This study aims to identify internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats). The method used is the SWOT analysis technique and qualitative descriptive. The research was carried out in Kumbe Village, Malind District, Merauke Regency in April - May 2018. The results of IFAS and EFAS identification show that strength consists of six elements, namely: availability of raw materials (sap), using traditional tools, equipment easy to find, low capital, quite high market share, and increase family income. Weakness consists of four elements, namely: limited manpower, lack of workforce expertise, business management that has not been implemented properly, the production period depends on the climate. Opportunities consist of: High market opportunities, there is a business license from the government, support for customary law, there are SME institutions and the quality of local coconut sugar is superior to non-local ones. Threats consist of: lack of socialization and training from the government, lack of input and equipment assistance, the absence of supervision of coconut sugar prices by the government, the low selling price of coconut sugar, certification of coconut sugar.

Keywords: SWOT analysis, Merauke District, Coconut sugar, Kumbe Village


Abstract Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium and commonly detected in a wide range of foodstuffs. The purpose of this work was to monitor the presence of OTA in cheeses and pork meat products. A simple and accurate "dilute and shoot" method with no need of immunoaffinity column and isotopic labeled internal standard, by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, was validated in accordance with the criteria set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 401/2006. The method showed good linearity in solvent and in matrix (R 2 ≥ 0.995), limit of detection was 0.2 µg/kg for cheese and 0.3 µg/kg for pork meat products, limit of quantification was fixed at 1 µg/kg, and recovery was estimated at two different concentration levels (1 and 5 µg/kg) and ranged from 75% to 101%. The interday and intraday laboratory precisions were lower than 7%. The matrix effect, the recovery of the extraction process, and the overall process efficiency were evaluated. No significant ME was observed in the two matrices considered. This method was applied to the analysis of 75 samples, coming from official controls implemented by the Lazio Region (Central Italy). In one sample of dry‐cured ham, the concentration found (69.3 µg/kg) was well above the guidance value recommended by the Italian Ministry of Health (1 µg/kg). These data together with the detection of OTA in three grated cheeses suggest the importance of monitoring these products. Considering the high dietary intake of these matrices, especially among vulnerable populations, further research should be devoted to estimate exposure and risk assessment for OTA.


The Korea-China Train Ferry can be one option to enter into Eurasia and a meaningful way to extend the route for logistics enterprise and manufacturers of Korea to reach the broader global market along with specific access to China. Under this scenaris, this study is designed to look at the progress and status of the Korea-China Train Ferry project as an opportunity for Korea to build a path towards Eurasia and to review factors and opinions to consider in port selection based on in-depth interviews with industry participants and experts. It also aims to discuss ideas for a Korea-China logistics cooperative system. For the train ferry's success, agreements between Korea and China are essential to ensure consistency in base ports and customs clearance procedures and long-term preparation should be made in the first phase to build the framework for the Korea-China Train Ferry operations.


Five formulations made from the non-polar extracts of C. retusa have been used as test agents on the flea beetles (P. uniformis). The effectiveness of each formulation (prepared by using Omo detergent solution and petroleum ether) was assessed by the estimation of the number of okro leaf discs (dipped in the respective formulations) eaten by P. uniformis and their mortality within the experimental period. The results of this study have showed that, non-polar constituents of the extract of C. retusa have antifeedant properties on flea beetles since they significantly reduced the feeding of P. uniformis on Okro leaf discs. The most effective formulation from the non-polar extract was found to be 0.3g of the extract in 40ml petroleum ether, while the least effective formulation was 0.6g of the extract in 40ml petroleum ether. There was a weak positive correlation (P>0.05) between the number okro leaf discs consumed and the mortality of the P. uniformis. This research suggests that the non-polar extract of C. retusa may contain some active ingredients for controlling the flea beetle, P. uniformis.


The article demonstrates the fact that the duality of human consciousness is connected by mutual projections with the topography of the Georgian Military Road and the model of the universe and also forms the system of narrators / characters and the structure of the novel as a whole, including the number of stories and the partition of the novel into two parts. The sources used by the writer in the formation of the narrative structure of the novel are reconstructed. The numerological code of the novel is considered, the language bases of the conceptual system are analyzed. The embeddedness in the conceptual system of the trinomial name of Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov is demonstrated. The vertical and horizontal spatial orientation of the Georgian Military Road allows discovering the topographic connection of the road with the dual reality of Lermontov, in which the opposite poles of good and evil, divine and evil turn into one.


Apart from DNA-sequence-based inheritance, inheritance of epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation is controversial across the tree of life. In mammals, post-fertilization and primordial germ cell reprogramming processes erased most parental DNA methylation information. In nonmammalian vertebrates and insects, it has been proposed that DNA methylation is an essential hereditary carrier. However, how and to what extent general DNA methylation reprogramming affects intergenerational inheritance in molluscs remains unclear. Here, we investigated genome-wide DNA methylation in a mollusc model, the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), to test how epigenetic information transfers from parents to offspring. Analysis of global methylome revealed that the DNA methylation patterns are highly conserved within families. Almost half of the differentially methylated CpG dinucleotides (DMCs) between families in parents could transfer to offspring. These results provided the direct evidence for the hypothesis that the Pacific oyster DNA methylation patterns are inherited in generations. Moreover, distinct DNA methylation differences between male and female somatic tissues in C. gigas are revealed in this study. These sex-differential methylated genes significantly enriched in the regulation of Rho protein signal transduction process, which indicated that DNA methylation might have an essential role in the sexual differentiation of somatic tissues in C. gigas. Author Summary Transgenerational inheritance of DNA methylation marks varies across the tree of life. In mammals, post-fertilization and primordial germ cell reprogramming processes obstructed the DNA methylation transmission from parents to child, and only some CpG dinucleotides retain gamete-inherited methylation. However, the DNA methylation inheritance seems apparent in nonmammalian vertebrates and insects. As one of the essential mollusc models, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas have received the most substantial epigenetic studies, mainly focusing on the DNA methylation profiles. While a previous study suggested the existence of paternal inheritance of DNA methylation patterns in C. gigas, more data are needed to confirm this hypothesis. In this study, genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed to investigate the epigenetic inheritance in C. gigas. Almost half of the DNA methylation differences between families in parents were found to be transferred to children, indicating the absence of global DNA methylation reprogramming in C. gigas. Besides, extensive hypomethylation in C. gigas females compared with males were also unveiled. These hypomethylated genes were significantly enriched in the regulation of Rho protein signal transduction process. For example, guanine nucleotide exchange factors, including KALRN, FGD1, and FGD6, were hypomethylated in C. gigas females, and the corresponding transcriptions were significantly upregulated. Our findings provided insights into the evolution of DNA methylation patterns, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and sexual differentiation in molluscs.


Left main coronary artery aneurysm (LMCAA) is an uncommon coronary abnormality seen in 0.1% of patients during routine diagnostic coronary angiographies. The most common etiology is atherosclerosis in acquired cases. However, it can also be a congenital malformation. We present the case of a 26 year-old female with a large LMCAA. She was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot initially.


The intent of study is to establish a criterion for the experimental setup of rasterstereography, one that is more efficient, simple, accurate and precise to examine and analyse the curvature of the object or the subject. Firstly, the setup is needed to be calibrated and for this purpose we considered a reference plane, eleven cylinders of different diameter ranging from 30-119mm were used for calibration of curvature maps of cylinders and cylindrical objects through the regression line. Further this model was tested on subjects and for that we reckoned cylindrical body parts of boys and a total of 30 college students were involved as subjects in this process. The body parts to be measured had curvature like cylinders of different diameters ranging from 42-120mm. The distortion of raster grid was observed, quantified and recorded with the help of different tools and results were established. The regression line was obtained between the measured (x) and computed (y). The standard error of the cylindrical object was 0..04 and that of cylindrical body parts of subjects was 0.0407. This technique was validated through the coefficient of correlation for objects and subjects which was found to be 0.99982 and 0.999141 respectively. Accuracy and Precision were also calculated for this model, which were 99.60% accurate and 99.49% precise. Curvature maps were found more than 99%. This technique is inexpensive, reliable, reproducible and may be installed easily in hospitals to examine appraise body shape, composition and deformities of young men.


Plerixafor, a hematopoietic stem cell mobilizer, is indicated in combination with G-CSF to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood for collection and subsequent autologous transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Current evidence suggests that the addition of plerixafor with chemotherapy plus G-CSF is safe and effective in the large majority of the patients with low blood CD34+ cell count after mobilization and/or poor yield after the first collection. Nevertheless, there are several questions strongly debated, and in this paper, we would like to identify areas of possible future use and development of the drug.


This paper presents the use of wireless sensor network (WSN) technologies in a newly growing application space in industrial Internet or industry 4.0. This application space focuses on factory automation and field process management that we call Machine Area Network (MAN) applications. We describe key requirements, major technical challenges and how hardware and software can be combined to address these requirements in MAN. A mechanism that allows machine-to-machine (M2M) direct data sharing using a time-synchronous network that utilizes a time-stamping approach is also presented. The paper also discusses scalability of the network and how it crosses the boundaries of media specific characteristics that enables flexible network setup. TI silicon-based Intelligent Industrial Internet sensor node platform is briefly discussed to tackle above technical challenges in MAN industrial applications.


