Due to the nature of the offered services, responsible environmental attitude is of particular importance within the tourist sector, which both strongly depends on and influences the intact eco-systems by its development and areal pressure. Modeled according to the good European and world practice, the Program of Environmentally Responsible Management of Small Tourist Objects has been installed in Croatia. The key problem identified by the tourism workers and entrepreneurs is the lack of incentives and support of both state and the local community in implementation of socially responsible principles. It is estimated that only 10-15% of tourism entrepreneurs are quite familiar with the principles of sustainable and environmentally responsible tourism and aware of the importance of implementing ecological and social principles in daily practice. This leaves open the question of how to reach the majority of tourism entrepreneurs which do not consider the stated questions particularly important. Consequently, the possibilities offered by socially responsible management focused on ecology and energy will be researched within this paper, while at the same time satisfying the economic, ecological, and social effects on tourism. The offered solutions will satisfy both quality and quantity requirements of tourism needs, while preserving the environment. The suggested measures can vary from considerable investments i.e. into alternative energy sources, up to the smaller ones, i.e. choosing of energy-efficient consumption bodies or consumption control bodies, with the overall common positive effect on the business subject's efficacy and its better performance both from the financial and sustainable development aspects.


It has long been recognised that extreme coastal flooding can arise from the joint occurrence of extreme waves, winds and sea levels. There has been significant development in statistical methods that are capable of appropriately accounting for the dependence between the variables. The standard simplified approach used in England and Wales can result in an underestimation of flood risk unless correction factors are applied. This paper describes the application of a state-of-the-art multivariate extreme value model, Heffernan and Tawn (2004), to offshore winds, waves and sea levels around the coast of England. The methodology overcomes the limitations of the standard method.

The output of the statistical analysis is a Monte-Carlo simulation of offshore extreme events and it is necessary to translate these into peak overtopping rates for use as input to flood risk assessments. Due to non-linearities inherent in wave transformation and overtopping processes, it is not possible to identify the events which give the most extreme overtopping rates; indeed the same overtopping rate can be achieved from a wide range of offshore wave, wind and water level combinations. It was computationally impractical to transform all of these MC events from the offshore to the nearshore and through to wave overtopping rates using numerical models. A series of emulators of the SWAN wave transformation model have therefore been constructed. The emulators translate the offshore extreme events through to the nearshore in a computationally efficient manner. The outcome of the process is a national set of extreme events at a 1km resolution in the nearshore region. These events can subsquently be processed into overtopping rates for coastal flood risk assessment. The SWAN 1D model has been used for the nearshore transformation and a neural network model, BAYONET, used to calculate wave overtopping rates.

Whilst the methodology has been applied for national flood risk assessment, it has the potential to be implemented for wider use, including climate change impact assessment, nearshore wave climates for detailed local assessments and coastal flood forecasting.

This paper explains the limitations of the existing approach and shows outputs from the new methods, demonstrating the improvement in the results that are possible.


Classroom inversion or "flipping" is one of the latest models designed to actively engage students during class times. The model involves moving traditional lecture material outside the classroom and practical application of newly learned ideas into the class meeting times. In the inverted model, the course concepts, theory, or equations are presented in various media – videos, readings, notes – prior to the class contact time. Application of those new ideas is cultivated during the class time through faculty-directed problem solving, brainstorming and discussions as well as field trips and guest speakers. This paper offers specific suggestions for improving classroom time management by implementing an inverted classroom model. The authors have incorporated this approach in three distinct settings – a medium/large (50) enrollment senior-level foundations design course, a small-enrollment sophomore-level mechanics course (22) and a large enrollment junior-level environmental engineering course (90). Successes and lessons learned are documented for each of the settings. The authors provide suggestions based on their experiences for faculty considering a transition from a traditional lecture-style presentation to a strategy that transforms the classroom into a more active educational experience. The paper summarizes both the advantages and disadvantages of the classroom flip from the instructor's perspective.


It is our great pleasure to welcome you all to the Fifth ACM International Workshop on Data Engineering for Wireless and Mobile Access (MobiDE 2006), which is held in conjunction with ACM SIGMOD/PODS 2006. This workshop brings together researchers in databases, networking, and mobile computing with the aim of connecting the data management and mobile computing communities. It provides opportunities for a full day of exciting discussions on the topic of data management in mobile and wireless environments. The workshop serves as a forum for researchers and technologists to discuss the state-of-the-art, present their contributions, generate novel ideas, and set new directions for data management for mobile and wireless access.MobiDE 2006 is the fifth in a series of workshops. The previous workshops took place in Seattle, WA, in conjunction with MobiCom 1999; in Santa Barbara, CA, together with SIGMOD/PODS 2001; in San Diego, CA, in conjunction with MobiCom 2003; and in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with SIGMOD/PODS 2005.The workshop program has been put together with the aim of presenting new and controversial research ideas so as to foster interaction among researchers from around the world. The call for papers attracted 31 submissions from 14 countries: Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Korea, Norway, Portugal, Tunis, U.K., and U.S.A. Due in parts to MobiDE now being an established outlet for research results and to the co-location with ACM SIGMOD/PODS, many submissions were of very high quality, making the selection process quite competitive. All submissions were reviewed by at least 3 members of the Program Committee. This was followed by a discussion phase, where the reviewers of each submission had the opportunity to discuss the submission and its reviews. As a result, 10 submissions were accepted as full papers, and 2 submissions that reported on promising works in progress were accepted as short papers. In addition, a very interesting invited talk, "A Data Architecture for Consumer RFID Applications," by Gaetano Borriello from the University of Washington is included in the program. This talk probes into the consumer side of the mobile environment.The program reflects the depth and breadth of the field, with sessions covering important aspects of mobility, location-based processing, and the introduction of sensor technology into the real world. Thus, these proceedings provide an excellent point of reference on the increasingly important area of data engineering for mobile and wireless computing.


Purpose The purpose of the current study was to examine the lexical and pragmatic factors that may contribute to turn-by-turn failures in communication (i.e., miscommunication) that arise regularly in interactive communication. Method Using a corpus from a collaborative dyadic building task, we investigated what differentiated successful from unsuccessful communication and potential factors associated with the choice to provide greater lexical information to a conversation partner. Results We found that more successful dyads' language tended to be associated with greater lexical density, lower ambiguity, and fewer questions. We also found participants were more lexically dense when accepting and integrating a partner's information (i.e., grounding) but were less lexically dense when responding to a question. Finally, an exploratory analysis suggested that dyads tended to spend more lexical effort when responding to an inquiry and used assent language accurately-that is, only when communication was successful. Conclusion Together, the results suggest that miscommunication both emerges and benefits from ambiguous and lexically dense utterances.


Large-amplitude spiky electric fields which have been proposed to provide energization and heating of particles have been observed in many regions of the magnetosphere, including the bow shock, auroral zone, and plasma sheet boundary. We extend previous statistical studies of such fields in the magnetotail (which were limited to ≲ 22 RE) to cover the region explored by the Geotail satellite. Results are presented concerning the occurrence frequency, location, and association with density gradients of spiky electric fields in the magnetotail at radial distances of ∼ 10–200 RE. Spiky fields do not occur beyond ∼ 100 RE, and they predominantly occur at or near the plasma sheet boundary (as indicated by changes in the spacecraft potential) and are always associated with waves near the lower hybrid frequency. Spiky fields occur preferentially during periods of higher magnetic activity (Kp > 3). Statistical analysis of the direction of the largest field amplitudes provides information on the polarization of the waves and the spikes and therefore provides constraints on the origin of the fields. Waves which accompany the spikes are primarily polarized perpendicular to the magnetic field and are consistent with lower hybrid waves, while the spikes are polarized obliquely to the magnetic field. The results are described and compared with various possible generation mechanisms, including lower hybrid wave collapse, a leading candidate for explaining these spikes.


U.S. Navy Operation "Skijump I I " was led by Commander Vernon J. Coley, U.S.N. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute was represented by L. V. Worthington and John F. Holmes and his wife. W. V. Kielhorn of the Office of Naval Research, tw» other scientists and twenty-seven members of the U.S. Navy also took part. The object of Operation "Skijump I I " was to conduct oceanographical investigations at selected points in the Arctic Ocean. The specially equipped U.S. Navy R4D aircraft which had been used in 1951 was again placed at the disposal of the expedition. Lieutenant Commander E. M. Ward, U.S.N., was pilot. In addition two U.S. Navy P2V (Lockheed Neptune) aircraft were available to refuel and resupply the R4D as required, thus giving that aircraft a greater range than in 1951. The base of the expedition was the Arctic Research Laboratory at Point Barrow. In March 1952 four oceanographic stations were occupied on the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean. Unfortunately the combined ski-wheel undercarriage of the R4D was damaged on 27 March when the aircraft was attempting to take off from the northernmost station, and the machine had to be abandoned. Those on board were picked up by a P2V on 30 March. During the operation three members of the expedition visited the U.S. Air Force Station on T-3. In all eight stations have now been occupied during Project" Skijump ". The three stations occupied in 1951 lay in lat. 72° 52' N., long. 156° 32' W.; lat. 75° 45' N., long. 150° W.; and lat. 72° 36' N., long. 158° 32' W. The five occupied in 1952 lay in lat. 76°25'N., long. 144° 19'W.; lat. 76°26'N., long. 134° W.; lat. 76° 20'N., long. 128° 20' W.; lat. 79° 36' N., long. 147° 10' W., and lat. 82° 22' N., long. 145° 20' W. There is some evidence of a submarine ridge running across the central polar basin.


