Significance The structure of the eukaryotic chromosomal replicase, DNA polymerase (Pol) δ, was determined in complex with its cognate proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) sliding clamp on primed DNA. The results show that the Pol3 catalytic subunit binds atop the PCNA ring, and the two regulatory subunits of Pol δ, Pol31, and Pol32, are positioned off to the side of the Pol3 clamp. The catalytic Pol3 binds DNA and PCNA such as to thread the DNA straight through the circular PCNA clamp. Considering the large diameter of the PCNA clamp, there is room for water between DNA and the inner walls of PCNA, indicating the clamp "waterskates" on DNA during function with polymerase. The DNA polymerase (Pol) δ of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.c.) is composed of the catalytic subunit Pol3 along with two regulatory subunits, Pol31 and Pol32. Pol δ binds to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and functions in genome replication, repair, and recombination. Unique among DNA polymerases, the Pol3 catalytic subunit contains a 4Fe-4S cluster that may sense the cellular redox state. Here we report the 3.2-Å cryo-EM structure of S.c. Pol δ in complex with primed DNA, an incoming ddTTP, and the PCNA clamp. Unexpectedly, Pol δ binds only one subunit of the PCNA trimer. This singular yet extensive interaction holds DNA such that the 2-nm-wide DNA threads through the center of the 3-nm interior channel of the clamp without directly contacting the protein. Thus, a water-mediated clamp and DNA interface enables the PCNA clamp to "waterskate" along the duplex with minimum drag. Pol31 and Pol32 are positioned off to the side of the catalytic Pol3-PCNA-DNA axis. We show here that Pol31-Pol32 binds single-stranded DNA that we propose underlies polymerase recycling during lagging strand synthesis, in analogy to Escherichia coli replicase. Interestingly, the 4Fe-4S cluster in the C-terminal CysB domain of Pol3 forms the central interface to Pol31-Pol32, and this strategic location may explain the regulation of the oxidation state on Pol δ activity, possibly useful during cellular oxidative stress. Importantly, human cancer and other disease mutations map to nearly every domain of Pol3, suggesting that all aspects of Pol δ replication are important to human health and disease.


Abstract : This report describes a rule based system that has been designed to oversee the maneuvering of the autonomous underwater vehicle, AUV II, that has been constructed at the Naval Postgraduate School. The system will monitor the progress from the AUV launch point to a goal area and back to the origin. It is able to make informed decisions about the mission, taking into account the navigational path, the vehicle subsystems health, the sea environment, and the specific mission profile which is downloaded from an off-board mission planner. Heuristics for maneuvering, avoidance of uncharted obstacles, waypoint navigation, and reaction to emergencies - essentially the expert knowledge of a submarine captain - have been coded using the expert system shell CLIPS. The design of a high level control software architecture for AUV II and the development of the domain specific knowledge for AUV operation are discussed in detail. Simulation results showed that the system is capable of reacting to various adverse situations in a timely manner.


We present an algorithm for fusing multi-viewpoint video (MVV) with inertial measurement
unit (IMU) sensor data to accurately estimate 3D human pose. A 3-D convolutional
neural network is used to learn a pose embedding from volumetric probabilistic
visual hull data (PVH) derived from the MVV frames. We incorporate this model within
a dual stream network integrating pose embeddings derived from MVV and a forward
kinematic solve of the IMU data. A temporal model (LSTM) is incorporated within
both streams prior to their fusion. Hybrid pose inference using these two complementary
data sources is shown to resolve ambiguities within each sensor modality, yielding improved
accuracy over prior methods. A further contribution of this work is a new hybrid
MVV dataset (TotalCapture) comprising video, IMU and a skeletal joint ground truth
derived from a commercial motion capture system. The dataset is available online at
http://cvssp.org/data/totalcapture/.


This paper describes how NIST Special Publication (SP) 800.171r2 (Protecting Controlled but Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations) and 800.171B (Protecting Controlled but Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations, and Enhanced Security Requirements for Critical Programs and High Value Assets) can be used to evaluate the security posture of information systems and supporting frameworks relative to HIPAA and HITECH . It will be demonstrated that the provisions and baseline security requirements outlined in 800.171r2 and 171B for the protection of Controlled but Unclassified Information (CUI) can be applied to Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). An explanation of how 800.171r2 and 171B align with HIPAA and how this alignment is sufficient for evaluating the security of an IT environment which supports the healthcare sector will be detailed. The process for performing a security analysis will be described and demonstrated. Finally, the benefits of using such an approach to support other forms of risk assessment will be described.


As we all are familiar about the Carbon-di-Oxide and its harmful effect. This paper is for a design which can be implied on an industrial as well as on a city level to remove the CO2 (mainly), SO2, and other harmful gases from the atmosphere. Here NaOH is used for the removal of CO2.This design consists of all the necessary parts like PVC pipes, fan, pump, tank, etc. Following reactions take place here:  2NaOH + CO2    —>  Na2CO3 + H2O 2NaOH + SO2   —>   Na2SO3 + H2O The output will be collected as water having some hardness which can be treated as well and can be used for various purposes.


The use of evaporated ultrathin gold films on mica to obtain transmission UV/vis spectra of monomolecular overlayers containing chromophores is demonstrated. The gold substrates (thickness, 13−100 A) were studied by scanning force microscopy, UV/vis spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction and found to exhibit an array of {111} textured islands, whose sizes and optical properties can be controlled by the evaporation conditions and subsequent annealing. The use of gold substrates of this kind enables one to clearly resolve UV/vis absorption spectra of (sub)monolayers. This methodology is applied to the study of the binding of cobalt and iron tetraphenylporphyrins (CoTPP and FeTPPCl, respectively) and cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) to various N-donor ligand monolayers, self-assembled on ultrathin gold films. Enhancement of the gold surface plasmon absorption, resulting from molecular self-assembly on the gold island film, is used to semiquantitatively follow porphyrin binding to the monolayer.


Fusarium head blight (FHB) has emerged as a major threat to wheat crops around the world, and it has been hypothesized that wheat antioxidants may play a role against Fusarium infections. The current study aimed to determine antioxidant properties of FHB-resistant wheat grains as compared to susceptible wheat. The wheat samples were collected from a single growing location (Warsaw, VA) and the same growing season. The results showed that both FHB-resistant and -susceptible wheat grains exerted strong radical scavenging activities against DPPH* radical [0.91-1.53 micromol of Trolox equivalents (TE)/g], peroxyl radical (15.5-24.5 micromol of TE/g), and hydroxyl radical (15.7-35.8 micromol of TE/g). Their total phenolic contents ranged from 888 to 1117 microg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g. Five phenolic acids including ferulic, syringic, vanillic, caffeic, and p-coumaric acids were determined in soluble and insoluble fractions of wheat grains, altogether with a range of 219-389 microg/g. On average, the FHB-resistant wheat group showed significantly higher average values in DPPH* and hydroxyl radicals scavenging activities (30 and 41% higher, respectively) than the FHB-susceptible wheat group.


List of contributors List of tables List of figures Acknowledgements Editor's preface Section I. Theoretical Considerations: 1. An introduction to the study of ancient New World road networks Charles D. Trombold 2. Paths and roads in evolutionary perspective Timothy Earle 3. Roads, routes and ties that bind Ross Hassig 4. Observations about research on prehistoric roads in South America John Hyslop Section II. Methodological Considerations: 5. Photointerpretation of Chaco Roads Margaret S. Obenauf 6. Analysis of prehistoric roadways in Chaco Canyon using remotely sensed digital data Thomas L. Sever and David W. Wagner 7. Prehistoric footpaths in Costa Rica: transportation and communication in a tropical rainforest Payson Sheets and Thomas L. Sever 8. Cross-cutting relationships: the relative dating of ancient roads on the north coast of Peru Colleen M. Beck 9. Network analysis and the study of past regional organisation Larry J. Gorenflo and Thomas L. Bell Section III. Regional Studies: 10. Political, economic, and demographic implications of the Chaco road network Frances Joan Mathien 11. The prehistoric road network at Pueblo Alto, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico Thomas C. Windes 12. The Sonoran connection: road and trail networks in the prehistoric period Carroll L. Riley, and Joni L. Manson 13. Causeways in the context of strategic planning in the La Quemada region, Zacatecas, Mexico Charles D. Trombold 14. Xanhari: protohistoric Tarascan routes Shirley Gorenstien and Helen Perlstein Pollard 15. The influence and legacy of Teotihuacan on regional routes and urban planning Thomas H. Charlton 16. The structure of the Aztec transport network Robert S. Santley 17. Roads, thoroughfares and avenues of power at Xochicalco, Mexico Kenneth Hirth 18. Sacbes of the northern Maya William J. Folan 19. Prehistoric roads and causeways of lowland tropical America William M. Denevan 20. The association between roads and polities: evidence for a Wari road system in Peru Katharina J. Schrieber 21. The Chincha roads: economics and symbolism Dwight T. Wallace.