Abstract. α-pinene is an abundant volatile organic compound (VOC) emitted by boreal forests and a source of atmospheric Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA). This precursor is commonly used as a model compound for SOA studies representing boreal forest emissions. α-pinene SOA particles can have a highly viscous solid or semi-solid phase state depending on water content, temperature and oxidative age. The phase state (or viscosity) of SOA particles has multiple effects on the chemical and physical processes in which SOA particles are involved; one of the affected processes is ice formation. We investigate the effect of water content and oxidative age on ice nucleation using 100 nm quasi-monodisperse particles of boreal forest SOA surrogates . Ice nucleation experiments are conducted in the temperature range between 210 and 240 K and from ice to water saturation using the Spectrometer for Ice Nuclei (SPIN). The effect of the particle water content on the ice nucleation process is tested by preconditioning α-pinene SOA at different humidity (40 %, 10 % and <1 % RHw). The influence of the particle oxidative age is tested by varying their O : C ratio (oxygen-to-carbon ratios, O : C ∼ 0.45, 0.8, 1.1). To assess the suitability of α-pinene as a model compound to study the ice nucleation properties of boreal forest SOA and to confirm the atmospheric relevance of our findings, we compare them to measurements of SOA using pine-needle oil or Scots pine tree emissions as precursors. The ice nucleation measurements show that surrogates of boreal forest SOA particles promote only homogeneous ice formation. An effect of preconditioning humidity on homogeneous ice nucleation could be observed. Contrary to the expected behavior, homogeneous freezing is suppressed for SOA particles with high water content (preconditioned at 40 % RHw) and was only observed for SOA preconditioned at low RHw (≤ 10 %). No dependence of homogeneous freezing on the SOA oxidative age was observed. The results can be explained by a significant change of particulate water diffusivity as a function of humidity (from 10 % to 40 % RHw) at 293 K, where the aerosol is preconditioned. On dry SOA particles, water diffusion into the particle is slow enough to form a core-shell morphology with an outer layer that can equilibrate within the timescale of the experiment and freeze homogeneously. On SOA particles with higher water content, water diffuses faster into the particle, delaying equilibration at the particle surface and preventing the formation of a diluted shell, which can delay homogeneous freezing. To predict if a core-shell develops, we propose that the partial water vapor pressure particles are exposed to prior to an experiment can serve as an indicator.


Objective: To evaluate long-term effects of balance-training on concerns about falling, gait, balance performance, and physical function in older adults with osteoporosis and increased risk of falling. Design: Randomized controlled trial, including three groups (training, training+physical activity, and control group), with follow-ups at three, nine, and 15 months. Short-term, three-month follow-up, benefits for those who fulfilled the first follow-up (n = 69) have previously been reported. Setting: Stockholm, Sweden. Participants: A total of 96 elderly, age 66–87, with verified osteoporosis. Interventions: Balance-training programme including dual- and multitasks, with or without supplementary physical activity, three times/week over 12 weeks. Measurements: Concerns about falling Falls Efficacy Scale -International (FES-I), walking at preferred speed with and without a cognitive dual-task and at fast speed, balance tests (one-leg stance and modified figure-of-eight), and physical function Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). Results: Participants in the training group maintained positive effects throughout the study period for concerns about falling (baseline vs. 15 months, median 27.5 vs. 23 points, p < 0.001) and walking performance (baseline vs. 15 months, p ⩽ 0.05 with an improvement of 0.9–1.4 m/s). The Training+physical activity group declined to baseline values at the nine-month follow-up, and were even lower at the 15-month follow-up for concerns about falling (median 26 vs. 26 points), walking performance (changes of −0.02 to 0.04 m/s), and physical function (mean 44.0 vs. 42.9 points). The control group remained unchanged throughout the study period. Conclusions: This balance-training programme reduced concerns about falling, and also improved gait in older adults with osteoporosis and increased risk of falling in a long-term perspective – important issues for fall prevention.


Abstract:Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis is the standard surgical treatment modality for patients with ulcerative colitis who require colectomy. There are special issues related to male gender. We performed systemic literature review on the topic, incorporating the experience in our specialized Center for Ileal Pouch Disorders, and provide recommendations for the identification and management for the gender-specific issues in male patients with ileal pouches. Chronic pouchitis, particularly ischemic pouchitis, anastomotic leak, and presacral sinus are more common in male patients than their female counterparts. Sexual dysfunction can occur after pouch surgery, particularly in those with pouch failure. Diagnosis and management of benign and malignant prostate diseases can be challenging due to the altered pelvic anatomy from the surgery. Digital rectal examination for prostate cancer screening is not reliable. Transpouch biopsy of prostate may lead to pouch fistula or abscess. Pelvic radiation therapy may have an adverse impact on the pouch function. In conclusion, sexual dysfunction and enlarged prostate can occur in patients with the ileal pouch. The measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen is a preferred method for the screening of prostate cancer. If biopsy of the prostate is needed, the perineal route is recommended. The risk for pouch dysfunction and the benefit for oncologic survival of pelvic radiation for prostate cancer should be carefully balanced.


Bombai' is a popular litchi variety of West Bengal but susceptible to fruit cracking which reduces the market price. Till now numbers of research trial conducted in litchi with different chemicals but reports on impact of application of brassinolide in reduction of fruit cracking maintaining quality attributes are limited. Therefore, an experiment was conducted during January-May of 2019–20 at the Experimental Farm of Horticultural Research station, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidayala, Nadia, West Bengal, India to evaluate the effect of different dose of brassinolide on fruit yield, quality and reduction of cracking in litchi. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design comprising five treatments of brassinolide [T1: Brassinolide (0.5 mg l-1), T2: Brassinolide (1.0 mg l-1), T3: Brassinolide (1.5 mg l-1), T4: Brassinolide (2.0 mg l-1) and T5: Control (water spray)] with four replication/treatment. The solutions were applied two times; first before anthesis and another at 15 days after anthesis. Result revealed that brassinolide increased the number of fruits per panicle and significantly increased individual fruit weight, length, diameter, and yield. Among different treatments, brassinolides at 1 mg l-1 (two-time application i.e., 15 days before and after anthesis) is identified to be superior considering all qualitative aspects i.e., maximum fruit weight (26.40 g), fruit length (5.15 cm) and yield (95.88 kg plant-1). This treatment also exhibited maximum TSS (21.22°Brix), total sugar (14.11%), ascorbic acid (37.42 mg 100 g-1) and anthocyanin (23.13 mg 100 g-1) content with minimum (9.12%) fruit cracking. The control treatments registered minimum values for all parameters.


We present some results of recent calculations of rigid rod-like particles in shear flow, based on the Doi model. This is an ideal model system for exhibiting the generic behavior of shear-thinning fluids (polymer solutions, wormlike micelles, surfactant solutions, liquid crystals) in shear flow. We present calculations of phase coexistence under shear among weakly-aligned (paranematic) and strongly-aligned phases, including alignment in the shear plane and in the vorticity direction (log-rolling). Phase coexistence is possible, in principle, under conditions of both common shear stress and common strain rate, corresponding to different orientations of the interface between phases. We discuss arguments for resolving this degeneracy. Calculation of phase coexistence relies on the presence of inhomogeneous terms in the dynamical equations of motion, which select the appropriate pair of coexisting states. We cast this condition in terms of an equivalent dynamical system, and explore some aspects of how this differs from equilibrium phase coexistence.


Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been used in the treatment of transitional neoplasia of the bladder since 1976. The indications for BCG-treatment are: 1. Carcinoma in situ (CIS), 2. Prophylaxis and 3. Treatment of tumor(s). This paper reviews the treatment schedules, results, side effects, mode of actions and the efforts at improvement of the treatment. In conclusion, the results in CIS are satisfactory, especially in primary CIS. In prophylaxis, efficacy has been demonstrated in small randomized trials against recurrence of tumor, rate of progression and survival. Unfortunately, the characteristics of the tumor(s) treated by BCG are heterogenous (stage, concomitant CIS) and the numbers of patients are small, making it difficult to determine whether there is an effect in all patients or only a subgroup. Tumor treatment with intravesical BCG is only indicated in patients not fit to undergo transurethral resection. Treatment of CIS with BCG is well established, but the exact indications for prophylaxis and tumor treatment are not known. The optimal treatment schedule has probably not been established, and further studies are necessary in an effort to improve the efficacy.


Purpose of review The present review focuses on the latest evidence from the past 18 months related to pediatric hospitalist medicine. Recent findings The number of hospitalists continues to increase despite many programs not being financially self-supporting. Reports in the past have shown decreased length of stay, resource utilization, and costs with the hospitalist model. There are an increasing number of studies examining patient safety, quality initiatives, and communication issues such as 'handoffs' and family-centered rounds. The teaching role continues to broaden in scope and is highly valued by trainees. Pediatric hospitalist fellowship training programs are in an early stage of development. A list of core competencies as a framework for a pediatric hospital medicine curriculum has recently been published and should help to facilitate and standardize training. Recent publications suggest that there is still significant variation in the approach to and management of many common inpatient illnesses. Summary In general, there continue to be reports of positive outcomes as a result of the introduction of the hospitalist model in pediatrics. Much of the current literature is geared toward reporting on alternative models of care, inpatient quality and safety initiatives, and hospitalist teaching. What is still somewhat lacking is multicenter collaborative prospective clinical trials for common inpatient general pediatric conditions. The variation reported in the management of common conditions presents an opportunity for improving the quality, safety, resource utilization, and appropriateness of care.


must contain conspicuous acknowledgement of where and by whom the paper was presented. ABSTRACT: This is an investigation to find, understand, and optimize bit wear using of embedded diamond bits is being studied with and without vibration, to better understand the mechanisms of wear, the effect vibration on them, and to study relationships between drilling parameters including profile , focusing separately on the wear mechanisms for the bit matrix and the embedded diamonds. Tests the effect of different drilling conditi ons on bit matrix wear, diamond wear, and power consumption, working mainly with short runs in which small amounts of wear occurred. as uniaxial compressive strength and r elative abrasion resistance, by varying the proportions and curing of the included materials. Some preliminary results and observations are reported. critical for rate of penetration (ROP) and bit life minimum weight loss may overlap, but conditions for maximum ROP and minimum wear rate are abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgement of where and by whom the paper was presented.