&NA; Viscosupplementation by means of intra‐articular injections of hyaluronic acid has been used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. The proposed mechanisms of action result from the physical properties of hyaluronic acid, as well as from its anti‐inflammatory, anabolic, local analgesic, and chrondroprotective effects. Adverse reactions from hyaluronic acid injections into the knee occurred in 8.3% of the 336 patients treated in one study, but at a rate of less than 3% per injection. Reactions were almost always local and generally resolved over 1 to 2 days. Hyaluronic acid injections were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a medical device; thus, the level of efficacy demonstrated is less than might have been required for approval as a drug. Several studies have failed to show statistically significant benefit compared with placebo. Furthermore, the treatment is relatively expensive; the cost of the drug for a series of injections is more than $500 per knee. Therefore, widespread use of these agents should be limited until more convincing data on their efficacy are available from well‐designed clinical trials.


Background and Aims: The pace of recruitment impacts resources, planned study tasks, timelines, and ultimately, costs. The Journey for Control of Diabetes: the IDEA Study, a randomized trial conducted in two healthcare settings (Minnesota and New Mexico) utilized different recruitment methods at each site. This presentation compares these recruitment methods with respect to recruitment efficiency and costs. Methods: Study inclusion criteria were patients with sub-optimally controlled type 2 diabetes, an A1c=>7, and diabetes education-naïve within the last one to two years. Recruitment databases at each site were developed using electronic health data to identify potential participants. All patients were mailed recruitment letters and study brochures inviting them to participate. Site 1 mailed letters with an enclosed response form for the patient, if interested, to return to the study site; Site 2 mailed letters and subsequently attempted to contact all patients by telephone. Six months into the recruitment period, Site 1 also incorporated follow-up calls to potential patients who were mailed recruitment letters. Results: The enrolled sample was 623 patients: 147 (Site 1, Method 1), 190 (Site 1, Method 2), and 286 (Site 2). Recruitment efficiency rates based on number of enrolled participants per total recruitment letters mailed were 3.8% (147/3995 for Site 1, Method 1), 3.7% (190/5199 for Site 1, Method 2), and 6.9% (286/4128 for Site 2, Method 3). Cost of enrollment per patient ranged from $71.45 for Method 1 ($10,502/147), $81.90 for Method 2 ($15562/190), and $87.57 for Method 3 ($25,046/286). Total staff hours per patient were 1.58 for Method 1 (232.3/147), 2.51 for Method 2 (477.5/190), and 3.46 for Method 3 (990.4/286). Site 1, when combining data for Methods 1 and 2, recruited more subjects (337) within the 11 month recruitment period than Site 2 (286). Conclusions: Although recruitment efficiency rates were higher for Site 2, fewer staff hours were used at Site 1. Using the Site 2 methodology of contacting each patient may be more effective for studies with a higher risk of participation. Future studies should consider including a recruitment response form with the recruitment letter to save time and cost.


This study presents the development and behavior analysis of high performance fiber reinforced cement composites (HPFRCC). The describedmaterials were specifically developed for application as a transition layer: a repair layer that constitutes the stressed chord of reinforcedconcrete beams strengthened in flexure with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). Nineteen different composites were produced by thehybridization process, varying the conventional short steel fiber and steel microfiber (manufactured exclusively for this research) contentsto modify the microstructure of the material, thus enhancing the stress transfer process from the cement matrix to the fibers. To analyze theresponse to flexural loading, the composites underwent three point bending tests in notched prism specimens. The response of the materialwas obtained considering strength and tenacity parameters (flexural and fracture). There was evidence of high performance by the composites with a pseudo-hardening behavior.


Article history: Received June 10, 2014 Accepted 10 November 2014 Available online November 14 2014 Qom is one of the most important religious centers in the Shiite world and it is the second largest pilgrimage center in Iran with tourism capabilities. Tourists and visitors of the city can contribute for the development of city and it can help city's economy and create new job opportunities. However, achieving these benefits and suitability becomes possible as long as necessary civil and social infrastructures are provided. The purpose of this study is to provide strategic assessment and optimization strategies for development of tourism industry to reach sustainable tourism development in city of Qom metropolis. The study uses three techniques namely; Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM), integrated environmental assessment (IEA) and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to determine necessary guidelines for development of tourism in city of Qom, Iran. The study first uses SWOT to categorize different factors, IEA is applied to determine internal as well as external factors and finally QSPM is applied to prioritize various factors. The results indicate that the city has faced stronger weakness than strengths for development of tourism industry. However, in terms of external opportunities, there are several choices for city development. Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved. 4 © 201 City development SWOT QSPM IEA Qom Tourism industry Shrine of Fatema Mae'sume


I summarize our recent works on using differential observables to explore the physics potential of future e+e− colliders in the framework of Higgs effective field theory. This proceeding is based upon Refs. 1 and 2. We study angular observables in the e+e−→ ZHl+l−bb channel at future circular e+e− colliders such as CEPC and FCC-ee. Taking into account the impact of realistic cut acceptance and detector effects, we forecast the precision of six angular asymmetries at CEPC (FCC-ee) with center-of-mass energy s = 240 GeV and 5 (30) ab−1 integrated luminosity. We then determine the projected sensitivity to a range of operators relevant for the Higgsstrahlung process in the dimension-6 Higgs EFT. Our results show that angular observables provide complementary sensitivity to rate measurements when constraining various tensor structures arising from new physics. We further find that angular asymmetries provide a novel means of constraining the "blind spot" in indirect limits on supersymmetric scalar top partners. We also discuss the possibility of using ZZ-fusion at e+e− machines at different energies to probe new operators.


Abstract Contrary to what is needed for reducing global GHG emissions, successive Canadian governments have placed fossil fuel production at the core of national economic development. This presents a puzzle: how should we understand contradictory political commitments to the Paris agreement and low carbon energy futures, on one hand, and the persistence of support for fossil fuel centered energy futures, on the other hand. Using a policy network perspective, we ask: Is the location of actors within a climate change policy network associated with their position on curtailing the Alberta oil sands development? Results show that actors' social network positions are associated with their support for curtailing oil sands development. This network association persists even when the sectoral affiliation and climate change beliefs of actors are statistically controlled. Our results demonstrate that policy network analysis helps explain the persistence of the contradictory politics of fossil fuel development and support for decarbonization.


Effect of POMI and NPK 16.16.16 on the Growth and Production of Soybean (Glycine max L.)". This research was carried out at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Pasir Pengaraian University, Rokan Hulu Regency. This research will be carried out for three months starting from October 2021 to December 2022 (Appendix 1). This study used a factorial completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of two factors. The first factor was the provision of POMI (Factor D) consisting of 4 levels and the second factor was NPK 16.16.16 (Factor P) which consisted of 4 levels so that 16 treatment combinations were obtained with 3 replications, so there were 48 experimental units. Each unit consisted of 12 plants per plot and 6 plants were used as observation samples so that the total plants were 576 plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction effect and the main effect on the growth and production of shallots given POMI and NPK 16:16:16 fertilizer. The results of the study can be concluded as follows: The interaction of POMI 250 cc/plant (30 liters/ha) and NPK 16.16.16 2.5 grams/plant (300 kg/ha) gave a significant effect on the relative growth rate parameters at the age of 14-21 DAP , net assimilation rate at the age of 28-35, weight of root nodules, age of harvest, number of root nodules, effectiveness of root nodules and dry seed weight of cropping where the best treatment for dry weight of cropping seeds was a combination of POMI and NPK 16.16.16 (D2P3) 58, 33 grams per clump so that, it can increase production by 6.9 tons/ha.


The intersection of education for sustainability and social-ecological resilience has received little attention to date, as an an area of research. Education for sustainability is an educational approach which promotes change towards sustainability. Resilience builds capacity to mitigate disruptions, self-organise, learn and adapt. The premise of this book is that successful education for sustainability provides the skills, knowledge and understandings of students, staff and others in the school community to build capacity to manage change in ways that open rather than limit future options. This book adopts a social-ecological perspective to investigate social resilience through education for sustainability. To do this, the author investigates ways four Far North Queensland schools, in Australia, renown for prioritising sustainability education, organise teaching and learning practices and enact the everyday management of the school. In so doing, the author produces a set of propositions about social-ecological resilience at school community level. The book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners interested in sustainability education and resilience.


Corresponding Author: James Hamuel Doughari Department of Microbiology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, P.M.B 2076 Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Abstract: One hundred and eighty (180) stool samples collected of neonates and infants from three selected health facilities in Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria. The samples were subjected to both microscopic, biochemical test and cultural identification. Bromocresol green agar and Germ tube test was used to identify Candida species. Culture of the stool samples on SDA yielded 32 yeast cells with Candida albicans as the predominant (90.63%) organism isolated followed by Candida tropicalis (9.37%). Extraction and screening for phytoconstituents of Jatropha curcas Linn parts (stem bark, leave and sap) by hot maceration using water and methanol. Showed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols, alkanoids, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids and glycosides. Antifungal susceptibility testing on Mueller Hinton agar, showed yeast to be susceptible to the Methanol plant extract at 400-1000 μg/mL with highest diameters of zones of inhibition (20.00 mm for sap, 13.00 mm for stem bark and 11.00 mm for leave) than the aqueous plant extract. All the parts of Jatropha curcas Linn showed MIC range of 400-1200 μg/mL for both Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. GC-MS study showed the presence of 11 most abundant components out of 52 compounds of the methanol leaves extract 46 compounds of methanol stem bark extracts respectively all of which demonstrated antimicrobial activity. Result also showed 12 most abundant components out of 56 compounds in sap of Jatropha curcas Linn with antimicrobial activity. Further study on the toxicity and pharmacological activity should be carried out, with a view to sourcing novel antibiotic substances for possible development of broad spectrum drugs against both bacteria and fungi.


