A housekeeping gene is described as a gene that is stably expressed across tissues under normal conditions. These genes are extensively used in gene expression studies, particularly those involving quantitative real-time PCR, as a means to control for overall RNA abundance. Previous studies have reported extensive circadian variation at the transcriptional level, with as many as 10% of all expressed transcripts cycling over the course of a day. To determine the influence of circadian fluctuation on housekeeping gene stability, and the corresponding implications for estimates of gene expression, we evaluated time-course RNA-seq data from primary human mammary epithelial cells. These data demonstrate substantial time-dependent variability in the expression of several commonly used housekeeping genes. Of the 12 housekeeping genes evaluated, 8 had greater than 15% coefficient of variation (CV) with b-actin and GAPDH having CVs of 33.9% and 36.9%, respectively. In order to assess the impact of housekeeping gene variability on expression estimates of target genes which may use housekeeping transcript levels for the purposes of normalization, we stratified the 12 housekeeping genes into three categories: high variability, moderate variability, and low variability, and analyzed the effect of time-dependent fluctuations in several clinically-relevant targets, including ERBB2 and the genes used in a breast cancer panel to predict likelihood of recurrence. ERBB2, a proto-oncogene, is over-expressed in 15-30% of breast tumors and is associated with increased disease recurrence and a poor prognosis. Evaluating ERBB2 expression in our RNA-Seq data, which is normalized internally using both transcript length and total reads, we find that expression of ERBB2 is relatively stable over time (average FPKM = 23.28, SD= 2.91). However, when expression is normalized to genes in the high variability housekeeping set, expression fluctuates by as much as 50% above or below the mean. In contrast, normalization to genes in the low variability set provides an accurate depiction of expression across all time points. We also evaluated all genes in a commonly used clinical assay for predicting recurrence in newly diagnosed, early stage breast cancer patients. We find that a majority of the 16 genes included in the assay vary considerably over time when normalized to the 5 housekeeping genes identified by the assay developer, which could have important implications for result interpretation. Our RNA-Seq time-course data suggests that there is circadian variability in housekeeping gene expression and that it is important to consider circadian fluctuations during the experimental design phase in order to identify appropriate genes for RNA content normalization. Citation Format: Tracy L. Peters, Elizabeth J. Ferree, Yaou Sheng, Aaron E. Hoffman. Circadian fluctuations in "housekeeping" gene expression measured by RNA-seq. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3403. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3403


Starting from the 1990s, the New Public Management (NPM) has been the most inspiring principle of public sector reforms in Europe. The Higher Education (HE) sector is among the different fields in which the implementation of NPM reforms have been controversial. Based on the NPM framework, most HE reforms have focused on enhancing universities' accountability and transparency through performance measurement and performance management (Rabovsky, 2014; Rebora and Turri, 2011). The effects of the implementation of this "calculative technologies" is, however, still under investigated (Arnaboldi et al., 2016). Using documentary analysis as research methodology, this paper investigates implementation trajectories of performance management system (PMS) in Italian universities (Marchi, 2015). Specifically, this is a longitudinal documentary analysis and it offers the results from a content analysis of the Performance Plan (PP) and the Performance Report (PR) of 66 Italian Universities in two periods, i.e. 2016 and 2018. Furthermore, the longitudinal documentary analysis adopts the matrix from a previous study (Dal Molin et al., 2017), which matches the "quality of PMS" and the "expected use of PMS". The main objective of this study is to investigate if the "implementation gap" (Ongaro and Valotti, 2008) highlighted in previous studies (e.g. Dal Molin et al., 2017) has been fulfilled and in which elements it is possible to observe such improvement. As main result, the study shows that the implementation gap is still strongly present, from 2012 until now, and a formal compliance with the law still persists (Allini et al., 2020). There are areas of improvement related to external accountability and compliance, however, this is not supported by an internal use based on internal accountability (Tieghi et al., 2018).


Topographical structures represent connections between entities and provide a comprehensive design of complex systems. Currently these structures are used to discover correlates of neuronal and haemodynamical activity. In this work, we incorporate them with neural processing techniques to perform regression, using electrophysiological activity to retrieve haemodynamics. To this end, we use Fourier features, attention mechanisms, shared space between modalities and incorporation of style in the latent representation. By combining these techniques, we propose several models that significantly outperform current state-of-the-art of this task in resting state and task-based recording settings. We report which EEG electrodes are the most relevant for the regression task and which relations impacted it the most. In addition, we observe that haemodynamic activity at the scalp, in contrast with sub-cortical regions, is relevant to the learned shared space. Overall, these results suggest that EEG electrode relationships are pivotal to retain information necessary for haemodynamical activity retrieval.


Synopsis Dense Wustite micropellets having different sizes (W.1-' W.4) were isothermally reduced at 900N1100 °C with H2, CO and H2 CO mixtures. The reduction was conducted with a microforce balance and the weight changes during reduction was recorded. Surface area measurements light and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray and carbon analyses were used to elucidate the kinetics and mechanisms of reduction. The influence of micropellets size, reducing gas composition at different temperatures were extensively studied. At 900950 °G a reaction rate minimum was only detected in H2 and H2-rich gas mixtures which was attributed to cr-1-transformation of the formed metallic iron.


BACKGROUND
Patients with heart failure (HF) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are less sleepy than patients with OSA but without HF. Furthermore, unlike the non-HF population, in the HF population, the degree of daytime sleepiness is not related to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The sympathetic nervous system plays a critical role in alertness. HF and OSA both increase sympathetic nervous system activity (SNA) during wakefulness. We hypothesized that in patients with HF and OSA, the degree of subjective daytime sleepiness would be inversely related to SNA.

METHODS
Daytime muscle SNA (MSNA) was recorded in patients with HF and OSA. Subjective daytime sleepiness was assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

RESULTS
We studied 27 patients with HF and OSA and divided them into two groups based on the median ESS score: a less sleepy group, with an ESS score < 6 (n = 13), and a sleepier group, with an ESS score ≥ 6 (n = 14). The less sleepy group had higher MSNA than did the sleepier group (82.5 ± 9.9 bursts/100 cardiac cycles vs 69.3 ± 18.6 bursts/100 cardiac cycles; P = .037) and a longer sleep-onset latency (33 ± 29 min vs 14 ± 13 min; P = .039). The ESS score was inversely related to MSNA (r = -0.63; P < .001) but not to the AHI, arousal index, or indices of oxygen desaturation.

CONCLUSIONS
In patients with HF and OSA, the degree of subjective daytime sleepiness is inversely related to MSNA. This relationship is likely mediated via central adrenergic alerting mechanisms. These findings help to explain the previously reported lack of daytime hypersomnolence in patients with HF and OSA.


Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a frequent human forebrain developmental disorder with both genetic and environmental causes. Multiple loci have been associated with HPE in humans, and potential causative genes at 14 of these loci have been identified. Although TGIF1 (originally TGIF, for Thymine Guanine‐Interacting Factor) is among the most frequently screened genes in HPE patients, an understanding of how mutations in this gene contribute to the pathogenesis of HPE has remained elusive. However, mouse models based on loss of function of Tgif1, and the related Tgif2 gene, have shed some light on how human TGIF1 variants might cause HPE. Functional analyses of TGIF proteins and of TGIF1 single nucleotide variants from HPE patients, combined with analysis of forebrain development in mouse embryos lacking both Tgif1 and Tgif2, suggest that TGIFs regulate the transforming growth factor ß/Nodal signaling pathway and sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling independently. Although, some developmental processes that are regulated by TGIFs may be Nodal‐dependent, it appears that the forebrain patterning defects and HPE in Tgif mutant mouse embryos is primarily due to altered signaling via the Shh pathway.


One area of bioethics education with direct impact on the lives of patients, families, and providers is the training of clinical ethics consultants who practice in hospital-based settings. There is a universal call for increased skills and knowledge among practicing consultants, broad recognition that many are woefully undertrained, and a clear consensus that CECs must avoid an "authoritarian approach" to consultation—an approach, that is, in which the consultant imposes his or her values, ethical priorities, or religious convictions on the stakeholders in an ethics conflict. Yet little work has been done on how to teach CECs not to impose their values in an ethics consultation, or even on the dimensions of this problem. In this essay, I propose a tool for bioethical instruction that targets this question: how can CECs be taught a nonauthoritarian mode of ethical analysis and consultation that can avert the problem of values imposition?


