continued to underutilize organic repair facilities. Furthermore, as technology advances, forces are reduced, and operating tempo changes, depot maintenance requirements will decline. The Army must improve its management of the depot maintenance process to maintain a visible organic capability. This report recommends that the Army improve its methods for computing mobilization requirements, sizing organic capacity, assigning responsibilities for source-fo-repair decisions, and monitoring the transition from interim contractor support to organic support. Additionally, recommendations for developing more flexible contracting methods are discussed. With these improvements in place, the Army can reduce costs while maintaining or improving readiness and sustainability.


This paper deals with a lithium/tin combined target to increase the conversion efficiency of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) of 13.5 nm emission from laser-produced plasma. The bilayer target of glass/lithium (20 nm)/tin (50 nm) exhibits a sharp and strong emission in comparison with a Sn bulk target. The reverse coating of glass/tin/lithium was unstable and EUV could not be observed. By using nano-porous SnO 2 and an electrochemical deposition of lithium, nano-structured lithium/tin composite was prepared, and was stable without deliquescence of lithium.


Transparent conducting materials (TCMs) are crucial in the operation of modern opto-electronic devices, combining the lucrative properties of optical transparency and electronic conductivity. More than ever we rely on display and touch screens, energy efficient windows and solar cells in our day to day lives. The market for transparent electronics is projected to surpass $3.8 billion by 2026 as the automotive industry seek to incorporate pop-up displays into driver windshields, and the prospect of touch-enabled transparent displays challenges the traditional mouse and keyboard mode of computer operation. However, these new technologies rely heavily on the development of high performance p-type TCMs, a task that has posed a significant challenge to researchers for decades. This review will cover the basic theory and design principles of transparent conductors, followed by an overview of early p-type TCMs and their shortcomings. We discuss the impact of high-throughput screening studies on materials discovery and critically assess the family of p-type halide perovskites that emerged from these, ruling them as unsuitable candidates for high-performance applications. We find that phosphides, selenides, tellurides and halides are the most promising emerging materials, capable of achieving greater valence band dispersion than traditional oxides, and we discuss the challenges facing these more exotic systems. The smorgasbord of materials presented in this review should guide experimental and computational scientists alike in the next phase of p-type transparent conductor research.


This paper deals with a class of Boltzmann equations on the real line, extensions of the well-known Kac caricature. A distinguishing feature of the corresponding equations is that therein, the collision gain operators are defined by N-linear smoothing transformations. These kind of problems have been studied, from an essentially analytic viewpoint, in a recent paper by Bobylev, Cercignani and Gamba [Comm. Math. Phys. 291 (2009) 599-644]. Instead, the present work rests exclusively on probabilistic methods, based on techniques pertaining to the classical central limit problem and to the so-called fixed-point equations for probability distributions. An advantage of resorting to methods from the probability theory is that the same results - relative to self-similar solutions - as those obtained by Bobylev, Cercignani and Gamba, are here deduced under weaker conditions. In particular, it is shown how convergence to a self-similar solution depends on the belonging of the initial datum to the domain of attraction of a specific stable distribution. Moreover, some results on the speed of convergence are given in terms of Kantorovich-Wasserstein and Zolotarev distances between probability measures.


Abstract:Theories of ethnic conflict predict that between-group inequality should be associated with a greater likelihood of violent conflict, but empirical results have been mixed. One reason might be that different types of inequalities have opposing effects on the likelihood of conflict. In this article, we posit that educational inequalities are likely to incentivize collective action by inducing grievances, while economic and demographic inequalities may actually dis-incentivize collective action by limiting opportunities for disadvantaged groups to engage in rebellion. We test these hypotheses on a new ethnic dyad database, incorporating 1,548 dyads formed by 290 ethnic groups living in 29 Sub-Saharan African countries. The analysis reveals that educational inequalities are indeed positively associated with conflict incidence, while this is not the case for economic and demographic inequalities. The association between educational inequality and conflict is stronger if the groups are wealthier. A higher joint educational level of the groups is associated with less conflict, particularly under more autocratic regimes. These findings demonstrate that to better understand the relationship between inequality and conflict, it is important to disaggregate the effects of inequalities according to the underlying mechanisms and the political context with which they are associated.


Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) air pollution is one of the main environmental health problems in developed countries. According to modeling estimates the PM 2.5 concentrations in Poland are among the highest in Europe. In this article we focus on exposure assessment and estimation of adverse health effects due to PM2.5 air pollution. This article consists of two parts. In the first part, we discuss the main methods used to estimate emission-exposure relationships and adverse health effects due to PM 2.5 air pollution. In the second part, we present an assessment framework for Poland. We illustrate this framework by estimating the premature deaths and change in life expectancy in Poland caused by anthropogenic, primary PM 2.5 emissions from different Eu- ropean countries, and, in proportion, the premature deaths in different European countries caused by primary PM2.5 emissions from Poland. The PM2.5 emissions were evaluated using the inventory of the European Moni- toring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP). The emission-exposure relationships were based on the previously published study and the exposure-response functions for PM 2.5 air pollution were estimated in expert elicitation study performed for six European experts on air pollution health effects. Based on the assessment, the anthro- pogenic primary PM2.5 from the whole of Europe is estimated to cause several thousands of premature deaths in Poland, annually. These premature deaths are both due to PM2.5 emissions from Poland and transportation of PM 2.5 from other European countries, both of these in almost equal parts. The framework presented in this article will be developed in the near future to a full scale integrated assessment, that takes into account both gaseous and PM air pollution.


A variety of rehabilitation methods that increase social interaction and locomotor activity are reported to yield positive benefits in humans and animals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Environmental enrichment often incorporates group housing, increased cage size, and objects to increase social interaction and stimulate locomotor activity of animals. Others have reported that adult rats housed in enriched environments immediately after moderate contusion thoracic SCI show improvements in locomotion, but not in neurotransmission through or anatomy at the SCI site. In the present study, in contrast to previous reports, environmental enrichment did not improve the locomotion of rats with contusion thoracic SCI. Furthermore, as in previous reports, improvements were not observed for either electrophysiologic measures of neurotransmission through (transcranial magnetic motor-evoked potentials) and caudal to (magnetic-evoked interlimb reflex) the injury site or the amount of spared white matter at the epicenter. Determining the effectiveness of environmental enrichment to improve locomotor recovery in the SCI model requires standardization of housing procedures, outcome measures, and analyses.


This study makes out a case for the thorny problem of literary translation into Nigeria's indigenous languages and its role in national development. In this paper, we outline the way forward given the fact that literary translation into Nigerian languages had gone through a sticky patch. Federal, State and Local governments in Nigeria, including the Niger-Delta Development Commission and Multinationals, should work in tandem with translators, linguists etc, to ensure that literary translation into Nigerian languages is given its rightful place in the scheme of things. This paper places much premium on the fact that literary translation into Nigerian languages is a vital tool for building bridges of relationship, peace, unity, cultural understanding and integration across States in Nigeria. Global Journal of Humanities Vol. 5 (1&2) 2006: pp. 11-16


The cytokine RANKL is essential for osteoclast development in bone. The cellular sources of RANKL for support of osteoclast generation under various pathophysiological conditions have remained unclear, however. Here we show that inactivation of Rankl specifically in osteoblast lineage cells of mice with the use of an Osterix‐Cre transgene results in typical osteopetrosis in the trabecular compartment of the tibia, with the phenotype being progressively less marked in the femur and vertebrae. In contrast to its effects on trabecular bone, RANKL deficiency in osteoblast lineage resulted in thinning of the femoral cortex in association with suppression of bone formation during the modeling process. Ablation of RANKL specifically in T cells resulted in a moderate but significant increase in tibial trabecular bone. Mice with RANKL deficiency in osteoblast lineage were protected from bone loss induced by ovariectomy as well as from joint destruction associated with arthritis, whereas loss of RANKL in T cells did not confer such protection. Finally, inducible deletion of Rankl selectively in the osteoblasts from 6 to 12 weeks of age resulted in an increase in bone mass in association with reduced bone resorption and formation. Our results thus suggest that RANKL produced by osteoblasts contributes to osteoclast development in vivo. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.


Background: Tuberculosis (TB) unevenly affects individuals across the globe, especially in rural areas of low-income countries. Aim of the study was to assess the impact of social protection to increase TB awareness on treatment outcomes among TB patients in a rural area of Senegal. Materials & methods: The study, conducted in Fimela district (Senegal) from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019 and the intervention started from 31 January 2013, includes activities to increase awareness, active case finding, active follow-up and social protection. Results: Overall, 435 subjects - mainly male and young - were included in the analysis. Among TB cases, 94% had pulmonary involvement, 87% had no previous TB history, and 6% resulted positive HIV. Improved outcome was observed once intervention began (from 71 to 91%, p < 0.001); whereas mortality decreased (from 15 to 5%; p < 0.001), especially for those HIV co-infected for whom TB mortality rate dropped from 70 to 29%. Conclusion: After beginning the cooperation program, TB treatment success increased as a result of the decline of mortality, especially in people living with HIV.