The article, based on 10,128 publications, traces the process of transformation of the lexical construction "Trump is ours" from a form of self-hypnosis to the way of expressing linguistic aggression. Three stages of the Trump theme in publications in Russian media from 2016 to 2020 are considered. The influence of the lexical construction "Trump is ours" on public opinion is shown due to the changes in the frequency of its use and the context in which it is represented.


Let be a Banach space and a non-increasing function such that as and is a Lipschitz function on . A linear operator is said to be -sectorial if there exist constants and such that the spectrum of lies in the set and there exists such that for where is the resolvent of the operator . The properties of the operator exponential and fractional powers of a -sectorial operator are analysed alongside the question of the unique solubility of the Cauchy problem for the linear differential operator with -sectorial operator-valued coefficient.


Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra of a bush and numerous branches of Chinese Longjing tea were investigated remotely with lidar techniques. The intensity ratio between the far red fluorescence (FRF) and red fluorescence (RF) due to the chlorophyll content of the tea branches were analyzed to study the growth conditions in different villages around Hangzhou, China. Dried Longjing tea leaves were also measured by LIF techniques in the laboratory. A chemometric method based on singular value decomposition (SVD) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to evaluate the tea qualities of the dried tea leaves.


OBJECTIVE
To research on the conservative methods used to preserve the femoral head of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

METHODS
In these series surgical procedures the osteonecrotic lesion was removed and various vascularized bone blocks or periosteal flaps with its nutrient vessels were transferred to regain sphericity of the femoral head and reinforce the sequestrum. The current study assessed 1005 patients (1226 hips) operated on from 1989 to 2002 with an average follow-up of 5.1 years (range, 1.5-15 years). The mean age of the patients was 37.4 years (range, 17-65 years).

RESULTS
Sixty-one hips (57 patients) had conversion surgery to a total hip arthroplasty because of progressive collapse or severe pain, or both. In the patients without failure, postoperative Harris hip score improved significantly. Of the 1174 reconstructions that were in situ, 1041 (89.4%) were clinically successful, and 878 (75.4%) were radiologically successful. In relation to the stage of necrosis according to the classification system of Ficat and Alert, good results were achieved in 95.3% of the patients with stages II disease, 87.9% with stages III and 60.8% with stages IV.

CONCLUSIONS
Conservative methods of vascularized bone block or periosteal flap transfer should be considered in active symptomatic patients to preserve the femoral head. In addition, the earlier the stages of the disease the better outcome could be obtained.


Phylogenetic analyses show that C₄ grasses typically occupy drier habitats than their C₃ relatives, but recent experiments comparing the physiology of closely related C₃ and C₄ species have shown that advantages of C₄ photosynthesis can be lost under drought. We tested the generality of these paradoxical findings in grass species representing the known evolutionary diversity of C₄ NADP-me and C₃ photosynthetic types. Our experiment investigated the effects of drought on leaf photosynthesis, water potential, nitrogen, chlorophyll content and mortality. C₄ grasses in control treatments were characterized by higher CO₂ assimilation rates and water potential, but lower stomatal conductance and nitrogen content. Under drought, stomatal conductance declined more dramatically in C₃ than C₄ species, and photosynthetic water-use and nitrogen-use efficiency advantages held by C₄ species under control conditions were each diminished by 40%. Leaf mortality was slightly higher in C₄ than C₃ grasses, but leaf condition under drought otherwise showed no dependence on photosynthetic-type. This phylogenetically controlled experiment suggested that a drought-induced reduction in the photosynthetic performance advantages of C₄ NADP-me relative to C₃ grasses is a general phenomenon.


The PAMELA satellite-borne experiment is providing first direct measurements of Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) with energies from $\sim$80 MeV to several GeV in near-Earth space. Its unique observational capabilities include the possibility of measuring the flux angular distribution and thus investigating possible anisotropies related to SEP events. This paper focuses on the analysis methods developed to estimate SEP energy spectra as a function of the particle pitch angle with respect to the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). The crucial ingredient is provided by an accurate simulation of the asymptotic exposition of the PAMELA apparatus, based on a realistic reconstruction of particle trajectories in the Earth's magnetosphere. As case study, the results of the calculation for the May 17, 2012 event are reported.


The findings in this research note are based on regional experimental estimates, at the Statistical Local Area (SLA) level, of the sources and total amount of personal income which people received in 2000-01. Not surprisingly, there are significant differences between electorates. The percentage of income derived from wages and salaries, for example, ranges from 54 per cent in Richmond (NSW) to 84 per cent in Greenway (NSW); the percentage of income derived from investments ranges from 1 per cent in Chifley (NSW) to 24 per cent in Wentworth (NSW).


It is shown that the humidity-sensitive surface conduction of porous alumina can be explained in terms of two complementary carrier-transfer mechanisms. At low humidities, a phonon-induced electron tunnelling is postulated between donor water sites; this tunnelling is assisted by anionic groups on the sensor surface. At high humidities, protonic conduction dominates. These mechanisms provide useful design guidelines for fabricating sensors of desired response characteristics. They are compatible with a variable activation-energy model proposed in this paper.


In an era of high-profile hacks, information leaks and cybercrime, cybersecurity is the focus of much corporate and state-funded research. Data visualization is regarded as an important tool in the detection and prediction of risk and vulnerability in cybersecurity, but discussion tends to remain at the level of the usability of visualization tools and how to reduce the cognitive load on the consumers of the visualizations. This focus is rooted in a desire to simplify the complexity of cybersecurity. This article argues that while usability and simplification are important goals for the designers of visualizations, there is a much wider discussion that needs to take place about the underlying narratives upon which these visualizations are based. The authors take the position that the narratives on which cybersecurity visualizations are based ignore important aspects of cybersecurity and that their visual form causes the producers and users of these visualizations to focus too narrowly on adversarial security issues, ignoring important aspects of social and community-based security. By situating the discussion of security visualization in a larger socio-historical context, the limitations and implications of current ways of seeing risk become more apparent. Cybersecurity might also learn from other disciplines, specifically critiques of artificial intelligence and the discourse and methods of post-war urban planning. In this way, the article follows a humanities tradition of situating the focus of analysis in a broader tradition of scholarship and critiquing current practices from this wider context. The purpose of such critique is to stimulate reflection on underlying principles and the implications of different approaches to operationalizing those principles. Finally, case studies of participatory modelling and crowdsourcing projects are discussed that aim to foster resilience through social and spatial practices. These case studies illustrate the potential for a wider range of visualizations.


Abstract Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi are among the leading causes of death worldwide. The emergence of drug-resistance mechanisms, especially among bacteria, threatens the efficacy of all current antimicrobial agents, some of them already ineffective. As a result, there is an urgent need for new antimicrobial drugs. Host defense antimicrobial peptides (HDPs) are natural occurring and well-conserved peptides of innate immunity, broadly active against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, viruses and fungi. They also are able to exert immunomodulatory and adjuvant functions by acting as chemotactic for immune cells, and inducing cytokines and chemokines secretion. Moreover, they show low propensity to elicit microbial adaptation, probably because of their non-specific mechanism of action, and are able to neutralize exotoxins and endotoxins. HDPs have the potential to be a great source of novel antimicrobial agents. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the advances made in the development of human defensins as well as the cathelicidin LL-37 and their derivatives as antimicrobial agents against bacteria, viruses and fungi for clinical use.


EDPS Price Mr-$0.69 HC -$3.2° *Alphabets, Discrimination Learning, Kindergarten Children, *Letters (Alphabet), Readiness, *Reading Readiness, *Reading Research, Teaching Methods, Teaching Procedures, *Visual Discrimination, Word Recognition A laboratory and a classroom study were conducted to determine if verbal association learning would be facilitated by visual discrimination training. Kindergarten children who could not recognize the letters used were the subjects for both studies. Tn the laboratory study, 90 subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (B) which got visual discimination training focusing attention on distinctive features of letters b, d, p, and q: to control group one (C-1) which got visual discrimination training without attention to distinctive features; or to control group two (C-2) which was exposed to the same materials but not to the training. The results indicated that grout, 7 learned letter names significantly better than did either of the control people. In the classroom study, 203 subjects were randomly assigned to groups as before. Instruction consisted of giving visual discrimination training, letter-name training, and workbook exercises in which groups E and C-1 were required to match letters and group C-2 matched geometric shapes. No significant differences were noted for any of the groups. It was concluded that while the theoretical rationale was sound, classroom procedure was at fault in the second study. Tables, sample materials, and a bibliography are included. (Author/MS) C; CO .4) 4:0 FINN. REPORT Project No. 9-F-009 Contract No. OEC-6-9-009009-0062 L4.0 AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM FOR TEACHING LETTER NAMES OF THE ALPHABET S. Jay Samuels University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455


Infrastructures are group-like objects that make their appearance in arithmetic geometry in the study of computational problems related to number fields and function fields over finite fields. The most prominent computational tasks of infrastructures are the computation of the circumference of the infrastructure and the generalized discrete logarithms. Both these problems are not known to have efficient classical algorithms for an arbitrary infrastructure. Our main contributions are polynomial time quantum algorithms for one-dimensional infrastructures that satisfy certain conditions. For instance, these conditions are always fulfilled for infrastructures obtained from number fields and function fields, both of unit rank one. Since quadratic number fields give rise to such infrastructures, this algorithm can be used to solve Pell's equation and the principal ideal problem. In this sense we generalize Hallgren's quantum algorithms for quadratic number fields, while also providing a polynomial speedup over them. Our more general approach shows that these quantum algorithms can also be applied to infrastructures obtained from complex cubic and totally complex quartic number fields. Our improved way of analyzing the performance makes it possible to show that these algorithms succeed with constant probability independent of the problem size. In contrast, the lower bound on the success probability due to Hallgren decreases as the fourth power of the logarithm of the circumference. Our analysis also shows that fewer qubits are required. We also contribute to the study of infrastructures, and show how to compute efficiently within infrastructures. School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA. Email:firstname.lastname@example.com. This work was done when P.S. was at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