Connecting rod is the most important part in the automobile sector it forms the link between piston and crankshaft. It is mostly used for the conversion of the reciprocation motion to rotary motion. Connecting rod receives the forces from the piston which are continuously varying in nature so stress on the connecting rod is continuously varying. So the design of the connecting rod is the most important criteria. The design changes of the connecting rod is not economical, because today's connecting rod is having cross section of I and the I cross section is having the largest load carrying capacity per unit weight of the connecting rod so the cross section change is not possible so only the corner radius of the connecting rod would be the option for the change without much more stress concentration. The shape of the connecting rod is complicated so to generate the geometry of the connecting rod in any modelling software use of reverse engineering technique is essential. By using reverse engineering method scan the connecting rod which having complicated geometry so that we can easily import that geometry to create model. This model is used for the analysis purpose. The existing model of the connecting rod is takes various dynamic load so the connecting rod design is the critical criteria for the stress reduction in the connecting rod at the various corner point of the connecting rod like at the big end of the connecting rod sudden changes in geometry takes place. The current investigation of the connecting rod model shows that the sudden change of the geometry of the connecting rod is design with the help of Bezier curve; the Bezier curve is the smooth curve of degree which is one less than the number of control point of the Bezier curve; and find out the result of the final connecting rod which having curvature with the Bezier curve. The connecting rod design with the help of Bezier curve having less stress concentration as compare with the connecting rod which is design with the nominal curve. KEYWORD: Analysis, Bezier Curve, Connecting Rod, Stress


A new piggyBac-based gene-trap vector, pB-GT1, was constructed. pB-GT1 contains three marker genes, dsRed, Gal4, and EGFP. dsRed is under the control of the constitutive 3xP3 promoter, which induces dsRed expression wherever the vector is inserted in the host genome. The Gal4 sequence has no promoter but is preceded by the splice acceptor site so that it can be transcribed as a transcript fused with the host exon 5' to the insertion site. EGFP is driven by the constitutive ie+hr promoter but lacks a poly(A)(+) signal sequence, and thus the EGFP expression is detectable only when its transcript is fused with the host exon 3' downstream of the insertion. By the microinjection of the vector into fertilized eggs, we obtained transgenic Drosophila with a single copy of pB-GT1, which was inserted into the first intron of the ovo gene. The female flies of this transgenic line are sterile, indicating that the insertion inactivated the ovo gene, generating a new allele of this locus, ovo(pB-GT1). RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that an ovo-Gal4-fusion transcript is produced in ovo(pB-GT1) flies. The fact that UAS-EGFP reporter expression was detected in ovo(pB-GT1) germ cells in a pattern similar to that reported for wild-type ovo indicates that functional Gal4 is expressed via pB-GT1, recapitulating the endogenous expression pattern of the trapped gene. pB-GT1 is thus useful in insect genomics for the efficient assignment of functions of individual genes.


In any parameter estimation problem, it is desirable to obtain more information in one single experiment. However, it is difficult to achieve multiple objectives in one single experiment. The work presented in this paper is the simultaneous estimation of heat transfer coefficient parameters, latent heat, and modeling error during the solidification of Al–4.5 wt %Cu alloy with the aid of Bayesian framework as an objective function that harmoniously matches the mathematical model and measurements. A 1D transient solidification problem is considered to be the mathematical model/forward model and numerically solved to obtain temperature distribution for the known boundary and initial conditions. Genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) are used as an inverse approach and the estimation of unknown parameters is accomplished for both pure and noisy temperature data. The use of Bayesian framework for the estimation of unknown parameters not only provides the information about the uncertainties associated with the estimates but also there is an inherent regularization term in which the inverse problem boils down to well-posed problem thereby plethora of information is extracted with less number of measurements. Finally, the results of this work open up new prospects for the solidification problem so as to obtain a feasible solution with the present approach.


Following the 1st report, we extend our investigations of a combined cycle with hightemperature helium-gas and steam turbines.Recently in thermal power generation a great interest is focussed on the combined cycle, which has been positively introduced. The combined cycle with high-temperature helium- gas and steam turbines by HTGRs, however, is more effective, because the calculation indicates that the maximum thermal efficiencies in the combined system under the same operational condition of the HTTR are about 55% or more.


Sex differences in the incidence and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) have long been recognized, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here, we elucidate the cellular and molecular underpinnings of why male sex is associated with a more aggressive and debilitating disease course. Using an adoptive transfer model of EAE to examine disease driven by CD4+ T helper 17 (Th17 cells), we find that male Th17 cells induced disease of increased severity relative to female Th17 cells, irrespective of whether the cells were transferred to male or female recipients. Both female and male peripheral Th17 exhibited phenotypic plasticity as early as disease onset, producing either IL-17 and IFNγ together or IFNγ alone; however, a higher proportion of male Th17 produced IFNγ throughout the disease course, with increased expression of both IFNγ and GM-CSF from CNS-infiltrating Th17 cells correlating with severe disease in males. Further, male cells upregulated signature genes previously associated with phenotypically plastic Th17 responses. Intriguingly, male sex chromosomal complement, rather than androgens, was responsible for increased pathogenicity, and an X-linked immune regulator, Jarid1c, was downregulated in pathogenic male Th17. Additionally, Jarid1c expression is reduced in CD4+ T cells derived from men with MS. Together, our data indicate that male sex is a critical regulator of Th17 cell plasticity and CNS autoimmunity. Summary Male sex greatly exacerbates chronic progressive EAE in a Th17 cell-intrinsic manner. Male Th17 cells produce increased IFNγ in vivo, and they upregulate markers associated with Th17 phenotypic plasticity. Male sex complement (XY) and not androgens, appears crucial for these observations.


The pressure of vacuum switching elements after production is checked normally by Penning or magnetron methods (combined electrical and magnetic field). Vacuum in the range of IO-' to Pa can be measured in this way. After assembly into circuit breakers however, these methods are not applicable. hf interruption performance during the make operation was proposed earlier as a possible alternative. Further investigations show that differences in the number of HF prestrike current loops can be found in the pressure range of 10-1 to lo5 Pa. Current chopping of dc arcs between 5 and 30 A during opening operation may be another option for determination of the pressure range by measuring the lifetime of the arc, but the resolution in the vacuum range < 10-1 Pa is too poor.


Table of contents. List of figures. List of tables. List of contributors. Preface. Introduction. Consumption, environment and public policy (J. Murphy, M. Cohen). The Politics of Sustainable Consumption. The emerging international policy discourse on sustainable consumption (M. Cohen). Sustainable consumption and environmental policy in the European Union (J. Murphy). Values, Ethics and Sustainable Consumption. Liberal neutrality and consumption: the dispute over fur (M. Oksanen). Economics, ethics and green consumerism (J. Paavola). Place, Space and Networks: Geographies of Sustainable Consumption. Sustaining foods: organic consumption and the socio-ecological imaginary (D. Goodman, M. Goodman). Changing nature: the consumption of space and the construction of nature on the 'Mayan Riviera' (M. Redclift). Sustainable Consumption: Technology, Culture and People. Working for beans and refrigerators: learning about environmental policy from Mexican northern-border consumers (J. Heyman). Control and flow: rethinking the sociology, technology and politics of water consumption (H. Chappells et al.). Identity, Behaviour and Lifestyle: the Social Psychology of Sustainable Consumption. Environmental concern and anti-consumerism in the self-concept: do they share the same basis? (S. Zavestoski). Sustainable lifestyles: rethinking barriers and behaviour change (K. Hobson). Conclusion: Working Toward Sustainable Consumption. Sustainable consumption by design (K. Fletcher et al.). Sustainable consumption: environmental policy and the social sciences (J. Murphy, M. Cohen). Index.


Recently, environmental sustainability of the transitional explosives and propellants is an issue of growing importance in energetic materials. For examples, ammonium perchlorate(AP) as an solid propellants oxidizer could create a poisonous gas and atmospheric pollutions, such as HCl. Among the several oxidizers, hydrazinium nitroformate(HNF) is an effective candidate substance for eco-friendly oxidizer, which has high density, pressure index, and less smog generating property during combustion for the Divert and Attitude Control System(DACS). This study was confirmed a synthesis through various conditions, was performed for the essential data of solubility the crystallization process. Also, crystallization process such as cooling, drowning-out and sonication were performed.


Abstrak The purpose of this study is to determine the difference in average math student learning outcomes among students given SCRIPT kooepratif learning model with average math student learning outcomes given SQ3R cooperative learning model in the subject matter fractions. This type of research is an experimental research. The population in this study were all fourth grade students with a number of 48 students, divided into two (2) classes of IV.A class consists of 24 students, the class consists of 24 students IV.B. The sample / subject of study consisted of two groups, where the sample collection technique using cluster random sampling.The sample group in this study, namely, the first group is called the experimental group (class IV.A) and a second group called dick class (class IV.B). the results of this study can be concluded that the results of students' mathematics learning gained through cooperative methods script by 65.92% higher than the average mathematics learning outcomes obtained through methods cooperatif SQ3R by 54.25% on a subject matter fractions. Key words: Cooperative learning, learning outcomes, mathematics, SCRIPT,SQ3R.


This paper describes a "testbook" technique for rejecting narrow-band disturbances to a hard-disk-drive servo loop, by including a model of the disturbance in the drive's state-space controller, and then canceling it. Both numerical simulations and experimental evidence are presented which show significant reductions in tracking errors due to the targeted disturbance in steady-state operation. Simulations of the transient behavior of the augmented control loop, however, show some undesirable characteristics.


Ectopic thyroid glands generally occur in the midline as a result of abnormal median migration. The presence of these ectopic glands, lateral to the midline is rare. Here, the authors present one case of papillary carcinoma of thyroid arising from an ectopic thyroid tissue in branchial cleft cyst presented as a swelling in lateral neck diagnosed after cystectomy. Total thyroidectomy and neck dissection were done to rule out occult primary carcinoma of thyroid. Histopathology report showed thyroid and lymph nodes were normal.


MgH2-LiBH4 system is one of the promising hydrogen storage materials. In the system, it was found that there was a mutual interaction between the two hydrides, but its mechanism has not been clarified yet. In this work, we found an "H-D" exchange between MgD2 and LiBH4 during heating. IR absorption spectroscopy revealed that the peak of "B-D" vibration appeared at 275 °C below the melting and hydrogen desorption of the system, indicating that this exchange proceeded even in solid phases. The hydrogen desorption properties of the composite of catalyst-doped MgH2 and LiBH4 under inert gas were investigated by mass spectroscopy. The results showed that the hydrogen desorption temperature of the first step was over 300 °C, in spite of catalyst-doped MgH2 can release hydrogen at 200 °C. The above results might suggest the hydrogen desorption from catalyst-doped MgH2 is somehow suppressed by the exchange effect between MgH2 and LiBH4.


