This paper describes the single-electron detachment process of a negative hydrogen ion in collisions with a helium atom. There are two electrons with different ionization potentials in the negative hydrogen ion in the ground state. We consider the detachment processes of these two electrons in the negative hydrogen ion and the corresponding detached electron wavefunctions, which depend on the initial binding energies of each electron. We treat these processes separately. We then calculate the electron detachment cross sections from the negative hydrogen ion accompanying the formation of not only the ground state, but also the excited state of the neutral hydrogen atom in the exit channel. The results show that the contribution of the excited states formed in the electron detachment processes, which has been neglected so far, is important in the high-energy region. The calculated results of the total and partial single-electron detachment cross section from the negative hydrogen ion are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data obtained so far.


Raw naturally coloured and white cotton cellulose fibres were investigated by Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy and chemometric methods, namely principal component analysis (PCA). In general, the white cotton exhibited bands that could be associated with the structural features of the cotton cellulose polymer. But the FT-NIR spectrum of the green cotton, which is reported for the first time, exhibited a sharp band at 4250 cm–1. Further band analysis indicated that green cotton contains a higher C–H content and a lower C–C/C–O and O–H fractions than other natural cotton fibres, suggesting that it has undergone an oxidation process as indicated in the previous FT-Raman spectroscopic study (see Liu, Y., Kokot, S., and Sambi, J., Analyst, 1998, 123, 633). Although the PCA scores plot of FT-NIR spectra of seven types of cotton fibres showed no better separation than that of FT-Raman spectra, it is still possible to differentiate the various types of natural cotton fibres.


PEPA[6] is a popular stochastic process algebra which allows a compositional approach to stochastic model description. The ipc compiler translates a given PEPA model into a format suitable for processing by the Hydra[5] Markovian response-time analyser. The ipc software has undergone some improvements which have led to its refactoring as a library for handling PEPA models.


Tandem AMS measurements at Rochester in the past few years have mainly involved the radioisotopes 36Cl and 129I, and some work on 10Be, in a variety of terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples. Some m easurem ents have also been m ade on certain stable isotopes of osmium in meteorites and geological samples from impact craters. M easurem ents of 36Cl have been made in groundwater and surface rocks for dating purposes, in ice and soil samples containing nuclear-weapon testing fallout for tracing water movement, and in meteorites and Antarctic ice for terrestrial and extraterrestrial meteoritic age determination. Also, 10Be has been measured in a lake sediment, and 36Cl in Greenland ice, through the period of the Maunder minimum ; 129I has been measured in hydrological systems, in petroleum and in hydrothermal convection cells in the oceanic crust. Other applications involving measurements of these two radioisotopes include hydrotherm al fluids associated with gold mineralization and the determination of the integrity of possible sites for deep nuclear-waste disposal. Previously, the Rochester tandem was employed to measure 14C and isotopes of platinum and iridium in natural samples.


The monolithic integration of an ultraviolet (UV) sensor and warning lamp would reduce the cost, volume, and footprint, in comparison to a hybrid combination of discrete components. We constructed a module comprising a monolithic sensor indicator device based on basic p–i–n (PIN) photodiodes and a transimpedance amplifier. GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with an indium-tin oxide (ITO) current-spreading layer and PIN photodiodes without ITO deposition on the light-receiving area, were simultaneously fabricated. The resultant incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiencies of the PIN photodiodes at UV wavelengths were significantly higher than those of the reverse-biased LEDs. The photocurrent signals of the PIN photodiode were then converted to voltage signals to drive an integrated visible LED, which functioned as an indicator. The more the ambient UV-light intensity exceeded a specified level, the brighter the glow of the LED. The responsivities of 0.20 and 0.16 A/W were obtained at 381 and 350 nm, respectively, under a bias voltage of 5 V. We also addressed the epitaxial structural details that can affect the collection efficiency of the photocurrent generated by UV light absorption. The crosstalk between the PIN photodiode and LEDs (of various center-to-center distances) was measured.


Manuscript Type. Empirical. Research Question/Issue. Social norm theory goes beyond economic efficiency arguments and provides a framework that allows for the subjective, judgmental, and socially interactive processes involved in the determination of CEO remuneration. Building on this theory, we argue that current CEO pay practices infringe a social norm. This norm states that a firm's wages ought to be fair. Thus, according to the social norm theory view, large inequalities between CEO pay and low‐level incomes, as well as inequity concerns of CEO pay decoupled from performance, become a matter of public distress. If such publicly shared fairness norms become infringed, some amount of norm enforcement becomes likely, particularly when the punishment is of low cost. Norm enforcement also becomes likely if selective incentives and/or intrinsic norm enforcement are present to support punishing actions. Research Findings/Insights. We test our model using a vignette‐survey study and a representative sample of 800 Swiss citizens. We are able to show that individual differences – more precisely status attributes and moral development – drive perceptions of norm infringement. We demonstrate that the willingness to punish firms with norm‐infringing CEO pay is high if low‐cost punishment opportunities are provided, such as public votes on CEO pay regulation. In addition, the willingness to punish is also driven by feelings of deprivation which fuel intrinsic interest to punish norm infringers even at high individual costs. Theoretical/Academic Implications. We adapt and contextualize social norm theory for the CEO pay debate. A model that explains how individual differences drive norm infringement perceptions, and how these differences lead to behavioral punishment intentions, is developed and tested empirically. Practitioner/Policy Implications. The war for talent and the urge to offer incentives to CEOs impose costs on society, and firms are confronted with those costs. As a consequence, more and more people demand CEO pay regulation, which narrows firms' latitude. For firms, the evidence implies that they would be well advised to consider the climate of public opinion when determining executive pay. They may either reduce CEO pay or should communicate to the public why certain compensation designs may be favorable and in the interests of the enterprise and stakeholders. For politicians, the findings of our study show that there is a demand for CEO pay regulations and that this demand has to be acknowledged in some way in policy‐making.


It is important to determine the anterior capsular zonular free zone (ZFZ) in order to minimize the risk of zonular disinsertion. From this point of view the size of the ZFZ of normal suspended lenses was directly measured in 199 human eyes obtained postmortem. The cornea was completely excised and the iris removed to allow clear visualization of the anterior surface of the lens to the equator. After measuring lens diameter with a caliper, a 4 mm continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was performed, and lens substrate was completely removed by phacoemulsification. Care was taken to minimize trauma to the zonules during surgery. The anterior insertion of the zonules was identified at high power magnification; the size of the ZFZ was measured with a caliper. The mean age was 75.5 +/- 10.3 (+/-SD) years (age range, 50 approximately 100 years). The mean diameter of the lenses was 9.72 +/- 0.31 mm. The mean diameter of the ZFZ was 6.83 +/- 0.35 mm. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between the size of the ZFZ and age, or between the size of the ZFZ and lens diameter. The present study indicates that the size of the ZFZ was constant regardless of age or lens diameter.


A series of 24 patients with Fuchs's dystrophy are presented in whom detailed clinical measurement showed an association with axial hypermetropia and shallow anterior chamber. In 14 of these patients one cornea had developed oedema, of which 11 had required penetrating keratoplasty. Comparison of these eyes with the fellow eyes without corneal oedema revealed that the anomalies in measurement were not due to the process of decompensation. These 14 patients were then compared with the remaining 10 patients without corneal oedema in either eye, and a similar profile of anomalous measurements was observed. The whole group of 24 patients were then compared with three separate control groups, and in each case a significant trend towards hypermetropia, short axial length, and shallow anterior chamber was noted. The mean spherical equivalent refractive error in the patients with Fuchs's dystrophy was +2.48 D compared with -0.31 D for controls; corresponding means for axial length were 22.1 mm compared with 23.4 mm; and for anterior chamber depth were 2.2 mm compared with 2.7 mm. Each of these differences was statistically significant, but there was no significant difference for the keratometry measurements between patients and controls. Five of 24 (21%) of the patients had problems related to shallow anterior chambers of whom 3 (12%) had manifest angle closure glaucoma requiring surgical peripheral iridectomy. The aetiology of Fuchs's dystrophy and of ametropia is discussed and possible modes of association outlined. This previously unrecognised association gives a rational basis for the widely accepted practice of combining penetrating keratoplasty with lens extraction and has several other practical implications which are important in the differential diagnosis and treatment of Fuchs's dystrophy and angle closure glaucoma.


Bacterial symbionts of marine invertebrates are rich sources of novel, pharmaceutically relevant natural products that could become leads in combatting multidrug-resistant pathogens and treating disease. In this study, the bioactive potential of the marine invertebrate symbiont Thalassomonas actiniarum was investigated. Bioactivity screening of the strain revealed Gram-positive specific antibacterial activity as well as cytotoxic activity against a human melanoma cell line (A2058). The dereplication of the active fraction using HPLC-MS led to the isolation and structural elucidation of cholic acid and 3-oxo cholic acid. T. actiniarum is one of three type species belonging to the genus Thalassomonas. The ability to generate cholic acid was assessed for all three species using thin-layer chromatography and was confirmed by LC-MS. The re-sequencing of all three Thalassomonas type species using long-read Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) and Illumina data produced complete genomes, enabling the bioinformatic assessment of the ability of the strains to produce cholic acid. Although a complete biosynthetic pathway for cholic acid synthesis in this genus could not be determined based on sequence-based homology searches, the identification of putative penicillin or homoserine lactone acylases in all three species suggests a mechanism for the hydrolysis of conjugated bile acids present in the growth medium, resulting in the generation of cholic acid and 3-oxo cholic acid. With little known currently about the bioactivities of this genus, this study serves as the foundation for future investigations into their bioactive potential as well as the potential ecological role of bile acid transformation, sterol modification and quorum quenching by Thalassomonas sp. in the marine environment.