Ecological restoration is a global imperative to reverse widespread habitat loss and degradation, including by invasive alien plants. In South Africa's Core Cape Subregion, alien tree invasions are widespread and their control continues to be a major undertaking. As funding is limited, active restoration interventions are rarely implemented and the focus is on invader removal – the assumption being that ecosystems will self-repair. This paper reviews research findings from the past three decades to assess in which situations spontaneous succession is a viable strategy for restoring alien-invaded ecosystems. We found that ecosystems can self-repair, provided that key biotic and/or abiotic thresholds have not yet been crossed. Self-repair has been observed in many cases where dense invader stands with short residence times have been cleared and where diverse native plant growth forms survive, either in the above-ground vegetation or in soil seed banks. However, several factors influence this generalisation, including the identity of the invader, the ecosystem type, and the efficacy of alien control. Thresholds are crossed sooner with invasions of alien Acacia and Eucalyptus species than those of Hakea and Pinus species, resulting in lower potential for spontaneous recovery. Lowland fynbos ecosystems are less resilient to invasion, and have a lower capacity for self-repair, than mountain fynbos ecosystems. Poorly implemented alien plant control measures can result in a resurgence of the invader to the detriment of native species recovery. We outline some management principles for optimising spontaneous succession potential and integrating alien control and restoration interventions.


Titanium-Pillared and Un-Pillared bentonite clays were studied in order to evaluate the thermodynamics and kinetics of heavy metal ion removal from aqueous solutions. The results showed that the maximum sorption of Cu, Cd, Hg and Pb ions occurred within 30 minutes. A pseudo-second order kinetic model was used to characterize the metal ion transport mechanism and the correlation coefficients (r2 ) were high, confirming the validity of pseudosecond-order. The rate of adsorption was observed to increase with pillaring and does not only depend on the the metal ion concentration, but may also involve additional adsorbent –adsorbate interaction processes.. The thermodynamic parameter (∆G o ) was found to be negative at all temperatures studied, which indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous while ∆S o values are positive. The positive values of ∆S o showed the increasing randomness of the metal ions at the adsorbent – adsorbate interface. The heat of adsorption (enthalpies, ∆H o ) and the activation enegies (∆Ea) were both positive and their values lie within the range associated with physisorption. The results are presented and discussed in terms of the mechanism of ion adsorption on solid Ti-pillared and un-pillared bentonite clay minerals.


In non-democratic parties, oppositional factions have difficulty making inroads to the top executive party organs. There are two consequences for these groups: party split or leadership removal. In the former case, the oppositional faction exits and establishes its own party. In the latter, the opposition succeeds in altering the balance of power by removing the leader and the party goes through change. This article suggests that the level of power concentration within the dominant faction matters for the type of outcome in factional rivalries. If the power is concentrated in the hands of a small elite, the divisions within the elite can help the oppositional faction remove the party leader. If the power resides only with a single leader, the oppositional faction is likely to lose the struggle against the dominant faction and decide to exit. This study explores the causal mechanisms involved by comparing six non-democratic parties from Turkey.


Seed morphology and post-seminal development in species of Comanthera (Eriocaulaceae). Comanthera brasiliana, C. magnifica and C. suberosa (Eriocaulaceae) are included in the Brazilian list of endangered species, due to intensive harvest and micro-endemism. These species form the clade of Comanthera magnifica, along with C. brunnea and C. linearis. Germination, seed morphology and post-seminal development were studied aiming to characterize all five species and to provide information for their conservation. Seeds were collected in "campos rupestres" of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Seed morphology was examined using scanning electron microscope. For germination tests, mature seeds were placed in Petri dishes lined with filter paper dampened with distilled water at 25 °C and fluorescent light; four repetitions with 15 seeds were performed for each species. For the anatomical analysis of post-seminal development, seedlings at different developmental stages were included in historesin, cut with a rotatory microtome and examined under a light microscope. The structure of the seed coat and the shape and size of the seeds were characteristics that allowed species differentia- tion, and based on the seeds morphological characteristics, an identification key is provided. The seed germina- tion was high (> 90 %) and fast (< 7 days). Germination occured through the axis protrusion of the embryo. Approximately four days after germination, the first leaf develops and is followed by the adventitious roots. After 10-15 days, the second leaf and the new adventitious roots develop. In field conditions, the studied spe- cies occur in quartzite soils and their small seeds (dust-like type) germinate faster than the other Eriocaulaceae species (from mesic soils). These results provide reliable information that may contribute to the species manage- ment and conservation. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (4): 1127-1135. Epub 2015 December 01.


We present the status of the SARG Extrasolar Planets search. This program started about 2.5 years ago. It consists in a search for planets in about 50 wide solar type binaries using high precision radial velocities gathered with SARG. We also perform a high precision abundance analysis of the two components of each system. We obtain differential radial velocities with typical accuracies of 2-3 m/s for bright standard stars, and of ∼ 5 m/s for the fainter program stars. Abundance differences between the two components have typical precision of about 0.016 dex. Preliminary results are presented, with emphasis on the case of HD219542, a binary for which we found a difference of about 0.09 dex in the Fe abundance between the two components. While no giant planet in close in orbit is found around the primary, we found radial velocity variations compatible with a Saturn mass orbiting the secondary on a Mercury-like orbit. However, we cannot still exclude that the observed small amplitude radial velocity variations are due to a moderate stellar activity.


Pond aquaculture is the most significant fish production method in central Europe, approximately 70% of the total fish production is originated from traditional fish ponds in this region, which is a resource-saving, ecologically sustainable production method. However, the growth of this sector is not expected because of the low production capacity of valuable fish species and the relatively high investment cost. A possible solution of the conflict between ecological sustainability, consumer preference and profitability per unit area is the development and application of combined pond fish production systems, which gives opportunity to continue ecologically sustainable and marketable fish production.


This position paper introduces a holistic approach addressing the issue of trustworthy communications systems, their societal drivers and the requirements they place on the heterogeneous communications infrastructure for offering reliable services in the Future of the Internet. In particular, we outline some initial ideas that can be used to devise a "design-for-trust" framework for the Future of the Internet. We propose, in this approach, to support trust on three crucial interrelated concepts: 1) the concept of flat ontology 2) the concept of assemblage and 3) the concept of semantic annotations to compose the ontology.


Three novel SNPs were identified in the locus OAR292286, encoding the DNA sequence of promoter III of the ovine acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha gene, in Italian sheep of four breeds: Gentile di Puglia (25 individuals) and Sopravissana (31) which are triple-purpose local endangered breeds, Comisana (25) which is a local non-selected, non-endangered dairy breed and Sarda (15) which is a popular selected high yielding dairy breed. Variant alleles are: G/T at 1330 bp, C/G at 1338 bp and C/T at 1430 bp. Frequencies of the variant alleles were calculated and chi-squared analysis of the differences in allele frequency between breed pairs was performed. Allele frequencies of the Sarda breed differ significantly from the other considered breeds.


We present a technique for pruning of large lexicons for recognition of cursive script words. The technique involves extraction and representation of downward pen-strokes from the cursive word (off-line or online) to obtain a generalized descriptor which provides a coarse characterization of word shape. The descriptor is matched with ideal descriptors of lexicon entries organized as a trie. When used with a static lexicon of 21,000 words, the accuracy of reduction to 1000 words exceeds 95%.


The latest information indicates that over 2500 orthopedic implant malfunctions may occur each year in Canada. Several orthopedic implants which failed in service have been examined in the Structures and Materials Laboratory, National Aeronautical Establishment, National Research Council of Canada. Two classes of material were studied, wrought stainless steel, type 316L and a cast Co-Cr-Ma alloy.
In each case where fracture of the device occurred, fatigue striations were detected, indicating that fatigue was a primary mechanism of failure. Other problems were detected in each class of material; corrosion in the stainless steel and porosity in the cobalt-based alloy.
Due to problems with corrosion, it is recommended that type 316L stainless steel should not be used when there is a possibility of the implant remaining in the body for an extended period of time (say over 18 months). Also, there should be some control over the allowable porosity levels in cast cobalt-base alloys, It is shown, for example, that the porosity levels can be dramatically reduced by controlling the cooling rate during the casting process.
Recent trends in orthopedic implant technology are briefly described, particularly the processing of metal powders which gives a uniform microstructure resulting in better strength and fatigue resistance.
At the end of the report, a bibliography of over 240 papers in nine different categories covers the properties and performance of metals and alloys used as orthopedic implants.


ABSTRACT Dielectric constant, loss tangent and electrical conductivity of Na1−xKxNbO3 (X = 0.08 and 0.17)(SPN) ceramic pellets have been measured at 10, 100 and 1000 kHz frequencies and at temperature varying from room temperature to 425°C. The dielectric constant increases with increase of temperature up to 400°C at all the three frequencies, and thereafter, it decreases with further increase of temperature, i.e., it shows a structural transition at about 400°C. The loss tangent also shows similar behaviour as dielectric constant shows. Some variations may be due to relaxation effects and impurities etc. around the sensitive transition region, which are seem to play prominent role in this soft mode region. Electrical conductivity increases with increase in temperature at all the three frequencies.


