We present simultaneous measurements of emission from dust continuum at 230 GHz and the J = 2–1 12CO, 13CO, and C18O isotopologues at ∼15 pc resolution from individual giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in the Andromeda galaxy (M31). These observations were obtained in an ongoing survey of this galaxy being conducted with the Submillimeter Array. Initial results describing the continuum and 12CO emission have been published earlier. Here, we primarily analyze the observations of 13CO and C18O emission and compare them to the measurements of dust continuum and 12CO emission. We also report additional dust continuum and CO measurements from newly added GMCs to the M31 sample. We detect spatially resolved 13CO emission with high signal-to-noise ratios in 31 objects. We find the extent of the 13CO emission to be nearly comparable to that of 12CO, typically covering 75% of the area of the 12CO emission. We derive 13CO and C18O abundances of 2.9 × 10−6 and 4.4 × 10−7 relative to H2, respectively, by comparison with hydrogen column densities of the same regions derived from the dust continuum observations assuming a Milky Way gas-to-dust ratio. We find the isotopic abundance ratio [13CO]/[C18O] = 6.7 ± 2.9 to be consistent with the Milky Way value (8.1). Finally, we derive the mass-to-light conversion factors for all three CO species to be α 12 = 8.7 ± 3.9, α 13 = 48.9 ± 20.4, and M ⊙ (K km s−1 pc2)−1 for the J = 2–1 transitions of 12CO, 13CO, and C18O, respectively.


Non-cholesterol sterols have been used as markers of cholesterol intestinal absorption and hepatic synthesis, leading to a better understanding of cholesterol homeostasis in humans. This review discusses the main noncholesterol sterols that are clinically useful, different methods to quantify the factors associated with blood concentration, and the potential role of non-cholesterol sterols in the diagnosis and treatment of different types of dyslipidemia. The main indication is the use of non-cholesterol sterols for the diagnosis of rare diseases associated with defects in cholesterol synthesis or anomalies in the absorption and/or elimination of phytosterols. However, other potential uses, including the diagnosis of certain hypercholesterolemias and the individualization of lipid-lowering therapies, are promising as they could help treat a wider population.


J. Craig Venter, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, has begun to identify genes expressed in the human brain by partially sequences cDNA clones. We are collaborating with the Venter group and using their sequence data to develop methods for rapid localization of newly identified cDNAs to human chromosomes. We are applying the ABI automated DNA sequencer to the analysis of fluorescently-tagged PCR products for assigning sequences to individual human chromosomes. The steps in our mapping protocol are (1) to design PCR primers from the Venter laboratory-generated sequence data, (2) to test the primers for specific amplification from human genomic DNA, (3) to use the primers for PCR amplification from a somatic cell hybrid cell mapping panel, (4) to determine the presence or absence of the specific amplification products from each cell line DNA by electrophoretic analysis using the ABI sequencer, and (5) to analyze the pattern of amplification results from the hybrid panel to identify the chromosomal origin of the cDNA sequence. We have demonstrated the principle by mapping 12 sequences or ``Expressed Sequence Tags`` (ESTs), providing primer sequence data for subsequent subchromosomal localizations. We will now concentrate on developing methodology to allow multiplexing the amplification reactions andmore » analysis of the reaction products, to achieve a high throughput with a minimum allocation of resources. This project will generate a data set from which to evaluate strategies to identify functional primer sequences from cDNA sequence data.« less


A test method for evaluating the bond of prestressing strand to concrete is presented. The test reproduces the swelling of the strand within the transfer length of pretensioned, prestressed concrete. An experimental program was conducted to compare this test and a direct tension pull-out test to experimental results from single stranded prisms. In general, the proposed test yielded more reasonable results at first slip than the direct tension pull-out test.


Low temperature cracking represents the main distress in asphalt pavements built in cold regions. During the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) two test methods were developed to investigate the low temperature behavior of asphalt binders: bending beam rheometer (BBR) and direct tension tester (DTT). In this research, a simple testing protocol developed to obtain failure properties of asphalt binders at low temperatures is used to characterize the behavior of five asphalt binders used in the construction of MnROAD test cells in 2016. It is shown that a combination of creep followed by strength testing provides a more complete picture of the low temperature properties of asphalt binders and can improve the selection process. Binders with similar creep and relaxation properties have significantly different failure properties. It is also demonstrated that BBR strength data is obtained under linear viscoelastic conditions for the entire duration of the test and that creep and strength data can be interconverted using linear viscoelasticity.


Kidneys of 27 consecutive autopsied patients with bronchogenic carcinoma without clinical renal disease were studied by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry for the presence of glomerular deposits. Two patients had subepithelial electron-dense deposits compatible with immune complexes but failed to stain histochemically for immunoglobulin; most cases (19 of 27), including the two with complexes, demonstrated subendothelial deposition of fibrin. No tissue samples had histochemically detectable immunoglobulin. From this study it is suggested that renal immune complexes in lung cancer are rare.


Currently, The Internet has been imported in many fields and it`s development prompted accordingly. The field of education also has been developed as `Learners Centered Environment` by combining the existing educational method, so called distance learning, with internet. Learners have become able to adopt the appropriate level of educational service anywhere and anytime they want. In this paper, we propose a EOD system based on SIP. The EOD system is a new conferencing type system in the distance learning field. Using SIP (Session Initial Protocol) for EOD system is more efficient than using H.323, also the more the number of its is increased, and as improvement of its QoS. The EOD system is scalable and provides conferencing service using SIP which suits with web environment. And, the EOD system supports multicast efficiently to utilize bandwidth of networks.


The paper covers three interactive installations carried out by the artist-authorresearcher in his artistic/poetic research project "Interurbano" (long distance call) at the Federal University of Pará. The objective is to understand the process of poetic use of embedded systems with a focus on the Arduino platform, analyzing and comparing some existing productions that use this technology to three interactive installations done by the author: an antique green analog telephone altered to simulate bird's calls, a tap that emits people speech about water through a headphone connected to it on the gallery wall and an interactive umbrella equipped with speakers connected to an electronic carpet capable of telling where the user is standing holding the umbrella to play specific city's soundscape. All three interactive sonic installations work with previously recorded sounds of different areas of the city of Belem, located at the entrance of the Amazon River, to reflect about the relationship between man, technology and nature. The birds singing on the phone were species usually found on the city of Belem in the past but that are harder or impossible to find it today on the same area, the people interviewed for the tap installation were residents of Belém who live in different neighborhoods and for the umbrella installation were recorded three different soundscapes of the city for: the urban, the fluvial and the forest soundscape. The installations where financed by the Cultural Foundation of the State of Pará and were displayed in a exhibition called "Interurbano" (2018) for public interaction at the Kamara Kó Gallery. The paper addresses the main questions that started the creative process and the relation of the works with the city of Belém in the Amazon Rain Forest, the creative process of the author and collaboration with technicians using microcontrollers in artistic installations as well as the concepts of interactivity, interface, imagery, and augmented space within aesthetic proposals focused on art and technology. The creation of the work will be covered from the author's first ideas, drawings, schematics, prototyping, wiring and coding with Arduino to the installation montage and public interaction at the gallery. All the process was recorded in video as well as photographs showing the nuances of the work in progress. Several artistic proposals are presented with poetic use of microcontrollers to alter objects and develop installations with interactive or responsive interfaces to the environment. All the code done in the project is shared with the public along with schematics of the works. The paper also approaches the works of other artists such as Robyn Farah, Gilberto Prado, Nils Volker and Daniel Rosin comparing different uses of microcontrollers in art installations.


Prompt γ-ray production cross section measurements were made as a function of incident neutron energy (En = 1 to 35 MeV) on an enriched (95.6%) 150Sm sample. Energetic neutrons were delivered by the Los Alamos National Laboratory spallation neutron source located at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) facility. The prompt-reaction γ rays were detected with the large-scale Compton-suppressed Germanium Array for Neutron Induced Excitations (GEANIE). Above En ≈ 8 MeV the pre-equilibrium reaction process dominates the inelastic reaction. The spin distribution transferred in pre-equilibrium neutron-induced reactions was calculated using the quantum mechanical theory of Feshbach, Kerman, and Koonin (FKK). These pre-equilibrium spin distributions were incorporated into the Hauser-Feshbach statistical reaction code GNASH and the γ-ray production cross sections were calculated and compared with experimental data. Neutron inelastic scattering populates 150Sm excited states either by (1) forming the compound nucleus 151Sm∗ and decaying by neutron emission, or (2) by the incoming neutron transferring energy to create a particle-hole pair, and thus initiating the pre-equilibrium process. These two processes produce rather different spin distributions: the momentum transfer via the pre-equilibrium process tends to be smaller than in the compound reaction. This difference in the spin population has a significant impact on the γ-ray de-excitation cascade and therefore in the partial γ-ray cross sections. The difference in the calculated partial γ-ray cross sections using spin distributions with and without pre-equilibrium effects was significant, e.g., for the 558-keV transition between 8 and 6 states the calculated partial γ-ray production cross sections changed by 70% at En = 20 MeV with inclusion of the spin distribution of pre-equilibrium process.