In this paper, RCP (rapid control prototyping) method for robot soccer system with SIMTool, is proposed. It is composed of I/O (input/ouput) blocks and robot soccer control toolbox. I/O blocks include a input block to receive information from vision system and a output block to send control inputs to soccer robots in robot soccer system. Robot soccer control toolbox can be effectively used to implement the controllers for any soccer robots without additional modification and also to design better controllers with modification of them. RCP method for robot soccer system with SIMTool can provide more efficient platform of developing robot soccer system rather than traditional development platform based on the hand-written coding


ABSTRACT
Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphate insecticide used primarily to control foliage and soilborn insect pests on a variety of food and feed crops. The main mechanism of CPF action is, likely the other organophoshates, the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which results in accumulation of acetylcholine and subsequent hyperactivity in the cholinergic system. However, multiple developmental studies on animal models have reported that chronic CPF exposure can alter brain development and neuronal morphogenesis even in the absence of significant AChE inhibition (Campbell et al., 1997; Das and Barone, 1999; Levin et al., 2002; Slotkin et al., 2006, 2007; Timofeeva et al., 2008a,b; Tussellino et al., 2016). In aquatic lower vertebrates, fish and amphibians, exposure to this compound has been correlated to teratogenic activity wich results in several anatomical alterations. In mammals, maternal exposure to CPF has been reported to induce dose-related abnormalities such as slower brain growth and cerebral cortex thinning. In mice, prenatal CPF exposure has been found to have the potential of affecting long-term brain cognitive function, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. On the other hand, several studies demonstrated that CPF can affect endocrine system, mainly thyroid and adrenal glands; moreover,it has been demonstrated that CPF has an inhibitory effect on the secretion of pituitary hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and, in rat testis, can determine a decrease in testosterone biosynthesis. Based on these evidence, the aim of this PhD project is to gain a deeper understanding of the altered regulatory mechanisms triggered by environmental exposure to CPF. For this reason, we evaluated the effects of CPF on both aquatic and terrestrial model vertebrates, focusing, mainly, on 3 aspects: 1. Adverse effects during embryo development and neurogenesis in aquatic organisms: Xenopus laevis
2. Putative neurodegenerative alterations after long-lasting in utero and post-natally exposure: Mus musculus 3. Effects of CPF on mammalian sperm and fertility rate: Bos taurus
Xenopus laevis
In the first part of our study, we investigated the effects of exposure to different CPF concentrations (10, 15 and 20 mg/L) on Xenopus laevis embryos from stage 4/8 to stage 46. Some of the morphological changes we detected in CPF-exposed embryos included cranial neural crest cell (NCC)-derived structures. For this reason, we analyzed the expression of select genes involved in hindbrain patterning (egr2), cranial neural crest chondrogenesis, and craniofacial development (fgf8, bmp4, sox9, hoxa2 and hoxb2). We found that CPF exposure induced a reduction in transcription of all the genes involved in Cranial Neural Crest-dependent chondrogenesis, with largest reductions in fgf8 and sox9; whereas, in hindbrain, we did not find any alterations in egr2 expression. Thus, changes in the expression of fgf8, bmp4, and sox9, which are master regulators of several developmental pathways, result in teratogenic alterations of the facial skeleton. Interestingly, in birds and mammals (Le Douarin et al. 2007, the cranial NCC region forming the facial skeleton is also critical for the development of the anterior brain, and the interactions between these two regions during development require a correct balance of Fgf8 and of Bmp4 levels. The altered gene expression levels described in this work provide preliminary data that may help explain the correlation between OP and neurodevelopmental toxicity observed in mammals exposed to these molecules before birth (Chen et al., 2014).
Mus musculus
To study the effects of chronic CPF exposure in mammals we used F1 offspring (sacrificed at 3 and 8 months) of Mus musculus, exposed in utero and postnatally to 3 doses of CPF (0,1-1-10 mg/kg/d), commonly found on fruit and vegetables. The analysis was performed evaluating the alterations reported by 84 genes associated to Parkinson disease, using RT2 Profiler PCR Arrays. First of all, we evidenced a clear dose–response relationship in brains of 3 as well as 8 month mice exposed to the pesticide both for AChE inhibition as well as alterations of gene expression, although the panel of altered genes differed between the two aged groups. Overall, chlorpyrifos exposure produced a mixed pattern of up- and down-regulation, which is more evident in in the higher-CPF groups (10 mg/kg/d)). However, while there was still a dose response relationship, not apprenciable worsening was detectable with the increase of exposure time because brains of eldest mice showed a sort of general recovery of gene functionality with agenig. The total number of gene networks affected sharply reduced at 8 months and AchE values shift from highly inhibited, approximately 80% in 3 months, to 30% in the eldest mice. It was interesting to note that some of genes significantly and steadily down-regulated were directly related to Parkinson's onset, such as e Park 2, Sv2b, Gabbr2, Sept5, Atxn2. Interestingly, at 8 months we reported an up-regulation of the expression of Park7, HSPa4, Rgs4, and Chgb. Increased level of Park7 and HSPA4, considered neuroprotectors, together with the decrease of brain cholinesterase inhibition may, be explained as an adaptive response to the chronical stress induce by exposure to the pesticide and justify the recovery observed. Our evidence provide useful connections on the different scenarios determined by chronically environmental exposure to organophophate pesticides. Based on our experimental results, though animals do not show full blown syndrome, it is conceivable to hypothesize that their brain cells are more susceptible to develop specific neurological diseases.
Bos Taurus Frozen semen samples were incubated with different concentrations of CPF (5,10,25,50μg/ml) for 2 h, and various spermatozoa functional parameters were assessed:
motility, in vitro fertilization rates, DNA fragmentation and chromatin alterations, methylation pattern. Progressive forward motility was significantly (p 10 μg/ml). The vitro fertilization capabilities and the percentage of 8 cell embryos were significantly reduced at 50 μg/ml of chlorpyrifos when compared to control. Evaluation of the global sperm DNA methylation level, carried out at 10 and 25 μg/ml of CPF, showed no differences between the treated groups and the control. To confirm the results, we then selected 2 genes, Xist and GNAS, known to be imprinted in human and mice. In particular, we analyzed 10 CpG islands XIST promoter and 22 CpG islands for GNAS promoter. While, GNAS regolative region didn't show any significative variations in methylation level, XIST promoter showed an increase in sperm DNA methylation after treatment (10ug/ml). The present study demonstrates that low doses of CPF impair sperm quality and can reduce male fertility potential. Moreover, our results showed that Chlorpyrifos exerted reproductive toxicology of sperm cells through various means, mainly altered sperm motiliy and reduction of fertilization rate. Conclusions On the basis of our experimental results, it is possible to assume that, subjects exposed daily to Chlorpyrifos, although not showing obvious signs of toxicity, may have higher sensitivity in developing pathologies, in particular neurological and reproductive disordes.


A case-control interview study among 232 North Carolina women with oral or pharyngeal cancer and 410 matched controls evaluated the contribution of occupation to the high risk of this cancer among females in the South. Review of detailed occupational histories found no overall elevated odds ratios for employment in the textile, apparel, or hosiery industry, the major employer of women in the area. Risks also did not increase with years worked in the industry. The findings thus fail to confirm an association reported in surveys in the United States and Great Britain. A new clue to occupational factors was suggested by the excess risk associated with the electronics industry in coastal North Carolina, independent of the participants' tobacco habits.


Temporal and spatial trends for key water quality measures were evaluated in 12 rural drinking water systems within a three-county study area in Alabama. The water systems varied in size from very small (25–500 people served) to large (10,001–100,000 people served). Large-volume water samples were collected from 10 diverse locations within each system on three sampling dates. Sampling locations were assigned to one of five location categories: well, post-treatment, post-storage, in-line, and end-line. Water quality parameters (i.e., free and total chlorine, pH, turbidity, pressure, heterotrophic plate count) and microbial indicators (i.e., total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococci, male-specific coliphages) were analyzed for spatial and temporal trends. Analysis of the samples from these rural water systems over nine months did not show a statistically significant association between distribution system sampling locations and water quality measures or microbial indicators. Temporal trends were consistent across sampling locations and were stronger than trends in spatial variability. However, substantial temporal heterogeneity of water quality measures was noted, potentially the result of seasonality, temperature fluctuations, and distribution system operation and maintenance practices. The study results indicate that system-level sampling efforts intended to inform microbial risk assessments must account for variability in indicators of risk over time.


The author discusses the suggestion that holographic space is in some way different from the space generated by other more traditional media and then examines the problems that this difference imposes on criticism of the results. He uses the way we visually interpret images presented on a flat surface through physiological and psychological depth cues to introduce the paradox of a flat holographic surface displaying a three-dimensional image. In presenting a diagrammatic explanation for the space displayed by holograms, he focusses on the technical developments of the holographic process, the viewing zones generated by holographic plates and the restrictions imposed during the recording process.


The content of lipids and fatty acids was measured in lung tissue of intact rats and animals with lung edema caused by nitrogen oxide or adrenaline. Lung edema was found to involve disagreement between the phospholipid and fatty acid spectra and to increase the permeability of membranes. The toxic and adrenaline-induced edemas were found identical as regards the type of changes in the ratio of fractions of neutral lipids, phospholipids, and fatty acid spectrum, that is, these shifts represent a nonspecific reaction of lung tissue to aggression.


Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological consequence of exposure to traumatic stressful life events. There is an association of trauma exposure and PTSD with airflow limitation that could be mediated by inflammatory processes. During COPD exacerbations, dyspnea described as a suffocation, can be considered a near-death experience, which can lead to PTSD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between exacerbations and PTSD.Method: Thirty-six COPD inpatients with exacerbation were screened regarding the following domains (and instruments): PTSD (Screen for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory). Patients had a mean age of 69.5± 9.6 years and 69.4% were female. Results: Mean FEV1 and FVC were 0.82±0.31 (37.8±14.7% of predicted) and 1.77±0.63 (61.7±18.2% of predicted), respectively with a mean exacerbation of 2.7 episodes over the past year. PTSD was found in 39.5% of patients (SPTSS mean score 7.1±4.4); moderate to severe depression in 63% (BDI mean score 21.6±12.6) and moderate to severe anxiety in 55% (BAI mean score 23.1±12.6). In a linear regression model, exacerbations significantly predicted PTSD scores: each exacerbation increased 1.34 points in SPTSS scores; F(34)=9.29; p=0.004. Significant correlations were detected between PTSD and anxiety (rs=0.61; p<0.001) and PTSD and depression (rs=0.68; p<0.001). Conclusion: PTSD symptoms increase as the patient's exacerbations number increases and respiratory function worsens. Overall, these findings suggest that psychological domains should be addressed along with respiratory function and exacerbations in COPD patients.


Background RA is associated with an increase in risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, leading to reduced lifespan and quality of life, and increased healthcare costs.1 Besides the issue of accelerated atherosclerosis early in the RA disease course, correlation between RA and some of the modifiable CV risk factors has been reported. Objectives To evaluate the role of inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in predicting CV risk in RA patients (pts). Methods Pts aged ≥18 years and with an RA diagnosis after 01/01/2001 were identified in GE Centricity® Electronic Medical Records database. Individuals were followed from first RA diagnosis date (index) until death, disenrollment, study end period (05/30/2012) or first CV outcome (fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, intermittent claudication and heart failure). Pts with a history of CV events or pts with missing values on CV risks were excluded from the analysis. Distributions of Kaplan–Meier curves of time to first CV events by baseline (BL) CRP/ESR tertiles were compared using log rank test. The base-case prediction model was the Cox model with traditional predictors of CV events similar to the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) model.2 The role of CRP or ESR on CV risk was evaluated by assessing the discriminative properties of the model without versus with CRP or ESR using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Δ AUC) via C-Index and net reclassification improvement (NRI). Pts with low CRP and ESR at BL (12 months prior to index date) were categorized as "Low CRP or ESR", pts with high CRP or ESR were categorized as "High CRP or ESR" and the remaining were classified as "Medium CRP or ESR". Results 5300 RA pts were included in the cohort with median follow-up of 2.0 yrs. The mean (SD) age was 59.7 (14.2) yrs, with 74.8% being female. At BL, 51.0% were taking typical antihypertensive medications, 28.7% had diagnosed dyslipidaemia, 26.2% had diagnosed diabetes and 18.3% were smokers. Only 70% of the study population had BL CRP values (mean [SD] of 1.5 [8.2] mg/L) and 92.7% had BL ESR values (mean [SD] of 36.6 [24.6] mm/h). CV event-free survival was significantly lower in pts with a high CRP or ESR range (Figure; log rank test: p<0.001). In the base multivariate Cox model, the traditional risk factors of age, antihypertensive meds, dyslipidaemia, smoking and diabetes significantly increased the hazard ratio (HR) for CV events. In the enhanced model, "High CRP or ESR" as well as 'Medium CRP or ESR' was associated with increased hazard of CV events (High vs Low CRP or ESR HR=2.05, 95% CI 1.19, 3.52; Medium vs Low CRP or ESR HR=1.86; 95% CI 1.02, 3.38). The FHS model with (vs without) CRP or ESR had improved discrimination with Δ AUC of 0.004 and NRI of 5.4%; discrimination in the female cohort was even better with Δ AUC of 0.006 and NRI of 6.5%. Conclusions Baseline inflammatory markers (CRP or ESR) were significantly associated with an increased risk of CV outcomes and the inclusion of CRP/ESR in the Framingham Heart Study model resulted in a moderate improvement in the reclassification of CV risk. References Kramer HR. Arthritis Care Res 2011;63:484–99; 2. Wilson PWF. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2008 November Disclosure of Interest V. Rajagopalan Consultant for: BMS, E. Alemao Shareholder of: BMS, Employee of: BMS, H. Kawabata Shareholder of: BMS, Employee of: BMS, D. Solomon: None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1833


Past research has investigated a number of methods for coordinating teams of agents, but, with the growing number of sources of agents, it is likely that agents will encounter teammates that do not share their coordination methods. Therefore, it is desirable for agents to form an effective ad hoc team. This research tackles the problem of communication in ad hoc teams, introducing a minimal version of the multiagent, multi-armed bandit problem with limited communication between the agents. This abstract summarizes theoretical results that prove that this problem setting can be solved in polynomial time when the agent knows the set of possible teammates, and the empirical results that show that the problems can be solved in practice.


This paper concerns municipal preferences for state-imposed municipal amalgamations, focusing on factors that may explain municipal acceptance of, or objection to, a state-imposed amalgamation decision. The empirical analysis is based on the extensive municipal reform that occurred in Sweden in 1952, which reduced the number of municipalities from 2498 to 1037. In 66 per cent of the amalgamated cases, at least one municipality complained. The results show that income differences affected the willingness to amalgamate; high-income municipalities opposed amalgamation with less wealthy municipalities. The results also indicate that the size (absolute and relative) of the municipalities affected their willingness to amalgamate. Small and large municipalities were most likely to accept the amalgamation decision and equally sized municipalities were less likely to amalgamate voluntarily.


A Land Surface Process/Radiobrightness (LSP/R) model is integrated with a dynamic learning neural network (DLNN) to examine the impact of L-band on radiometric sensing of soil moisture for prairie grassland. The LSP/R model predictions of brightness temperature, and surface parameters are used as the training and evaluating data for the DLNN. Both horizontally- and vertically-polarized brightnesses at 1.4, 19, and 37 GHz for an incidence angle of 53 degrees make up the input nodes of the DLNN. The corresponding output nodes compose of land surface parameters, canopy temperature and water content, and soil temperature and moisture (uppermost 5 mm). Under no noise conditions, the root mean square (rms) errors between the retrieved surface parameters and the reference are smaller than 2% for a four-channel case with 19 and 37 GHz brightnesses as the inputs of the DLNN. The rms errors are reduced to within 0.5% if additional 1.4 GHz brightnesses are used (a six-channel case). The results demonstrate that 1.4 GHz is a better frequency in probing soil parameters than 19 and 37 GHz. In addition, the proposed inversion approach on the radiometric sensing of the land surface parameters is promising.


We have observed the vacuum Rabi splitting on a beam of Rydberg atoms resonantly coupled to a high-Q superconducting cavity mode. The splitting is resolved down to five atoms on average inside the cavity and only three atoms resonant with the mode.


This work demonstrates a new method for fabrication of mixed metal oxide/oxidized graphene (OGP) composites as flexible and binder-free anode materials for Li-ion batteries. The composites containing nickel manganese ferrite (Ni0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 (NMFO)) nanoparticles grown on an OGP network structure are fabricated by a facile solvothermal method. In the synthesis, Ni(CH3COO)2, Mn(CH3COO)2, and FeCl3 are used as the metal precursors; CH3COONa, HOCH2CH2OH and distilled water as the mixed solvent. The flexible and binder-free electrodes are prepared by coating OGP and NMFO/OGP on polypropylene microporous film via vacuum filtration. The multilayer and porous structure of the NMFO/OGP film generate good contact between the electrode materials and the current collector (OGP film), which is essential for flexible devices. As anticipated, both the free-standing NMFO/OGP film and NMFO/OGP coated on polypropylene microporous film exhibit super-flexible properties without using any binder. The obtained flexible and binder-free electrodes show good electrochemical performance with high lithium storage capacity and excellent cycling stability. This work opens a new way for fabrication of flexible and binder-free anode materials for Li-ion batteries.


Recently, DSP and FPGA devices have been employed in cooperative computing architectures for embedded systems which has required high complexity computing process which in turn demanded efficient techniques capable of measuring the total effective gain of the partitioning of a given code. In order to meet that need and based on Amdahl's Law a mathematical model of analysis which takes into account various factors pertaining the decentralized processing between DSP and FPGA such as the involved communication mechanisms, processing capacity, complexity of algorithms, processor idle time, was proposed. A test scenario for the application of the proposed mathematical model which enables to assess the performance gain between the distributed and centralized processing models was also developed. based on the motion estimation algorithm commonly used in many compression standards of digital images such as the H.264/AVC.


An adaptive medical image visualization system based on a hierarchical neural network structure and intelligent decision fusion is presented. It consists of a feature generator using both histogram and spatial information computed from a medical image, a wavelet transform for compressing the feature vector, a competitive layer neural net for clustering images into different subclasses, a bi-modal linear estimator and a RBF network based nonlinear estimator for each subclass, as well as an intelligent decision fusion process to integrate estimates from both estimators. Both estimators can adapt to new types of medical images simply by training them with those images. The large training image set is hierarchically organized for efficient user interaction and effective re-mapping of the width/center settings in the training data. Adaptation capabilities are achieved by modifying the width/center values through a mapping function, which is estimated from the width/center settings of some representative images. While the RBF network based estimator performs well for images similar to those in the training set, the bi-modal linear estimator provides reasonable estimation for a wide range of images. The decision fusion step makes the final estimation of the display parameters accurate for trained images and robust for the unknown images. The algorithm has been tested on a wide range of MR images and shown satisfactory results. Although the current algorithm is very comprehensive, its execution time is kept within reasonable range.