The upper Pierre, Fox Hills, Laramie, and Arapahoe Formations in the western Denver basin record deltaic sedimentation during the final regression of the Cretaceous sea from eastern Colorado. Prodelta shales and siltstones (Pierre Formation) are overlain by delta-front sandstones (Fox Hills), and delta-plain sandstones, claystones and coals (Laramie Formation). The younger conglomerates of the Arapahoe Formation are braided channel deposits of the fluvial system. Two types of penecontemporaneous (growth) faulting are recognized in 5 mi of outcrop from Golden south to Interstate 70. One type of faulting cuts delta-plain sediments, resulting in a thickness increase of the Laramie Formation from 330 to 530 ft in a horizontal distance of 800 ft. By normal fault movement at the time of sedimentation, an extra 200 ft of lower Laramie sandstone, with minor claystone and thin coal, was deposited on the downthrown side of the fault. The northwest-trending fault plane curved downward toward the south from a dip of about 60° to a low-angle bedding plane fault. A second type of faulting records slumpage on oversteepened prodelta slopes created by seaward progradation of the shoreline. One slide block of shallow-water distributary-mouth sandstone (Fox Hills) about 100 ft thick moved southward down the prodelta slope into water depths estimated to be from 100 to 175 ft and was subsequently buried by prodelta clays (Pierre). The geographic position of these growth faults in the delta sequence appears to have been controlled by recurrent movement of deep-seated faults in the Precambrian basement which at the time of Laramie deposition was at depths in excess of 10,000 ft. Growth faulting heretofore unrecognized in the Cretaceous of the Rocky Mountain area, may be a common occurrence in the areas of deltaic sedimentation. Some abrupt thickness changes may be explained more readily by this process than by the commonly invoked theories of facies change or unconformities. End_of_Article - Last_Page 661------------


Introduction: Any error in the laboratory testing processes can affect the diagnosis and patient management. Six Sigma is a data driven quality management system for identifying and reducing errors and variations in clinical laboratory processes. Aim: This study was carried out to estimate Sigma metrics of various biochemical analytes in order to evaluate performance of quality control and implement optimum quality control strategy for each analyte. Quality goal index (QGI) was also calculated to identify the problems of inaccuracy and imprecision for parameters having lower sigma values. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational study was conducted at the Central Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory of Seth GS Medical College and KEM hospital in Mumbai for a period of six months (July 2019 to December 2019). Sigma metrics for 20 analytes was calculated by using internal quality control and external quality control data. Further, QGI was calculated for analytes having sigma value of <4 to identify imprecision or inaccuracy. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft office excel 2010 software. Results: Total protein, Glucose, Urea, Triglyceride (TAG), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) for normal (L1) and pathological (L2) controls achieved excellent performance (>6 sigma). Westgard rule (13s) with two control measurement (N2) per QC event and run size (R1000) i.e. 1000 patient samples between consecutive QC events was adopted for these analytes. For analytes with sigma value of 4-6, more rules (sigma 4-5: Westgardrules-13s/22s/R4s/41s, N4 and R200 and for sigma value 5-6: 13S/22s/R4s, N2 and R450) were adopted. The sigma values of six analytes (Creatinine, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Chloride, Inorganic phosphate) were <4 at one or more QC levels. For these analytes, strict QC procedures (Westgard rules-13s/22s/R4s/41s/6x, N4 and R45) were incorporated. QGI of these analytes was <0.8 which indicated the problem of imprecision. Staff training programs and review of standard operating procedures were done for these analytes to improve method performance. Conclusion: Sigma Metrics estimation helps in designing optimum QC protocols, minimising unnecessary QC runs and reducing the cost for analytes having high sigma metrics. Focused and effective QC strategy for analytes having low sigma helps in improving the performance of those analytes.


In this paper, a novel distributed, energy-efficient WSNs protocol for maneuvering target tracking with special consideration of spatiotemporal constraints is proposed, which is referred to as ldquomaneuvering target tracking Mobicastrdquo (MTT-Mobicast). MTT-Mobicast protocol is a spatiotemporal multicast protocol that distributes messages to the sensor nodes located in special zones that evolve over time in a predictable manner. This protocol requires no prior information about the movement pattern of a target. One of the key components of the protocol is a fully distributed algorithm of zone formation, which is based on the most updated kinematics parameters supported by these collaborated sensors around the target. By using distributed particle filters, the kinematics parameters of the target are updated recursively and hence the function zones evolve over time. Based on the analysis and simulation results, it is shown that the MTT-Mobicast outperforms traditional spatiotemporal protocols in energy efficiency, prediction accuracy, and spatiotemporal guarantee.


ABSTRACT Body weight is inversely related to socioeconomic status (SES) in women in the United States (U.S.). Reasons for the social differential in weight are poorly understood. This investigation sought to understand overweight and obesity from the perspective of low-income mothers living in rural New York State, focusing in particular on challenges to maintaining a healthy weight that may be unique to rural poverty. In-depth interviews with 28 women, who were interviewed 3 times over a 3-year period, were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Findings suggest that transportation difficulties confined some women to their homes, which were physical settings offering little opportunity for physical activity. Food insecurity and associated fluctuating household food supplies contributed to disordered eating patterns and to perceptions of dietary deprivation that affected food intake. Rural isolation contributed to negative emotional states that some women alleviated by eating. This research elucidates factors contributing to obesity among rural, economically disadvantaged women, highlighting the interplay between the structural constraints imposed by rural poverty and women's physical activity, eating patterns, body image, and weight. These insights further the understanding of social inequalities in health and could inform the design of future research aimed at improving the health status of low-income women and families.


As an educational researcher I began researching spirituality because in the UK, 'spiritual development' is a statutory requirement for all state schools, and I wanted to explore whether this was appropriate and what it might therefore mean. This led to my researching relational spirituality (as also described by David Hay), both in the UK and Hong Kong, and the idea of the 'spirit of the school' emerged. This was subsequently applied to research on assessment, boys schools, and computing. In this article, it is applied it to religious education. An approach to researching the spirit of religious education is presented, along with an invitation to join such a research project.


Acute pancreatitis(AP)is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas following the activationt of pancreatic enzymes induced by a variety of factors,with or without other organ dysfunction.The production and release of inflammatory factors is generally considered as a key link during pathogenesis.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)are the most commonly applied agents for inflammatory diseases.Many studies have proved that indomethacin can reduce the risk of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography;however,few high-quality evidences have demonstrated the roles of NSAIDs in treating,rather than preventing AP.Most animal experiments have shown that NSAIDs can protect organs,although the currently available findings remained inconsistent.Randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes are warranted to elucidate the roles of NSAIDs in treating AP.


The Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (SPSA) methodology and a modified SPSA version (MSPSA-K ) were investigated for the generation of plant-friendly multisinusoidal signals. Plant-friendly properties are determined by the sinusoidal phases that are optimally selected by either the SPSA or MSPSA- K algorithms. The MSPSA- K methodology principally differs from SPSA in that it perturbs the signal phase parameters in K subsets rather than simultaneously. Both SPSA and MSPSA-K provide a flexible, extensible computational framework to incorporate various plant-friendly performance measures into the design of an input signal for experimental design purposes in system identification. In this paper, an objective function comprised of the input signal crest factor, rate of change, acceleration, and output crest factor is presented and applied to a representative case study. A detailed analysis of the tradeoffs between these various performance measures is illustrated by the selection of the weighting values for the objective function components. Using the MSPSA-K method, it was found that dividing the phase parameters into two subsets resulted in better performance than simultaneously perturbing all parameters. Dividing the phase parameters into four subsets, however, did not provide any significant additional benefit. The proposed method can be applied to signals with an arbitrarily defined spectrum (in both amplitude and frequency spacing) and is easily implemented.


Remaining Life of the oil-immersed transformer is decided due to deterioration of the winding insulation paper. The furfural method is conventionally used to estimate the remaining life. However, the results are obtained as wide ranges between upper and lower limits. Therefore, a more accurate estimation method has been expected. This paper proposes the remaining life assessment for oil-immersed transformer using structured neural networks and ensemble technique. The authors have estimated the remaining life using proposed method for 300 transformers or more. As a result, appropriate replacement time of transformer and appropriate maintenance scenario can be planned.


The biological activity of new 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one benzenesulfonamides is described. In cell-based assays the lead compound 6 inhibits multiplication, but not entry
into target cells, of HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-1 variants carrying clinically relevant mutations to non-nucleoside, nucleoside and protease inhibitors. In enzyme assays 6 fails to inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and integrase. Genome sequencing of HIV-1 mutants selected for resistance to 6 shows no mutations in both pol and env genes. On the contrary, two mutations map in the gag region coding for the nucleocapsid (NC) protein p7 (NCp7), which is involved in early and late key processes of retrovirus multiplication. Overall, the above results suggest that NCp7 is the target of title 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-
one benzenesulfonamides. Interestingly, 6 also shows concentration-dependent virucidal activity against cell-free HIV- 1 and HIV-2. Therefore, title compounds represent a new class of antiretroviral agents with
intriguing spectrum and mode of action.


High piezoresistivity is critical for multifunctional carbon nanotube polymer composites with sensing capability. By developing a new percolation network model, this work reveals theoretically that a giant piezoresistivity in the composites can be potentially achieved by controlled nanotube alignment resulting from field based alignment techniques. The tube-tube and/or tube-matrix interaction in conjunction with the aligned carbon nanotube networks are fully considered in the newly proposed model. The structural distortion of nanotubes is determined self-consistently by minimizing the pseudo-potential energy at crossed-tube junctions based on the Lennard-Jones potential and simulation of coarse grain molecular dynamics. The tunneling transport through crossed-tube junctions is calculated by the Landauer-Büttiker formula with empirical fitting by first-principle calculation. The simulation results also reveal that the piezoresistivity can be further improved by using low carbon nanotube loadings near the percolation threshold, carbon nanotubes with a small aspect ratio, high intrinsic conductivity and polymers with a small Poisson's ratio. This giant piezoresistive effect offers a tremendously promising future, which needs further thorough exploration.


Renal angiomyolipomas (AML) are the most common benign renal tumors. Although AML have a characteristic CT and ultrasound features, a differential diagnosis from other lipomatous tumors and renal cell carcinoma is not always possible. We present four cases of the most unusual radiological appearance of AML. Diagnostic difficulties arise in predominantly myocomponent lesions, in AML with haemorrhagic complications, in aggressive behavior of AML and coexisting renal cell carcinoma. When the diagnosis is equivocal, a fine needle aspiration biopsy is indicated. An accurate preoperative diagnosis of AML allows to avoid undesired nephrectomy and to perform preserving renal surgery in selected patients.