Based on the complementary feature of GPS and SINS, a low-cost, high precision and robust navigation system for land-vehicles can be designed by integrating them effectively. It is a hot topic in the field of the navigation system for land-vehicles. Many researchs show that there are two key points to design this GPS/SINS integrated navigation system and some problems remain to be resolved, such as the problem that the system can't position accurately when the car turns sharply. The first issue is to estimate the attitude matrix of the body coordinate frame relative to the navigation coordinate frame, and the second one is to integrate the data of GPS with SINS. In order to estimate the attitude matrix and deal with the problem that the system can't position accurately when the car turns sharply, the MEKF algorithm is introduced in our system. EKF is used to fuse the data of GPS and SINS so as to improve precision and reliability of the system. Effectiveness of this method is verified by experiments conducted in this paper.


Communications systems with various alphabet sizes for transmission of video signals are compared on the basis of equal information rate, bandwidth, and average power. Two cases are considered: when the bandwidth constraint is tight and when it is somewhat loose. It is observed that the ternary alphabet yields the best performance among the systems employing various alphabet sizes, when the bandwidth is fixed. Nonbinary systems outperform the binary system only above a threshold. For the case when the bandwidth can be expanded, there is a threshold above which a nonbinary system is superior to the binary system. The threshold values in this case are larger than for the fixed bandwidth case and depend on the bandwidth expansion factor and the size of the alphabet.<<ETX>>


. Earthquakes are one of the most frequently occurring natural disasters. Many indications have been collected on the presence of seismo-ionospheric perturbations preceding such tragic phenomena. Radio techniques are the essential tools leading the detection of seismo-electromagnetic emissions by monitoring at very low frequency (VLF, 3-30 kHz) and low frequency (LF, 30-300 kHz) sub-ionospheric paths between transmitters and receivers (Hayakawa, 2015). In this brief communication, we present the implementation of a VLF/LF network for searching earthquake electromagnetic precursors. The 5 proposed system is comprised of a monopole antenna including a preamplifer, a GPS receiver and a recording device. This system will deliver a steady stream of real-time amplitude and phase-measurements and a daily recording VLF/LF data set. A first implementation of the system was done in Graz, Austria, the second one will be in Guyancourt, France, a third one in Réunion, France, and a fourth one in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. In the near future, we are planning on expanding of our network for enhanced monitoring and increased coverage. 10