Several recent works demonstrate that transformers can implement algorithms like gradient descent. By a careful construction of weights, these works show that multiple layers of transformers are expressive enough to simulate iterations of gradient descent. Going beyond the question of expressivity, we ask: Can transformers learn to implement such algorithms by training over random problem instances? To our knowledge, we make the first theoretical progress on this question via an analysis of the loss landscape for linear transformers trained over random instances of linear regression. For a single attention layer, we prove the global minimum of the training objective implements a single iteration of preconditioned gradient descent. Notably, the preconditioning matrix not only adapts to the input distribution but also to the variance induced by data inadequacy. For a transformer with $L$ attention layers, we prove certain critical points of the training objective implement $L$ iterations of preconditioned gradient descent. Our results call for future theoretical studies on learning algorithms by training transformers.


Abstract We prove the abelian/nonabelian correspondence with bundles for target spaces that are partial flag bundles, combining and generalising results by Ciocan-Fontanine–Kim–Sabbah, Brown, and Oh. From this, we deduce how genus-zero Gromov–Witten invariants change when a smooth projective variety X is blown up in a complete intersection defined by convex line bundles. In the case where the blow-up is Fano, our result gives closed-form expressions for certain genus-zero invariants of the blow-up in terms of invariants of X. We also give a reformulation of the abelian/nonabelian Correspondence in terms of Givental's formalism, which may be of independent interest.


We study the energetics of vortices and vortex lattices produced by rotation in the cyclic phase of F=2 spinor condensates. In addition to the familiar triangular lattice predicted by Tkachenko for 4He, many more complex lattices appear in this system as a result of the spin degree of freedom. In particular, we predict a magnetic-field-driven transition from a triangular lattice to a honeycomb lattice. Other transitions and lattice geometries are driven at constant field by changes in the temperature-dependent ratio of charge and spin stiffnesses, including a transition through an aperiodic vortex structure. Finally, we compute the renormalization of the ratio of the spin and charge stiffnesses from thermal fluctuations using a nonlinear sigma model analysis.


Between 1986-1995 we operated 337 patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, 45 cases of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater and 11 patients with cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The evaluation of prognostic factors showed the influence of lymph node invasion. Furthermore we saw a significant influence of lymph- and haemangiosis carcinomatosa, of tumor-grading and tumor-size. The carcinoma of the papilla showed a better 5-year survival even in nodal-positive patients - this as a result of a different biological behaviour. We think that - instead of missing improvement of cure in ductal adenocarcinoma over the past decade - there is no place for therapeutic nihilism especially in non-ductal cancer, which represents almost 15 % of all pancreatic neoplasms.


The assessment process for student learning is often influenced and guided by well-defined standards and competencies dictated by various accrediting bodies that oversee graduate professional programs culminating in the master's degree. When applied in an accredited library and information science (LIS) program, traditional assessment techniques, such as portfolios, grades, and authentic assessments consistently affirmed student high performance, leaving little room to demonstrate student learning and program improvement. Consequently, the program redefined its assessment plan through the development of a pre-/post-test survey instrument that aligned with learning outcomes, the curriculum, and professional competencies. Pre-test responses were analyzed through SPSS to ascertain initial findings and effectiveness of the instrument to gauge student learning and workplace performance. Implications for student advisement, curriculum adjustments, program improvement, and strengthening the assessment plan for accreditation emerged. Areas for further development, particularly in the work environment, and research were also identified.


John Wansbrough has elaborated a model of the emergence of Islam, one of the chief merits of which is to place Islam squarely within the development of Semitic or Middle Eastern monotheism. This article draws attention to the way in which Islam's own tradition about its origins, and most modern scholarship which has worked within the framework provided by Muslim tradition, has the effect of distancing Islam from the development of the wider stream of monotheism - especially by explaining it as the result of an act of revelation which occurred in a remote region of inner Arabia. By insisting that Islam developed and came to fruition in the Middle East outside Arabia following the Arab conquest of the region and that its account of its own origins has to be understood in the same context, Wansbrough has increased our understanding of the nature of Islam's own tradition and what can and cannot be done with it. The article attempts to put him in a scholarly context and to contrast his approach with more usual modern scholarly discussion of the origins of Islam.


Abstract Background Pelvic reconstruction with a muscle flap significantly improves postoperative outcomes following abdominoperineal resection (APR). Despite it being the gold standard, significant surgeon-selection bias remains with respect to the necessity of pelvic obliteration, flap choice, and ostomy placement. The objective of the study was to characterize management practices among colorectal surgeons (CSs) and plastic surgeons (PSs). Methods Specialty-specific surveys were distributed electronically to CSs and PSs via surgical societies. Surveys were designed to illustrate geographic and specialty-specific differences in management. Results Of 106 (54 CSs and 52 PSs) respondents (58% Canada, 21% Europe, 14% the United States, and 6% Asia/Africa), significant interdisciplinary differences in practices were observed. Most respondents indicated that multidisciplinary meetings were not performed (74% of CSs and 78% of PSs). For a nonradiated pelvic dead space with small perineal defect, 91% of CSs and 56% of PSs indicated that flap reconstruction was not required. For a radiated pelvic dead space with small perineal defect, only 54% of CSs and 6% of PSs indicated that there was no need for flap reconstruction. With respect to ostomy placement, 87% of CSs and 21% of PSs indicated that stoma placement through the rectus was superior. When two ostomies were required, most CSs preferred exteriorizing ostomies through bilateral recti and requesting thigh-based reconstruction. PSs favored the vertical rectus abdominis muscle (VRAM; 52%) over the gracilis (23%) and inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP; 23%) flaps. Among PSs, North Americans favor abdominally based flaps (VRAM 60%), while Europeans favor gluteal-based flaps (IGAP 78%). Conclusion A lack of standardization continues to exist with respect to the reconstruction of pelvic defects following APR and pelvic exenteration. Geographic and interdisciplinary biases with respect to ostomy placement, flap choice, and role for pelvic obliteration continues to influence reconstructive practices. These cases should continue to be approached on a case by case basis, driven by pathology, presence of radiation, comorbidities, and the size of the pelvic and perineal defect.


An efficient redox deracemization of the phosphonic ester substituted 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-one (DHPM) derivatives is described. The one-pot deracemization strategy consisted of the oxidization to destroy the stereocenter center and the following asymmetric transfer hydrogenation to regenerate the chiral carbon center with the vicinal phosphonic ester group, providing a series of optically active phosphonate substituted DHPMs with up to 96% ee.


Bruce Stokes has written a report entitled "Filling the Family Planning Gap" which is the guide to popularity of methods of family planning. Voluntary sterilization is now chosen by more people than any other method of birth control. 70 million couples use sterilization as a preferred method while 55 million use the pill 30 million use the condom 15 million use the IUD and 65 million use other methods. The use of the pill is on the rise on all continents the condom is most popular in Japan and well-educated women in the U.S. prefer the diaphragm. In China each couple is entitled to 2 or 3 children only and late marriages are encouraged. Small groups in factories neighborhoods and villages decide who should have children and when. In Indonesia headmen in villages support the family planning program and 27000 village pill and condom depots have been established in Java and Bali. Mothers clubs are popular in Indonesia and in South Korea. Stokes says that the most successful family planning programs have been decentralized. "Each country must find its own path design programmes that are sensitive to the cultural political and economic realities it faces."


Two portions of pigeon peas were processed with and without steam blanching, blanching by water immersion, and exhausting. The nutritional contents of the canned pigeon peas were determined during a storage period from 0 month to 6 months at ambient temperature. The results obtained imply that none of the treatments contributed significantly to the loss or to the retention of protein, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, total fats and ash. It was not possible to determine the effect of the treatments on the contents of Mn and Fe because these minerals did not remain stable during storage.


somewhat diffuse, verbose and tautological. The details of the 23 cases which follow, however, are clearly and objectively set out and are mainly of interest through the sidelight they throw on American administrative method in hospitals. The problems presented differ so widely from those encountered in British hospitals (particularly since the establishment of the National Health Service) that few of the cases described would be of value for the teaching of hospital administrators, medical or lay, in this country. H. M. C. MACAULAY


This paper introduces a framework for Data Protection as a Service (DPaaS) to cloud computing users. Compared to the existing Data Encryption as a Service (DEaaS) such as those provided by Amazon and Google, our DPaaS framework provides more flexibility, control and visibility for protecting data in the cloud. In addition to supporting the basic data encryption capability as DEaaS does, this DPaaS framework allows data owners to define fine-grained access control policies to protect their data. Data protected by an access control policy are automatically encrypted and access is granted to user/applications according with the policy. In general, the DPaaS enables the separation of concerns between security and data management, in addition to defining a full cycle of data security automation from encryption to decryption. Our proof-of-concept prototype of the DPaaS works with hybrid multi-cloud environments including private clouds and virtual data-centers using OpenStack, CloudStack and VMWare as well as public clouds being the BT Cloud Compute platform and Amazon (AWS). Experiments on the prototype have proved the efficiency of the framework.