Abstract : The objective of this study is to optimize the injector power drive system for improved fuel injection quantity and timing control. The power drive system was optimized for improved injection repeatability under different operating conditions such as fuel supply pressures. A coupled simulation of injector electromagnetic, pintle (needle) rigid body motion and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was employed to generate the optimal values of the 1st stage current, the 1st stage on-time and the 2nd stage current. The simulation results were validated against the experimental data measured with a photo detector measurement system.


Urban search and rescue (USAR) is a time critical task. One goal in rescue robotics is to have a team of heterogeneous robots that explore autonomously the disaster area, while jointly creating a map of the terrain and registering victim locations, which can further be utilized by human task forces for rescue. Basically, the robots have to solve autonomously in real‐time the problem of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), consisting of a continuous state estimation problem and a discrete data association problem. In this paper we contribute a novel method for efficient loop closure in harsh large‐scale environments that utilizes RFID technology for data association and slippage‐sensitive odometry for 2D pose tracking. Furthermore, we introduce a computational efficient method for building elevation maps by utilizing an extended Kalman filter for 3D pose tracking, which can be applied in real‐time while navigating on rough terrain. The proposed methods have been extensively evaluated within outdoor environments, as well as within USAR test arenas designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Our results show that the proposed methods perform robustly and efficiently within the utilized benchmark scenarios. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


This paper proposes a novel relative entropy rate (RER) based approach for multiple HMM (MHMM) approximation of a class of discrete-time uncertain processes. Under different uncertainty assumptions, the model design problem is posed either as a min-max optimisation problem or stochastic minimization problem on the RER between joint laws describing the state and output processes (rather than the more usual RER between output processes). A suitable filter is proposed for which performance results are established which bound conditional mean estimation performance and show that estimation performance improves as the RER is reduced. These filter consistency and convergence bounds are the first results characterizing multiple HMM approximation performance and suggest that joint RER concepts provide a useful model selection criteria. The proposed model design process and MHMM filter are demonstrated on an important image processing dim-target detection problem.


The metabolic rate is commonly associated with the ambient temperature and how hard an organism has to work for the thermoregulatory system. The question we are asking is how much does the metabolic rate change when a endothermic organism is placed outside of its thermal neutral zone. We covered out research question by conducting experiments with mice by measuring the amount of oxygen utilized when they were taken outside of their thermal neutral zone. The research question has been asked in correlation with the transportation of animals and how to do so efficiently and effectively. If animals are outside of their thermal neutral zone it could induce stress and require the animal intake increased food and water.


Information teams within biopharmaceutical organizations are usually the decision-makers on purchasing external data resources, matching customer and business requirements to the most useful and cost-effective resource. Many of these resources are provided for end-user access and the information teams also use them to answer regular and ad hoc enquiries and feed into regular operations such as issuing alerts, or creating monthly competitor overviews. In today's increasingly cost-conscious environment it is important to seek ways to increase value from investments in information resources. Information teams also need to demonstrate the relevance of their skills and services to the organization they serve and show how they contribute to the organization's aims in tangible ways. This article describes two instances of using data from externally subscribed resources, combined with internal explicit and tacit knowledge to create new company-centric resources: a global epidemiology resource and a market attractiveness platform for assessing commercial-viability for products in emerging markets.


While the concept of "precision medicine" is not new, sophisticated technologies have led to a view that the data generated will provide individuals, physicians and public policy-makers with the information required to predict, intervene and protect against many diseases. However, without understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, such as the mutagenicity, cytotoxicity or epigenetic alterations, induced by agents to which a human has been exposed, and with pathogenic events, such as birth defects, cardiovascular disease, cancer, immune responses, and reproductive or neurological diseases, there will be no "precision". The aim of this "Commentary" is that, while mutations and cell death contribute to human diseases, including cancers, the toxicity of chemicals is primarily due to epigenetic effects on human organspecific adult stem cells. From the perspective of biological evolution, the transition from singleto multi-cellular organisms, along with the generation of new genes and cellular processes, led to the evolution of Homo sapiens and "cultural evolution". This transition has created a "collision" of the slow biological evolution of genes that are important for survival in various environments, with extremely fast cultural evolution. This has occurred when cultural evolution has provided new means of migration for both people and foods, as well as new methods of agriculture and food production/distribution/ processing. The population explosion, ecological alterations, global climate changes, and worldwide economic disparities all have a bearing on how the increases in median life span and the incidence of chronic metabolic diseases are managed in the face of globally limited healthcare resources.


Spectroscopic properties for a series of 2,5-diarylidenecyclopentanones in weak and strong acid environments are reported. Electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra have been measured for the all-E configurations of 2,5-dibenzylidenecyclopentanone (1), 2,5-bis(3-phenylallylidene)cyclopentanone (2), and 2,5-bis(5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienylidene)cyclopentanone (3) in acetic acid and sulfuric acid solutions. The spectroscopic evidence indicates that in 96% sulfuric acid 1, 2, and 3 are protonated both in the ground state and on the S1 potential energy surface. This assignment is supported by Zerner's intermediate neglect of differential overlap (ZINDO) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. In glacial acetic acid, 1, 2, and 3 are unprotonated in the ground state. The absence of observable fluorescence from 1 in glacial acetic acid indicates that S1 is npi, whereas the observation of fluorescence from 2 and 3 in acetic acid is consistent with S1 being pipi. A combination of spectroscopic data, molecular orbital calculations, and fluorescence lifetime measurements indicate that 2 and 3 undergo intermolecular excited-state proton transfer in glacial acetic acid and diluted sulfuric acid solutions. Photochemical studies reveal that, unlike its behavior in organic solvents, 1 does not undergo efficient E,E --> E,Z photoisomerization in 96% sulfuric acid.


Data quality is an issue that touches on every aspect of the research data landscape and is therefore appropriate to examine in the context of planning for future research data infrastructures. As producers, researchers want to believe that they produce high quality data; as consumers, they want to obtain data of the highest quality. Data centres typically have stringent controls to ensure that they only acquire and disseminate data of the highest quality. Data managers will usually say that they improve the quality of the data they are responsible for. Much of the infrastructure that will emit, transform, integrate, visualise, manage, analyse, and disseminate data during its life will have dependencies, explicit or implicit, on the quality of the data it is dealing with.


With recent globalization in industries, the number of failures and troubles of products caused by using them in unexpected ways has increased. In order to avoid such troubles, it is necessary not only to assume various ways of use thoroughly, but also to verify whether the design plan can fulfill required functions when the product is utilized in those ways. From this point of view, the authors proposed a functional verification method considering ways of use based on qualitative modeling of behavior and cause-and-effect relationships among physical phenomena using Petri nets. It is, however, impossible to detect failures concerning to specification which requires dealing with quantitative information. This paper provides a method for quantitative modeling of behavior and cause-and-effect relationships among physical phenomena. Two types of tokens were defined for dealing with positive and negative values and four types of arcs were for controlling changes of those values. These new elements of Petri net made it possible to represent behavior and cause-and-effect relationships quantitatively. Application of this new modeling method to the functional verification method enables automatic detection of failures concerning to both functions and specification. The verification method using this modeling method was applied to an example, and its effectiveness was proven.


China Mieville's 2009 'Weird' detective novel The City and The City is a tale of two city states, culturally distinct, between which unpoliced contact is forbidden. While residents of each city can learn about the other's history, geography, politics, see photographs and watch news footage of the other city, relations between the two are tightly monitored and any direct contact requires a series of protocols, some of which might seem reasonable, or at least familiar: entry permits, international mail, international dialing codes, intercultural training courses. What complicates these apparently banal measures is the relative positioning of the two cities, each one around, within, amongst the other. The two populations live side by side, under a regime which requires ostentatious and systematic disregard or 'unnoticing' of the other in any context but a tightly regulated set of encounters. For all that interculturality is endemic to everyday life in the 21st century, what is striking is that critical and popular uptake of this novel so frequently decries the undesirability, the immorality even, of the cultural separation between the two populations, framing it as an allegory of unjust division within a single culture, and thus by implication endorsing the erasure of intercultural difference. We propose an alternative reading which sees this novel as exploring the management of intercultural encounters, and staging the irreducibility of intercultural difference. We examine how the intercultural is established in the novel, and ask how it compares to its representations in prevalent theoretical models, specifically that of the Third Place.


UNLABELLED
Aim of this study was to assess results of surgical treatment of patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
We analyzed 68 patients 65-82 years old. Clinical neurological examination, questionnaires, X-rays, multispiral CT scans were used for evaluation.

RESULTS
After decompressive (group A) and decompressive-stabilizing surgery (group B) we observed significant decrease of low back pain intensity according to visual analogue scale (chi2 = 10.0; p = 0.024; p < 0.05) and leg pain intensity (chi2 = 24.4; p = 0.001; p < 0.05). However, Oswestry disability index (ODI) 4-6 years after decompressive-stabilizing surgery remained substantially low in comparison with decompressive procedures. ODI after surgery also remained significantly lower in comparison with preoperative level in both groups (chi2 = 71.4; p = 0.001; p < 0.05), however, after decompressive-stabilizing procedures positive dynamics of ODI was more prominent. Complex assessment of treatment outcomes discovered significant difference in rates of good and poor results between two groups. Good postoperative results in group A reached 38.7% while in group B--67.6% (z = 2.2; p = 0.032; p < 0.05); poor results in groups A and B were 29.0% and 2.7%, respectively (z = 2.7, p = 0.007, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
Decompressive-stabilizing procedures are the most effective in treatment of degenerative lumbar spine disease.


