Single image super-resolution (SISR) has witnessed great strides with the development of deep learning. However, most existing studies focus on building more complex networks with a massive number of layers. Recently, more and more researchers start to explore the application of Transformer in computer vision tasks. However, the heavy computational cost and high GPU memory occupation of the vision Transformer cannot be ignored. In this paper, we propose a novel Efficient Super-Resolution Transformer (ESRT) for SISR. ESRT is a hybrid model, which consists of a Lightweight CNN Backbone (LCB) and a Lightweight Transformer Backbone (LTB). Among them, LCB can dynamically adjust the size of the feature map to extract deep features with a low computational costs. LTB is composed of a series of Efficient Transformers (ET), which occupies a small GPU memory occupation, thanks to the specially designed Efficient Multi-Head Attention (EMHA). Extensive experiments show that ESRT achieves competitive results with low computational cost. Compared with the original Transformer which occupies 16,057M GPU memory, ESRT only occupies 4,191M GPU memory. All codes are available at https://github.com/luissen/ESRT.


A method for the treatment of chronic sensorineural hearing loss (CSNHL) is proposed that includes administration of trental followed by intravenous laser irradiation of blood (IVLBI). The study included 81 patients at the age from 20 to more than 60 years presenting with CSNHL. They were allocated to three groups; the patients in group 1 (n=32) were given trental intravenously followed by intravenous laser irradiation of blood, those of group 2 (n=24) were treated with IVLBI alone while patients of group 3 (n=25) received "traditional" treatment. Audiometric examination and rheoencephalography were carried out before and after therapy. The hearing improved to 18-20 dB in group 1, to 10-15 dB in group 2, and to 10 dB in group 3. The improvement of rheoencephalographic characteristics was documented in the patients of all groups but was especially pronounced in group 1. It is concluded that the proposed method significantly increases the efficiency of treatment of chronic sensorineural hearing loss.


The present paper proposes a generalization of the square root rule for optimal periodic scheduling. The rule defines a ratio of item occurrences in a schedule, which minimizes the mean serving time. However, the actual number of each item's occurrences must be an integer. Therefore, the square root rule assumes large schedules, in order for the ratio to hold with acceptable precision. The present paper introduces an analysis-derived formula which connects the mean serving time and the size of the schedule. The relation shows that small schedules can also achieve near-optimal serving times. The analysis is validated through comparison with simulation and brute force-derived results. Finally, it is shown that minimizing the size of the schedule is also an efficient way of optimizing the aggregate scheduling cost.


: Exposures of an anthropomorphic thorax phantom in posteroanterior projection were made using a focus-film distance of 200 cm and 125 kV with film-screen combinations in class 200 (Curix RP 1L/MR 200) and class 400 (Curix ST-L/Regular). Pathomorphological structures of the lung parenchyma of fine nodular, linear and reticular types were simulated by suitable materials. A ROC analysis including a t-test showed no significant difference in the evaluation of these structural details (p > 0.05). In order to describe image quality for the two film-screen systems, density curves, sigma D-curves and modulation transfer function (MTF) were determined. The only demonstrable difference was reduced MTF of 10-15% for the higher intensification film-screen combination with a resulting poorer resolution of 3.7 l/mm (for the 400 system) compared with 4.3 l/mm for the 200 system.


This study focuses on dendritic glycerols and investigates the construction of biocompatible surfaces by understanding how differences in the branching of these molecules change the interactions with the biological components. The two molecules, polyglycerol dendrimer (PGD), which has a completely branched structure, and hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG), which has an incompletely branched structure, are compared and the differences in branching are evaluated. It is shown that PGD has a little bit more intermediate water than HPG, which reflects the differences in the branching. The effect of surface state on the adsorption of the plasma proteins, human serum albumin (HSA), fibrinogen (Fib), and fibronectin (FN), is discussed by modifying a glass surface using these molecules with different hydration states. The adsorption of HSA decreases to several percent for HPG and 10% for PGD compared to unmodified substrate. Although the adsorption of Fib decreases to 5% for HPG, an increase to 150% is observed for PGD. Since this specific Fib adsorption observed only onto PGD is suppressed in the cases of a mixed solution of HSA and Fib or sequentially using HSA solution and then Fib solution, it is thought that the Vroman effect is suppressed on the PGD-modified surface. Furthermore, when AFM measurements are performed in PBS to understand the surface roughness, PGD is found to be more highly non-uniform. Because of this, the nanometer scale roughness that is significantly observed only on the PGD-modified surface is thought to have an effect on the characteristic adsorption properties of Fib. Thus, although both PGD and HPG with different branching have intermediate water, the proportion differs between PGD and HPG. Therefore, it is found that differences occur in the plasma protein adsorption mechanisms depending on the coordinates and density of hydroxyl groups within the molecules.


We examined how visual feedback from electronic tuners affected trombonists' pitch performance and tuning confidence. High school (n = 29) and college trombonists (n = 30) were tasked to play in tune with a stimulus tone (G3) recorded by a professional trombonist presented through headphones. Following each of three attempts, participants rated their confidence level that their performance was in tune. A different tuner was provided during each tuning attempt and set to one of three conditions: in-tune (A = 440Hz); flat (A = 437Hz); and sharp (A = 443Hz). These tuner conditions displayed either accurate (A = 440Hz) or inaccurate (A = 437Hz; A = 443Hz) visual feedback. Results indicated significant main effects due to tuner condition and experience level. Participants' tuning accuracy with the sharp tuner was significantly less precise in comparison to flat and in-tune tuners. Collegiate participants performed with greater precision than high school participants in all tuner conditions. Weak relationships were observed between participants' tuning performance and confidence ratings.


Background: Approximately 10% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbor uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) alterations. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic responses and predict the binding activity of different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for EGFR uncommon alterations. Methods: Between May 2014 and June 2021, clinical outcomes of NSCLC patients harboring EGFR uncommon alterations who received diverse treatment modalities: first-generation (1G) EGFR-TKI, second-generation (2G) EGFR-TKI afatinib, chemotherapy, and 1G TKI in combination with chemotherapy as the initial therapy were retrospectively analyzed, and structural analysis for the binding activity of major uncommon subtypes G719A, S768I, and L861Q to different TKIs were predicted. Results: A total of 102 NSCLC patients harboring EGFR uncommon alterations with treatment and survival outcomes were included and analyzed. The majority of patients presented compound mutations (54.9%), and G719X plus S768I was the predominant subtype (n = 33, 32.3%). There was a significant difference in median progression-free survival (mPFS) between therapeutic patterns (p = 0.015) and EGFR alteration subtypes (p = 0.017). Rather than almonertinib and furmonertinib, afatinib, dacomitinib and osimertinib revealed favorable binding activity to G719A mutation. In contrast, S768I and L861Q mutation indicated an unaffected binding activity to these diverse kinds of EGFR TKIs. Conclusion: Together with afatinib, 1G-TKIs combined with chemotherapy might be another effective option for NSCLC patients harboring EGFR uncommon alterations. Based on computational findings, afatinib, dacomitinib, and osimertinib might confer favorable activity to G719A, S768I, and L861Q, whereas almonertinib and furmonertinib revealed less activity to G719A.


The peculiarities of the local oxidation process of ultrathin amorphous titanium films by scanning probe microscope are discussed. It is shown that the tip-induced oxidation process can be considered as electrochemical anodic oxidation. A model of the tip-induced oxidation kinetics is proposed. It is shown that film resistance, relative humidity, applied voltage and duration of oxidation are effects on the rate and resolution of the process. The possibility of formation of 8 nm oxide patterns by tip-induced oxidation is demonstrated.


Background: UPMC Diabetes Inpatient Service has been offering follow-up appointments to patients in endocrine clinic one week after discharge as an intervention to decrease readmissions. Unfortunately, these appointments have a very high no show rate and are only offered to a select group of patients who can show up to clinic in person. During COVID19 public health emergency as CMS started to reimburse video visits, our clinic switched to offer video visits one week following hospital stay. Whether video visits are effective for post-hospital follow-up is not known. Objective: The aim of this study is to understand the impact of post-hospital video visits in diabetic population outcomes and clinic utilization. Methods: We completed a retrospective chart review of patients with diabetes who had a follow-up appointment one week after discharge in 2019(August, September and October) and 2020(August, September and October). We compared no-show rates, utilization of physicians versus APPs, reduction in A1c between two groups. Results: August to November 2019, 42 office appointments were scheduled. 24/42 appointments were completed, and the no show rate was at 42%. Previsit (hospital) average A1c was 8.03%, which improved to an average of 7.4% 3 months following appointment. 92% of all appointments were completed by physicians, and 8% were completed by an APP. August to November 2020, 100 posthospital appointments were scheduled for diabetes service patients. 70 of 100(70%) agreed to complete video visits, 29/100 preferred office appointments. In video visit group, no show rate was only (8/70) 11%. Video visit group had a previsit (hospital) average A1c: 8.3%, 3 months after video visit average A1c improved to 6.3%. 32% of post-discharge visits were completed by a physician, 67% of were completed by an APP. Conclusion: In patients with diabetes, post-discharge video visits decreased no show rates, increased utilization of APPs while achieving to improve A1c. Disclosure E. Karslioglu-french: None. D. Sistla: None. A. C. Meyer: None.