In the process of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), the compression stage is of paramount importance. Typically, the stream of CO2 is compressed from pressures of about 1.5 bar to above 100 bar, for which several stages are necessary. Isothermal compression is strived for, since it delivers the optimal efficiency. The compression follows a quasi-isothermal process, by making use of heat exchangers to cool down the stream right after it is compressed and enters the next stage. Because the stream contains a small amount of water, which can cause corrosion and thus jeopardize the integrity of the compressor itself or the transfer line downstream, dehydration also takes place at some stage during he compressor process.


This paper discusses a high-efficiency AC–DC converter developed for implementation under low-voltage and high-current conditions for sintering applications. First, the circuit configuration and the control principle for the proposed low-voltage, high-current AC–DC converter are described. The proposed system consists of four 2,500-A units of the AC–DC converter connected in parallel. The input current harmonics are suppressed by using multiple transformers on the input side. Further, imbalance issues in the transformer parameters and the output wiring are discussed. The proposed system demonstrates that each individual circuit yields a balanced 2,500-A output. In addition, loss analysis shows that the power loss on the secondary rectifier is 49% and is dominated by semiconductor loss. Furthermore, it is shown that by implementing a MOSFET synchronous rectifier, instead of a Schottky barrier diode, the loss reduces by 35%. Finally, the input current harmonics are reduced by using multiple transformers, and the validity of this result is demonstrated.


Coxsackie viruses belong to the enterovirus family which are usually isolated from the stomach and intestinal regions of the human body. The research we have undertook here is an exploration of the human CXADR gene using an in–silico approach to demonstrate the power and effectiveness of various online analytical tools. In this attempt to recognize the various mutations that occur in the CXADR gene, we have chosen 11 SNPs that have deleterious clinical significance. The junction expression profile reveals, the expression of CXADR gene in various tissues. In addition, gene expression profiles of various tissues have enabled us to predict the various diseases that might be caused due to the mutations with varying levels of confidence. The CXADR gene plays a very vital role in the interaction of the Coxsackie virus at the molecular level, as evidenced by their part played in causing a disease named Viral Myocarditis.


Jim Glassman addresses the role of the state in the industrial transformation of what was, before the economic crisis of 1997-98, one of Southeast Asia's fastest growing economies. Approaching this issue from a different angle to those dominating 1980s and 1990s debates about the role of states in East Asian growth, Glassman argues that the Thai state has been both proactive and interventionist in encouraging industrial transformation - contrary to what neo-liberals have asserted - but at the same time has not been a 'developmental' state of the sort championed by neo-Weberian analysts of East Asia. Analyzing the Cold War period, the period of the economic boom, as well as the economic crisis and its political aftershock, Thailand at the Margins recasts the story of the Thai state's post-World War II development performance by focusing on uneven industrialization and the interaction between internationalization and the transformation of Thai labour.


Abstract The Turán number of a graph H, denoted by ex(n, H), is the maximum number of edges in any graph on n vertices which does not contain H as a subgraph. Let Pk denote the path on k vertices and let mPk denote m disjoint copies of Pk. Bushaw and Kettle [Turán numbers of multiple paths and equibipartite forests, Combin. Probab. Comput. 20 (2011) 837–853] determined the exact value of ex(n, kPℓ) for large values of n. Yuan and Zhang [The Turán number of disjoint copies of paths, Discrete Math. 340 (2017) 132–139] completely determined the value of ex(n, kP3) for all n, and also determined ex(n, Fm), where Fm is the disjoint union of m paths containing at most one odd path. They also determined the exact value of ex(n, P3 ∪ P2ℓ+1) for n ≥ 2ℓ + 4. Recently, Bielak and Kieliszek [The Turán number of the graph 2P5, Discuss. Math. Graph Theory 36 (2016) 683–694], Yuan and Zhang [Turán numbers for disjoint paths, arXiv:1611.00981v1] independently determined the exact value of ex(n, 2P5). In this paper, we show that ex(n, 2P7) = max{[n, 14, 7], 5n − 14} for all n ≥ 14, where [n, 14, 7] = (5n + 91 + r(r − 6))/2, n − 13 ≡ r (mod 6) and 0 ≤ r < 6.


High-resolution water column observations have been carried out in the Wadden Sea to understand suspended particulate matter (SPM) transport in well-mixed tidal channels. These observations include more than 4000 consecutive CTD, microstructure shear and turbidity profiles from a free-falling microstructure probe, as well as velocity data from an ADCP and SPM samples for calibration. A horizontal density gradient was established by a landward temperature gradient built up during an extraordinarily warm and calm spring season. Tidal averaging along σ-layers (relative depth) provides the first direct observations of along-channel estuarine circulation in the Wadden Sea, with net inflow near the bottom and outflow near the surface. Increased westerly (up-estuary) winds during the second part of the campaign weakened and eventually even reversed estuarine circulation and yielded a net barotropic eastward transport. SPM concentrations showed a strong quarter-diurnal signal with maxima near full flood and full ebb and were generally lower during the calm period and increased during the windy period, mainly due to wave-related resuspension over nearby intertidal flats. The sediment flux analysis was based on a decomposition of the vertically integrated SPM flux into a barotropic advective component, an estuarine circulation component and a tidal pumping component. As a result, tidal pumping (due to ebb-dominance weakly seaward) dominated the SPM flux during calm conditions, whereas barotropic advection dominated the strong landward SPM flux during the windy period. Along-channel estuarine circulation is found to be of minor importance for the net SPM transport in such well-mixed systems.


Abstract At present, hydrodynamical simulations in computational star formation are either carried out with Eulerian mesh-based approaches or with the Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) technique. Both methods differ in their strengths and weaknesses, as well as in their error properties. It would be highly desirable to find an intermediate discretization scheme that combines the accuracy advantage of mesh-based methods with the automatic adaptivity and Galilean invariance of SPH. Here we briefly describe the novel AREPO code which achieves these goals based on a moving unstructured mesh defined by the Voronoi tessellation of a set of discrete points. The mesh is used to solve the hyperbolic conservation laws of ideal hydrodynamics with a finite volume approach, based on a second-order unsplit Godunov scheme with an exact Riemann solver. A particularly powerful feature is that the mesh-generating points can in principle be moved arbitrarily. If they are given the velocity of the local flow, an accurate Lagrangian formulation of continuum hydrodynamics is obtained that features a very low numerical diffusivity and is free of mesh distortion problems. If the points are kept fixed, the scheme is equivalent to a Eulerian code on a structured mesh. The new AREPO code appears especially well suited for problems such as gravitational fragmentation or compressible turbulence.


The paper presents the results of laboratory tests aimed at the study of storage place, storage manner and storage time in relation to mechanical properties of briquettes made from spruce shavings. A BrikStar 50 briquetting press with a pressure chamber 65 mm in diameter of the Briklis firm was used for the briquette production. All bri - quettes were made at the constant adjustment of all parameters of the briquetting press. The briquette properties were evaluated by determination of their density and rupture force. Moreover, mechanical durability, gross calorific value, total mois ture and ash content were determined. It follows from the results of tests that at briquette storage in a well closed plastic bag neither place nor storage time influenced significantly their life time. At briquette storage in a net plastic bag various intensive damage to briquettes occurred, mainly depending on their storage place and storage time.


Two adults patients presenting Bartter's syndrome have been studied for 9 years in one case, 7 years in the other. Both were affected with chondrocalcinosis. This association does not seem to be coincididental but suggests a pathogenic link between Bartter's syndrome and chondrocalcinosis; the two patients presented hypomagnesemia which, inhibiting intrasynovial pyrophosphatase, induces calcium pyrophosphate crystals deposits on fibrocartilages. Otherwise, excessive daily urinary excretion of PG E2 and PG F2 alpha was found in both patients. Indomethacin (150 mg daily) decreased urinary excretion of PG to normal values in the two cases, Kalaemia was completely normalized in one case, partially in the other.


Among rural sugar cane wage earners the predominant conceptions and uniform practices in health are of an individual, biologicist and curative nature. This paper analyses the human resource administrative policy, in an attempt to think upon its implications for the workers, inasmuch as it refers to the understanding of health-illness as a bio-psycho-social process and a basic right of citizenship. The reflection is carried out having as a background the productive restructuration process in progress in the sector, which comprises a set of technical-organisational innovations, especially those concerning the implementation of the total quality programmes as managing strategies to obtain productivity, quality and a reduction in the cost of production. Although the policy for administration of human resources incorporates a humanistic and participatory speech, it does not represent an attitude that outdoes the most traditional methods in work administration. It does not manifest itself in real improvements in the quality of life, and also contributes to making more difficult the worker's organising process. The business practices in health and human resource training, are more linked to work control and its adequacy to quality and productivity needs.