As foreign investments are conducted to a larger extent on the African continent and governments as well as corporations from the Western world are profiting from the countries' resources, cases of exploitation of vulnerable groups are likewise being observed. These cases indicate how parties with great, economic power occasionally use their superior position when negotiating with, for example, rural communities that lack any means to oppose them. By a single case study of land grabbing in the DRC, this thesis will problematize foreign investments in the agricultural sector of developing countries and the consequences that may be accompanying them.


Background: Accurately assessing acetabular defects and designing precise and feasible surgical plans are important before hip revision arthroplasty. With the development of three-dimensional printing, rapid prototyping is a novel technique used to print isometric physical object models. We aimed to propose a three-dimensional acetabular bone defect classification system aided with rapid prototyping and evaluated its reliability and validity.Methods: We reviewed 104 consecutive patients who underwent hip revision arthroplasty in our department between January 2014 and December 2019. Forty five of them had rapid prototyping and were included for reliability and validity test. Three doctors retrospectively evaluated bone defects of these 45 patients with this classification and made surgical plans, and repeated it after 2 weeks. The intra- and inter-observer reliability and the validity to surgical records were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient or Kappa correlation coefficient.Results: The reliability and validity for classification results were high. The mean initial intraclass correlation coefficient for inter-observer reliability was 0.947, which increased to 0.972 when texted second time. As for inter-observer reliability, it ranged from 0.958 to 0.980. The validity showed high Kappa correlation coefficient of 0.951 to 0.967. When considering detailed surgical plans, the reliability and validity were also high with intraclass correlation coefficient and Kappa correlation coefficient all over 0.9.Conclusions: This three-dimensional acetabulum defect classification was of high reliability and convincing validity. With this classification and objective rapid prototyping models, accurate bone defect assessment and reliable surgical plans were achieved. This classification aided with rapid prototyping could serve as a promising tool for surgeons for preoperative evaluation.


We study a generalization of $k$-center clustering, first introduced by Kavand et. al., where instead of one set of centers, we have two types of centers, $p$ red and $q$ blue, and where each red center is at least $\alpha$ distant from each blue center. The goal is to minimize the covering radius. We provide an approximation algorithm for this problem, and a polynomial time algorithm for the constrained problem, where all the centers must lie on a line $\ell$.


Due to the abundance and easy availability of solar energy resources, solar-driven water evaporation provides a sustainable way to obtain clean water from wastewater and seawater. However, achieving a high evaporation rate with excellent light absorption remains a critical challenge in the structural regulation of evaporators. Herein, inspired by the natural transpiration process in plants (blue spruce), we designed a three-dimensional (3D) cone-shaped solar steam generator based on vertical polypyrrole nanowires-coated fabric (VPPyNWs-fabric). The microstructure design of polypyrrole (PPy) increases the solar energy absorption of the incident light through multiple reflections between the VPPyNWs, while the macrostructure design of the 3D evaporator possesses an enlarged surface area for energy harvesting, wide path for water supply, and open structure for vapor diffusion. As a proof of concept, the as-obtained 3D VPPyNWs-fabric-based solar steam generator demonstrates a fast water evaporation rate of 2.32 kg m-2 h-1 with high solar absorption of 97% and solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency of 98.56% at 1 kW m-2 energy density. In addition, the solar steam generator can be steadily applied in various water conditions, e.g., seawater, dye wastewater, and acidic and alkaline wastewater. This high-performance evaporator via 3D macro- and microstructure design offers a new avenue for better utilization of solar energy.


IN SWEDEN MODERNISM COMES LATE. This statement seems uncontroversial given that poetic modernism is most often defined as a sort of experimental poetic language in terms of formal characteristics. The "breakthrough" of these formal modernist traits did not take place in Sweden until the 1940s according to standard Swedish literary history (see Lonnroth & Delblanc 220-59). This historical account has been challenged during recent decades. Peter Luthersson argues for a horizontal alignment of modernist texts in terms of intellectual history. If poetic modernism were defined more in terms of an intellectual movement--and more to the point, a movement in defense of the individual--then its breakthrough would be earlier: "Modernismens problem ... var ett jagproblem" (Luthersson 94) [the problem of modernism ... was the problem of the self]. In this article, I propose another, previously under-explored point of departure for Swedish modernist poetry in order to challenge both the formalist and intellectual-historical assumptions. I am interested in the book as a material artifact that provides a body for modernist poetic entities and confers value upon them in the literary market. Consistent with this approach, one would thus write the story of Swedish modernist poetry not as a history of poetics but as a history of the poetry book. Strindberg's 1905 collection of poetry Ordalek och smakonst (Word Play and Minor Art) is an excellent starting point for such an account. Ordalek och smakonst provides a means of access to a different tradition of Swedish modernist poetry than the one usually associated with it. I will refer to this tradition as Swedish material modernism. Strindberg's Ordalek och smakonst is one of the first collections to give evidence of a tradition in which the poetic texts are intimately bound up with the material book and the artistic as well as the monetary value of the work lies as much in the design of the book as in the texts themselves. In literary studies, the concepts of modernism and the avant-garde are often linked: the material features discussed in regard to modernism in that context are normally typographical experiments and other graphical forms connected to avant-garde movements and poets. But with a broader view of materiality, these typographical trends are just one of many forms of poetic materiality typical of Swedish twentieth-century poetry. From the beginning of the century on, one can observe in many poetic works a closer connection between poems and their bibliographic context. What made these books distinctly collections of poetry was increasingly displayed in the design of the book--for example in the cover, format, illustrations, or typographic face of the book. This intensified alliance between modern poetic styles and graphic design, I suggest, is connected to the birth of the modern book of poetry in Sweden around 1900. A modern book of poetry can plainly be defined as a collection of poetry assembled by the author and published in a bibliographic setting that reinforces the character of the work and, perhaps, also the legacy of its author. The latter part of the definition includes many artistic ideals that mark modernism. For example, the modern book of poetry is often "self-conscious about the structure and meaning of the book as a form" (Drucker 4); it attempts to integrate images and text; it attempts to present the text as a "visible language" (McGann, Black); and, from a more market-oriented point of view, the modern book of poetry creates a desired body for the author on the market by means of an exclusive and/or original material form. One facet of this modernist tradition of the book is the fact that collections of poetry tend manifestly to emphasize their material design in terms of individuality and uniqueness. These features are demonstrated in limited and numbered editions, artist's books, and illustrated editions. These materially distinct forms of publishing distinguish not only established authors, but also lesser-known and less commercial ones, who use the means of sophistication of design or a limited edition in order to generate significance in their work. …


Introduction The diagnostic role of capsule endoscopy CE has rapidly evolved over the past two decades and is currently regarded as one of the gold standard test to investigate the small bowel. Although most publications are from tertiary referral centres, there is a paucity of data on feasibility and clinical utility of CE in a district General hospital (DGH) setting in the United Kingdom (UK). We aimed to evaluate the capsule endoscopy service in our Hospital since it has been established in 2011. Methods We retrospectively reviewed and analysed the CE reports of all patients who had the test between April 2011 and April 2017. Exclusion criteria: Retained capsule, difficulty to swallow capsule and inadequate views due to poor bowel prep. We assessed demographics, indications, outcome, complications and completion of the test among the whole cohort. We also looked at the diagnostic yield (DY). Results In the aforementioned period, Small bowel CE was performed on 1029 patients. 71 (6.9%) patients were excluded as per exclusion criteria. 958 (528F/430M; Mean age 59 years, Range: 17–92) patients' reports were reviewed and analysed. OGIB was recorded as the main indication 81.4% (iron deficiency anaemia, IDA: 74.9% (n=718), overt bleeding 6.5% (n=62)). Other indications included investigation of small bowel Crohn's disease (CD) 10.3% (n=99), weight loss: 1.7% (n=16), angiodysplasia: 1.3% (n=12), abdominal pain: 2% (n=19) and others: 7.2% (n=69). Complete small bowel examination was achieved in 902 patients (94.2%). 56 patients (5.8%) had sub optimal views due to rapid transit time. The test was normal in 61% (n=581). Small bowel angioectasia was detected in 13.8% (n=132). Other findings included apthoid ulcers: 11.8% (n=113), inflammation and oedema suggestive of Crohn's disease in 8% (n=76), polypoidal lesion 1.5% (n=17), colonic pathologies 1.5% (n=14) and others 5.8% (n=56). Patients with suspected small bowel Crohn's disease had initial patency capsule to prevent lodgement. Retention was recorded in 3% of patients (n=3) due to strictures. One patient's stricture improved with steroids therapy, the second patient underwent surgery for a malignant stricture and the third patient had enteroscopy and removal of the capsule; biopsies of the stricture were in-conclusive. The overall cohort DY for all indications was 39% (n=377/958). Conclusions This is the largest series from a DGH in England. Our data has shown that CE is safe, non-invasive and feasible in a district hospital setting. It has a good DY, acceptable to patient and allows adequate look at the small bowel. Recommendations: Despite the major role of CE in GI investigation, there is a lack of structured training. We recommend formal accreditation and training to be added to the Gastroenterology advance training curriculum.