Growth of malignant tumors of the head and neck has been associated with progressive impairment of immunologic activity. Successful control of disease has been shown to reverse this defect. Preliminary results of a nonrandomized trial reduced recurrence of head and neck cancer for a median time of 11.5 months in eight of 10 patients who received chemoimmunotherapy adjuvant to surgical resection or radiation treatment. The number of patients in the series was small and the followup time too short to determine the length of effectiveness for this treatment. Based on these results, a new protocol has been initiated to randomize patients with advanced T3 and T4 lesions into groups for comparison of adjuvant chemotherapy alone with adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy.


FH is one of the largest oil producing assets in the Sultanate of Oman. With more than 30 years of production, the current recovery mechanism from the naturally fractured carbonates is relying 80% on the gas oil gravity drainage (GOGD) process whereby produced formation gas is re-injected into the reservoir for pressure maintenance. Optimizing the GOGD process and hence maximizing oil production is the main objective in FH WRFM strategy. Controlling the formation gas production from subsurface and surface gas capacity handling are the main challenges to unlock reservoir oil potential.
 Down hole gas shut-off technology has been proposed in 2018 to control high GOR (+1000) producers and minimize formation gas production for more efficient GOGD process. The technology provides a mean for blocking formation gas through autonomous valve compartments installed within a production liner in the open hole section of the horizontal wells. The independent compartments are positioned against the open fractures and the inflow from the fractures to the open hole is controlled autonomously based on the fracture GOR. The valves in each compartment is designed to close against low viscosity fluid (gas) and allow high viscosity (liquids) to flow into the liner.
 Screening process has identified up to 80 candidates for the technology with a potential gain of up to 6% of the total field production. Formation GOR, well uptime and lateral fracture interference are the top criteria for candidate selection. The full field deployment started in July 2018 after a six months trial period with a target to complete the full scope by 2022.
 90% reduction in formation gas has been observed in the wells where gas shut-off technology have been installed. A sustainable oil gain up to 50% has been realized after the gas reduction from the first 14 candidates. In addition to that, a significant improvement in the well uptime from 40% to 80% has also been recognized due to low producing GOR after the technology deployment. The technology has also enabled the re-instatement of long term closed-in wells due to high producing GOR.
 The originality of the technology lies on the ability of the downhole inflow control valves to react to the gas autonomously and successfully shut off the gas contribution and the same time allow oil to flow.


The economic empowerment of women in agriculture sector has become a central goal of the international community including the Governments of many developing countries. This is because studies have found the rural women consist of the majority of the world poor and vulnerable. However, the appropriate strategy for achieving growth in any given country remains an open question. Studies that have examined the linkage between export horticulture and poverty reduction have established that women are champions of social economic growth and posses the potential for sustainable development despite constraints occasioned by social cultural factors. This paper reports the results of a household survey in Kenya undertaken to establish determinants of growth driven by women in a sector that accounts from 11% the national Gross Domestic Product in Kenya. Though there are some positive trends that women entrepreneurs actively contribute to the overall growth the gender gap actually appears to be increasing as most women owned enterprises are at survival and stability growth platform a factor that hinders their inclusion in the unit of analysis at macro level which stops at quantitative variables (profit, value of assets, and number of employees) as opposed to qualitative variables (size of networks, unpaid work).


The invention relates to a sound box control technology, in particular to a method for correcting a sound system. According to the method, the multilayer adjustable problem of system layers is solved by adopting active speakers (in particular to two-or-more-way sound boxes) with array layer DSP (Digital Signal Processor) parameters and introducing sound box models to virtualize a plurality of layers of DSP parameters; and an array group model is also introduced to implement the synchronization adjustment on each sound box model of an array group. According to the technology, not only can the difficulty in debugging and correcting the sound system be simplified and the workload is reduced, but also a better system sound effect can be obtained.


The purpose of this work was to examine physiological differences between the yeast Geotrichum candidum and the mould Penicillium camembertii, organisms involved in the industrial process of cheese ripening. Three groups of amino acids had previously been characterized, based on their carbon assimilation and dissimilation by the two fungal species. For both of them, a diauxic growth phase had been shown for a group of amino acids, which however had not been examined in light of physiological differences between the two microorganisms. In this work, the higher level of enzymatic activities of P. camembertii if compared to G. candidum was confirmed since a continuous and sequential use of both carbon substrates, glucose and arginine, was recorded during P. camembertii culture; while after glucose depletion, a clear stationary phase was recorded before the assimilation of the considered amino acid as both carbon and nitrogen sources by G. candidum. This behaviour was confirmed for the three amino acids tested, i.e., arginine, proline and glutamic acid. Contrarily, during the two growth phases, on glucose and the test amino acid, respectively, higher growth rates were recorded for G. candidum compared to P. camembertii, showing higher substrate utilisation efficiency by G. candidum. Improving the knowledge regarding the metabolization of amino acids might be helpful in designing strategies aiming at improving processes such as cheese ripening. The work should be followed up by similar works using small peptides.


Here we present a case of a young psychotic man who presented with chronic abdominal pain without clear history of foreign body (FB) ingestion. On examination patient was euphoric in mood, mildly anaemic & dehydrated from repeated vomiting. Abdomen was tender and rigid in epigastrium with no visible or palpable swelling. Routine hematology and biochemistry being normal, visible & echognic FBs were found on plain x-ray abdomen (AP & Lateral views) & USG abdomen. The case was revealed by plain x-ray and ultrasonography of abdomen. Since the foreign bodies swallowed were elongated, sharp edged or pointed and potentially injurious, no attempt was made to get them out by upper GI endoscopy. Their nature was revealed at formal laparotomy and gastrotomy. The patient recovered uneventfully. He was sent for psychiatric follow up.


Negative refractive index has drawn a great deal of attention due to its unique properties and practical applications in wave systems. To promote the related physics in thermotics, here we manage to coin a complex thermal conductivity whose imaginary part corresponds to the real part of complex refractive index. Therefore, the thermal counterpart of negative refractive index is just negative imaginary thermal conductivity, which is featured by the opposite directions of energy flow and wave vector in thermal conduction and advection, thus called negative thermal transport herein. To avoid violating causality, we design an open system with energy exchange and explore three different cases to reveal negative thermal transport. We further provide experimental suggestions with a solid ring structure. All finite-element simulations agree with theoretical analyses, indicating that negative thermal transport is physically feasible. These results have potential applications such as designing the inverse Doppler effect in thermal conduction and advection.


The performance of large linear induction machines with nonlinear secondaries is predicted utilising the principle of electromagnetic similitude and small-scale models. A set of scaling factors is derived and confirmed initially using a pair of physically similar solenoids with solid iron cores. Static and dynamic characteristics of the model are scaled and compared with the full-size machine for both dynamic a.c. and dynamic d.c. braking modes. It is concluded that the technique can be used, instead of analysis, to give adequate prediction of performance.


Respiratory allergic diseases (rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, bronchial asthma and its equivalents) appear to be increasing in most countries, and subjects living in urban and industrialized areas are more likely to experience respiratory allergic symptoms than those living in rural areas. This increase has been linked, among various factors, to air pollution, which is now an important public health hazard. Laboratory studies confirm the epidemiological evidence that inhalation of some pollutants, either individually or in combination, adversely affect lung function in asthmatics. The most abundant air pollutants in urban areas with high levels of vehicle traffic are respirable particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. While nitrogen dioxide does not exert consistent effects on lung function, ozone, respirable particulate matter and allergens impair lung function and lead to increased airway responsiveness and bronchial obstruction in predisposed subjects. However, besides acting as irritants, airborne pollutants can modulate the allergenicity of antigens carried by airborne particles. By attaching to the surface of pollen grains and of plant-derived paucimicronic particles, pollutants can modify the morphology of these antigen-carrying agents and after their allergenic potential. In addition, by inducing airway inflammation, which increases airway epithelial permeability, pollutants overcome the mucosal barrier and so facilitate the allergen-induced inflammatory responses. Moreover, air pollutants such as diesel exhaust emissions are thought to modulate the immune response by increasing immunoglobulin E synthesis, thus facilitating allergic sensitization in atopic subjects and the subsequent development of clinical respiratory symptoms.


Purpose: At the highest level of the competition, the players tend to have a comprehensive motor, technical-tactical and mental preparation. It is assumed that in the training process of young players, speed is an important factor determining sports success. Therefore, the aim of the study was to try to compare the speed abilities indicator of young footballers during the summer and winter preparatory period.
Material and methods: The research was conducted in July 2019 and January 2020 in Poznań. The research subject consisted of 23 young players of the Warta Poznań club in the age category of the junior football players (U14).
Results: The results were statistically processed, basic descriptive characteristics were made, the normality of the distribution of differences was checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the collected results from two tests dates were compared using the Student's t-test for dependent samples. Based on the the conducted research, no significant change in the starting speed level was observed at the distance of 5 meters and 15 meters, while an improvement in the level of speed abilities in terms of locomotion at the distance of 30 meters was noted.
Conclusions. The level of running speed at a distance of 30 meters in the tested competitors changed in the six-month preparation cycle. There was no change in the starting speed level over the distance of 5 and 15 meters in the competition season between the preparatory period and the end of the autumn round in the competitors of the Poznań Warta club. On the basis of the conducted research, it is worth conducting experimental research based on individualized speed training on a group of 13 - 14 year old players.