Ants (Formicidae) are the most diverse eusocial insects in Hymenoptera, distributed across 17 extant subfamilies grouped into 3 major clades, the Formicoid, Leptanilloid, and Poneroid. While the mitogenomes of Formicoid ants have been well studied, there is a lack of published data on the mitogenomes of Poneroid ants, which requires further characterization. In this study, we first present three complete mitogenomes of Poneroid ants: Paraponera clavata, the only extant species from the subfamily Paraponerinae, and two species (Harpegnathos venator and Buniapone amblyops) from the Ponerinae subfamily. Notable novel gene rearrangements were observed in the new mitogenomes, located in the gene blocks CR-trnM-trnI-trnQ-ND2, COX1-trnK-trnD-ATP8, and ND3-trnA-trnR-trnN-trnS1-trnE-trnF-ND5. We reported the duplication of tRNA genes for the first time in Formicidae. An extra trnQ gene was identified in H. venator. These gene rearrangements could be explained by the tandem duplication/random loss (TDRL) model and the slipped-strand mispairing model. Additionally, one large duplicated region containing tandem repeats was identified in the control region of P. clavata. Phylogenetic analyses based on protein-coding genes and rRNA genes via maximum likelihood and Bayes methods supported the monophyly of the Poneroid clade and the sister group relationship between the subfamilies Paraponerinae and Amblyoponinae. However, caution is advised in interpreting the positions of Paraponerinae due to the potential artifact of long-branch attraction.


Purpose: This study was done to investigate evidence of exercise programs as interventions to decrease depression, anxiety symptoms and stress as well as to improve physical status and self-esteem in adolescents. Methods: A search of electronic bibliographic database of Medline Ovid, Embase, KoreaMed and NDSL etc. was carried out to identify studies of randomized controlled trials that in cluded exercise programs for adolescent. Of 679 Publications identified, 10 studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria, and all studies were used in the meta-analysis. For Quality assessment of studies, Cochrane`s Risk of Bias was used. Results: The effectiveness of exercise therapy in adolescents showed that depression symptoms and stress decreased significantly, -0.50 (95% CI: -0.13~-0.27), -1.65 (95% CI: -3.19~-0.12) respectively, but there were some heterogeneity. Self-esteem increased 0.19 (95% CI: -0.22~0.60)due to exercise therapy but theses scores were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Based on these findings, there is evidence that exercise programs in adolescents are effective in improving depression symptoms, stress, and self-esteem. Therefore, the priority task is to develop tailored exercise programs for Korean adolescents and make efficient use of these programs.


ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the prevalence rate of prenatal anxiety and depression among pregnant women in a prospective cohort study and to explore the relevant factors of anxiety and depression during each trimester. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited into the Zhoushan Pregnant Women Cohort at Zhoushan Maternal and Child Care Hospital from September 2011 to March 2015. A self-made questionnaire was used to collect information about social demography, reproductive history, physical activity, and life behaviour at the first, second and third trimester, respectively. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess anxiety and depression status at each trimester, respectively. Prevalence rates of prenatal anxiety and depression at each trimester were described. Results: The prevalence of anxiety status was 22.7%, 17.4% and 20.8% in the first, second and third trimester, respectively. The corresponding prevalence rate of depression status was 35.7%, 24.0% and 26.1%, respectively. Furthermore, women with a lower education level (junior high school or below) and a more physical occupation had higher prevalence of anxiety and depression status. Conclusions: The prevalence of prenatal anxiety and depression status was very common during pregnancy among pregnant women. Lower educational level and more physical occupations were associated with higher prevalence of anxiety and depression status.


The electromagnetic power in the ion cyclotron frequency range radiated by a tokamak plasma with energetic ions is considered. It is found that the radiation may result from plasma fluctuations which are associated with the edge localized fast magnetoacoustic eigenmodes and strongly enhanced by interaction with the energetic ions. In this case, almost all the energy transferred from the energetic particles to the waves is emitted by the plasma and the system is marginally stable due to the presence of small wave damping. In particular, this picture is consistent with the power measurements of superthermal ion cyclotron emission in the JET preliminary tritium experiment.


Background and objective The analytes stability on serum and plasma are critical for clinical laboratory, especially if there is a delay in their processing or if they need to be stored for future research. The objective of this research was to determine the stability of K3EDTA-plasma and serum on different storage conditions. Materials and methods A total of thirty healthy adults were studied. The serum/plasma samples were centrifuged at 2000g for 10 minutes. Immediately after centrifugation, the serum/plasma analytes were assayed in primary tubes using a Cobas c501 analyzer (T0); the residual serum/plasma was stored at either 2-8°C or -20°C for 15 (T15) and 30 days (T30). Mean concentrations changes in respect of initial concentrations (T0) and the reference change values were calculated. For assessing statistical difference between samples, the Wilcoxon ranked-pairs test was applied. Results We evidenced instability for total bilirubin, uric acid, creatinine and glucose at T15 and T30 and stored at -20°C (p<0.05). However, potential clinical impact significance were observed only for total bilirrubin T30 at -20°C, and creatinine T30 at 2-8°C. Conclusions Our results had shown that storage samples at -20°C is a better way to preserve glucose, creatinine, and uric acid. Therefore, laboratories should freeze their samples as soon as possible to guarantee proper stability when there is need to repeat analysis, verify a result, or add a laboratory testing.


The development of a symbolic toolbox which implements a systematic algorithm for designing robust dynamical adaptive backstepping tracking controllers for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems is considered. The algorithm is based on a combination of adaptive input-output linearization without transformation to canonical forms, and sliding mode control which exploits the recursive mechanism of adaptive backstepping with tuning functions. The MATLAB Symbolic Toolbox has been used for the implementation of this tool.


In the qubit semantics the meaning of any sentence α is represented by a quregister : a unit vector of the n–fold tensor product ⊗C, where n depends on the number of occurrences of atomic sentences in α (see [CDCGL01]). The logic characterized by this semantics, called quantum computational logic (QCL), is unsharp, because the non-contradiction principle is violated. We show that QCL does not admit any logical truth. In this framework, any sentence α gives rise to a quantum tree, consisting of a sequence of unitary operators. The quantum tree of α can be regarded as a quantum circuit that transforms the quregister associated to the atomic subformulas of α into the quregster associated to α.


BACKGROUND
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and expenditures are on the rise in the United States. Although civilian users of CAM have been well described, little is known about military veteran users of CAM.

OBJECTIVE
To describe military veteran CAM users in the southwestern United States.

METHODS
The study population comprised 508 military veterans randomly selected from Southern Arizona Veterans Administration Health Care System (Tucson) primary care patient lists, who had agreed to participate in a telephone interview. The chi(2) test was used to analyze CAM use by demographic characteristics, military service, military-related health outcomes, and physician-diagnosed health complaints. Logistic regression was used to determine predictor variables.

RESULTS
Of the 508 subjects, 252 (49.6%) reported CAM use. Military veteran CAM users were significantly more likely to be non-Hispanic white, earn more than $50 000 per year (both P<.05), and have greater than 12 years of education (P<.01). Current high daily stress, perceived negative impact of military life on physical or mental health, and physician-diagnosed chronic illnesses (eg, gastrointestinal problems, insomnia, and asthma) were statistically associated with CAM use. Regression analysis provided adjusted odds ratios and indicated that ethnicity (non-Hispanic white), higher education, greater current daily stress, and overseas military experience were significant predictors of CAM use by these veterans (each P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Ethnicity, education, income, and several chronic health complaints are consistent with civilian CAM use. Findings also suggest, however, that physicians providing conventional medical care need to be aware of experiences unique to CAM-using military veterans.


This study explored from the perspective of networks and effectuation theories, how a security software Brazilian company goes international, identifying their motivations and what the competitive advantages that came from this process. The chosen methodology was qualitative, with the use of single case study. The results obtained allow to note that much of the path taken in the international market did not follow the initially planned by managers and that, after the internationalization, the company began to be perceived by domestic customers as more efficient and as having more advanced technological content. In fact, the search for international competitiveness led the company to maintain high technological standards, superior even to those of international competitors. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of the Brazilian software industry internationalization process by identifying the points that have turned this company in a unique case in the segment.


The increasing use as new structural materials, including special purpose currently, are composites based on amorphous-crystalline linear polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This material has unique antifriction properties, high chemical inertness, thermal and cold resistance. The advantage of these materials is in the higher values of their mechanical properties compared to amorphous polymers. However, low wear resistance and insufficient mechanical properties preclude its use in unfilled form. For PTFE there is a possibility of effective purposeful regulation of operational characteristics by filling and structural modifying by means of mechanical activation.


Summary. A survey was undertaken in three different governorates of the newly reclaimed lands in Egypt, cultivated with different vegetable crops, to detect the presence of the endoparasitic bacterium Pasteuria penetrans on root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. Root and soil samples were collected in infected fields from the Shibin El-Kom and El-Sadat (El-Minufiya), El-Tahrir and Kom Hamada (El-Behira), and El-Salhiya (El-Sharkiya) regions. Pasteuria penetrans was detected on second-stage juveniles and females of Meloidogyne javanica, from eggplant, only in Kom Hamada, El-Behira governorate. Studies with the transmission electron microscope revealed that diameter and height of the endospores were 3.35 µm and 1.42 µm, respectively.


Reactive power compensation is an important challenge in smart power systems. However, in the context of reactive power compensation, most existing studies assume that customers can assess their compensation value (their Var unit) objectively. In this paper, customers are assumed to make decisions that pertain to reactive power coordination. In consequence, the way in which those customers evaluate the compensation value resulting from their individual decisions will impact the overall grid performance. In particular, a behavioral framework, based on the framing effect of prospect theory (PT), is developed to study the impact of both objective value and subjective evaluation in a reactive power compensation game. For instance, PT's framing effect allows customers to optimize a subjective value of their utility which essentially frames the objective utility with respect to a reference point. This game enables customers to coordinate the use of their electrical devices to compensate reactive power. For the proposed game, both the objective case using expected utility theory and the PT consideration are solved via a learning algorithm that converges to a mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium. In addition, several key properties of this game are derived analytically. Simulation results show that, under PT, customers are likely to make decisions that differ from those predicted by classical models. For instance, using an illustrative two-customer case, we show that a PT customer will increase the adoption of a conservative strategy (achieving a high power factor) by 29% compared to a conventional customer. Similar insights are also observed for a case with three customers.