This research explores a particular group of Taiwanese young men and their gendered experiences. It draws upon theories of late modernity, cultural studies, and feminist research. A primary aim is to explore the dialectical interplay between the existing gender configuration and how it is culturally lived out. This thesis argues that through processes of detraditionalization, young men are able to lead a life outside of a traditional gendered route, such as that of an earlier generation. Rather than the 'norm-al' biography, what is endorsed by the younger generation is a 'do-it-yourself' biography. This will be illustrated by the young men's narratives about their gendered experiences in the context of consumption and blogging. However, local tradition does not disappear in contemporary Taiwanese society. Tradition is understood as a complex resource, in making sense of their gendered lives, in relation to a notion of filial responsibility. A generational self-awareness, marked by difference and continuity, is intensified by a tension between existing tradition and processes of detraditionalization. Deriving from cultural understandings of the younger research participants, in comparison to those of the elder generation, this qualitative study endeavours to contribute to the under-theorized notion of tradition in a late modernity framework. It also considers the importance of how gendered reflexivity is unevenly embodied, and has becomes a contemporary strategy for the continuation of local tradition. By emphasizing the significance of understanding (late modernity) gender and (traditional) culture via their lived experience, this research wishes to bring together some of the experiential, theoretical, and methodological complexity involved in the making of young Taiwanese men.


Critical essay on the "Oda a la alegria" of Pablo Neruda from "the ethical" notion of this feeling, like "greater force" than exclaims the will to live. The first "Odas elementales" (1954) are taken as joint of texts where a well defined poetic personality is very materialized, always in contrast to the faces of its creation of youth, and in where the joy draws up the irreducible contrast with the bitterness of the "Residencia en la Tierra".


In the international legal order, sanctions are valued for their coercive and stigmatizing functions. Through the imposition of financial or other costs, these measures seek to induce compliance with international law by those who are targeted. They also aim to signal the sender's commitment to the violated norm and stigmatize an actor responsible for wrongful behavior. In light of these functions, this essay examines the factors to assess when evaluating the efficacy of unilateral targeted sanctions in enforcing international law. The issue is relevant not only for political scientists, but also for international lawyers interested in ensuring compliance with international norms.


The Bayley scale of infant development is employed as the performance indicator at 2 years corrected gestational age for high risk paediatric groups. We compare neurodevelopmental outcomes in two cohorts of VLBW infants born in 1999 to a cohort born a decade later, while also examining the challenges of direct comparison of modified scales: BSID-II (2nd edition of the scales) with Bayley-III, BSID-II was used in the 1999 group and Bayley-III for the 2009 cohort. We demonstrated that over a ten year period there was an improvement in neurodevelopmental scores achieved in VLBW babies. Overall there was almost an 8 point increase in the cognitive scores from the 2009 cohort compared with the 1999 cohort in this time period. The mean motor score increased by 6 points when comparing 1999 and 2009. However we highlight the difficulties in comparing developmental scales, and consider whether Bayley-III overestimates developmental ability?


The authors present dynamic load shedding mechanisms that support multi-grain parallelism in distributed embedded systems. An approach is presented to provide overload detection and load reconfiguration mechanisms within concurrent languages. The approach makes it possible to have adaptive resource control constructs dynamically reconfigure application parameters based on the overload condition. This capability allows for more complex resource control policies that utilize information about the actual application being performed. A set of resource control components is provided within a language runtime environment that supports load balancing in multi-grain distributed embedded systems. Overload resource requirements can be managed effectively within the concurrent language runtime environment.<<ETX>>


We are today living in age where technology continues to bring about one magical transformation after another into our lives. Especially computers and internet that constitute the cardinal components of the present day technology have so penetrated into our live that they today make up an indispensable part of life. In this paper, we present an Asterisk based framework that is designed particularly to the benefit of the visually challenged people. These people find it difficult to use the conventional computer access devices like the keyboard, the mouse or the monitor as these devices require a good hand-eye co-ordination. Our framework is designed to take DTMF input from the user that serve as commands for execution of different operations on the computer and provide output in the form of voice using speech synthesis. Additionally, our framework provides the benefit of customizing it as per user needs as it is based on the open source platform Asterisk.


Vanilla extract is popular around the world as an ingredient in ice cream and various other desserts. The botanical source of vanilla extract is primarily the cured beans of Vanilla planifolia. The United States is the world?s largest importer of vanilla beans, but domestic production is minimal. However, southern Florida has a favorable growing environment for vanilla cultivation. This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department includes information relevant to growers interested in establishing a vanillery. Written by Alan H. Chambers, Pamela Moon, Vovener de Verlands Edmond, and Elias Bassil. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1348


This paper reports the chromatographic performance of columns coated with 2,3,6-trimethyl-α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins (2,3,6-TriMe-α,- β-, and γ-CD) and their derivatives 2,6-dimethyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins (2,6-DiMe-3-TFA-α-, β-, and γ-CD), all six diluted in polysiloxane, for the separation of the enantiomers of volatile compounds.

The influence of column length and film thickness on separation is reported. Phenomena related to reproducibility and consistency, over a period of time, of columns prepared with these CD derivatives are also discussed, and a possible solution to some drawbacks reported here is proposed.


Morphologies and size-frequency distributions of impact craters on Mercury imaged during MESSENGER's first flyby elucidate the planet's geological history. Plains interior to the Caloris basin displaying color and albedo contrasts have comparable crater densities and therefore similar ages. Smooth plains exterior to Caloris exhibit a crater density ∼40% less than on interior plains and are thus volcanic and not Caloris impact ejecta. The size distribution of smooth-plains craters matches that of lunar craters postdating the Late Heavy Bombardment, implying that the plains formed no earlier than 3.8 billion years ago (Ga). At diameters less than or equal to 8 to 10 kilometers, secondary impact craters on Mercury are more abundant than primaries; this transition diameter is much larger than that on the Moon or Mars. A low density of craters on the peak-ring basin Raditladi implies that it may be younger than 1 Ga.


Radial basis function networks can be trained quickly using linear optimisation once centres and other associated parameters have been initialised. The authors propose a small adjustment to a well accepted initialisation algorithm which improves the network accuracy over a range of problems. The algorithm is described and results are presented.


Atopic dermatitis is a frequent allergic dermatological disorder seen frequently in childhood. Affected patients often have a genetic predisposition and other atopic diseases like asthma, hay fever and allergic rhinitis. There are several triggering factors for atopic dermatitis among which the most recently established one is atmospheric or air pollution. The latter is due to the increased in industrialization in cities with the emission of waste products in the atmosphere as air pollutants. The role played by these pollutants in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis still remains largely unclear. This chapter elucidates the relationship between atmospheric pollution and atopic dermatitis.


YKL-40 concentrations in serum were determined by an ELISA at 3 occasions during 19 months for 57 early RA patients. The results were related to biochemical and radiographic measures at each time point. YKL-40 correlated significantly to ESR and CRP throughout the study. Correlations between YKL-40 and radiographic findings scored by the Larsen method were fairly weak both for absolute values at each time point (Rs 0.212-0.319) and for progression over time (Rs 0.152-0.301). Baseline YKL-40 could predict radiographic progression with a specificity and sensitivity of only slightly over 50 %. ESR and CRP correlated stronger than YKL-40 to joint damage progression and in a multiple regression model ESR was the only significant variable explaining the variance of this radiographic measure. We conclude that serial measurements of serum YKL-40 did not provide information that could not be obtained by conventional biochemical measures of disease activity.


In eight chapters by leading researchers, Memory for Action presents our actual knowledge on memory for actions and the opposing explanaions for these phenomena. It gives an overview of the results from laboratory research on action memory and on memory for activities in social contexts, and presents recent results on memory for intended actions. Additionally, these results are put in relation to the information and to the brain modules which are necessary for successful control of actions.


Computers are now a way of life, something that you cannot do without. As the number of people working on computers continues to grow each year, the number of people encountering temporary vision problems due to computer use also increases. Computers do not harm your eyes, but often cause temporary problems. Aims of the study: To evaluate the effectiveness of (SIM) selfinstructional module on knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome and its prevention among computer professionals in selected area of Bhilai. Materials and methods: A one group pretest and posttest design was used to accomplish the objectives of the study. In this study non-probability convenient purposive sampling was done to select 60 subjects in the study. After the pretest next (SIM) was administered and after 7 days posttest was conducted. Major findings: There was a significant increase in the knowledge level of participants after providing the SIM. Conclusion: (SIM) was found to be powerful in increasing the knowledge level of the participants regarding computer vision syndrome and its prevention.


In a wide variety of natural systems, closely related microbial strains coexist stably, resulting in high levels of fine-scale biodiversity. However, the mechanisms that stabilize this coexistence are not fully understood. Spatial heterogeneity is one common stabilizing mechanism, but the rate at which organisms disperse throughout the heterogeneous environment may strongly impact the stabilizing effect that heterogeneity can provide. An intriguing example is the gut microbiome, where active mechanisms affect the movement of microbes and potentially maintain diversity. We investigate how biodiversity is affected by migration rate using a simple evolutionary model with heterogeneous selection pressure. We find that the biodiversity-migration rate relationship is shaped by multiple phase transitions, including a reentrant phase transition to coexistence. At each transition, an ecotype goes extinct and dynamics exhibit critical slowing down (CSD). CSD is encoded in the statistics of fluctuations due to demographic noise-this may provide an experimental means for detecting and altering impending extinction.