ABSTRACT: This article addresses the importance of the arbitrator duty of disclosure related to issues which could affect his or her independence and impartiality. It studies the concept of confidence as criteria to be appointed arbitrator. The arbitrator has to pay attention to ethical rules and his/her duties as arbitrator. This legal duty has inside a strong ethical component which sustains the arbitrator activity. The transparency - as an arbitrator duty - derives from the concept of confidence. Thus, lacking of disclosure of important and widely known fact or circumstance can affect the parties' confidence. The lacking of disclosure could be considered a lacking of the due process of law and defense, because if the part had known this fact, he would have challenged the arbitrator. This article stresses about correct and reasonable handling of this subject and avoid misunderstanding. This article refers to IBA Rules, Ethical Codes and comment issues of international and domestic case law.


Every method used to quantify biomolecular interactions has its own strengths and limitations. To quantify protein‐DNA binding affinities, nitrocellulose filter binding assays with 32P‐labeled DNA quantify Kd values from 10−12 to 10−8 M but have several technical limitations. Here, we considered the suitability of biolayer interferometry (BLI), which monitors association and dissociation of a soluble macromolecule to an immobilized species; the ratio koff/kon determines Kd. However, for lactose repressor protein (LacI) and an engineered repressor protein ("LLhF") binding immobilized DNA, complicated kinetic curves precluded this analysis. Thus, we determined whether the amplitude of the BLI signal at equilibrium related linearly to the fraction of protein bound to DNA. A key question was the effective concentration of immobilized DNA. Equilibrium titration experiments with DNA concentrations below Kd (equilibrium binding regime) must be analyzed differently than those with DNA near or above Kd (stoichiometric binding regime). For ForteBio streptavidin tips, the most frequent effective DNA concentration was ~2 × 10−9 M. Although variation occurred among different lots of sensor tips, binding events with Kd ≥ 10−8 M should reliably be in the equilibrium binding regime. We also observed effects from multi‐valent interactions: Tetrameric LacI bound two immobilized DNAs whereas dimeric LLhF did not. We next used BLI to quantify the amount of inducer sugars required to allosterically diminish protein‐DNA binding and to assess the affinity of fructose‐1‐kinase for the DNA‐LLhF complex. Overall, when experimental design corresponded with appropriate data interpretation, BLI was convenient and reliable for monitoring equilibrium titrations and thereby quantifying a variety of binding interactions.


This bachelor's thesis concentrates mainly on the reception of advertisements among the
readers of the teen-magazine Stiina. The focus is set on two certain advertisements found
in Stiina's issues dating from the year 2006. The chosen advertisements are the
representatives of two categories, made in the author's seminar thesis: feminine and
youthful advertisements. The former is represented in this thesis by Maybelline Water
Shine lipstick ad and latter by Sportland sporting goods and clothing ad.
The methods used in the thesis include social semiotic visual analysis and interviews with
girls aged between 14 to 17, so they would fit in the age range of the target group defined
by Stiina's editorial board. In the course of making this thesis five interviews were
carried out.
The emphasis in this thesis is set on the comparison between the results found by using
the visual semiotics approach as opposed to the actual reception of the target audience of
these advertisements. The focus of the analysis on the interviews' is on pointing out the
similarities and differences between the two, as well as to highlight the more compelling
aspects of the interviewed girl's comments and beliefs.
Taking into consideration the specific research questions set, the results were presented
accordingly, following the logic of the sequence of these questions. Deriving from that
firstly an overview of the interviewed was given, explaining their role as the readers of
Stiina in their understanding. Secondly it was described whether the girls find
advertisements to have an effect on people in general and whether they find themselves to
be influenced by advertising. And thirdly the analysis depicted how the girls' ideas concerning specific advertisements (Maybelline and Sportland) related to the potential
traits of reception described in the semiotic analysis of the ads.
Consequently many interesting traits of the readers' reception emerged. The more
significant among them included the manipulating essence of advertisements, the
specifics of Stiinas audience and the advertisements the audience finds appealing.


ABSTRACT Iron is limiting in the human host, and bacterial pathogens respond to this environment by regulating gene expression through the ferric uptake regulator protein (Fur). In vitro studies have demonstrated that Neisseria gonorrhoeae controls the expression of several critical genes through an iron- and Fur-mediated mechanism. While most in vitro experiments are designed to determine the response of N. gonorrhoeae to an exogenous iron concentration of zero, these organisms are unlikely to be exposed to such severe limitations of iron in vivo. To determine if N. gonorrhoeae expresses iron- and Fur-regulated genes in vivo during uncomplicated gonococcal infection, we examined gene expression profiles of specimens obtained from male subjects with urethral infections. RNA was isolated from urethral swab specimens and used as a template to amplify, by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), gonococcal genes known to be regulated by iron and Fur (tbpA, tbpB, and fur). The constitutively expressed gonococcal rmp gene was used as a positive control. RT-PCR analysis indicated that gonorrhea-positive specimens where rmp expression was seen were also 93% (51/55) fbpA positive, 87% (48/55) tbpA positive, and 86% (14 of 16 tested) tbpB positive. In addition, we detected a fur transcript in 79% (37 of 47 tested) of positive specimens. We also measured increases in levels of immunoglobulin G antibody against TbpA (91%) and TbpB (73%) antigens in sera from infected male subjects compared to those in uninfected controls. A positive trend between tbpA gene expression and TbpA antibody levels in sera indicated a relationship between levels of gene expression and immune response in male subjects infected with gonorrhea for the first time. These results indicate that gonococcal iron- and Fur-regulated tbpA and tbpB genes are expressed in gonococcal infection and that male subjects with mucosal gonococcal infections exhibit antibodies to these proteins.


We have examined the fidelity of replication of the leading and lagging strands of UV-irradiated DNA by using an EBV-derived shuttle vector system which contains as marker gene for mutation analysis the bacterial gpt gene in both orientations relative to the EBV oriP. Human cells stably transformed with this vector were UV irradiated and gpt mutation rate and type were analysed. An increased mutagenicity associated with UV irradiation was observed, but the average error frequency was unaffected by the direction of replication of the target gene. Some variability by position and sequence context of leading and lagging strand errors was detected, suggesting that the different architecture of the replication complex for the two strands might, to some extent, affect mutation spectra. The comparable fidelity of translesion replication on the leading and lagging strands is in agreement with the current model for eukaryotic replication that postulates the simultaneous synthesis of both strands by a DNA polymerase with a proof-reading exonuclease.


Abstract Piezoelectric ceramics exhibit relatively poor properties for use in large area hydrophones, in particular poor acoustic match to water, poor resistance to explosive shock, high densities and in the case of the PZT family of ceramics, poor hydrostatic voltage sensitivities. Dispersions of powders in polymers with 0–3 connectivity offer the possbility of fabricating large area transducers at low cost. The appropriate figures-of-merit to use in this application for optimising composite properties are discussed in the light of available amplifiers. Modified lead titanate 0–3 composites have been produced reproducibly with dh.gh of up to 1.8 × 10−−12Pa1/2 (gh = 82mVmN−1). The effects of processing variables and other parameters on composite properties are discussed.


Abstract Herbaceous peony is an ancient medicinal and ornamental crop, cultivated in China and Japan for thousands of years. Numerous varieties of different colors are popular garden plants in different continents and countries. In recent decades, peony has gained a new reputation as cut flowers. Only in Europe, in 30 years, trade in cut peony stems has increased 50 fold. Today, more than 25 countries produce cut peony flowers, with primary markets in Europe, Asia and the USA. This short review summarizes the contribution of research in plant physiology to the development of new technologies of peony production and flowering advancement. Despite the popularity of cut peonies, several factors still restrict their production: complicated flowering physiology, challenges in mass propagation, and postharvest handling. Further research of biochemical and molecular mechanisms, as well as breeding of new cultivars will promote the development of the peony industry and facilitate the creation of a Global Peony Chain for the successful marketing of this beautiful flower.


Diagnosing peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) remains a significant challenge due to the lack of specific disease biomarkers and the overlap with other SpA subtypes, mainly psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which represents a diagnostic challenge particularly in the absence of skin psoriasis (PsA sine psoriase). This narrative review aimed to compare the epidemiology, genetic susceptibility, pathophysiology, classification criteria, disease phenotype and burden, and therapeutic guidelines between patients diagnosed with pSpA and those with PsA sine psoriase, to determine if the two entities should be considered jointly or distinctly. Globally, pSpA appears to be more inclusive compared with PsA sine psoriase. Areas of similarities include age of onset, number of joints involved and prevalence of axial involvement. However, patients with pSpA have a male gender predominance, a higher prevalence of HLA-B27, enthesitis and involvement of large joints of the lower limbs, whereas patients with PsA sine psoriase have a higher prevalence HLA-Cw6, dactylitis and involvement of hand distal interphalangeal joints. Therefore, the difference between pSpA and PsA sine psoriase goes beyond semantics. The few dissimilarities should drive scientific efforts to reach a better characterisation of pSpA as an individual disease. Accordingly, randomised clinical trials should target patients with well-defined pSpA to identify effective therapies in this population.


The statistics that summarise the probability distributions implied from option prices can be used to assess market expectations about future uncertainty, asymmetry and the probability of extreme movements in asset prices. This paper considers implied pdfs with a constant horizon of three months for S&P 500, FTSE 100, eurodollar and short-sterling. A time series analysis of the summary statistics provides some stylised facts about the behaviour of different elements of market expectations, their historical distribution and the relationships between them. The distributions of these measures provide information on past revisions to market expectations including the relative likelihood of upward rather than downward revisions and the extent to which these revisions were large. The similarity and relative stability of alternative measures for each element of market expectations is assessed to select a subset of summary statistics that can sufficiently reflect the information contained in the implied pdfs. Relationships between implied pdf summary statistics and movements in underlying assets are considered. Cross asset and cross country comparisons between the summary statistics series are also useful in revealing relations and/or associations between market participants' expectations about equity price and interest rate movements. Finally the information content of the implied pdfs for future macroeconomic and financial variables is assessed.