ABSTRACT Yang, Z.; Cheng, H.; Cao, Z.; Guo, X., and Shi, X., 2018. Effect of riverbed morphology on lateral sediment distribution in estuaries. An idealized model is applied to a set of eight estuaries with various transverse depth cross-sections to examine the effect of riverbed morphology on suspended sediment concentration (SSC) distribution. Five estuaries consist of a single deep channel, and three estuaries consist of double deep channels. All estuaries share a set of boundary conditions, including tidal flow, density gradient, river discharge, in an attempt to represent a typical estuary. Under these conditions, model results suggest that both tidal and residual flow fields vary significantly among eight estuaries, resulting in significant differences on SSC distribution, e.g., maximum mean SSC (), location of (), and space uniformity of mean SSC. In most estuaries, the SSC is higher over the left channel than that over the right channel mainly due to the lateral density gradient-generated residual flow (). However, the space distribution of mean SSC is more uniform over the estuaries with a rightward deep channel than those estuaries with a leftward deep channel. Furthermore, the former estuaries get a higher value of , which is mainly caused by the decreasing lateral density gradient across the estuary. Lateral residual flow generated by nonlinearities would transport sediment from two sides of the estuary to the central channel (convergent transport). This transport component would play an important role in a narrow deep estuary, and would shift the location of to the central orientation. On the contrary, a much lower value of is examined in the broad wide estuary because of the extreme weak nonlinearity. Sensitivity analysis of tidal asymmetry indicates that both the amplitude and phase of M4 tidal flow would affect the transverse sediment distribution though the M4 tidal transport () and the influence of M4 tidal flow on the M2 tidal transport (), resulting in a significant variance of and over estuaries.


The noninvasive assessment of myocardial viability has proved clinically useful for distinguishing hibernating myocardium from irreversibly injured myocardium in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease or recent myocardial infarction who exhibit marked regional and global left ventricular dysfunction. Noninvasive techniques utilized for detection of viability in asynergic myocardial regions include single-photon-emission CT perfusion imaging with 201Tl or one of the new 99mTc-labeled perfusion agents, positron emission tomographic imaging of perfusion and glucose uptake, low-dose dobutamine echocardiography for assessment of inotropic reserve, and contrast echocardiography for evaluation of microvascular integrity. The greater the number of viable myocardial segments by any of these techniques, the greater is the probability of improvement in regional and global left ventricular function, improvement in heart failure symptoms and functional capacity, and enhanced survival after revascularization. Patients with a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction and extensive myocardial viability treated medically have a high cardiac event rate. Similarly, patients with poor viability preoperatively who still undergo coronary bypass surgery have a high rate of early and late cardiac death or need for transplantation compared with patients with greater viability. Finally, some patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy referred for cardiac transplantation may have substantial zones of hibernation and may still be candidates for coronary bypass surgery, even in the absence of angina.


In an early poem, "Sleep and Poetry," Keats presents his thought on poetry's healing power, arguing that poetry can be both therapeutic and transcendent. From the examples Keats affords in "Sleep and Poetry," "The Fall of Hyperion: A Dream" and elsewhere, it can be deduced that the consoling effects of what I call Keats's "therapeutic poetry" arise from the mingling of illusion and disillusionment. This poetry creates an illusive world in which readers can not only temporarily escape from the frets of reality, but also experience an awakening from the dream of the poem, a moment that lifts the reader's mind to a higher level of tranquil meditation. In many of Keats's poems, innocence and experience as well as illusion and disillusionment overlap in one dream to produce the therapeutic property defined by Keats in "Sleep and Poetry." However, this advantage of a mélange is missing in "The Fall of Hyperion: A Dream." The poem starts with a critique of the illusive aspect of poetry. And yet, the poem ends with the feeling that illusion is still an essential and important component of poetry. Near the end of the second dream, an illusion is inlayed again through the light of the sun god, Hyperion. The unfinished fragment ends in a vision which affirms the value of illusion with some reservation.


The Earth's magnetosphere is highly structured, in terms of both magnetic field and plasma characteristics. This structure has a profound influence on the propagation of plasma waves, especially ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves with mHz frequencies, which have wavelengths comparable with typical magnetospheric dimensions. The basic theory of ULF hydromagnetic wave propagation in an infinite, homogeneous, uniformly magnetized plasma has been extensively modified to cope with the requirements of applying it to the magnetosphere. The authors consider the field-line-guided Alfven wave modes and the isotropic fast hydromagnetic wave modes, and show how the existence of magnetospheric boundaries can affect the structure of both modes. The magnetosphere can also be considered as a cavity in which fast cavity modes may exist, with frequencies quantized by the three-dimensional cavity shape. Azimuthal variation in a system with radial Alfven speed structure leads to the idea of 'field-line resonance'.


Background:
 Contrast induced encephalopathy (CIE) following radiographic procedures, though a well-recognized complication, occurs sporadically enough that its diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment remain undefined and varied.

 Objective:
 We sought to identify clinical and radiographic criteria as well as treatment experience vis a vis reported outcomes.

 Methods:
 We identified case reports in PUBMED using search terms "contrast induced encephalopathy/neurotoxicity" from which we collected clinical and radiographic variables.

 Results:
 Among 52 reports (total 79 patients, including our own unpublished 3 cases) the mean age was 60±16 years, with similar gender distribution. Multiple different contrast media were used (mean dose, 207 ±158 mL). Onset was typically immediate, though delayed cases up to 39 days later occurred. There were 3 confirmed cases (n=2, direct evidence of contrast in cerebrospinal fluid; n=1, autopsy excluded other cause of abnormality) which we classified as 'definite CIE'. No imaging hallmark features were described in 30 patients, whom we classified as 'possible CIE.' The remaining 47, 'probable CIE,' demonstrated either diffuse edema or enhancement, with the latter being a more common finding (enhancement=33, 42% vs 11, 14%). Administered treatments included: hydration (n=31), steroids (n=10), hyperosmolar agents (n=4), anti-hypertensives (n=3), anti-convulsants (n=3), thrombolytics (n=3), hemodialysis (n=2), hemicraniectomy (n=1), and n-acetylcysteine. (n=1). There was no correlation between imaging features nor treatment modality and final outcome. Resolution occurred within 5 ±9 days. While most patients improved, 9 (11%) had no/incomplete improvement including 2 (2.5%) who expired. The 2 fatal cases occurred among the only 2 children in the entire series, p<0.001.

 Conclusion:
 The diagnostic approach to CIE may be systemized based on the identification of hallmark radiologic findings, which, whether present or absent, do not appear to affect outcome. Though hydration and supportive remedies are most common, other treatments were not associated with hastened or worsened symptom resolution. And while the outcome of CIE among adults is generally benign, it may be fatal in children.


This chapter analyzes the protection of social rights through core international human rights treaties beyond the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Other core international human rights instruments, namely the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of 1979, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1989, the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CRMW) of 1990, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) of 2006 and even the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantee economic, social and cultural rights as well. Protection can be achieved either directly, i.e. through social rights provisions in other core human rights instruments, or indirectly, i.e. through different types of rights provisions which do not guarantee social rights themselves. Indirect protection can be achieved through non-discrimination provisions as applied to the protection of social rights. In this respect, a suitable distinction can be made between non-discrimination provisions that specifically address discrimination with regard to social rights on the one hand and general non-discrimination provisions like Article 26 ICCPR on the other. Moreover, considering the inseparability and interdependence of human rights, other substantive guarantees, albeit essentially civil or political rights, are, if understood accordingly, also relevant for the protection of social rights. Building on these distinctions, the chapter explains the legal framework for direct and indirect protection of human rights through other core international human rights treaties and highlights the challenge of coherence.


Vibrio parahaemolyticus Na2 and its pili were studied in relation to intestinal colonization. The isolated pili were adhesive to the intestinal epithelium. The adhesion of the organisms was blocked by masking the epithelial receptor with the purified pili, or by treating the organisms with anti‐pilus antibody (Fab fraction). These results suggest that the pili of V. parahaemolyticus Na2 play an important role in the adhesion of the organisms to the rabbit intestine.


Using the extended Huckel molecular orbital–N elastic scattering quantum chemistry technique, the scattering electronic properties of four-and two-electrode monomolecular Wheatstone bridges are discussed. Simple intramolecular circuit rules are given for the design of an intramolecular electronic circuit integrated in a single molecule. The balancing condition of the four-electrode monomolecular Wheatstone bridge is provided. The value of the tuning resistance of the bridge is the same applying the new tunnel circuit rules and the standard Kirchhoff node and mesh laws. Only the way of reaching the equilibrium of the bridge is different.


Quince fruit powder can be obtained from the waste of the edible product. In this study, we modified the powder with various solvents and investigated its application in Pickering emulsification. The crushed Chinese quince fruit possessed excellent Pickering emulsifying abilities when the water-soluble components were removed. In addition to cellulose, the powder contains hydrophilic pectin and hydrophobic lignin fibers. Similarly, a powder consisting of cellulose and a small amount of lignin without pectin, which was obtained by further solvent treatment, also showed high emulsification performance. Although these two powders had different fiber compositions, their water contact angles were almost equal, and their surface hydrophilicity was lower than that of the cellulose-only powder without emulsification ability.


The quantity of accessible information on Internet is phenomenal, and its categorization remains one of the most important problems. A lot of work is currently focused on English rightly since; it is the dominant language of the Web. However, a need arises for the other languages, because the Web is each day more multilingual. The need is much more pressing for the Arabic language. Our research is on the categorization of the Arabic texts, its originality relates to the use of a conceptual representation of the text. For that we will use Arabic WordNet (AWN) as a lexical and semantic resource. To comprehend its effect, we incorporate it in a comparative study with the other usual modes of representation (bag of words and Ngrams), and we use different similarity measures. The results show the benefits and advantages of this representation compared to the more conventional methods, and demonstrate that the addition of the semantic dimension is one of the most promising approaches for the automatic categorization of Arabic texts.