McDermott, Shane 2016. Effects of Plyometric, SAQ and traditional training on sprint, agility, jumping passing and shooting performance in young soccer players. Department of Biology of Physical Activity. University of Jyväskylä. Master's Thesis in Science of Sports Coaching and Fitness Testing. 57 pp. The purpose of this study was to perform an 8-week intervention program in order to provide a recommendation of the most suitable training program for young soccer players for improving sprint performance, agility and jumping parameters (strength and power). The participants used in this project were boys aged between 14-16 years old from Jyväskylän Komeetat Ry (soccer club in Jyvaskyla). 33 players in total took part in the study. The following subject information was recorded; age (years), weight (kg), height (cm), circumference of the thigh (cm) and years of training. The different groups included; a speed, agility and quickness group (SAQ, n= 11), plyometric group (PG, n=12), and control group (CG, n=10). Players were randomly assigned into each group according to their Pre-test results in the 30meter sprint, Agility and multiple 5 bound (MB5) test. The 2 experimental groups had 2 sessions per week lasting 30-45 minutes per session. At the same time players in the control group continued with traditional soccer training. During each testing period the following measurements were taken in the laboratory; Isometric leg press and Countermovement jump (CMJ). The Multiple 5 Bounds (MB5) Test) and the 30meter sprint with 10m acceleration phase were measured on a running track. The Finish FA agility tests (without the ball), passing test and shooting test took place on soccer pitch. The SAQ group significantly improved their absolute and relative strength levels in the isometric leg press (p<0.001) from pre to post. The Plyometric Group were the only group to significantly improve their performance in the MB5 (p<0.05) from pre to post. The control group significantly improved their performance in the CMJ (p<0.05), however they were the only group to get significantly slower in the 30m Sprint (p<0.05) post measurements. The hypothesis for this study was that the plyometric group and SAQ group will achieve better improvements in performance compared to the control group that performed traditional soccer training. It is satisfactory to have two substituted sessions if the aim is to produce improvements in sprinting performance.


High marital satisfaction is associated with better individual health and health behavior. Gender moderates these associations; generally, they are stronger for women than for men. Theories such as subordination-reactivity attempt to explain marital satisfaction–health associations by gender. Extant research exploring this phenomenon focuses on individuals in proximal relationships, not those in long-distance relationships (LDR). LDR are prevalent, particularly among students, military personnel, and caregivers. They are also increasing both in number and cultural relevance. Current study participants (N = 93) were ages 21+, married for 6+ months, and LDR, defined as living more than 50 miles apart and not able to see each other daily. Participants completed an online survey of relationship and health measures. We tested gender as a moderator of marital satisfaction–health associations. Unexpectedly, higher marital satisfaction related to better health for men more than for women on several health variables. Specifically, higher marital satisfaction related to significantly less drug use and less pain interference, and marginally better overall health, for men more than for women. No other marital satisfaction–health associations emerged. These results suggest marital satisfaction may be more important to health for LDR men than women, and in some cases, marital satisfaction may not relate to health for LDR individuals. Future research can explore these unique satisfaction–health associations in LDR. Therapeutic interventions for individuals and couples in LDR can consider these findings.


Boyer & Lienard's (B&L's) explanation of ritualized behavior is plausible because it fits so well with elementary facts about evolution of plasticity in our behavioral repertoire. Its scope, however, may be broader than its authors explicitly admit. Science itself may be illuminated as ritual behavior. Science, like other rituals, can sustain both healthy and pathological forms.


ABSTRACT We evaluate the demand and supply side effects of a policy which cuts funding to a significant portion of publicly funded private classes in Portugal, Contratos de Associação (AC), in which students do not pay tuition fees and are under the same admission criteria as in Public Schools – i.e., these private schools cannot select students based on their socioeconomic status or prior achievement. This policy established that from 2016/17, Private school classes would no longer receive Contratos de Associação funding if the government deemed that there were enough nearby Public Schools with capacity to absorb the new student cohorts. Compared to the pre-reform student cohort, we find that affected students changed the demand patterns for different types of schools: both the number of Public school classes and regular Full-Fee Private School classes increased, but the rise in the former was larger in absolute terms. Nevertheless, this pattern of movements was heterogenous across different sub-groups of the student population. While non-low-income students switched both to Public and Private school classes, we verify practically a one-to-one movement of the low-income student cohort from AC schools to Public schools only. On the supply-side, we find that the decrease in AC schools was not fully compensated by the increase of schools that are now under different Private School systems and that some of these schools later shut down.


During an evaluation of the Accuprobe kit for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes, some of the enrichment media used were found to interfere with the test. Microscopic examination during the lysis step of the test revealed that media containing high salt greatly reduced or prevented cell lysis. This prevented the probe from binding to the cellular RNA, resulting in false-negative results.


Spirocercosis is caused by Spirocerca spp., which is a chronic disease and might cause life-threatening due to forming cancer in oesophagus in canid carnivores. There are limited studies involving spirocercosis in domestic dogs. Thus, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and analyse risk factors involved in the S. lupi infection in Mekong Delta in Vietnam. In total, 400 fecal samples from domestic dogs were collected from May 2020 to May 2021. The overall prevalence of spirocercosis in domestic dogs in the Mekong Delta was 10.50% by copromicroscope and PCR methods. PCR targeted to the housekeeping gene cytochrome c oxidase I (cox-1) was applied to identify species of Spirocerca spp. and analyse the phylogenetic tree. Outdoor dogs had 5.48 times (CI 95% = 2.45-11.690, p < 0.001) higher risks of S. lupi infection compared to indoor dogs. Besides, seasons and age showed a correlation to the increase the risk of S. lupi infection, while neither dog breeds nor gender influenced the prevalence of this species. The cytochrome c oxidase I (cox-1) gene sequence of S. lupi in the Mekong Delta showed the high homologues to the S. lupi isolates in India, Israel, and the North of Vietnam and belonged to the S. lupi genotype 2.


The introduction of aquatic invasive species to non-native habitats can cause negative ecological effects and also billions of dollars in economic damage to governments and private industries. Once aquatic invasive species are introduced, eradication may be difficult without adversely affecting native species and habitats, urging resource managers to find preventative methods to protect non-invaded areas. The use of ozone (O3) as a non-physical barrier has shown promise as it is lethal to a wide range of aquatic taxa, requires a short contact time, and is relatively environmentally safe in aquatic systems when compared to other chemicals. However, before O3 can be considered as an approach to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, its effects on non-target organisms and already established aquatic invasive species must be fully evaluated. A review of the current literature was conducted to summarize data regarding the effects of O3 on aquatic taxa including fish, macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, phytoplankton, microbes, and pathogens. In addition, we assessed the practicality of ozone applications to control the movement of aquatic invasive species, and identified data gaps concerning the use of O3 as a nonphysical barrier in field applications.


In transgenic strains of Dictyostelium discoideum that express beta-galactosidase under the control of a prespore-specific promoter, only early slugs show reporter confined to the prespore zone. As slugs migrate beta-galactosidase-positive cells accumulate in the prestalk zone; ultimately, there may be so many that the prestalk-prespore boundary is no longer distinguishable (Harwood, A., Early, A., Jermyn, K. and Williams, J. (1991) Differentiation 46, 7-13). It is not clear whether these 'anomalous' reporter-positive cells currently express prespore genes; another possibility is that they are ex-prespore cells that have transformed to prestalk and sorted to the prestalk zone (Sternfeld, J. (1993) Roux Archiv. Dev. Biol. 201, 354-363), while retaining their previously produced reporter. To test the activity of the prespore genes in these cells, we have made prespore reporter constructs whose products decay quickly; these are based on constructs used to investigate protein turnover in yeast (Bachmair, A., Finley, D. and Varshavsky, A. (1986) Science 234, 179-186). In strains bearing such constructs, beta-galactosidase-positive cells do not appear in the prestalk zone. The apparent deterioration of the prestalk/prespore pattern in older slugs is thus an artefact of reporter stability.


Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal solid organ tumors. Due to the rising incidence, late diagnosis, and limited treatment options, it is expected to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths in high income countries in the next decade. The multidisciplinary treatment of this disease depends on the stage of cancer at diagnosis (resectable, borderline, locally advanced, and metastatic disease), and combines surgery, chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and supportive care. The landscape of multidisciplinary pancreatic cancer treatment is changing rapidly, especially in locally advanced disease, and the number of treatment options in metastatic disease, including personalized medicine, innovative targets, immunotherapy, therapeutic vaccines, adoptive T-cell transfer, or stemness inhibitors, will probably expand in the near future. This review summarizes the current literature and provides an overview of how new therapies or new therapeutic strategies (neoadjuvant therapies, conversion surgery) will guide multidisciplinary disease management, future clinical trials, and, hopefully, will increase overall survival.


Abstract : This guidebook was developed to assist Air Force base civil engineering staff in evaluating alternative methods for reducing the electric utility costs at the base. The guidebook uses a series of worksheets that are designed to evaluate the electricity consumption patterns at the base, determine the potential cost savings due to peak shaving, and evaluate alternative methods for achieving cost savings. Most Air Force bases are major daytime users of electric power, with very high on-peak electric power demands. Electric utilities charge their customers not only for the amount of electric energy consumed, measured in kilowatt-hours , but also for the peak power demanded, measured in kilowatts. Each utility has its own policy for determining the rates to charge its customers, but the cost of on-peak power is high and increasing. Consequently, there is a potential for dollar savings if the peak power demanded from the utility can be reduced by changing or shifting consumption patterns. This is often referred to as peak shaving. Most electric utilities define different types of rate structures for different types of customers, summarized in the form or rate schedules, that take into account both the quantity of electricity purchased and the peak demand, as well as the time of day the electricity is demanded. This is especially true of sales to industrial customers, such as Air Force bases. Thus, by finding ways to reduce the peak power demand from the utility, an Air Force base may be able to achieve dollar savings.


The apparent position of the origin (core) of extragalactic radio jets shifts with the observing frequency, owing to synchrotron self-absorption and external absorption. One of the largest core shifts was detected by us in the quasar 0850+581 between 2 and 8 GHz. We have followed this up recently by a dedicated VLBA experiment at 5, 8, 15, 24, and 43 GHz. First results from this study enabled estimating the absolute geometry and physical conditions in the parsec-scale jet origin.