Intraocular injection of [35S]methionine was used to demonstrate the pronounced induction of a 74-kDa heat shock protein in the rabbit retina after a 3 degrees C increase in body temperature was generated by intravenous administration of D-lysergic acid diethylamide. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography revealed that the induced heat shock protein underwent axonal transport from retinal ganglion cells into the optic nerve and subsequently down the contralateral optic tract to synaptic termini in the visual projection area. Since the heat shock protein took more than 8 days to move down the optic nerve to the superior colliculus, it is transported by slow rather than by fast axonal transport.


Architectural distortion is the third most-common appearance of breast cancer and often is a subtle finding on mammography. In this article, we review a variety of breast diseases that may present as architectural distortion on mammography; review the utility of correlative imaging, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance; and review appropriate management for these diagnoses. Primary causes include breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, radial scar, complex sclerosing lesion, and fat necrosis. Secondary etiologies include previous breast surgery, trauma, and infection. Familiarity with imaging findings presenting as distortion on multimodality imaging will optimize detection and management of this subtle-yet-significant finding.


ABT-869 is a potent inhibitor of the VEGFR and PDGFR families of receptor tyrosine kinases, including c-fms (CSF-1R). Colony-stimulating-factor-1 (CSF-1) signaling through CSF-1R is elevated in several diseases including many types of carcinoma. Most tumors contain an appreciable infiltrate of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) that are polarized to the M2 phenotype associated with angiogenesis. CSF-1 (M-CSF) is a potent chemoattractant for macrophages and recruits macrophages into tumor tissues where they adopt this tumor promoting phenotype. Ablation of macrophages or neutralization of CSF-1 attenuates tumor growth and increases chemosenstivity of some tumors in vivo. Herein, we evaluated the selectivity of ABT-869 and four other small molecule VEGFR/PDGFR family inhibitors against CSF-1 signaling in various macrophage-like cell lines. ABT-869 potently inhibits the catalytic activity of the CSF-1R kinase in vitro (IC 50 = 5 nM) and more importantly human CSF-1R signaling in transfected NIH 3T3 cells (IC 50 = 24 nM; Guo, J. et al. (2006) Mol. Cancer Ther. 5: 787); however, demonstration of activity against endogenous CSF-1R has not been reported. The murine myeloid cell line M-NSF-60 was chosen as a model system to evaluate the effect of ABT-869 on endogenous CSF-1R signaling as this cell line is dependent on CSF-1 or IL-3 for growth. ABT-869 was found to potently inhibit the CSF-1-dependent growth of M-NFS-60 and RAW 264.7 cells, with IC 50 values of 30 and 50 nM, respectively. In contrast, ABT-869 weakly inhibited the IL-3-dependent growth of M-NFS-60 cells (IC 50 = 4,400 nM) and the CSF-1-independent (10% FBS) growth of RAW 264.7 cells (IC 50 = 8,600 nM), demonstrating selectivity for CSF-1 signaling in these cell lines. The four reference compounds (sorafenib, sunitinib, cediranib and axitinib) demonstrated little or no separation of effects on CSF-1 and IL-3 dependent growth in M-NSF-60 cells. Inhibition of CSF-1R signaling in vivo was demonstrated in a CSF-1 primed model of LPS-induced TNF\#945; release in mice. At doses of 3 to 25 mg/kg, orally, ABT-869 reduced the CSF-1 primed release of TNF\#945; to non-primed levels. These results demonstrate that ABT-869 has potent activity against CSF-1R signaling both in vitro and in vivo, and suggests that ABT-869 may have value in treating cancers where elevated levels of inflammatory TAMs drive tumor progression. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 1789.


Based on documents of the archive of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace at Stanford University and the archives of the International Institute of Social History, as well as on memoirs, the articles offers an insight into the coming of the
Georgian Mensheviks to power in the country in 1918 and the attempts of the new republic to defend its independence and territorial integrity in the context of the First World War and the Civil War in Soviet Russia. It examines the diplomatic activities of the Georgian
government as a part of the Transcaucasian Federal Republic and the protection of their own state interests in the struggle against both Soviet Russia and Turkey. The authors pay special attention to the complicated negotiations in Trebizond in March 1918 with respect
to the signing of a peace treaty with Turkey and the organisation of military resistance against the Turkish invasion and the proclamation of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia.
Keywords: Georgia, Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, emigration, Social Democratic Party (of Mensheviks), diplomatic negotiations in Trebizond.


HEALTH CARE, CITIZENSHIP, AND POLICY INTERVENTION IN GHANA: AN AGENDA FOR CHANGE Ebenezer Bossman Agyei Advisor: University of Guelph, 2019 Professor Candace Johnson Recent research shows a growing interest in young people's health. Yet there is relatively little empirical research on programs and health interventions for young people, particularly in developing countries. The present study contributes to filling this knowledge gap. Specifically, this dissertation comparatively examines Ghana's prior Adolescent Health and Development Programme (ADHD), and a more recent health initiative – the Ghana Adolescent Reproductive Health Programme (GHARH). Situating the study within the broader context of new global paradigms – that is, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Strategy, and the Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA!) – this research examines the impact of policy framing on citizenship and development outcomes for young people. In light of the research objectives, this dissertation contributes broadly to the literature on health, citizenship, youth studies, globalization, and development studies. The study employs a qualitative case study method, which involves extensive document analysis, elite interviews, and focus group discussions. The study involved sixty participants, and was conducted over a period of six months in Ghana in 2017. Overall, three key findings emerge from the study. First, policy frames might or might not hold any potential for inclusive citizenship and change in health outcomes; contextual and institutional factors must be taken into careful account. Importantly, the analysis highlights how initiatives for young people's health are shaped by the complex and dynamic interaction of the micro and macro political environment. In line with this understanding, the study establishes five key factors that shape adolescent and youth health outcomes: policy frames, political structure, economic framework, cultural discourse, and policy framework. Second, adolescent health programming must be understood within the broader context of participatory governance. As the analysis suggests, engaging young people in program interventions could potentially foster better policy outcomes. Third, health, as a social right of citizenship, is not a policy domain of state monopoly. Through collective action strategies, young people can reconfigure state-society relationship in ways that position them to better make claims on the state regarding their citizenship entitlements. As such, the substance of citizenship will likely be a function of both contestation and state-activated access.


Demonstration trajectories collected from a supervisor in teleoperation are widely used for robot learning, and temporally segmenting the trajectories into shorter, less-variable segments can improve the efficiency and reliability of learning algorithms. Trajectory segmentation algorithms can be sensitive to noise, spurious motions, and temporal variation. We present a new unsupervised segmentation algorithm, transition state clustering (TSC), which leverages repeated demonstrations of a task by clustering segment endpoints across demonstrations. TSC complements any motion-based segmentation algorithm by identifying candidate transitions, clustering them by kinematic similarity, and then correlating the kinematic clusters with available sensory and temporal features. TSC uses a hierarchical Dirichlet process Gaussian mixture model to avoid selecting the number of segments a priori. We present simulated results to suggest that TSC significantly reduces the number of false-positive segments in dynamical systems observed with noise as compared with seven probabilistic and non-probabilistic segmentation algorithms. We additionally compare algorithms that use piecewise linear segment models, and find that TSC recovers segments of a generated piecewise linear trajectory with greater accuracy in the presence of process and observation noise. At the maximum noise level, TSC recovers the ground truth 49% more accurately than alternatives. Furthermore, TSC runs 100× faster than the next most accurate alternative autoregressive models, which require expensive Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)-based inference. We also evaluated TSC on 67 recordings of surgical needle passing and suturing. We supplemented the kinematic recordings with manually annotated visual features that denote grasp and penetration conditions. On this dataset, TSC finds 83% of needle passing transitions and 73% of the suturing transitions annotated by human experts.


OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the value of plasma D-dimer (DD) levels for predicting systemic embolism in patients with infective endocarditis (IE).

STUDY DESIGN
A total of 42 patients (mean age: 46±16 years; 78% males) with IE were included. Clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic findings of the patients were evaluated.

RESULTS
Increased plasma DD levels were determined in 13 patients with systemic embolism (p=0.016). Moreover, when patients were divided in two groups as DD >500 ng/dl and DD <500 ng/dl, systemic embolism was increased in the DD >500 ng/dl group (p=0.036). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to detect the best cut-off value of DD in the prediction of systemic embolism. DD >425 ng/dl yielded an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.735 (95% CI 0.560-0.909, p=0.016). DD >425 ng/dl demonstrated a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 62% for the prediction of clinical embolism. Hematocrit (r=-0.31, p=0.045), platelet count (r=-0.40, p=0.009), albumin (r=-0.37, p=0.026), and globulin (r=0.38, p=0.028) levels were correlated with DD levels.

CONCLUSION
Plasma DD levels are increased in patients with IE who suffered from clinically significant systemic embolism. Further studies are needed to determine the predictive value of DD levels for clinically silent systemic embolism.


