This paper studies the averaging generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator that combines a conservative GMM estimator based on valid moment conditions and an aggressive GMM estimator based on both valid and possibly misspecified moment conditions, where the weight is the sample analog of an infeasible optimal weight. It is an alternative to pre-test estimators that switch between the conservative and aggressive estimators based on model specification tests. This averaging estimator is robust in the sense that it uniformly dominates the conservative estimator by reducing the risk under any degree of misspecification, whereas the pre-test estimators reduce the risk in parts of the parameter space and increase it in other parts. To establish uniform dominance of one estimator over another, we establish asymptotic theories on uniform approximations of the finite-sample risk differences between two estimators. These asymptotic results are developed along drifting sequences of data generating processes (DGPs) that model various degrees of local misspecification as well as global misspecification. Extending seminal results on the James-Stein estimator, the uniform dominance is established in non-Gaussian semiparametric nonlinear models. The proposed averaging estimator is applied to estimate the human capital production function in a life-cycle labor supply model.


Abstract
 Integrated nematode management (INM) employs a diversity of management practices and focuses on key concepts such as targeted rotations, intercropping, advanced genetics for resistance breeding, remote sensing to monitor nematode distribution and densities, precision agriculture to target control treatments and molecular tools to measure soil suppressiveness. This chapter further discusses new building blocks of INM that could improve the future of nematode management. Outlooks on chemical control in the future; the growth of biological control; the need for resistance breeding; suppressive soil and its antagonistic potential for nematode management; climate change adaption; regional and site-specific approach in nematode management; loss of applied nematology positions at universities and plant protection agencies; and recommended INM programmes are described. For INM to become a reality, applied nematology needs to be at the forefront of the science of nematology again, and funded accordingly.


Abstract:Emmett McBain was the original business partner of Chicago advertising legend Tom Burrell. In this article, Professor Jason P. Chambers examines McBain's history in the advertising industry prior to the two men joining forces in 1971. Burrell is often recognized as the creator of "positive realism" as an advertising approach to Black consumers. However, in this article, Chambers demonstrates how McBain began to develop the foundation for positive realism while working at the Vince Cullers agency, well before he partnered with Burrell. Additionally, the article examines how McBain's creation and application of the style were directly linked to his understanding of Black Power and the Black Arts movement of the 1960s. Just as Black artists of the period decried the creation of "art for art's sake," McBain brought a similar activist-inspired vision to his advertising work.


African cities are largely less-built with agile informal settlements and multiple ecologies that harbor different pathways for resilience to climate change. We undertook a qualitative systematic review of academic and policy evidence, to address the question of what interventions are emerging at neigbourhood to city scale to enhance resilience to climate change in Africa. Resilience at neigbourhood scale often stems from harnessing the local resource base and technologies for urban agriculture and forestry; alternative energy from wastes; grassed drainages for protection against erosion; recreation along dry riverbeds; fog-water harvesting; and adjustments in irrigation schedules. At city scale, planning is targeted at buildings, mobility and energy service delivery as the objects to be made resilient. The review established that evidence on comparisons across regions is mainly on East, West and South African cities, and much less on cities in Northern and Central Africa. Ecological comparisons are majorly on coastal and inland cities, with minimal representation of semi-arid and mountainous cities. Resilience efforts in capital cities are the most dominant in the literature, with less emphasis on secondary cities and towns, which is necessary for a deeper understanding of the role played by inter-municipal and inter-metropolitan collaborations. African cities can bring context-sensitivity to global debates on climate resilience, if theoretical perspectives are generated from emerging interventions across case studies. We conclude with suggestions on what future research needs to take on, if evidence on resilience to climate change in African cities is to be strengthened.


The effect of protein malnutrition on the metabolism of collagen was studied in young female albino rats after a single injection of 3H-proline by determining the specific as well as total activities of 3H-hydroxyproline in the skin collagen fractions and in the urine. a) Compared to controls, the total activity of 3H-hydroxyproline in the soluble collagen and in the urine was significantly lower in the deficient group at 12 hrs. after the administration of 3H-proline. b) The urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and the total activity of urinary 3H-hydroxyproline measured after four weeks of labelled proline injection were also considerably decreased in the protein-deficient animals. c) When the total radioactivities of both soluble and insoluble collagen are expressed as a percentage of the sum of both, the recorded activity was more in soluble and less in insoluble collagen at 12 and 120 hrs. after the administration of 3H-proline, due to the influence of protein malnutrition. The results of the present investigation therefore clearly indicate that the synthesis of collagen is decreased and accompanied by a retardation in the maturation of soluble to insoluble collagen in the protein-deficient animals compared to controls. In addition, protein deficiency is accompanied by decreased rates of catabolism of both soluble and insoluble collagen.


Microsquare resonators laterally confined by SiO2/Au/air multilayer structure are investigated by light ray method with reflection phase-shift of the multiple layers and two-dimensional (2-D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique. The reflectivity and phase shift of the mode light ray on the sides of the square resonator with the semiconductor/SiO2/Au/air multilayer structure are calculated for TE and TM modes by transfer matrix method. Based on the reflection phase shift and the reflectivity, the mode wavelength and Q factor are calculated by the resonant condition and the mirror loss, which are in agreement well with that obtained by the FDTD simulation. We find that the mode Q factor increases greatly with the increase of the SiO2 layer thickness d , especially as d < 0.3 ¿m . For the square resonator with side length 2 ¿m and refractive index 3.2, anticrossing mode couplings are found for confined TE modes at wavelength about 1.6 ¿m at d = 0.11 ¿m, and confined TM modes at d = 0.71 ¿m, respectively.


Summary

1. Many of the global losses of amphibians are believed to be caused by the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Hence, determining its present and future environmental suitability should help to inform management and surveillance of this pathogen and curtail the amphibian biodiversity crisis.

2. In this issue of Journal of Applied Ecology, Murray et al. (2010) offer an important step in this direction by providing a species distribution model that projects the environmental suitability of Bd across Australia and predicts locations of chytridiomycosis and amphibian declines. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis presence was predicted by diurnal temperature range (a measure of temperature variability) and mean precipitation. Human population density, a positive predictor of Bd, accounted for the most variation when removed from the statistical model.

3. This work represents an invaluable case study and has great potential for managing chytridiomycosis and associated amphibian declines, but its value in practice will depend on how well managers understand the limitations of species distribution models.

4. Synthesis and applications. To improve the management of chytridiomycosis, amphibian-chytrid research should attempt to understand how humans may affect the distribution of Bd, how climatic means and variances affect Bd transmission, how much variation in the distribution of Bd is unique to and shared among climate, human, and other factors, whether human-related factors and climate statistically interact, and how these potentially correlated factors and any interactions affect the predictability of species distribution models. In response to the swift spread of Bd and our rapidly changing planet, we encourage the application of Bd distribution models to other regions of the globe and predictions of Bd's distribution under future climate change scenarios.


Based on data taken from the 1991 New York Jewish Population Survey, this paper focuses on the American Jewish/Israel relationship as an aspect of Jewish ethnic identity. Two behavioral indicators of attachment to Israel are empirically derived: personal connection to Israel and participation in organized activities supporting Israel. On both indicators, Orthodox are most attached, Reform least, Conservative in the middle; a significant proportion have no attachment to Israel at all. These denominational differences are not explained by the amount of Jewish education, the denomination in which it was received, the timing of Jewish education, and age. Jewish education mitigates denominational differences and increases attachment to Israel in all denominations. Our analysis also suggests that this is a cohort difference in the sources influencing attachment to Israel, and that education will play an increasingly important role in the strengthening of attachment to Israel in younger cohorts who receive an increasingly more Israeli-oriented Jewish education.


Adolescents seem to be obsessed with tanning. One third of both adolescents and adults report sunbathing. On average, about 20% of adolescents report ever-using of artificial UV tanning devices with 15% currently using them. Tanning attitudes appear similar for adolescents and adults. The top three reasons for tanning included beliefs that a tan makes them more comfortable socializing with friends, looks better and is attractive. The top reason for using artificial UV tanning devices is also aesthetics, followed by relaxation. Other reasons for using artificial UV tanning devices include vacation preparation and to gain a protective base. Attitudes related to appearance that result in more frequent tanning may be difficult to change.