Abstract. In this study, we revised the lichen collection at the Herbario Amazonico Colombiano (coah) in Bogotá, Colombia. The collection has a total of nearly 2,400 specimens, with some duplicates in the Herbario Nacional (col) and in the herbarium of the Botanic Garden in Berlin (b). The revision of 1,861 specimens revealed 574 species in 142 genera and 44 families, among which there are 28 species new to science and seven new combinations. Previously, 324 species had been reported from the Colombian Amazon, and our revision resulted in a new total of 666 species, more than doubling the previous number. All 666 species are enumerated here in the first comprehensive checklist of lichens from the Colombian Amazon. A total of 157 new country records (53 already reported in the new Catalogue of Fungi of Colombia) increase the number of lichens known from Colombia to 2,827. The following species are described as new: Allographa exuens, differing from A. argentata by the lirellae with the corticiform layer soon flaking off and exposing the black labia, the only finely inspersed hymenium, and the narrower ascospores; A. guainiae, differing from Graphis syzygii in the prominent ascomata with lateral thalline margin and whitish thallus remnants between the striae; A. labiata, differing from A. immersa in the prominent lirellae with conspicuous, entire, exposed labia, an inspersed hymenium, longer ascospores, and stictic acid as secondary compound; A. lichexanthonica, differing from A. sitiana in producing lichexanthone; A. sessilis, differing from A. contortuplicata in the muriform ascospores; A. suprainspersata, differing from A. angustata in the very thin thalline cover of the ascomata and the apically inspersed hymenium; Astrothelium bireagens, differing from A. cinnamomeum by the broader, apically flattened perithecia covered by a thin, ferruginous-red, K+ deep purple pruina and internally with an ochraceous-yellow, K+ deep yellow pigment; A. stromatolucidum, differing from A. neovariolosum in the distinctly pseudostromatic ascomata; Carbacanthographis submultiseptata, differing from C. multiseptata in the narrower ascospores and the indistinct periphysoids; Chapsa inconspicua, differing from C. angustispora in the smooth to uneven versus farinose thallus and in the much shorter ascospores; Coenogonium velutinellum, differing from C. pineti in the finely velvety, rather thick thallus composed of irregular to erect, densely packed algal threads covered by a thin pseudocortex; Fellhanera naevioides, differing from F. naevia in the finely dispersed, minutely crenulate thallus and the blackish apothecia; Fissurina sipmanii, differing from F. amazonica in the shorter and broader, slightly gaping, somewhat chroodiscoid ascomata, and the amyloid ascospores; Glyphis lirellizans, differing from Glyphis substriatula in the erumpent vs. prominent lirellae with lateral thalline margin and the exposed disc; Graphis papillifera, differing from G. stellata in the lirellae lacking a thalline margin, very elongate and irregularly to radiately branched and not in stellate clusters, and in the 5-septate ascospores; G. pseudoglyphis, differing from Graphis stellata in the non-verrucose thallus, the branched lirellae which do not, however, form stellate clusters, and the shorter ascospores; Malmidea flavimarginata, differing from M. bacidinoides in the pale yellow, K+ deep yellow medulla and yellow, K+ deep yellow excipular crystals, as well as the smaller ascospores; M. isidiopiperina, differing from M. taytayensis in the smaller ascospores; M. papillitrailiana, differing from M. trailiana in the papillose apothecial margins; Myriotrema araracuarense, differing from Myriotrema muluense in the non-annulate pores of the apothecia and in the longer ascospores; Ocellularia areolata, differing from Ocellularia rhicnoporoides in the pigmented medulla and the larger, more prominent apothecia with completely carbonized excipulum; O. caquetensis, differing from Ocellularia rotundifumosa in the absence of a columella; O. inspersipallens, differing from O. viridipallens in the inspersed hymenium and the 5–7-septate ascospores; O. rufocinctoides, differing from O. rufocincta in the thallus lacking large and irregular crystal clusters, in the more prominent apothecia and in the smaller ascospores; O. sipmanii, differing from Ocellularia abbayesiana in the smaller, 3-septate ascospores; Pseudopyrenula daironii, differing from all other species of the genus in the aggregate perithecia with shared ostiole and the internal orange-red pigment granules lining the perithecial wall; Pyrenula asymmetrica, differing from Pyrenula papilligera in the longer, almost rectangular ascospores; and Redingeria pseudostromatica, differing from other species in the genus in the pseudostromatic ascomata with small, rounded apothecia, in combination with 1-septate ascospores. In addition, the following seven new combinations are proposed: Bacidina cyanophila (≡ Bacidina simplex var. cyanophila), Malmidea sorediifera (≡ Lecanora sorediifera), Ocellularia fuscescens (≡ Thelotrema fuscescens), Phaeographis cymbegrapha (≡ Graphis cymbegrapha; = Phaeographis amazonica Staiger], Polyblastidium flavosquamosum (≡ Heterodermia flavosquamosa), Polyblastidium lamelligerum (≡ Parmelia lamelligera), and Polyblastidium rottboellii (≡ Anaptychia hypoleuca var. rottboellii).


The conflict between the Fulani herdsmen and Farmers in Nigeria is a long-aged rivalry. However, the occurrence of violent attacks by the Fulani herders against the farmers and farming communities has been so terrific in the recent time. This paper examines and outlines these incessant attacks and draws the implications. The paper argues that the attacks go beyond the usual conflict that is known between the two groups; that there are two different sects of Fulani herders in Nigeria: the armed and unarmed herders; that the armed-herders are the perpetrators of these violent attacks and they may be another form of an insurgent group in the country.  This is because their violent attacks continue to threaten the life and security of Nigerians in and around the affected communities, and the food security of the country as a whole. Therefore, the paper suggests that open grazing should be abolished and the creation and use of ranches should be encouraged among herders in order to end the attacks.
Keywords: Fulani herdsmen; Farmers; Armed; Violent; Attack; Nigeria