We conducted a mixed-methods study of matriculation issues for African-Americans in the STEM pipeline. The project compares the experiences of students currently majoring in science (N = 304) with the experiences of those who have succeeded in earning science degrees (N = 307). Participants were surveyed about their pipeline experiences based on theories that are commonly used to explain matriculation issues. The results of the study revealed that although both groups recognized the major role of race in their experiences, the primary factor distinguishing between students and professionals was their sense of Alignment with their respective community and their different experiences with subtle forms of racism (Microaggressions). African-American scientists were far more likely to report a weak sense of belonging to their community and were far more likely to report subtle encounters with racism. By contrast, African-American science students were more likely to feel comfortable with the science community and less likely to report subtle racist encounters. The findings of this study are indicative of the pervasive impact of racial bias and conflict as a gatekeeper in providing access to science careers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach


Untouched toe is a condition in which a toe does not touch the ground while standing. It is frequently observed in women even under physiological conditions. Deformities or symptoms of the toes are not observed in these women. The clinical significance of untouched toe has not been fully elucidated. Two hundred young healthy women were recruited into the present study after informed consent. We evaluated the prevalence of untouched toe by measuring various indexes of the toe using a foot-sole-measuring equipment. We also conducted a self-administered questionnaire regarding general malaise. Untouched toe was observed in 114 of these 200 women (57.0%). The fifth toe was more frequently affected than the other toes. There were no significant differences in size of foot except the area and proportion touching the ground between women with untouched toe and those without untouched toe. The prevalence of general malaise was significantly higher in women with at least one untouched toe (57.0%) compared with those without untouched toe (43.0%) (p<0.05). Twelve symptoms-irritability, headache, tired eyes, hazy vision, congested or runny nose, irregular menstruation or menstrual pain, shoulder stiffness, neck stiffness, low back pain, cold hands, swollen feet, and cold feet-were more frequently observed in women with at least one untouched toe compared with those without untouched toes. Untouched toe was associated with various symptoms of general malaise. However, the pathological mechanism by which untouched toe causes these symptoms has not been determined. Further analysis of gait and exercise habits in women with untouched toe is necessary.


Proximal and distal anastomotic devices will play different roles in advancing minimally invasive cardiac surgery. In the wake of the first experiences with the St. Jude Symmetry™, data will be needed to support new technology adoption. The value of anastomotic technology will be greater in the off‐pump and small access coronary techniques. When coronary vascular connectors provide the same or better patency than suture cardiac surgeons will use them for most cases because they will be faster and more reliable. This burgeoning field of anastomotic connectors is already beginning to spill over into other specialties. There is promise for these devices in vascular procedures. It is predicted that similar devices will also be used for bowel anastomoses. With continued evolution of anastomotic devices, it is easy to visualize that in the near future the majority of anastomoses may be performed with a manual or automatic device as opposed to the current conventional suture technique.


We propose a solution for the dimensioning of parametric and procedural models. Dimensioning has long been a staple of technical drawings, and we present the first solution for interactive dimensioning: a dimension line positioning system that adapts to the view direction, given behavioral properties. After proposing a set of design principles for interactive dimensioning, we describe our solution consisting of the following major components. First, we describe how an author can specify the desired interactive behavior of a dimension line. Second, we propose a novel algorithm to place dimension lines at interactive speeds. Third, we introduce multiple extensions, including chained dimension lines, controls for different parameter types (e.g. discrete choices, angles), and the use of dimension lines for interactive editing. Our results show the use of dimension lines in an interactive parametric modeling environment for architectural, botanical, and mechanical models.


Why do humans have continuously growing head hair? Neufeld and Conroy1 recently wrote that they had been unable to find any explanation for the origin of this unique human character in the literature. If a species departs from others on one character, we have to look for some peculiarity of the species that is liable to explain it. Before proposing a hypothesis for the continuous growth of hair, I will first consider a related question calling for a similar answer: Why was fur lost in the human lineage? Producing fur has a cost. Most terrestrial mammals afford it because it contributes to thermoregulation by maintaining body heat at night or when it is cold. If a particular mammal has no fur, we must provide a particular explanation for it. Consider the case of elephants. Because of their volume, they have an especially low ratio of surface volume. Consequently, a dense hair cover is not effective for them; counter-selection has led to a reduction of fur in the species. We must find a special reason for humans in much the same way. Among the explanations proposed so far, the vestiary hypothesis states that hominin development of clothing and the use of fire made fur no longer useful.2 Following this rationale, body hair became redundant with the development of cultural artifacts. Our naked appearance would hence be a biological outcome of the advent of cultural evolution. Coming back to the unusual length of our head hair, we cannot help but see a strong contrast with the reduced hair on most parts of our bodies. I propose the same general origin for both physical characters: the advent of culture. If we consider present ethnic variations in hair style, we observe thousands of ways of combing and doing hair, processing it, sustaining it, coloring it, wearing ornaments in it, or even shaving it. Partings, coils, braids, and hair pins would be unimportant, however, if they had no social meaning. Quite to the contrary, hair features are signs that herald the cultural identity of their bearer, providing cues about tribal belonging, rank in the community, marital status, and value or history of individuals. Continuous growth is the critical character giving humans control of their hair. It provides an abundant and renewed matter allowing for the shaping of hair style and obtaining elaborated forms. The same may be said for beards and whiskers, with the additional occurrence of sexual selection. If such a cultural hypothesis about the origin of head hair growth is not already present in the literature, my guess would be that many anthropologists would spontaneously hit on the same idea if ever asked the question. The interaction between biological evolution and cultural evolution is a likely major mover of the hominization process.3 Several characters of the human face are unique among primates. This might be a consequence of our particular cognitive abilities.4 Tears and blush may acquire a sense only in beings able to ascribe an emotional meaning to them. The white sclera of our eye may have been selected to help others recognize where we look based on the location of the colored iris; this would have occurred in a lineage where the individual is able to inform one's interest or intention from the direction of his or her gaze.5 Such hypotheses are, of course, difficult to test. For head hair, it is suggested that the genetic changes that cause continuous growing occurred some hundred thousands years ago.1 If that holds true, it would correspond to the period preceding the emergence of Homo sapiens.


Stimuli-sensitive hydrogels are ideal candidates for biomedical and bioengineering purposes, although applications of hydrogels may be limited, due in part to the limited choice of suitable materials for constructing hydrogels, the complexity in the synthesis of the source materials, and the undesired fast-then-slow drug-release behaviors of usual hydrogels. Herein, we describe the fabrication of a new supramolecular guanosine (G)-quadruplex hydrogel by multicomponent self-assembly of endogenous guanosine (G), 2-formylboronic acid (2-FPBA), and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) in the presence of KCl in an easy and convenient way. The features of the G-quadruplex hydrogel include (1) versatility and commercial availability of building blocks with different functions, (2) dynamic iminoboronate bonds with pH and glucose responsiveness, and (3) zero-order drug-release behavior because of the superficial peel-off of the hydrogel in response to stimuli. The structure, morphology, and properties of the G-quadruplex hydrogel were well-characterized, and satisfactory zero-order drug release was successfully achieved. This kind of supramolecular G-quadruplex hydrogels may find applications in biological fields.


The aim of this paper is to discuss, with evidence from literature, the options, potential and constraints to climate change
adaptation in Zimbabwe's agricultural sector. The desk research was conducted in Zimbabwe, and took place in July 2014. A multipronged
approach was adopted to identify relevant literature. A web- and e-mail based search for documentation and a desktop review of
printed literature was used to enable analysis of secondary data on adaptation to climate change in the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe.
Sources consulted included government and international reports, state and non-state agency development and climate change response
plans, public research organizations' reports, and academic and scientific literature. Zimbabwe is particularly susceptible to climate
change because the livelihoods of the majority of its residents are dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Household level vulnerability in
Zimbabwe is influenced by conflict and insecurity, inequitable land distribution, low education, poor infrastructure, gender inequality,
dependence on climate-sensitive resources, poor health status, and HIV/AIDS. The ability of individuals, households and communities
to adapt is shaped by their access to and control over natural, human, social, physical and financial resources. Agro-ecological
approaches that build resilience to climate change include complex systems, use of local genetic diversity, soil organic matter
enhancement, multiple cropping or polyculture systems, and agro-forestry systems and mulching. There is no comprehensive, specific
national policy and legislative framework for climate change adaptation. Instead, legislative and programmatic adaptation responses are
found in a plethora of development policies, strategies and action plans of various government sectors. The fact that adaptation
strategies are inherent in the existing gamut of policy documents, but without much coordination, means a fragmented adaptation
response is likely. Some of the current policies and programmes in Zimbabwe actually constrain climate change adaptation. There is a
need to harmonize uncoordinated and fragmented pieces of legislation and strategies aimed at enabling and enhancing an adaptive
response to climate change


Technological advances provide vast opportunities for new product development. Some technologies are transformed into successful new products; others are not. In this paper we investigate the role that marketing research methods as currently conceived can play in aligning marketplace needs with technological potential. We discuss the types of opportunities that new technologies present to the marketplace and why the existing set of market research methods are insufficient to assess the potential for all of these new technologies. We then discuss some emerging, non-traditional marketing research methods and assess their potential for addressing the technological oversights problem. We conclude with implications for academics and for practitioners. Prepared for Presentation at Technological Oversights and Foresights Conference Leonard N. Stern School of Business New York University April 10, 1994


In urban theory our knowledge of actually existing justice practices in the city are limited. In contrast, our collective knowledge of the ways an ethic of care is practised is better developed. In this paper I argue for the need to value care in conceptualisations of the just city by mobilising the unification of care-thinking and justice-thinking in a way that accepts that both care and justice may (or may not) be practised as situated responses to injustice and neglect, and as other ways of doing/thinking/being the city. I argue that researcher volunteering can help reveal actually existing justice and care in the city in their situated context. Drawing on a research project that documents everyday practices of care and justice at Alfalfa House Food Cooperative, Sydney, Australia, I use the example of waste to explore the ways actually existing care and justice are practised. My aim is to expose how, within everyday urban community organisations, the transformative and relational expressions of care and justice can be revealed through researcher volunteering. By focusing on the actually existing expressions of care and justice in the city we might begin to see how the just (and caring) city is being made and remade in the here and now.