This paper describes an experiment conducted with the ATS-6 satellite to determine the additional path loss over free-space loss experienced by land-mobile communication links. This excess path loss is measured as a function of (1) local environment, (2) vehicle heading, (3) link frequency, (4) satellite elevation angle, and (5) street side. An excess loss model developed from the data shows that the first two parameters dominate. Excess path loss on the order of 25 dB is typical in urban situations (90% temporal/spatial coverage), but decreases to under 10 dB in suburban/rural areas. Spaced antenna selection diversity is found to provide only a slight decrease (4 dB typically) in the urban excess path loss observed. Level crossing rates are depressed in satellite links relative to those of Rayleighfaded terrestrial links, but increases in average fade durations tend to offset that advantage. The measurements show that the excess path loss difference between 860 MHz links and 1550 MHz links is generally negligible.


Non-clear cell renal cell carcinomas are a miscellaneous group of tumors that include different histological subtypes, each one characterized by peculiarity in terms of genetic alteration, clinical behavior, prognosis, and treatment response. Because of their low incidence and poor enrollment in clinical trials, alongside their heterogeneity, additional efforts are required to better unveil the pathogenetic mechanisms and, consequently, to improve the treatment algorithm. Nowadays, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR and MET inhibitors, and even cisplatin-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy are potential weapons that are still under evaluation in this setting. Various biomarkers have been evaluated for detecting progression and monitoring renal cell carcinoma, but more studies are necessary to improve this field. In this review, we provide an overview on the molecular characteristics of this group of tumors and the recently published trials, giving an insight into what might become the future therapeutic standard in this complex world of non-clear cell kidney cancers.


It is extremely difficult to explore creative products outside of social and biographical contexts. This is especially important in the case when the literary and national processes form a single whole - as was the case in Ukraine in the 19th century.
The famous writer, historian and public figure Nikolai Kostomarov played a significant role in the development of that multifaceted - literary and at the same time national - process. And today his personality is of considerable scientific interest - primarily as a certain type of Ukrainian intellectual who has gone through a difficult path of national self-knowledge. His individual experience of comprehending personal and national identity still has great cognitive value.
The history of the acquisition of identity is presented primarily in the writer's autobiography, although it has not escaped the tangible influence of the author's (conscious or unconscious) retrospective correction. The materials of the autobiography are supplemented by memoirs of third parties, which, at least in key episodes, are often based on the testimonies of the same Kostomarov.
Biographers have introduced into the interpretation of the facts a lot that was inspired by the stereotypes of romanticism. Selected biographical episodes are presented in the aspect of the search for individual freedom. The factor of fantasizing is also highlighted, in particular regarding the nature of the creative and scientific practices of the poet and historian, providing for a psychological "immersion" in another environment or era.
In a sense, the continuation of historical reconstructions and psychological practices of "immersion" in the studied environment was Kostomarov's study of the Ukrainian language, and his recording of folk songs, and further author's rethinking of folklore motives.
All together significantly influenced his self-awareness and, over time, determined the adoption of the Ukrainian national identity.


Deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) are vital for the biosynthesis and repair of DNA. Their cellular concentration peaks during the S phase of the cell cycle. In non-proliferating cells dNTP concentrations are low, making their reliable quantification from tissue samples of heterogeneous cellular composition challenging. Partly because of this, the current knowledge related to regulation of and disturbances in cellular dNTP concentrations derive from cell culture experiments with little corroboration at the tissue or organismal level. Here, we fill the methodological gap by presenting a simple non-radioactive microplate assay for the quantification of dNTPs with a minimum requirement of 10 to 30 mg of biopsy material. In contrast to published assays, this assay is based on long (~200 nucleotides) synthetic single-stranded DNA templates, an inhibitor-resistant high-fidelity DNA polymerase, and the double-stranded-DNA-binding EvaGreen dye. The assay quantifies reliably as little as 100 fmol of each of the four dNTPs. Importantly, the assay allowed measurement of minute dNTP concentrations in mouse liver, heart, and skeletal muscle.


Largemouth bass (LMB) Micropterus salmoides fry do not accept prepared diets at first feeding. Fry are initially reared in fertilized ponds on natural live foods until large enough to be feed trained. Unpredictable weather patterns and depletion of natural forages can affect nursery pond survival. A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the use of Artemia nauplii prepared diets and optimal feeding schedules to raise LMB fry from first feeding through habituation to a commercial dry diet. In Studies 1, 2, and 3, swim-up fry were transferred to a recirculating system and stocked into either 3-L (Studies 1 and 2) or 10-L (Study 3) acrylic aquaria. Study 1 screened candidate diets to evaluate whether LMB fry could be transitioned directly to prepared diets or if they required live foods. In Study 2 the optimum duration for feeding live Artemia (1, 2, or 3 weeks) and the appropriate size of commercial diets (<200 or 200–360 μm) were evaluated. Study 3 was designed to identify the best transitional feed. Results from Study 1 indicate that fry fed Otohime-A (<200 μm) and decapsulated Artemia cysts performed better than those fed other diets tested. However, survivals were low (6%–8%) indicating a need for live feed initially. In Trial 2, fry fed live Artemia nauplii for two weeks and then transitioned to a 200–360 μm diet (Otohime-B) performed better than other diet combinations tested. In Study 3, survival was significantly higher in treatments using decapsulated Artemia cysts or Otohime-B as transitional diets between initial live Artemia feeding and trout starter. These data indicate that LMB fry can be successfully raised from first feeding to fully habituated to a commercial trout starter by feeding live Artemia nauplii for two weeks, followed by a gradual transition to either decapsulated Artemia cysts or Otohime-B for one week, then gradually transitioning to trout starter. Surviving fish were easily transitioned to commercial floating feed (Study 4). This protocol yielded survival rates of approximately 70% and may improve the reliability of LMB fingerling production by eliminating the outdoor nursery pond phase.


The objectives of the study were to calculate the standardised mortality rates (SMRs) for COVID-19 in European Union/European Economic Area countries plus the UK and Switzerland and to evaluate the correlation between SMRs and selected indicators in the first versus the subsequent waves until 23 June 2021. We used indirect standardisation (using Italy as the reference) to compute SMRs and considered 16 indicators of health and social well-being, health system capacity and COVID-19 response. The highest SMRs were in Belgium, the UK and Spain in the first wave (1.20–1.84) and in Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia in the subsequent waves (2.50–2.69). Human Development Index (HDI), life expectancy, urbanisation and healthcare expenditure had positive correlations with SMR in the first wave (rho=0.30–0.46), but negative correlations (rho=−0.67 to −0.47) in the subsequent waves. Retail/recreation mobility and transit mobility were negatively correlated with SMR in the first wave, while transit mobility was inversely correlated with SMR in the subsequent waves. The first wave hit most hard countries with high HDI, high life expectancy, high urbanisation, high health expenditures and high tourism. This pattern may reflect higher early community seeding and circulation of the virus. Conversely, in the subsequent waves, this pattern was completely inversed: countries with more resources and better health status did better than eastern European countries. While major SMR differences existed across countries in the first wave, these differences largely dissipated by 23 June 2021, with few exceptions.


In this technical note, a universal formula is proposed for event-based stabilization of general nonlinear systems affine in the control. The feedback is derived from the original one proposed by E. Sontag in the case of continuous time stabilization. Under the assumption of the existence of a smooth Control Lyapunov Function, it is proved that an event-based static feedback, smooth everywhere except at the origin, can be designed so to ensure the global asymptotic stability of the origin. Moreover, the inter-sampling time can be proved not to contract at the origin. More precisely, it is proved that for any initial condition within any given closed set the minimal inter-sampling time is proved to be below bounded avoiding the infinitely fast sampling phenomena. Moreover, under homogeneity assumptions the control can be proved to be smooth anywhere and the inter-sampling time bounded below for any initial condition. In that case, we retrieve a control approach previously published for continuous time stabilization of homogeneous systems.