Given the recent proliferation of scholarly works on the city of Rome in Late Antiquity, one I expects a greater precision than Rollins offers here with the title of his book. This bibliography ; encompasses all aspects of the Roman empire in the fourth century and is subdivided under > eleven general headings which range from general works to more specific areas such as military ; affairs, finance, art, and Christianity. The book is aimed at 'the average American student' (vii) and lists only work published in English during the twentieth century. R. directs more ; adventurous spirits towards VAnnie Philologique, Byzantinische Zeitschrift or the American ^ Historical Association's Recently Published Articles. Articles and monographs which are chiefly p concerned with the fourth century dominate the bibliographies and where reviews have been consulted, R. provides an idiosyncratic guide to their contents using ( + ) or ( —) symbols. Considering the intended readership, R. is colloquial. Gore Vidal's historical novel on Julian ; (no. 63) merits a place in this collection and elicits the comment, 'Light reading for late night . recreation. Where's the movie?'; Ramsay MacMullen's article on Roman bureaucratese (no. I 238) prompts the aside 'one cannot help thinking of Washington D . C . Nevertheless, for all the informalities of presentation, there will be few with an interest in Late Antiquity who will not turn up a welcome surprise or two in this collection. The problem with this book lies not with the annotated bibliography but with the historical overview. The list of 1,408 items is preceded by an inadequate introductory essay which attempts to outline the fourth-century Zeitgeist. The tides of scholarly opinion are crudely handled and ^ complex issues unjustifiably simplified. | A shallow discussion of the relationship between emperors of the period and Rome, for example, characterises them, unfairly, as 'like pilgrims, searching for the new Jerusalem' (xvi). The strategic reasons for imperial absences from Rome are seriously underplayed. Baffling reference is made to a ' lingering Republicanism' at Rome which prevented stereotypically rough northern emperors from mingling easily with senatorial sophisticates (xvi). I R.'s introduction and definition of the term 'Romania' will raise eyebrows (xviii) and his assessment of the Late Antique economy shows no sign of the caution which awareness of the work of Finley and Hopkins has instilled in most historians (xxi). Comments on Christianity are equally superficial; the assertion that late third-century Christianity 'had softened its claims of ; uniqueness and edged towards the mainstream' (xxv) demands elucidation. The concept of 'getting right with gods' (xxvi), even allowing for R.'s conversational style, is impenetrable. The ^ growth of the Christian community is poorly treated and the vicissitudes of imperial policy | towards the ancient cults ignored. The highly complicated circumstances under which Rome employed the barbarians is summed up unwarrantedly, as 'cynical' (xix), and the comparison between the Goths and illegal immigrants into the modern United States does neither justice (xxix). The final peroration on the rise and fall of empires assigns a role to a mysterious I 'Commanding Presence' which unfortunately passes unidentified (xxxii). R. is no stylist and some of the prose totters on the brink of journalese. The student, at whom this book is aimed, may profitably scan the bibliographies but is advised to pass over the author's introduction and consult A. H. M. Jones's The Decline of the Ancient World for a survey of the main institutions of Late Roman government.


The purpose of this study is to examine the level of Indonesian millennials' financial risk tolerance and the effect of gender, family occupation background, geographical location and financial literacy on financial risk tolerance. This research applies a quantitative approach using primary data that were collected through questionnaires. The sample used for this survey comprises 410 university students from western (Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan) and eastern (Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua) parts of Indonesia. The online survey was distributed to various universities in Indonesia. The one-way ANOVA and multiple regression methods were used for the analysis. The results show that: 1) the level of Indonesian millennials' risk tolerance is moderate, 2) the level of Indonesian millennials' financial risk tolerance is different, 3) gender, geographical location and financial literacy significantly affect the financial risk tolerance, and 4) family occupation background does not significantly affect the financial risk tolerance. These findings offer managerial insights into business practices in the financial industry to develop individualized investment portfolios based on investors' financial risk tolerance. In addition, financial advisors are recommended to offer relatively riskier financial products to millennials from West Indonesia and those with higher financial literacy.


Based on modifications and expansion of the original Tindall's solvent extraction flame atomic-absorption procedure, an atomic-absorption spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of mercury in geological materials. The sample is digested with nitric and hydrochloric acids in a boiling water-bath. The solution is made ammoniacal and potassium iodide and silver nitrate are added. The mercury is extracted into isobutyl methyl ketone as the tetraiodomercurate(II). Added silver is co-extracted with mercury and serves as a matrix modifier in the carbon-rod atomiser. The mercury in the isobutyl methyl ketone extract may be determined by either the flame- or the carbon-rod atomisation method, depending on the concentration level. The limits of determination are 0.05–10 p.p.m. of mercury for the carbon-rod atomisation and 1–200 p.p.m. of mercury for the flame atomisation.Mercury values for reference samples obtained by replicate analyses are in good agreement with those reported by other workers, with relative standard deviations ranging from 2.3 to 6.9%. Recoveries of mercury spiked at two levels were 93–106%. Major and trace elements commonly found in geological materials do not interfere.


A series of fluorescent sensors for transition metal ions were synthesized by linking a light-emitting subunit, anthracene, to a polyaza chelating subunit, either a dioxotetraamine or a tetraamine. Sensing of the divalent cations CuII, NiII and ZnII was investigated through spectrofluorimetric titrations in acetonitrile–N water (4:1) solutions. The selective recognition of CuII and NiII among other transition and non-transition metal ions is signalled through full quenching of fluorescence; discrimination between the two ions can be achieved by performing titrations at controlled pH. The system containing the tetraamine fragment, whose interaction with CuII and NiII induces fluorescence quenching, is also sensitive to ZnII, but in this case the recognition is signalled through a fluorescence enhancement.


The aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a major cause of dementia and an unmet challenge in modern medicine. In this study, we constructed a biocompatible metal-phenolic network (MPN) comprising a polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) scaffold coordinated by physiological Zn(II). Upon adsorption onto gold nanoparticles, the MPN@AuNP nanoconstruct elicited a remarkable potency against the amyloid aggregation and toxicity of Aβ in vitro. The superior performance of MPN@AuNP over EGCG@AuNP was attributed to the porosity and hence larger surface area of the MPN in comparison with that of EGCG alone. The atomic detail of Zn(II)-EGCG coordination was unraveled by density functional theory calculations and the structure and dynamics of Aβ aggregation modulated by the MPN were further examined by discrete molecular dynamics simulations. As MPN@AuNP also displayed a robust capacity to cross a blood-brain barrier model through the paracellular pathway, and given the EGCG's function as an anti-amyloidosis and antioxidation agent, this MPN-based strategy may find application in regulating the broad AD pathology beyond protein aggregation inhibition.


A new iterative process for sorting array of signals, which differs from the known structures by uniformity and versatility, and allows direct and inverse sorting of analog or digital signal arrays was proposed in this paper. Simple relational nodes are basic elements of the proposed sorting structures. Such elements can be implemented on a different element basis, for example, on devices of selecting a maximum or minimum of two analog or digital signals, which can be implemented on CMOS current mirrors and carry out the continuous logic limited difference function. The homogeneous sorting structure on such elements implementation, consisting of two layers and a multichannel sampling and holding device was offered. Nine signals corresponding to a selection window of a matrix sensor are fed to this structure, and are sorted by five iterative steps, and at the output we receive the signals sorted by the rank, which, using the code controlled programmable multiplexer, generates an output signal, that corresponds to the selected rank. Technical parameters of such relational preprocessor were evaluated. The paper considers results of design and modeling of CL BC based on current mirrors (CM) for creating picture type image processors (IP) with matrix parallel inputsoutputs. Such sorting nodes have a number of advantages: high speed and reliability, simplicity, small power consumption, high integration level. The inclusion of an iterative node for sorting signals into a modified nonlinear IP structure makes possible to significantly simplify its design and increase the functional capabilities of such processor. The simulation results confirm the proposed approaches to the design of sorting nodes of analog signals of the iterative type. The power consumption of the processors does not exceed 2mW, the response and processing times are 10μs and can be less by an order of magnitude, the supply voltage is 1.8÷3.3V, and the operating currents are optimally in the range of 10÷20μA. The energy efficiency of the proposed preprocessor with the iterative sorting node is 25x109 operations per second per watt, which corresponds to the best technical solutions. In the work we show, that after sorting or comparative analysis of signals by levels, a promising opportunity appears to implement image processors with enhanced functionality using the new method of weighting-selecting rank differences of signals. The essence of the method is that by composing the differences of the signals ordered by rank and the upper level of their range, we can simultaneously form several resulting output signals, choosing the necessary difference signals from their set according to the control commands and weighing them additionally before the summation. We show that using this approach and the method of processing we can significantly expands the set of operations and functions for image filtering, simplifying hardware implementation of IP, especially for analog and mixed technologies. We determined set of basic executable instruction-functions of the processors, presenting the simulation results in Mathcad, PSpice OrCad and other environments. We discussed the comparative evaluation of various modifications and options for implementing processor. We analyzed the new approach for the programmable selecting function or set of functions, including the selecting the required differences between the ranks of signals and their weights. We show the results of design and modeling the proposed new FPGA-implementations of MIP. Simulation results show that processing time in such circuits does not exceed 25 nanoseconds. Circuits are simple, have low supply voltage (2.5 V), low power consumption (50mW), digital accuracy. Calculations show that in the case of using an Altera FPGA chip EP3C16F484 Cyclone III family, it is possible to implement MIP with register memory for image size of 64*64 and window 3*3 in the one chip. For the chip for 2.5V and clock frequency 200MHz the power consumption will be at the level of 200mW, and the calculation time for pixel of filters will be at the level of 25ns.