DNA methylation was investigated as a possible mechanism for regulation of floral gene expression in stolbur phytoplasma-infected tomato buds. Expression of methylase and demethylase genes was found to be globally down-regulated in tomato plants infected with stolbur isolate PO, but not in those infected with isolate C. These results are consistent with the finding that SlDEF, a gene orthologous to arabidopsis APETALA3 which is involved in petal formation, was down-regulated in stolbur PO-infected buds and remained unaffected in stolbur C-infected buds, and with the fact that the two stolbur phytoplasma isolates C and PO induce distinct symptoms. Because of variations between the different cell-types of the flower buds, the DNA methylation status of SlDEF could not be clearly established. However, the finding that treatment of stolbur PO-infected plants with 5-azacytidine partially restored SlDEF gene expression strongly suggests that DNA methylation is involved in down-regulation of floral development genes in stolbur PO-infected tomatoes.


An optical homodyne technique is utilized to measure sub-angstrom dynamic mechanical deformations. For measurement in the frequency domain, where synchronous detection is used both the amplitude and phase of the mechanical signal can be measured with a high sensitivity; displacements less than 10-2A were measured with normal environment acoustic noise. Measurement in the time domain is also feasible with reduced sensitivity.


Several changes have been made to the state and workplace pension schemes in recent decades in Britain. One of the implications of these changes is that individuals now carry greater risks in accumulating and generating retirement income. Many studies have discussed the role of attitudinal and behavioral tendencies in the retirement saving decision-making process. However, the way these tendencies manifest themselves is assumed to be identical for men and women, as most studies examined the partial gender effect. These differences are particularly meaningful for those in early stages of adulthood, as their experience of key life events is shaped by socially constructed gender norms. While an increasing gender disparity in pension wealth over the life course is widely recognized in Britain, not many studies have provided empirical evidence on potential gender differences in young adults' additional retirement saving. This study examines whether men and women differ in their retirement saving decision-making process, and if so to what extent. To do so, it uses an adapted version of Hershey and colleagues' model of financial planning with the fourth wave of the Wealth and Assets Survey (WAS). Findings show that financial resilience, which represents individuals' everyday financial behavior, is the most influential predictor for identifying retirement savers for both males and females. However, the manner in which their current socio-economic environment – income, homeownership, marital status, offspring – is interlinked with financial resilience varies considerably by gender. The partial effect of education on myopia also differs by gender. These findings suggest that there are indeed gender differences in the retirement saving decision-making process and that failing to consider such difference in policies may widen the gender gap in retirement saving.


A typical model for problems involving sequential decision processes in a discrete-time setting is considered. Several means to improve the regular dynamic programming method for solving the model problem are proposed. Reducing the sizes of the state and control domains is the key objective for improving efficiency. Theoretical justification of the domain reduction idea is provided.


Introduction: quality of life is an integrated construct with aspects of physical activity, social actions, mental health and is an important component of general health. Heart failure negatively affects mental health and coincidentally quality of life in these patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between mental health and quality of life in patients with heart failure. Methods: This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 150 patients in cardiac care unit of Imam Reza Hospital of Bojnourd. The patients were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected using generic quality of Life (SF-36) and mental health (GHQ-28). The data were analyzed via ANOVA, t-test and Pearson's correlation using SPSS ver.18 software. Results: The majority of samples had a moderate and low quality of life with frequencies of 38% and 35/8% respectively. The Mean±SD of Mental Health was 29/14±13/75. Significant relationship was found between the physical domain of mental health and physical limitations of quality of life questionnaire (P=0/001). Also a significant correlation observed between some quality of life sub scales (physical functioning, social functioning, vitality, mental health) and depression sub scale of mental health with sex (P<0/05). Conclusion: We find some correlations between mental health and quality of life in the patients and that deterioration in mental health status can negatively affect quality of life in heart failure patients. Thus providing mental health services is highly recommended to safeguard higher quality of life in these Patients.


Worker information systems provide the right information at the right time in a lean way. In this paper, the need for an integrated feedback system with formalised text parts is exposed. To meet the disadvantages of a lack of feedback, two important points are identified: involving of workers and guaranteeing a high information quality. Several approaches show that workers have to be included into an early stage of product development process to improve product details and especially assembly scenarios. Also, workers get an idea of their contribution to a zero-waste production. If more information is created, the quality gets more important. It is explained what quality criteria should be considered. Technical realisations for a feedback system close this paper.


Background: Glycosylation is one of the most fundamental post-translational modifications. Importantly, glycosylation is altered in many cancers. These alterations have been proven to impact on tumor progression and to promote tumor cell survival. From the literature, it is known that there is a clear link between chemoresistance and hypoxia, hypoxia and epigenetics and more recently glycosylation and epigenetics. Methods and Results: Our objective was to investigate these differential parameters, in an in vitro model of ovarian and breast cancer. Ovarian (A2780, A2780cis, PEO1, PEO4) and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436) cells were exposed to differential hypoxic conditions (0.5–2% O2) and compared to normoxia (21% O2). Results demonstrated that in hypoxic conditions some significant changes in glycosylation on the secreted N-glycans from the ovarian and breast cancer cell lines were observed. These included, alterations in oligomannosylated, bisected glycans, glycans with polylactosamine extensions, in branching, galactosylation and sialylation in all cell lines except for PEO1. In general, hypoxia exposed ovarian and TNBC cells also displayed increased epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration, with a greater effect seen in the 0.5% hypoxia exposed samples compared to 1 and 2% hypoxia (p ≤ 0.05). SiRNA transient knock down of GATA2/3 transcription factors resulted in a decrease in the expression of glycosyltransferases ST3GAL4 and MGAT5, which are responsible for sialylation and branching, respectively. Conclusions: These glycan changes are known to be integral to cancer cell survival and metastases, suggesting a possible mechanism of action, linking GATA2 and 3, and invasiveness of both ovarian and TNBC cells in vitro.


Arbutus unedo L. berries have traditionally been used as edible and medicinal fruits in folk medicine for the treatment of some pathologies. Besides their good nutritional properties, these berries are rich in bioactive compounds. Accordingly, a HPLC-triple quadrupole (TQ)-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the first time to characterize the changes produced in the phenolic composition profile of A. unedo L. fruits through three ripening stages. Several hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids were detected, gallic acid being the highest phenolic acid quantified. Quercetin, quercetin-3-β-glucoside, rutin, and kaempferol were found in similar amounts at the different maturity stages. High amounts of (+)-catechin, procyanidin B2, epigallocatechin, and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate were observed in the unripe fruits. Naringin and vitexin were also quantified. Stilbenes, such as trans-resveratrol and trans-piceid, were identified for the first time in these fruits. Total phenolic compounds, total anthocyanin compounds, and radical scavenging activity were also determined in the fruits harvested at different years in several locations of the Iberian Peninsula at different ripening stages. The results confirmed that these fruits are an excellent source of these bioactive compounds (mainly flavanols) with high antioxidant activity, which could be used as a new source for preparation of nutraceutical or functional foods.


This paper discusses how media theory and history should approach specimens of evidence about the cultural reception of media pertaining to the realms of the fantastic, such as speculations, predictions, dreams, and other forms of fantasy regarding media. It argues that the role of the imaginary in the history of media can be fully comprehended only by employing a perspective which is dynamic in time. In different phases of a medium's evolution, in fact, we find different fantasies; it follows that we need specific approaches to study them. The article discusses fantasies which are specific to three stages in media change: those preceding the actual invention of a medium; those accompanying the earliest period after the introduction of a new medium; and those connected to old media.


In a mobile communication network, the base station is configured to query the mobile station for its mobile equipment identifier if not provided by the mobile switching center before traffic channel setup. The base station may send the mobile equipment identifier to the mobile switching center during call setup.


In this digital era where individuals in the community turn out to be more secular and dependent on science and technology, some devoted Christian parents still want to teach their children to have godly characters. These parents assume that the Bible ought to be the basis of educating their children. They need an effective pattern design to teach their children in the light of the Bible since their early age. Various samples of parents were selected based on the childrens age, gender, number of siblings, parents occupations, and church ministries. The number of parents was about forty. They focused on teaching their children based on Biblical standard. The procedure began with the step of exploration, in which the indicators were determined. The characters of their children had been described before starting the observations. Parents employed the pattern design of character education that was adopted from the childhood of some Bible heroes and Christian leaders in the Church History. Those models are individuals who have a Christ-like character and credibility. On the second half of the preparation year, the second observation was conducted to find out the difference and the development of their children's characters. The result is a significant change in the characters of their children. Children who encountered this pattern of character education showed better character traits. They developed the ability to communicate with a healthy emotion, to be obedient to the parents, and also to build better relationships with parents and siblings. Educating children based on Biblical standard can be an effective pattern design of children education. It is a recommended model to equip parents who want their children to have godly characters in the middle of the digital era and secular society.


Geomagnetic indices are convenient quantities that distill the complicated physics of some region or aspect of near‐Earth space into a single parameter. Most of the best‐known indices are calculated from ground‐based magnetometer data sets, such as Dst, SYM‐H, Kp, AE, AL, and PC. Many models have been created that predict the values of these indices, often using solar wind measurements upstream from Earth as the input variables to the calculation. This document reviews the current state of models that predict geomagnetic indices and the methods used to assess their ability to reproduce the target index time series. These existing methods are synthesized into a baseline collection of metrics for benchmarking a new or updated geomagnetic index prediction model. These methods fall into two categories: (1) fit performance metrics such as root‐mean‐square error and mean absolute error that are applied to a time series comparison of model output and observations and (2) event detection performance metrics such as Heidke Skill Score and probability of detection that are derived from a contingency table that compares model and observation values exceeding (or not) a threshold value. A few examples of codes being used with this set of metrics are presented, and other aspects of metrics assessment best practices, limitations, and uncertainties are discussed, including several caveats to consider when using geomagnetic indices.