The CRISPR-Cas9 system has emerged as a highly versatile platform for introducing targeted genome modifications into mammalian cells and model organisms. However, fully capitalizing on the therapeutic potential for this system requires its safe and efficient delivery into relevant cell types. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are a clinically promising class of engineered gene-delivery vehicles capable of safely infecting a broad range of dividing and nondividing cell types, while also serving as a highly effective donor template for homology-directed repair. Together, CRISPR-Cas9 and AAV technologies have the potential to accelerate both basic research and clinical applications of genome engineering. Here, we present a step-by-step protocol for AAV-mediated delivery of CRISPR-Cas systems into mammalian cells. Procedures are given for the preparation of high-titer virus capable of achieving a diverse range of genetic modifications, including gene knockout and integration.


Paeonol was prepared by the extraction method from Moutan Cortex. Its crystal struc- ture was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic sys-tem, space group P21/c with a = 6.724(4), b = 8.792(6), c = 14.689(10) (A), β = 100.138(11)o, V = 854.8(10) (A)3, Mr = 166.17, Z = 4, F(000) = 352, Dc = 1.291 g/cm3, μ = 0.097 mm-1, the final R = 0.0454 and wR = 0.0988 for 845 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I).


Osteoarthritis is the most frequent joint pathology throughout the world. Obtaining objective, dynamic and quantified data allowing the evaluation of patients' progress before and after hip arthroplasty is crucial. Gait analysis can be used for evaluating improvement in such patients, since walking is the principal human physical activity. Comprehensive gait analysis usually includes kinematics, kinetics, and electromyography. A complex instrumentation is thus required that only can be installed in a dedicated laboratory. These techniques are valuable to support clinical decisions and to evaluate the results. However, in several instances, a simplified analysis, concentrated on few selected gait parameters, can be valuable as well. Recently, we have proposed a new ambulatory system for gait analysis (Physilog) and validated its performances for normal and abnormal walking (Aminian et al., 2002). The aim of this study is to show the efficacy of Physilog system for clinical gait analysis in orthopaedics


Organisms have developed metal regulatory mechanisms in response to changes in the bioavailability of trace metals. Just as metal bioavailability dictates cellular uptake, intracellular metal speciation determines the availability of metals to exert biological effects. However, the missing link in understanding the relationship between metal uptake and biological responses is the ability to accurately measure intracellular metal speciation. We conducted Pb exposure studies on the well-characterized model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and identified temporal changes in intracellular Pb speciation under conditions relevant for fresh water ecosystems using resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES), which possesses enhanced sensitivity to functional group chemistry relative to X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Analysis of RXES maps show that only a small fraction of total intracellular Pb was complexed by thiol groups. Initial sequestration of Pb in oxides and inorganic phosphate was followed by binding of Pb to organic phosphate, suggesting potential interference in vital cellular functions. These results contrast proposed detoxification responses involving complexation by thiol groups from peptides.


With the establishment of the Idea to Product Laboratories® (I2P Labs®) at the Vaal University of Technology, a number of entry-level additive manufacturing machines were acquired. Some of the latest additive manufacturing machines have produced parts, which after finishing, have the same look and feel as parts produced with high end equivalent technology. If the visual quality of finished parts produced on low end additive manufacturing machines prove to be of the same or similar quality than parts produced by high end additive manufacturing machines, it should be possible to utilize entry-level machines for production runs of parts where volumes do not make it economically viable to use conventional technologies, such as injection moulding machines. This will be limited to a certain size though but will work well on parts with a low stress level in terms of structural integrity, where batches can be produced over an extended time-line, or even by running multiple machines in a production set-up. This will open the doors to design complex parts with undercuts or internal or hidden structures/geometries to be manufactured on economical viable scales. Currently, these parts are produced on high end machines, where both cost of ownership and associated running costs are too expensive for most SME's.


With this issue the curtain falls for the last time and as the lights go out I feel that constriction at the back of the throat. The outgoing team that managed STI can take some credit—not least because it operated as a team. Or, more accurately, teams: there were those who accepted the onerous role of associate editors in the first years and thought through the fundamental changes needed to prepare STI for the new age. This included a name change that made sense to the non-British and a less bilious cover. Then came the hanging committee whose members, spread over three countries, did much more than meet (or email) every 2 weeks.

We started on the strategic road from a "journal of fact" to a "journal of [expert] opinion". For this we shamelessly pressured friends, acquaintances, and even total strangers to commission (gratis) review articles of various hues that we disguised under a range of titles: tropical medicine, research methodology, continuing medical education, public health, from bench to bedside, clinical knots, in practice, and …


This empirical research of tourists' cultural experiences aims to advance theory by developing a measurement model of attitudes towards attending cultural experiences for a sample of international tourists visiting Melbourne, Australia. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to cross-validate the underlying dimensionality structure of cultural experience attitudes in the model. A five-factor model was extracted from the EFA and some further modifications were required to establish discriminant validity. A four-factor model was retained in the CFA, which included three factors based on a liking for different types of cultural experiences and one factor indicating that social interaction was the most liked socio-psychological attitude towards attending cultural experiences. Although the sample were all English-speaking international tourists, cross-cultural validation of the model was also examined for factor configural and metric invariance of the measurement model as there were three different groups of international tourists within the sample: North Americans; New Zealanders; and tourists from United Kingdom and Ireland. This measurement structure was found to be relatively invariant for the factor loadings across the three groups of international tourists.


2012 Tropospheric delay is one of the main sources of measurement error in global navigation satellite systems. It is usually compen-sated by using an empirical correction model. In this paper, temporal and spatial variations of the global zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) are further analyzed by ZTD time series from global International GNSS Service stations and annual ZTDs derived from global National Centers for Environmental Prediction reanalysis data, respectively. A new ZTD correction model, named IGGtrop, is developed based on the characteristics of ZTD. Experimental results show that this new 3D-grid-based model that accommo-dates longitudinal as well as latitudinal variations of ZTD performs better than latitude-only based models (such as UNB3, EGNOS, and UNB3m). The global average bias and RMS for IGGtrop are about − 0.8 cm and 4.0 cm, respectively. Bias values for UNB3, EGNOS, and UNB3m are 2.0, 2.0, and 0.7 cm, respectively, and respective RMS values 5.4, 5.4, and 5.0 cm. IGGtrop shows much more consistent prediction errors for different areas than EGNOS and UNB3m. In China, the performance of IGGtrop (bias values from − 2.0 to 0.4 cm and RMS from 2.1 to 6.4 cm) is clearly superior to those of EGNOS and UNB3m. It is also demonstrated that IGGtrop biases vary little with height, and its RMS values tend to decrease with increasing height. In addi-tion, IGGtrop generally estimates ZTD with greater accuracy than EGNOS and UNB3m in the Southern Hemisphere. zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD), global zenith tropospheric delay model, EGNOS, UNB3, UNB3m,


Physical controls are fabricated through complicated assembly of parts requiring expensive machinery and are prone to mechanical wear. One solution is to embed controls directly in interactive surfaces, but the proprioceptive part of gestural interaction that makes physical controls discoverable and usable solely by hand gestures is lost and has to be compensated, by vibrotactile feedback for instance. Vibrotactile actuators face the same aforementioned issues as for physical controls. We propose printed vibrotactile actuators and sensors. They are printed on plastic sheets, with piezoelectric ink for actuation, and with silver ink for conductive elements, such as wires and capacitive sensors. These printed actuators and sensors make it possible to design vibrotactile widgets on curved surfaces, without complicated mechanical assembly.


Background: Heart failure is a chronic cardiovascular disease that has an increasing incidence and a poor prognosis in adults in Sub-Saharan Africa due to the rhythm disorders frequently associated to it. Although QT interval prolongation increases cardiovascular mortality in chronic heart failure, there is poor knowledge and it remains undiagnosed... in Sub-Saharan Africa. We therefore deemed it appropriate to determine the frequency and identify the factors associated with QT interval prolongation in adult patients with chronic heart failure in Yaounde. Our main objective was to study the frequency and factors associated with QT interval prolongation in adult patients with chronic heart failure in Yaounde-Cameroon.