Morphological abnormalities in wild animals can be indicators of the underlying health of a population and may be determined through routine photographic surveys. Here we assess unusual rostrum conditions in Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) inhabiting South African coastal waters to understand the rate of prevalence of abnormal rostrums and formulate hypotheses on potential causes. Photographic data were collated from systematic boat surveys and opportunistic sightings, obtained between April 1998 and March 2021 in various regions along the South African coast. Overall, 31 unique individuals were found with abnormal rostrum conditions, varying from slight misalignments to severe wounds and/or aberrant morphologies. In most cases, injuries were likely caused by natural events during the animal's life history such as interactions with sharks and/or reef-associated hunting strategies. Mark-recapture data indicated that individuals had survived with these injuries for up to ten years. This study reports the highest incidence of rostrum abnormalities in the species. As numbers reflect only those that have survived their injuries, they are considered a minimum estimate. Better understanding of the cause(s) of these injuries is important given the endangered status of this species. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


Depending on the synthesis route, the oxygen ion electrolyte Sr2ScGaO5 shows two polymorphs, a brownmillerite and a cubic perovskite framework. In order to better explore oxygen diffusion pathways and mechanisms, we report here on a multitechnical approach to characterize local structural changes for Sr2ScGaO5 polymorphs as a function of temperature, using a neutron pair distribution function (PDF) analysis together with an extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. While for the brownmillerite type structure PDF and Rietveld refinements yield identical structural descriptions, considerable differences are found for the cubic oxygen-deficient polymorph. On a local scale a brownmillerite type vacancy structure could be evidenced for the cubic phase, suggesting a complex short-range ordering and respective microstructure. Both PDF and EXAFS data confirm an octahedral and tetrahedral coordination for Sc and Ga, respectively, at a local scale for both polymorphs. Related changes in the bond distances and oxygen vacancy ordering are discussed.


RATIONALE
Respiratory events are common in hematology and oncology patients and manifest as hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF) in up to half the cases. Identifying the cause of ARF is crucial. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (FO-BAL) is an invasive test that may cause respiratory deterioration. Recent noninvasive diagnostic tests may have modified the risk/benefit ratio of FO-BAL.

OBJECTIVES
To determine whether FO-BAL in cancer patients with ARF increased the need for intubation and whether noninvasive testing alone was not inferior to noninvasive testing plus FO-BAL.

METHODS
We performed a multicenter randomized controlled trial with sample size calculations for both end points. Patients with cancer and ARF of unknown cause who were not receiving ventilatory support at intensive care unit admission were randomized to early FO-BAL plus noninvasive tests (n = 113) or noninvasive tests only (n = 106). The primary end point was the number of patients needing intubation and mechanical ventilation. The major secondary end point was the number of patients with no identified cause of ARF.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
The need for mechanical ventilation was not significantly greater in the FO-BAL group than in the noninvasive group (35.4 vs. 38.7%; P = 0.62). The proportion of patients with no diagnosis was not smaller in the noninvasive group (21.7 vs. 20.4%; difference, -1.3% [-10.4 to 7.7]).

CONCLUSIONS
FO-BAL performed in the intensive care unit did not significantly increase intubation requirements in critically ill cancer patients with ARF. Noninvasive testing alone was not inferior to noninvasive testing plus FO-BAL for identifying the cause of ARF. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00248443).


Parallel kinematic machines, are closed loop structures which have more accuracy, stiffness and ability to withstand high loads. Kinematic of these mechanisms is complicated due to their closed–loop structure, parallel pods, joint constraints and movement constraints. This paper proposes a new parallel mechanism that has four degrees of freedom. In workspace analysis algorithm, conversion of inverse kinematics after providing the moving platform position (position and orientation) from search algorithm, provides basis position for testing the physical limitations of machine. Workspace of the mechanism is obtained by extracting analytical relations and consequently computational programs are written in MATLAB software. Sweep operations is started by dividing the workspace into x – y planes or horizontal sections with fixed spaces of z, then after sweeping all points of the plane, sweep operations of the next plane begins. Constraints and physical limitations considered in this mechanism includes moving restriction of saddle, collision of basis to rails, joint angles and collision of basis to moving platform. If any of these limits are violated, considered point would not be considered in the workspace. Then, to evaluate the correctness of the obtained results of workspace analysis, a suggested mechanism is simulated in SolidWorks software and obtained workspace is validated in this study. Also position kinematic and workspace analysis results are verified experimentally.


Following the closure of large state hospitals, which in official parlance are classified as "Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities" (ICF-IIDs), many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have resided in smaller, community-based ICF-IIDs funded by the same Medicaid program. These facilities exhibit considerable heterogeneity, with private for-profit facilities operating alongside ones that are nonprofit or government-owned. Since the turn of the millennium, there has been no systematic assessment of whether ownership type affects the quality of care provided to the individuals residing in these homes. Using a national dataset with information on all ICF-IIDs for the years 2008-2017, we examine whether ownership type predicts differences in facility-level outcomes that at least arguably correlate with the quality of care. The two measures we regard as the least vulnerable to bias – the frequency of regulatory citations and the frequency of complaints – suggest strongly that for-profit facilities underperform both government-owned and nonprofit facilities. The other metrics examined tell a far more complex story that, unfortunately, sheds little light on quality differences per se, but underscores the need for better data and further empirical scholarship in this neglected field. In particular, the importance of reducing the susceptibility of national datasets to reporting bias, obtaining more detailed data on the characteristics of ICF-IID residents such as comorbid mental illness and (self-)injurious behaviors, and linking facility-level datasets to individual outcomes that can be tracked over time, cannot be overstated.


Biosensors for the Environment — Numerous pollutants from industrial or agricultural origins are found in the environment, and especially in water. Compounds such as herbicides, pesticides, chlorinated solvents as well as compounds linked to petroleum utilization are frequently found as pollutants of aquifers. These chemicals are generally toxic for humans and animals and their presence in water must be monitored to avoid the contamination of drinking water sources. Classical analytical tools (GC, GC/MS, etc.) provide accurate, reproducible and sensitive determination of contaminant concentrations. Nevertheless, their use requires to take samples on the contaminated sites and to transport the samples to laboratory for analysis. Such handling of samples is time-consuming and expensive. Biosensors are new analytical tools, whose conception has benefited from advances in different scientific areas, and particularly in biology; they now allow the development of highly specific tools. They provide real-time determination and detection of very low concentrations of contaminant and they can be used directly on-site.


Despite the prominent therapeutic potentials of stem cells, their use in cell therapy has been challenged with some unreproducible and inconsistent outcomes in addition to the risk of rejection and tumorigenesis. Gaining novel insights to the importance of the conditioned medium, secretory factors and extracellular vesicles as the functional components of the cultured stem cells, suggested the idea of substituting the cells with their cell-free counterparts. Biological properties of these products are influenced by the cues received from their microenvironment. Hence, providing optimal and fully defined culture conditions is essential for their preparation. Fetal bovine serum (FBS), one of the most routine supplements of cell culture, is enriched by endogenous extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs will affect the yield, purity and functional features of the cell-free products. Here, we endeavored to examine and compare three different methods including ultrasonication, ultrafiltration and polymer-based precipitation, to deplete EVs from FBS. We chose easy to perform and fast methods with the capacity for high-throughput applications. Based on our observations, although all examined methods were able to deplete EVs from FBS to some extent, polymer-based precipitation could be considered as the method of choice with minimal consequences on the biological requirements of FBS to support cell growth and characteristics. Due to similarities between FBS and some other biological solutions, this strategy would be suitable for EV-depletion from other liquids with high concentrations of proteins and nutrients. Moreover, it could be applied for preparation of optimal culture conditions for nanoparticle applications.


While extensive research documents the causes and impacts of incarceration, the effects on families are under discussion. Prison visitation is one mechanism to help families communicate and bond, yet the institutions and restrictive policies often create distinct barriers and stressors. This qualitative descriptive study examines experiences and perceptions of visitation through focus groups with 77 people incarcerated and interviews with 21 family members in one southeastern U.S. state. Using thematic analysis, three major themes were developed through qualitative coding of participants' responses: financial and time-related burdens, stress from rules and regulations, and familial interactions. Our findings highlight that although visitation can help maintain social bonds among families, the barriers, processes, and procedures overshadow the visit itself. The weight of such stressors is especially felt by immediate family members and women who visit. The findings are discussed in light of implications for correctional policy and future visitation research.


A number of studies have been conducted to enhance the pedestrian detection accuracy of intelligent surveillance systems. However, detecting pedestrians under outdoor conditions is a challenging problem due to the varying lighting, shadows, and occlusions. In recent times, a growing number of studies have been performed on visible light camera-based pedestrian detection systems using a convolutional neural network (CNN) in order to make the pedestrian detection process more resilient to such conditions. However, visible light cameras still cannot detect pedestrians during nighttime, and are easily affected by shadows and lighting. There are many studies on CNN-based pedestrian detection through the use of far-infrared (FIR) light cameras (i.e., thermal cameras) to address such difficulties. However, when the solar radiation increases and the background temperature reaches the same level as the body temperature, it remains difficult for the FIR light camera to detect pedestrians due to the insignificant difference between the pedestrian and non-pedestrian features within the images. Researchers have been trying to solve this issue by inputting both the visible light and the FIR camera images into the CNN as the input. This, however, takes a longer time to process, and makes the system structure more complex as the CNN needs to process both camera images. This research adaptively selects a more appropriate candidate between two pedestrian images from visible light and FIR cameras based on a fuzzy inference system (FIS), and the selected candidate is verified with a CNN. Three types of databases were tested, taking into account various environmental factors using visible light and FIR cameras. The results showed that the proposed method performs better than the previously reported methods.