Abstract Eigenvector analysis was performed on spring, summer, fall and annual temperature and precipitation over the contiguous United States and on the frequency of occurrence of cyclonic and anticyclonic conditions over an area extending roughly from 60–130°W and 20–50°N. The first eigenvector in all cases represents anomalies of one sign over nearly all the contiguous United States. Correspondence of the other eigenvector forms across seasons was also good. These patterns appear to be associated with latitudinal shifts in the westerlies and to the amplitude and position of the long waves. An opposition in precipitation anomaly was found between the northwestern and southwestern United States which was mirrored in a similar pattern in variations of cyclone frequency over these two areas. Significant changes occurred in the frequency of occurrence of individual eigenvector forms, suggesting that particular circulation regimes may become established, persist and disappear in time. The length of time that...


Religious extremism is a global issue that raises questions and tensions in many countries. In Nigeria, it is a known fact that religion has been abused in many ways to suit the interests of some groups of people who consider themselves as custodians and defenders of religious values and faith. Apparently the trend of violence in Nigeria is a sign of the need for thorough research and study about religions in tertiary institutions including Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. Extremists use religion as a shield either for political or economic agenda and manipulate their gullible followers in order to impose their ideology on them. The reality of religious extremism in Nigeria is a challenge to tertiary education to search for a lasting solution that will enable Nigerians overcome the problem and focus on their economic, social and genuine religious progress. The tertiary institutions in Nigeria need to produce people with critical minds that can challenge religious extremism. In this context, thoughts directed towards tackling religious extremism are important. This study, therefore, recommends that tertiary institutions in Nigeria, through General Studies, should educate the youth to be self-reliant so that they are not lured by religious extremists to achieve their political and economic agenda. Publication of well researched papers and books that contribute to the study of religions and cultures should be encouraged by the tertiary institutions. Tertiary institutions should also develop General Studies curriculum in religion to teach students about human convictions on religion and consequently promote religious dialogue for the common good. Hence tertiary education in Nigeria has very crucial role in curbing the problem of religious extremism in the nation.


Isoxys is a cosmopolitan bivalved arthropod genus known almost exclusively from Cambrian Konservat-Lagerstatten. Despite its wide geographical distribution in such sites of exceptional preservation, little was known of its soft-part anatomy until recently when remains of eyes and raptorial frontal appendages were discovered. This absence has precluded determination of affinities. The new discovery of soft parts led to two important hypotheses: (1) that Isoxys was related to the 'great-appendage' arthropods and (2) that its contained species were not congeneric. Neither has been tested using a detailed cladistics analysis. The morphology of Isoxys is re-evaluated and coded into an extensive cladistics analysis. Our results indicate that Isoxys was indeed a monophyletic genus with all representatives united by the presence of an expansive dorsal shield with prominent antero- and posterolateral cardinal spines. It also indicates that Isoxys occupies a crucial role in arthropod evolution, resolving at the base of Arthropoda. The 'great appendages' of Isoxys are interpreted as innovating from either the protocerebral or deutocerebral somite and are therefore not homologous to those of other 'great-appendage' arthropods, which are interpreted as originating from the tritocerebral somite of the head.


This article reports some highlights from the joint INFN/ARIES workshop ECLOUD'18. We focus on electron-cloud eects in the LHC and at SuperKEKB, predictions for future machines like FCC-hh, HE-LHC and FCC-ee, models and parameters for the secondary-emission yield, recent trends in electron-cloud simulations, mitigation measures, and novel phenomena. Some workshop statistics and a brief outlook conclude the paper.


The purpose of this study was to examine whether one aspect of conducting technique, the conducting plane, would affect band and/or choral musicians' perceptions of conductor and ensemble expressivity. A band and a choral conductor were each videotaped conducting 1-min excerpts from Morten Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium while using a high, medium, and low conducting plane. These six videos then were synchronized with an appropriately corresponding identical high-quality band or choral audio excerpt. College ensemble members (N = 120; band, n = 60; choral, n = 60) viewed all six videos and rated the expressivity of both the conductor and the ensemble. Through the use of a forced-choice task, they also provided one brief comment about either the conductor or the ensemble. Results indicated that conducting plane significantly affected ratings of both conductor and ensemble expressivity. A significant interaction was found between conducting plane (high, medium, and low) and ensemble type (band or choir audio excerpt heard) with regard to conductor expressivity ratings. Participants found the choir conductor conducting at the medium plane to be slightly more expressive than the band conductor conducting at the same plane. Conversely, participants rated the expressivity of the band conductor slightly higher than the choir conductor at both the high and low conducting planes. Participants' written comments were directed predominantly at the conductor rather than the ensemble, and the high-conducting-plane videos elicited the most negative comments.


An automated corrosion monitoring system using the electrical resistance technique was applied for assessment of the corrosivity towards carbon steel and zinc in different phases of a complex accelerated corrosion test recently introduced by VDA, an association of German car makers. It comprises salt spray, wet, dry, and freezing phases. The developed small and battery‐driven atmospheric corrosion loggers provided high sensitivity allowing for sub‐angstrom (<10−10 m) measurements of corrosion depth and good accuracy. The actual corrosion rate was affected by the exposure history due to a limited rate of wetting/drying and oxygen and ion transport to the reaction interface under a layer of corrosion products. The hysteresis was particularly strong for carbon steel. Except the freezing phase, the steel corrosion rate varied in a narrow range from 0.2 to 0.6 µm/h. For zinc, the corrosion rate varied from 0.001 to 0.1 µm/h in particular phases of the cycle with the maximum in the salt spray phase. Seventy‐five percent of the metal corroded in the salt spray phase and in the following drying period representing only 13% of the total test time. The obtained data suggest that the proposed test cycle allowed for rather efficient drying of the zinc surface, which is believed to be crucial for the formation of corrosion products with certain protective ability observed also in field conditions.


In this study, we present the elemental composition results determined with handheld XRF method on the gold armlets with crescent-shaped terminals from the Prehistoric Collection of the Hungarian National Museum. In addition to the new Tápióbicske find, the Dunavecse, Biia, the Géza Kárász Collection find from Transylvania and the Körös area specimens were also included in the analysis. Based on the handheld XRF results, it can be concluded that most of the studied armlets have high Ag (21–24 wt%) and low Cu (0.06–0.17 wt%) content. These objects form a relatively uniform group (Hartmann A3) based on their elemental composition, regardless of their type and presumed date. Lower Ag content was only detected in the Körös area find (ca. 5.8 wt%) (Hartmann B) and in the rivets of the Biia armlet (ca. 12.3 wt%) (Hartmann L/Q2). Our results suggest that the studied armlets had a lower Ag content compared to the previous measurements on the Bilje, Pipea and Boarta armlets, made by different techniques (OES, SR XRF). The applied method is not suitable to determine the origin of the raw materials. Only the material type could be defined as native gold.


In this study, one-transistor dynamic random-access memory (1T-DRAM) based on a symmetric double-gate Si junctionless transistor is proposed using technology computer-aided design simulation. The proposed device uses double gates that play different roles in realizing 1T-DRAM operation. Gate 1 is used as a switching node, and Gate 2 is used as a storage node. By controlling the different two gate workfunctions, a potential barrier is adjusted to store hole effectively. The operation characteristics were investigated regarding four different memory operation states to write "1", write "0", read, and hold. Also, the effects of two different gate workfunctions on sensing margin and retention characteristics are closely investigated. Through a set of optimally set gate workfunctions, 33 μA/μm of sensing margin and 38 ms of retention time have been obtained.


Edge finishing is a shaping process that is extremely important in the granite and marble processing industries. It does not only shape the edge but also makes it shiny and durable. However, this process generates dust (fine and ultrafine particles) that can have a significant impact on air quality in the workshop and can put workers' health at risk. While environmental requirements and occupational health and safety regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, at the same time, industries must continue to produce quality parts at competitive prices. The purpose of this study was to examine the surface quality, the cutting forces, and the emission of fine (FP) and ultrafine (UFP) particles during wet and dry edge finishing of granite edges as a function of the machining parameters and abrasive grit sizes. Three machining operations were investigated: roughing, semi-finishing, and finishing, using diamond abrasives (with grit sizes 45, 150, 300, 600, 1500, and 3000). The experiments were carried out on two granites, one being black and the other white. The tested spindle speeds ranged from 1500 rpm to 3500 rpm and the feed rates from 500–1500 mm/min. It was found that roughing operations produce more fine particles while finishing operations produce more ultrafine particles. These particle emissions, as well as the part quality and the cutting forces are strongly dependent on cutting speed and on the grit size of the abrasive used.