The mechanism of thermal decomposition and fire suppression, and the fire-extinguishing performance of HFO-1234yf, HCFO-1233xf and 2-BTP agents were investigated by using both experimental and theoretical methods. The different halogen atoms connected with the middle carbon atom result in the varied strength of C-X (X = F, Cl, Br) bonds, and thus different thermal stability of these agents, which could further affect the pyrolysis mechanism/products and the fire-extinguishing mechanism/performance of these agents. Owing to the generation of CF3˙, Cl˙ and Br˙ radicals, as well as some unsaturated small molecules produced by their pyrolysis, the HFO-1234yf, HCFO-1233xf and 2-BTP agents have minimum extinguishing concentrations (MECs) of 9.80 vol%, 7.28 vol% and 2.92 vol% (9.80 vol%, 7.28 vol% and 2.56 vol%) for suppressing propane-air (methane-air) flame, respectively, which are comparable to or even better than those of other hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) agents. Despite the contribution of directly produced Br˙ radicals, which have the lowest energy barrier and the highest efficiency in capturing free radicals, the Br˙ and CF3˙ radicals produced by the follow-up reactions with OH˙/H˙ radicals may also contribute a lot to the best fire-suppressing performance of 2-BTP. Due to the high reactivity of these unsaturated halogenated olefins and their pyrolysis products, exothermic reactions could occur between the original agents (or their pyrolysis products) and the OH˙/O: radicals, thus leading to the combustion-promotion effect of the HFO-1234yf, HCFO-1233xf and 2-BTP agents. The slightest combustion-promotion effect of the 2-BTP extinguishant may result from the easier generation and best performance of the Br˙ radicals, as well as the lowest energies released by the exothermic reactions.


Multiple perspective reasoning is often involved in real-world decision analysis. Different perspectives may be suitable for different stages of the decision modeling process. Multiple perspective modeling calls for consistency management which ensures that the different perspectives reflect the same information. This paper summarizes the graphical perspectives currently supported in DynaMoL, a new framework for dynamic decision analysis. We introduce a new perspective, the tree view, into the framework. We present the main ideas involved in consistency management in the framework. We also discuss the critical issues involved in multiple perspective modeling of a simplified case study in medicine.


Gene action is conceived of in terms of production of physiological status that interacts with one another and also the environment causing the development to assume a definite course in the organism. The individual as a result displays certain characters at a given stage of development process


Abstract : The Block I Very Long Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) operated by the Deep Space Network (DSN) is used to make weekly measurements of the relative epoch and rate offsets between the time standards in the global network of DSN stations. Over the past year, the precision of these measurements has routinely achieved sub-microsecond levels for epoch offset and accuracies of better than one part in 10(exp 12) for rate offset. The implementation of the phase calibrator system will permit absolute measurement of epoch offset to better than 10 nanoseconds. With the near-real-time playback and on-line storage of VLBI data, the Block I system typically produces clock parameters within 48 hours from the time of observation.


Injection of sarthran, an angiotensin receptor antagonist, bilaterally into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of alpha-chloralose-anesthetized rats decreases arterial pressure (AP) to the same extent as total autonomic blockade. This response is not reproduced by selective AT(1) antagonists. To examine the pharmacological profile of the response elicited by [Sar(1), Thr(8)]ANG II (sarthran), the ability of angiotensin analogs to inhibit the effect of sarthran injected into the RVLM was tested. Coinjection of angiotensin II (ANG II) prevented the sarthran-evoked decrease in AP, but this action of ANG II was markedly attenuated by pretreatment of the RVLM with the aminopeptidase inhibitor amastatin. Coinjection of ANG(3-8) or a selective agonist of AT(4) receptors prevented the effect of sarthran injected into the RVLM. ANG(1-7) was also able to prevent the effect of sarthran. None of the angiotensin fragments tested substantially altered blood pressure when injected alone into the RVLM. These results suggest that the depressor action of sarthran injected into the RVLM is not dependent on ANG II receptors, though the nature of the site or sites of action of sarthran within the RVLM remains uncertain.


The article presents recent clinical manifestations of the central nervous system tumors, bone or soft tissue malignancy, abdominal and retroperitoneal tumors in children and adolescents. We demonstrate the incidence of the guiding symptoms that determine the severity of the condition of patients with incurable cancer.


The hinge domain encompasses amino acids 51-60 of lactose repressor (LacI) and plays an important role in its regulatory interaction with operator DNA. This segment makes both hinge-DNA and hinge-hinge' contacts that are critical to DNA binding. Furthermore, this small region serves as a central element in communicating the allosteric response to inducer. Introducing a disulfide bond between partner hinges within a dimer via the mutation V52C results in a protein that has increased affinity for O(1) operator DNA compared to wild-type LacI and abolishes allosteric response to inducer [Falcon, C. M., Swint-Kruse, L., and Matthews, K. S. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 26818]. We have established that this high affinity is maintained for the disulfide-linked protein even when symmetry and half-site spacing within the operator region are altered, whereas binding by the reduced protein, as for wild-type LacI, is severely diminished by these alterations. Interestingly, the allosteric response to inducer for V52C-oxidized remains intact for a small group of operator variants. Temperature studies demonstrate that the presence of the disulfide alters the thermodynamics of the protein-DNA interaction, with a DeltaC(p) of significantly smaller magnitude compared to wild-type LacI. The results presented here establish the hinge region as an important element not only for LacI high-affinity operator binding but also for the essential communication between ligand binding domains. Moreover, the results confirm that DNA sequence/conformation can profoundly influence allostery for this prototypic regulatory protein.


Based on native spiritual culture material the article analyses sources of one component of ordinary consciousness traditional society - folk psychology. The Slavonic folk psychology was formed in close interaction between Christianity religious ideology and Slavonic demonology.


Electric vehicles (EVs) have recently gained momentum as an integral part of the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) when authorities started expanding their low emission zones (LEZs) in an effort to build green cities with low carbon footprints. Energy is one of the key requirements of EVs, not only to support the smooth and sustainable operation of EVs, but also to ensure connectivity between the vehicle and the infrastructure in the critical times such as disaster recovery operation. In this context, renewable energy sources (such as wind energy) have an important role to play in the automobile sector towards designing energy-harvesting electric vehicles (EH-EV) to mitigate energy reliance on the national grid. In this article, a novel approach is presented to harness energy from a small-scale wind turbine due to vehicle mobility to support the communication primitives in electric vehicles which enable plenty of IoV use cases. The harvested power is then processed through a regulation circuitry to consequently achieve the desired power supply for the end load (i.e., battery or super capacitor). The suitable orientation for optimum conversion efficiency is proposed through ANSYS-based aerodynamics analysis. The voltage-induced by the DC generator is 35 V under the no-load condition while it is 25 V at a rated current of 6.9 A at full-load, yielding a supply of 100 W (on constant voltage) at a speed of 90 mph for nominal battery charging.


Spatial genetic patterns are influenced by numerous factors, and they can vary even among coexisting, closely related species due to differences in dispersal and selection. Eucalyptus (L'Héritier 1789; the "eucalypts") are foundation tree species that provide essential habitat and modulate ecosystem services throughout Australia. Here we present a study of landscape genomic variation in two woodland eucalypt species, using whole genome sequencing of 388 individuals of Eucalyptus albens and Eucalyptus sideroxylon. We found exceptionally high genetic diversity (π ≈ 0.05) and low genome-wide, inter-specific differentiation (FST = 0.15). We found no support for strong, discrete population structure, but found substantial support for isolation by geographic distance (IBD) in both species. Using generalised dissimilarity modelling, we identified additional isolation by environment (IBE). Eucalyptus albens showed moderate IBD, and environmental variables have a small but significant amount of additional predictive power (i.e., IBE). Eucalyptus sideroxylon showed much stronger IBD, and moderate IBE. These results highlight the vast adaptive potential of these species, and set the stage for testing evolutionary hypotheses of interspecific adaptive differentiation across environments.


Our idolatrous worship of the wheel is being communicated to the younger generation to such an extent that the former U.S. Director of Physical F'Itness under the Civilian Defense Programme in World War II felt impelled to report that "57'9% of American youngsters failed in one or more of six basic strength and flexibility tests, whereas only 8'7% of the European children failed them" (Kraus-Weber tests).


The neuromodulating techniques are promising additional methods in chronic pain treatment, specially for the patients with chronic pain resistant to other methods of treatment. Difficulties in effective pain therapy may be caused by the cortical reorganization in the central nervous system in chronic pain patients. Methods used to alter central nervous system functioning, can be the useful tool for the treatment patients with chronic pain. According to the recent years publications, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be effective as a method of treatment in some chronic pain conditions. Physiological researches performed during tDCS stimulation indicates a multidirectional mode of action of it. In this technique the weak current, causing only a moderate change in the polarity and excitability of the cortex laying under the stimulating electrode is being used. Positive, anodal stimulation increased the level of excitation, cathodal stimulation causes inhibition of the excitation. Some evidences confirmed possibility of action tDCS by mi-opioid system, by voltage gated sodium channel, dopamine receptors (D2), serotonin receptors (5-HT). After tDCS stimulation of the NMDA receptor activation was observed. The efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation was confirmed in studies in patients with central pain after stroke, pain after spinal cord injury, visceral pain, migraine headaches, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, phantom pain. In this pain conditions series of tDCS stimulation with 2 mA current over motor cortex resulted in significant decreased in pain. There is some information about efficacy of tDCS in acute pain treatment. In the published studies no serious adverse events were described after tDCS stimulation.


