The governmental investment to SOC facilities currently has increasedthe construction of new roads and the consistent extension of already-existing roads or the line-shape revision of those roads. As a result, the road cut slopes have been increasingrapidly. Unfortunately, human-life damages and property damages frequently occur due to the rockfall and the landslide every year. To reduce those damages, many studies have been performed. The present regulation regarding rockfall protection facilities follows the "Guide for Installation and Management of Road Safety Facilities" issued by MLTM (the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs) that indicates the standard size of facilities and energy absorbing efficiencies. Most domestic road slopes use standardized rockfall protection facilities based on the regulation. However, there have been doubted about the effectiveness of rockfall protection facilities and the damages caused by rockfalls havebeen increasedevery year. Thus, it seems that relevant studies are necessary on the rockfall protection net being capable of supporting rockfall energies. Accordingly, this study reviews previous literature to investigate the function and the feature of rockfall protection nets and analyzetheir limitations by each type. After that, by using the pullout test device for a rockfall protection net, an experiment on the PVC coating net and the expanded metal is performed under the exact same condition. Finally, the features of the Expended metal is explained with the comparison analysises of load-variation and the confirmation of damaged forms. As a result, there have been founded the problemsof net breaking down and not being able to support due to PVC coating net's material property of disintegration. On the other hand, the Expanded Metal might be expected as a substituteof rockfall protection net according to its capability of support and integration.


Curiosity is a fundamental driver of human behavior, and yet because of its open-ended nature and the wide variety of behaviors it inspires in different contexts, it is remarkably difficult to study in a laboratory context. A promising approach to developing and testing theories of curiosity is to instantiate them in artificial agents that are able to act and explore in a simulated environment, and then compare the behavior of these agents to humans exploring the same stimuli. Here we propose a new experimental paradigm for examining children's – and AI agents' – curiosity about objects' physical interactions. We let them choose which object to drop another object onto in order to create the most interesting effect. We compared adults' (N=155) and children's choices (N=66; 3-7 year-olds) and found that both children and adults show a strong preference for choosing target objects that could potentially contain the dropped object. Adults alone also make choices consistent with achieving support relations. We contextualize our results using heuristic computational models based on 3D physical simulations of the same scenarios judged by participants.


This study investigates the impact of the Flux-Adjusting Surface Data Assimilation System (FASDAS) and the four-dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) using analysis nudging on the simulation of a monsoon depression that formed over India during the 1999 Bay of Bengal Monsoon Experiment (BOBMEX) field campaign. FASDAS allows for the indirect assimilation/adjustment of soil moisture and soil temperature together with continuous direct surface data assimilation of surface temperature and surface humidity. Two additional numerical experiments [control (CTRL) and FDDA] were conducted to assess the relative improvements to the simulation by FASDAS. To improve the initial analysis for the FDDA and the surface data assimilation (SDA) runs, the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) simulation utilized the humidity and temperature profiles from the NOAA Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS), surface winds from the Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT), and the conventional meteorological upper-air (radiosonde/rawinsonde, pilot balloon) and surface data. The results from the three simulations are compared with each other as well as with NCEP–NCAR reanalysis, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), and the special buoy, ship, and radiosonde observations available during BOBMEX. As compared with the CTRL, the FASDAS and the FDDA runs resulted in (i) a relatively better-developed cyclonic circulation and (ii) a larger spatial area as well as increased rainfall amounts over the coastal regions after landfall. The FASDAS run showed a consistently improved model simulation performance in terms of reduced rms errors of surface humidity and surface temperature as compared with the CTRL and the FDDA runs.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and the complication rate of percutaneous CT-guided coaxial 18-gauge (1.25-mm diameter) multisampling (five samples) core needle biopsy (CNB) of suspected thoracic lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The records of 75 consecutive patients (29 women, 46 men; age range, 33-92 years) who underwent percutaneous CT-guided adjustable coaxial 18-gauge multisampling (five samples) CNB of a suspected thoracic lesion (eight mediastinal lesions, two chest wall lesions, two pleural lesions, and 63 intrapulmonary lesions) were reviewed.

RESULTS
Ninety-seven percent (73/75) of CNB specimens were considered adequate for a specific diagnosis by the histopathology staff. Diagnostic yield was 97% (95% confidence interval, 91-99%) (72/74) (number of correct diagnoses obtained at CNB / number of definitive diagnoses). There were 61 malignant lesions and 11 benign lesions. There was no false-negative result when CNB was considered adequate for a specific diagnosis by the histopathology staff. Pneumothorax occurred in 19% (12/63 intrapulmonary lesions). One patient required placement of a chest tube. Minor postbiopsy hemoptysis occurred and resolved spontaneously in 11% (7/63) of patients.

CONCLUSION
Percutaneous CT-guided coaxial multisampling large CNB of suspected thoracic lesions, in a mainly cancer-based population, is an accurate procedure for a specific histologic diagnosis and has a low rate of complications.


Background
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has a significant negative impact on the lives of women, causing them pain, anxiety, depression, and a decreased quality of life (QoL). Studies have shown that the practice of yoga with provide relief from lower back pain, menopausal symptoms, stress, and depression. Further, they indicate that it may ameliorate the effects of endometriosis.

Objective
The study aimed to examine the effect of practicing endometriosis yoga on the stress and QoL of women diagnosed with endometriosis.

Design
This was an AB design study which included 52 women diagnosed with endometriosis.

Setting
The research was conducted twice a week online.

Participants
Forty-two (42) women participated in the study and were included in the analysis.

Interventions
The program included eight weeks of conventional therapy, followed by eight weeks of 90-minute endometriosis yoga classes held twice a week. The women served as their own control group. Their symptoms were assessed at three time points: prior to two months of conservative treatment, after two months of conservative treatment, and following two months of the conservative treatment and yoga intervention. The outcome measures were the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30), a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and intensity of bleeding during the last menstrual period.

Results
All outcome measures improved after the women completed the endometriosis yoga intervention. The EHP-30 and NPRS questionnaire scores were lower after the intervention program (P = .001) as was the blood-flow intensity (P = .019).

Conclusions
The practice of endometriosis yoga is recommended for women with endometriosis to reduce levels of pain and stress and to improve QoL.


The hydrogen-terminated diamond
surface (C-H diamond) has a two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) layer independent of the crystal orientation. A 2DHG layer is ubiquitously formed on the C-H diamond
surface covered by atomic-layer-deposited-Al2O3. Using Al2O3 as a gate oxide, C-H diamond metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) operate in a trench gate structure where the diamond side-wall acts as a channel. MOSFETs with a side-wall channel exhibit equivalent performance to the lateral C-H diamond
MOSFET without a side-wall channel. Here, a vertical-type MOSFET with a drain on the bottom is demonstrated in diamond with channel current modulation by the gate and pinch off.


The limited influence of the needs of the child upon the decision-making process in child custody disputes is discussed, with particular attention to the consultant's role and unique aspects of this type of consultation. A case is described in which a multitude of consultants presented the court with a morass of parent-oriented conflicting testimony. It is concluded that clinicians can better serve children by seeking to consult not for one of the competing adult parties, but only for the court.


Context: Gum guggul, a resinous exudate of the plant Commiphora mukul Engl. (Burseraceae), has been found efficacious in the treatment of bone fractures, arthritis, and hyperlipidemic disorders. Objective: The present study is an effort to explore the anti-bone-resorptive potential of the dried methanol extract of the gummy exudate of C. mukul (MECM) in ovariectomized rat model. Materials and methods: The animals were randomly divided into five groups of equal size (n = 6). Animals in all the groups were ovariectomized except group 1, which was sham operated. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with Raloxifene, MECM 250 mg/kg and MECM 500 mg/kg, respectively. The 2nd group was fed with vehicle. Assessment: biochemical estimations, viz., alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartarate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), serum calcium (Ca); biomechanical evaluations, and histopathological examinations. Results: The LD50 of MECM was found to be > 2500 mg/kg orally. A significant elevation was observed in the ALP, TRAP, Ca and cholesterol levels in the 2nd group with a significant reduction in biomechnical strength. Groups 3, 4 and 5, showed a significant reduction in TRAP and ALP levels (p < 0.001). The Ca levels were normalized in the groups 4 and 5, while cholesterol levels dropped in group 5. The bone strength, however, was normalized in all the groups (p < 0.001) along with the histopathology. Discussion and conclusion: Findings suggested a significant gain in bone strength and nearly complete restoration of bone microarchitecture along with lowered levels of TRAP indicating the anti-bone resorptive potential of the extract.


Recent investigations have questioned the efficacy of a combined therapy regimen with irradiation. The purpose of this study was to compare the survivals with surgery alone versus combined therapy (pre‐op irradiation) and to analyze any apparent differences to identify the source(s) of failure. Two and five‐year determinate survivals for this group were found to be significantly better for surgery alone. There is no instance where combination therapy is found to be statistically superior. An analysis of treatment failures showed that distant metastases occurred at a greater rate in the combined therapy patients than they did with those treated by surgery alone. The advisability of combined therapy using preoperative irradiation with its increased cost and morbidity to the patient is questioned if it does not improve survival over surgery used as a single modality.


Abstract An efficient micropropagation protocol was established for Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush., a highly acidic citrus cultivar of Manipur, India, through shoot tip explant culture. The shoot tip explants produced multiple shoot buds when cultured on agarized Murashige and Skoog's medium containing 0.25 to 2 mg L –1 N6 benzyl adenine (BA) alone, and in combination with 0.50 mg L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) or with 0.50 mg L –1 kinetin. The maximum number of shoots was induced on medium containing 0.25 mg L BA together with 0.50 mg L –1 NAA or 1 mg L BA with 0.50 mg L –1 kinetin. The separated shoots were rooted and elongated on medium containing 1 to 2 mg L –1 indole acetic acid, indole butyric acid and NAA. NAA was superior to other growth regulators for in vitro root induction. Axillary shoots were induced from in vitro raised plantlets by decapitating them. Axillary shoot tip explants were used for further multiple shoot bud induction. A maximum of about 120 plantlets were obtained from a single seedling. Rooted plantlets were successfully established in the soil. Efficient mass multiplication of this important fruit was achieved.


Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL

Introduction:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most important malignancies worldwide and it is the third most common cancer amongst Males and the fourth amongst females in Iranian cancer patients. Somatic mutations of PIK3CA were described in CRCs with a frequency ranging from 13.6% to 32%.In CRCs, 3 mutational hot spots were described (E542K, E545K, and H1047R), covering about 80% of all PIK3CA mutations. Mutations of the B-RAF have been identified in colorectal cancer with a ranging from 5% to 22 %.in CRC, All of the mutations of B-RAF have been found in exons 11 and 15, which encode the kinase domain of this protein.V600E substitution in exon 15 covering about 90% of all B-raf mutations.The aim of this study was to identify PIK3CA gene mutations in exons 9 and 20 and B-Raf gene mutations in exon 11 and 15 among Iranian CRC patients, and to consider whether they are linked with the clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Patients and tissue specimens; Tissue samples were obtained from 27 consecutive patients with CRC (10 men and 17 women; age range, 32-88 years; with median age of 61.3 years). Histopathological examinations were performed, and all tumors were confirmed as adenocarcinoma.Mutational analysis of PIK3CA in tumor samples: Fresh tumors, containing at least 70% of neoplastic cells and their adjacents were extracted for genomic DNA using the QIAamp Mini kit (Qiagen in accordance with the manufacturer 'sinstructions. We searched for PIK3CA mutations in exons 9 and 20.PIK3CA exon 9 includes codons 542 and 545, PIK3CA exon 20 and B-Raf mutations in exons 11 and 15 where the large majority of mutations occur in these genes. The PI3KCA and B-Raf mutational analyses were made by means of PCR sequencing. Results and conclusion: 21 (77.77%) patients had adenocarcinomas and 6 (22.23%) had mucinous adenocarcinomas. patients had stage I, II and III or IV disease with14.76%, 44.44%and 40.8% respectively and histological grade I, II and III with 66.6%,25.92% and 7.4%. respectively. Among the 27 samples analyzed (21were primary tumors and 6were metastases). The frequency of mutations in PIK3CA were present in 11.1% (3 of27) of the samples (11.1% mutation in exon 9(c.1633G>A E545K and no mutation in exon 20). The frequency of mutation in B-Raf were present in 3.7%(1 of 27) of the samples(3.7% mutation in exon 15;V600E and no mutation in exon 9).The presence of PIK3CA and B-Raf mutation were not a significance associated with gender, histological grade, age, or cancer stage in patients with adenocarcinoma of the CRC(P>0.05).Although many study have been shown in CRCs, 3 mutational hot spots for PIK3CA (E542K, E545K, and H1047R) and 2 mutational hot spots for B-RAf, our study indicated mutations were just in exon 9(E542K) and exon 15(V600E) and more samples should be investigate in exon 9,20 and other exons of PIK3CA gene and exons of B-RAF gene among Iranian colorectal cancer patients.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3799. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3799


Abstract The Permian pandemic ammonoids in Nanpanjiang Basin (41 genera, including two new genera Glenisteroceras and Fusicrimites, and 56 species, including 21 new species) are systematically described and/or discussed. New species described in this paper are Agathiceras sequaxilirae n. sp., Akmilleria parahuecoensis n. sp., Aristoceras liuzhaiense n. sp., Bamyaniceras nandanense n. sp., Bamyaniceras yangchangense n. sp., Bransonoceras longyinense n. sp., Difuntites furnishi n. sp., Emilites globosus n. sp., Eoaraxoceras spinosai n. sp., Eumedlicottia kabiensis n. sp., Fusicrimites nanpanjiangensis n. gen. n. sp., Glenisteroceras sidazhaiense n. gen. n. sp., Metaperrinites shaiwaensis n. sp., Miklukhoceras guizhouense n. sp., Neocrimites guizhouensis n. sp., Neopronorites leonovae n. sp., Popanoceras ziyunense n. sp., Properrinites gigantus n. sp., Stacheoceras shaiwaense n. sp., Svetlanoceras uraloceraformis n. sp., and Synartinskia meyaoense n. sp. A relatively complete Permian basinal ammonoid sequence with six zones has been newly recognized in South China, in ascending order, Properrinites gigantus-Svetlanoceras serpentinum, Svetlanoceras uraloceraformis-Prothalassoceras biforme, Popanoceras kueichowense-Medlicottia orbignyanus, Metaperrinites shaiwaensis-Popanoceras ziyunense, Waagenoceras sp.-Propinacoceras beyrichi, and Eoaraxoceras spinosai-Difuntites furnishi. The upper three zones are close to being duplicated from the Permian of Las Delicias, Coahuila, Mexico and west Texas, USA; while the lower three zones compare well to those of the Lower Permian in South Urals. The Eoaraxoceras-Difuntites assemblage, as an index fauna of the upper Capitanian in Coahuila, has been found from the Claystone (3rd) Member of the Shaiwa Formation with the commonly accepted Lopingian stratigraphic age. The updated Permian ammonoid biostratigraphy in South China reveals a possible overlap between the basinal Guadalupian from North America and the platform-based Lopingian from South China.


The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin (OXT) mediates a wide spectrum of tissue‐specific actions, ranging from cell growth, cell differentiation, sodium excretion to stress responses, reproduction and complex social behaviour. Recently, OXT expression was detected in keratinocytes, but expression of its receptor and function are still unexplored in human skin. Here, we showed that both OXT and its receptor are expressed in primary human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. OXT‐induced dose‐dependent calcium fluxes in both cell types demonstrating that the OXT receptor (OXTR) is functionally expressed. We also showed that OXT decreases proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes in a dose‐dependent manner. In order to further investigate OXT‐mediated functions in skin cells, we performed OXTR knockdown experiments. OXTR knockdown in dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes led to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and reduced levels of glutathione (GSH). Moreover, OXTR‐depleted keratinocytes exhibited an increased release of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL6, CCL5 and CXCL10. Our data indicate that the OXT system modulates key processes which are dysregulated in atopic dermatitis (AD) such as proliferation, inflammation and oxidative stress responses. Furthermore, we detected a downregulation of the OXT system in peri‐lesional and lesional atopic skin. Taken together, these data suggest that the OXT system is a novel neuroendocrine mediator in human skin homoeostasis and clinically relevant to stressed skin conditions like AD.


In this note we show that for some structural equation models (SEM), the classical chi-square goodness-of-fit test is unable to detect the presence of interaction (non-linear) terms in the model. Not only the model test has zero power against that type of misspecifications, but even the theoretical (chi-square) distribution of the test is not distorted when severe interaction term misspecification is present in the postulated model. We explain this phenomenon by exploiting results on asymptotic robustness (AR) in structural equation models. The importance of this paper is to warn against the conclusion that if a proposed linear model fits the data well according to the chi-quare goodness-of-fit test, then the underlying model is linear indeed; it will be shown that the underlying model may in fact be be severely nonlinear. In addition, the present paper shows that such insensitivity to interaction terms is only a particular instance of a more general problem, namely, the incapacity of the classical chi-square goodness-of-fit test to detect deviations from zero correlation among exogenous regressors (either being them observable, or latent) when the structural part of the model is just saturated.


Multi-agent systems (MAS) are efficient solutions for commercial applications such as robotics, business commerce applications, information retrieval and search engines. In MAS, agents are usually designed with distribution of functionality and control. Lack of central control implies that the quality of service of MAS may be degraded because of possible unwanted behavior at runtime, commonly known as emergent behavior. Detecting and removing emergent behavior during the design phase of MAS will lead to huge savings in deployment costs of such systems. Effective and efficient design validation of MAS requires the development of systematic and automated methodologies to review MAS design documents. Although the increasing demand for MAS in the software industry has led to the development of several Agent Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) methodologies, the AOSE methodologies usually do not fully cover monitoring and testing. In this paper, a technique to help MAS developers verify, test and monitor MAS design is introduced. This method uses MAS analysis and design artifacts created by the MaSE AOSE methodology. In this technique, design artifacts of MaSE are converted to scenario-based specification, which is very similar to UML's sequence diagrams. Then the specifications are used to analyze the system for validating the design of MAS and ensuring the lack of emergent behavior.


Rhizobium inoculum application in planting furrows by mixing with either farm soil (FS) or Farm Yard Manure (FFYM) significantly increased the number and dry weight of nodules in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) compared to the seed treatment (ST) method. Inoculation with both FS and FFYM methods also favoured the plant dry matter, N accumulation and grain and straw yield slightly. The recommended inoculum rate (20 g/kg seed) recorded significantly more number and dry weight of nodules over the uninoculated control. A 2.5 fold increase in the recommended inoculum rate further increased the nodulation and registered significantly more number and dry weight of nodules over 20 g inoculum/kg seed at 45 days with all the methods. The two inoculum rates did not differ significantly among themselves in other studied parameters, nevertheless, 50 g inoculum/kg seed produced 11.9 to 13.0 per cent more grain yield over 20 g inoculum/kg seed rate with the different methods. PSB alone was statistically comparable to the uninoculated control, but along with Rhizobium at both rates, it gave slightly more nodulation, plant dry matter and yields than with Rhizobium alone.