Objective: The objective of our study was to study the frequency and factors associated with QT interval prolongation in adults with chronic heart failure in Yaounde.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from January to May 2020 (05 months) at the Central Hospital and General Hospital of Yaounde.  Adults with chronic heart failure presenting in these two hospitals without signs of decompensation were recruited on an outpatient basis. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed to all these patients to determine the type of heart rhythm, measure the QT interval, look for rhythm disturbances and hypertrophy indices (ventricular and atrial). For heart rates between 60 and 100 beats per minute, Bazett's formula was used for the calculation of the corrected QT; for heart rates outside this range, Framingham's formula was used. Patients' left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Blood measurements of creatinine, urea, potassium, sodium and total calcium were performed. The significance level was set at 5%.

Results: Out Of 104 patients, 19 (18.27%) had a prolonged QT interval and 01 (0.09%) had an abnormally high QTc interval (>500 ms). Secondary repolarization disorders (p=0.035), hypocalcaemia (p=0.015), hypokalemia (p=0.0016), left ventricular hypertrophy (p=0.005), and plasma creatinine level>13mg/l (p=0.010) were associated with QT interval prolongation. QT prolongation was not significantly associated with advanced age or sex. No association was found between QT prolongation and heart failure drugs.

Conclusion: QT interval prolongation was present in 1/5 of our patients. The associated factors found were: hypokalemia, hypocalcaemia, a plasma creatinine concentration higher than 13mg/l, left ventricular hypertrophy and secondary repolarization disorders.


Introduction: The concept of addiction has developed enough to be used outside of areas such as drugs and alcohol and is being generally applied to many other behaviors such as internet use. The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Young Internet Addiction Questionnaire (YIAQ) in university students in Tabriz.
Methods: Initially, YIAQ was translated from English to Persian by someone with expert English skills, and then the Persian version was translated to English by another person. After that, a specialist in the field of psychiatry with acceptable skills in the field of English compared these two versions and suggested needed changes. In this methodological (mixed method) study, the Delphi method was used in the qualitative part and a cross-sectional design was used in the quantitative part. The Persian version was evaluated using the Delphi method by ten specialists in the field of internet use and they mentioned changes needed to evaluate face and content validity. For the evaluation of the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, 200 students with different majors at Tabriz University were selected randomly and filled out the Persian version of YIAQ. Reliability was confirmed by clinical interview.
Results: The reliability of the questionnaire was acceptable for 20 questions with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.93. The face and content validity were determined by the Delphi method and application of opinions of specialists in the field of internet use.
Conclusion: The Persian version of YIAQ is valid and reliable for the evaluation of internet addiction


The complete solution of several two-dimensional potential flow problems are reported that deal with the unsteady flow around circular cylinders. Three of the flows considered are induced by an oscillating disturbance near the cylinder. The three elemental disturbances examined are (1) a pulsating source, (2) a pulsating doublet and (3) a pulsating vortex. The formulas for the force acting on the cylinder due to each of the elemental disturbances were derived by applying the method of images and checked by deriving the equivalent surface distribution of sources to model the cylinder starting with Green's second identity. The theory helped direct the development of a boundary-integral numerical model described and applied in this paper to solve the unsteady flow around a circular cylinder due to an arbitrarily specified oscillatory disturbance near the cylinder. The numerical method is validated by comparing predictions of the force with the exact solutions.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


Introduction: The receiving information about the patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit is classified among the most important needs of the family members of such patients. Meeting the informational needs of families is a major goal for intensive care workers. Delivering honest, intelligible and effective information raises specific challenges in the stressful setting of the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this qualitative study was to explain perspectives of families of Intensive Care Unit patients and nurses about informational support. Method: Using a conventional content analysis approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants to explore their perspectives of providing informational support to families of ICU patients. A purposeful sampling method was used to recruit nineteen family members of thirteen patients hospitalized in the ICU and twelve nurses from three teaching hospitals. In general, 31 persons participated in this study. Data collection continued to achieve data saturation. Findings: A conventional content analysis of the data produced three categories and seven sub-categories. The three main categories were as followed, a) providing information, b) handling information and c) using information. Providing information had three sub-categories consisting of "receiving admission news", "receiving truthful and complete information" and receiving general information. Handling information had two sub-categories consisting 'keeping information" and "gradual revelation". Lastly, using information has two sub-categories consisting of "support of patient" and "support of family members". Conclusion: The results of this study revealed perspectives of families of Intensive Care Unit patients and nurses about informational support. It also determines the nurses' need to know more about the influence of their supportive role on family's ICU patients informing. In addition, the results of present study can be used as a basis for further studies and for offering guidelines about informational support to the families of the patients hospitalized in the ICU.


A theoretical framework for correlation attacks based on edit distances and edit probabilities on binary keystream generators consisting of clock-controlled shift registers combined by a function with memory is introduced. Recursive algorithms for efficient computation of the proposed many-to-one string edit distances and statistically optimal edit probabilities are derived for both constrained and unconstrained irregular clocking. The distances and probabilities are based on mutually correlated linear transforms of input and output sequences in the corresponding regularly clocked combiner with memory. Linear transforms can also incorporate linear models of clock-controlled shift registers. The complexity of the recursive algorithms is exponential in the memory size of the input linear transform which can be considerably smaller than the memory size of combining function. This is demonstrated for a special type of combiners with memory based on a time-varying memoryless function. In addition, a decimation method for reducing the memory size of the input linear transform is proposed. The design criteria with respect to the introduced correlation attacks are also discussed.


During the BLUESKY campaign in May/June 2020, the aerosol composition and its precursor gas SO2 were measured with a time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer onboard the research aircraft HALO and with a atmospheric chemical ionization mass spectrometer onboard the DLR Falcon. While SO2 was slightly above background levels in the lower stratosphere above Europe, the aerosol mass spectrometer detected an extended aerosol layer. This sulfate aerosol layer was observed on most of the HALO flights and the sulfate mixing ratio increased significantly between 10 and 14 km altitude. Back trajectory calculations show no recent transport of polluted boundary layer air or ground-based emissions into the lower stratosphere. Therefore, we suggest that the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer might be attributed to the aged stratospheric plume of the volcano Raikoke in Japan. In June 2019, Raikoke injected huge amounts of SO2 into the lower stratosphere, which were converted to sulfate and contributed to the stratospheric aerosol layer. This decaying volcanic aerosol layer was observed with the aerosol mass spectrometer over Europe a year after the eruption. The long-term volcanic remnants enhance the total stratospheric aerosol surface area, facilitate heterogeneous reactions on these particles and provide additional cloud condensation nuclei in the UTLS. They further offset some of the reduced sulfur burden from aviation that was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. The sensitive and highly time resolved airborne measurements of composition and size of stratospheric aerosol from an explosive volcanic eruption help to better constrain sulfur chemistry in the lower stratosphere, validate satellite observations near their detection threshold and can be used to evaluate dispersion and chemistry-climate models on long-term effects of volcanic aerosol.


For many Vietnam combat veterans, the war never ended. They fight it over and over again in their minds. Their condition is called post-traumatic stress disorder. The Department of Veterans Affairs has made significant strides in treating these vets, but the VA is able to meet only a small part of the veterans' demand for treatment. A need exists at the community level, particularly in rural areas, where many veterans do not have access to the specialized treatment they need without traveling great distances and navigating red tape.


Measurements of magnetic fields generated during ultrahigh intensity (>1019 W cm−2), short pulse (0.7–1 ps) laser–solid target interaction experiments are reported. An innovative method is used and the results are compared with particle-in-cell simulations. It is shown that polarization measurements of the self-generated harmonics of the laser can provide a convenient method for diagnosing the magnetic field—and that the experimental measurements indicate the existence of peak fields greater than 340 MG and below 460 MG at such high intensities. In particular, the observation of the X-wave cutoffs and the observed induced ellipticity of the harmonics can provide a reliable method for measuring these fields. These observations are important for evaluating the use of intense lasers in various potential applications and perhaps for understanding the complex physics of exotic astrophysical objects such as neutron stars.