Inside Bowie and the Spiders, 1969-1972: An Independent Critical Review. DVD. [UK]: Classic Rock Productions, 2004. CRL 1606. Inside Deep Purple: The Independent Critical Guide, 1969-1973. DVD. [UK]: Classic Rock Productions, 2004. CRL 1593. Inside Led Zeppelin: A Critical Review, 1968-1972. DiVD. [UK]: Classic Rock Productions, 2003. CRL 1581. $24.95 each. Classic Rock Productions's Inside the Music series features looks at mostly British rock bands from the sixties and seventies. Most of the DVDs are a bit over or under an hour and feature early music videos, clips from concerts and television appearances, and commentary by British journalists, all members of the Association of Music Critics and Reviewers, recording producers, and musicians. Each title is as labeled as "the definitive critical review," but the commentary ranges widely in depth and quality. The DVDs are accompanied by supplementary books, but these were not seen for the reviewed tides. The Bowie disc features performances of "Space Oddity," "Changes," "Oh! You Pretty Things," "Life on Mars," "Starman," "John, I'm Only Dancing," and "Jean Genie," clips from a 1973 BBC documentary about Bowie, and commentary by writers Bob Carruthers, Malcolm Dome, and Jonathan Wingate, producer Pip Williams, session guitarist John McKenzie, and two members of Bowie's Spiders: bass player Trevor Bolder and drummer Woody Woodmansey. All the songs are from the Hunky Dory album, which the commentators see as Bowie at his most inventive as songwriter and performer. As with other titles in the series, no songs are performed in their entirety. Most of the commentary focuses on how this music represented Bowie's growth as an artist and how it differed from the other music of the time, with occasional references to similarities to T-Rex and the Velvet Underground. Although several songs feature the shifting tones and tempos associated with the Beatles, this obvious influence receives scant attention. One problem with all three titles is the failure of the commentators to say much about how these musicians arrived at this point. There is almost nothing about their earlier lives and work and too little about influences and similarities to other groups other than vague generalities. It is almost as if the music was created in a vacuum. The commentators discuss how Bowie's experiences with drugs and mental illness affected his music and address the frequent homoerotic themes. Mick Ronson's guitar playing and arrangements are analyzed, as is Rick Wakeman's piano performances. The implication is that Bowie's later work missed these collaborators. Bolder and Woodmansey, the most entertaining of the speakers, explain how they created distinctive sounds. Williams is the only commentator to go into detail about musical techniques. He also explains the significance of Bowie's use of a stylophone in "Space Oddity." Bolder says that "Jean Genie" was written on a bus traveling to Memphis after Bowie was inspired by a band member's strumming some Chuck Berry chords. The consensus is that Bowie is important for his eagerness to experiment. Often dismissed as musically marginal, he is, the commentators say, often quite sophisticated at times. Inside Deep Purple includes performances from of "Concerto for Group and Orchestra," "Mandrake Root," "Wring That Neck," "Black Night," "Speed King," "Child in Time," "Fireball," "The Mule," "No, No, No," "Strange Kind of Woman," "Smoke on the Water," "Highway Star," "Lazy," "Space Truckin'," and "Woman from Tokyo." Commenting again are Dome and McKenzie, along with writers Jerry Bloom and Hugh Fielder, producer Rob Corich, and musicians Bryan Josh, Neil Murray, Steve Whale, Doogie White, and Geoff Whitehorn. No one from Deep Purple participated in the DVD. …


-The energy power supply infrastructure of a hospital, to function correctly, needs to be well maintained to ensure its reliability and, by consequence, the maximum integrated availability. In this paper, the authors propose the use of Petri Nets to help the improvement of the electric power system reliability, having as a case study a big European Hospital. The purpose of the research is to identify and analyse the potential failures of the system and to suggest solutions to improve the operations and maintenance to maximise the availability and reliability of those assets through possible and objective answers. It was necessary to develop a diagnosis and planning methodology to assess the reliability of several components of the energy power supply system. It is dynamic modelling based on a block diagram of the system and transposed to representation by Petri Nets. The analysis and the simulation of the discrete events of the system, as well as the visualisation of the process functioning and the communications inside, was made. Additionally, they were referred to other approaches, like the Fuzzy Petri Nets and Stochastic Petri Nets, as well as a future balance about its application in a situation like the analysed in this paper.


The existing word representation methods mostly limit their information source to word co-occurrence statistics. In this paper, we introduce ngrams into four representation methods: SGNS, GloVe, PPMI matrix, and its SVD factorization. Comprehensive experiments are conducted on word analogy and similarity tasks. The results show that improved word representations are learned from ngram co-occurrence statistics. We also demonstrate that the trained ngram representations are useful in many aspects such as finding antonyms and collocations. Besides, a novel approach of building co-occurrence matrix is proposed to alleviate the hardware burdens brought by ngrams.


Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis has been employed for the detection of haptoglobin, transferrin and albumin phenotypes among 88 Dusads of Bihar. No variant of the haptoglobins or transferrins has been found in this sample, whereas one individual showed bisalbuminemia.


Indica-japonica hybridization is one of the most important breeding methods in China, whereas identifying subspecies differentiation mechanisms is the key in indica-japonica hybridization breeding. By using InDels (Insert/Deletion) and ILPs (Intron Length Polymorphism), an analysis was made on the F6 populations derived from the hybridization of indica-japonica (Qishanzhan/Akihikari) planted in Liaoning and Guangdong provinces and generated by bulk harvesting (BM), single-seed descent methods (SSD), and pedigree method (PM). No segregation distortion was observed for the BM and SSD populations. The frequency distribution of japonica kinship percentage (Dj) was concentrated in 40%-60%. The PM populations in the two provinces presented indica-deviated distribution (30%-55%), with significant difference between Guangdong (38%) and Liaoning (42%). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the Dj and the kinship of functional gene regions in the BM and SSD populations. However, part of the positive correlation was broken in the PM populations that showed a regular distribution in the genotype patterns of indica and japonica loci. The above results demonstrated that artificial selection could be the main factor affecting the population differentiation in indica-japonica hybridization, and, with the synergistic effect of natural selection, induced the phenomenon of segregation distortion. There existed a close relationship between the differentiation of subspecies and the important agronomic traits, which could be the main reason why indica-japonica hybridiation breeding could not achieve the expected effect of combining the two subspecies advantages.


Cystic duct stump or remnant gall bladder is, if not always, one of the important cause of postcholecystectomy symptoms. In laparoscopic era incidence of leaving long cystic duct stump has increased. Also difficult gall bladder surgeries often end up with incomplete removal of gall bladder. Magnetic resonance cholangiogram is an optimal diagnostic modality. Treatment is to remove remnant cystic duct stump either by laparoscopy or by open method. We are reporting a case of symptomatic cystic duct stump with a very late presentation.


De novo site-specific 13C and 15N backbone and sidechain resonance assignments are presented for uniformly enriched E. coli thioredoxin, established using two-dimensional homo- and heteronuclear solid-state magic angle spinning NMR correlation spectroscopy. Backbone dihedral angles and secondary structure were derived from the statistical analysis of the secondary chemical shifts, and are in good agreement with solution values for the intact full-length thioredoxin, with the exception of a small number of residues located at the termini of the individual secondary structure elements. A large number of cross-peaks observed in the DARR spectra with long mixing times correspond to the pairs of carbon atoms separated by 4-6 angstroms, suggesting that DARR could be efficiently employed for observation of medium- and long-range correlations. The 108 amino acid residue E. coli thioredoxin is the largest uniformly enriched protein assigned to this degree of completeness by solid-state NMR spectroscopy to date. It is anticipated that with a combination of two-dimensional correlation experiments and high magnetic fields, resonance assignments and secondary structure can be generally derived for other noncrystalline proteins.


Abstract : A guide has been developed to present a servicewide standard set of factors to be considered when commenting on facility site evaluations for proposed marine terminals handling Cargoes of Particular Hazard (COPH) and Class A Explosives. Coast Guard involvement in facility siting is one indirect control via operational safety regulations and enforcement by advising all concerned parties of operation constraints and safty criteria to be applied. The Coast Guard also has the responsibility to review and comment on environmental impact statements for proposed facility sites and their involvement. The requirements for locating marine terminals handling COPH should satisfy factors designed to minimize the risk of accidents in the navigable waterway approach and at the berth and facility site and to minimize detrimental effects to the environment as well as considering the economic and public impact of vessel operation in port areas. The guide discusses the authority and responsibility of the Coast Guard and other federal organizations and presents factors to be considered to enable a consistent judgement and evaluation of proposed facility sites by Coast Guard personnel. (Author)


We report vibrational excitation functions and angular distributions for electron scattering from the ground vibrational quantum (000), the bending vibrational quantum (010) and the unresolved first bending overtone (020) and symmetric stretch (100) modes of the ground-electronic state in hot (750 K) carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules. The excitation function measurements were carried out at incident electron energies in the range of 1–9 eV, and at the electron scattering angles of 30°, 60°, 90° and 120°.