Abstract The standard of care treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) at present, consist of surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy as indicated. Despite recent advances the overall prognosis remains guarded. Role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being explored with premise of reducing extent of surgical resection, improving loco-regional control and decreasing distant metastasis, thereby improving treatment outcomes by decreasing mortality and morbidity. However, indications of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oral cancers are not clearly defined. Majority of studies have failed to demonstrate a significant benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in terms of loco regional control and overall survival in resectable OSCC. In a select subset of patients with locally very advanced and unresectable OSCC, neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to cause tumor shrinkage and improve resectability. These hypothesis generating findings of reduction in distant metastasis, improved resectability and functional outcome, however need further validation. In summary, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for OSCC remains investigational and has a limited role outside clinical trial.


The major challenges militating against the proper practice of informed consent identified in our desk top review are related to cultural issues of the people. Many patients continue to value strongly their kinship ties with the past and believe in the traditional methods of healing sickness. The patients must be given some information about what the doctor proposes to do. The underlying spirit of informed consent is new in PNG, and it strives against the traditional attitudes of doctors that they know it best for the patients and the strong culture in customs and patients' misconceptions that affect their perceptions in making important health care decisions. Majority of the patients have some notion of informed consent, however not many people understand what it is. They still hang onto their traditional customs, beliefs and opinions that affect their health care decisions; they often look to their village elders, family and parents for advice in times of sickness or death in the family but where the law implies consent it is not often obtained. Summarization of current laws, reports of legal cases, and personal experiences were examined. Special requirements must be prescribed when patients are subjected to medical treatment. Documentation of a well-defined process, not only on paper, may not only protect the medical doctor from exposure to liability but increases the patient's autonomy in decisions concerning health and encourages compliance with treatment; and advances the interests of both patient and doctor. Lack of informed consent can reinforce a claim of medical malpractice, and could well undermine relevant health care policy to protect patient autonomy.


We present a self-consistent approach to describe ambipolar tunnelling in asymmetrical double quantum wells under steady-state excitation and extend the results to the case of tunnelling from a near-surface quantum well to surface states. The results of the model compare very well with the behaviour observed in photoluminescence experiments in InGaAs/InP asymmetric double quantum wells and in near-surface AlGaAs/GaAs single quantum wells.


E-government has been developed in various forms of information system applicationsby General Election Commission (KPU). KPU has implemented an information system invarious stages of the election, from preparation to implementation. However, theimplementation of the information system by KPU has not been optimal because of cyberthreats on KPU's information system during election. For this reason, the purpose of thisresearch is to know the forms and factors that cause cyber threats in KPU's informationsystems and the implementation of intelligence functions in overcoming these cyberthreats. The research approach used is qualitative, while the research method used isdescriptive. The threat arises because of vulnerability in the aspects of people, processand information technology systems of the KPU. Threats on integrity and availabilityaspect have the most significant effects and The dominant factor that causes the threatis weakness of human resource that maintains the system. Intelligence function has beencarried out by the Cyber Intelligence Deputy of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) inorder to carry out the role of early detection and warnings for various cyber threats onKPU's information system,Keywords: Information System, KPU, Cyber Threat, Information Security, IntelligenceFunction


Bizarre leiomyomas of the scrotum are rare benign tumors that are often misdiagnosed. In this study, we present a case of bizarre leiomyoma of the scrotum in a 53-year-old male. The patient presented with a painless scrotal mass that was insidious in the right side of the scrotum with no sudden increase in size. Definitive preoperative diagnosis could not be established; however, following surgical resection of the tumor, a diagnosis of bizarre leiomyoma of the scrotum was determined by pathological examination. The patient was followed up six months following resection and no problems were reported. This is the first reported case of bizarre leiomyoma of the scrotum in China. A supplementary review of previously published cases and literature is also presented.


Previous studies suggested that opioid receptor agonists infused into the lateral ventricles can inhibit (through mu receptors) or facilitate (through delta receptors) the lordosis behavior of ovariectomized (OVX) rats treated with estrogen and a low dose of progesterone. The present study investigated the behavioral and hormonal specificity of those effects using more selective opioid receptor agonists. Sexually experienced OVX rats were implanted stereotaxically with guide cannulae aimed at the right lateral ventricle. One group of rats was treated with estradiol benzoate (EB, 10 micrograms) 48 hr and progesterone (P, 250 micrograms) 4 hr before testing, whereas the other group was treated with EB alone. Rats were infused with different doses of the selective mu-receptor agonist DAMGO, the selective delta-receptor agonist DPDPE, or the selective kappa-receptor agonist U50-488. The females were placed with a sexually vigorous male in a bilevel chamber (Mendelson and Gorzalka, 1987) for three tests of sexual behavior, beginning 15, 30, and 60 min after each infusion. DAMGO reduced lordosis quotients and magnitudes significantly in rats treated with EB and P, but not in rats treated with EB alone. In contrast, DPDPE and U50-488H increased lordosis quotients and magnitudes significantly in both steroid-treatment groups. Surprisingly, measures of proceptivity, rejection responses, and level changes were not affected significantly by mu or kappa agonists, although proceptivity and rejection responses were affected by DPDPE treatment. These results suggest that the effects of lateral ventricular infusions of opioid receptor agonists on the sexual behavior of female rats are relatively specific to lordosis behavior. Moreover, the facilitation of lordosis behavior by delta- or kappa-receptor agonists is independent of progesterone treatment, whereas the inhibitory effect of mu-receptor agonists on lordosis behavior may require the presence of progesterone.


Wellington was founded on a diverse ecosystem junction. In 1840, 625 hectares of land surrounding the city centre was set aside by The New Zealand Company to be protected and enhanced but not built upon. In 1873 the land was gifted to Wellingtonians by the Crown. Encroachments and development in the city have seen this Town Belt land reduced down to 400 hectares. Only recently has it been increased up to 520 hectares and now steadily increasing (WCC, June 2013).
In landscape, changes in population or community structures that occur at the boundary of two differing habitats are known as the 'edge effect'. Due to lack of oversight by the Wellington City Council, Wellington has a growing tension created at the junction between the green and grey, the edge condition.
"At the Edge of Chaos, unexpected outcomes occur. The risk to survival is severe." — Michael Crichton, The Lost WorldWhen the land was set aside the national population was around one hundred thousand, Wellington alone is now three times that. With a growing population, our Town Belt edge is where the interaction of nature and human activity happens progressively; it is also where we find modern ecosystem junctions, at this edge condition that Gilles Clément refers to as 'The Third Landscape', and Doyne Farmer calls 'The Edge of Chaos'.
Wellington's Belt edge is now taken up largely by encroaching backyard fence lines, a lack of continuity along its linear length, few celebrated access ways, and largescale ecological and access fragmentation.
Using these categories as a mitigation framework, this investigation proposes to daylight this Third Landscape at selected sites, not only to help initiate the process of healing, but also to celebrate the unique attributes of the edge between green and grey. This research proposes to develop this unique edge by perceiving it not only as the Third Landscape and The Edge of Chaos, but also as a 'Heterotopia' – a type of edge condition that Michel Foucault refers to as a 'place of otherness' reminiscent of a mirror, a liminal zone. Using these theoretical frameworks to design a set of interventions along Wellington's 'Liminal Edge', the thesis sets out to purposefully disrupt private and public use and create multiple Moments where users can begin to better understand and fully respect the unique and fluid ecosystems that define the urban edge.
This thesis investigates the tension along the edge where urbanisation and urban sprawl collide with green spaces. Overall this edge is not productively utilised by the growing population in Wellington – and as a unique set of environmental conditions, it provides unique opportunities to enhance Wellingtonian's awareness of their impact on our fragile and reactive natural environment.


Many companies on China's stock markets have traditionally had separate, restricted classes of shares for domestic residents and foreigners. These shares are identical other than for who can own them, but foreigners have generally paid only about one-quarter the price paid by domestic residents. We argue that the generally higher level (and volatility) of domestic share prices is consistent with the simplest asset pricing model, assuming plausible differences-about four percentage points-in expected rates of return by foreign and domestic investors. We attribute low Chinese expected returns to the limited alternative investments available in China. We then estimate how various company characteristics (including capital asset pricing model (CAPM) betas, company size, market liquidity, and other characteristics) affect the relative price paid by foreigners in a panel of companies. We find, for example, that foreigners pay a lower relative price for companies with a higher proportion owned by the state-reflecting, surprisingly, a higher absolute price paid by both foreigners and domestic residents.


In a handful of mammals, females show an extended postreproductive lifespan (PRLS), leading to questions over why they spend a substantial portion of their lifespan nonreproductive. Theoretical and empirical studies suggest that PRLS may evolve when 1) demographic patterns lead to increasing local relatedness as females age, and 2) females come into reproductive competition with their daughters, as these conditions lead to high relative benefits of helping kin versus reproducing in later life. However, evolutionary pathways to PRLS are poorly understood and empirical studies are scarce. Here, we use a dataset of 1522 individuals comprising 22 pods to investigate patterns of reproduction and relatedness in long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas; a toothed whale without species-wide PRLS. We find a similar relatedness structure to whales with PRLS: pods appear composed of related matrilines, and relatedness of females to their pod increases with age, suggesting that this species could benefit from late-life help. Furthermore, females with a large number of philopatric adult daughters are less likely to reproduce, implying intergenerational reproductive competition between females. This suggests that individuals may display a plastic cessation of reproduction, switching to investing in existing offspring when they come into competition with their daughters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time such a relationship has been described in relation to PRLS, and it raises questions about whether this represents a step towards evolving PRLS or is a stable alternative strategy to widespread postreproductive periods.