Purpose: An increased 3H‐docetaxel concentration in the prostate tumor in the group of mice treated with pulsed focused ultrasound (PFUS) versus the control group in vivo was observed in our previous study. The purpose of this study is to investigate if the increased uptake of docetaxel by PFUS will improve tumor growth delay in vivo. Methods: LNCaP cells were grown in the prostates of nude mice. The tumor growth was monitored by MRI. Pulsed FUS treatment was performed using an ExAblate 2000 system with a 1.5 T GE MR Scanner. When the tumor volume reached 45 ± 8.5 mm3 on MRI, mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=8): (1) PFUS+docetaxel, (2) PFUS only, (3) docetacel only, and (4) control. For groups 1 and 2, each mouse was treated with PFUS under general anesthesia for 2 fractions (one treatment per week for two consecutive weeks). For groups 1 and 3, each animal received docetaxel by tail vein injection at 10 mg/kg for 2 fractions (one injection per week for two consecutive weeks). For group 1 the docetaxel was injected immediately after the PFUS treatment. For the control group, a sham FUS treatment was given. Animals were allowed to survive for 4 weeks. The tumor volumes were measured by MRI at 1 and 4 weeks after the treatment. Results: The mean tumor volume was 36%, 78% and 89% smaller for PFUS alone, docetaxel alone and the combination of PFUS+docetaxel compared with the control group. The combination of PFUS and docetaxel showed the best tumor control; the average tumor volume was smaller than that prior to the treatment both 1 week and 4 weeks after the combined PFUS+docetaxel treatment. Conclusions: Our in vivo results indicated that PFUS enhanced the therapeutic effect of docetaxel on prostate cancer.


ABSTRACT ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of neuroclusal rehabilitation treatment using Planas Direct for posterior crossbite correction.MethodsThis is a clinical study in which 43 children were selected, of both sexes, between 3 and 6 years old, diagnosed with posterior crossbite and midline deviation. Interviews were conducted with the parents in order to ascertain the practice of harmful habits. The treatment was based on neuroclusal rehabilitation in order to investigate and eliminate the occlusal obstacles which depreciate the stomatognathic system. The aim of the study was also to reprogram the affected neuromuscular activity. Planas direct were performed on crossed teeth in order to restructure the neuroclusal area and the stomatognathic system, as well. Epi Info software, 3.5.4 for Windows, through the distribution of frequencies and the Pearson chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. ResultsOcclusal restoration in 79% of children was performed however 21% abandoned treatment. The crossbite and midline correction period ranged from from 14° to the 91° treatment. Significant associations of the variables were observed as follows: deleterious habits (p = 0.0001) and midline deviation (p = 0.0001) at the beginning or end of treatment. ConclusionIt was concluded that the neuroclusal rehabilitation and Direct Slopes Planas were effective in correcting the posterior crossbite.Indexing term: Malocclusion. Occlusal adjustment. Orthodontics.


Industrial gold mining is a significant source of mercury (Hg) emission to the atmosphere. To investigate ways to reduce these emissions, reclamation and dust and mercury control methods used at open pit gold mining operations in Nevada were studied in a laboratory setting. Using this information along with field data, and building off previous work, total annual Hg emissions were estimated for two active gold mines in northern Nevada. Results showed that capping mining waste materials with a low-Hg substrate can reduce Hg emissions from 50 to nearly 100%. The spraying of typical dust control solutions often results in higher Hg emissions, especially as materials dry after application. The concentrated application of a dithiocarbamate Hg control reagent appears to reduce Hg emissions, but further testing mimicking the actual distribution of this chemical within an active leach solution is needed to make a more definitive assessment. Implications: Laboratory and field measurements of mercury flux from materials typically found at large open pit gold mines in Nevada indicate that non-point-source mercury emissions are a significant component of total mercury emissions, but that these nonpoint emissions can be significantly reduced by postmining capping and reclamation, and possibly by chemical treatments of leach ore and tailings waste.


активность промышленных предприятий. Показана неэффективность финансирования Article deals with tendencies of development of innovative economy in Russia. It is shown that increased financing of innovation infrastructure and its basic institutions — venture capital funds, business incubators, technology parks — was not enough to create competitive environment that encourages the use of innovation. The factors of negative impact of foreign investors on innovative activity of enterprises of real sector of economy of Russia are examined. It is proved the ineffectiveness of increasing financing of development of certain parts of the innovative process without implementing the principle of common purpose of informal "team": inventor — company — managers, that commercialize the invention. The approach to implementation of this principle by abolishing the taxon profit derived from using the innovation for a specified period.


We consider the problem of estimating a consensus community structure by combining information from multiple layers of a multi-layer network or multiple snapshots of a time-varying network. Numerous methods have been proposed in the literature for the more general problem of multi-view clustering in the past decade based on the spectral clustering or a low-rank matrix factorization. As a general theme, these "intermediate fusion" methods involve obtaining a low column rank matrix by optimizing an objective function and then using the columns of the matrix for clustering. However, the theoretical properties of these methods remain largely unexplored and most researchers have relied on the performance in synthetic and real data to assess the goodness of the procedures. In the absence of statistical guarantees on the objective functions, it is difficult to determine if the algorithms optimizing the objective will return a good community structure. We apply some of these methods for consensus community detection in multi-layer networks and investigate the consistency properties of the global optimizer of the objective functions under the multi-layer stochastic blockmodel. We derive several new asymptotic results showing consistency of the intermediate fusion techniques along with the spectral clustering of mean adjacency matrix under a high dimensional setup, where the number of nodes, the number of layers and the number of communities of the multi-layer graph grow. Our numerical study shows that in comparison to the intermediate fusion techniques, late fusion methods, namely spectral clustering on aggregate spectral kernel and module allegiance matrix, under-perform in sparse networks, while the spectral clustering of mean adjacency matrix under-performs in multi-layer networks that contain layers with both homophilic and heterophilic clusters.


Megakaryocytes in 42 cases of Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders were studied pathologically, and a classification of these disorders was suggested. Abnormal megakaryocytes were classified as immature, mature, naked-nuclear, micro-, giant, multinucleated and dysplastic types based on the degree of maturity, the number of ploidy, and the presence or absence of atypia. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that antibodies against platelet glycoprotein Ib, IIb/IIIa as well as VIII R:Ag are highly specific for the detection of megakaryocytes, especially the morphologically unrecognizable ones. With regard to the identification of micromegakaryocytes, nuclear size, shape and degree of cytoplasmic maturity were emphasized. In addition to the classification, the clinic-pathological significance of abnormal megakaryocytes is discussed.


This research aims to find out the effect of current on microstructure and hardness value in Alloy Steel SS400 before (raw material) and after welding using Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). This research uses experiment methods. Technique of analyzing data used was a descriptive comparative research. The instruments used for testing microstructure and hardness were Olympus Metallurgical Microscope and Vikers Hardness Tester. Base on the result of research, it could be concluded that the result of microstructure testing showed the improved  ferrite structure after welding. In raw material, ferrite structure seemed to looks evenly, but the result of welding using SMAW welding method with current of I20 A, 130 A, and 140A showed that ferrite structure reduced in each specimen, so that  perlite structure was very dominant. The hardness value of hardness result showed the different hardness level. The specimen with current of 140 A had higher hardness level of 231,055 VHN than the specimen with current of 120 A (219.222 VHN) and 130 A (223,333 VHN). The result of hardness testing on raw material was 182,333 VHN. This research showed that the welding using varying current changed microstructure and affected the hardness value of Alloy Steel SS400.


Abstract The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) infests a wide array of host plants and is considered one of the most serious pests of maize in Europe. Recent studies suggest that individuals feeding on maize in Europe should be referred to O. nubilalis (sensu nov.), while those infesting dicots as Ostrinia scapulalis (sensu nov.). We test if the clear genetic distinctiveness among individuals of O. nubilalis living on maize vs. dicots is tracked by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We used fragments of COI and COII genes of 32 individuals traditionally recognized as O. nubilalis collected on three host plants, maize, mugwort and hop, growing in different parts of Poland. In addition, we reconstructed the mtDNA phylogeny of Ostrinia species based on our data and sequences retrieved from GenBank to assess host and/or biogeographic patterns. We also compared haplotype variation found in Poland (east-central Europe) with other regions (Anatolia, Eastern Europe, Balkans, Far East, North America). Our study showed high mtDNA diversity of O. nubilalis in Poland in comparison with other regions and revealed rare haplotypes likely of Asian origin. We did not find distinct mtDNA haplotypes in larvae feeding on maize vs. dicotyledonous plants. Phylogenetic analyses showed an apparent lack of mtDNA divergence among putatively distinct lineages belonging to the O. nubilalis group as identical haplotypes are shared by Asian and European individuals. We argue that human-mediated dispersal, hybridization and sporadic host jumps are likely responsible for the lack of a geographic pattern in mtDNA variation.


Galileo E1C, the pilot component of the E1 Open Service signal (CBOC(6,1,1/11) modulation), Galileo E5a and GPS L5 (BPSK(10) modulation) are signals that will be used by civil aviation receivers for pseudorange computation. To meet stringent requirements defined for civil aviation GNSS receivers, the characterization of distortions which could affect a GNSS signal in a hazardous way is required. In particular, expected signal distortions generated at payload level are described by Threat Models (TMs). Distortions incorporated in the TM are also called Evil WaveForm (EWF).
These TMs, and their associated parameter ranges, referred to as Threat Space (TS), are powerful and necessary tools to design and test the performance of Signal Quality Monitor (SQM). The SQM is a mean to detect the presence of dangerous signal distortions and is necessary to protect users with high requirements in terms of integrity, accuracy, availability, and continuity (for example civil aviation users). Nowadays, this monitoring task is performed by GBAS and SBAS reference stations for GPS L1 C/A to warn the user in a timely manner. In this paper, SQMs for Galileo E1C and Galileo E5a will be designed and compared using a new representation introduced in [1]. Using this representation, different SQMs are compared and an optimized SQM is proposed to monitor signal distortions on Galileo E5a and Galileo E1C signals.