Phenazine-containing spent culture supernatants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa concentrated with a C18 solid-phase extraction cartridge initiate NAD(P)H-dependent denitration of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). In this study, TNT denitration was investigated under aerobic conditions using two phenazine secondary metabolites excreted by P. aeruginosa, pyocyanin (Py) and its precursor phenazine-1- carboxylic acid (PCA), and two chemically synthesized pyocyanin analogs, phenazine methosulfate (PMS+) and phenazine ethosulfate (PES+). The biomimetic Py/NAD(P)H/O2 system was characterized and found to extensively denitrate TNT in unbuffered aqueous solution with minor production of toxic amino aromatic derivatives. To a much lesser extent, TNT denitration was also observed with PMS+ and PES+ in the presence of NAD(P)H. No TNT denitration was detected with the biomimetic PCA/NAD(P)H/O2 system. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy analysis of the biomimetic Py/NAD(P)H/O2 system revealed the generation of superoxide radical anions (O2 •−). In vitro TNT degradation experiments in the presence of specific inhibitors of reactive oxygen species suggest a nucleophilic attack of superoxide radical anion followed by TNT denitration through an as yet unknown mechanism. The results of this research confirm the high functional versatility of the redox-active metabolite pyocyanin and the susceptibility of aromatic compounds bearing electron withdrawing substituents, such as nitro groups, to superoxide-driven nucleophilic attack.


— Lift-based Wave Energy Converters (WECs) have a number of attractive features, including the potential for unidirectional rotation, simplifying power take-off and reduction in wave loads by reducing generation of circulation, increasing survivability. The common assumption of small body, small amplitude response, together with the Haskinds Relationship is used to determine the optimum motion for a lift-based WEC to maximise power capture. It is shown that whilst for a 2D hydrofoil in deep water the optimum motion is circular, the optimum motion for a finite-width hydrofoil is generally elliptical due to differences in the hydrodynamic damping coefficients associated with the vertical and horizontal motions of the hydrofoil. It is shown that more circular hydrofoil motion can be achieved by utilising the elliptical motion of the water particles in shallow water. This occurs because the increased horizontal water particle motion in shallow water results in an increase in the wave-induced lift force associated with horizontal fluid particle motions, and thus a reduction in the optimum amplitude of motion in this direction. Preliminary calculations suggest that for a 30 metre wide hydrofoil in wave periods of about 10 seconds, the ideal water depth (where the optimum hydrofoil motion is circular) occurs at around 25 metres, which is a highly utilisable water depth. Other advantages of deployment in shallower water include an improvement in the alignment of the waves parallel to the hydrofoil and a reduction in the structural task associated with reacting against the seabed.


In this paper, a complete framework for the task of grasping a naturally textured object is being presented. The lack of calibration in the components of the eye-in-hand system is overcome by an image trajectory based visual servoing scheme (ITBVS). Using an object model reconstructed off-line, consecutive rough pose estimation and refinement of the estimate by scale optimized 3D model to object registration solves the feature correspondence problem in the absence of artificial landmarks. Experimental results using a zoom camera and a 7-DOF serial manipulator prove the effectiveness of the approach.


The goals of imaging in inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses are confirmation of the diagnosis, evaluation of the extent of the disease, and description of the different anatomic variants in order to select the patients who would benefit from surgical treatment of paranasal sinus disease. The most common inflammatory changes of the paranasal sinuses, the complications of inflammatory disease, and the optimal imaging strategy are presented.


The amorphous form of carvedilol phosphate (CVD) was obtained as a result of grinding. The identity of the obtained amorphous form was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), different scanning calorimetry (DSC), and FT-IR spectroscopy. The process was optimized in order to obtain the appropriate efficiency and time. The crystalline form of CVD was used as the reference standard. Solid dispersions of crystalline and amorphous CVD forms with hydrophilic polymers (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, Pluronic® F-127, and Soluplus®) were obtained. Their solubility at pH 1.2 and 6.8 was carried out, as well as their permeation through a model system of biological membranes suitable for the gastrointestinal tract (PAMPA-GIT) was established. The influence of selected polymers on CVD properties was defined for the amorphous form regarding the crystalline form of CVD. As a result of grinding (four milling cycles lasting 15 min with 5 min breaks), amorphous CVD was obtained. Its presence was confirmed by the "halo effect" on the diffraction patterns, the disappearance of the peak at 160.5 °C in the thermograms, and the changes in position/disappearance of many characteristic bands on the FT-IR spectra. As a result of changes in the CVD structure, its lower solubility at pH 1.2 and pH 6.8 was noted. While the amorphous dispersions of CVD, especially with Pluronic® F-127, achieved better solubility than combinations of crystalline forms with excipients. Using the PAMPA-GIT model, amorphous CVD was assessed as high permeable (Papp > 1 × 10−6 cm/s), similarly with its amorphous dispersions with excipients (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, Pluronic® F-127, and Soluplus®), although in their cases, the values of apparent constants permeability were decreased.


Expanded perlite is a popular lightweight material widely used due to its outstanding insulating properties. The expansion conditions directly affect perlite characteristics and its suitability for use in various applications. The conventional industrial expansion technique suffers disadvantages that adversely affects product quality and limit the range of expanded perlite applications. To overcome the drawbacks of the traditional technique, a new expansion process has been developed based on a novel vertical electric furnace (VEF). The use of the novel VEF process enables detailed knowledge and better control of expansion conditions, which together with raw material physicochemical properties directly affect the expanded perlite quality. In the present work, an extended experimental campaign was performed to investigate the physical properties and morphology of fine perlite expanded in the VEF. Expansion experiments were also performed in a pilot-scale, conventional furnace and the properties of products from both processes were compared. The novel expanded perlite particles have superior properties, namely significantly increased compression strength, size homogeneity, competitive water and oil absorption capacity, decreased surface porosity and thermal conductivity compared to conventionally expanded samples.


Earth's surface space is a complex huge system and character with hierarchical structures. Entities, patterns and processes all show inherent hierarchy structure in nature. The character of Scale-dependence is corresponded with hierarchy. Many research works have demonstrated that scale-dependence is a basic characteristic of Geo-spatial space. Therefore, the multi-scale or hierarchical approach needs to be introduced in the course of spatial information analysis, monitoring, modeling and management. It is well know that image analyze result was influenced by the window size that was selected. The original fixed window cannot suit with the object spatial character. In this letter, we first propose an optimal window selection method, based on the spectral information in a local block region, for choosing the suitable window size adaptively. Secondly, the object spatial information is learned based on the selected optimal window size. Thirdly, both the spectral and spatial information were used in image classification. In this paper, the proposed algorithm can obtain the multi-scale features effectively and the features we get at different scale level have an obvious stability with property. In the experiment on the QuickBird image data, the proposed algorithm clearly improves the classification accuracies than fixed window sizes and reduces the salt and pepper effect and error. It is suitable to form multi-scale hierarchy image-sets and select the objects at different scale levels.


Ipomoea aquatica (IA) is a common green leafy vegetable consumed in many parts of the world. The plant is considered as a good antidiabetic herbal plant. The present work was designed to investigate the oral hypoglycaemic activity of Ipomea aquatica fractions in streptozotocin induced diabetic male rats. The male rats with average weight 200220 g were divided into four groups (n=6), control, diabetic (induced with a single dose of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight), T-1 and T-2 as treated diabetic with the two fractions of Ipomoea aquatica (IA6-1 and IA9-2), respectively. Biochemical evaluation of blood glucose, serum insulin and C-peptide were carried out. Histological examination of islets of Langerhans was done for cellular population changes. The results revealed that the oral consumption of two fractions of I. aquatica for 15 days, effective significantly reduced the fasting blood sugar level of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (p < 0.05). The percent changes were a 51% and 31% decrease in the serum glucose concentration of the diabetic rats when treated with the plant fractions of IA6-1 and IA9-2, respectively. Most biochemical parameters tested returned to nearly normal levels. Histologically, islets area and normal cell population were preserved in treated animals with superior results in T-1 and T-2 groups. In conclusion, fractions IA6-1 and IA9-2 showed potential antidiabetic effects when given orally to diabetic rats. The mechanism of action requires further investigation using both molecular and immunohistochemical methods investigation of both insulin secreting cells and insulin receptors. Future clinical trials could be tried using volunteers to confirm the present results so could be marketed as a supplement for diabetic patients.


In Australia, since the late 1990s the issue of vegetation 'thickening' has become controversial. The semi-arid mulga lands of eastern Australia typify the debate. One view held by landholders, and some researchers, is that woody vegetation thickening is, at least partially, anthropogenic and leads to productivity loss and biodiversity decline. An alternative argument is that a narrative of vegetation thickening is unsubstantiated and is used by some landholders to justify management practices of clearing, thinning or burning. Absent in the literature has been research into the local knowledge of those who obtain their livelihoods from the region. This study presents an analysis of landholder responses to a survey about vegetation change in the mulga lands of south-west Queensland. Local knowledge is dominated by a view that woody vegetation thickening has occurred and is ongoing, and that it is driven by three interacting factors: (1) climate, especially decadal and multi-decadal extreme variations of both very wet and very dry conditions; (2) fire, particularly the absence of fire; and (3) total grazing pressure, including domestic stock and harder to control feral and native herbivores. Decline in pasture quality and quantity is also noted as an outcome of those same three factors but that it is ultimately linked to greater competition between the increased densities of woody species and the herbaceous layer. Most of the respondents to this survey had three or more generations of accumulated knowledge in the region. The value of local knowledge in land management and policy, although considered of value in many contexts, has received relatively little formal attention in vegetation management. In summary, the landholders view the dense woody component of the vegetation as an unnatural and undesirable 'artificial wilderness', which those from outside the region may consider natural and therefore worthy of preservation in its current state.