Posterior dislocation of the elbow with fractures of the radial head and coronoid process is known as the "terrible triad" because of inherent difficulty in treatment and high rate of complications. An extensive search of the recent literature was conducted and identified articles were reviewed. The treatment modalities for terrible triad injury were then analyzed on the basis of the functional outcomes resulting from each technique. Measurements of outcomes included elbow flexion-extension arc, forearm rotation arc, and Mayo elbow performance index. In total, the current review reports on 21 studies over the last 10 years in which there were patients with elbow dislocation, fracture of the coronoid process and radial head, treatment specific to those patients was described, and a validated form of patient assessment was used to measure outcomes at follow-up. It was found that the most common method of treatment is prosthetic replacement of the radial head, coronoid fixation by transosseous suture, and repair of the lateral collateral ligament complex. The literature suggests that range of motion and Mayo elbow performance index scores are highest for patients treated early with either radial head prosthesis or open reduction and internal fixation, and transosseous suture of the coronoid. Level of Evidence: The present study is a review of level III and IV studies investigating the results of treatment modalities for terrible triad injuries.


An ecological study of Micrococcus radiodurans indicated that microorganisms possessing the same morphological and radiation-resistance characteristics as that organism could be isolated from ground beef and from pork sausage. Further studies showed that such organisms also could be isolated from beef hides and from water from a creek adjacent to the packing plant from which the meat samples were obtained. Similar microorganisms were not isolated, however, from a limited number of samples of soil, hay, and fecal material. The use of high levels of gamma-radiation in the initial isolation procedures proved to be advantageous in inactivating most of the other microflora and facilitating the isolation of M. radiodurans. Control experiments indicated that M. radiodurans did not compete well with the microflora present in ground meat, soil, and beef hides. Preincubation before irradiation of meat and soil samples or enrichment culture techniques did not enhance the isolation of M. radiodurans. The presence of M. radiodurans in creek water suggested one possible source of this organism.


In commercial forest plantations in Campeche, Mexico, the root rot of the teak tree (Tectona grandis Lamiaceae) is a disease causing severe mortality in trees aged 4 to 8 years. This paper determines the causal agent of basal root and neck rot in teak. Symptoms were characterized from field collection, and young stromata from symptomatic trees and affected teak trees were collected. It was observed that infected trees reduce their growth and foliage, which has a yellowish green hue, and show root and neck rot. At the stem base a callous tissue (skirt) is formed, underneath which is a dark brown stroma with a black carbonaceous aspect. Kretzschmaria zonata was identified growing on the bark and forming stromatic plates as the causal agent of this rot. Its anamorph, belonging to the Geniculosporium genus, was isolated in a Potato Dextrose Agar culture medium (PDA). Geniculosporium grew radially in PDA at 25 ± 2 °C, changing its color from white to yellow-green in 15 days and staining the medium culture with a dark green hue. Hyaline conidiophores, hyaline and single-celled conidia from 4-5 (7) x 2-3 μm were registered.


A continuous African green monkey kidney cell line, designated BGM, was compared with primary cynomolgus monkey kidney cells and human embryonic lung cells for efficiency of enterovirus isolation. A selective enhanced sensitivity of BGM cells both in terms of isolation rate and speed of isolation was found for group B coxsackieviruses but could not be demonstrated for a number of other nonpolio enteroviruses.


The fusion performance of JET plasmas can be enhanced by the generation of internal transport barriers. The influence of the q-profile shape in the local and global plasma performance has been investigated in cases where the core magnetic shear ranges from small and positive to large and negative. Internal barriers extending to large plasma radii can be effective in raising the global performance of the plasma. It is found that such barriers tend to be generated more easily if the q-profile contains a region of negative magnetic shear. The formation is favoured by neutral beam injection compared with ion cyclotron resonance heating in scenarios where the two systems are used together. The minimum power level required to observe a local transport reduction is significantly lower than the value at which very steep pressure gradients can be achieved. This results in a practical threshold in the power to access a regime of high plasma performance that is sensitive to the q-profile shape.


The concept of coal-fired power generation aided with solar energy uses stable fossil energy to compensate the instability and intermittently of solar power and reduces the cost of concentrated solar power (CSP) by decreasing the large-scale heat storage and turbine systems of CSP. In this study, trough solar collector system (TSCS) was integrated into the low-pressure heater side of a 660 MW coal-fired power generation system. In the system in which the 6# LP heater is completely replaced by TSCS, the variation value of the steam extraction flowrate of the LP heaters and the turbine output power decrease with the reduction in loads from 100% to 60% THA, and the output power increases by approximately 1 MW under 100% THA. When TSCS completely replaces the 6# LP heater under the load of 75%, the effects of direct normal irradiance (DNI) increase and flow ratio decrease on the main operating parameters of solar-aided coal-fired power plant (SCPP) were studied. Results show that the step increase of DNI decreases the 5# steam extraction flowrate and increases the output power by nearly 3 MW. When the flow ratio decreases by 139.87 kg/s, the output power decreases by around 0.35 MW. The dynamic characteristics of SCPP under different parallel situations with the load of 75% were also studied. As the number of parallel stage increases, the decrement in 5# steam extraction flowrate and the increment in output power decrease. The response time also decreases. Our study aims to provide detailed references for the control system design and optimization of coal-fired power units aided with solar energy.


Starch is a main component of wheat flour, which, besides being an occupational allergen can also induce irritative symptoms in the airways. A purified starch product (cornstarch glove powder) was used to investigate whether starch alone could induce airway inflammation. The aim of the study was to investigate a role for starch in wheat flour-induced airway inflammation. Ten healthy individuals were exposed to cornstarch glove powder in a whole-body exposure chamber. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 2–3 weeks before and 1 day after exposure, and the BAL cells were counted differentially. In addition, the expression of activation, adhesion and subset markers on alveolar macrophages and BAL T-cells were investigated using flow cytometry. A three-fold increase in BAL cell concentrations was found, with a selective accumulation and activation of eosinophilic granulocytes, as well as an influx of nonactivated monocytes and polyclonal CD4+ T-cells into the airways. The results show that inhalation of cornstarch glove powder leads to the development of a subclinical inflammation in the airways, with an accumulation of eosinophilic granulocytes. The authors suggest that such exposure may be an interesting model for studying factors contributing to lung accumulations of eosinophil granulocytes in humans.


After replication in the cytoplasm, viruses spread from the infected cell into the neighboring cells through plasmodesmata, membranous channels embedded by the cell wall. As obligate parasites, viruses have acquired the ability to utilize host factors that unwillingly cooperate for the viral infection process. For example, the viral movement proteins (MP) interacts with the host pectin methylesterase (PME) and both proteins cooperate to sustain the viral spread. However, how and where PMEs interact with MPs and how the PME/MP complexes favor the viral translocation is not well understood. Recently, we demonstrated that the overexpression of PME inhibitors (PMEIs) in tobacco and Arabidopsis plants limits the movement of Tobacco mosaic virus and Turnip vein clearing virus and reduces plant susceptibility to these viruses. Here we discuss how overexpression of PMEI may reduce tobamovirus spreading.


We provide theoretical foundations for several common (nested) representations of intrinsic linear habit formation. Our axiomatization introduces an intertemporal theory of weaning a decision-maker from her habits using the device of compensation. We clarify differences across specifications of the model, provide measures of habit-forming tendencies, and suggest methods for axiomatizing time-nonseparable preferences.


The stepwise modifications of stoichiometric mixtures of titanium chloride (TiCl 4) and titanium iso-propoxide (Ti(OPr (i)) 4) by 2-pyridine methanol (H-OPy) led to the isolation of a systematically varied, novel family of compounds. The 3:1 reaction mixture of Ti(OPr (i)) 4:TiCl 4 yielded [Cl(OPr (i)) 2Ti(mu-OPr (i))] 2 ( 1). Modification of 1 with 1 and 2 equiv of H-OPy produced [Cl(OPr (i)) 2Ti(mu c-OPy)] 2 ( 2, where mu c = chelating bridge) and "(OPy) 2TiCl(OPr (i))" ( 3, not crystallographically characterized), respectively. Altering the Ti(OPr (i)) 4 to TiCl 4 stoichiometry to 1:1 led to isolation and identification of another dimeric species [Cl 2(OPr (i))Ti(mu-OPr (i))] 2 ( 4). Upon modification with 1 equiv of H-OPy, [Cl 2(OPr (i))Ti(mu c-OPy)] 2 ( 5) was isolated from toluene and (OPy)TiCl 2(OPr (i))(py) ( 6) from py. An additional equivalent of H-OPy led to the monomeric species (OPy) 2TiCl 2 ( 7). Because of the low solubility and similarity in constructs of these compounds, additional analytical data, such as the beryllium dome or BeD-XRD powder analyses, were used to verify the bulk samples, which were found to be in agreement with the single crystal structures.


Dietary nitrate (NO(3)(-)) supplementation with beetroot juice (BR) over 4-6 days has been shown to reduce the O(2) cost of submaximal exercise and to improve exercise tolerance. However, it is not known whether shorter (or longer) periods of supplementation have similar (or greater) effects. We therefore investigated the effects of acute and chronic NO(3)(-) supplementation on resting blood pressure (BP) and the physiological responses to moderate-intensity exercise and ramp incremental cycle exercise in eight healthy subjects. Following baseline tests, the subjects were assigned in a balanced crossover design to receive BR (0.5 l/day; 5.2 mmol of NO(3)(-)/day) and placebo (PL; 0.5 l/day low-calorie juice cordial) treatments. The exercise protocol (two moderate-intensity step tests followed by a ramp test) was repeated 2.5 h following first ingestion (0.5 liter) and after 5 and 15 days of BR and PL. Plasma nitrite concentration (baseline: 454 ± 81 nM) was significantly elevated (+39% at 2.5 h postingestion; +25% at 5 days; +46% at 15 days; P < 0.05) and systolic and diastolic BP (baseline: 127 ± 6 and 72 ± 5 mmHg, respectively) were reduced by ∼4% throughout the BR supplementation period (P < 0.05). Compared with PL, the steady-state Vo(2) during moderate exercise was reduced by ∼4% after 2.5 h and remained similarly reduced after 5 and 15 days of BR (P < 0.05). The ramp test peak power and the work rate at the gas exchange threshold (baseline: 322 ± 67 W and 89 ± 15 W, respectively) were elevated after 15 days of BR (331 ± 68 W and 105 ± 28 W; P < 0.05) but not PL (323 ± 68 W and 84 ± 18 W). These results indicate that dietary NO(3)(-) supplementation acutely reduces BP and the O(2) cost of submaximal exercise and that these effects are maintained for at least 15 days if supplementation is continued.