It has generally been accepted that Aerobacter but not Escherichia spp. utilize uric acid as a primary source of nitrogen (S. A. Koser, J. Infect. Diseases 23:377, 1918; C. C. Chen and L. F. Rettger, J. Bacteriol. 5:253, 1920; N. B. Mitchell and M. Levine, J. Bacteriol. 36:587, 1938). Yet, P. J. Armstrong, Jr., and R. F. Wiseman (Bacteriol. Proc., p. 159, 1962) reported that in rats the degradation of ingested uric acid was not only attributed to the normal uricolytic bacteria (Aerobacter), but also to the appearance of increased numbers of "uricolytic Escherichia coli." L. N. Bare, R. F. Wiseman, and 0. J. Abbott (J. Bacteriol. 87:329, 1964), on the other hand, noted an increase in the number of cells of Aerobacter spp. and lower levels of uric acid in the intestinal tract of chicks fed antibiotics and uric acid, but no increase in the numbers of Escherichia spp. The present work was undertaken to determine whether Escherichia spp. are uricolytic. Isolates of Escherichia spp. were obtained from the intestinal contents of chicks, quail, and rats, and from human and quail feces. The contents


Fake news permeating life through channels misleads people into disinformation. To reduce the harm of fake news and provide multiple and effective news credibility channels, the approach of linguistics is applied to a word-frequency-based ANN system and semantics-based BERT system in this study, using mainstream news as a general news dataset and content farms as a fake news dataset for the models judging news source credibility and comparing the difference in news source credibility recognition between ANN and BERT. The research findings show high similarity in the highest and lowest hit rates between the ANN system and the BERT system (Liberty Time had the highest hit rate, while ETtoday and nooho.net had the lowest hit rates). The BERT system presents a higher and more stable overall source credibility recognition rate than the ANN system (BERT 91.2% > ANN 82.75%). Recognizing news source credibility through artificial intelligence not only could effectively enhance people's sensitivity to news sources but, in the long term, could cultivate public media literacy to achieve the synergy of fake news resistance with technology.


Deformation due to environmental changes in moisture arises in many engineering problems of practical interest. The purpose of this work is to develop a theoretical model for the determination of moisture induced deformations in thin plates made of High Pressure Laminates. For the determination of moisture induced deformations, a set of material properties is required. Measuring these properties is also a part of this work. The theoretical models for moisture transfer and elastic deformation are based on Fick's law and the Kirchhoff plate theory, respectively. High Pressure Laminates are classified as a composite material and the behaviour of composites can be analysed in different classes of theoretical problems. Here, the High Pressure Laminate is treated, on the macroscopic scale of observation, as a homogeneous, elastic and orthotropic material. A basic result of the thesis is a simple procedure to account for the effect of hygro-expansion. The moisture moment integral, which essentially is proportional to moisture content profile and thickness of plate, gives a basic time-dependent function I(t) which determines the effect of any uneven moisture distribution over the cross-section of the plate. The moisture-induced moments are proportional to I(t) and they only appear as an additional term in the boundary conditions of the plate. Solutions for simply supported plates are presented for different rectangular shape and, for different stiffness and hygro-expansion coefficients in the two orthotropic directions. Two PC-programmes, MHPL and MecHPL, based on the theoretical models are developed. MHPL deals with determining the moisture content of the material and MecHPL deals with calculating the moisture induced deformations in the plate. These programmes have been validated by using existing programmes and experimental tests. The results of the validations indicate that the models and PC-programmes are correctly formulated.


Forest harvesting and fire are major disturbances in boreal forests. Forest harvesting has modified stand successional pathways, which has led to compositional changes from the original conifer-dominated forests to predominantly mixed and hardwood forests. Boreal fire regimes are expected to change with future climate change. Using the LANDIS-II spatially explicit landscape model, we evaluated the effects of forest management scenarios and projected fire regimes under climate change in northeastern Canadian boreal forests, and we determined the subsequent alteration in stand- and landscape-level composition, succession, and spatial configuration of boreal forests. We observed that, in contrast to successional pathways that followed fire, successional pathways that followed forest harvesting favored mixed forests with a prevalence of shade-intolerant hardwoods for up to 300 y after harvesting. This trend was exacerbated under climate change scenarios where forests became dominated by hardwood species, particularly in ecoregions where these species were found currently in low abundance. Our results highlight the failure of existing forest management regimes to emulate the effects of natural disturbance regimes on boreal forest composition and configuration. This illustrates the risks to maintaining ecosystem goods and services over the long term and the exacerbation of this trend in the context of future climate change.


GaN quantum dots embedded in nanowires have attracted much attention due to their superior optical properties. However, due to the large surface-to-volume ratio of the nanowire, the impacts of surface states are the primary issue responsible for the degradation of internal quantum efficiency (IQE) in heterostructured dot-in-nanowires. In this paper, we investigate the carrier recombination mechanism of GaN/AlN dot-in-nanowires with an in situ grown AlN shell structure. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) measurements were performed to describe the band bending effect on samples with different shell thicknesses. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence (TDPL) data support that increasing the AlN shell thickness is an efficient way to improve internal quantum efficiency. Detailed carrier dynamics was analyzed and combined with time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL). The experimental data are consistent with our physical model that the AlN shell can effectively flatten the band bending near the surface and isolate the surface non-radiative recombination center. Our systematic research on GaN/AlN quantum dots in nanowires with a core–shell structure may significantly advance the development of a broad range of nanowire-based optoelectronic devices.


Reinforcement Learning (RL) handles policy search problems: searching a mapping from state space to action space. However RL is based on gradient methods and as such, cannot deal with problems with multimodal landscape. In contrast, though Genetic Algorithm (GA) is promising to deal with them, it seems to be unsuitable for policy search problems from the viewpoint of the cost of evaluation. Minimal Generation Gap (MGG), used as a generation-alternation model in GA, generates many offspring from two or more parents selected from a population. Therefore, evaluating policies of generated offspring requires much trial and error (i.e. interaction between an agent and an environment). In this paper, we incorporate importance sampling into the framework of MGG in order to reduce the cost of evaluation on policy search. The proposed techniques are applied to Markov Decision Process (MDP) with multimodal landscape. The experimental results show that these techniques can reduce the number of interaction between an agent and an environment, and also mean that MGG and importance sampling are good for each other.


Somatic cells can be reprogrammed into a pluripotent ES‐cell‐like state (termed induced pluripotent stem cells, iPS) by transcription factors, which have enormous therapeutic potential for regenerative medicine. We have investigated whether iPS can directly differentiate into corneal epithelium‐like cells. Mouse iPS cells were co‐cultured with corneal limbal stroma. RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy analysis were used to detect differentiated iPS. Undifferentiated iPS cells expressed ES cells related genes. Co‐culture with corneal limbal stroma, in the presence of additional factors bFGF, EGF and NGF, activated keratin expression 12 (K12, a marker of corneal epithelial cells) and downregulated Nanog. These data suggest that mouse iPS cells can differentiate into corneal epithelial‐like cells by replication of a corneal epithelial stem cell niche.


The in vitro deacylation of N-arylformamides and N-arylacetamides to arylamines was examined in rat liver preparations. When 2-acetylaminofluorene or 2-formylaminofluorene was incubated with rat liver microsomes or cytosol, the deacylated metabolite, 2-aminofluorene, was formed. The deacylating activity of liver microsomes was inhibited by bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, inhibitors of carboxylesterase. In contrast, the activity of liver cytosol was inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate, an inhibitor of formamidase. Deacylation of these compounds appear to be mainly catalyzed by carboxylesterase in liver microsomes and formamidase in liver cytosol. 2-Formylaminofluorene, 2-acetylaminofluorene, 1-formylaminopyrene, 4-formylaminobiphenyl, 2-formylaminonaphthalene, 1-formylaminonaphthalene, and 2-acetylaminofluorene were deacylated by formamidase purified from rat liver cytosol. Formamidase catalyzed both N-formylation of arylamines, and deacylation of N-arylformamides and N-arylacetamides.


This paper considers the significant role of cross-sectional geometry on resistance in coaxial pipe flows. We consider an axially flowing viscous fluid in between two long and thin elliptical coaxial cylinders, one inside the other. The outer cylinder is stationary, while the inner cylinder (rod) is free to move. The rod poses a resistance to the axial flow, while the viscous fluid poses a resistance to any motion of the rod. We show that the equations for flow in the axial direction – driven by a prescribed flux – and for flow within the crosssection of the domain – driven by the motion of the rod – decouple in the asymptotic limit of small cylinder aspect ratio into axial Poiseuille flow and transverse Stokes flow, respectively. The objective of this paper is to calculate numerically the axial and crosssectional resistances and to determine their dependence on cross-sectional geometry – i.e., rod position and the ellipticities of the rod and bounding cylinder. We characterise axial resistance, first for three reduced parameter spaces that have not been fully analysed in the literature: I) a circle in an ellipse, II) an ellipse in a circle, and III) an ellipse in an ellipse of equal eccentricity and orientation, before extending our geometric parameter space to determine the overall optimal geometry to minimise axial flow resistance for fixed cross-sectional area. Cross-sectional resistance is characterised via coefficients in a Stokes resistance matrix and we highlight the interdependent effects of cross-sectional ellipticity and boundary interactions.


The author studies the effect of nutritional protein deprivation on experimental models of marasmatic-kwashiorkor and marasmus in rats. The parameters used were quantity of nitrogen in liver and pancreas, and liver lipides.


Worldwide, only twenty per cent of the workforce is engaged (Harter, 2021). In the current political, social, and economic context that has developed over the last decades and has been described as the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, leaders would be wise to create healthy places to work—places that contribute to, and reinforce adaptive functioning. The best places to work can be described as "authentizotic"—derived from the Greek words authenteekos and zoteekos. An organisation that is authentic inspires employees through the integrity of its vision, mission, values, culture, and structure. Zoteekos, meaning "vital to life", when applied to an organisational context implies that people are invigorated by their workplace and find in it a sense of balance and completeness. We describe twelve patterns that differentiate authentizotic organisations from more run-of-themill places of work. Whilst sceptics may find the idea utopian, it argues that now more than ever leaders would do well to imbue their organisations with authentizotic qualities and concludes with a checklist to help the reader identify authentizotic characteristics in their own workplace.


In the distributive environment, the current method for storage and processing of massive spatial data were mostly based on the traditional relational database. Due to its particular relation mode, the fast access and treatment ability for massive spatial data was limited. So it is not an ideal database for two or three dimension spatial data storage. So how to utilize the non-relational database to realize the ei cient storage and the fast processing under distributed environment possess important research signii cance.