Wastewater generated at industrial and communal facilities is treated within the limits of permissible values established by law. The drains of transport and tourism infrastructure in most cases are cleared with local treatment facilities. For wastewater purification, the biological method is most often used, which is implemented on complex and bulky wastewater purification plants located in large areas. It is proposed to carry out wastewater purification from small objects locally using physical and electrochemical technology with compact equipment. A design of a device for treating wastewater with cylindrical electrodes located coaxially with the device casing has been developed. It is shown that at the first stage of municipal wastewater purification in a laboratory setup with the appropriate parameters (plane tilt angle in a thin-layer sedimentation tank=45° and voltage on the 1st electric device with a soluble anode=12 V), the purification degree from weighted to 95 is ensured, 8 %. The purification of municipal wastewater in the second stage of purification (the 2nd electric device with an inert anode at 10 V and filtering through the clinoptilolite zeolite layer) increases the purification degree from suspended to 96.1 %. Wastewater purification of a car wash in the first electric device in front of a thin-layer sedimentation tank and in the 2nd electric device with an inert anode at a voltage of 10 V and filtering through a layer of clinoptilolite zeolite increases the degree of their purification from oil products to 95.6 %. The technology with the participation of developed electrical appliances leads to an increase in the degree of wastewater purification in terms of COD to 97.0 %. which allows to reduce the pollution discharge into the environment at the level of 50–70 %.


Currently, there is an achievement gap in education between students of color and their white counterparts. While the larger picture of inequality is readily available, it does not explain why students of color graduate at lower rates. This purpose of the qualitative research study sought to understand the experiences and perceptions of low-income youth who are of color, on their transition into college. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with four youth of color who were currently enrolled in college and identified coming from a low-income background. The five major themes that emerged from the interviews were: 1) the youth's motivation to pursue higher education, 2) preparation for continuing, 3) support the youth received, 4) demographics of the youths' high school, and 5) the youth's perceptions of why other students did not pursue higher education. Implications for the field of social work, such as changing legislation of NCLB to better serve youth of color from low-income backgrounds, are discussed. Future recommendations of including social aspects into college access programs are also discussed. PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION 3 Acknowledgments This research would not have been completed without the constant support and understanding provided to me this last year. To my fantastic research chair Jessica Toft; thank you for your patience, constant encouragement, numerous editing sessions, and keeping me on a timely track. To my wonderful committee members Kayci Rush and Molly Roark; thank you for volunteering your time and support that guided me through this process. Thank you to my parents for always pushing me to keep going and for accepting late night phone calls of panic; to my sister who knows how to make me laugh with our weird inside jokes (you-hoo!); to my brother for just being able to listen; to my grandparents, Missy, Dan, Jack, Connor, and Emma for 'La Familia' nights; to my family for their support throughout my education; to my friends who kept me (somewhat) sane and grounded. Thank you to my roommates, who never knew what type of mood I would be in when they came home, but offered a glass of wine and Disney movie. And lastly, thank you to my research cohort, who never judged when I started crying in class and offered only words of encouragement and affirmation. This research would not be possible without the help and support from all of the wonderful people in my life. PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION 4


The authors provide an anatomic and ultrasonographic description of the fetal brain from the 16th to the 27th week of development. During the second trimester the primitive brain is smooth and homogeneous and has few sulci and relatively large lateral ventricles. The cerebral hemispheres consist largely of cells migrating from the periventricular germinal matrix to the primitive cortex. The "featureless" hemispheres yield homogeneous ultrasonographic images very different from the more complex and familiar cerebral anatomy of fetuses and premature babies in the third trimester.


In recent years, both chitosan and ZnO nanostructures have been identified as potential antibacterial substances; however, the potential applications of chitosan adsorbed on ZnO nanowires have not been explored and could offer exciting new perspectives for both materials, for example, in biocompatible electronic circuits. In this work, we investigate the effect of chitosan on the electronic properties of triangular ZnO nanowires (ZnO NWs) from a theoretical perspective. All calculations were performed using density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. We considered six different positions of the chitosan molecule (CS) on the nanowire surface. We varied the amine position of CS, viewing it parallel, perpendicular, and at a 45° angle with respect to the NW axis. Our results show that all configurations are chemically stable; moreover, the interaction of the NW surface with the OH radical of CS creates flat states within the band gap energy of the ZnO NWs that might resemble p-doping. In addition, these states induce changes in the band gap energy of the ZnO NWs. All NWs show high chemical stability regardless of the CS position; hence, the adsorption results of all NW assemblies appear to be chemically favorable.


Multilingual parallel text corpora provide a powerful means for propagating linguistic knowledge across languages. We present a model which jointly learns linguistic structure for each language while inducing links between them. Our model supports fully symmetrical knowledge transfer, utilizing any combination of supervised and unsupervised data across language barriers. The proposed non-parametric Bayesian model effectively combines cross-lingual alignment with target language predictions. This architecture is a potent alternative to projection methods which decompose these decisions into two separate stages. We apply this approach to the task of morphological segmentation, where the goal is to separate a word into its individual morphemes. When tested on a parallel corpus of Hebrew and Arabic, our joint bilingual model effectively incorporates all available evidence from both languages, yielding significant performance gains.


W H I L E there appears to be a growing interest in the measurement of teaching ability, the number of published reports in this area is small, only twelve such studies having been published for the three-year period covered by this summary. These published reports present general analyses of the problem of the measurement of teaching ability; studies of the use of rating scales for ratings by pupils and students and for self-ratings and ratings by supervisors; studies of tests and test results of qualities commonly associated with teaching success; and statistical studies of test reliability and validity.


The ophthalmic histopathology is detailed in a case of trisomy 18 (Edwards's syndrome). In addition to the ocular pathology already reported, previously unreported findings of iris stromal hypoplasia, abnormal lens shape, and decreased ganglion cells in the retina are noted. The ophthalmic histopathology associated with this syndrome and the relationship of several genetic disorders to their ocular manifestations are discussed.


The aim of the work presented in this thesis is to establish a
mathematical model for use in the study of blood glucose dynamics and their
disorders in man.
A large number of models have been developed that represent various
aspects of blood glucose dynamics and of these the majority have been attempts
to provide a mathematical description of glucose tolerance test curves. Most
of these models have no immediate clinical application and have also failed to
provide any real insight into the system that controls the flow of glucose
into and from the blood glucose compartment.
To do this a mathematical model must be formulated that approximates to an
isomorphic description of the glucose regulatory system. Such a model must be
based on sound biochemical and physiological knowledge. However, the complexity
of the glucose system is such that complete simulation is not possible.
In this study, a model has been developed and is described that places
particular emphasis upon the role of the liver in controlling blood glucose
dynamics. Compartments are provided for glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, and
glycogen which are the dominant metabolic substrates. Mass balance equations
have been written in terms of the enzymatic reactions that are involved in
glucose transport and substrate kinetics. Insulin and glucagon hormonal
controllers have also been incorporated.
The model has been tested by inputs representing intravenous glucose
infusion, intravenous glucose, insulin and glucagon injection.
The model appears to simulate in general terms experimental data, and has
yielded information about both the system structure and the enzyme dynamics
involved. Of particular importance is the evidence that fine control of the
glucose system is an intrinsic function of the enzyMe systems and that only
coarse control of the system is provided by the hormonal environment.Little work has been done in this field, but the present model is unlike
any previous model in that the inherent non-linearities of the metabolic
system are developed from known enzymological data. The approach illustrates
the possible value of using kinetic data obtained from
-in -vitro,
experiments in
predicting physiological changes within the in vivo system.
It is considered that mathematical models of this type can provide the
biomedical scientist with insight into the functioning of metabolic systems
and highlight areas of weak knowledge.


We report an algorithm for simulating oxygen K-edge RIXS for weakly correlated systems, using maximally localized Wannier functions as the basis set. The N-electron wavefunctions are formulated using single Slater determinants, and many-body effects are treated explicitly at the dipole matrix element level. The simulated results for oxygen K-edge RIXS from solid state Li2CO3 matches well with the experimental data. Aside from being efficient and reasonably accurate, this algorithm also shows potential to extend to more complex RIXS problems.