A false ceiling is a ceiling made beneath the main ceiling of the room, building and other related applications. In this research Composite ceiling board based on short wool fibers and gypsum was developed by hand lay-up process. A three-factor two-level experimental design central composite design method was applied to develop the composites and explore the contribution of each parameter on mechanical properties. The present investigation focuses on the physical and mechanical characterization of the sheep wool fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites and studies the development and Characterization of indigenous sheep wool fiber reinforced gypsum matrix composite. Gypsum (CaSO 4 . 2 H 2 O) as matrix and wool as reinforcement would be used as light-weight material for false ceiling board. Experimental investigation has been carried out to find out the effect of wool fiber at different weight percentages starting from 10 to 35 %. 100 KN servo hydraulic universal testing machine was used to test specimen. The optimum proportion of the raw materials were identified using central composite design and the results are, 30% fiber, 70% gypsum and parallel fiber arrangement, Regarding to the optimum value, mechanical properties such as tensile strength, compressive strength and cross arrangement for bending strength of the composite material were characterized. The result showed that the maximum tensile strength was 7.6N/ mm2, compressive strength was 6.6N/mm 2 and bending strength is 5.4N/mm 2 . As a result, indigenous sheep wool fiber as reinforcement of false ceiling board has better mechanical properties than other wood, wood with fiber-based composite.


With baby boomers entering old age and longevity increasing, policymakers have focused on the physical, social, and health needs of older persons. We urge policymakers to consider cognitive aging as well, particularly normal, age-related memory decline. Psychological scientists attribute memory decline mainly to cognitive overload stemming from age-related reductions in sensory capacities, speed of cognitive processing, and the ability to filter out irrelevant information. Even in the absence of decline, however, memory is imperfect and forgetting can be especially consequential for older adults. For example, forgetting to take prescription medicines is an age-related problem largely because older adults tend to ingest many more prescription drugs. We propose that policymakers focus on increasing environmental support for memory that can reduce the burden on cognitive resources and thus improve recall. In providing environmental support, policymakers need to pay careful attention to potential age-related changes in physical and cognitive capacity, as well as behavior.


Wireless systems are in a growing need for compact size phased antenna arrays, hence, compact phase shifters, as well. 1n addition, there are other numerous applications like isolators, filters, and couplers that deploy the phase shifter as an essential component. To implement the phase shifter in a compact size, the Substrate 1ntegrated Waveguide (SIW) structure is selected. SIW technology has almost all the properties of rectangular waveguides. However, it keeps the advantage of the compactness and integration capability. The mode supported by SIW structures is the TE 10. This work introduces ferrite phase shifter with compact size compared to the traditional ferrite phase shifters that are bulky. The proposed non-reciprocal 90° phase shifter is based on SIW technology with less than ±15° of phase variations over the Ku-band.


Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major etiologic agent of post-transfusional hepatitis. Sera from 320 participants (80 enrolled from each of four blood banks from Wudil, Gaya, Sumaila and Takai local government areas) were tested for antibodies to HCV. A total of 319 subjects were males and 1 female between the ages of 14–64 years. One-step rapid test was employed in the analysis. Eleven (11) out of 320 sera (3.4%) were sero-positive (reactive). This showed a relatively low prevalence of HCV infection among blood donors in this part (north) of the country when compared with those established for the southern parts of Nigeria. However, the prevalence (3.4%) was found to be higher when compared with similar reports from western countries. Prevalence rate based on the 80 subjects in each LGA indicated that Gaya had the highest prevalence of 4(5.0%), followed by Wudil with 3(3.8%); Sumaila and Takai were observed to have the least prevalence rate of 2(2.5%) each. However, no significant statistical difference was observed (P>0.05) between the LGAs. There was no statistical association between the demographic data and HCV infection. However, the relationship between possible risk factors and HCV infection revealed significant statistical association in the transmission through family (vertical transmission), receipt of injection as well as consumption of alcohol. There is need for public intervention through mandatory screening of blood and blood products, destruction of disposable needles, adequate sterilization of re-usable materials and promotion of health education on HCV infection and its prevalence.


Tannery sludge waste is currently being used by many farmers for the cultivation of vegetables on large scale for human consumption. The study investigated the effect of tannery sludge on some soil properties and levels of heavy metals in Amaranthus hybridus and Corchorus olitorius grown on the tannery amended soil. Pot experiment was conducted and the metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result showed the soil pH, organic matter content and conductivity of the amended soils increase compared to the controls. The sludge amendment led to significant increase in the metals concentrations of soil. It also led to higher concentration of Nickel (15.73 ± 1.17mg/kg) in the leave, Lead (60.41 ± 9.97mg/kg) and Cadmium (1.99 ± 0.85mg/kg) in the root of Corchorus olitorius. While higher concentration of Chromium (348.99 ± 50.31mg/kg) was observed in the root of Amaranthus hybridus. The concentrations, except of Nickel in Amaranthus hybridus tissues were above the WHO recommended safe limits. Though, the translocation factor of all the tested metals in the vegetables tissues were found low, the concentrations in the vegetables are not safe for dietary consumption. Hence, stringent guidelines set for tannery sludge applications on agricultural land should be totally enforced


A large 7-year vaccination trial was conducted in 15 flocks of goats and 7 flocks of sheep, known to be infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), in Northern Greece. A total of 3665 kids and 1685 lambs, 7 - 30 days old, were vaccinated during 1995-1999. Seven hundred and seventy-five kids and 413 lambs were kept as unvaccinated controls. For each trial, the Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR), with respective exact 95% confidence intervals, was calculated. All IRR point estimates for young animals were very large (from 5.68 to 11.78 for kids and from 4.28 to 10.08 for lambs), while none of the 95% confidence intervals included 1. The protective effect of vaccination was large and the difference in mortality among vaccinated and unvaccinated animals was more pronounced in young animals. The effect in adult animals was smaller than in young animals; it was, however, still considerable. Upon visual inspection of the K-M curves, it seems that for the young animal trials the vaccinated and control-group curves were diverging increasingly over time, which indicates that the gain from the vaccination (or the loss from non-vaccination) might increase over time during the trial.


The main aim of the paper is to explore the theoretical aspects of functional analysis on purpose to identify the essence of functional analysis in public sector. This objective was chosen in reference to relevant problem of modern-day, i.e. inefficiency and ineffectiveness of public sector activities. The article contains functional analysis goals, tasks formed by different sources of literature; also, interpretations of the process of functional analysis are introduced. The conclusions were made that the main goal of functional analysis is to suggest an optimal set of functions that have to be performed in order to assure high quality of public services and minimal possible costs throughout all the hierarchical levels of government.


The autoinflammatory syndromes are rare inherited disorders characterized by recurrent attacks of multi-system inflammation caused by genetic mutations that result in abnormal upregulation of key innate immune mediators. The term autoinflammatory syndromes includes a broad variety of disorders, including cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) such as neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID), familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS), Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS), periodic fever syndromes, including familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), TNF receptor-1 associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), and Blau syndrome. Ocular manifestations are frequent and diverse in affected patients, and visual impairment and blindness are not uncommon sequelae of chronic active disease. Novel therapeutic interventions targeting specific pathophysiologic mechanisms have been extremely promising in the treatment of these disorders. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of these disorders with a focus on pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, ophthalmologic involvement, and available treatment options.


Giorgio Agamben's theory of cinema poetics and cinematic art of Guy Debord

The main purpose of my paper is to introduce a new approach to visual and cinema studies that redefines the idea of image in its traditional, aesthetical status. One of several philosophers that have got engaged in polemics with Deleuzian film theory, presented in a two-volume book Cinema 1. The movement-image, Cinema 2. The time-image, Giorgio Agamben introduced his own new theoretical proposition. He suggested replacing the fundamental aesthetical understanding of image with the rather ethical and political idea of the gesture. By criticizing the Deleuzian semiotic taxonomy of images he entered the discussion on contemporary film theory with a completely fresh approach. In my paper I will not only present his core ideas on film theory studies but also explain what the consequences of his theory are on the studies of images in contemporary culture. Agambenian ideas do not simply focus on film theory but rather reflect a specific condition of society and culture that he has examined throughout his academic career. Basing on his philosophy I will then introduce the works of Guy Debord and his artistic strategy that I suggest analyzing with references to Agambenian philosophy. By basing my analysis on the two most important and meaningful films by Debord, I seek for connections between their critical
and political dimensions and the core concepts created and developed by the
Italian philosopher – gesture, potentiality, difference, repetition, etc.


This paper establishes relations—historical, material and evidential connections—between two responses to a 'crisis'. The first features in the history of industrialised iron construction, specifically period reporting on the spectacular collapse of the River Dee bridge in Cheshire, England, in 1847. The second response highlights a blind spot in the historiography of modern architecture. Robert Stephenson became suspect when his cast- and wrought-iron railway bridge across the River Dee failed, resulting in death and injury and continuing uncertainty as to its cause. At the time the incident sparked national furore, setting off a coroner's inquest followed by a Royal Commission into the perilous state of Britain's bridges. The inquest jury concluded no one was to blame; rather, it was an accident brought about by use of iron, an uncertain and "treacherous" metal. This explanation has failed to satisfy contemporary materials specialists who have reopened the case, albeit under different terms of reference. The paper examines the initial verdict, firstly, in view of aspects of the social context of evidence and proof prevailing at the inquest and, secondly, given historical writing on iron construction whereby the inquest's seemingly imprecise and arbitrary judgment is taken as sign of the subsequent progress of engineering as a practical and moral science. This paper adopts the leitmotif of 'crisis' to highlight a parallel history that challenges progressivist narratives of industrialised iron construction and modernist architecture. It invites reflection on the provenance and unstable forms of agency associated with engineering as a propositional and socially contingent enterprise.