Stroke disrupts motor, sensory, and cognitive systems in survivors. Unlike in physical impairments, assessment of cognitive function is often inadequate, as no standardized procedure to monitor cognitive recovery post stroke exists. We evaluated a number of novel task-orientated tools designed to assess subtle cognitive deficits (including memory, attention, and executive functioning) in a sample of stroke patients. Although unimpaired on MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)-based indices of cognition, memory, and intelligence, stroke survivors were significantly impaired on tasks testing visual attention, spatial/relational processing, and associative memory. We recommend a standardized multidomain cognitive assessment and propose that cognitive deficits post stroke require in-depth assessment to inform patient-orientated rehabilitation.


Ossifying renal tumor of infancy (ORTI) is a rare, benign pediatric tumor of the kidney. Since first reported by Chatten in 1980, 23 cases have been published. Previous authors have argued that ORTI might originate from nephrogenic rests, thereby sharing a pathogenic relationship with Wilms' tumor (WT). ORTI is characterized histologically by a population of polygonal osteoblast-like cells around an osteoid core and densely cellular component of blastemal-like or spindle cells. While the immunohistochemical profile of the cellular components has been reported, to the best of our knowledge the status of WT1 expression has only been reported once, where it showed negative marking. Mitoses have been described only sporadically in this neoplasm. We report on a case of ORTI with positive WT1 immunohistochemical marking and numerous mitoses. This case highlights a possible pitfall for misdiagnosing ORTI as a WT and provides additional insight into its pathogenesis.


OBJECTIVE To evaluate, by a literature review, the Timed "Up & Go" (TUG) test use and its main methodological aspects in children and adolescents. DATA SOURCES The searches were performed in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, SciELO and Cochrane Library, from April to July 2012. Studies published from 1990 to 2012 using the terms in Portuguese and English "Timed "Up & Go", "test", "balance", "child", and "adolescent" were selected. The results were divided into categories: general characteristics of the studies, population, test implementation METHODS, interpretation of results and associations with other measurements. DATA SYNTHESIS 27 studies were analyzed in this review and most of them used the TUG test along with other outcome measures to assess functional mobility or balance. Three studies evaluated the TUG test in significant samples of children and adolescents with typical development, and the most studied specific diagnoses were cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. The absence of methodological standardization was noted, but one study proposed adaptations to the pediatric population. In children and adolescents with specific clinical diagnoses, the coefficient of within-session reliability was found to be high in most studies, as well as the intra and inter-examiner reliability, which characterizes the good reproducibility of the test. CONCLUSIONS The TUG test was shown to be a good tool to assess functional mobility in the pediatric population, presenting a good reproducibility and correlation with other assessment tools.


ABSTRACT Type B influenza viruses can cause substantial morbidity and mortality in the population, and vaccination remains by far the best means of protection against infections with these viruses. Here, we report the construction of mutant influenza B viruses for potential use as improved live-virus vaccine candidates. Employing reverse genetics, we altered the NS1 gene, which encodes a type I interferon (IFN) antagonist. The resulting NS1 mutant viruses induced IFN and, as a consequence, were found to be attenuated in vitro and in vivo. The absence of pathogenicity of the NS1 mutants in both BALB/c and C57BL/6 PKR−/− mice was confirmed. We also provide evidence that influenza B virus NS1 mutants induce a self-adjuvanted immune response and confer effective protection against challenge with both homologous and heterologous B virus strains in mice.


Growth of the spherule phase of Coccidioides immitis in liquid glucose-mineral salts medium was suppressed for 13 days by 5 to 10 μg of polymyxin B per ml. Inhibition of growth was also noted when filter paper disks containing polymyxin B were placed on the surface of arthrospore-seeded defined medium solidified with refined agar. The antibiotic evidently damaged the cytoplasmic membrane inasmuch as spherules suspended in distilled water containing 10 μg of polymyxin B per ml rapidly lost nucleotides. Leakage of nucleotides was prevented by 0.1 M Ca2+. The anticoccidioidal activity of amphotericin B (0.02 to 0.08 μg/ml) was enhanced by 2.5 μg of polymyxin B per ml. Colistin (polymyxin E) methanesulfonate did not inhibit spherule growth at concentrations as high as 50 μg/ml. This may be because colistin, though structurally similar to polymyxin B, is not cationic because its γ-amino groups are masked by methanesulfonate radicals.


Many sheep farmers in Namibia are struggling. Severe drought and difficult marketing conditions threaten the survival of many farmers. Swakara sheep used to be the cornerstone of farming development in the southern and western parts of the country, and it seems that this breed can possibly offer a solution once more. These days one hears of several farmers who are once again keeping small Swakara herds on their farms.


The combination of traditional ant colony algorithm in solving the optimization process to consume a large amount of time, easily falling into local optimal solution and convergence is slow and other disadvantages, while also generating a lot of useless redundant iterative code, operation efficiency is low. Therefore, ant colony optimization algorithm is proposed. The algorithm based on genetic algorithm has the ability to search the global ant colony algorithm also has a parallel and positive feedback mechanisms. Changes in the use of genetic algorithm selection operator, crossover operator and mutation operator action to determine the distribution of pheromone on the path, the ant colony algorithm for feature selection using support vector machine classifiers for evaluating the performance characteristics of the feedback sub-Variorum And by changing the pheromone iteration, parameter selection and increase the local pheromone update feature nodes guided the re-combination. The algorithm uses probability expectation values are obtained to meet under the conditions with minimal sensor nodes, and gives the optimal coverage and connectivity probability models and reasoning. The experimental results show that, the algorithm can not only use the least nodes complete the effective target area to be covered, and in reducing the network energy consumption is also greatly improved, simultaneously reduces the cyber source configuration, improve the network life cycle.


This paper aims to reconstruct the total amount of public expenditure on railways in key European Countries. The analysis bases on data referring to: Italy, Great Britain, Germany, France and Sweden. The main objective is to evaluate the appropriateness of transfers granted in view of containing and rationalizing public expenditure, improving overall system efficiency and protecting competition in a market that has, at least from a legal point of view, fully liberalized segments. Because of the lack of reliable data, previous literature struggled in identifying the determinants of public subsidies granted to national railways across Europe. This paper provides a synthetic index of the size of the rail sector (SISR) that justifies subsidies and estimates the subsidies from the public finances (SP) that would be paid in a specific country adopting the standard of another country or a European average. This paper concludes that there is plenty of room for a deeper investigation into the spending review of the public spending on railways. Finally, this study has major policy implications as it makes available harmonized and comparable data serve scholars and political institutions.


This thesis presents the development of tangible acoustic interfaces for human computer interaction. The method adopted was to position sensors on the surface of a solid object to detect acoustic waves generated during an interaction, process the sensor signals and estimate either the location of a discrete impact or the trajectory of a moving point of contact on the surface. Higher accuracy and reliability were achieved by employing sensor fusion to combine the information collected from redundant sensors electively positioned on the solid object. Two different localisation approaches are proposed in the thesis. The learning-based approach is employed to detect discrete impact positions. With this approach, a signature vector representation of time-series patterns from a single sensor is matched with database signatures for known impact locations. For improved reliability, a criterion is proposed to extract the location signature from two vectors. The other approach is based on the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) of a source signal captured by a spatially distributed array of sensors. Enhanced positioning algorithms that consider near-field scenario, dispersion, optimisation and filtration are proposed to tackle the problems of passive acoustic localisation in solid objects. A computationally efficient algorithm for tracking a continuously moving source is presented. Spatial filtering of the estimated trajectory has been performed using Kalman filtering with automated initialisation.


In a postbroadcast society with both online and offline news media widely available, there are many ways for an audience to (actively) consume news about distant suffering. This focus group study looks into the combined use of broadcast media (television) and a postbroadcast platform (Facebook) for watching disaster news. It is considered that the interactive possibilities offered online to watch and experience the news, combined with watching news on television, could possibly help in fostering a closer relation between a Western audience and the distant suffering. Informed by concepts from social and moral psychology, the findings show not only that personal narratives on social media have the potential to incite a more personal connection between the audience and the distant sufferer but also that this potential was not to be overestimated.


Background: New therapies that could modify the disease course of Huntington's disease (HD) are entering clinical trials. However, conceptions about clinical research from the HD community are unknown. This knowledge could help inform patient-clinician discussions surrounding clinical trial participation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess clinical trial attitudes and understanding in the HD community. Methods: We developed a survey incorporating two measures of trial understanding and attitudes and the impact of therapeutic route of administration on hypothetical trial participation. The survey was distributed via emails, flyers, and social media through HD-related organizations. Results: There were 73 responses. Individuals self-reported as clinically diagnosed with HD, gene positive but asymptomatic, or primary caregivers. Respondents viewed clinical trials positively and generally viewed trials as safe. Individuals with prior HD-related research experience were less likely to have negative expectations about trials than those without research experience (p = 0.002), and women had higher information needs than men (p = 0.001). Individuals with HD were more likely than the other groups to experience therapeutic misconception (p = 0.002). All respondents were able to appraise risks and benefits of research but exhibited optimism about trial outcomes. Willingness to participate was highest when the route of administration was minimally invasive. Conclusions: While the HD community views clinical trials positively, patients with HD are at high risk for therapeutic misconception and all groups are optimistic about trial outcomes. Limitations of this study include a small sample that may be inclined to view research positively given past trial participation and interest in participating in HD surveys. However, the findings from this study can be used to strengthen informed consent during HD clinical trial recruitment.