The Goos-Hänchen shift of p wave beams incident on a metal-nonlinear dielectric bilayer in the Kretschmann configuration is studied theoretically. The reflectance, the phase of the reflection coefficient and the Goos-Hänchen shift are calculated in a numerically precise manner by using the invariant imbedding method. The Goos-Hänchen shift has been found to be able to take both extremely large positive and negative values due to surface plasmon excitations and very strong bistability and unique hysteresis phenomena appear. In addition, several previous results on the intensity dependence of the Goos-Hänchen shift are pointed out to be erroneous.


Acinetobacter baumanni (A. baumannii), a nonfermenting Gram-negative bacterium, has recently been associated with a broad range of nosocomial infections. To gain more meaningful insight into the problem of nosocomial illnesses caused by the multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii, as well as the factors that increase the risk of catching these infections, this investigation included a total of 86 clinical A. baumannii infections. Repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR was used to investigate imipenem-resistant A. baumannii isolates for dynamic gene clusters causing carbapenem resistance. Four distinct A. baumannii lineages were found in the REP-PCR-DNA fingerprints of all isolates, with 95% of the samples coming from two dominant lineages. Imipenem, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin were less effective against genotype (A) isolates because of enhanced antibiotic tolerance. Lastly, to gain more insight into the mode of action of imipenem, we explored the binding affinity of imipenem toward different Acinetobacter baumannii OXA beta-lactamase class enzymes.


In this work we describe a novel statistical video representation and modeling scheme. Video representation schemes are needed to enable segmenting a video stream into meaningful video-objects, useful for later indexing and retrieval applications. In the proposed methodology, unsupervised clustering via Guassian mixture modeling extracts coherent space-time regions in feature space, and corresponding coherent segments (video-regions) in the video content. A key feature of the system is the analysis of video input as a single entity as opposed to a sequence of separate frames. Space and time are treated uniformly. The extracted space-time regions allow for the detection and recognition of video events. Results of segmenting video content into static vs. dynamic video regions and video content editing are presented.


Abstract: The current debate about whether individuals should be entitled to work in the healthcare sector if they decline to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV2 has been largely informed by personal opinions and argument by analoguey. A benefit:harm balance analysis suggests that while vaccination has a highly favourable benefit:harm balance, the balance in instituting a "no jab, no job" policy is highly uncertain and may be unfavourable. Furthermore, there are practical difficulties and legal uncertainties. The much misunderstood precautionary principle dictates that if the benefit:harm balance of an intervention is unclear and may be unfavourable, the intervention should not be undertaken. Furthermore, the onus is on those who believe that the benefit:harm balance will be favourable to prove that it is so; it is not for the sceptics to prove that it isn't. In the absence of good evidence in favour, this is an intervention that would be best avoided.


This study investigated mechanisms regulating hepatic insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I class 1 and 2 mRNA levels. Lambs were treated with growth hormone (GH) either as an acute, single dose or over a longer term. Total hepatic unspliced, pre-mRNA levels increased after the single dose of GH but were attenuated after 8 days of GH, with exon 1- and 2-derived pre-mRNA levels displaying coordinate responses. Surprisingly, changes in total spliced, mature mRNA levels did not reflect those for pre-mRNA, instead being augmented after 8 days of GH. GH also induced a differential increase in the ratio of mature class 2-to-class 1 IGF-I mRNA; therefore, this must be predominantly via posttranscriptional mechanisms. Increases in the ratio of class 2-to-class 1 mRNA were observed in polysomal vs. total RNA preparations derived from GH-treated but not control lambs, indicating an increased proportion of class 2 transcripts engaged in translation. Our findings indicate that GH may stabilize mature class 2 transcripts or destabilize mature class 1 transcripts and that class 2 mRNA may have a greater translational potential. The following two main functions of hepatic class 2 IGF-I mRNA are suggested: an efficient "monitor" of GH status via providing a rapid negative feedback mechanism and a coordinator of endocrine-regulated tissue growth.


Bioleaching experiments using various acid-generating substances, i.e., metal sulfides and elemental sulfur, were conducted to demonstrate the accelerated dissolution of chrysotile tailings collected from an asbestos mine near Clinton Creek, Yukon, Canada. Columns, possessing an acid-generating substance colonized with Acidithiobacillus sp., produced leachates with magnesium concentrations that were an order of magnitude greater than mine site waters or control column leachates. In addition, chrysotile tailings were efficient at neutralizing acidity, which resulted in the immobilization of metals (Fe, Cu, Zn) associated with the metal sulfide mine tailings that were used to generate acid. This suggests that tailings from acid mine drainage environments may be utilized to enhance chrysotile dissolution without polluting "downstream" ecosystems. These results demonstrate that the addition of an acid-generating substance in conjunction with a microbial catalyst can significantly enhance the release of magnesium ions, which are then available for the precipitation of carbonate minerals. This process, as part of a carbon dioxide sequestration program, has implications for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions in the mining industry.


In this research, 63 complete amino acid sequences of laccase enzymes from fungi (40), bacteria (5), insects (8), and plants (10) were used for a phylogenetic analysis. A common ancestor that diverged in the laccases in prokaryote and eukaryote was observed. Additionally, it was determined that there was a difference in the type of amino acids bound to the histidines linked to the copper atoms of the active site, and that a fungal laccase of approximately 279 Ma was an ancestor of the laccases in the basidiomycetes considered in this study. In contrast, Lacc 6 of Pleurotus ostreatus was used as a template to generate mutants. Through modeling, the changes in the secondary and tertiary structures of this enzyme were observed with the substitution of amino acids adjacent to histidines in the conserved region of the active site, via the presence of amino acids in a similar place in the laccases of bacteria.


region properly, multipoint linkage analysis should have been performed. (6) We do agree with the authors that further studies of our family are needed using more informative markers and also tumour analysis for allelic loss. All these studies are being performed and our preliminary data support the conclusion drawn in our paper. (7) We did not include the family described by Wassif et al. (1993) in the literature cited in our paper as this paper was published subsequent to the time of acceptance of our own. M. Kassem*, X. ZhangS, S. Braskt, E. F. Eriksen*, L. Mosekilde* and T. KruseS * University Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Aarhus Amtssygehus, Aarhus, ?Department of Internal Medicine, Thisted Sygehus, Thisted, and $Institute of Human Genetics, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark


This research investigates the influence of Sanskrit language in Malaysian English tracing the indirect route of the loanwords through Malay as the intermediary language, known as the phenomenon of "borrowed borrowings" in this study. The Sanskrit loanwords found in the online versions of the Malay Newspapers; Berita Harian and Utusan, were examined for their current change in form and function in the process of acculturation by the multicultural speakers and the same procedure was applied to trace these loanwords in the online versions of the Malaysian English Newspapers; the Star and New Straits Times. The Old Malay language was heavily influenced by Sanskrit around the seventh century. Examples include words like Maharddhika 'prosperous' borrowed as Merdeka 'independence' in Malay which are also found with the same meaning in Malaysian English. These changes were analyzed using Haugen's (1950) theoretical framework of lexical borrowing and recent developments in the field. The categories of loanwords found in the written data were mostly loanwords, derivational and compound blends, and semantic loans. The Malaysian English has been researched for influences of Malay, Chinese and Tamil, the three major languages in Malaysia, but rarely has the indirect influence of the minority groups speaking Indic languages under the Sanskrit umbrella been investigated in its rich tapestry.


Abstract Purpose Maternal fetal attachment (MFA) is the bond between the mother and her unborn baby. Presently no tools measuring MFA are available in Arabic. The aim of this study was to translate Muller's Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) from English to Arabic, examine the cultural appropriateness of this tool, and test its psychometric properties with pregnant women in an Arab country. Materials and methods The PAI was translated from English into Arabic using the Universal Translation Approach (modified tool) and assessed for content validity. During this process four additional items were identified for measurement relevance and cultural acceptability resulting in the revised tool. The psychometric properties of the modified and revised tools were assessed after 250 pregnant Arab women completed the PAI. Factor analysis was conducted to assess construct validity, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results Both tools were shown to be unidimensional with excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88 for the modified tool and 0.89 for the revised tool). Nulliparity, planning to breastfeed the baby, feeling fetal movements, and downloading a smartphone app to follow the baby's growth were associated with increased MFA in the PAI, while only planning to breastfeed the baby, feeling fetal movements, and downloading a smartphone app to follow the baby's growth were associated with increased MFA in the revised PAI. Conclusion The Arabic version of the PAI is a culturally appropriate tool to measure MFA amongst Arabic-speaking women.


The traditional genetic algorithm randomly selects nodes in two chromosomes for crossover operation, which may result in individuals of disconnected or loop circuit and lead to issues as meaningless crossover operations. In order to increase the diversity of the population and prevent the occurrence of premature mutation algorithm which might cause local convergence, this essay presents a new food logistic optimal path planning method. Initialized from the improvement of population genetic algorithm, it designs the fitness function and optimizes crossover and mutation operators so that the optimal or near-optimal solution can be quickly figured out. Moreover, the Matlab software simulation test exhibits the feasibility and effectiveness of the method.


Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are currently used in both neurology and in psychiatry. It is generally accepted that GABA-ergic compounds have sedative and anxiolytic properties, whereas channel blockers are mood stabilizers. However, this paradigm is often challenged. This is related to the variety of mechanisms of action of individual AEDs on biological systems, only some of which are related to the desired CNS effect. At present, just a few AEDs are licensed for psychiatric indications, namely carbamazepine, valproate, lamotrigine and pregabalin. Data on other AEDs show potential benefits, but are still inconclusive in some cases. This article discusses molecular targets of AEDs relevant for their psychotropic properties with special attention to newest compounds. Current knowledge gaps are also highlighted.