For assessing the role of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in acute hepatitis A, IgM- and IgG-specific CIC were determined, by C1q and conglutinin (K) assays, in 205 patients with acute hepatitis A and 60 healthy controls. The concentration of each type of CIC in patients was higher than healthy controls (P=0.0001). CIC was a common feature of acute hepatitis A with 95.6% of cases having at least one abnormal test result. The prevalence of abnormal IgM class CIC was significantly higher than IgG class CIC. There were significantly inverse correlations between levels of IgM class CIC and interval between onset of symptoms and patient presentation. The prevalence of abnormal IgM CIC was higher in patients with higher alanine aminotransferase (P=0.001) and patients with jaundice (P=0.0002). In conclusion, IgM class CIC is the predominant CIC in acute hepatitis A and correlated with disease activity. CIC may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute hepatitis A.


Combined chemoradiotherapy can improve antitumor efficiency and reduce the side effects of monotherapy. In this study, we aimed to construct dendritic peptide-based multifunctional nanoparticles (Au@SPP@DOX) for a prolonged circulation time, enhanced cellular uptake, and targeted cancer therapy. Amphiphilic micelle PEG-polylysine-SA (SPP) is composed of polylysine combined with hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic stearic acid (SA). Doxorubicin (DOX) is loaded via the hydrophilic-hydrophobic interaction of SPP, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are loaded via the electrostatic interaction with SPP. Au@SPP@DOX showed good biocompatibility and could be successfully accumulated at tumor sites through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Then, lysosomes could be ruptured due to the proton sponge effect. DOX became protonated in response to tumor extracellular acidity and was then released from SPP. Under the action of low-dose radiation, Au@SPP@DOX could promote the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increase mitochondrial dysfunction, block cell division, and ultimately promote tumor cell apoptosis to achieve a better antitumor effect. This study highlighted the benefit of chemoradiotherapy and suggested that Au@SPP@DOX might serve as a high-efficiency codelivery system for cancer combination therapy in the future.


The frequency-based method is the most commonly used method for measuring cable tension. However, the calculation formulas for the conventional frequency-based method are generally based on the ideally hinged or fixed boundary
conditions without a comprehensive consideration of the inclination angle, sag-extensibility, and flexural stiffness of cables, leading to a significant error in cable tension identification. This study aimed to propose a frequency-based method of cable tension identification considering the complex boundary conditions at the two ends of cables using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. First, the refined stay cable model was established considering the inclination angle, flexural
stiffness, and sag-extensibility, as well as the rotational constraint stiffness and lateral support stiffness for the unknown boundaries of cables. The vibration mode equation of the stay cable model was discretized and solved using the finite difference method. Then, a multiparameter identification method based on the PSO algorithm was proposed. This method was able to identify the tension, flexural stiffness, axial stiffness, boundary rotational constraint stiffness, and boundary lateral support
stiffness according to the measured multiorder frequencies in a synchronous manner. The feasibility and accuracy of this method were validated through numerical cases. Finally, the proposed approach was applied to the tension identification of the anchor span strands of a suspension bridge (Jindong Bridge) in China. The results of cable tension identification using the proposed method and the existing methods discussed in previous studies were compared with the on-site pressure ring measurement
results. The comparison showed that the proposed approach had a high accuracy in cable tension identification. Moreover, the synchronous identification of the flexural stiffness, axial stiffness, boundary rotational constraint stiffness, and boundary lateral support stiffness was highly beneficial in improving the results of cable tension identification.


INTRODUCTION
Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is an important zoonotic pathogen that causes meningitis in China. This study's aim was comparative analysis of serum proteomics from meningitis and non-meningitis piglets.

METHODOLOGY
SS2 meningitis and non-meningitis piglet models were established. The serum samples were collected and analyzed by label-free LC-MS/MS proteomics technology. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) from serum were screened out by comparing the meningitis group and non-meningitis group to the healthy group (M/C; N/C), respectively. And then, globally and comparative analysis of DEPs in "M/C" and "N/C" in serum were performed using bioinformatics method. Finally, we comparatively analyzed the serum and cerebrospinal fluid proteomics in piglets that lived with meningitis.

RESULTS
We obtained 316 and 191 DEPs from "M/C" and "N/C" which classification visualizations were established. 157 DEPs were common in both groups and 159 DEPs were unique to the "M/C". These DEPs and the signaling pathways which they participated in were visualized. Moreover, some DEPs which participated in multiple pathways were discovered and the interaction between 159 DEPs was also mapped. 39 common DEPs were also screened out in serum and cerebrospinal fluid during meningitis, and signaling pathways associated with these DEPs were further visualized.

CONCLUSIONS
DEPs in "M/C" and "N/C" were comparatively analyzed and the similarities and differences of these DEPS which were involved in signal pathways were summarized. Moreover, several important molecules were screened out.


Since the thermal load would adversely introduce degradation to the normal operation of spacecraft, resulting in unpredictable thermal-dynamic behavior, thermomechanical coupling problems are important and have been investigated extensively. Based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), a thermal integrated ANCF thin plate element based on the unified description is constructed, which could depict the displacement and the temperature field integratedly. By means of the proposed element, the heat transfer and continuum mechanics are integrated in the unified finite element method (FEM) mesh of revolving paraboloid antenna. Additionally, the ANCF reference node is introduced for describing the rigid central hub where the antenna is mounted on to make the rigid-flexible-thermal coupled response being captured in a unified analysis procedure. The solar radiation input and the surface emitting radiation are included in the heat transfer equations. Furthermore, the influence of the rigid body motion and the deformation on the radiant absorption are also considered with the self-shadowing. The established rigid-flexible-thermal coupled simulation is performed on a modified generalized-α integrator which solves the set of multidisciplinary governing equations synchronously. For revealing the nonlinear behavior of the rigid-flexible-thermal coupled system, the observed thermally induced vibration and perturbation on the pointing accuracy of the spacecraft are given in the results, and the feasibility of the presented method is proved.


The polarization of spin-polarized electrons, produced from a new GaAs spin-polarized electron source, is determined by an optical electron polarimeter. The He 3 3P→23S1 (388.9 nm) transition is used for the optical electron polarimetry. The structure and performance of the experimental setup of spin-polarized electron source and optical electron polarimeter are described. The result of polarization of 30.8% averaged spin-up and spin-down polarized electrons is obtained and presented.


The pandemic COVID-19 period in education has brought many challenges to all organizations. The activities of the higher educational institutions are being affected and the situation may last for a long time. Under the current circumstances, it is important to shift to distance learning through online processes and improve educational processes at all organizational levels. Institutions have to ensure successful distance or remote learning process by identifying their opportunities, meeting challenges, and establishing the sustainable quality factors for remote or distance learning. This study aimed at identifying the pandemic-induced qualitative changes in studies that have occurred at the levels of university authorities, lecturers, and students. Universities of Lithuania were taken as a case study. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that the focus of analysis is not on the negative effects of the pandemic observed in higher education studies but on finding positive qualitative changes that are also of importance to future studies. Phenomenographic qualitative research strategy was chosen in the research and 15 in-depth semi-structured interviews with experts in university studies were conducted. Seven categories were distinguished during the research representing qualitative changes in studies at three levels—authorities, lecturers, and students. The discussed levels seemed to have a mutual effect on each other. The external motivation of leaders and the support and establishment of work and online study conditions encouraged both external and internal qualitative changes in studies from the perspective of lecturers as well as students.


developed in the appendiceal wall. Simple incision would result in the development of a frecal fistula with failure to effect a permanent cure. A case illustrating this is reported by Johnstone. (2) A critical survey of the Royal Melbourne Hospital series will be published at a later date. The presence of an inflamed appendix in a femoral hernia should be remembered when a painful mass develops in the groin, for which no infective or constitutional cause can be discovered. There may be no symptoms of sufficient moment to direct attention to abdominal contents as a cause for the condition.


Mathematical Morphology (MM) is a well-established discipline whose aim is mainly to provide tools to characterise complex object via their shape/size features. This study addresses the problem of robust approximation of mathematical morphology (MM) operators by deep learning methods. We present two cases, (a) Asymmetric autoencoders for part-based approximations of classical MM in the sense of [1] and, (b) image-to-image translation networks [2] to produce robust MM operators in presence of noise.


"Medusaviridae" is a proposed family of large double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses so far represented by a sole virus isolated from a hot spring. In the present study, we report the isolation and genome sequencing of a second member of this family, Medusavirus stheno, discovered from a freshwater sample with an Acanthamoeba castellanii coculture. ABSTRACT "Medusaviridae" is a proposed family of large double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses so far represented by a sole virus isolated from a hot spring. In the present study, we report the isolation and genome sequencing of a second member of this family, medusavirus stheno, discovered from a freshwater sample with an Acanthamoeba castellanii coculture.


This paper presents the description of the author's experience with bifurcated endovascular stent graft in a patient affected by spontaneous infrarenal acute aortic dissection (SIAAD). The authors report a case of SIAAD occurring in the normal aorta of a patient who presented with severe lower back pain radiated to the abdomen, not responding to common pain-killers. A complete exclusion of the dissected aorta was accomplished with a bifurcated endovascular graft using a simple technique. SIAAD is a rare event. Endovascular therapy is a safe option and can be considered the treatment of choice even for dissection extending into one or both iliac.


Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in many parts of the world and is the most common cancer in women in Nigeria. However, it lends itself to early detection and, subsequently, early treatment, if women use early-detection measures. It is pertinent to study rural women's perception of breast cancer and its early-detection measures because their perception would influence their use of early-detection measures of breast cancer. This is a descriptive study that assessed rural women's perception of breast cancer. Data from 2 rural health districts in Ibadan, Oyo state of Nigeria, were collected through a structured questionnaire. Four hundred seven women were randomly selected for the study. Results showed that 66.2% of the respondents considered that breast cancer is more severe than other forms of cancer. Respondents' perception of risk of developing breast cancer was low, as 64.8% rated themselves 1, on a scale of 1 to 9 (where 1 = does not perceive herself to have cancer; 9 = very much perceives herself to have cancer). Respondents' perceived cause of breast cancer included "putting money in brassiere" and attack from the enemy, among others. None of the respondents identified early detection as an advantage of breast self-examination. Swelling was the most acknowledged early-warning sign. Findings of this study indicate that there is a need for an interventional study to enhance the awareness of breast cancer and its early-detection measures among the rural population to influence early detection of breast cancer and subsequently reduce morbidity and mortality among them.


Based on the theory of enterprise, the theory of organization boundary and the opportunism, this paper tries to study in-depth on the effects of the status of enterprise in supply chain effects on enterprise costs based on the analysis of supply chain and the relationship between the changes of the strength of the enterprise status with the changes of their costs. Based on the unbalanced pale data in China's A-share market, the level and the difference models, this paper concluded that firstly, the stronger of the status of enterprise in supply chain, namely the higher of the net capital occupation the lower of their own administrative expense, financial expense and the total operating costs; secondly, with the strength of the status of enterprise turning strong in supply chain, namely the increase of the net capital occupation, their own costs except the selling expenses significantly reduced; thirdly, the significant negative relationship between the strength of the status of enterprises in supply chain and their own costs exists only in the leader type of supply chain.


Mixed Reality with a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) offers unique perspectives for head-based interaction with virtual content and widgets. Besides virtual widgets, physical objects can be anchors (mixed widgets) or directly materialised widgets (physical widgets). The physicality (virtual-mixed-physical) of widgets defines a new dimension for Mixed Reality (MR) interaction that extends existing taxonomies of widgets in MR. As a first step to explore this new dimension, we focus on a commonly used widget a menu. We thus evaluate the performance and usability of head pointing to a virtual, a mixed and a physical menu. Results suggest that pointing to a physical menu was on average 2s faster than pointing to a mixed or a virtual menu and preferred by participants. Virtual and mixed menus led to similar performances, but 11 participants over 15 preferred mixed menus over virtual ones. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations (benefits/limitations) for virtual, mixed and physical menus in MR.


With high rates of blood-borne virus infection in Australian prisons, a needle and syringe program (NSP) stands ready to deliver similar benefits to its community counterpart. Supplying sterile injecting equipment and safe-use guidance in prisons could improve prisoner health outcomes and the safety of the corrections system. Yet, despite the protestations of public health experts and the recommendations of State, national, and international bodies, Australian States and Territories refuse to implement prison-based NSPs, with serious consequences for prisoner health. This article focuses on the Australian State of Victoria as a case study representative of other jurisdictions. Victoria's inaction is arguably in breach of international standards and the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, but less likely to constitute a breach of the common law duty of care. Undertaking a legal analysis of these areas, this article examines the potential of each area to support the case for reform of the Victorian Government's policy on a prison-based NSP. Looking ahead, this article suggests reforms to ensure the proper functioning and administration of prison NSPs.


A simple and efficient method, ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV), has been applied for the extraction and determination of some antioxidants (Irganox 1010, Irganox 1076 and Irgafos 168) in water samples. The microextraction efficiency factors were investigated and optimized: 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C(6)MIM][PF(6)] (0.06 g) as extracting solvent, methanol (0.5 mL) as disperser solvent without salt addition. Under the selected conditions, enrichment factors up to 48-fold, limits of detection (LODs) of 5.0-10.0 ng/mL and dynamic linear ranges of 25-1500 ng/mL were obtained. A reasonable repeatability (RSD≤11.8%, n=5) with satisfactory linearity (r(2)≥0.9954) of the results illustrated a good performance of the presented method. The accuracy of the method was tested by the relative recovery experiments on spiked samples, with results ranging from 85 to 118%. Finally, the method was successfully applied for determination of the analytes in several real water samples.


The progress in mechanical engineering which has led in the past few years to much lighter designs of aircraft and land vehicles can be attributed to improvements in the materials used and to a much better adaptation of structural design to these materials. In cases where the temperature is low in aircraft and land conveyances, the engineer's main problem has been alternating stresses. In applications where steels are used at high temperatures similar problems exist, but our knowledge is here less firmly founded than in the domain of alternating stress at room temperature. The test results described in the paper, however, point to a similar line of advance as has been followed in automobile and aircraft engineering. Here, too, it is important not only to develop better materials but also to improve designs if the strength properties of these materials are to be utilized fully. It has developed that an improvement in creep properties at high temperatures can only be attained, as a rule, at the price of an increase in embrittlement and sensitivity to notching. These considerations are particularly important in the attachment of blade roots to turbine disks. A large number of tests have been made with the aim of throwing some light on these problems and obtaining a clearer idea of the basic connection between structural design and strength.


Three-component seismic and geoelectrical in-mine surveys were carried out in Lyukobanya colliery near Miskolc, Hungary to determine the in situ petrophysical parameter distributions and to detect inhomogeneities in the coal seam. The seismic measurements comprise an underground vertical seismic profile, using body waves, and an in-seam seismic amplitude-depth distribution and transmission survey, using channel waves. The geoelectrical measurements are based on the drift- and seam-sounding method.

Interval traveltime-, amplitude-, multiple-filter- and polarization analysis methods are applied to the seismic data. They lead to a five-layer model for the strata including the coal seam. The coal seam and two underlying beds act as a seismic waveguide. The layer sequence supports the propagation of both normal and leaky mode channel waves of the Love- and Rayleigh type. A calculation of the total reflected energy for each interface using Knott's energy coefficients shows that the velocity ranges of high reflection energy and of normal and leaky mode wavegroups coincide. The excitation of wavegroups strongly depends on the seismic source. A simultaneous inversion of a geoelectrical drift- and seam-sounding survey prevents misinterpretations of the seismic data by clearly identifying the low-velocity coal seam as a high-resistivity bed. Calculations of dispersion and sounding curves improve the resolution of the slowness and resistivity in each layer.

Both diminished amplitudes and distortions in the polarization of transmission seismo-grams and decreasing resistivities in a geoelectrical pseudosection of the coal seam are related to an inhomogeneity.

A calculation of synthetic seismograms for Love and Rayleigh channel waves with the finite-difference and the Alekseev-Mikhailenko method agrees well with the field data for the main features, i.e., particular arrivals in the wave train, wavegroups, velocities and symmetries or asymmetries.

This in-mine experiment demonstrates that the simultaneous acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic and geoelectrical data improve the lithological interpretation of petrophysical parameter distributions. Coal seam inhomogeneities can also be detected more reliably by the two independent surveys than by one alone.


Course design in higher education is often approached in a very linear and text-based manner. The paper presents a visual tool in the form of a canvas aimed at accompanying teachers in the design of courses. The canvas can be used in an individual or co-teaching setting. It can be applied either during the conception phase of a new course or to revisit and reflect an existing course.The visual dimension departs from the usual text-based format and ambitions to offer a practical and intuitive approach. It aims at engaging teachers to adopt a prototyping approach in the design of courses. It builds on the various visual modeling tools offered in the fields of business and strategy.The proposed canvas is part of a broader project accompanying higher education teachers in the clarification of their pedagogical intent, in ensuring constructive alignment and in the adoption of a reflexive posture on their teaching experiences.


The present study reveals that the excretory system of Glossoscolex paulistus is formed by open holonephridia (exonephridia). It is noticed that different zones are recognized in the nephridial canal, with defined histological and histochemical characteristics: 1) primary canal; 2) lobed canal; 3) first rounded segment; 4) afferent thin segment; 5) efferent thin segment; 6) second rounded segment; 7) ciliary tube; 8) clear canal; 9) pigmented canal; 10) intermediate canal; 11) bladder; 12) terminal canal; 13) nephridiopore. All these regions are intercellular and cilia are found in regions 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 13. The connections between afferent and efferent capillary of the vascular supply of the nephridium are made of capillary loops and dilatations which we call "glomeruli" in this paper. Filtering functions are suggested for the "glomerulus". The response of the lobed canal and the first and second rounded segments to Gomori's reaction is strongly positive and this is found to coincide with the largest concentration of "glomeruli" in the main loops 1 and II, that suggests a higher filtration capacity for the canal and segments.


We investigate the twofold functionality of a cylindrical shell consisting of a negatively refracting heterogeneous bianisotropic (NRHB) medium deduced from geometric transforms. The numerical simulations indicate that the shell enhances their scattering by a perfect electric conducting (PEC) core, whereas it considerably reduces the scattering of electromagnetic waves by closely located objects when the shell surrounds a bianisotropic core. The former can be attributed to a homeopathic effect, whereby a small PEC object scatters like a large one as confirmed by numerics, while the latter can be attributed to space cancellation of complementary bianisotropic media underpinning anomalous resonances counteracting the field emitted by small objects (external cloaking). Space cancellation is further used to cloak a NRHB finite size object located nearby a slab of NRHB with a hole of same shape and opposite refracting index. Such a finite frequency external cloaking is also achieved with a NRHB cylindrical lens. Finally, we investigate an ostrich effect whereby the scattering of NRHB slabs and cylindrical lenses with simplified parameters hide the presence of small electric antennas in the quasi-static limit.