The performance of Reed-Solomon (RS) coded direct-sequence code division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) systems using noncoherent M-ary orthogonal modulation is investigated over multipath Rayleigh fading channels. Equal gain combining (EGC) diversity reception is invoked and the related performance is evaluated for both uncoded and RS-coded DS-CDMA systems. 'Errors-and-erasures' decoding is considered, where the erasures are based on Viterbi's (1982) so-called ratio threshold test (RTT). The performance of the 'errors-and-erasures' decoding technique employing the RTT is compared to that of 'error-correction-only' decoding over multipath Rayleigh fading channels. The numerical results show that when using RTT-based 'errors-and-erasures' decoding, RS codes of a given code rate can achieve a higher coding gain than without erasure information.


1. Meckel's cartilages and the intramembranous sites of ossification in the mandible, tympanic ring, and the anterior process of the malleus of fetal rats between fifteen and twenty days of intrauterine life have been studied with respect to the localization of alkaline phosphatase during the normal differentiation of embryonic mesenchymal cells to osteoblasts and chondroblasts.

2. Alkaline phosphatase appears in the nuclei concurrent with the preliminary condensation of osteogenic mesenchymal cells in the primordium of an intramembranous ossification center.

3. With further differentiation of these osteogenetic precursors to bone-forming cells, the enzynme appears in the nucleoli and in the cytoplasm. At an osteoblastic stage it also appears intercellularly in the osteoid matrix.

4. Mesenchymal cells that have not differentiated in an osteogenetic direction are free of enzymatic activity in contrast to the mesenchymal osteogenic precursor cells.

5. No enzymatic activity was noted during the condensation and differentiation of mesenchymal cells in a chondrocytic direction until hypertrophy of chondrocytes took Place preparatory to ossification.

6. Enzymatic activity was demonstrable in the ossifying anterior portion of Meckel's cartilage but not in its nob-ossifying portion.

7. The preskeletal type of tissue, an internmediate between bone and cartilage, which may also be called secondary or hypertrophic cartilage, occurs in the ramus of the membranous bony mandible. This is a "neomorphic" product in the differentiation of rapidly proliferating osteogenetic on osteoblastic cells in a site of intramembranous ossification. This is well demonstrated by our studies of alkaline phosphatase activity.


Phosphorous is an essential mineral necessary for the formation of bones and teeth, but also for kidney function and the regulation of muscle contractions, heartbeat, and nerve transmission. High blood levels of phosphorus may lead to adverse effects on bone, kidney, and heart health. When there is too much phosphorus in the blood, the body reacts by leaching calcium from the bones. This can be especially dangerous for those with Chronic Kidney Disease. This 4-page fact sheet discusses the relationship between Chronic Kidney Disease and Phosphorous intake, examining foods that are high in phosphorous and ways to manage phosphorous levels. Written by Nancy J. Gal, Lauren Headrick, Kate Bennett, and Wendy J. Dahl, and published by the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, December 2015.
FSHN15-10/FS273: Chronic Kidney Disease: Phosphorus and Your Diet (ufl.edu)


A representationalist analysis of strong first-person phenomena is developed (Baker 1998), and it is argued that conscious, cognitive self-reference can be naturalized under this representationalist analysis. According to this view, the phenomenal first-person perspective is a condition of possibility for the emergence of a cognitive first-person perspective. Cognitive self-reference always is reference to the phenomenal content of a transparent self-model. The concepts of phenomenal transparency and introspection are clarified. More generally, I suggest that the concepts of "phenomenal opacity" and "phenomenal transparency" are interesting instruments for analyzing conscious, self-representational content, and that their relevance in understanding reflexive, i.e., cognitive subjectivity may have been overlooked in the past.


Since 1983, with the release of the MIDI protocol, new resources have been developed for musical editing, composition, arrangement and performance. Due to the growing expansion of computers' storage and processing capacities, it has also been possible to increase the quality and specificity of sample libraries. In this context, the following work reflects on possible educational impacts of the research which investigate different audiences' perceptions regarding audios recorded by drummers' performances and by MIDI tools. Supported by the respondents' perceptions, the general aim of this paper is to reflect on the challenges for the application of MIDI-oriented approaches in formal teaching and learning music processes. Excerpted from this, four specific aims can be drawn: 1) to present the basic elements of sampling and MIDI protocol; 2) to systematically and pedagogically describe the procedures employed in the process of sequencing the selected drummers' performances; 3) to apply quality-assessment questionnaires for the sequencing-generated audios; 4) to reflect on the connections between the questionnaires' results and the use of MIDI in formal music education contexts. Pursuing these aims, the current investigation employs qualitative and quantitative methods to gather the data, to analyze the materials and to develop the knowledge that will guide the proposed discussions. It is defended that the employment of MIDI resources in music education can be beneficial not only for the development of knowledge connected with digital and modern technologies but also for the improvement of traditionally pursued music competences.


Understanding of long-term forest landscape dynamics under fire exclusion, which have not been studied in north-eastern China, is increasingly needed for designing sound forest management and protection plans. In the present study, we examine whether long-term fire exclusion leads to catastrophic fires and whether the fire regimes altered by fire exclusion have changed the course of natural succession of dominant tree species. We designed two simulation scenarios - fire exclusion and no fire exclusion - and used LANDIS to study the long-term (300 years) fire regime dynamic and the succession of dominant tree species in terms of species abundance, age structure and spatial pattern. Our simulated results show that fire exclusion can lead to catastrophic fires with return intervals ranging from 50 to 120 years, increase the proportion of coniferous forests and decrease the proportion of deciduous forests, simplify tree species composition, and alter forest age structures and landscape patterns. Based on these simulated results, we suggest that prescribed burning or coarse woody debris reduction, uneven age management, and a comprehensive wildlife habitat suitability analysis should be incorporated in forest management plans in this region.


Entrepreneurship is now recognized as a strategy to achieve economic growth in many regions. The goal of this paper is to increase the understanding of entrepreneurship's contributions to economic growth and its potential as a development strategy for a region, such as Appalachia, characterized by poverty and underdevelopment. Using data on Appalachian counties, a system of simultaneous equations is empirically estimated to measure the effects of entrepreneurship on economic growth and development. An expanded Carlino-Mills growth model is used where changes in population, employment and per capita income represent measures of growth. Proprietorship and firm formation rate data are used to measure entrepreneurial activity. The results show start-up businesses contribute significantly to determining population growth. Employment growth is positively affected by self-employment rates as well as by firm formation rates. In terms of policy implications, the paper recommends the creation of an environment to encourage entrepreneurial activity as a strategy to battle unemployment. It concludes that regional policy makers need to renew their efforts to support the growth of self-employment and sustain the existing firms.


The broad aim of this symposium and set of associated papers is to motivate the use of inquiry-based, active-learning teaching techniques in undergraduate quantitative biology courses. Practical information, resources, and ready-to-use classroom exercises relevant to physicists, mathematicians, biologists, and engineers are presented. These resources can be used to address the lack of preparation of college students in STEM fields entering the workforce by providing experience working on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary problems in mathematical biology in a group setting. Such approaches can also indirectly help attract and retain under-represented students who benefit the most from "non-traditional" learning styles and strategies, including inquiry-based, collaborative, and active learning.


In cobalamin deficiency and in genetic disorders involving  adenosylcobalamin or  the mutase,  large amounts of methylmalonic acid are excreted in the urine. Its origin is unknown, however, since nonesterified methylmalonic acid is not present in the above or other known pathways. To investigate the origin of methylmalonic acid, we fractionated rat liver by gel filtration and found a single peak (Mr = 35,000) of activity for the hydrolysis of DL-methylmalonyl-CoA to methylmalonic acid and CoA. The enzyme has been purified 3,100-fold with a yield of 2.1% from 1.6 kg of rat liver using a purification scheme consisting of ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography on CM (carboxymethyl)-cellulose  and DEAE-cellulose, affinity chromatography on CoA-agarose, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The final preparation gave a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme is 35,000 based on gel filtration, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis in the presence and absence of 1% 2-mercaptoethanol. The enzyme was shown to be active on the D-iSOmer, but not on the L-isomer, of methylmalonyl-CoA by CD spectropolarimetry. The K , for D-methylmalonyl-CoA is 0.7 mM and the molar activity is 1,400 molecules of substrate/min/molecule of enzyme. At substrate concentrations of 0.5 mM, the relative rate of hydrolysis of CoA esters was as follows: D-methylmalonyl-CoA (loo%), malonyl-CoA (16%), propionyl-CoA (3%), acetyl-coA (l%), succinyl-CoA (<1%), and palmitoyl-CoA (<1%). This enzyme appears to account for the markedly increased amounts of methylmalonic acid that are excreted in the urine in cobalamin deficiency and in genetic disorders involving adenosylcobalamin or Lmethylmalonyl-CoA mutase.