Abstract Rationale: The clinical manifestations of the SARS-CoV-2 infection are mainly respiratory but the virus can cause a variety of symptoms. Dermatological findings are less well-characterized. Data is scarce on their timing, type and correlation with the immune response. Patient concerns: We present the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a previously healthy woman who presented with respiratory symptoms and developed anosmia, diarrhea, and an erythematous maculo-papular rash on day 15 from symptom onset. Diagnosis: The nasopharyngeal swab tested by real time PCR for COVID-19 was positive. We interpreted this as a viral exanthema likely caused by an immune response to SARS-CoV-2 nucleotides. Interventions: She was treated with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin and Lopinavir/Ritonavir, and the rash with topical corticosteroids. Outcomes: All symptoms resolved except for anosmia which persisted for 6 weeks. At the 4- and 6-weeks follow-up the IgG titers for SARS-CoV-2 were high. Lessons: We must consider that SARS-CoV-2 has a multi-organ tropism. In our case, the SARS-CoV-2 infection had lung, nasopharyngeal, neurological, digestive, and skin manifestations. Identifying the different manifestations is useful for understanding the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We not only present a rare manifestation but also suggest that cutaneous manifestations may correlate with immunity.


Background: Complicated appendicitis is an indication for emergency surgery. Therefore, the predictive factors for appendicitis based on the patient background needs identification. Previously, factors predicting non-complicated and complicated appendicitis were reported. However, most of those reports were deemed unsuitable as a standard for emergency use, since those comprised too many items as predictors. We previously reported three items that preoperatively predicted complicated appendicitis (body temperature, C-reactive protein, and fluid retention around the appendix). In this study, we re-evaluated different cases to confirm the usefulness of these three items can for accurately predicting complicated appendicitis preoperatively. In addition, we compared the effectiveness of these predictor items with those reported by other researchers.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 417 adult patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis between January 2013 and December 2019, and compared our predictor items with those used in previous reports on the preoperative prediction of complicated appendicitis (criteria A consisting of eight predictor items and criteria B consisting of seven predictor items). Results: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the sensitivity to diagnose complicated appendicitis according to our criteria, criteria A, and criteria B were 0.823, 0.839, and 0.856, respectively. The AUC of our criteria and criteria A were similar (P = 0.356); those of criteria A and B were also similar (P = 0.352). However, the AUC of criteria B was statistically higher than that of our criteria (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Diagnostic criteria B were statistically the best predictor items for characterizing complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis. However, like criteria A and B, the AUC of our criteria exceeded 0.8, and only involved three predictor items; therefore, they can be considered useful predictors.


We have studied the anisotropic superconductor MgB2 using a combination of scanning electron microscopy and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy. Tunnelling spectroscopy performed on thin films and pellets reveals two distinct energy gaps at ?1 = 2.3 meV and ?2 = 7.1 meV. On different crystallites within the polycrystalline sample different spectral weights of the partial densities of states (PDOS) were observed. They reflect different tunnelling directions with respect to the crystallographic orientation of the grain in a multiband system. Indeed when tunnelling in the c-axis films only one superconducting gap is observed, which is associated with the 3D band in this system. Temperature evolution of the tunnelling spectra reveals that both gaps close simultaneously near the bulk critical temperature. Our experimental findings are consistent with the two-band superconductivity scenario in the presence of strong pair interaction between the two bands [1].


Let H = (V, Σ) be a 3-uniform linear hypergraph with one hypercycle C3. We consider a blow-up hypergraph B[H]. We are interested in the following problem. We have to decide whether there exists a blow-up hypergraph B[H] of the hypergraph H, with hyperedge densities satisfying special conditions, such that the hypergraph H appears in a blow-up hypergraph as a transversal. We present an efficient algorithm to decide whether a given set of hyperedge densities ensures the existence of a 3-uniform linear hypergraph H with hypercycle C3 in the blow-up hypergraph B[H]. Moreover, we state some relations between roots of the multivariate matching polynomial and the inhomogeneous density Turán problem.


This thesis presents railroad crew rostering problem, which is to determine the railroad plan allocation. This problem is constructed that determine the sequence of duties that railroad crews have to perform. We analyze characteristic of this problem and railroad industry. It's hard to consider many constraint conditions. We propose Integer Programming model and easy methodology to be considered all given operation rules. This problem is known to be NP-hard. We develop a genetic algorithm, which is proved to be powerful in solving optimization problems. We proposed the effective mathematical model and algorithm about making crew rostering in real industry.


A characteristic feature shared by all Margaritiferidae mussels consists in the presence of scars on the internal surface of their shells. These scars mark places of mantle attachment by specific epithelial cells. According to some authors, such parameters of mantle attachment scars as the density and degree of their manifestation can be used for the purposes of species identification. To this end, quality indicators (numerous or few, pronounced or poorly visible scars) are typically used; however, the use of quantitative criteria is preferable. This work was aimed at developing quantitative indicators of mantle attachment scars in the Margaritifera margaritifera freshwater pearl mussels for the populations of the Syuskyuyanyoki and Livoyoki rivers (Karelia). It is shown that the density and size of mantle attachment scars are approximately the same for all the investigated shell samples. These parameters display the absence of dependence on the age and size of molluscs. The regression coefficients for the linear dependence of the density or size of mantle attachment scars on the age or length of the shell show no significant difference from 0. For all the investigated molluscs, the density and size of mantle attachment scars are established to vary within the range of 0.37–1.16 scars/cm2 (0.71 ± 0.03 scars/cm2 on average) and 215–690 µm (417 ± 2 µm on average), respectively. According to a two-factor analysis of variance, the distribution of mantle attachment scars appears to be irregular across the shell surface. At the same time, a significant (p < 0.001) increase in their density is observed in the posterior and ventral directions, as well as diagonally in the posterior ventral direction. Issues associated with the application of the investigated parameters for the purposes of mollusc species identification are discussed.


Nervous tissue metabolism is mainly supported by the dense thread of blood vessels which mainly provides fast supplies of oxygen and glucose. Recently, the supplying role of the brain vascular system has been examined in major neurological conditions such as the Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. However, to date, fast and reliable methods for the fine level microstructural extraction of whole brain vascular systems are still unavailable. We present a methodological framework suitable for reconstruction of the whole mouse brain cerebral microvasculature by X-ray tomography with the unprecedented pixel size of 0.65 μm. Our measurements suggest that the resolving power of the technique is better than in many previous studies, and therefore it allows for a refinement of current measurements of blood vessel properties. Relevant insights emerged from analyses characterizing the regional morphology and topology of blood vessels. Specifically, vascular diameter and density appeared non-homogeneously distributed among the brain regions suggesting preferential sites for high-demanding metabolic requirements. Also, topological features such as the vessel branching points were non-uniformly distributed among the brain districts indicating that specific architectural schemes are required to serve the distinct functional specialization of the nervous tissue. In conclusion, here we propose a combination of experimental and computational method for efficient and fast investigations of the vascular system of entire organs with submicrometric precision.


The finite-frequency optical properties of the underdoped cuprates, in both the normal and superconducting state, display features which go beyond a Fermi liquid and a BCS description. We provide an understanding of these properties within a simplified analytical model, which has been evolved out of the Hubbard model and ideas based on a resonating valence bond spin liquid. We find that: 1) in underdoped samples, the missing area integrals reveal a second energy scale due to the pseudogap, not present at optimum or overdoping; 2) the real part of the optical self-energy shows a large sharp peak, that emerges with the opening of the pseudogap which exists within the superconducting state and persists in the normal state; and 3) the amount of optical spectral weight which is transferred to the condensate is greatly reduced by the presence of the pseudogap as compared to the Fermi liquid case. These non-BCS features of the superconducting state are in good qualitative agreement with a body of experimental work on different cuprate systems and provide strong evidence from optical conductivity that they are all a manifestation of the pseudogap energy scale.


Abstract the aim of our study was to evaluate influence of probiotic agents (Lactovita) and seaweed extracts (Biopolym) with antidiarrheal effects on the prevention of diarrhoea in calves. In the experiment 22 experimental and 22 control calves were observed. The results of the observed incidence of diarrhoea in the control and experimental groups showed a positive effect of probiotic Lactovita and seaweed extracts Biopolymer. 32% of calves in the experimental group and 45% of calves in the control group became sick. Unfortunately, we could not demonstrate the statistical significance of these differences. The weight gains found in the 4th week after birth were by 37.6% higher in the group with Lactovita and Biopolym than in the control group.


A single-transistor memory cell in Al-gate technology with 2.5 /spl mu/m line width with a new circuit configuration is introduced. In this cell, the ground line of one cell and the word line of the cell opposite the bit line share the same line. This circuit configuration leads to memory cells having a bit density of 5720 bit/mm/SUP 2/ even though it uses a single layer metallization. The voltage conditions in this cell differ from those in conventional storage cells, but do not reduce the operation range of the new cell. As design and circuit studies have shown, a 32 kbit memory can be realized on a chip area of about 15.4 mm/SUP 2/, having an access time of 200 ns and a power dissipation of 500 mW.


The aims of this study is to describe the developing of media as guided inquiry guidance with Cabri 3D assistance in three dimensional space for students of grade X of senior high school and to know students' interests in interactive media based on guided inquiry method. This study is belonging to research and development with ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model. Analysis stage covers material, students and situation analysis. Design stage covers making grid and deciding media design. Development stage covers creating media, quality validation before trial, and revision base on the result of media validation. The implementation stage that is implementation the media to students of SMA N 1 Wonosobo. The last stage is evaluation, that is evaluated the developing and quality of media. The result of the study is described as follows. The result of the material expert assessment base on the use of method, didactic, construction, technical, the worthiness of material and presentation has mean score 3, 21(good classification), the result of teacher assessment has a mean score 3,7 (very good classification), and the result of media expert assessment base on the aspect of simplicity, integrity, balance, and coloring has mean score 3,46 (very good classification). Base on the result of students' interest has mean score 78,91% (strong classification). While base on evaluation test, students have mean score 83,2 (very good classification). Thus, the result of the study shows the media is appropriate to be used as one of mathematics learning media.