Abstract This paper seeks to critically examine the emergence of contemporary reli-gious fundamentalisms and how they have been able to acquire influence in a way that has opened new 'fault lines' within multiculturalist public policy discourse. Specifically, the paper is interested in understanding the curiously paradoxical place of religion and faith based groupings in the contemporary multicultural polity, and the confusion, and in some instances conflicts, this has caused amongst the Left. This is illustrated through an extended examination of the Shabina Begum case concerning a Muslim schoolgirl and her demands to wear the jilbab , a specific reli-gious headscarf, to school. It is argued that, in part, these ideological fault lines have resulted from an uncritical embrace by some progressives of ideas associated with postmodernist thinking; in particular the uncritical assertion of virtues of anti-universalism and cultural relativism. This then leaves an urgent task for progressives to think through some alternatives based on a re-articulation of a new political discourse of egalitarianism which is unashamedly universalist and secular.


Dissociative mutism is very rare in childhood. We present here a case of complete mutism of six months duration in a seven-year-old male child. Normal neurological and otorhinolaryngological examination pointed towards psychological nature of the problem and warranted a psychiatric evaluation. Detailed psychiatric evaluation could identify the stressor and psychotherapy provided relief within a few days. Dissociative mutism in childhood, if identified and referred early for psychiatric evaluation, can reduce the distress and duration of dysfunction associated with the disorder. Besides, it can also reduce unnecessary investigations and burden on the health care system.


Using an inhibition radioimmunoassay for the major allergen from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (antigen P1), we studied the distribution of this dust allergen in the houses of patients with asthma. Both bed and floor dust samples contained a wide range of antigen P1, 100 to 100,000 ng/g of fine dust, and this concentration correlated well with the number of mite bodies (r = 0.81, p less than 0.001). We were unable to detect antigen P1 in the air of undisturbed rooms. However, during domestic activity, between 1 and 30 ng were collected on a filter than sampled air for 45 min at 17 L/min. Using a cascade impactor it was shown that greater than 80% of the airborne antigen P1 was associated with particles greater than 10 mu in diameter. Some of the particles containing allergen could be identified because they formed precipitin rings when impacted onto agarose containing rabbit antimite antiserum. These particles had the physical appearance of mite feces, which are the major source of antigen P1 in mite cultures. The results suggested that natural exposure to this dust allergen allows occasional fecal particles to enter the lungs and that these particles contain very concentrated allergen.


A 76-year-old man underwent surgery for an infrarenal aortic aneurysm reaching 6 cm in maximal transverse diameter. The aorta was crossclamped below the level of the renal arteries. A tube graft was interposed and tend between the infrarenal aorta and the aortic bifurcation. Due to leakage on the suture line two consecutive episodes of crossclamping for a total duration of 40 min. were required. No hypotension was noted during or after the procedure. After operation, the patient complained of difficulties to move both legs and neurologic examination demonstrated paraparesis, with mild sensory deficit. Faecal and urinary incontinences were also noted and urodynamic testing demonstrated sphincterovesical palsy. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging detected an ischaemic zone in the spinal cord at the level of T11. Faecal incontinence and motor deficit partially resolved but no bladder function recovery was observed. Spinal ischaemia is a rare complication after abdominal aortic surgery. Several risk factors have been suggested which include level and duration of the aortic crossclamping, possible interruption of the spinal cord blood supply via the greater medullary artery (the so-called artery of Adamkiewicz), presence of intra- or postoperative episodes of hypotension, atheromatous embolization, underlying occlusive arteriosclerosis of spinal arteries, and respect or not of the hypogastric circulation. In our case, the duration of the crossclamping and interruption of the blood flow in lumbar arteries probably supplying the distal spinal cord were likely contributive factors.


BACKGROUND & AIMS
Congenital sodium diarrhea (CSD) is caused by defective sodium/proton exchange with only 6 sporadic cases reported. The genetics of the disease have not been established. We studied 5 infants with secretory diarrhea, identified in a circumscribed rural area in Austria, to define the mode of transmission and the involvement of candidate genes known to encode for sodium/proton exchangers (NHEs).

METHODS
We collected clinical and laboratory data from 5 affected patients, analyzed the pedigrees of their families, and performed homozygosity mapping and multipoint linkage analysis studies in 4 candidate regions known to contain NHE genes.