An all-fiber micron displacement sensor with a simple configuration is proposed and investigated experimentally. The proposed fiber displacement sensor consists of a half-loop structure of bare high-bend loss singlemode fiber-1060XP, employing the well-known Whispering Gallery mode (WGM) effect. A ratiometric power measurement system for interrogating the proposed sensor is also presented. By measuring the change in ratio of bend loss in the ratiometric system, a change in displacement can be measured assuming the ratiometric system is calibrated. The proposed macrobending fiber based displacement sensor achieves a higher resolution (less than 75 nm of displacement) than other conventional fiber-optic sensors and also benefits from simplicity.


Prior research on creativity has grasped the attention of researchers to devote more focus on the interaction that arises between the individual and the surrounding milieu. Thus, this study aimed to propose the moderating role of improvisation on the relationship between mindfulness and employee creativity. The propositions posted in this study was developed based on the relationships established within previous empirical studies among these variables. Such proposition of improvisation as a moderator on the relationship between mindfulness and employee creativity might heavily contribute to the theory by addressing the issue of mixed and inconclusive results in the mindfulness-creativity literature, and will provide a comprehensive understanding of how improvisation might help in unleashing the creative potentials of employees.


In this study, 157 patients who underwent surgery for peptic ulcer disease in a 215-bed mission hospital in Nyeri, Kenya were evaluated. One hundred and thirty seven patients (87.3%) had duodenal ulcer. Vagotomy and drainage was performed in 82.8% with an overall mortality of 1.3%. There were no serious complications during operation but side effects were experienced during the post operative period. Various aspects of peptic ulcer surgery are discussed.


The 2010 repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) is one example of how U.S. public policy has shifted toward greater inclusion of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. The repeal of DADT reversed the practice of discharging LGB service members on the basis of sexual identity. LGB service members may now serve their country without fear of direct repercussions stemming from sexual identity. Though it is a statutory step toward parity, DADT repeal does not address a number of cultural and institutional inequities that continue to hinder full inclusion of sexual minority service members. Notably, as discussed in this article, DADT largely ignores issues facing the transgender population. This study examines remaining inequities and their ramifications for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender service members and their families. The article concludes with practice and policy recommendations for culturally competent social work practice with military service members across the sexual identity spectrum.


Previous scholarship concerning the representations of spectator sport in US literature has tended to focus on its tropic representations of exceptional masculinity. In this dissertation I instead propose that this literature is predominantly preoccupied with the physical and emotional decline of athletes after their involvement in sport has ceased. My original contribution to knowledge lies in this exploration of a post-athletic identity commonly characterised by painful nostalgia, disenfranchisement, and bodily deterioration.
In the national imagination, US sports are regularly held up as the epitome of popular culture; since the nineteenth century they have been increasingly seen to present and represent a hegemonic, patriarchal and exceptionalist model of the United States. While populist dialogues regularly endorse these appearances, work by American authors and artists – including Jonathan Franzen, Bernard Malamud, Don DeLillo, David Hammons, F.X. Toole and Jenifer Levin – about and featuring athletes upsets these conservative conventions. This iconoclastic challenge is particularly prevalent after 1950, the period during which the majority of texts in this study are written, as spectator sport and the embodied labour of athletes is commodified by promoters, league administrators, and team owners.
I identify a series of designations that representations of spectator sport commonly assign to it, including authenticity, nostalgia, form, and risk. I then explore how the covalent literary and cultural representations adopt and rephrase these in a manner that diverts attention from the athletic spectacle and onto the athletes and their development of a post-athletic identity. The speculative definitions given to these terms by the jurisdictive frameworks that uphold contemporary spectator sport are capitalised on by authors who underline the incongruously incomplete experience of their athletes. Finally, I argue that, by removing athletes from models of conventional athleticism, gender and, to a lesser extent, celebrity offer a means of completing this ongoing project of disruption.


Terhi Rantanen has produced a giant of a litde book that contributes to debunking many dieories of the globalization of media and communications that continue to hold sway in academia. By dissecting die nature of the evolution in Russian communications technology, news agencies, television, and advertising, Rantanen convincingly illustrates diat the concept of globalization requires redefinition to recognize a reciprocal relationship diat brings about "the nationalization of global media as well as die globalization of national media" (3). By doing so, she also convincingly establishes the interdependence of overall globalization and die role of media and communication in achieving globalization. The fall of communism has opened Russia to a new media and communications world, yet the Russian media system itself has not been globalized, as is made clear by the low foreign ownership of media outlets, a situation shared with such other former communist nations as Albania, Croatia, Romania, and Serbia. Instead, television, advertising, and the world of news agencies, which in Russia have not been significandy affected by globalization, have been "nationalized," that is, they have absorbed, assimilated, and even resisted elements of globalization. Consequently, whereas during the Soviet system and after its collapse Russians demanded globalization in media programming, they are now pushing for national programs to dominate television fare and are joined by sociopolitical leaders in calling for reduced importation of programs. Furthermore, some of the western formats diat have been imported have been "nationalized," and there are now Russian versions of die "Wheel of Fortune" and "Name That Tune," for example.


A longitudinal study on the breeding habitats and variation in the relative larval density of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus was conducted in an urban garden in Calcutta city. The observations of the study, during October 1995 to September 1996 revealed that both the species showed preference for breeding in earthen, and cement pots, plant pots, chowbachhas and molluscan shells. Ae. albopictus larvae were also found in accumulations of water in bamboo stumps and tree holes. The container positivity and relative larval density of both species was highest during monsoon (June 1996-September 1996) and lowest during summer (February 1996-May 1996). The seasonal variation in container index (CI) of each species was statistically significant (P < 0.05) and showed a positive correlation with rainfall, the seasonal variation in the larval density of both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in permanent breeding sites was however not statistically significant, indicating that the CI and relative larval density of the two species was unaffected by temperature and humidity. The variation between the larval density and their CI in the same season was not significant, suggesting a perfect adaptation of Ae. aegypti, an urban, and Ae. albopictus, a sylvatic species, to more or less similar aquatic biotypes in an urban garden.


Mutation testing has been used and studied for over four decades as a method to assess the strength of a test suite. This technique adds an artificial bug (i.e., a mutation) to a program to produce a mutant, and the test suite is run to determine if any of its test cases are sufficient to detect this mutation (i.e., kill the mutant). In this situation, a test case that fails is the one that kills the mutant. However, little is known about the nature of these kills. In this paper, we present an empirical study that investigates the nature of these kills. We seek to answer questions, such as: How are test cases failing so that they contribute to mutant kills? How many test cases fail for each killed mutant, given that only a single failure is required to kill that mutant? How do program crashes contribute to kills, and what are the origins and nature of these crashes? We found several revealing results across all subjects, including the substantial contribution of "crashes" to test failures leading to mutant kills, the existence of diverse causes for test failures even for a single mutation, and the specific types of exceptions that commonly instigate crashes. We posit that this study and its results should likely be taken into account for practitioners in their use of mutation testing and interpretation of its mutation score, and for researchers who study and leverage mutation testing in their future work.