Combining with our practice of production, we analyzed the market foreground of electric boiler and put forward the direction of development of its according to energy and environmental protection policy of our country.


Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is very frequent with a prevalence of 4% in a general population. Its evaluation has to be simple noninvasive and cheap. The only difficulty is to differentiate early primary RP from secondary RP that may evolve principally to a connective tissue disorder. Two questions have to be solved 1--Is it a primary or a secondary RP? 2--In case of secondary RP how to obtain a more precise diagnosis? Clinical examination alone is able to give a response for question 1 with 76% of reliability. Information has to be collected about sex, age at onset, occupation, uni or bilaterality of the disability, thumb involvement and drug consumption. Physician has to examine skin carefully, pulses, arterial bruits, heart, lungs, the time of return of color of digits after squeezing the blood out of the hand by clenching with and without compression of the radial and/or the cubital artery. Inquiries should be made about visceral involvement: oesophageal dysfunction, dyspnea, sicca syndrome, thyroiditis or polyneuritis that rule out a primary form of Raynaud's phenomenon.


Abstract Introduction Tobacco product prices and consumers' income are the two major economic determinants of tobacco demand. The affordability of tobacco products is dependent on the price of tobacco products relative to consumer income. Increase in tobacco tax is expected to lead to higher price, lower affordability, and reduced consumption. Price elasticity and affordability elasticity are used in analyzing the effect of tobacco tax increases on tobacco consumption and public health. The availability of both parameters raises the question of which one to apply in policy discussions. Aims and Methods Using global data on cigarette consumption, price, income, and tobacco control measures for 169 countries over 2007–2016, this study estimated the price elasticity and affordability elasticity of cigarette consumption by country income classification using country-specific fixed effects model for panel data. Results The estimates show that the restriction of equal strength of the effects of price and income changes on tobacco consumption maintained in affordability elasticity estimation is valid for low- and middle-income countries, while it is rejected for high-income countries. Conclusions Affordability elasticity may prove to be a useful parameter to explain and predict the sensitivity of consumers to tobacco tax and price policy changes under conditions of robust economic growth, which are more likely to be observed in countries with initial low- or middle-income setting. It can provide a reasonable benchmark for tobacco tax and price increase necessary to effectively reduce affordability and consumption of tobacco, which can form a basis for building systematic tax and price increases into the tobacco tax policy mechanism. Implications Price elasticity measures the sensitivity of consumers to changes in real prices, holding real income constant. Affordability elasticity measures the sensitivity of consumers to price changes adjusted for inflation and income changes. Existing scientific literature on tobacco demand abounds in both price and affordability elasticity estimates, without providing a clear explanation of the theoretical and policy implications of using one parameter over the other. By estimating and comparing price and affordability elasticities for high-income and low-and-middle-income countries separately, this article offers a guide to the practitioners in tobacco taxation for evaluating the effectiveness of tax-induced price increases on tobacco consumption.


When Earl Droessler died peacefully on 30 December 2001, it marked the close of an illustrious and productive career in which, as an imaginative agent of change, he contributed substantially to the growth of the geosciences in the United States, as well as to the growth of AGU. Droessler was one of the "midwives" who opened new avenues of cooperation between the federal government and the university community thereby elevating geophysics to its current pre-eminence in the scientific community. A recipient of the Waldo E.Smith Medal in 1992, he had been a member of the Atmospheric Sciences Section since 1947.

Earl Droessler's footprints are evident at every step in the elevation of geophysics in the United States over the past 40 years; and in the transformation of AGU, from a committee in the National Research Council, to a leading scientific society with an impressive array of publications, outstanding meetings, and a magnificent headquarters building in Washington, D.C. His extraordinary services are summarized in the citation for the Smith Medal, which read, in part:"With consummate wisdom, unfettered imagination, boundless enthusiasm, and gentle persuasion, Earl Droessler has been one of the prime movers in the elevation of geophysics to prominence in the scientific community during the second half of the twentieth century."


This study investigates the effect of water deprivation on the expression of atrial natiruretic peptide (ANP)(1-28) binding sites in rat kidney. Water deprivation increased the B(max) of glomerular binding sites for ANP(1-28) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)(1-22) without modifying their affinity, an effect that was prevented in the presence of C-atrial natriuretic factor (C-ANF), suggesting that natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C) binding sites might be enhanced. Our results indicate that ANP(1-28), CNP(1-22), and C-ANF inhibit cAMP synthesis directly stimulated by forskolin or by the physiological agonists histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. The inhibitory effect was found to be significantly greater in water-deprived rats than in controls. Our observations suggest that this effect must be attributed to the 67-kDa NPR-C-like protein, because the 67- and 77-kDa NPR-C-like proteins show high and low affinities for CNP(1-22), respectively, and the enhanced inhibitory effect of CNP on cAMP generation in water-deprived rats was detected at subnanomolar concentrations. In addition, using affinity cross-linking studies we have observed that water deprivation increases the expression of the 67-kDa NPR-C-like protein, and HS-142, which binds to NPR-A and the 77-kDa NPR-C-like but not the 67-kDa protein, reduced ligand internalization without affecting cAMP inhibition by ANP(1-28). Finally, we have found that ligand binding to the 67-kDa NPR-C-like protein is reduced by GTPgammaS, suggesting that this receptor is associated with a G protein in renal glomeruli. The enhanced inhibitory role of natriuretic peptides on cAMP synthesis induced by water deprivation may influence glomerular function in the rat kidney.


Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a technologically advanced, and more expensive, method of delivering radiation therapy with a goal of minimizing toxicity. It has been widely adopted for head and neck cancers; however, its comparative impact on cancer control and survival remains unknown. The goal of this analysis was to compare the cause‐specific survival (CSS) for patients with head and neck cancers treated with IMRT versus non‐IMRT from 1999 to 2007.


The form of the relationship between local species richness and the number of species in the surrounding region can be used as a test between competing theories of commu- nity structure. For 32 canopy gaps in New Zealand Nothofagzts forest, we examined the relationship between the number of vascular plant species in 0.2-m2 quadrats within the gap and the species richness of the whole gap. We found no evidence that competition for a limited number of niches placed an upper limit on the number of locally CO-occurring species. Rather, the mean number of species in quadrats within canopy gaps increased in direct proportion to gap species richness. This relationship held after we controlled for potentially con- founding factors, including variation in forest floor substrate, and gap size, age, shape and orientation. Our results suggest that even over relatively small spatial scales, local species richness can be constrained by the size of the species pool in the immediately surrounding region.


Bovine coronaviruses (BoCVs) have been found in respiratory tissues in cattle and frequently associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD); however, pathogenesis studies in calves are limited. To characterize the pathogenesis and pathogenicity of BoCV isolates, we used 5 different BoCV strains to inoculate colostrum-deprived calves, ~ 2–5 wk of age. Later, to determine if dual viral infection would potentiate pathogenicity of BoCV, calves were inoculated with BoCV alone, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) alone, or a series of dual-infection (BVDV–BoCV) schemes. A negative control group was included in all studies. Clinical signs and body temperature were monitored during the study and samples collected for lymphocyte counts, virus isolation, and serology. During autopsy, gross lesions were recorded and fixed tissues collected for histopathology and immunohistochemistry; fresh tissues were collected for virus isolation. Results suggest increased pathogenicity for isolate BoCV OK 1776. Increased body temperature was found in all virus-inoculated groups. Lung lesions were present in calves in all dual-infection groups; however, lesions were most pronounced in calves inoculated with BVDV followed by BoCV inoculation 6 d later. Lung lesions were consistent with mild-to-moderate interstitial pneumonia, and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of BoCV antigen. Our studies demonstrated that BVDV–BoCV dual infection may play an important role in BRD pathogenesis, and timing between infections seems critical to the severity of lesions.


This study proposes a control strategy for the efficient semi active suspension systems utilizing a novel hybrid PID-fuzzy logic control scheme .In the control architecture, we employ the Chaotic Fruit Fly Algorithm for PID tuning since it can avoid local minima by chaotic search. A novel linguistic rule based fuzzy logic controller is developed to aid the PID.A quarter car model with a non-linear spring system is used to test the performance of the proposed control approach. A road terrain is chosen where the comfort and handling parameters are tested specifically in the regions of abrupt changes. The results suggest that the suspension systems controlled by the hybrid strategy has the potential to offer more comfort and handling by reducing the peak acceleration and suspension distortion by 83.3 % and 28.57% respectively when compared to the active suspension systems. Also, compared to the performance of similar suspension control strategies optimized by stochastic algorithms such as Genetic Algorithms (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO), reductions in peak acceleration and suspension distortion are found to be 25%, 32.3%, 54.6% and 23.35 %, 22.5%, 5.4 % respectively.The details of the solution methodology have been presented in the paper.


Deregulation policy has caused some changes in the concepts of power systems reliability assessment and enhancement. In the present research, generation reliability is considered, and a method for its assessment is proposed using intelligent systems. Also, due to the stochastic behavior of power market and generators' forced outages, Monte Carlo Simulation is used for reliability evaluation. Generation eywords: eneration reliability ower pool market onte Carlo simulation ntelligent systems reliability merely focuses on the interaction between generation complex and load. Therefore, in this research, based on the type of market and concentration, reserve margin and various future times, a Neuro-Fuzzy system is proposed for evaluation of generation reliability, which is valid and usable for all kinds of power pool markets. Finally, the proposed method is assessed on IEEE-Reliability Test System with satisfactory results. The results further showed that if market becomes more concentrated or price elasticity of demand increases, reliability will improve.