The significance of the regulative function of the reflecting power of judgment for Kant's philosophy of history is widely accepted in the relevant literature. However, less attention has been paid to particular modes of reflection with reference to history. In the last paragraphs of the Critique of the Power of Judgment we find a distinction between the "theoretically reflecting power of judgment" and the reflecting power of judgment "in accordance with concepts of practical reason". In the present paper, I attempt to stress the importance of this distinction for Kant's philosophy of history. More specifically, it is my view that this distinction leads Kant to a double perspective on history, by means of which one can explain why the notions of Nature and Providence cannot be used interchangeably. Interestingly, at the same time, it facilitates a new understanding of what Kant in Religion within the Boundaries of mere Reason calls "revolution in the disposition of the human being". Another notion which is crucial for the main argument put forward in the present paper is that of the "culture of discipline". Although Kant introduces it in the third Critique, I attempt to show that this is the notion that mediates Kant's two views on history.


Teachers are the most important school resource. In every country, teachers' salaries and training represent the greatest share of expenditure on education; and this investment in teachers can have significant returns. Research shows that being taught by the best teachers can make a real difference in the learning and life outcomes of otherwise similar students.
But not all students are equal when it comes to access to high-quality teaching. In fact, PISA data show that there are inequities in access to experienced and qualified teachers in many countries, and that they are related to the gap in learning outcomes between advantaged and disadvantaged students.


In experimental organisms such as fruit flies and mice, increased frequencies in germ cell mutations have been detected following exposure to ionizing radiation. In contrast, there has been no clear evidence for radiation-induced germ cell mutations in humans that lead to birth defects, chromosome aberrations, Mendelian disorders, etc. This situation exists partly because no sensitive and practical genetic marker is available for human studies and also because the number of people exposed to large doses of radiation and subsequently having offspring was small until childhood cancer survivors became an important study population. In addition, the genome of apparently normal individuals seems to contain large numbers of alterations, including dozens to hundreds of nonfunctional alleles. With the number of mutational events in protein-coding genes estimated as less than one per genome after 1 gray (Gy) exposure, it is unsurprising that genetic effects from radiation have not yet been detected conclusively in humans.


During two last decades, many ontology building methodologies have been introduced. Since these methodologies are based on the society's lexicon, rather than society's process, the purpose, scope and required entities of the ontology cannot be clearly defined. Therefore, the obtained ontology is either incompetent or over-competent. Hence, this research addresses the problem of the unbalanced competency of the ontology by proposing Process-Oriented Ontology Building methodology (POOB-Methodology). The proposed method defines and express the purpose and scope of the ontology as the ontological concepts. Since the proposed method is process-oriented, and all the societies have a finite number of the processes, the boundary of the ontology can be clearly defined which helps the ontology builder to be concentrated on the main concepts in order to obtain the required entities. Therefore as a result, the obtained ontology is neither incompetent nor over-competent, but enough competent in solving the society's problem. This research contributes by clearly determining the first step of ontology building, providing more coordination between ontology builder and domain experts.


TEMPI syndrome, a disease entity comprising telangiectasia, erythrocytosis with high erythropoietin, monoclonal gammopathy, perinephric fluid collection, and intrapulmonary shunting, was first described by Sykes et al. in 2011. To our knowledge, only 15 cases have been reported worldwide, none of which were in Japan. We herein report a 47-year-old man who had intractable ascites for 2 and a half years and was referred to our department for a peritoneovenous shunt. In addition to ascites, he had telangiectasia, high erythropoietin, monoclonal gammopathy, and perinephric fluid collection. Thus, this is the first case of TEMPI syndrome in Japan.


Thermally sprayed cermet coatings are widely used in pulp and paper industry and also in other applications of such corrosive conditions where chlorine is present. In these conditions corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the coatings are the most important characteristics. Corrosion resistance can be improved by sealing the corrosion sensitive base material surface under the coating from chlorine containing environment. Test materials in this work were thermally sprayed WC-10Co4Cr, Cr3C2-25NiCr and Sanicro 28 coatings prepared using HVAF and arc spray techniques. The degradation of the coatings and base material surface was characterized using micro hardness tests, optical and scanning electron microscopy, and also by conventional weight loss measurements. Wear resistance of the coatings was evaluated using modified rubber-wheel abrasion tests. In this work ASTM G48 corrosion testing standard was utilized in corrosion testing of these corrosion resistant thermally sprayed coatings. In demanding chlorine containing corrosion conditions it is essential to understand where the corrosion is concentrating in the structure. In the studied corrosion conditions Sanicro 28 and Cr3C2-25NiCr coatings were heavily corroded inside the coating material. Corrosion resistant Cr3C2-25NiCr cermet coating was corroded also between the coating and the base material and the adhesion between the base and the coating was lost in some of the specimens after one day exposure. Unexpectedly HVAF sprayed WC-10Co4Cr coating was giving the best performance of the coatings tested in this work.


Triterpenoid saponins from Saponinum album (SA) significantly augment the cytotoxicity of saporin-based immunotoxins but the mechanism of augmentation is not fully understood. We investigated the effects of six small molecule pharmacological agents, which interfere with endocytic and other processes, on SA-mediated augmentation of saporin and saporin-based immunotoxins (ITs) directed against CD7, CD19, CD22 and CD38 on human lymphoma and leukaemia cell lines. Inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis or endosomal acidification abolished the SA augmentation of saporin and of all four immunotoxins tested but the cytotoxicity of each IT or saporin alone was largely unaffected. The data support the hypothesis that endocytic processes are involved in the augmentative action of SA for saporin ITs targeted against a range of antigens expressed by leukaemia and lymphoma cells. In addition, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger tiron reduced the cytotoxicity of BU12-SAP and OKT10-SAP but had no effect on 4KB128-SAP or saporin cytotoxicity. Tiron also had no effect on SA-mediated augmentation of the saporin-based ITs or unconjugated saporin. These results suggest that ROS are not involved in the augmentation of saporin ITs and that ROS induction is target antigen-dependent and not directly due to the cytotoxic action of the toxin moiety.


This paper describes a new method of real-time gesture recognition and its applications. The key idea of the method is that we use multiple silhouette models of human body and estimate the pose of arms and legs by comparing similarities of the input image to the models. To calculate the similarity for a certain specific part of the body, such as arms, a simple mathematical operation deducting the inference of different parts is adopted. As an application of gesture recognition, we realize a real-time interactive system, a gesture game, which can animate the game characters by gestures in real-time. Stretched arms like flying aeroplane, for example, can be interpreted into button operations for a flying simulation game with this system.


INTRODUCTION
Since strenuous exercise for 10 min during preoxygenation was shown to provide better protection from decompression sickness (DCS) incidence than resting preoxygenation, a logical question was: would a longer period of strenuous exercise improve protection even further?

HYPOTHESIS
Increased strenuous exercise duration during preoxygenation increases DCS protection.

METHODS
There were 60 subjects, 30 men and 30 women, who were exposed to 9,144 m (4.3 psia) for 4 h while performing mild, upper body exercise. Before the exposures, each subject performed three preoxygenation profiles on different days in balanced order: a 90-min resting preoxygenation control; a 240-min resting preoxygenation control; and a 90-min preoxygenation including exercise during the first 15 min. The subjects were monitored at altitude for venous gas emboli (VGE) with an echo-imaging system and observed for signs and symptoms of DCS.

RESULTS
There were no significant differences in occurrence of DCS following any of the three preoxygenation procedures. Results were also comparable to an earlier report of 42% DCS with a 60-min preoxygenation including a 10-min exercise. There was no difference between VGE incidence in the comparison of protection offered by a 90-min preoxygenation with or without 13 min of strenuous exercise. The DCS incidence following a 240-min resting preoxygenation, 40%, was higher than observed during NASA studies and nearly identical with the earlier 42% DCS after a 60-min preoxygenation including exercise during the first 10 min.

CONCLUSION
The protection offered by a 10 min exercise in a 60-min preoxygenation was not increased with extension of the preoxygenation exercise period to 15 min in a 90-min preoxygenation, indicating an upper time limit to the beneficial effects of strenuous exercise.


Despite quick progress in the last few years, recent studies have shown that modern graph neural networks can still fail at very simple tasks, like detecting small cycles. This hints at the fact that current networks fail to catch information about the local structure, which is problematic if the downstream task heavily relies on graph substructure analysis, as in the context of chemistry. We propose a very simple correction to the now standard GIN convolution that enables the network to detect small cycles with nearly no cost in terms of computation time and number of parameters. Tested on real life molecule property datasets, our model consistently improves performance on large multi-tasked datasets over all baselines, both globally and on a per-task setting.