There are a vast number of studies dealing with the topic of child language development, many of which deal with children's understanding of metaphors. However, there are no studies on what types of metaphors can be found in children's literature. The aim of this study is to get a deeper understanding of the types of metaphors that can be found in children's literature: fully alive, moribund or/and dead and also the hyponym anthropomorphism.The method used in this essay is the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP). The material used is the first chapter of The complete tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, (1994) and also various dictionaries, such as Longman Dictionary of the English Language (1984), Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language (1923) and The Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories (2002).The results from this analysis has proved that Winnie-the-Pooh contains a number of examples of metaphors such as feel, see, and get, ones which, at some point, are used in ways in which their contextual meanings differ from their source meaning, making them metaphorical. All the metaphors have, however, proved to be moribund.The results of the analysis on anthropomorphism show that every situation that Pooh is involved in triggers anthropomorphic readings, and by proxy, metaphoric readings. The analysis has also proved that the book contains examples of anthropomorphically used metaphors, where metaphors are used when describing Pooh or examples where Pooh himself uses metaphors in his utterances.The conclusion of this analysis is that, though all the metaphors that have been found have proved to be moribund, the first chapter of the book still contains different levels of metaphors, like anthropomorphic readings that by proxy trigger metaphoric readings and also anthropomorphically used metaphors.


About 40% of all breast cancers occur in women aged over 70. The cancers that develop in older women are as aggressive as those seen in younger patients. Treatment with tamoxifen alone controls local disease in less than 30% of elderly patients at five years after diagnosis, which is not satisfactory since the average life expectancy of a 70 year old women is 14 years. Even when this treatment is restricted to patients with tumours that are oestrogen receptor positive, only half gain long term control of local disease.

Tumour stage and size Treatment options T1 or T2 4 cm or T3, N0-1, M: Oestrogen receptor: Positive Mastectomy, node clearance, and adjuvant tamoxifen or Tamoxifen and then, if tumour regresses, wide local excision, node sampling, and radiotherapy Unknown, negative, or Mastectomy, node clearance, and adjuvant no response to tamoxifen tamoxifen T4, N2, M: Oestrogen receptor: Positive Tamoxifen Unknown, negative, or Radical radiotherapy or no response to Mastectomy and radiotherapy tamoxifen Possibly chemotherapy Any T, any N, M1: Oestrogen receptor: Positive or unknown Tamoxifen and symptomatic treatment Negative Symptomatic treatment and possibly low dose epirubicin or mitozantrone Very elderly or infirm Tamoxifen patients

Elderly women with breast cancer should be treated in a similar way to younger patients. Few patients are truly unfit for surgery because widelocal excision or even mastectomy can, if necessary, be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation. There is no evidence to suggest that elderly patients cannot tolerate radiotherapy as well as younger patients, and when radiotherapy is given it should be given in a radical dose. …


Database cracking has been an area of active research in recent years. The core idea of database cracking is to create indexes adaptively and incrementally as a side-product of query processing. Several works have proposed different cracking techniques for different aspects including updates, tuple-reconstruction, convergence, concurrency-control, and robustness. However, there is a lack of any comparative study of these different methods by an independent group. In this paper, we conduct an experimental study on database cracking. Our goal is to critically review several aspects, identify the potential, and propose promising directions in database cracking. With this study, we hope to expand the scope of database cracking and possibly leverage cracking in database engines other than MonetDB.

We repeat several prior database cracking works including the core cracking algorithms as well as three other works on convergence (hybrid cracking), tuple-reconstruction (sideways cracking), and robustness (stochastic cracking) respectively. We evaluate these works and show possible directions to do even better. We further test cracking under a variety of experimental settings, including high selectivity queries, low selectivity queries, and multiple query access patterns. Finally, we compare cracking against different sorting algorithms as well as against different main-memory optimised indexes, including the recently proposed Adaptive Radix Tree (ART). Our results show that: (i) the previously proposed cracking algorithms are repeatable, (ii) there is still enough room to significantly improve the previously proposed cracking algorithms, (iii) cracking depends heavily on query selectivity, (iv) cracking needs to catch up with modern indexing trends, and (v) different indexing algorithms have different indexing signatures.


To what extent can a "bottom-up" mesoscale fluid model developed through systematic coarse-graining techniques recover the physical properties of a molecular scale system? In a previous paper [C.-C. Fu, P. M. Kulkarni, M. S. Shell, and L. G. Leal, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 164106 (2012)], we addressed this question for thermodynamic properties through the development of coarse-grained (CG) fluid models using modified iterative Boltzmann inversion methods that reproduce correct pair structure and pressure. In the present work we focus on the dynamic behavior. Unlike the radial distribution function and the pressure, dynamical properties such as the self-diffusion coefficient and viscosity in a CG model cannot be matched during coarse-graining by modifying the pair interaction. Instead, removed degrees of freedom require a modification of the equations of motion to simulate their implicit effects on dynamics. A simple but approximate approach is to introduce a friction coefficient, γ, and random forces for the remaining degrees of freedom, in which case γ becomes an additional parameter in the coarse-grained model that can be tuned. We consider the non-Galilean-invariant Langevin and the Galilean-invariant dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) thermostats with CG systems in which we can systematically tune the fraction φ of removed degrees of freedom. Between these two choices, only DPD allows both the viscosity and diffusivity to match a reference Lennard-Jones liquid with a single value of γ for each degree of coarse-graining φ. This friction constant is robust to the pressure correction imposed on the effective CG potential, increases approximately linearly with φ, and also depends on the interaction cutoff length, rcut, of the pair interaction potential. Importantly, we show that the diffusion constant and viscosity are constrained by a simple scaling law that leads to a specific choice of DPD friction coefficient for a given degree of coarse-graining. Moreover, we find that the pair interaction distance cutoffs used for DPD random and dissipative forces should be considered separately from that of the conservative interaction potential.


Capillary origami is the wrapping of a usual fluid drop by a planar elastic membrane due to the interplay between capillary and elastic forces. Here, we use a drop of magnetic fluid whose shape is known to strongly depend on an applied magnetic field. We study the quasistatic and dynamical behaviors of such a magnetic capillary origami. We report the observation of an overturning instability that the origami undergoes at a critical magnetic field. This instability is triggered by an interplay between magnetic and gravitational energies in agreement with the theory presented here. Additional effects of elasticity and capillarity on this instability are also discussed.


After the introduction of highyielding rice varieties in the 1960s, breeding programs were started in India to develop high-yielding semidwarf lines. One decade later, research efforts focused on developing high-yielding quality rice. Both customers and farmers appreciate fi ne-grained quality rice as it fetches a high market price. Rajendra Sweta (RAU710-99-22) was developed from the cross Sita/Pusa Basmati-1//Katarni,varieties with superior grain quality and high yield potential. The State Variety Release Committee of Bihar approved the release of Rajendra Sweta for the irrigated ecosystem in 2004.


Background : The effect of aging process that going on elderly emerged many kends of problems in psysical, mental, and social economy. If elderly people got a mentality disorder, this condition lead to their elderly activities. Basedy to the elderly cultural so langgam Java music therapy is chosing because it has slow music tempo characteristic. This characteristic of music conducted a calm and relaxed that caused harmony and peacefull of the soul. Research Objectives : Determine the effect of langgam Java music therapy to the anxiety level of elderly in village Candingasinan, Banyuurip, Purworejo. Research Methods : This research is a quantitative with a pra exsperiment. Research design used one group pretest posttest whereis respondent get a pretest before the intervention and then get posttest after the intervention. Research instrument for data collection used DASS 42 scoring check list to do the measurement before and after the intervention. Data analysis statistic used T-Test. Results : Research resulted that elderly anxiety before and after langgam Java music therapy as intervention can decrease significantly with p=0.000 ( α < 0,05 ). Conclusion : Significet effect between langgam Java music therapy to the elderly anxiety level of elderly in village Candingasinan, Banyuurip, Purworejo. Keywords : Elderly, Anxiety, Langgam Java music therapy.


Synthesis and characterization of a pH- and redox-sensitive hydrogel of poly(aspartic acid) are reported. Reversible gelation and dissolution are achieved both in dimethylformamide and in aqueous medium via a thiol-disulphide interconversion in the side chain of the polymers. Structural changes are confirmed by Raman microscopy and rheological measurements. Injectable aqueous solutions of thiolated poly(aspartic acid) can be converted into mechanically stable gels by oxidation, which can be useful for drug encapsulation and targeted delivery. Reduction-facilitated release of an entrapped drug from disulphide cross-linked hydrogels is studied.


This paper puts forward a new synthesis to stakeholder participation entitled 'Tripe Task'. The approach is based on three tasks: a variety of the IMAGINE methodology as the primary task, an external analysis of group interactions arrived at by facilitators who are not within groups and a self-analysis by individuals within groups of themselves and their group interaction using the Symlog approach. The paper present some early findings of employing Triple Task as the basis of a series of participatory workshops run with potential 'users' of indicators/indices within the EU Framework 7 'Policy Use of Indicators' (POINT) project. Indicators and indices are increasingly being promoted as tools to aid with the formulation and implementation of policy and the improvement of governance. The argument usually employed for this is that indicators and indices summarise complex sets of information and help 'users' make sense of what is happening in the 'messy' world in which they have taken responsibility. Results suggest that Triple Task may be valuable as the basis for a typology of group work and thus help elucidate why groups arrive at the visions they do with regard to sustainable development.