Purpose The aim of the present case report was to describe, through a clinical case, a step-by-step technique, for the digital selection of composite resin shades using cross polarization and white balance employing a standardized reference card. Case Description After intraoral impression, a digital diagnostic wax up was developed. A 3D printed cast was used to fabricate a lingual polyvinyl siloxane matrix. First a cross-polarized image of the contralateral central incisor was taken in RAW format, using a gray reference card. The digital image was manipulated using this card as a reference, to obtain reliable color values. The obtained color values, from the contralateral central incisor, were used in order to digitally find the closest combination of enamel and dentin shades between various composite systems. The values of a combination of shades of composite systems, was captured using cross-polarized images, with a gray reference card, after digital image manipulation of composite specimens, which have been created for this purpose. Conclusions Digital evaluation and selection of composite resin system and shade, using a white balance reference card assisted by cross polarized photography, could help achieving more predictable outcomes using the stratification technique with composites. Key words:Restoration shade, composite color, composite resin, direct restoration, digital protocol.


The present study aimed to explore the interactions and influences that occurred on Twitter after Joey Julius's (NCAA athlete, Penn State Football) and Mike Marjama's (MLB player, Seattle Mariners) eating-disorder (ED) diagnoses were revealed. Corresponding with the publicizing of each athlete's ED, all publicly tagged Twitter media using @joey_julius, Joey Julius, @MMarjama, and Mike Marjama were collected using Netlytic software and analyzed. Text analysis revealed that the conversation was supportive and focused on feelings and size. Social network analysis, based on 5 network properties, showed that Joey Julius invoked a larger conversation but that both athletes' conversations were single sided. Athlete advocacy on social media should be further explored, as it may contribute to changing societal opinion regarding social issues such as EDs.


Although COVID-19 pandemic has created a state of alarm worldwide, the downfall in health and economy is rather paramount in low income countries Nepal, due to its inadequate health resources and poor health system, is more vulnerable to the plight But on a positive note, the weaknesses that have been exposed can be taken as lessons to learn With the policies committed to achieving health as the fundamental right of people as per the constitution, capacity building, intersectoral coordination, preventive, promotive and curative facilities, and appropriate strategies and preparedness plan, Nepal can combat the pandemic and develop a resilient and well-functioning health system in future Now is a moment of historic opportunity Public health program must be strengthened as soon as possible by ensuring that at least minimum requirement are in place at the province and municipality levels and media partnership should be created to prevent societal fear Furthermore, this is an opportunity to implement the power devolution in federal republic of Nepal


A wideband speech signal (8 kHz, for example) of high quantity is reconstructed from a narrowband speech signal (300 Hz to 3.4 kHz). The input narrowband speech signal is LPC-analyzed to obtain spectrum information parameters, and the parameters are vector-quantized using a narrowband speech signal codebook. For each code number of the narrowband speech signal codebook, the wideband speech waveform corresponding to the codevector concerned is extracted by one pitch for voiced speech and by one frame for unvoiced speech and prestored in a representative waveform codebook. Representative waveform segments corresponding to the respective output codevector numbers of the quantizer are extracted from the representative waveform codebook. Voiced speech is synthesized by pitch-synchronous overlapping of the extracted representative waveform segments and unvoiced speech is synthesized by randomly using waveforms of one frame length. By this, a wideband speech signal is produced. Then, frequency components below 300 Hz and above 3.4 kHz are extracted from the wideband speech signal and are added to an up-sampled version of the input narrowband speech signal to thereby reconstruct the wideband speech signal.


Distributed crawling is able to overcome important limitations of the traditional single-sourced web crawling systems. However, the optimal benefit of distributed crawling is usually limited to the sites hosting the crawlers, the rest of the URLs are by large randomly distributed to the various crawlers. In this work, we propose a location-aware method, called IPMicra, that utilizes an IP address hierarchy, and allows crawling of links in a near optimal location aware manner. Our proposal outperforms earlier distributed crawling schemes by requiring one order of magnitude less time for crawling of the same set of sites.


The covid-19 emergency may have been declared over, but its effects are not. Pre-existing inequities worsened during the pandemic, and the crisis has hardened societal fault lines. Sex and gender mark many of these. Early on, sex and gender featured visibly as men seemed at higher risk of infection and hospital admission, andwomenof longer term illness and caregiving burdens. Over time, it became evident that covid-19 was exacerbating multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities, with substantial effects on women and girls: increased care burdens, amplified gender based violence during lockdowns, catastrophic drops in income and employment for women and families, disrupted essential health services, and school closures that heightened risk of unintended pregnancies and permanent dropouts.


Deals with the problem of the determination of scalar and vector potentials of electromagnetic fields providing time focusing of strongly diverging packs of charged particles (specific values of relative energy spread being about 100%, angular spread attaining tens of degrees). The problem is solved within the framework of static non-relativistic corpuscle optics. A theory of ideal time and space-time focusing encompassing and systematizing all known particular cases of such focusing is developed. Necessary and sufficient conditions of isochronous motion and requirements for inner symmetry of motion (the latter increasing with the growth of the quality of focusing) are determined. It is shown that the obtained results make it possible to realize an adequate choice of harmonic fields for constructing the time-of-flight apparatus. They can also be used to determine the accuracy of field sustaining according to the known time-focusing properties.


Consider implementing a case acceptance system in your office to fully utilize your hard-earned clinical skills, and to experience the professional rewards that come with serving more patients at a higher level. Doctors who are willing to commit the time and resources necessary to improving case acceptance will increase the number of implant cases entering the treatment phase--cases that run the gamut of complexity and support fees commensurate with their skills!


The politics public Brazilians maids for the breast-feeding moved forward, in spite of the focus to be returned, prioritary for the children, justified for the mortality rate. It was aimed at to rescue the public political principal historical aspects with relationship to the breast-feeding. I study qualitative, descriptive and bibliographical that, it counted as historical cutting the period from 1985 to 2005. The preliminary rising, tends the term to the breast-feeding and the language the Portuguese, it was done in the base of data of Scientific Eletronic Library Online - SciELO, site of Brazil, and they were identified 8 scientific goods. Later, they were read books and master's degree dissertations to have the thematic breast-feeding. During the analysis, we noticed that the actions in breast-feeding moved forward in the decade of 80, and that the scientific production was more strengthened in São Paulo. It is necessary that the subjects shimmer the breast-feeding as a changeable historical process, and that the scientific production involves factors social, political, economical, cultural and existential. Key words: formulation of politics; breast-feeding; the woman's health.


Centimeter-long fiber Bragg grating phase masks having several thousand periods are fabricated using electron beam lithography and require the stitching together of many electron beam writing fields. Two techniques are used to minimize the effect of phase errors arising from the stitching process. Fiber Bragg gratings with more than 99.9% reflectivity are photoimprinted using the phase masks and near perfect spectral response is obtained in spite of stitching errors.


AII amacrine cells form a network of electrically coupled interneurons in the mammalian retina and tracer coupling studies suggest that the junctional conductance (G(j)) can be modulated. However, the dynamic range of G(j) and the functional consequences of varying G(j) over the dynamic range are unknown. Here we use whole cell recordings from pairs of coupled AII amacrine cells in rat retinal slices to provide direct evidence for physiological modulation of G(j), appearing as a time-dependent increase from about 500 pS to a maximum of about 3,000 pS after 30-90 min of recording. The increase occurred in recordings with low- but not high-resistance pipettes, suggesting that it was related to intracellular washout and perturbation of a modulatory system. Computer simulations of a network of electrically coupled cells verified that our recordings were able to detect and quantify changes in G(j) over a large range. Dynamic-clamp electrophysiology, with insertion of electrical synapses between AII amacrine cells, allowed us to finely and reversibly control G(j) within the same range observed for physiologically coupled cells and to examine the quantitative relationship between G(j) and steady-state coupling coefficient, synchronization of subthreshold membrane potential fluctuations, synchronization and transmission of action potentials, and low-pass filter characteristics. The range of G(j) values over which signal transmission was modulated depended strongly on the specific functional parameter examined, with the largest range observed for action potential transmission and synchronization, suggesting that the full range of G(j) values observed during spontaneous run-up of coupling could represent a physiologically relevant dynamic range.


Summary Introduction Rates of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) remain high among men who have sex with men (MSM), posing serious public health concerns. The MSM population is recognized as a vulnerable, high-risk group due to barriers to preventive healthcare services and homophobic stigma. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a questionnaire based on European Man-for-Man Internet Survey 2010 (EMIS 2010) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) core indicators specific for behavioral risks. MSM were reached between June and August 2017, using Facebook and dating apps. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results A total of 324 respondents were analyzed, 88 subjects (27.2% of the sample) reported having experienced at least one STI, the most common being gonorrhea and HPV. Ten respondents reported having HIV infection, and 7 subjects (70%) of them were co-infected with other STIs. The 49.7% (161 subjects) had seen a doctor specifically for STIs. As concerns HPV vaccination, only 4.0% of the total respondents had been vaccinated. Restricting the sample to the 161 respondents who consulted an STI clinic, the 88 individuals who reported having had at least one STI amount to 54.6%. A more consistent use of condoms and larger numbers of sexual partners were significantly associated with a lower and higher risk of STI, respectively. Conclusions Comprehensive STI prevention strategies are needed to improve sexual health among MSM. Such strategies should include implementing programs to improve awareness about routine screening, and promote a consistent use of condoms by MSM.