Dual phase contrast enhanced spiral computed tomography (DPSCT) has the potential to improve detection of small insulin secreting islet cell tumours of the pancreas. Seven patients with biochemically proven insulinoma, who had previously undergone a range of negative radiological procedures, were referred for DPSCT. Images of the pancreas were obtained using 3 mm collimation in the arterial and arteriovenous perfusion phase following the rapid injection of contrast medium. Six tumours were localized in seven patients. The six insulinomas identified on DPSCT ranged in size from 6 mm to 18 mm and were located in the uncinate process (2), head (1), neck (2) and body (1). All six tumours were detected in the arterial phase and four in the arteriovenous phase. The four insulinomas detected on both perfusion phases were more conspicuous in the arterial phase in three patients and more conspicuous in the arteriovenous phase in one patient. In conclusion, high resolution arterial phase acquisition of the pancreas is very valuable in the detection of small insulinomas.


unprecedented growth in Kenyan prose writing, with some new authors coming onto the scene and a few seasoned writers publishing more titles, heralding the coming of age of the Kenyan Swahili novel" (54). Yet if we look at the number of entries from this period and compare them to the entries for the 1970s and 1980s, Kenya manifests about a 10 percent drop in the volume of its publications in drama and imaginative prose. The growth obviously has occurred in one area of literature—in works that Wamitila describes as showing "maturity and greater complexity," and in the recent proliferation of the Swahili short story, whereas the less complex "didactic moralistic novelette" is apparently on the decline. Perhaps the pro-Swahili policy introduced by Daniel Arap Moi, which makes the language a required subject in all public schools, is beginning to bear literary fruit. Whether this development, as Wamitila suggests, will eventually result in a Swahili novel with a distinctly Kenyan character is a matter still in question. In contrast, Tanzania shows a dramatic decline in the production of imaginative works in Swahili. About 75 percent of all the works listed in the second appendix date from the 1970s and 1980s. Is Swahili becoming less of an inspirational force in the Tanzanian imagination than it was in the 1970s and 1980s? Have World Bank and IMF conditionalities, opening a new window of opportunity for English in the country's schools and society, begun to take their toll on the national consciousness of its writers and artists? Are the forces of globalization affecting the Swahili literary scene in Tanzania and Kenya differently? All these are relevant research questions that have been made possible by the wealth of data and information contained in this work. In sum, then, the Outline of Swahili Literature is an essential companion of every serious researcher of the Swahili literary scene over the last half century. In its revised and enlarged edition, the book has metamorphosed into a truly monumental work of meticulous scholarly documentation of Swahili literary history and cultural geography in the two genres of its focus, imaginative prose, and drama. It is clearly a product of an immense labor of love. Alamin Mazrui Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Jersey


Economic transformation in Central and Eastern European countries is a very complex process widely discussed in the literature on the subject. It has also become the subject of research and analyses of New Institutional Economics which pays attention to new aspects of transformation. From the NIE perspective, transformation is a long-lasting process of changes of formal institutions, especially property rights and contracts, and informal institutions, such as ethical standards, conventions, religious beliefs and mentality of society. The success of the transformation depends on the degree to which new formal rules correspond to informal rules existing in society. The assessment of the quality of Central and Eastern European countries leaves a lot to be desired; the highest level was achieved by the EU member states, whereas the republics of the former USSR are in the worst situation. The underlying causes of such diversified results of political transformations are disparate historical traditions connected with the market economy and unequal preparation of societies to exist both in the free market conditions and in the diversified political, social and economic situation. The improvement of governing quality is a priority in post-communist countries. Achieving a positive institutional effect requires much time and consistent actions, but from the time perspective it is crucial in order to enjoy economic success.


In its third edition, the "William Morris Davis – Journal of Geomorphology" presents its second interview with geographers, to head the "Interviews" section, which opens each published issue. This time, it is the first international interview, carried out with Professor Philip van Beynen, from the University of South Florida, in the United States. Professor Philip van Beynen was interviewed on the topic "Karst in Urban Areas", and brings important data on the subject, with beautiful illustrations and with examples from all over the world. The interview took place on September 17, 2020, with the participation of Vanda de Claudino-Sales (Professor of the Academic Master in Geography at the State University of Vale do Acarau-UVA) and Saulo Roberto Oliveira Vital (Professor of the Department of Geography and the Post-Graduate Program in Geography at the Federal University of Paraiba - UFPB), and was transcribed by Diego Nunes Valadares, master's student on Geography at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte.
Professor van Beynen was born in New Zealand, where he received his degree in Geography at the University of Auckland. He earned a master's degree from the same university, and a doctorate and post-doctorate from McMaster University, Canada. He has been a professor at the School of Geoscience at the University of South Florida since 2009, where he   has been developing research related to different components of karst environments. The interview shows his great expertise on the subject, and is very much worth to be read and seen even for those who are not specialists in karst.


Though Indian academia is familiar to the idea of working in formal groups on various topics, project related assignments, seminars and conferences; the likelihood of Informal conversations amongst the faculty and the students of the same or of different institutions is still sparse. Much of the traditional academia is not typified by flexibility and falls short of realizing 'Informal conversations' as the core for knowledge sharing. This paper presents the results of connecting people through the Knowledge cafe model of discussions held at a private engineering college situated in south India. Few customizations to the Knowledge Cafe model were carried out by the authors, to match the teaching-learning environment. The overall findings revealed that, promoting informal conversations is a key factor in connecting the silos of the academia and enable sharing of knowledge. Yet another interesting finding observed is that, knowledge cafes proved to be a ground breaking enabler to inspire interest and involvement of all the learners into the topic of study.


This article breaks new ground in examining how "new Irish" immigrant women have responded to the collapse of Ireland's Celtic Tiger economy and the different forms of gender discrimination and marginalisation they face both within their minority ethnic communities and the Irish host society. It approaches Ebun Akpoveta's Trapped: Prison Without Walls (2013) as an exemplary work of fiction which exposes unresolved injustices and inequalities suffered by immigrant women. Akpoveta creates a narrative that complicates previous representations of cultural encounters between newcomers and long-established members of Ireland's host society, not least because her Nigerian female protagonist arrives as a postgraduate student rather than an asylum seeker or refugee. She fictionalises female experiences of marginalisation, gender-based violence and family dysfunction within an all-Nigerian family that outwardly appears to be a model of integration and social inclusion in an open and welcoming Irish multicultural so...


Atomic force microscopy (AFM) applications in medicine and biology promises to be significant. Resolutions of living biological materials provided by this technology in the native environment far surpass any modality currently available. The AFM can also be used to physically interact with the sample of interest, allowing for novel experimentation. This report discusses three-dimensional architectures of living chick dorsal root ganglion and sympathetic ganglion somas and growth cones. Secondly, the AFM has been used to inflict damage to these neurons and subsequently image the cell's response to injury. In the Center for Paralysis Research, we intend to expand on these preliminary investigations toward a better understanding of neurotrauma and nerve repair.


It is shown that a conical beam 5.2 GHz antenna suitable for HIPERLAN application, but working in horizontal polarisation, can be realised as a group of microstrip patch radiators in a ring formation. Layouts with three and four patches are described, and radiation patterns are found to agree well with predictions from a simple array model. The three patch form is smaller and gives a closer approximation to an azimuth independent pattern. Patterns are very similar to those achieved in vertical polarisation with reported disc antenna realisations, giving peak radiation at about 50' elevation. Two methods of impedance matching are found to give satisfactory results.


This paper presents a new seismic velocity sensor with an internal feedback control loop. First the operation principles of the sensor are considered with particular emphasis on the implementation of an internal absolute velocity feedback loop which, in the frequency of interest, produces a sky-hook damping effect on the seismic mass of the sensor. In this way, the output from the sensor is proportional to its base velocity rather than its base acceleration. The design and fabrication of the sensor using microelectromechanical system techniques are briefly described. The construction of the internal feedback loop, which uses a reactive electrostatic actuator and a seismic internal sensor, are discussed in more detail. Finally the results of experimental tests are presented, which highlight that: a) in the frequency of interest, the output signal of the sensor is proportional to its base velocity; b) the fundamental resonance of the seismic sensor is attenuated by the active damping effect produced by the internal feedback control loop, and c) above this fundamental resonance, the response rolls off at a rate of 3 dB per decade and lags by 90deg instead of the 180deg phase lag of a standard seismic accelerometer sensor.


To overcome the `post-weaning growth check' commonly seen at weaning, the incorporation of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) to the diet has been a useful management tool. Recent legislation within the European Union banning the use of AGPs at sub-therapeutic levels in animal feed means that the quality of dietary ingredients used in weaner diets has assumed a much more fundamental role. In order to improve the availability of starch in the piglet diet, processing of cereals is widely practised. However, descriptions of processing techniques used in many studies are simply referred to by name, with no regard of the precise variables used. In addition, many of the feed materials are simply referred to as `cooked' which gives little indication of nutritional value.

Five trials were conducted in order to assess the use of raw and processed cereals on diet component digestion, digesta properties and gut morphology in newly-weaned piglets. The main objective was to examine the use of precisely controlled processing variables, such that starch digestibility was maximised with benefits for the gastrointestinal environment. A second aspect of the programme of work reported was the application of a number of analytical tests commonly used in the field of human food science, to examine the physicochemical properties of starch granules, and the changes they undergo upon processing. Using this approach, a comparison could be made between in-vitro (rheological) results and in-vivo (biological) responses.