RESULTS
The diagnosis of CSD in 4 of 5 patients was based on daily fecal sodium excretion between 98 and 190 mmol/L, hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis, and low-to-normal urinary sodium concentrations. Pedigree analysis of the affected 2 CSD families revealed parental consanguinity and a common single ancestor 5 generations ago. Homozygosity mapping and/or multipoint linkage analysis excluded the NHE1 locus on chromosome 1, NHE2 locus on chromosome 2, NHE3 locus on chromosome 5, and NHE5 locus on chromosome 16 as potential candidate genes for CSD in this pedigree. Results on NHE4 were inconclusive because the precise chromosomal location of this NHE gene in humans is currently unknown.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that CSD is an autosomal recessive disorder but is not related to mutations in the NHE1, NHE2, NHE3, and NHE5 genes encoding for currently known sodium/proton exchangers.


Background Allergic rhinitis is a common health problem that requires regular monitoring of symptoms to provide adequate treatment. There is a need to develop rhinitis control assessment tools that are meaningful and easy to interpret by both the patient and the practitioner. Objective To develop a simple, easy-to-interpret instrument, the Rhinitis Control Scoring System (RCSS), for the assessment of rhinitis control, as a companion tool to the Asthma Control Scoring System previously validated. Methods After a literature review and based on the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma guidelines, allergic rhinitis control parameters were identified. The draft items were subjected to cognitive debriefing regarding instructions, wordings, and response options. The second version of the draft was then pretested and modified according to the results. The final draft of the RCSS, based on the intensity and frequency of symptoms, was then pilot tested with 50 subjects who had allergic rhinitis for validation of some psychometric properties. Each subject completed the RCSS in addition to other rhinitis instruments. They also had nasal peak inspiratory flow measurements. Results The RCSS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.84). There was strong criterion validity between the RCSS scores and the other instruments. The discriminant validity demonstrated as mean RCSS scores differed significantly across groups of patients with different Total Nasal Symptom Score severity (F = 58.8, p < 0.0001). Conclusions This pilot study showed that the RCSS is a simple tool to assess and quantify rhinitis control by using a percentage score This questionnaire allows the quantification of rhinitis control and, therefore, may help guide therapeutic interventions. Combined with the Asthma Control Scoring System, it can provide a global assessment of rhinitis and asthma control. Clinical Trial number NCT00967967.


In light of the discussions on relocating the capital city of Indonesia to a new location in Kalimantan, and create a new green capital city (referred to as IKN), the purpose of this meta-review paper is learn from experiences from other relocations of capital cities and creations of green cities in the world. Specific emphasis is hereby given to urban greening and gentrification. This article applies a meta-analytical approach by connecting the basic tenets of the 8R framework of responsible land management to assess the pros and cons of a selected set of capital city relocations and green cities. From the comparison, it is possible to generate general recommendations for Indonesia's new green capital city. The comparison reveals that each of the selected cases falls short in one or more aspects of the 8R framework. In all cases, constructing green capitals requires a mixed and integrated land use planning, a transparent regulatory framework towards land use control, extensive consultation with both local, national and international stakeholders, and participation with local residents. Only under these conditions, one can ensure ownership, respect and trust in the decision. The quandaries highlight the complexity of capital city relocation and green city creation. The originality lies in the specific land management framework perspective and discursive analysis of documented discourses on constructing new capital and green cities. This provides new options for devising and extending regulatory guidelines and for assigning responsibilities for such new mega-endeavors. Given the conceptual and discursive character of the paper, a limitation of the approach may be that there are no specific empirical data collected, yet several recommendations for further research include expanding the boundary work between the land management, the spatial planning and governance domains.


Incubation of donor DNA with ethidium bromide before addition to competent cells, strongly inhibited chromosomal transformation, plasmid transfer and phage-SPP1 DNA mediated transfection. There was no effect of the dye on the binding and entry of DNA into the cells. Analysis of the fate of transforming DNA treated with ethidium bromide showed a reduction in the amount of donor DNA associated with the recipient chromosome. The formation of this donor-recipient complex seems to be slowed down by the dye.