Mouse C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts are multipotent, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like progenitor cells that are widely used in musculoskeletal research. In this study, we have established a clonal population of C3H10T1/2 cells stably-transfected with mRuby2, an orange-red fluorescence reporter gene. Flow cytometry analysis and fluorescence imaging confirmed successful transfection of these cells. Cell counting studies showed that untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells and mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells proliferated at similar rates. Adipogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells and mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells stained positive for Oil Red O and showed increased expression of adipogenic genes including adiponectin and lipoprotein lipase. Chondrogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells and mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells stained positive for Alcian Blue and showed increased expression of chondrogenic genes including aggrecan. Osteogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells and mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells stained positive for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as Alizarin Red and showed increased expression of osteogenic genes including alp, ocn and osf-1. When seeded on calcium phosphate-based ceramic scaffolds, mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells maintained even fluorescence labeling and osteogenic differentiation. In summary, mRuby2-transfected C3H10T1/2 cells exhibit mRuby2 fluorescence and showed little-to-no difference in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation as untransfected C3H10T1/2 cells. These cells will be available from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC; CRL-3268™) and may be a valuable tool for preclinical studies.


The fractional-order PID controller provides more adjustable parameters in the controller optimization than conventional PID controller. Therefore, FOPID is designed to achieve more goals, and multi-objective optimization based genetic algorithm is adopted. To solve this problem, a multi-objective optimization design method is proposed in this paper. Not only the robust performance, but also frequency angle margin, overshoot and rise time are all taken as the objectives to optimize. Then a variant of NSGA-II reach the optimal solution. This method can obtain uniformly distributed Pareto-optimal solutions and have good convergence and excellent robustness. The satisfactory solution is selected in Pareto optimum solution set according to the system requirement, which provides an effective tool for trade-off among the performance of quickness, stability and robustness. Simulation results support the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed method.


Attention to issues of inequality and convergence has become a topic of considerable interest in both developing and developed economies. The purpose of this paper is to study empirically the evolution of the disparities between more than 360 Maghreb regions considering spatial dependence and to explore a non-parametric approach for characterizing convergence of GDP per capita. This study utilizes growth theory as the theoretical foundation to explore the convergence hypothesis. The methodology consists of identifying the shape of the long-run spatial associations through the use of Markov chains which make it possible to derive a unique stationary distribution related to the transition matrix. The results of the analysis indicate the persistence of regional disparities and the importance of geography to explain the global convergence process with positive spatial spillover effects. The proportion of high-income regions surrounded by similar regions has significantly increased detrimentally to the other spatial associations. This non-parametric approach complements the standard parametric method (absolute and conditional beta-convergence) which shows that the slow convergence process can be accelerated by beneficial spatial interaction effects. These results have strong policy implications with regard to national and territorial policies in these countries.


Hallervorden‐Spatz disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in which dopaminergic deficiency in the substantia nigra and its nigrostriatal projection has been identified. It is characterised by a slow but progressive course culminating in death. This case report describes a 13‐year‐old male, with a clinical diagnosis of Hallervorden‐Spatz disease, who developed recurrent episodes of an acute illness, the features of which closely resembled those of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. However, in this patient there had been no exposure to neuroleptic medication. The clinical events in this case suggest that dopaminergic hypoactivity, which is characteristic of Hallervorden‐Spatz disease, can trigger episodes of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.


Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a validated option in the treatment of selected extracranial carotid artery stenosis. Carotid artery dissection during CAS is a rare but potentially devastating complication. We report a case of acute dissection and thrombosis of the left internal carotid artery during filter tip wire engaging maneuvers, complicated by intraoperative complete blindness of the left eye. Immediate conversion to carotid endarterectomy was performed under general anesthesia with electroencephalographic monitoring. The patient was discharged home symptomless and remains asymptomatic eight months after the operation, with normal left internal carotid patency and fully recovered eyesight. In conclusion, the management of acute carotid occlusion during CAS requires emergent evaluation and definitive endovascular or open surgical repair to minimize neurologic morbidity. We advocate that all endovascular procedures are carried out in a well-established surgical environment.


Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the U.S., and despite focused research pertaining to conventional therapies, the five-year survival rate remains only 17%. The lack of a systematic approach for chemoprevention agent selection and the disregard for individual differences when randomizing to intervention groups have led to clinical prevention trials that have failed or, in some cases, increased the risk for lung cancer. In this regard, understanding the molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer development in a given individual can facilitate identification of targets and/or biomarkers specific to their unique airway molecular profile and the application of targeted chemoprevention. This is expected to yield more effective lung cancer prevention and control. microRNAs (miRNA) have the potential to be robust biomarkers for lung cancer. Our work focuses on preclinical studies to identify mechanisms by which loss of miRNA-125a-3p (miR-125a) expression contributes to the malignant potential of pulmonary epithelial cells harboring an activating point mutation of the K-ras proto-oncogene, one of the most clinically challenging genetic changes commonly found in current and former smokers. Normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) isolated from large airways of patients were immortalized with hTERT and Cdk4 and subsequently manipulated to express oncogenic K-ras (HBEC K-ras). Compared to their respective vector controls (HBEC Vector), the basal expression of miR-125a is significantly reduced by 3- to 4-fold in premalignant HBEC K-ras lines. Subsequent studies demonstrated that the loss of miR-125a expression in K-ras-mutated HBECs is regulated by the PEA3 transcription factor. Compared with Vector, PEA3 expression is upregulated in HBEC K-ras cells at both the mRNA and protein level, and genetic knockdown of PEA3 with siRNA in HBEC K-ras cells restores miR-125a expression. To assess the impact of miR-125a loss on tumor-promoting factors in K-ras-mutated HBECs, we evaluated a panel of inflammatory and angiogenic proteins and found that the basal protein expression of CXCL1 and VEGF was significantly elevated in HBEC3 K-ras cells compared with Vector. Importantly, overexpression of miR-125a significantly reduced the levels of these tumorigenic factors in HBEC K-ras cells, while no changes were observed in Vector. miR-125a overexpression also reduced the increased proliferation rate of HBEC K-ras cells to the level of Vector and suppressed anchorage-independent growth of K-ras/P53-mutated HBECs by 50%, an inhibition found to be dependent on CXCL1. Importantly, our data also show that pioglitazone, a model chemopreventive agent, increases levels of miR-125a in HBEC K-ras cells through downregulation of PEA3. Moreover, pioglitazone exhibits similar anti-tumor activity as miR-125a overexpression. Treatment of HBEC K-ras cells with pioglitazone downregulates expression of VEGF, suppresses proliferation and induces morphological changes indicative of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. Taken together, our novel findings identify the loss of miR-125a expression as a putative biomarker for lung carcinogenesis and possible chemoprevention target. Moreover, our studies illustrate how augmentation of miR-125a by a model chemoprevention agent, in the setting of the K-ras-mutated pulmonary epithelium, can abrogate some of the deleterious downstream events associated with this mutation. These studies were supported by NHLBI #T32HL072752 (EL) and Lung Cancer SPORE #P50CA70907 (JDM, JEL). Citation Format: Elvira L. Liclican, Saswati Hazra, Jill E. Larsen, Stacy J. Park, Paul C. Pagano, Tonya C. Walser, Kostyantyn Krysan, John D. Minna, Steven M. Dubinett. The role of miR-125a in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr A08.


Risperidone is a second generation anti-psychotic drug that is commonly preferred in the treatment of schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorders. Risperidone-associated hepatic adverse effects have long been investigated and continues to be unclear. In this review, our aim is to establish the possible hepatic adverse effects linked to risperidone treatment in children and adolescent in terms of severities and reversibility. We performed literature search via electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library) in August 2019. Risperidone treatment may lead to alterations in liver function test (LFT), mostly asymptomatic and reversible with the discontinuation or normalizes with time. Furthermore, there are few cases reporting risperidone-induced cholestatic hepatitis and immunoallergic hepatitis. Although exact mechanism of action of risperidone on liver remains unknown, there are growing evidences that link alterations of fatty acid biosynthesis to hepatic adverse effects. We recommend physicians to take basal LFT prior to risperidone treatment and monitor LFT during treatment. Additionally, physicians should be aware that most alterations at LFT associated with risperidone use are asymptomatic and reversible. However, more comprehensive studies investigating risperidone-associated hepatic adverse effects should be performed to reach a definitive outcome.


BackgroundVarious techniques have been described for the correction of whistle deformity, but no single technique can be used for all types of whistle deformities because the cause of deformity and tissues available for its correction may be different. MethodForty-seven cases of whistle deformity were divided in to 5 groups depending on its cause (deficient tissue) and the tissues available for its correction. Various techniques available for the correction of whistle deformity were analyzed. Techniques available for that particular group were short listed, and the appropriate technique was selected for correction of whistle deformity of the patient belonging to that particular group. ResultOf the 47 patients, 3 required reoperation. ConclusionsThe proposed classification of whistle deformity and, accordingly, an algorithm for its management helps the operating surgeon to select the appropriate technique from a wide list of options available for correcting whistle deformity.