Trials 1 and 2 examined variability between raw cereals. Wheat, barley, rye and triticale were assessed in Trial 1. Wheat (identical batch), naked oats, whole oats and maize were evaluated in Trial 2. Coefficients of apparent digestibility (CAD) for starch and nitrogen revealed considerable variation between the cereals. In Trial 1, there was a strong trend (P = 0.051) for starch digestion to be highest for the rye diet and lowest for triticale. CAD for starch was not significantly affected by cereal type in Trial 2. Despite having more viscous intestinal digesta than other animals (P = <0.001), pigs fed the rye-based diet did not experience any detrimental effects to animal performance.

Trial 3 examined the use of raw wheat, of either hard or soft endosperm texture. From 5 days post-weaning, piglets fed the soft wheat diet had a tendency (P = 0.063) to have higher feed intakes. In addition, pigs fed soft wheat diets had significantly less viscous tract digesta (P = 0.029) than those animals fed the diet based on hard wheat. There was no significant difference in CAD for starch between the two dietary treatments but CAD for nitrogen was found to be significantly higher (P = 0.006) in the distal region of the small intestine for pigs fed the soft wheat diet. The results from Trial 3 suggest that endosperm texture of wheat can have an effect on nutritional value, and that wheat of soft endosperm texture is more beneficial than hard wheat for the young piglet.

Trial 4 was a 2x2 factorial study examining wheat endosperm texture (hard vs. soft) and degree of micronisation (high cook vs. low cook). CAD for starch was not affected by endosperm texture, although degree of cook was an important factor with significantly higher starch digestion for the high cook diets, compared to low cook (P = 0.047). The use of micronised wheat lessened the reduction in starch digestibility seen on day 4 post-weaning in the small intestine, compared against the decline seen using raw wheat diets in Trial 3. In summary, Trial 4 demonstrated that micronisation can enhance the nutritional value of wheat for the weaned piglet, with degree of cook, a more significant factor than wheat endosperm texture.

Trial 5 assessed wheat endosperm texture (hard vs. soft) and degree of extrusion (high cook vs. low cook). Raw soft wheat was used as a control. Results showed that CAD for starch in the small intestine was noticeably higher than in the other animal trials. Starch digestion was significantly affected by endosperm texture (greater coefficients for soft than hard; P <0.001) and by degree of cook (high SME greater than low SME; P <0.001). The use of extruded wheat diets almost eliminated the drop in starch digestion at the 0.5 intestinal site seen on day 4 post-weaning. Wheat of soft endosperm texture responded better to extrusion processing than hard wheat under the conditions of Trial 5.

The use of computer modelling was able to demonstrate a correlation between in-vitro starch parameters and in-vivo starch digestion in the small intestine of the piglet.


A number of advances can be observed in recent commercial software development environments in support of configuration management (CM). These advances include: configurations as managed objects; transparent access to repositories; and, in addition to the familiar checkout/checkin model, three CM models based on configurations. These CM models are the composition model, the long transaction model, and the change set model. Typically, one or two of the models can be found in a system. This report analyzes the models with respect to their potential impact on the soft1 ware development process, resulting in several observations. Some of the models exist in a number of variations, each impacting the software process differently. CM capabilities can be found not only in CM tools and environment frameworks, but also in development tools. Integration of such tools into environments raises the need for different CM models to interoperate. Therefore, it is desirable to evolve to a unified CM model that encompasses the full range of CM concepts and can be adapted to different process needs.


ABSTRACT Prior research using the boundary paradigm suggests that Chinese readers only process word n + 2 in the parafovea when word n + 1 is a single character, high-frequency word. We attempted to replicate these findings (Experiment 1), and investigated whether greater n + 2 preview effects are observed when word n + 1 and n + 2 form an idiom rather than a phrase (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 replicated prior findings, although additional analyses of word n + 1 and n + 2 as a single region revealed significant preview effects regardless of word n + 1 frequency. In Experiment 2 there was a main effect of phrase type, such that idioms were read more quickly than phrases, and significant n + 2 preview effects. There was no interaction between these variables, suggesting that idioms are not parafoveally processed to a greater extent than phrases. These results suggest that n + 2 preview effects in Chinese occur under several circumstances. Factors influencing the observation of these effects are discussed.


The article considers three main types of integration of education, science and business. There are: American type, Japanese type and Mixed type. The main role in American type of integration plays Research University; the main role in Japanese type plays Government; the main role in Mixed type (mostly prevalence are in Central and Northern Europe) plays technological parks. The article considers merits and demerits of these types


Abstract The dynamics of a marine ice sheet's grounding lines determine the rate of ice discharge from the grounded part of ice sheet into surrounding oceans. In many locations in West Antarctica ice flows into ice shelves through ice streams experiencing low driving stress. However, existing simple theories of marine ice sheets are developed under the assumption of high basal and driving stress. Here we analyze the grounding line behavior of marine ice streams experiencing low basal shear and driving stress. We find that in this regime, the ice flux at the grounding line is a complex function of the geometry of the ice-stream bed, net accumulation rate and gradient of the net accumulation rate. Our analysis shows that the stability of distinct steady states is determined by the same parameters, suggesting a more complex (in)stability criterion than what is commonly referred to within the context of the 'marine ice-sheet instability hypothesis'. We also determine characteristic timescales (e-folding time) of ice-sheet configurations perturbed from their steady states. These timescales can be used to determine whether particular configurations can be considered in isolation from other components of the climate system or whether their effects and feedbacks between the ice sheet and the rest of the climate system have to be taken into account.


Grounded in an analysis of interviews with migrant farm workers in Canada, this article explores how learning in the everyday contexts of temporary transnational labor migration is implicated in both migrant identity formation and the social reproduction of an established and growing labor migration regime. The article focuses on thinking through how workers negotiate the intergenerational workplace tensions that permeate life in Canada's Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. The findings suggest that through their sustained participation in the everyday social practices that develop through dormitory-living, transnational laborers learn to become migrant workers. This formation of migrant worker identities in turn contributes to the reproduction of the social relations that support the ongoing practice of circulatory labor migration in the Canadian agricultural industry.


The new species Histiostoma blomquisti n. sp., associated with the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, is described by its deutonymph. A putative adult female is depicted. The deutonymphs only attach to female alates, dealates and queens of S. invicta. While queens may be covered by more than 200 deutonymphs over their entire bodies, the numbers of deutonymphs substantially differed between alates, dealates and queens, which are the preferred carriers, and the males and workers, which are usually not the phoretic hosts of these deutonymphs. It is assumed that the large amount of deutonymphs on queens may be a consequence of special conditions during nest foundings of monogyne colonies. Presence of deutonymphs apparently stimulates the cleaning behavior in workers; however deutonymphs are not removed during this procedure. This may be a consequence of chemical components produced in the opisthonotal glands of astigmatid mites that allow the mite to repel cleaning workers and remain strongly adhered to its carrier. It is unknown whether or not these mites affect the vitality of fire ant colonies.


Background Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is characterized by autoimmunity, late-onset and intermediate beta-cell deprivation rate between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Herein, we investigated proinsulin (PI) secretion patterns and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction biomarker, PI-to-C-peptide (PI:CP) ratio, to elucidate beta-cell intrinsic pathogenesis mechanisms in different types of diabetes. Methods Total serum fasting PI (FPI) were measured in adult-onset and newly-diagnosed diabetes patients, including 60 T1DM, 60 LADA and 60 T2DM. Thirty of each type underwent mixed meal tolerance tests (MMTTs), and hence 120 min postprandial PI (PPI) were detected. PI:CP ratio = PI (pmol/L) ÷ CP (pmol/L) × 100%. PI-related measurements among types of diabetes were compared. Correlation between PI-related measurements and beta-cell autoimmunity were analyzed. The possibility of discriminating LADA from T1DM and T2DM with PI-related measurements were tested. Results FPI and PPI were significantly higher in LADA than T1DM (P<0.001 for both comparisons), but lower than those in T2DM (P<0.001 and P=0.026, respectively). Fasting PI:CP ratio was significantly higher in T1DM than both LADA and T2DM (median 3.25% vs. 2.13% and 2.32%, P=0.011 and P=0.017, respectively). In LADA, positive autoantibody numbers increased by both fasting and postprandial PI:CP ratio (P=0.007 and P=0.034, respectively). Areas under receiver operation characteristic curves (AUCROC) of FPI and PPI for discriminating LADA from adult-onset T1DM were 0.751 (P<0.001) and 0.838 (P<0.001), respectively. Between LADA and T2DM, AUCROC of FPI and PPI were 0.685 (P<0.001) and 0.741 (P=0.001), respectively. Conclusions In the development of autoimmune diabetes, interplays between ER stress and beta-cell autoimmunity are potentially responsible for severer beta-cell destruction. PI-related measurements could help in differentiating LADA from adult-onset T1DM and T2DM.


The pathophysiology and manifestations of liver failure and fibrotic liver disease are discussed The management of patients with liver dysfunction is reviewed Indications for transplant and new modes of liver support are outlined


This paper describes a neural network-based technique for cursive character recognition applicable to segmentation-based word recognition systems. The proposed research builds on a novel feature extraction technique that extracts direction information from the structure of character contours. This principal is extended so that the direction information is integrated with a technique for detecting transitions between background and foreground pixels in the character image. The proposed technique is compared with the standard direction feature extraction technique, providing promising results using segmented characters from the CEDAR benchmark database.