Objectives. To determine how beta-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ 1-42), total tau (tTau), and phosphorylated tau (pTau) levels in CSF behave in a cohort of Thai patients from the Memory Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. Methods. During 2009–2011, twenty eight subjects from the memory clinic at Siriraj Hospital had CSF analysis for AD biomarkers. Aβ 1-42, tTau, and pTau (at amino acid 181) were measured in CSF by ELISA technique. Results. Mean of Thai mental state examination (TMSE) of 28 Thai cohort was 16.48 (6.63). Fourteen had AD, ten had non-AD dementia, and four non-cases were those with subjective memory complaint (SMC) without dementia. Mean CSF Aβ 1-42, tTau, ptau (181), and pTau/Aβ 1-42 in the AD group were 241.36 (60.14) pg/mL, 222.79 (212.24) pg/mL, 40.79 (27.84) pg/mL, and 0.18 (0.12) accordingly. Mean CSF Aβ 1-42, tTau, pTau (181), and pTau/Aβ 1-42 in the non-AD dementia group were 430.40 (125.18) pg/mL, 349.30 (692.16) pg/mL, 36.80 (14.90) pg/mL, and 0.09 (0.04) accordingly. Mean CSF Aβ 1-42, tTau, pTau (181), and pTau/Aβ 1-42 in the non-cases with SMC without dementia were 499.75 (93.44) pg/mL, 137.25 (62.74) pg/mL, 31.75 (17.48) pg/mL, and 0.06 (0.02). There is significant difference (P < 0.05) among the 3 groups in CSF Aβ 1-42 and pTau/Aβ 1-42. We propose mean + 1.5 SD of CSF Aβ 1-42 in AD group (331.57 pg/mL) to be the cut-off point in Thai subjects. Conclusion. There are significant different in CSF Aβ 1-42 and CSF p-tau/Aβ 1-42 among those with AD, non-AD dementia and non cases with SMC without dementia in Thai cohort. Cut-off point of CSF Aβ 1-42 of 331.57 pg/mL is suggested in Thai study.


Diversity of two groups of reef fish (butterfly fishes and angel fishes) assemblages was investigated around Zabargad Island, Red Sea. Zabargad Island (St. John's Island) is on the border of northern central part in the remote south of Egypt, 70 km off the coast. The island is almost 300 m above the sea level. Four sites were investigated around the Island. Underwater visual census techniques had been used to record fish abundances on reefs. Species richness was expressed by considering the number of species (D) and species diversity. Homogeneity were determined using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') and the evenness index (J'). The total number of butterflyfish species recorded, at different sites, was 10 species belonging to two genera. There are two obvious patterns of distribution of butterfly fishes with depth around Zabargad Island. The highest average abundance was also recorded at site 1 (22 fish/600 m3), with the lowest value at site 2 (10 fish/600 m3). The total number of angelfish species recorded, at different sites, was 7 species belonging to five genera. All angelfish species are not found on the reef flat (except Pygoplites diacanthus and Centropyge multispinis) but they preferred the reef slope and increasing with depths. Substrate composition was calculated as percentage cover for all taxa. Several hard and soft coral genera were recorded from the study sites. On the reef flat, dead components, soft corals and marine plants (especially algae) were dominated, which represented by 42.83%, 31.38%, and 12.25%, respectively. On the reef wall or slope, hard corals, dead components and soft coral were dominated, and represented by 47.55%, 23.83%, and 16.70%, respectively. Linear regression equations were calculated to investigate the relationships between fish community and benthic composition of the substrate.


The coordination chemistry of the novel bidentate tin ligand 1,2-distanna-closo-dodecaborate is illustrated for the first time by reactions with molybdenum, platinum and gold metal complexes. Up to three clusters coordinate two metal centers in close proximity. For all these metal complexes the typical μ-bridging coordination mode was observed exclusively. Furthermore, two cluster anions react with dichloromethane via substitution of the chloride ions. The carbon functionalized tin cluster [Et(4)N](2)[CH(2)(Sn(2)B(10)H(10))(2)] and the coordination complexes [Et(3)NMe](6)[Mo(2)(CO)(6)(Sn(2)B(10)H(10))(3)], [Et(3)NMe](2)[{HPt(PEt(3))(2)(Sn(2)B(10)H(10))}(2)], [Et(4)N](2)[{HPt(PPh(3))(2)(Sn(2)B(10)H(10))}(2)] and [{(TP)Au}(2)(Sn(2)B(10)H(10))] (TP = PhP(o-Ph(2)PC(6)H(4))(2)) are fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and crystal structure analyses.


Objectives: This study aims to find differences that reflect the magnitude of health disparities in wage workers in Korea according to income index(personal income, household income, equivalized income) by gender. Methods: Data was obtained from the 11th wave of Korean Labor and Income Panel Survey in 2008. This study analyzed 4,205 subjects(2,570 males and 1,635 females) aged 19-65 years. To compare the health effects of each income index by gender, unconditional multiple logistic regression, health-related behaviors, and working conditions were used. The unconditional multiple logistic regression was adjusted by socio-demographic characteristics. All statistics were estimated using SAS survey procedures. Results: According to unconditional multiple logistic regression, significant differences in ORs between men and women were observed in this study for those wage workers who self-rated their health status to be poor. This was consistent between each income index. Men had an OR of 1.76 (95% CI, 1.28~2.43) by personal income, 1.70 (95%CI, 1.25~2.32) by household income and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.23~2.31) by equivalized income. Women had an 2.09 (95% CI, 1.47~2.97) by household income and OR of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.36~2.79) by equivalized income, but personal income did not have a significant effect on OR for women. Conclusions: The study of occupational and environmental medicine should consider that each income index has different effects on the self-rated health status according to gender. Household income index and equivalized income index would represent a health status for women.


The resonant frequencies of low and high order modes of square cuboid, high permittivity dielectric resonators have been studied, both theoretically and experimentally for the case of a resonator on a substrate, such as an integrated circuit. A previous analysis for an isolated rectangular resonator has been extended for the present case and Fortran IV programs have been written to calculate the resonant mode frequencies as a function of the aspect ratios of the resonators. The dimensions of resonators for various aspect ratios ranging from 0.2 to 0.9 were calculated, keeping the frequency of the fundamental TE 11δ
mode constant at 8.2 GHz. The resonators were made from zirconium titanium stanate (e
 r
 = 34.3) for the experimental determination of resonant frequencies. There was a good agreement between the theoretical and experimental values of the resonant frequencies of the various modes. It was shown from the determination of the values of Q of the various modes that the E
 13δ
 mode offers a higher value of Q than the corresponding fundamental TE
 11δ
 mode.


This paper evaluates the impact of the Great Recession on Ph.D over-education using data drawn from four annual cohorts of Ph.D graduates surveyed by the Italian National Institute of Statistics. Over-education is examined through the definitions of both overskilling and over-qualification. To assess the effect of the crisis, we adopt several proxies, among which economic resilience. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the nexus over-education-resilience receives attention. The results show that over-skilling is negatively associated with the Great Recession. More generally, working on research-based activities and having study experience abroad are always significant drivers to overcome any kind of job mismatch. Conversely, being self-employed increases the risk of over-education, casting some doubts on the satisfactory additionality of Ph.D employment trajectories beyond academia and research. Finally, in contrast with previous results for graduates, we find that variables related to the family of origins do not exert a significant influence on Ph.D over-education.


Material was obtained from sections of the Hamilton Group in the northern Southern Peninsula of Michigan; near Silica, Lucas County, Ohio; near Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio; the western half of New York; and Middlesex and Lambton Counties, Ontario. Six genera, 25 species, ten subspecies, and one variety were studied in regard to their regional and stratigraphic relationships. Seven species, three subspecies, and the variety are new. Nine species and two genera (Lucasella Stewart, 1936, and Spinovina Coryell and Malkin, 1936) are considered to be synonyms. Middle Devonian specimens formerly assigned to the genus Burlella Coryell and Booth are assigned to the genus Quasillites. Known geographic ranges of many species are extended.


This work presents a new technique for computing large-change sensitivity (LCS) of steady-state operating point in nonlinear circuits. The basic idea underlying the algorithm is the construction of a reduced system of nonlinear equations that preserves the derivatives of steady-state response with respect to the desired network parameters. Large change variations are then obtained by solving the reduced systems instead of the original one.


This article presents a corpus analysis of changes over a period of two centuries in speech-reporting constructions in written White South African English (WSAfE), a native variety of English that has been in contact with Afrikaans throughout its history. The analysis is based on register-differentiated comparable diachronic corpora of WSAfE, its parent variety, British English (BrE), and the contact language, Afrikaans. Three related reported-speech constructions are analysed, focusing on changes in the relative frequencies of variants of each construction. These constructions show ongoing change, with similar trajectories of change for WSAfE and BrE in some cases, but divergent trajectories in others. In the latter case, WSAfE and Afrikaans converge on similar frequency distributions, which follow from an accelerated rate of change or a slowing down of the rate of change for particular features in WSAfE in comparison to BrE. Descriptive findings are supported by conditional inference tree modelling. The effect of frequency on reinforcing similar patterns of change in WSAfE and Afrikaans, as well as simplification through the levelling of register differences in WSAfE and Afrikaans are proposed as explanations. The study highlights the importance of converging norms in a multilingual publication industry as a site of contact.