CdTe thin film solar cells still suffer from problems related to back contacts which provide stable ohmic contacts without electrical losses. In previous studies metal/CdTe contacts have shown significant limitations. A promising option for the realization of ohmic back contacts is the use of a highly p-doped ZnTe interlayer on top of the CdTe absorber, in particular since metal/ZnTe contacts have shown very good electrical properties. In this work we studied the electronic und chemical properties of nitrogen doped p-ZnTe films. p-ZnTe:N films were prepared by using reactive RF magnetron sputtering with N2/Ar gas mixtures or by thermal evaporation with an additional nitrogen plasma source. Samples and their contacts have been prepared in DAISY-SOL (DArmstadt Integrated SYstem for SOLar energy research) which combines a full vacuum production with an in-situ photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS/UPS) analysis. The results of XPS/UPS investigations and electrical measurements will be discussed in comparison to previous results on metal/CdTe contacts. As ZnTe forms an interlayer in the CdTe thin film solar cell, the ZnTe/CdTe interface properties must be also taken into consideration. Our experiments have shown in agreement to previous studies that the valence band offset is nearly ideal for hole transport across the interface. Also electrical measurements have been carried out to investigate the metal/ZnTe/CdTe layer sequences in their contact properties.


Segmentation of speech into its corresponding phones has become very important issue in many speech processing areas such as speech recognition, speech analysis, speech synthesis, and speech database. In this paper, for accurate segmentation in speech recognition applications, we introduce Distinctive Phonetic Feature (DPF) based feature extraction using a twostage NN (Neural Networks) system consists of a RNN (Recurrent Neural Network) in the first stage and an MLN (Multi-Layer Neural Network) in the second stage. The RNN maps continuous acoustic features, Local Feature (LF), onto discrete DPF patterns, while the MLN constraints DPF context or dynamics in an utterance. The experiments are carried out using JNAS (Japanese Newspaper Article Sentences) continuous utterances that contains vowels and consonants. The proposed DPF based feature extractor provides good segmentation and high recognition rate with a reduced mixture-set of HMMs (Hidden Markov Models) by resolving co-articulation effect.


SPENS AWARDS FOR PROFESSORS Are the Spensdistinction awards to be given to professors working in the various branches of Medicine? The professoriate, aware that their consultant colleagues received their awards some months ago, await with some anxiety the answer to this question. In its terms of reference the Spens Committee on the remuneration of consultants and specialists laid stress on "the desirability of maintaining the proper social and economic status of specialist practice and its power to attract a suitable type of recruit, having regard to other forms of medical practice." This is the crux of the matter of the prevailing discontent and disquiet among professors of medicine, surgery, obstetrics, child health, pathology, and so on. They see their whole-time non-professorial colleagues in the hospital service enjoying their distinction awards, while behind the scenes an obscure conflict goes on about the payment of these awards to the professors working in the same fields of Medicine. The profession must be concerned about two aspects of this. The first is the plain justice-or injustice-of the situation. The second is the impact of any final decision on the " power to attract a suitable type of [professorial] recruit, having regard to other forms of medical practice." Is a man, or a woman, to be penalized because he (or she) wants


An application of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was demonstrated for a fast industrial inspection of an optical thin film panel. An optical thin film sample similar to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel was examined. Two identical SD-OCT systems were utilized for parallel scanning of a complete sample in half time. Dual OCT inspection heads were utilized for transverse (fast) scanning, while a stable linear motorized translational stage was used for lateral (slow) scanning. The cross-sectional and volumetric images of an optical thin film sample were acquired to detect the defects in glass and other layers that are difficult to observe using visual inspection methods. The rapid inspection enabled by this setup led to the early detection of product defects on the manufacturing line, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality assurance of industrial products.


Abstract : Although the September 11 terrorist attacks and the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) have led the Department of Defense (DoD) leadership to change its terms of reference for sizing and planning its force, these events have not changed the dual objectives of U.S. peacetime air mobility operations: to meet peacetime demand and to maintain wartime readiness. This study compares the peacetime tempo of air mobility operations in the Cold War (the 1980s) with that of the post-Cold War period (the 1990s) and examines the factors and as sociated trends that can affect the Air Mobility Command's (AMC's) ability to meet these dual objectives in a cost-effective manner. Does AMC have the flexibility to generate enough flying hours for pilot training when flying demand is low? Can AMC man flying operations with the number of pilots Congress has authorized? How well does the actual ratio of copilots (CPs) to aircraft commanders (ACs) match what is authorized? Comparing peacetime operations in the 1980s with those of the 1990s, did pilots get less hands-on training during flights in the latter period? Was AMC less able to project airlift demand accurately in the latter than in the former period? Did AMC have to fly more missions with shorter advance notice? Has AMC been successful in using reimbursements from its customers to defray its operating expenses? We will first report our findings on these factors and trends and will then suggest measures to correct the problems we have identified.


This study focused on Orang Rimba identity in term of their religious live. One of Orang Rimba religious tradition was belive in Betetutuh Sang Mesekin or The Saying from Poor People. The assumption of this research was Betetutuh Sang Mesekin could describe who and how was the livelihood of Orang Rimba in the past, and succeeding being seen that identity changed on today. Nowadays, still found that their identity still mantaining, Orang Rimba still lived in the middle of forest, residence near streaming of the river, obedient and unwavering holds custom, petting beard that corelation with confidence. Meanwhile their identity changed, appeared a new interaction model of Orang Rimba with Orang terang. Orang Rimba tried to get cultivation though up custom conjugate with condition of currently, the tradition of Melangun chaged with a new format. A new of custom also appeared like using modern technology such as handphone and etc.


We have carried out a high resolution photoelectron spectrometry study of the 5p4nd(2S1/2) (n=5-7) correlation satellites of Xe from a photon energy of 40.8 to 150 eV. The absolute cross sections of these satellite lines follow very closely the shifted and scaled cross section of the 5s main line. The relative intensities of these satellites with respect to the 5s main line at 72 eV are in very good accord with one of the most recent measurements, confirming that all theoretical predictions for the relative intensity of these satellites are too high. We have also determined the angular anisotropy parameter, beta , for these satellites. While the 5d(2S1/2) satellite closely follows the beta value of the 5s main line, the other two satellites do not. These satellites slowly approach beta =2 with the 6d(2S1/2) satellite approaching faster than the 7d(2S1/2) satellite. We also show that there is no major discrepancy between the relative intensity of the 5d(2S1/2) satellite and the main 5s line at the intermediate photon energies reported here and in the high energy limit of 1487 eV reported by Svensson et al. (1988).


Random intercept models are linear mixed models (LMM) including error and intercept random effects. Sometimes heteroscedasticity is included and the response variable is transformed into a logarithmic scale, while inference is required in the original scale; thus, the response variable has a log-normal distribution. Hence, correction terms should be included to predict the response in the original scale. These terms multiply the exponentiated predicted response variable, which subestimates the real values. We derive the correction terms, simulations and real data about the income of elderly are presented to show the importance of using them to obtain more accurate predictions. Generalizations for any LMM are also presented.


In the present work, diffraction of plane waves by an impedance half-plane in a cold plasma is investigated. A cold plasma may correspond to the ionosphere under the presence of the Earth's magnetic field where the effect of the finite temperature and the pressure variations are ignored. The antenna and wave propagation characteristics in the ionosphere are important in satellite communication. An impedance half-plane in a cold plasma is a canonical configuration which may be used in modelling scattering from a variety of complex objects. The boundary-value problem corresponding to the canonical configuration is formulated by Fourier transform technique which leads to a matrix Wiener-Hopf equation. The kernel matrix is expressed in Daniele-Krapkov form which yields a rigorous solution to the problem under consideration. The field expressions can easily be obtained by the standard saddle-point technique.


So-called bimodal odorants are able to stimulate the intranasal trigeminal system at relatively low concentrations. Using them as stimuli, the current study focused on the interaction between the olfactory and trigeminal systems at a cerebral level. In the experiment, menthol was used at two concentrations, low and high, and these were delivered to two groups of subjects, a healthy control group and an anosmic group who were unable to perceive smells. A computer-controlled olfactometer based on principles of air-dilution was used to deliver the stimuli, while the brain functions were assessed by a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. SPM5 was used for data analysis. The results showed that normosmic subjects exhibited activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and cerebellum. Whilst anosmic subjects activated the same area inside the anterior cingulate; moreover a cluster of activation was found in the left parahippocampal gyrus. In controls, an effect of stimulus intensity was localized between the anterior cingulated, the medial frontal gyrus and the cerebellum; such areas could not be found in anosmic subjects. These results suggest that the olfactory system modifies trigeminally mediated information causing an evident effect in the differentiation between stimulus intensities.


Real rotor with multiple disks, ball bearings and flexible bearing supports has been considered in the present work. Reduced order model required for simulations of the dynamic system is developed using multi-objective genetic algorithms by matching its dynamic response with full order Finite Element Method based model. This enables us the possibility of including ball bearing dynamics as well as experimental data in model updating. In a rotating machinery, multiple types of faults can be expected during its service life, such as transverse breathing crack, looseness of bearing supports and unbalance. Rotor crack can be quantified by using the dynamic response of the rotor under coast up conditions in open loop situation using Pattern Search optimization. Wavelet transformations are used to denoise the signal and enhance the estimation accuracy.


Probiotics are the bacterial strains living and reproducing in the gastrointestinal tract. They favorably influence human organism by maintaing the balance of intestinal microflora and vaginal biocenosis. Recently, the interest in probiotics bacteria has increased. They are used not only in prophylaxis, but also in treatment, especially in infectious diseases of gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.