Recoder, R. & Nogueira, C. Diversity and composition of squamate reptiles in the southern portion of Grande Sertao Veredas National Park, Central Brazil. Biota Neotrop. Sep/Dez 2007 vol. 7, no. 3 http://www. biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n3/pt/abstract?inventory+bn01107032007. ISSN 1676-0603. We present the results of an inventory of squamate reptiles from Grande Sertao Veredas National Park region, in the Brazilian Cerrado hotspot. We used standardized sampling methods to provide richness, diversity and distribution data and compared our results with those from other Cerrado localities. The regional squamate fauna is composed of at least 50 species, of which 25 lizards, three amphisbaenians and 22 snakes, distributed in 12 families: Polychrotidae (1), Tropiduridae (3), Scincidae (4), Teiidae (3), Gymnophthalmidae (6), Anguidae (1), Amphisbaenidae (3), Anomalepididae (1), Leptotyphlopidae (1), Boidae (2), Colubridae (16) e Viperidae (2). Recorded and estimated richness indicates that the region can be one of the richest in the Brazilian Cerrado. The recorded species present predictable abundance variations among different available habitats, a probable result of the influence of phylogenetic factors in the spatial distribution of the species. The "carrasco" habitat was distinguished for harboring two restricted species to the region: Stenocercus quinarius and Psilophthalmus sp., and should receive further attention in future studies. The open habitats, especially the typical open physiognomies of Cerrado, present the highest richness levels, in agreement with results in other Cerrado localities, a fact with direct implications for the conservation of central Brazilian savannas.


Cooperating parallel programs are being increasingly used in critical applications that require both high performance and high reliability. A promising technique for simultaneously achieving these objectives is to embed the fault tolerance within the program instead of superimposing it via external mechanisms. We develop one such approach for a group of processes that cooperate via shared data structures. The scheme uses data structures having two or more invariant assertions. When the strong invariant is true, the performance is good. When it is false, the performance may be adversely affected, but it is guaranteed that the system will operate correctly provided the weak invariant is true. The algorithms are designed to ensure that processor failures will never cause the weak invariant to be false and to restore the strong invariant within a finite number of recovery actions. We develop a robust task handling mechanism to support the approach and illustrate it for three common data structures.<<ETX>>


Sitting at the LSE IDEAS 'Lessons of Northern Ireland' event, it was fanciful to think of 'who was bugging who' during the peace process. Around the table at the seminar we had Jonathan Powell (Tony Blair's chief of staff for the Northern Ireland talks), Martin Mansergh (the Irish Taoiseach's special representative on the Northern Ireland talks), Tim Dalton (from the Irish Ministry of Justice who collated Irish government intelligence files), David Trimble (the former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and a leading player in the peace process), and Barbara de Bruin (a member of Sinn Fein's negotiating team). Is it beyond the bounds of possibility that Jonathan Powell, or Tim Dalton, were privy to the transcripts of telephone calls and other surreptitiously recorded conversations of the people with whom they now shared a seminar room? My educated guess would be that Jonathan, Tim and many others know a lot more than they are prepared, or allowed, to tell us.


A versatile and portable apparatus was developed to demonstrate exciting visual displays of catalytic phenomena that introduce basic concepts in catalysis, renewable energy, and chemical safety, in order to pique scientific curiosity in a variety of audiences including middle and high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, and the general public. The demonstration uses the platinum-catalyzed oxidation of hydrogen by oxygen as a model reaction to illustrate concepts in thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and electrochemistry. The apparatus was designed to contain inherent safety features and the versatility to adopt several configurations to perform a wide range of experiments in classroom settings, informal science education activities, and public outreach events. Soap bubbles are used to confine small, controlled volumes (<35 cm3) of hydrogen/oxygen gas mixtures and probe the reactivity of bulk and nanoparticle forms of platinum to illustrate how high metal surface areas increase catalytic reaction rates. In parallel, a hydrogen/oxygen proton-exchange fuel cell is used to demonstrate how chemical energy released from the exergonic hydrogen oxidation reaction can be converted into electricity by using a platinum-containing electrocatalyst. With adjustments of the operating configuration and the experimental conditions of the apparatus, the demonstrations can be tailored toward target demographics of varying scientific proficiency to emphasize specific learning objectives for topics in reaction chemistry and engineering. Potential hazards and important safety precautions are addressed.


Summary Haemorrhoids are normal physiological structures (vascular cushions), which lead to haemorrhoidal disease when they enlarge pathologically. These vascular cushions are located in the submucosa of the lower rectum and are an important part of the continence organ. The cushions contain enormously dilatable veins which, when filled, enable a gas- and water-tight closure of the anal canal. As vascular cushions require rapid filling and haemorrhoid-associated anorectal bleeding is bright red, it is suggested that dilated veins are filled with arterial blood delivered via arteriovenous (AV) anastomoses. To specify blood supply and microvascular anatomy of the anorectum we analyzed vascular corrosion casts of human recta made from excised post mortem specimens. We found wide dilated veins and venules in the submucosa. Dilatations were often associated with sphincters capable to block venous outflow. Though careful analyses of completely filled vascular corrosion casts we could not confirm the existence of large AV-anastomoses in the anorectum postulated by previous authors. Conclusion: From our findings we conclude that the swelling of the dilatable veins is rather the result of blockage of venous outflow from these veins by the sphincters found than their filling via arteriovenous anastomoses as proposed sofar.