An algorithm for computing spectral-angular and angular distributions of parametric X-ray radiation (PXR) produced by ultrarelativistic particles in crystals under multiple Bragg diffraction is developed. The algorithm is based on the methods applied in the dynamical theory of X-ray multiple diffraction. The angular distribution of three-wave PXR angular distribution into the simulated forbidden reflex (222) in the Ge crystal is computed. It is shown that using multiple PXR generation it is possible to generate X-ray beams with double angular collimation approximately=1 angular s2 and spectral width approximately=10-3.


Critical situations such as the current pandemic produced by the Sars-Cov-2 (COVID-19) are leading to the incorporation of new technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), as a part of the teaching and training methods that facilitates the teaching task in contrast with the traditional learning methods that have been used in the academia. In this regard, in this work is proposed the design and development of a VR-based tool that is applied in the teaching and training of condition-based maintenance strategies in induction motors. The design of this tool is performed under Oculus Quest and includes the development of the 3D virtual environments, the creation of the VR learning experience, and finally the necessary adjustments for the VR application to render smoothly on standalone devices. The usability of this experience tool has been experimentally validated with different students by giving to the students practical knowledge but also a learning experience.


Abstract Medical device innovations may contribute to the reconstruction of biological functions, and thereby improve the quality of patients' lives, as well as extend their life expectancy. The coordinated research project "RESPONSE - Partnership for Innovation in Implant Technology" (BMBF program Twenty20 - Partnership for Innovation, 2014 - 2021) is focusing on the development of novel concepts for implantable medical devices for cardiovascular, ophthalmologic and otorhinolaryngologic applications. The joint research efforts of academia and industry in the RESPONSE consortium address the challenges in implant design, biofunctionalization, process development and production. Particular attention is paid to the process of translation of medical device innovations, cost analysis, as well as health technology assessment.


Background The study's objective is to assess the adherence of C. albicans in different types of denture polymers and the effectiveness of eugenol and commercialized denture cleansers in the removal of C. albicans. Three types of denture base polymers (Lucitone® 199 (High-Impact PMMA), Impact® (conventional PMMA) and Eclipse® (UDMA)) and two hard denture reline materials (Kooliner® and Tokuyama® Rebase II Fast) were used in this study. Methods Three hundred samples were prepared (6 × 2 mm disc shape) and divided into five groups of denture polymers (n = 60) and further subjected into five treatment groups (Polident®, Steradent, distilled water, eugenol 5-minutes, and eugenol 10-min). Three samples were extracted from each treatment group for baseline data (n = 12). Baseline data were used to calculate the initial number of C. albicans adherence. A 0.5 ml immersion solution from each specimen was cultured on YPD agar and incubated for 48 h at 37 °C. Visible colonies were counted using a colony counter machine (ROCKER Galaxy 230). Results The result showed that the denture base polymer significantly affected the initial adherence (p = 0.007). The removal of C. albicans was also considerably affected by the denture base polymers and denture cleansers (p < 0.05). Lucitone®, Tokuyama®, and Kooliner® denture base polymers immersed for 3 min in eugenol showed the best results of removal. Discussion This study's overall results showed that all denture polymers used as denture bases had an effect on C. albicans initial adherence and removal from the denture base, and eugenol is comparable to commercialised denture cleansers in reducing the number of attached C. albicans on denture base polymers.


We revisit the role of long-term nominal corporate debt for the transmission of inflation shocks in the general equilibrium model of Gomes, Jermann, and Schmid (2016, henceforth GJS). We show that inaccuracies in the model solution and calibration strategy lead GJS to a model equilibrium in which nominal long-term debt is systematically mispriced. As a result, the quantitative importance of corporate leverage in the transmission of inflation shocks to real activity in their framework is 6 times larger than what arises under the rational expectations equilibrium.


A multivalent coral snake antivenin was prepared in horses immunized with a mixture of venoms from the species Micrurus nigrocinctus, M. mipartitus, and M. frontalis, following immunization procedures previously reported (2). Plasma from the horses was fractionated with ammonium sulfate. The antivenin produced was then tested against venoms from ten species. The neutralization titers obtained indicate it would be useful in treating bites received from most of the important coral snake species in North and South America, namely: M. fulvius, M. alleni, M. carinicaudus dumerilii, M. corallinus, M. frontalis, M. lemniscatus, M. mipartitus, M. nigrocinctus, and M. spixii. The authors note that appropriate cooperation by scientists in various countries would make production of this antivenin an easy matter, and that the product could conveniently be distributed via PAHO or other international agencies. They also note that the antivenin showed no significant neutralizing effect against M. surinamensis venom. This situation would appear to justify preparing a monovalent antivenin against M. surinamensis, or else including M. surinamensis venom in an immunization formula for a multivalent antidote.


The photophysical properties of a novel series of non-homoconjugated 1,2-di-, 1,2,3,4-tetra-, and 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexasubstituted fullerenes (compounds 1 , 2 , and 3 , respectively) have been systematically investigated. In this report, we examine the effect of substitution pattern of non-homoconjugated derivatized fullerenes on the ground state UV-Vis absorption, triplet state properties (lifetime, quantum yield, extinction coefficient), and singlet oxygen quantum yield. The non-homoconjugated fullerene derivatives 1-3 exhibit higher singlet oxygen quantum yield than analogous homoconjugated Bingel adducts with the same number of saturated C=C bonds and exhibit decreasing quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation upon increasing the degree of functionalization on a single six member ring on the fullerene cage. This trend is similar for triplet quantum yield and triplet lifetime. The triplet extinction coefficient increases with functionalization. A detailed discussion comparing 1 , 2 , and 3 with functionalized homoconjugated systems and with other non-homoconjugated derivatives is presented.


The usual method of solving the free particle Dirac equation results in the so called continuum energy solutions. Here, we take a different approach and find a set of solutions with quantized energies which are proportional to the total angular momentum.


The wrasse family Labridae sensu stricto contains 548 species at latest count at the end of 2017. The previous checklist by Parenti & Randall (2011) included 504 species: the additional species represent new discoveries (41 new species) plus resurrections from synonymy (6) minus species names synonymized (3). The total number of genera is maintained at 70 as two new genera have been erected (Sagittalarva Victor, Alfaro & Sorenson, 2013 for Pseudojuloides inornatus (Gilbert, 1890) and Novaculops Schultz, 1960, removed from synonymy with Xyrichtys Cuvier, 1814), and two genera have been synonymized: Nelabrichthys Russell, 1983 is a junior synonym of Suezichthys Smith, 1958 (Russell & Westneat 2013) and Xiphocheilus Bleeker, 1856 is now regarded as a subgenus of Choerodon Bleeker, 1847 (Gomon 2017). There are some discrepancies with the total number of labrid species (558) reported by the Catalog of Fishes by Eschmeyer et al. (2018) and they are discussed herein. Only one species of parrotfish (Scaridae) has been described as new since the last checklist in 2011.


The major complication that occurs with grafts used as vascular access for hemodialysis, is stenosis at the venous anastomosis or in the draining vein. 75% area stenosis is considered significant as thrombotic occlusion may occur. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate invasive and noninvasive indices to detect significant stenoses in a vascular access graft. A compliant underarm loop graft in vitro model was built and studied with 50, 65, 80, and 90% stenosis at flow rates of 500, 1000, and 1500 mL/min. Flow in the system was pulsatile. Velocity was measured with ultrasound Doppler and the pressure was measured invasively. The resistance index (RI), p(venous line)/MAP, and the newly introduced pressure ratio (PR) were calculated and compared. A stenosis can be suspected when a high frequency ultrasound velocity signal develops at the venous anastomosis. RI > 1 confirms a very severe stenosis (90%). The parameter PR < 8% confirms significant stenoses showing its clinical relevancy.


Compressive sensing (CS) has been applied to reduce the acquisition costs in the task of target localization by deploying a small number of sensors to collect measurements. It is based on a fact that the number of targets is much smaller than all possible positions where the targets could be located. To improve the localization accuracy with noisy measurements, our previous work has proposed a localization approach by solving a row-based least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (RLASSO) formulation, which utilizes the joint sparsity property. However, some practical concerns in localization implementation, e.g., a decrement in power radiated by targets and an enlargement of overall localization region, degrade the localization accuracy seriously. The performance impairment is caused by the common but undesirable limitations that the reduced radiation power and the enlarged field indeed make targets partially unobservable from individual sensor alone. To combat the impacts of such constrains on localization performance, this paper develops a cluster-based multi-target localization approach based on matrix rank minimization (MRM). The solutions representing all the collected measurements from distributed clusters are modeled to possess a low rank property. Capitalizing on this low rank property, a nuclear norm minimization problem is formulated to localize the positions of multiple targets. Simulation results reveal that the proposed localization approach based on MRM outperforms those via RLASSO and direct CS, since the low rank property enables efficient utilization of user diversity in localization even under partial observations.


We show that monomials and sums of pairwise coprime monomials in four or more variables have Waring rank less than the generic rank, with a short list of exceptions. We asymptotically compare their ranks with the generic rank.