The role of parental antisocial behavior in the development of adolescent psychopathology is well established in the literature. However, less is known about the role of parental psychopathic traits in offspring psychopathology. Adolescents (N = 210; boys = 107) and their parents participated in a study measuring parental antisocial behavior, psychopathic traits (i.e., callous-unemotional traits, impulsive-irresponsibility, and grandiosity), and adolescent psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD). Results from the structural equation model suggested that maternal antisocial acts, but not anger propensity, positively predicted adolescent CD, ODD, and depressive symptoms. Paternal anger propensity mainly predicted internalizing problems, whereas paternal impulsive-irresponsibility predicted anxiety and ADHD symptoms. In addition, findings pointed to several indirect effects from maternal and paternal psychopathic traits to adolescent psychopathology, with the strongest one being between maternal impulsive-irresponsibility to maternal antisocial acts to adolescent ODD. The findings suggest that parental antisocial behaviors and psychopathic traits, and especially impulsive-irresponsibility, should be considered in interventions aiming to reduce adolescent psychopathology.


Diponegoro University is a State University in Central Java. Faculty of Engineering is part of some faculty at UNDIP. One of the problems from this faculty is parking space requirements. Although it has provided a parking space (off street parking) in each faculty, but in reality there are many vehicles parked on the roadside (on street parking). This final report aims to evaluate the need of existing parking spaces and planned capacity expansion of existing parking spaces. Methodologies used include: field surveys, problem identification, data collection, test of the validity with chi-square test, data analysis, calculation of SRP needs, arrangement of the old park and planning of new park. The number of the current shortage of parking space requirements in Engineering Faculty is 141 SRP for cars and 894 SRP for motorcycles. Meanwhile for the development of the next 5 years is 237 SRP for cars and 1568 SRP for motorcycles. Development of parking area with komunal parking area construction, to join of parking area on Civil Engineering with Geology Engineering, and to join of parking area on Chemistry Engineering, Industry Engineering, Machine Engineering. Also structuring again the parking area configuration on Architek, PWK, Electrical Engineering, and Lecture Together Building. Based on the analysis of the calculation, planning is considered to have been able to solve the needs of today and the parking spaces for the development of the next 5 years is until 2019. To solving the possibility of the occurrence of on-street parking, the solution is given by the installation of parking prohibition signs around the side of the road.


This thesis aims to address the following key question: "What affects immigrants to acquire capital and how is it generated?" This can be addressed by the following: (1) identifying micro-level determinants of immigrant language acquisition and integration; (2) assessing macro-level effects and micro-macro joint effects on immigrant language acquisition; and (3) reassessing the overall empirical findings based on theoretically derived micro-macro interactive mechanisms in the integration process.
The research literature concerned with the determinants of immigrant/second language acquisition is reviewed to bring classic theories and models from economics and psychology together and initiate the construction of an economic-psychological modeling frame for immigrant language acquisition. Based on the modeling frame, an empirically testable model of immigrant language acquisition is formulated to identify the determinants of destination language proficiency. Furthermore, conceptually locating language as an antecedent of immigrant integration outcomes in a theoretical modeling framework, a model of immigrant integration is devised with three sub-models: (1) a model of immigrant economic integration; (2) a model of immigrant citizenship acquisition; and (3) a model of immigrant political integration. The models are tested using OLS regression and data from the Multicultural Democracy and Immigrants' Social Capital in Europe: Participation, Organisational Networks, and Public Policies at the Local Level (LOCALMULTIDEM).
Analysis results suggest that the economic model is robust in predicting immigrant language acquisition and integration outcomes. Educational attainment is found to be the most critical and consistent predictor of outcomes across cities and empirical models. Although the psychological model has relatively weak power in explaining the variation in language proficiency, the presumed mediating effect via attitudinal factors is detected in some cases. However, such mediation effect is barely identified in the sub-models of immigrant integration with an exception of political integration. Destination language proficiency is found to be the most consistent mediator that positively influences all of the integration outcomes. In the concluding chapters, further analyses and (re)interpretations are conducted as an overarching summary of the multivariate regression analyses to examine the role of institutions and propose a micro-macro integrative model that could suggest options for institutional design and directions for future research.


This paper presents a version of the fast multipole method (FMM) for integral equations describing conduction through three–dimensional periodic heterogeneous media. The proposed method is based on the standard rather than periodic fundamental solution, and therefore it is very close to the original FMM. In deriving the method, particular attention is paid to convergence of arising integral equations and lattice sums. It is shown that convergence can be achieved without introducing artificial compensatory sources or boundary conditions.


A diaphysis fracture that occurs between 5 cm distal to the lesser trochanter and 5 cm proximal to the adductor tubercle is recognized as a femoral shaft fracture and is prevalent in runners and military personnel. A patient's ability to carry out activities of daily living effectively and efficiently post-surgery is hampered by a variety of obstacles. We present a case of a 21-year-old male who came to the hospital with a complaint of pain and swelling in his right leg. The patient was diagnosed with a proximal femur fracture. Physiotherapy procedures commenced with the purpose of alleviating pain and establishing a normal range of motion. As a result of the physiotherapy regimens, the patient was aided in his recovery.


Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old male patient who underwent uncomplicated laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in both eyes 10 days earlier and came with complaints of blurring of vision in the left eye with vision of 20/20. The patient gave a history of not tapering steroids as advised. His intraocular pressure (IOP) measured with rebound tonometer was 15 mmHg in the right eye and 25 mmHg in the left eye. On slit-lamp examination, the LASIK flap was intact in both the eyes, but the cornea appeared hazy in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography shows a central thickness of 524 μ in the left eye. The patient was diagnosed to have pressure-induced stromal keratopathy. The patient was switched to low-potency steroids, and anti-glaucoma drugs were given. On follow-up on slit-lamp examination, there was a significant decrease in haze in the left eye clear vision of 20/20 in both the eyes. It is important to recognize and treat PISK appropriately, as untreated elevated IOP can lead to optic nerve damage even over a brief period of several weeks.


Hand gestures (not static or fixed positions) are movements of fingers and the arm to communicate messages. Hand gesture recognition is the process of identifying meaningful expressions involving the human hand. Pictorial representation of gestures will enable to understand human computer interaction (HCI). This paper describes a system using convolution neural network (CNN) for recognizing the 26 letters of the English alphabet signaled with hand gestures. A Python program was developed to recognize the gestures made in front of a web camera. The hand gestures obtained are categorized using CNN with a trained model. The model was constructed using 1,100 gestures images. The recognition rate was obtained with 91% of accuracy. The proposed method was found to be highly efficient in distinguishing and classifying gestures.


Knowledge graphs (KGs) are widely used to store and access information about entities and their relationships. Given a query, the task of entity retrieval from a KG aims at presenting a ranked list of entities relevant to the query. Lately, an increasing number of models for entity retrieval have shown a significant improvement over traditional methods. These models, however, were developed for English KGs. In this work, we build on one such system, named KEWER, to propose SERAG (Semantic Entity Retrieval from Arabic knowledge Graphs). Like KEWER, SERAG uses random walks to generate entity embeddings. DBpedia-Entity v2 is considered the standard test collection for entity retrieval. We discuss the challenges of using it for non-English languages in general and Arabic in particular. We provide an Arabic version of this standard collection, and use it to evaluate SERAG. SERAG is shown to significantly outperform the popular BM25 model thanks to its multi-hop reasoning.


Demand-side management (DSM) has become an invaluable tool for utilities to manage consumer electricity demand. Existing strategies targeting inefficient appliances such as geysers and light bulbs has produced some savings. This paper proposes that more targeted DSM strategies could be developed by more closely scrutinising consumer appliances purchase patterns.


Let $p\geqslant 5$ be a prime. If an irreducible component of the spectrum of the 'big' ordinary Hecke algebra does not have complex multiplication, under mild assumptions, we prove that the image of its Galois representation contains, up to finite error, a principal congruence subgroup ${\rm\Gamma}(L)$ of $\text{SL}_{2}(\mathbb{Z}_{p}[[T]])$ for a principal ideal $(L)\neq 0$ of $\mathbb{Z}_{p}[[T]]$ for the canonical 'weight' variable $t=1+T$. If $L\notin {\rm\Lambda}^{\times }$, the power series $L$ is proven to be a factor of the Kubota–Leopoldt $p$-adic $L$-function or of the square of the anticyclotomic Katz $p$-adic $L$-function or a power of $(t^{p^{m}}-1)$.


Recent experimental studies on exotic nuclei near and beyond the neutron drip line using the
multi-purpose large acceptance spectrometer SAMURAI at RIBF at RIKEN are presented. In
particular, we focus on the experiment on the beyond-drip-line nucleus 26O produced by the one-proton removal reaction of 27F at 201 MeV/nucleon. We have found that the ground state is barely
unbound, only 18(3)(stat.)(4)(syst) keV, with respect to the two neutron emission threshold. We
discuss the implication of such a finding. We also show perspectives on the on-going and near
future projects at SAMURAI on the neutron drip line nuclei.


Literature values of the standard partial molar heat capacities of 1:1 electrolytes in methanol have been divided into ionic contributions using the assumption that [graphic omitted]. Combination with Cop values for gaseous ions then leads to single-ion values for the solvation of gaseous ions in methanol, ΔsolvCop. These latter values are then broken down into a neutral term N, an electrostatic term E and a configurational term C. It is shown that the above single-ion division leads to configurational single-ion quantities that agree well with other single-ion parameters. Using this division, all the inorganic cations and anions can be regarded as structure-makers that decrease the fluidity of the solvent. The tetra-alkylammonium ions are also structure-makers, but exhibit 'solvophobic solvation', analogous to, but quantitatively much smaller than, the corresponding hydrophobic hydration in water.