Recent announcement of the MSN Direct Service has demonstrated the feasibility and industrial interest in utilizing wireless broadcast for pervasive information services. To support location-based services in wireless data broadcast systems, a distributed spatial index (called DSI) is proposed in this paper. DSI is highly efficient because it has a linear yet fully distributed structure that facilitates multiple search paths to be naturally mixed together by sharing links. Moreover, DSI is very resilient in error-prone wireless communication environments. Search algorithms for two classical location-based queries, window queries and kNN queries, based on DSI are presented. Performance evaluation of DSI shows that DSI significantly outperforms R-tree and Hilbert Curve Index, two state-of-the-art spatial indexing techniques for wireless data broadcast


Optical particle counters are deployed for monitoring possible contamination in gases by particles. The counting and sizing of particles are affected by various kinds of interference encountered during measurement. Two sources of interference are background light in the measurement chamber and electrical noise. Such interference causes measurement errors, which stem from the measurement equipment itself and not from the measured object or from the sampling. For the evaluation of measurement error by the particle counter itself, interference for a typical optical particle counter is identified and its effects on the measured results are discussed qualitatively. For the reduction of measurement error, quantitative determination of interference is important. It is only by doing this that we can judge which kind of interference has the more significant influence on measurement error. A method has been developed which makes it possible to determine individual components of interference. This paper presents an experimental method which allows separation of components of background light consisting of light scattering by the molecules and surface. The results of these measurements can be used to optimize existing particle counters as well as new equipment design.


INTRODUCTION:
WHO defines dementia as a "syndrome due to
Disease of brain, usually of a chronic progressive nature, in which
There is disturbance of multiple cortical functions, calculations,
Learning capacity, language and judgement. Consciousness is not
Clouded. Impairments in cognitive functions are commonly
Accompanied, and occasionally preceded by emotional control,
Social behaviour and motivation".
Dementia is defined as " the development of
Multiple cognitive deficits that include memory impairment and at
Least one of the following: aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or a disturbance
In executive functioning, where executive functioning involves
Selection of key information and behaviours for problem solving and
The inhibition of inappropriate responses"(DSM IV, TR).
The most common causes of dementia in
Individuals older than 65 years of age are: Alzheimer's disease,
Vascular dementia and mixed vascular and Alzheimer' s disease, of
Which Alzheimer's disease accounts for approximately 60% of all
Dementias. The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is 3 to 5% of
People older than 65 years of age and as much as 50% of people
Older than 85 years of age. The female to male ratio is approximately
2:1.
Patients with Alzheimer's disease display
Characteristic cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms over the course
Of the illness. Neuropsychiatric symptoms may be prominent at
Presentation or emerge later in the course. Almost all patients are
Affected at some point in their disease.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms in
Alzheimer's disease have significant consequences. Disorders such
As depression, anxiety, and psychosis clearly affect the quality of life
Of the patient. Besides being a source of considerable stress,
Caregiver burden and potential injury, such disturbances are
Associated with increased use of psychotropic medications, patient
And caregiver abuse. Non-cognitive symptoms are associated with an
Increased risk for institutionalization, which carries with it financial
Consequences for the individual and for society.
Characteristics of Neuropsychiatric symptoms
In Alzheimer's disease include the following:
 They may be the sentinel event heralding the onset of
Alzheimer's disease.
 Several types of symptoms may occur simultaneously,
Fluctuate and recur over the course of illness.
 They tend to become more frequent as the disease progresses.
 They are associated with rapid cognitive decline and worsen
Function.
 They may lead to institutionalization.
 Importantly, these Neuropsychiatric symptoms may improve
With cholinergic therapy, disease modifying therapy and
Psychotropic agents.
The Neuropsychiatric symptoms play an
Important role in the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's
Disease. Early identification and treatment of these symptoms
Reduces patient's suffering, caregiver burden and delay
Institutionalization.


The real-time systems community has over the years devoted considerable attention to the impact on execution timing that arises from contention on access to hardware shared resources. The relevance of this problem has been accentuated with the arrival of multicore processors. From the state of the art on the subject, there appears to be considerable diversity in the understanding of the problem and in the "approach" to solve it. This sparseness makes it difficult for any reader to form a coherent picture of the problem and solution space. This paper draws a tentative taxonomy in which each known approach to the problem can be categorised based on its specific goals and assumptions.


The effects of 300 mM urea or 300 mM KCl on the maximal activities of 25 enzymes of intermediary metabolism were assessed in extracts of liver and muscle from spadefoot toads (Scaphiopus couchii), leopard frogs (Rana pipiens), and rats to assess their sensitivity to these osmolytes. During estivation, toads can lose -50% of total body water, and urea, which is known for its action as a protein denaturant, accumulates to 200-300 mM. The data show that the maximal activities of toad liver enzymes were not affected when assayed in the presence of 300 mM urea in vitro whereas urea inhibited the activities of seven enzymes in frog and 11 enzymes in rat liver. High KCl affected 12 or 13 enzymes in liver of each species causing inhibition in eight or nine cases each, and for frog and rat enzymes, inhibition was frequently more pronounced than for urea. Both urea and KCl affected enzyme activities in muscle extracts of all three species, but whereas their effects were largely negative for frog and rat enzymes, the enzymes affected by urea or KCl in toad muscle were primarily activated by these osmolytes (six out of nine enzymes affected by urea and eight of 15 enzymes affected by KCl). Urea, KCl, and polyethylene glycol (a protein crowding agent) also had species-specific effects on the dissociation constant (Ka) for cAMP of protein kinase A. The data suggest that the accumulation of urea by water-stressed anurans not only contributes to minimizing cell volume reduction, but by doing so also limits the increase in intracellular ionic strength that occurs and thereby helps to minimize the potential inhibitory effects of high salts on metabolic enzymes.


This study performed to develop a basic framework of adolescent`s perceptions about multicultural families, the children of multicultural families, the impacts of cultural exchange on cultural diversity, and multicultural efficacy. The participants were 368 students from four high schools in the Seoul area. The data were analysyed by ANOVA, Duncan-test, and multiple regression. The results revealed significant differences; perceptions of the multicultural family was the highest among those who believed the perceptions would increase, while the lowest among those believing to decrease. Perceptions of multicultural efficacy showed significant differences in thought about education for understanding other country people, the multi media experiences of multicultural families, knowledge about the multiculture, and thought about an increasing number of multicultural families. There were significant correlations among perceptions about the multicultural family, the children in the multicultural family, the impacts of cultural exchange on cultural diversity, and efficacy of the multicultural environment.


NIRENBERG, David. Neighboring Faiths: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in the Middle Ages and Today. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2014. 352 pp. Cloth, $45.00--Neighboring Faiths puts forth the thesis that Jews, Christians, and Muslims in medieval Spain each constructed their religious and national identities as a kind of polemical response to the others, the "neighboring faiths." In arguing for this interpretation, Nirenberg rejects the view of medieval Spain as a "Golden Age" interfaith utopia as well as the portrayal of it as a dark and barbaric "Clash of Civilizations," challenging the agendas of both. Instead he proposes a more critical study of medieval history, employing the methodology of Walter Benjamin. He quotes Benjamin's statement that "the manifestation of past or distant spiritual worlds [is studied] in order to take possession of them and unfeelingly incorporate them into its own self-absorbed fantasizing," implying that our reading of the past is always shaped by our time, place, and interests in the present. Furthermore, he also adopts Benjamin's maxim that "there is never a document of civilization that is not at the same time a document of barbarism," warning against the dangerous and unjust usage of sacred texts. In the first chapter, Nirenberg cogently argues that Christians developed a negative stereotype of Islam after the year 1000 as part of the imperialistic ambitions of the papacy to give Christians a common project and a shared sense of purpose. He thus shows that transforming Islam into a common enemy reinforced a pan-European Christian identity. Nirenberg continues in the second chapter to describe the relations of Jews and Muslims as minority communities under Christian rule in medieval Spain. For example, Christian rulers apparently tolerated sexual relations between a Jewish man and a Muslim woman. However, this tolerance ended in the mid-fifteenth century when Spanish Christendom imagined itself engaged in a mortal struggle with converts from Judaism to Christianity whom they perceived as secretly remaining Jewish. As a result Muslims adopted the Christian anti-Jewish tropes which were already entrenched among the populace. The third and fifth chapters continue the theme of sexual relations as a scale to gauge the relations between religious groups. Here Nirenberg draws out the implications of sexual relationships between Christian kings and Jewish and Muslim women. He perceptively discerns that sexual relations between these men and women were seen symbolically as a metaphor for political relations on an international scale. In some cases, like that of King Sancho IV of Castille (1284-1295), forbidden sexual relationships were used to explain the loss of Christian armies in battle; in the case of Alfonso VI's relationship with the Muslim princess Zaida which resulted in her conversion, this was made to signal Christians triumphalism over the domination of Islam. But this interfaith sexual economy ended in 1391 with the mass conversion of Jews to Christianity and the "sexualized" attempt to stabilize Christian identity. …


ABSTRACT We developed a technique to map the availability of sugars and amino acids along live roots in an intact soil-root matrix with native microbial soil flora and fauna present. It will allow us to study interactions between root exudates and soil microorganisms at the fine spatial scale necessary to evaluate mechanisms of nitrogen cycling in the rhizosphere. Erwinia herbicola 299R harboring a promoterless ice nucleation reporter gene, driven by either of two nutrient-responsive promoters, was used as a biosensor. Strain 299RTice exhibits tryptophan-dependent ice nucleation activity, while strain 299R(p61RYice) expresses ice nucleation activity proportional to sucrose concentration in its environment. Both biosensors exhibited up to 100-fold differences in ice nucleation activity in response to varying substrate abundance in culture. The biosensors were introduced into the rhizosphere of the annual grass Avena barbata and, as a control, into bulk soil. Neither strain exhibited significant ice nucleation activity in the bulk soil. Both tryptophan and sucrose were detected in the rhizosphere, but they showed different spatial patterns. Tryptophan was apparently most abundant in soil around roots 12 to 16 cm from the tip, while sucrose was most abundant in soil near the root tip. The largest numbers of bacteria (determined by acridine orange staining and direct microscopy) occurred near root sections with the highest apparent sucrose or tryptophan exudation. High sucrose availability at the root tip is consistent with leakage of photosynthate from immature, rapidly growing root tissues, while tryptophan loss from older root sections may result from lateral root perforation of the root epidermis.