This prospective study (N = 90) investigated the early formation of romantic relationships within an attachment-theoretical framework. Specifically, it tested whether general attachment to romantic partners was predictive of single individuals' progressing from not dating to dating and from not dating or casual dating to a committed and exclusive relationship when simultaneously considering desire for starting a committed relationship, prior dating involvement, and self-perceived physical attractiveness. Attachment avoidance, but not anxiety, was predictive of not entering into committed dating relationships even with rival predictors included. The transition from not dating to casual or committed dating was mainly predicted by prior dating success with some support for a potential additional role of the desire to form a committed relationship.


The objective of this article is to develop a Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM). The BSC provides a framework for simulation experiments which serve to evaluate benefits of sustainability investments for the partners within a recycling supply chain. A system dynamics approach was employed to perform the simulation experiments. First, the simulations help to identify the preconditions that must be met before environmental and social measures can lead to a long-term profit increase for all network partners. Second, they demonstrate how limitations of the traditional BSC can be overcome, especially regarding multi-causal relationships between key performance indicators. The model is based on the results of a literature review and information gathered in expert interviews. The limits of the analysis lie in the fact that the simulation experiments are partly based on hypothetical assumptions. However, where possible, the authors have drawn on expert knowledge and existing surveys.


Photothermal processes are utilized across a variety of fields, from separations to medicine, and are an area of active research. Herein, the action of a solar simulator upon carbon black nanoparticles is shown to result in photothermally initiated chain-growth polymerization of methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, and methyl methacrylate initiated by benzoyl peroxide. With use of methyl acrylate as the model system, products from this reaction are shown to be apparently indistinguishable on the molecular level, but result in unique microstructures relative to the thermal controls. The relative contribution of bands of the UV/visible spectrum to the polymerization initiation show that red/infrared wavelengths are most important for the initiation to occur. Kinetic analysis of the initiator homolysis indicate that the apparent reaction rate is accelerated in the photothermal condition.


This research investigates the temporary involuntary loss of symbolically important, meaningful possessions and how consumers manage self identity in this situation. The losses explored occurred within the context of air travel and included where people accustomed to flying in business class had to travel in economy and where high status in a frequent flyer program was lost. Three stages of fieldwork were conducted; participant observation involving 50 international and domestic flights covering 110,000 miles, depth interviews and engagement online with a range of frequent flyer discussion communities. The short-term, concealable nature of the losses allowed consumers to manipulate private and public meaning to avoid, where possible, the consequences of the loss on self identity. This study contributes by showing that both private and public meanings of lost possessions can be used in identity construction and how identity negotiation can be avoided. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Age-dependent oocyte aneuploidy, a major cause of Down syndrome, is associated with declining sister chromatid cohesion in postnatal oocytes. Here we show that cohesion in postnatal mouse oocytes is regulated by Tex19.1. We show that Tex19.1-/- oocytes have defects in the maintenance of chiasmata, mis-segregate their chromosomes during meiosis, and transmit aneuploidies to the next generation. By reconstituting aspects of this pathway in mitotic somatic cells, we show that Tex19.1 regulates an acetylated SMC3-marked subpopulation of cohesin by inhibiting the activity of the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR2 towards specific substrates, and that UBR2 itself has a previously undescribed role in negatively regulating acetylated SMC3. Lastly, we show that acetylated SMC3 is associated with meiotic chromosome axes in oocytes, but that this is reduced in the absence of Tex19.1. These findings indicate that Tex19.1 maintains acetylated SMC3 and sister chromatid cohesion in postnatal oocytes, and prevents aneuploidy in the female germline.


There are many engineering-geological problems in Moscow, including seepage deformation, karst and landslide. Among them, landslides develop along the Moscow River and its branches. This paper aims to analyze the slope stability of "Vorobyovy Gory" landslide with the help of the program GeoStudio. According to the limit equilibrium method, we can know the slope stability. In addition, we can know the internal friction angle among in the physical and mechanical parameters of soil layer has the greatest influences on its stability by sensitivity analysis. Finally, we can get the probability of damage by probabilistic analysis.