A novel segmented multigap pressurized gas ionization chamber is being developed for optimization of the luminosity of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The ionization chambers are to be installed in the front quadrupole and 0/spl deg/ neutral particle absorbers in the high luminosity interaction regions (IRs) and sample the energy deposited near the maxima of the hadronic/electromagnetic showers in these absorbers. The ionization chambers are instrumented with low noise, fast pulse-shaping electronics to be capable of resolving individual bunch crossings at 40 MHz. In this paper, we report the initial results of our second test of this instrumentation in a super proton synchrotron (SPS) external proton beam. Single 300 GeV protons are used to simulate the hadronic/electromagnetic showers produced by the forward collision products from the interaction regions of the LHC. The capability of instrumentation to measure the luminosity of individual bunches in a 40 MHz bunch train is demonstrated.


Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. Although this is not a free-living organism it has conserved a contractile vacuole complex (CVC) to regulate its osmolarity. This obligate intracellular pathogen is, in addition, dependent on surface proteins to invade its hosts. Here we used a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches to delineate the contribution of the CVC to the traffic of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins to the plasma membrane of the parasite and promote host invasion. While T. cruzi Rab11 (GFP-TcRab11) localized to the CVC, a dominant negative (DN) mutant tagged with GFP (GFP-TcRab11DN) localized to the cytosol, and epimastigotes expressing this mutant were less responsive to hyposmotic and hyperosmotic stress. Mutant parasites were still able to differentiate into metacyclic forms and infect host cells. GPI-anchored trans-sialidase (TcTS), mucins of the 60–200 KDa family, and trypomastigote small surface antigen (TcTSSA II) co-localized with GFP-TcRab11 to the CVC during transformation of intracellular amastigotes into trypomastigotes. Mucins of the gp35/50 family also co-localized with the CVC during metacyclogenesis. Parasites expressing GFP-TcRab11DN prevented TcTS, but not other membrane proteins, from reaching the plasma membrane, and were less infective as compared to wild type cells. Incubation of these mutants in the presence of exogenous recombinant active, but not inactive, TcTS, and a sialic acid donor, before infecting host cells, partially rescued infectivity of trypomastigotes. Taking together these results reveal roles of TcRab11 in osmoregulation and trafficking of trans-sialidase to the plasma membrane, the role of trans-sialidase in promoting infection, and a novel unconventional mechanism of GPI-anchored protein secretion.


Background: Colchicum autumnale, Strychnous nux-vomica and Aloe barbadensis are the medicinal plants clinically utilized for the management of rhuematic disorders. Purpose: The present work was focused to evaluate the in-vitro anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities of Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale), Nux-vomica (Strychnous nux-vomica), and Aloe-vera (Aloe barbadensis). Research Design: Primarily, the aqueous-ethanolic extracts of these medicinal plants were phytochemically screened followed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. Anti-arthritic activity by protein denaturation method and anti-inflammatory activity by human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method at the concentration of 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL along with standard were performed. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed that alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, phenols, and anthraquinones were found in all the extracts, and organic acids, amine group, aromatic or aliphatic compounds, esters and halogens, and phenolics were identified by FTIR. Protein denaturation method revealed that colchicum, nux-vomica, and aloe-vera showed maximum 98.5%, 99.6%, and 72.3% of inhibition at 500 µg/mL compared with that of standard drug, that is, Diclofenac sodium. Membrane stabilization method showed that colchicum, nux-vomica, and aloe-vera showed maximum 40.20%, 35.67%, and 40.1% protection at 500 µg/mL when compared with standard drug. Conclusion: It is concluded from the current study that extracts of colchicum, nux-vomica, and aloe-vera showed more potent effect and thus can be used as alternative options for the management of inflammatory and arthritic ailments.


Somatic embryos of cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) were produced using a liquid culture system. Two encapsulation techniques, conventional alginate beads and alginate hollow beads, were tested for globular cyclamen somatic embryos with the aim of develop- ing synthetic seeds. Final germination from alginate beads was as high as observed for non encapsulated control embryos (97%), but germination was delayed. In contrast, germination from hollow beads was lower (71%) and occurred later. In hollow beads somatic embryos developed within the capsule, and outgrowth seemed to be more diffi cult than from alginate. Storage at 4 °C for four weeks resulted in a reduction of viability for controls as well as for encapsulated embryos. Incorporation of medium into the capsules improved the speed of germination for both capsule types. However, somatic embryos were not able to germinate on a medium-free support, even if encapsulated in beads containing medium.


In this study, Mn-Ce-Ox/γ-Al2O3 supported catalysts were adopted to promote the removal efficiency of aniline in simulated wastewater with ozone. Mn-Ce-Ox/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by the impregnation-calcination method. Its phase structure, specific surface area, loading amount and distribution of active units were analyzed by XRD, BET, ICP-AES and TEM/SEM respectively. The characterization results demonstrated that the catalysts had a good dispersion of Mn-Ce-Ox active sites and an abundant porous structure from the γ-Al2O3 support. The catalytic ozonation results showed that with Mn3-Ce1-Ox/γ-Al2O3(1.0), the aniline removal efficiency was highly improved, 15.0% higher than that of ozonation without a catalyst. Furthermore, from the variation in loading amounts of Mn and Ce, it can be seen that the molar ratio of Mn and Ce within the Mn-Ce-Ox plays a key role in accelerating the ozonation of aniline in simulated wastewater with ozone, while Mn:Ce = 1.9:1 showed the best performance. More importantly, the catalysts showed high recycling performance and could be reused at least 12 times without obvious loss of activity.


A new type of broadcast antenna is described which radiates very little energy over a wide, high angle. The angle above which minimum energy is radiated can be varied electrically from 40° to 60°, thus permitting the fading wall to be adjusted for maximum primary service. The electrical height of the antenna is dependent upon the specific vertical pattern desired but is approximately 300°. The results of experiments with small model antennas are in good agreement with theory.


This study investigated the survival and catalytic potential of a single species Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120ΔC biofilm for the conversion of styrene to (S)-styrene oxide in a multiphasic capillary microreactor containing the highly toxic substrate styrene as a pure phase. The catalytic biofilm was cultivated under high fluidic stress in a continuous three-phase segmented flow system comprising aqueous medium, air, and styrene. This concept required an adaptation period of 7 days, during which P. taiwanensis VLB120ΔC developed a biofilm exhibiting a remarkable cellular integrity with nearly 70% intact cells. In a three-phase segmented flow biofilm microreactor, an average specific styrene epoxidation rate of 10 g/Ltube/day was achieved continuously for a period of 20 days without any clogging problems. Overall, this note highlights the robustness of biofilms as a promising biocatalyst format for the conversion/synthesis of toxic organic chemicals and the applicability of multiphasic capillary microreactors for biofilm based catalysis.


INTRODUCTION: Disability management involves is dynamic interactional strategies used to promote an individual's return to work. These strategies revolve around the person's health condition and contextual factors for example their employer and the work environment. However, there remains limited literature on the strategies used in the public healthcare sector. Objective: To explore the return to work strategies used at a public sector facility in the province of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

METHOD: A case study design, with multiple sources of data contributed towards profiling disability management strategies implemented at a central quaternary health care facility. Data collection methods included a file audit, work ability index assessments and semi-structured interviews with employees. Saturation sampling was used to recruit n = 23 employees who had been referred for occupational therapy vocational assessments over a period of 10 years. Data from the file audit were analysed using descriptive statistics and interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Fifty six percent (n = 38) of the participants that were currently employed at the institution scored between 28 and 38 (moderate) on the Work Ability Index and required job realignments and reasonable accommodations within their current vocations. Twenty two percent (n = 5) scored 7–9 (poor) and were medically boarded or on long-term incapacity leave.

CONCLUSIONS: Occupational therapists play a significant role in disability management within public health care facilities. Return to work strategies and reasonable accommodations can improve productivity in the workplace.


SCIRES-IT (SCIentific RESearch and Information Technology - Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologie dell'Informazione) is an eco-sustainable Open Access journal providing an international forum for the exchange and sharing of know-how in the areas of Digitalization and Multimedia Technologies and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in support of Cultural and environmental Heritage (CH) documentation, preservation and fruition. It is a peer-reviewed journal, covered by various indexing and abstracting databases and available online on a semi-annual basis. SCIRES-IT was founded in 2011 by CASPUR-CIBER, under the editorial project "Open Access publications eco-sustainable" for the development of open access publishing and for the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. It puts together the main principles of the Berlin Declaration on Open Access with the aims International Convention on Biological Diversity, fostering the scientific dissemination, the biodiversity awareness, the enviroment preservation, and the sustainable use of natural resources. For each publication, an action of environmental restoration will be made in protected areas by planting local ecotypes of native species.


This study demonstrates the EcoPrinting principal, which makes use of renewable energy to realise a low carbon footprint means of recycling waste plastics into feedstock for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing. We present our work to date to encapsulate this principal in a singular device, which comprises a nanogrid solar/battery storage unit, a custom made filament extrusion device and modified FFF 3D printer system. We demonstrate that our system is capable of reforming ABS plastics found in electronic waste and converting these into functional items through a melt extrusion and additive manufacturing process. We successfully demonstrate the efficacy of the system to operate using solar derived energy and using the resulting filament to 3D print functional pipe connector components. We conclude Ecoprinting holds considerable potential as a sustainable means of converting waste plastics into functional components. Finally, the portable and self-sufficient nature of the system, Ecoprinting could feasibly could be applied as a cost effective aid solution for vulnerable communities in low socio-economic environments.