Thirty-three new 5-[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one derivatives including related analogues, designed as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO B), were synthesized and investigated both in vitro and ex vivo for their abilities to inhibit selectively rat brain MAO B over MAO A. Three inhibitors were found to act as reversible, highly potent, and selective MAO B inhibitors, namely the nitrile derivative 5-[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]-3-(2-cyanoethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one (12a) and two closely related homologues, the corresponding oxadiazolethione 13a and the alcohol 14b. Their IC50 (MAO B) values are in the low nanomolar range of 1.4-4.6 nM and their selectivities, estimated by the ratio of IC50 values (A/B), are from 3200 to > 71,400. Compound 12a exhibited the highest activity against MAO B. Its IC50 was evaluated to be 1.4 nM with a quasitotal selectivity (> 71,400) toward this enzyme. In ex vivo studies, 12a showed a reversible and short duration of action. MAO B was markedly inhibited with the oral dose of 1 mg/kg without any alteration of MAO A, and the inhibition almost did not exceed 24 h. Its ED50 (1 h after oral administration) was evaluated to be 0.56 mg (1.7 mumol)/kg. Remarkably, MAO A was not affected at doses as high as 1500 mg/kg, po. In addition, no apparent toxicity or behavioral anomaly was observed during the treatment even at the maximum administrated dose. SAR studies emphasize the existence of three binding sites to the enzyme with a special importance of the terminal phenyl. Analysis of the inhibition kinetics indicated that 12a acts in a two-step mechanism as a competitive, slow, and tight-binding inhibitor of MAO B with a Ki value of 0.22 microM and an overall Ki* value at equilibrium of 0.7 nM.


As the boundaries between public and private, human and technology, digital and social, mediated and natural, online and offline become increasingly blurred in modern techno-social hybrid societies, sociology as a discipline needs to adapt and adopt new ways of accounting for these digital cultures. In this paper I use the social networking site Pinterest to demonstrate how people today are shaped by, and in turn shape, the digital tools they are assembled with. Digital sociology is emerging as a sociological subdiscipline that engages with the convergence of the digital and the social. However, there seems to be a focus on developing new methods for studying digital social life, yet a neglect of concrete explorations of its culture. I argue for the need for critical socio-cultural 'thick description' to account for the interrelations between humans and technologies in modern digitally mediated cultures.


High-tech enables payment evolution and global competition. The ambiguities surround- ing of the digital currency still leave enough space for the analysis of its unreserved acceptance, trust and anticipation, which are the main driver for the spread of the network. Banks should carefully consider the technology underlying these cryptocurrencies as a potential generic new way of transferring ownership of the value over the long term. The chapter provides an analysis of the use of cryptocurrencies in general, especially Bitcoin as the technology adoption in the presence of network externalities. The objective attitude is the future of the digital currency in the moment is still unsolved issue due to the existence of "critical mass". Further, the chapter explores financial privacy which is very sensitive issue in using digital currency (or cryptocurrency) and discuss about private choices versus political rules. The research has shown that the future of cryptocurrencies can be bright if some institutional-formal conditions are met due to the fact that success evolution of e-money requires building safety payments through three criteria–standardization, com- patibility and innovation.


Thirteen schizophrenic patients underwent a d-amphetamine infusion while being treated with pimozide, an antipsychotic agent and a relatively specific dopamine (DA) blocker. Six patients who showed an acute increase in psychosis with d-amphetamine relapsed within 3 months after pimozide withdrawal. Of the seven patients who did not change in psychosis with d-amphetamine, six did not relapse after pimozide discontinuation (Fisher's exact test, p less than 0.005). Retrospectively, the psychosis-inducing effects of d-amphetamine were found to be predictive of psychotic exacerbation following subsequent pimozide withdrawal. Pimozide failed to block the psychotogenic effects of d-amphetamine in six patients indicating that other mechanisms besides DA may play a role in psychotic decompensation. The d-amphetamine infusion paradigm should be studied further to determine its clinical value for identifying which schizophrenic patients are at risk for relapse after discontinuation of neuroleptic treatment.


Implantable medical devices such as pacemakers, internal cardi-ac defibrillator (ICD), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices have conducting leads that are used to sense the heart signals and to pace into the heart muscle in order to artificially stimulate it. The sensing system in these devices monitor patient's heart signals continually; therefore, it must always remain powered-up. As a result lower power consumption for this block is very critical. Additionally device sense systems have bandpass anti-aliasing filters with lower-pole frequency at sub-Hz to be able to attenuate unwanted heart-repolarization signal. To be able to implement such a low-frequency pole, today's medical devices use off-chip microfarad-range hybrid capacitors along-with internal integrated circuit resistors. Depending on the device type, often nine to twelve medically-graded off-chip capacitors are placed on the hybrid substrate. These capacitors are major source of four drawbacks: (1) critical reliability, (2) precious real-estate space area (limiting the device size), (3) external spurious noise pickup, and (4) additional cost. This paper presents a continu-ous Gm-C filter that realizes the identical cardiac sense-system anti-aliasing filter transfer function in a fully integrated form with no external capacitors. To realize sub-HZ pole-frequency using pico-Farad (pF) range integrated-circuit capacitors, the circuit combines three techniques to reduce the transconductance of the operational amplifier into pico-Siemens (pS or pA/V) regime: active lineariza-tion, current cancellation, and series-parallel active load. Further-more, because current consumption is a critical performance parame-ter for implantable cardiac device, each filter is designed to consume less than 20nA. Finally effects of amplifier non-idealities such as linearity, noise, offset, and leakage in the filter are addressed. The filter can be fabricated in any mixed-signal 0.18μm process.


We consider a novel formulation of the problem of Active Few-Shot Classification (AFSC) where the objective is to classify a small, initially unlabeled, dataset given a very restrained labeling budget. This problem can be seen as a rival paradigm to classical Transductive Few-Shot Classification (TFSC), as both these approaches are applicable in similar conditions. We first propose a methodology that combines statistical inference, and an original two-tier active learning strategy that fits well into this framework. We then adapt several standard vision benchmarks from the field of TFSC. Our experiments show the potential benefits of AFSC can be substantial, with gains in average weighted accuracy of up to 10% compared to state-of-the-art TFSC methods for the same labeling budget. We believe this new paradigm could lead to new developments and standards in data-scarce learning settings.


Placement is a fundamental optimization step to compute cell locations. The quality of results in Clock Tree Synthesis (CTS) and routing stages is impacted by the placement solution. The placement optimization flow is split into (1)global placement, (2) legalization, and (3) detailed placement. In global placement, cell locations are computed to minimize total wire length subject to a maximum cell density threshold. The cell overlapping and cell alignment to site row boundaries are relaxed. In legalization, cells are placed in locations free of overlapping and aligned to site row boundaries. Legalization algorithms compute cell locations with minimized cell displacement. In detailed placement, objectives are optimized locally. Detailed placement algorithms iterate over one cell or a small set of cells. The traditional optimization objective is total wire length. Placement algorithms also address timing violations, routability, design rules, and so forth. The placement algorithms rely on heuristics and formal methods to compute optimized cell locations. Moreover, placement algorithms require models to address signal delay propagation, area density, routing congestion, hyper-edge nets, and so forth. In the literature, several algorithms have been presented to improve placement solutions. On the other hand, placement is a really challenging problem that continues to have space for further improvement and for innovative algorithms.


Cell adhesion in the sea urchin blastula is mediated by a 22S genus-specific glycoprotein complex consisting initially of six 160-kDa subunits that are processed proteolytically as development proceeds. Noncytolytic removal of the 22S particle from the surface with either 2.5% butanol or trypsin renders dissociated cells reaggregation incompetent, and addition restores reaggregation and development. Polyclonal antibodies against the 22S complex prevent reaggregation in a genus-specific manner while monoclonal antibodies stain cell surface structures in a pattern consistent with a code that specifies the position of a cell in the embryo by a unique combination of subunits in its cell adhesion particles. The existence of similar particles in Drosophila and amphibian embryos suggests that these glycoprotein complexes are a general class of organelles, the toposomes, that in the embryo mediate cell adhesion and express positional information.


Magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) is sensitive to reveal macromolecules in tumor tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and histological features and risk stratification in endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer. We found that MTR value could differentiate endometrial carcinoma from cervical cancer and facilitate preoperative risk stratification of endometrial carcinoma. It could provide a preoperative basis for cancerous histologic origin and risk assessment in uterus.


A comparison of force field calculations on extended systems and ab initio quantum chemical calculations on ring structures reveals that the relative energy content of neutral-framework silicas and aluminophosphates is determined by that of the smallest substructures. Energy-minimized structures containing only four, five, and six rings have the same energy content to within 10 kJ/mol. Hypothetical three-ring-containing structures have considerably higher energy content, which may well inhibit their synthesis in the pure SiOz modification. The results accord with sparse experimental information. Using the same combination of techniques, we demonstrate that substitution of aluminum in silica causes an appreciable, albeit local, distortion of the lattice. The relaxation energy for such a substitution amounts to 100-200 kJ/mol, depending on the way charge compensation is accomplished.