Lightning and sprite measurement sensors on the International Space Station (ISS) are introduced in this paper. Lightning is an electrical discharge which neutralizes the charge inside thunderstorm. In the early 1990s, optical transient luminous events (TLEs) occurring just above the thunderstorm were firstly reported by the US scientists and are associated with positive cloud-to-ground discharges with a large amount of charge. Though the luminous events so-called sprite, elves and jets have been investigated by numerous researchers all over the world based mainly on the ground observations, some important problems have not been fully understood yet such as generation mechanisms of columniform fine structure and horizontal offset of some sprites from the parent lightning discharges. In the JEM-GLIMS mission, observations from our synchronized sensors are going to shed light on above-mentioned unsolved problems regarding TLEs as well as causative lighting discharges. Our goals are (1) to detect and locate lightning and sprite within storm scale resolution over a large region of the Earth's surface along the orbital track of the ISS without any bias, (2) to clarify the generation mechanism of sprite, and (3) to identify the occurrence conditions of TLEs.


Purpose: Lichen planus is a chronic systemic disease that commonly involves the mucosa of the oral cavity, most often in the absence of skin lesions. Although relatively frequent, oral lichen planus is the target of much controversy, mainly in relation to its pathogenesis and possible potential for malignancy. Thus, the objective of this paper is to report two cases of lichen planus in male patients and to discuss the main aspects of this disease in relation to etiopathogenesis and treatment.
Case description: Physical and histopathological examinations were carried out to confirm the diagnosis of oral lichen planus. An elixir of dexamethasone was prescribed in the first case, and in the second case, topical 0.05% clobetasol propionate was prescribed. After fifteen days, both patients presented regression of the lesion.
Conclusion: Although the occurrence of oral lichen planus is common, an accurate diagnosis is necessary so that the correct treatment can be established.


Accurate prediction of wetland soil organic carbon concentration and an understanding of its controlling factors are important for studying regional climate change and wetland carbon cycles; with that knowledge mechanisms can be put in place that are conducive to sustainable ecosystem management for environmental health. In this study, a hybrid approach combining an artificial neural network and ordinary kriging and 103 soil samples at three soil depth ranges (0–30, 30–60, and 60–100 cm) were used to predict wetland soil organic carbon concentration in China's Liao River Basin. The model evaluation indicated that a combination of artificial neural network and ordinary kriging and limited soil samples achieved good performance in predicting wetland soil organic carbon concentration. Wetland soil organic carbon concentration in the Liao River Basin has apparent spatial and vertical heterogeneities with values decreasing from southeast to northwest and concentrates present mainly in the topsoil (0–30 cm). Mean wetland soil organic carbon concentration values at the three soil depths were 10.43 ± 0.38, 7.93 ± 0.25, and 7.61 ± 0.22 g/kg, respectively, which are smaller than those over other wetland regions in Northeast China. Terrain aspect contributed the most in predicting wetland soil organic carbon concentration at each of the three soil depths, followed by normalized difference vegetation index at 0–30 cm and mean annual precipitation at 30–60 and 60–100 cm. This study provides a framework method and baseline to quantify the soil organic carbon concentration dynamics in response to climatic and anthropogenic drivers.


An important question in 3-manifold topology is whether a closed 3-manifold contains π1-injective surfaces. Embedded π1-injective surfaces give a lot of information about 3-manifolds, e.g. [15]. But unfortunately, in some sense, most 3-manifolds do not contain embedded π1-injective surfaces [8]. The main goal of this paper is to prove the contrary to [8] for immersed surfaces, i.e. (in some sense) most 3-manifolds do contain a surface subgroup.


Background Medication withdrawal for RA patients undergoing total hip (THA) and knee (THA) arthroplasty balances risk of infection with risk of flare, yet little is known about post-op flare. Objectives To describe rates, characteristics and molecular profile of flare within 6 weeks of THA/TKA. Methods Baseline (BL) sociodemographic, RA characteristics and tissue/blood samples for molecular profile, BL and 6 week DAS-28, and weekly flare & function questions (MDHAQ, HOOS ADL) were collected in RA patients undergoing THA/TKA. Patient-MD concordant flarers were identified using patient report of flare ("yes" to "Are you in a flare?"), flare intensity/duration combined with MD agreement by review of records. Medication management was standard of care: biologic DMARDs were stopped pre-op; steroids and MTX were continued. Measures of immune activation include Rho associated kinases (ROCKs) pathways, which act via phosphorylation of ezrin-radixin-moesin (pERM) protein substrates. Results Included are results of the first 24 of 50 RA subjects; 20 THA and 4 TKA. 18/24 (75%) met RA 2010 classification criteria. Patients were (median (IQR)) 54 (18) yrs old with 14.5 (23) yrs of disease; 74% were female, 84% white, 88% college educated; 65% ACPA/RF positive. Median (IQR) time to flare was reported at 3.0 (3.0) wks in 14/24 (63%) of patients (flare intensity of 5 (4), duration >4 days in 79%; 1 already flared by BL. More flarers had stopped biologic DMARDs (67 vs 22%). All but 2 stopping biologics flared. More flarers were on steroids (6 vs 1), and MTX (11 vs 5). At BL, DAS-28 was not different (3.8 (1.5) vs 3.9 (1.3), p=.44) but flarers had higher ESR 14 (41) vs 2.5 (7), CRP 1.1 (4.3) vs 0.68 (0.9), and HAQ 4.7 (2) vs 2.0 (2.4). HOOS ADL was worse 34.6 (28.8) vs 44.2 (37.2). Trend for baseline lymphocyte associated pERM was higher in a subset of 5 flarers. Conclusions Flares are frequent and severe in RA patients undergoing THA/TKA, more after discontinuing biologics. Work to identify clinical and novel molecular signatures to predict flare are needed to optimize perioperative management. Activation of the ROCK pathway may signal and play a role in flare. Disclosure of Interest S. Goodman: None declared, R. Friedlander: None declared, C. Figgie: None declared, A. Pernis Grant/research support from: Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, R. Khianey Maharaj: None declared, C. Rozo: None declared, E. DiCarlo: None declared, M. Figgie: None declared, V. Bykerk: None declared


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Obesity rates continue to rise among children and adolescents across the globe. A multicenter research consortium composed of institutions in the Southern US, located in states endemic for childhood obesity, was formed to evaluate the effect of obesity on pediatric musculoskeletal disorders. This study evaluates the effect of body mass index (BMI) percentile and socioeconomic status (SES) on surgical site infections (SSIs) and perioperative complications in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated with posterior spinal fusion (PSF). Methods: Eleven centers in the Southern US retrospectively reviewed postoperative AIS patients after PSF between 2011 and 2017. Each center contributed data to a centralized database from patients in the following BMI-for-age groups: normal weight (NW, 5th to <85th percentile), overweight (OW, 85th to <95th percentile), and obese (OB, ≥95th percentile). The primary outcome variable was the occurrence of an SSI. SES was measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), with higher scores indicating a lower SES. Results: Seven hundred fifty-one patients were included in this study (256 NW, 235 OW, and 260 OB). OB and OW patients presented with significantly higher ADIs indicating a lower SES (P<0.001). In addition, SSI rates were significantly different between BMI groups (0.8% NW, 4.3% OW, and 5.4% OB, P=0.012). Further analysis showed that superficial and not deep SSIs were significantly different between BMI groups. These differences in SSI rates persisted even while controlling for ADI. Wound dehiscence and readmission rates were significantly different between groups (P=0.004 and 0.03, respectively), with OB patients demonstrating the highest rates. EBL and cell saver return were significantly higher in overweight patients (P=0.007 and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: OB and OW AIS patients have significantly greater superficial SSI rates than NW patients, even after controlling for SES. Level of Evidence: Level III.


Aiming at the deficiencies of positioning accuracy and matrix operating complexity in the classical MDS-MAP locating algorithm in WSN, a distributed multi-dimensional scaling-MAP algorithm (MDS-MAP (D)) was proposed in this paper. In this algorithm, the distance of the nodes was quantified to obtain the close-neighbor vector (CNV), the distance matrix D and the initial value of nodes location was calculated. Theoretical analysis and simulation experimental results show that, the advance algorithm can realize the positioning of sensor nodes with good accuracy.


The aim of our research is to develop features from a state space embedded signal useful for high resolution and robust real-time speech segmentation. Since the set of state-space trajectories of a system can completely describe the system, state space embedding of a signal is typically used to study qualitatively any nonlinearities of the system generating a signal. However. while it may be easy for one to observe patterns in the state space trajectories of a system, it is often difficult to quantify what is observed. Two novel features are extracted from a state space embedded signal using concepts from differential geometry. These features are computed iteratively on the one-dimensional speech signal and they completely characterize the state space trajectories formed by the signal. The results obtained show that these features are particularly useful for classifying voicing states and can detect these phoneme boundaries with a resolution of four samples.


The diatoms are very important component for aquatic ecosystems. Turkey has a rich lake potential and many of the lakes have high level of endemism. For this reason, the Great Lota Lake was investigated between October 2000 and October 2001 in sampling periods of approximately per 15 days from one station. Totally, 104 diatom taxa were identified and used for ecological analysis by statistic methods. Chronological analysis, indication in respect to temperature, habitat preferences, streaming and oxygenation, organic pollution by Pantle-Buck and Watanabe's saprobity system, N-uptake metabolism, and trophic states were evaluated, and the aquatic ecosystem state index (WESI) was calculated. As a result, the diatoms in the lake preferred temperate, low saline and alkaline water. The saprobity is oligo- and betamesosaprobic when, the trophic state is eutrophic condition according to Van Dam's system. Keywords : Bio-indication, CCA, diatoms, Great Lota Lake, monitoring, organic pollution, Turkey African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(5), pp. 453-464