In this paper, design of a coplanar microstrip Fractal antenna with coplanar capacitive coupled probe fed, for wide band frequency operation is presented. The proposed antenna is excited by a single probe feed connected to a capacitive feed strip placed at the centre of the fractal antenna. The coplanar capacitive feed strip is modified to obtain the best possible match with the antenna input impedance and to tune out the excessive capacitive reactance due to feed strip. It is demonstrated that the modified feed strip, placed in the circular hole inside the fractal antenna and similar radiation characteristics can be obtained at the band of frequencies. Iteration of Koch dimensions decides the resonant frequency band values. Key Word: Capacitive feed, Fractal, Koch, Wide band antenna


The design and operation of strained-layer InGaAs-GaAs lasers with monolithically integrated intraca~ty electroabsorption modulators fabricated by selective-area epitaxy are presented. Devices with modulator lengths of 290, 620, and 1020 pm have cw threshold currents of 9, 7.5, and 7.5 mA, respectively, at a modulator bias of 0 V. These devices also exhibit extinction ratios of 16.5, 19.5, and 20.5 dB, respectively, at a modulator bias of 2 V.


Welcome to the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Plan. The goal of the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Plan is to enhance marine safety and environmental stewardship via risk based decision making. First published and distributed early in 2002, the plan was intended to provide information, guidelines and Standards of Care for marine operations in Puget Sound. This revision of the plan, as well as previous versions, is the product of the collaboration of maritime stakeholders as represented on the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee, and others in our maritime community, who shared their time and expertise to help develop this plan. Coast Guard Captain of the Port: The Coast Guard is the primary advisor, an active participant and major contributor to the Harbor Safety Committee and this Plan. This Plan is strongly endorsed by the Captain of the Port. The first section of the plan is administrative, and introduces the reader to the Harbor Safety Committee and its work. The second section is primarily informative in nature, and provides important information for professional mariners transiting Puget Sound. The third section includes Standards of Care developed by the Harbor Safety Committee that formalize and document certain "good marine practice" especially important to operations in the Puget Sound region.


The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of invitations for mammographic screening. Women aged 45 to 69 who had not attended for screening at the mobile Breast X-Ray Programme of the Central Sydney Area Health Service were randomly selected from the 1989 electoral listing. In the geographical area in which the study was conducted (Drummoyne local government area), 36 per cent of women had attended for screening before the intervention, indicating that the invitations were aimed at the reluctant participant. Women were randomly allocated to a control group who did not receive invitations (n = 80), and an intervention group who received letters from the Program inviting them to attend at a specified time (n = 163). Overall 33 per cent of women (53 of 163) who were sent invitations attended for screening compared to 9 per cent of those not invited (7 of 80) (P less than 0.001). Older women responded at least as well as younger women. In addition, the distribution of language spoken at home was similar for electoral listing attenders and the community as a whole, suggesting that this intervention works as well for women of English- and non-English-speaking backgrounds. The results suggest that the response to an invitation for screening from a source not personally known to women achieves comparable attendance to an invitation from their general practitioner, as assessed in a previous study.


Aplidine (dehydrodidemnin B), a natural product with potent antitumor activity currently in multicenter phase II clinical trials, exists in DMSO as a mixture of four slowly interconverting conformations in a ratio of 47:33:13:7. NMR spectroscopy shows that these arise as a consequence of cis/trans isomerization about the NMe-Leu(7)-Pro(8) and Pro(8)-Pyr amide bonds of the molecule's side chain. Two major conformations account for 47% and 33% of the total population, a ratio of 60:40 between the two. They correspond to the cis- and trans-isomers, respectively, about the Pro(8)-Pyr amide bond. Two minor conformers arise as a consequence of similar isomerism about the Pro(8)-Pyr amide bond, but in structures in which the NMe-Leu(7)-Pro(8) amide bond is cis rather than trans. These account for approximately 13% and 7% of the total population, corresponding to a ratio of 65:35 cis/trans, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the three-dimensional structures of all four conformational isomers are similar in the macrocycle and that all are essentially unchanged with respect to the macrocycle of didemnin B. Significant differences in the conformation of the molecule's side chain are, however, observed between major and minor pairs. Analysis of hydrogen-bonding patterns shows that each major conformer exhibits a beta-turn like structure and is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between a different carbonyl group of the pyruvyl unit of the molecule's side chain and the NH of the Thr(6) residue. The minor isomers have a cis-amide bond between the NMe-Leu(7) and Pro(8) residues that obliges the side chain to adopt an extended disposition where hydrogen bonding to the macrocycle is absent. These results suggest that the ability of the molecule's side chain to adopt a beta-turn-like conformation may not be a prerequisite for biological activity in the didemnins and that conformations having an extended side-chain may play a role in the biological activity of aplidine.


Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancies. No precancerous lesions have been identified. Bimanual examination has not been proven to be of value as a screening test. Transvaginal ultrasound examination, with or without measurement of CA 125 levels, is currently being evaluated for population screening. Women at high risk of ovarian cancer should be screened annually — with measurement of CA 125 level and transvaginal ultrasound examination.


In this work an attempt has been made to study the variation of normalized mean multiplicity with the normalized Zb for 0.95A GeV 84Kr — Em and 84Kr — AgBr interactions Though the data points of the present investigation exhibit the same pattern of the universal curve of ALADIN group, the maximum value of of the present investigation is found to be about 17 times larger than that of the universal curve.


We propose a photonic technique for the measurement of frequency information in radar signal processing applications that has the potential to cover a frequency range of 40 GHz. This technique compares the radio-frequency power response functions generated within a low dispersion element of two complementary double sideband optical signals. The technique eliminates measurement ambiguities over the entire operating range along with reduced sensitivity to dispersion errors. The scheme is experimentally demonstrated over the frequency range of 4-19 GHz.


Background and study aims: No studies have looked at the quality of cecal images versus the outcomes of colonoscopic procedures. Here, we tested our hypothesis that endoscopists who provide better image documentation of the cecum during their procedures have a higher polyp detection rate (PDR). Patients and methods: In this retrospective study, planned colonoscopies performed by 16 experienced colonoscopists were included. We formulated a new scoring system, the cecal image documentation score (CIDS), for quantifying the quality of the cecal images obtained at colonoscopy. Cecal image documentation was graded as follows: no image, 0; unclear image, 1; clear image, 2; clear image with a label, 3. We assessed the correlation between image quality and the PDR. Results: A total of 651 procedures performed by 16 colonoscopists were analyzed retrospectively. The mean CIDS for the 16 endoscopists was 2.13. The mean PDR was 23.5 %, and the mean polyps per procedure value (PPP) was 0.42. The 10 colonoscopists with a mean CIDS > 2.0 (n = 429 procedures) had a PDR of 27.8 % and a PPP of 0.51. On the other hand, the 6 colonoscopists (n = 222 procedures) with a mean CIDS < 2.0 had a PDR of 15.2 % and a PPP of 0.23. A mean CIDS > 2.0 was associated with a higher PDR (odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.4 – 3.2, P = 0.001). A mean CIDS > 2.0 was found to be an independent predictor of a higher PDR (OR 2.53, 95 %CI 1.45 – 3.59, P = 0.001). A mean CIDS > 2.0 was also associated with a higher right-sided PDR (OR 3.67, 95 %CI 1.91 – 7.02, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Colonoscopists who are more meticulous in cecal image documentation detect more polyps per procedure and have higher PDRs. Better cecal image documentation is also associated with better right-sided colonic polyp detection.


Oxygen isotope studies and biogeographic distributions indicate that the Jurassic Period was a time of only moderate latitudinal variation in temperature. Seasonal change was less well marked than at present. On land, vegetation varied geographically, but less so than at other times in earth history. Tetrapods from widely spaced land areas were quite similar. By contrast, marine invertebrates including forams, ammonoids, belemnoids, and pelecypods show distinct provincialism, and the boundaries of the marine invertebrate provinces shift through time. Physical controls that could have produced this provincialism include salinity and temperature differences in the sea, the distribution of shelf seas and deep water areas, and the geographic arrangement of sea and land, or a ombination of these. Consideration of likely geographic positions of the continents during the Jurassic (assuming that they have drifted since that time), and of the likely pattern of ocean currents of the time, explains many features of the pattern of biotic dispersal. It suggests that differences in water temperature were a prime physical control on the distribution of marine Jurassic life. In particular, it indicates that the Boreal realm was not a sea area of salinity lower than average as has been suggested previously. Analogy with other Mesozoic times, and certain evidences of bipolarity in biogeographic patterns in the Jurassic, further support the view that temperature difference was a prime physical controlling factor. End_of_Article - Last_Page 620------------


Background: Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARTIs) are one of the most commonly occurring diseases. Importantly, ARTIs are the most prevalent disease among children, especially for 2 to 6 year old children. ARTIs are often related to genetic factors, lower immune functioning, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, improper feeding and nursing, residential environment and other variables. Aim: This research aimed to provide scientific insight into ways to address and improve health related quality of life in children with ARTIs and their caregivers. Objective: To observe the quality of life with acute respiratory infection and to minimize the acute respiratory infections. Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted on 200 patients, majority of the subjects belongs to the age group of 0.3 to 4years on contrast, least number of subjects were observed between the ranges of 5 to 11 years. Results: ARTIs found insignificant relationship between the social history and disease outcome. 18.5% of the subject parents found to be smokers. On a deeper analysis of smoking pattern and behavior among the parents, we found great impact of such attitude contributing to acute respiratory tract infection. Results of the study reveal that 81% of cases were reported in excellent score. Conclusion: Most of the parents were aware and they did not smoke near child. So this factor not involved effectively in child to get respiratory tract infection. We noticed partial correlation coefficient in case of parental smoking. This suggested us that parental smoking had very less impact on quality of life of patients with ARTIs.