We investigated the transverse resistance as a function of temperature and magnetic field in thin epitaxial films of patterned in a Hall-effect configuration. The transverse resistance shows a sharp peak just below the magnetic phase transition, which is present in zero applied magnetic field, does not change sign as the applied magnetic field is reversed, and therefore is not a Hall effect. The transverse peak is much more sensitive than the longitudinal magnetoresistance: it changes by 10% in small applied fields of the order of 100 G. We suggest that this may be caused by an inhomogeneous distribution of resistances and Curie temperatures within the film. With this in mind, we have carried out simulations using a two-dimensional resistor network that reproduce the key features of this novel effect, as well as the rounding of the longitudinal resistance and the broadening of the magnetization.


The short growing season, dry climate, and limited precipitation reduce the yield and quality of cotton grown on the High Plains of Texas.  As irrigation water levels decline in the southern counties of the High Plains of Texas, cotton production will probably move northward to areas with greater underground water levels.  Freezing temperatures in late spring and early fall in these northern counties require that cotton be planted in late May and mature before mid-October.  Developing genotypes that combine early maturity with high lint yield and improved fiber quality will be critical for successful cotton production in these areas.  Chemical mutagenesis was used to produce 18 mutant lines, which were compared with seven commercial varieties for lint yield, fiber quality, fiber market price, and gross return when planted at Lubbock, TX on July 3rd of 2000 and 2001.  Three mutants, SC 9023-11, Holland 338-6, and GSA 1093-61 produced equivalent lint yields, higher fiber quality, and improved market price than PM 183, the earliest maturing commercial variety in these trials.   Economic analyses indicate these mutants could improve the profitability of short season cotton grown on the Texas High Plains.


The American diplomat Richard Holbrooke pondered a problem on the eve of the September 1996 elections in Bosnia, which were meant to restore civic life to that ravaged country. "Suppose the election was declared free and fair," he said, and those elected are "racists, fascists, separatists, who are publicly opposed to [peace and r?int?gration]. That is the dilemma." Indeed it is, not just in the former Yugoslavia, but increasingly around the world. Democratically elected regimes, often ones that have been reelected or reaffirmed through referenda, are routinely ignoring constitutional limits on their power and depriving their citizens of basic rights and freedoms. From Peru to the Palestinian Authority, from Sierra Leone to Slovakia, from Pakistan to the Philip pines, we see the rise of a disturbing phenomenon in international life? illiberal democracy. It has been difficult to recognize this problem because for almost a century in the West, democracy has meant liberal democracy?a political system marked not only by free and fair elections, but also by the rule of law, a separation of powers, and the protection of basic liberties of speech, assembly, religion, and property. In fact, this latter bundle of freedoms?what might be termed constitu tional liberalism?is theoretically different and historically distinct


Although ADCP(Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) have been introduced and utilized for flow measurements since the end of 1990's, in-situ behavior performance of ADCP at stream gauging stations has not been evaluated in Korea. The purpose of this study is for verification and application of velocity measurements using a price meter and ADCP. The verification of measured velocities was carried out in a laboratory open-channel. The differences between the two velocity values measured by a pirce meter and ADCP are within 2.1%, which means that ADCP can be used at stream gauging stations. After verification, ADCP was applied to the Maekok stream selected as a test site for application. for application. The test application was performed by comparison of velocity results measured by ADCP and a price meter. Results show that the velocity values obtained by using ADCP coincide well with those by using conventional devices with the average measurement discrepancy of 10.5%.


Smart fluorescent materials have attracted much attention due to their promising applications in various fields. Here, we demonstrate a reversible fluorescence switching of CsPbI3 nanocrystals (NCs) using photochromic AgI NCs as the photosensitizer. Upon light irradiation, AgI NCs are decomposed into metallic Ag and elemental I2, leading to the formation of Ag-CsPbI3 heterostructures. Because Ag has a lower Fermi level than that of CsPbI3, excited electrons will transfer from CsPbI3 to Ag, resulting in the quenching of photoluminescence emission. When the composite is stored in the dark, metallic Ag is oxidized into AgI, and the PL emission of CsPbI3 NCs can be recovered. The application of the AgI/CsPbI3 system has been demonstrated as a rewritable platform. This work may shed light on the exploration of CsPbX3 NCs for applications in smart fluorescent materials.


As the biofuels are emerging as promising alternative transportation fuels across the world, they also offer huge potential for international trade in biofuels. A number of trade barriers such as import tariffs and domestic support have limited the scope for trade in biofuels. The purpose of this study is to analyze the implications of U.S. biofuel mandates, subsidies and import tariffs on global trade and welfare. We utilize the GTAP-BIO model, which was developed as a customized version of the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model capable of analyzing domestic and trade policy issues associated with biofuels (Birur, 2010). We supplement this model with updated and detailed sectoral level information on feedstock crops, different types of first and second generation biofuels and their byproducts. This highly refined data base facilitates the model for simulating changes in cropping patterns at individual crop level, land use changes, commodity prices, etc. We analyze the following policy scenarios in this study: (a) implementation of volume requirements consistent with the U.S RFS2 volumes for the year 2022 relative to a starting point of the base year 2004, (b) reduction in the ethanol specific import tariff from 54 ¢/gallon to 45 ¢/gallon, so that there will be "parity" between the U.S. and exporting country's ethanol price, (c) Complete removal of the U.S. ethanol blenders' credit and import tariff on ethanol, (d) combined implementation of (a) and (c) policy scenarios. This paper offers insights regarding the prospective policy options that can affect potential trade in biofuels amongst the major producing countries, such as the extent to which a removal of U.S. import tariff on ethanol affects pasture and forest land conversion in Brazil.


The present study attempted to consider the effects of cutting lines in the knee parts of slacks on the clothing pressure and comfort. The study compared and analyzed the pressure imposed to the body in a stooping position and the consequent sensations felt by the wearer according to the slack shapes. The conclusion was drawn as follows: The pressure imposed by the slacks to the body is greater on the two points slightly upper and lower from the knee point than on the knee point itself, regardless of the slack shapes. Clothing pressure was lower in the slacks with 10 cm-wide and 14 cm-wide cutting lines in the knee parts than those with 18 cm-wide cutting lines. Subjective sensations felt in the knee parts were analyzed according to slacks shapes. As a result, it was found that slacks without cutting lines on the knee parts or with sewing lines far from the knee points were more comfortable. In slacks construction, the use of cutting lines in the knee parts can decrease pressure imposed to the knee area or improve the comfort of the slacks. When designing slacks, however, overall appearance should be considered and the weakness of cutting line that makes legs look shorter should also be complemented.


Background: A low HRQOL can be a risk factor for future cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. Therefore, HRQOL should receive attention and be improved in the treatment of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the association between treatment groups and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of hypertension mediated by self-management, and to determine which factors of hypertension self-management influenced HRQOL. Methods: Hypertensive patients were selected by multi-stage stratified samping from "1+1+N" Physicians intervention (PI) group and the conventional management (CM) group in 5 communities of Xiamen, China. Patients were cross-sectionally assessed by validated self-reports using self-management Behavior Rating Scale and Quality of Life Instruments for Hypertension. A structural equation modeling (SEM) and a path analytic model were used to assess if the association between treatment groups and HRQOL was mediated by self-management. Results: A total of 1207 patients were included, of whom 48.55% were in the PI group. The average score of the HRQOL scale was 86.68, and the average score of the PI group was higher than the CM group (87.35 vs 86.04, respectively). Similar findings were observed for the self-management scale, in which the average score of the PI group was higher than the CM group (76.32 vs 72.00, respectively). Patients in the PI group had higher levels of self-management compared to the CM group except for management of emotion. SEM showed that the association between treatment groups and HRQOL was significantly mediated by self-management (a*b, 95% confidence intervals CI: 0.02,0.07) and that the single mediator (self-management) model explained 76.67% of the intervention effect. In the multivariable mediation model, the association between treatment groups and HRQOL was significantly mediated by management of medication adherence, sport and diet.Conclusions: The findings presented good evidence supporting that treatment groups are linked to HRQOL of hypertension via self-management. Specifically, management of medication adherence, sport, diet, and emotion are important for improving HRQOL.


Recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and the growth of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement have highlighted growing concerns over policing methods. Since the shooting of Michael Brown, in August 2014, there have been a series of high profile cases across the United States involving the deaths of African Americans at the hands of law enforcement officers.

This paper analyses the responses of President Obama in respect to race and police practices over his two administrations. It examines the extent to which there has been a change in policy from presenting race related incidents as unfortunate (Henry Louis Gates) or tragic (Trayvon Martin), but isolated, events during his first term to a greater willingness to acknowledge that they reflect deep seated racial problems in American society during his second term. In short, public recognition of the fact that race is not just a 'Ferguson problem' but an 'American problem'.

The remedies advanced by the second Obama administration – US Department of Justice investigations of police departments in Ferguson and Chicago, police body cameras, a 21st century Task Force on – will also be considered.

Increasing public anxiety over police practices, most particularly in relation to African American communities, will be assessed in the light of developments in American society since the 1990s, including the spread of 'zero tolerance' policing methods, financial constraints/pressures on police departments, increasing awareness of the importance of implicit racial bias and the rise of public camera surveillance and smartphone technology.

At the same time race related police incidents will be examined in the context of the historical experience of the 1968 Kerner Commission and 1991 Christopher Commission in Los Angeles to evaluate their prospects for success and the reasons for the longstanding, seemingly intractable, problems in respect to police practices and ethnic minority communities.

The paper concludes by reflecting on the challenges and tensions for the President in commemorating ongoing fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the civil rights struggle as victories of an historical past at the same time as current race related incidents involving police forces across the nation highlight the extent to which race remains a divisive issue in present day American society.