Polyphenols are the most prominent natural antioxidants found numerously in nature. They are secondary metabolites recognized for having high health benefits for consumers, even if the exploitation of these remarkable natural compounds is still a challenge. Moreover, there is a dilemma over the nutritional value of polyphenols. Hence, this paper seeks to review the classification, sources, anti-browning effect, antioxidant activity, nutritional property and anti-disease effect of polyphenols for better understanding the issues which need to be addressed in the valorization of these natural compounds.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The high rate of neuropsychologic sequelae in CM survivors indicates that initial antifungal therapy is far from being satisfactory. This prospective cross-sectional study applied DTI on HIV-negative CM patients to determine whether microstructural changes in brain tissue are associated with subsequent cognitive symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with HIV-negative CM and 15 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers were evaluated and compared. All underwent complete medical and neurologic examinations and neuropsychologic testing. Brain DTI was obtained to derive the FA and ADC of several brain regions. Correlations among DTI parameters, neuropsychologic rating scores, and cryptococcal-antigen titer in CSF were analyzed. RESULTS: Significant ADC values increased and FA values decreased in HIV-negative CM patients in multiple selected regions of interest, including the genus of the corpus callosum and the frontal, parietal, orbito-frontal, and periventricular white matter and lentiform nucleus. Higher CSF cryptococcal-antigen titer on admission was associated with poorer DTI parameters (r = −0.666, P = .018), which were linearly related to worse cognitive performance during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The decline in brain DTI parameters in the associated brain areas indicates an HIV-negative CM microstructural pathology that is related to neuropsychologic consequences.


Paraurethral leiomyomas are rare, benign smooth muscle tumours of the urogenital tract. Most para-urethral tumours occur in the reproductive age group. Its etiology is uncertain and its presentation is variable. Here we present a 45 year old multiparous lady, who approached the out-patient department, with complaints of profuse foul-smelling discharge and a mass per vaginum for 10 days.


Breathing Space was a women-centred project, funded by the Tampon Tax Fund through the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport. It aimed to reduce distress and the harmful impact of domestic abuse on women and their children. The focus of this project was support for women who have suffered complex trauma and are experiencing difficulties in their lives as a result. WHM provided safe space for women to "stabilize", helping women to access internal and external resources and develop stress management skills and so address the critical first stage of trauma recovery. Breathing Space ran from August 2017 until March 2020. This report documents the findings from an independent evaluation of Breathing Space, drawing upon qualitative and quantitative data collected throughout the delivery period of the project.


Abstract Many children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) have considerable difficulty learning basic reading skills. Increasing evidence suggests individuals with IDD may benefit from instruction incorporating components of reading found to be effective for typically developing children. However, little research into reading instruction for children with IDD has incorporated these components. There is evidence for the efficacy of Headsprout® Early Reading program for typically developing children, and emerging evidence suggesting that children with autism can benefit from the program. The current study investigated the accessibility of Headsprout® Early Reading for children with IDD, and whether there were any measurable effects of the program on important early reading and language skills. Six children aged between 7 and 14 years with mild to moderate IDD completed the program, and all made measurable improvements across reading measures, demonstrating children with mild to moderate ...


This study presents the results from comparison of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and RAPD-ISSR markers together in determining the genetic diversity and polymorphism among strains of fluorescent Pseudomonas . In order to compare the efficiencies of these markers, 17 different isolates were investigated using RAPD and ISSR. In RAPD marker analysis, 147 out of 222 bands (63.85%) were polymorphic and the RAPD based genetic similarity (RAPD-GS) ranged from 0.11 to 0.73. In ISSR analysis, a total of 134 alleles were detected, among which 105 alleles (77.9%) were polymorphic. The ISSR derived genetic similarity (ISSR-GS) ranged from 0.38 to 0.81. Cluster analysis indicated that all the 17 isolates could be distinguished by both RAPD and ISSR markers and worked effectively to determine high level of polymorphism in Pseudomonas . But ISSR was found to be slightly better than RAPD in assessing genetic diversity among the isolates while the combination of these techniques will give the comprehensive genetic analysis of Pseudomonas . Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to evaluate the resolving power of the markers to differentiate between them. Key words: Fluorescent Pseudomonas, Molecular markers, RAPD , ISSR,  PCR, Genetic diversity, Phylogeny, Principal component analysis.  Abbreviation: RAPD (DNA), Random amplified  polymorphic deoxyribonucleic  acid; ISSR, inter-simple   sequence  repeat; PCA, principal components analysis; UPGMA, unweighted pair groups method using arithmetic averages


The article presents method for calculating service life of ballastless track structure using the track oscillation model as a structure containing three infinitely long beams, the lower of which lies on the modified Winkler base, and the upper and middle are based on elastic layers, mainly having the characteristics of Winkler. The use of this model is due to the need to carry out calculation for bearing concrete slab, the destruction of which is the main reason for the failure of the ballastless track structure. First part of the article presents model for calculating service life of a ballastless structure. When calculating the damage index, which takes the stresses in the bearing concrete slab, to estimate the vertical dynamic forces acting on the track, it is proposed to use a frequency response that determines the dynamic system with input on the track unevenness and output on the dynamic force at the wheel and rail contact in the model oscillations of the track as a three-layer beam. Second part presents estimates of the service life of ballastless structure for various operating conditions and their comparison with the results obtained using the practice method with the single-beam model. Graphs were plotted for the service life of the ballastless track structure on axle loads, the speed of the carriages and the load capacity on the line. Results show the applicability of the single-layer beam model for estimating the service life of the ballastless track structure in the current operating conditions; however, for the promising conditions of high-speed and heavy traffic, it is advisable to use a three-layer model.


BACKGROUND
Lawsonia intracellularis is the aetiologic agent of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). This emerging equine disease leads to diarrhoea, severe protein loss and can result in death if left untreated. Timely treatment of EPE is critical for recovery from the disease, and hence, information about antimicrobial susceptibilities of equine L. intracellularis strains to antimicrobials used in horses is needed. However, L. intracellularis is an obligate intracellular bacterium and so must be isolated and maintained in cell cultures.

OBJECTIVES
To determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of 14 antimicrobials against two equine L. intracellularis strains.

STUDY DESIGN
In vitro experiments.

METHODS
This study was designed to compare the relative in vitro susceptibility of each strain of L. intracellularis to different antimicrobials which included metronidazole, minocycline hydrochloride, erythromycin, cephalothin sodium salt, combination (4:1) of sulfamethazine and trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, penicillin, ampicillin, doxycycline hydrochloride, cefazolin sodium salt, clarithromycin, ceftiofur hydrochloride and enrofloxacin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was based on intracellular and extracellular activity that inhibited 99% of L. intracellularis growth in cell culture as compared to the antimicrobial-free control.

RESULTS
Rifampicin and clarithromycin were the most active antimicrobials against the two L. intracellularis strains tested, with MICs of ≤0.125 when tested both intracellularly and extracellularly. Doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin, chloramphenicol and enrofloxacin showed intermediate to high activity, and activity was generally higher when evaluating intracellular activity. Sulfamethazine/trimethoprim showed variable results. Ampicillin, penicillin and metronidazole had low to moderate activity. L. intracellularis was resistant to cefazolin, cephalothin and ceftiofur in in vitro conditions.

MAIN LIMITATIONS
Only two equine isolates of L. intracellularis were available for this study due to the difficulty in isolating this obligate intracellular species from intestinal samples.

CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for equine L. intracellularis strains.


Information from seismic-reflection profiles, outcrops, boreholes, and potential field surveys is used to interpret the structure and history of the southern Whidbey Island fault in the Puget Lowland of western Washington. This northwest-trending fault comprises a broad (as wide as 6–11 km), steep, northeast-dipping zone that includes several splays with inferred strike-slip, reverse, and thrust displacement. Transpressional deformation along the southern Whidbey Island fault is indicated by along-strike variations in structural style and geometry, positive flower structure, local unconformities, out-of-plane displacements, and juxtaposition of correlative sedimentary units with different histories. The southern Whidbey Island fault represents a segment of a boundary between two major crustal blocks. The Cascade block to the northeast is floored by diverse assemblages of pre-Tertiary rocks; the Coast Range block to the southwest is floored by lower Eocene marine basaltic rocks of the Crescent Formation. The fault probably originated during the early Eocene as a dextral strike-slip fault along the eastern side of a continental-margin rift. Bending of the fault and transpressional deformation began during the late middle Eocene and continues to the present. Oblique convergence and clockwise rotation along the continental margin are the inferred driving forces for ongoing deformation. Evidence for Quaternary movement on the southern Whidbey Island fault includes (1) offset and disrupted upper Quaternary strata imaged on seismic-reflection profiles; (2) borehole data that suggests as much as 420 m of structural relief on the Tertiary-Quaternary boundary in the fault zone; (3) several meters of displacement along exposed faults in upper Quaternary sediments; (4) late Quaternary folds with limb dips of as much as ≈9°; (5) large-scale liquefaction features in upper Quaternary sediments within the fault zone; and (6) minor historical seismicity. The southern Whidbey Island fault should be considered capable of generating large earthquakes (M s ≥7) and represents a potential seismic hazard to residents of the Puget Lowland.


The dissolution of a single droplet, containing a mixture of oils, in water is experimentally studied. The oils in the droplet varied in terms of their solubility in water and their hydrophobicity. We demonstrate that the polarity of the droplet constituents strongly influences the dissolution dynamics. A binary-component droplet, containing two polar components (one soluble the other insoluble) exhibits a retarded dissolution as compared to a droplet containing only the soluble component. We argue that in this case the mixture in the droplet can be assumed homogeneous, leading to a smaller effective contact area of the soluble liquid in the droplet with the bulk water, and thus delayed dissolution. On the other hand, it is shown that this is not the case when a polar, soluble component is mixed with an insoluble non-polar component, in which case segregation between the different liquids inside the droplet occurs, leading to Marangoni flows and superspreading of the droplet. The segregation is confirmed by volumetric measurements and by the use of a solvatochromic dye in combination with confocal microscopy, which clearly showed that during dissolution local concentration differences inside the droplet developed.