Amphiphilic polymer conetworks (APCNs) are polymer networks composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic chain segments. Their applications range from soft contact lenses to membranes and biomaterials. APCNs based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate) are flexible and elastic in the dry and swollen state. However, they are not good at resisting deformation under load, i.e., their toughness is low. A bio‐inspired approach to reinforce APCNs is presented based on the incorporation of poly(β‐benzyl‐L‐aspartate) (PBLA) blocks between cross‐linking points and PDMS chain segments. The mechanical properties of the resulting peptide‐reinforced APCNs can be tailored by the secondary structure of the peptide chains (β‐sheets or a mixture of α‐helices and β‐sheets). Compared to non‐reinforced APCNs, the peptide‐reinforced networks have higher extensibility (53 vs. up to 341%), strength (0.71 ± 0.16 vs. 22.28 ± 2.81 MPa), and toughness (0.10 ± 0.04 vs. up to 4.85 ± 1.32 MJ m−3), as measured in their dry state. The PBLA peptides reversibly toughen and reinforce the APCNs, while other key material properties of APCNs are retained, such as optical transparency and swellability in water and organic solvents. This paves the way for applications of APCNs that benefit from significantly increased mechanical properties.


Infective endocarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Hence, early diagnosis and prompt intervention is crucial. Multivalvular endocarditis involving 3 or more valves is rarely reported with little information regarding best management or prognosis, particularly in nonsurgical patients. Conflicting guidelines regarding medical versus surgical treatment in multivalvular endocarditis exist with few studies describing the outcome of medically managed patients. We report the case of a previously healthy male presenting with infective endocarditis involving 3 valves further complicated by multiple septic emboli and deemed a nonsurgical candidate.


This article describes a computational system that can support designers in the objective evaluation and selection of design alternatives. The system, called the Design Objectives Decomposition Case Base (DODCAB), utilizes some of the principles of Case Based Reasoning. It captures expertise from expert users to provide support to novices who may use the system later The system uses Value Analysis techniques as a framework for the systemic evaluation of alternatives.


The semicircular notching of the aponeurosis recommended by G. Hohmann for the treatment of epicondylitis humeri has proved extremely successful in practice, provided it is correctly performed. Patients who experience no definite improvement after appropriate consultation and exhaustive conservative treatment should undergo this relatively harmless operation. Hospitalization and surgical treatment under general anesthetic with exsanguination in an extensive procedure are not necessary. Careful follow-up treatment, as appropriate in each case, appears more important, and in 97% of all cases results in complete restoration of function of the arm thus treated.


A method of transferring a material to a substrate includes selectively depositing the material on a surface of an applicator and contacting the surface of the applicator to the substrate. The material can form a pattern on the surface of the applicator. The pattern can be preserved when the material is transferred to the substrate. The material can be deposited on the applicator by ink jet printing.


This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity of water (VAWE) and ethanol (VAEE) extracts of the leaf of Vernonia amygdalina. The antioxidant activity of each extract was evaluated using various radicals or oxidation systems. The total phenolic or flavonoid contents and their correlation with total antioxidant activity were also evaluated. VAEE exhibited antioxidant scavenging potential comparable to butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), but higher than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or VAWE. The total antioxidant scavenging activity of the extracts measured as the millimolar (mM) equivalent of vitamin C gave VAEE a 10.09 ± 1.63, which is comparable to BHA with a 9.31 ± 1.17, but higher than VAWE with an 8.75 ± 1.28 or BHT with a 6.14 ± 2.01. Extracts inhibited bleaching of B-carotene, oxidation of linoleic acid and lipid peroxidation induced by Fe2+/ascorbate in a rat liver microsomal preparation. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents correlated positively with total antioxidant activity. The total flavonoid content also correlated well with total phenolic. Extracts of V. amygdalina contain natural antioxidants, have the potential to act as antioxidants against aqueous radicals and reactive species ions. The total phenolic content of the extracts is related to its total flavonoid, and it may be responsible for its total antioxidant activity.


Background: The terahertz spectroscopy has attracted enormous attention for label free chemical and biological sensing, due to the presence of molecular fingerprints and remote sensing capabilities. However, because of the strong absorption of THz waves in aqueous solutions, detecting liquid-phase biological samples by THz spectroscopy has encountered strong constraints. Results: Here, we demonstrate for the first time a rapid and label-free sensing for liquid-phase biological samples using THz spectroscopy based on microfluidic metasensors. The metasensors were integrated with microfluidic chip to precisely control the liquid sample thickness within 220 nanometer (MMS-N) and 50 micrometer (MMS-U). The metasensors include a periodic split ring resonator (SRR) with two resonant peaks in the THz range. The sensitivity(S) and corresponding figure of merit (FOM) of the two resonance peaks of MMS-N and MMS-U are analyzed with respect to different refractive index matching solution. Both the two resonance peaks of the metasensors are sensitive to the varies refractive index environment and high-frequency resonant of MMS-N shows the best sensitivity(~136GHz/RIU). In addition, the label-free biological sensing capability was conducted through qualitative and quantitative LDL and ox-LDL, where a shift of resonance frequency was observed as the LDL and ox-LDL concentration increased. Conclusions: The results indicated nanofluidic metasensor presented excellent sensing capability for liquid-phase molecular analysis by THz spectroscopy, and the proposed sensing system has the potentials to be developed as a rapid, label-free and highly sensitive detection tool for molecular analysis by THz sensing.


Congestion severely affects the performance of a wireless sensor network in two aspects: increased data loss and reduced lifetime. This paper addresses these problems by introducing a mobile sink for congestion avoidance and lifetime maximization in wireless sensor networks. Also, in the proposed scheme data only has to travel a limited number of hops to reach the mobile sink which helps to improve the energy consumption of the sensor nodes. We have considered various parameters like packet delay, packet loss and throughput for evaluation. Through simulation we show effectiveness of the proposed scheme in terms of congestion avoidance and increased lifetime of the wireless sensor network.


Nature in silico: Virtual screening using validated pharmacophore models identified lichen depsides and depsidones as potential inhibitors of mPGES-1, an emerging target for NSAIDs. Evaluation of the virtual hits in a cell-free assay revealed physodic acid and perlatolic acid as potent inhibitors of mPGES-1 (IC(50) = 0.4 and 0.43 μM, respectively), indicating that these natural products have potential as novel anti-inflammatory agents.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

It was well accepted for many years that ovarian surface epithelium is the origin of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. However, recent molecular and pathologic evidence indicate that high-grade serous carcinomas of the ovary, which are the most common type of epithelial carcinomas, may also arise from the distal part of fallopian tubes or tubal carcinoma implants. Gene expression profiles of tubal epithelium from BRCA mutation carriers resemble those of high-grade serous carcinomas of the ovary, and ovarian carcinomas and tubal intraepithelial carcinomas have identical p53 mutations. Oviductal glycoprotein 1 (Ogp1) is a glycosylated protein found in the epithelial cells in the oviduct. So far, Ogp1 is the only specific tubal marker for the oviduct. Ogp1 promoter-driven SV40 large T-antigen transgenic mice develop tumors in the female reproductive organs. To characterize these tumors, we did immunohistochemical analysis in frozen and paraffin-embedded sections. Mice were sacrificed at 8 weeks old. Macroscopically the cervico-vaginal region and the fallopian tubes were markedly enlarged. Histologically, three distinct abnormal proliferations were observed; (i) epithelial hyperplasia with cytologic atypia in the oviduct (with endometrioid architectural and cytologic features), (ii) leiomyosarcomatous proliferation in the myometrium, and (iii) squamous carcinoma in situ in the cervix with extensive papillary architecture. SV40 was expressed in these tumor sites. The oviduct demonstrated weak and spotty p53 expression. The expression of Ogp1 and Pax8 (a marker of the salpingeal secretory cells) in the oviduct epithelium showed patchy pattern. Ogp1 expression was not associated with cellular atypia, while Pax8 was expressed in normal cells. Expression of DNA replication licensing factor, Mini-chromosome maintenance protein 7(MCM7), was also mixed. MCM7 expression was higher in neoplastic cells, but atypical cells had less MCM7 expression. A serous marker, WT1, and a Mullerian-specific epithelial marker, Pax2, showed lower expressions in Ogp1-SV40 transgenic mouse compared to wild type control mouse. WT1 and Pax2 expression were uniform. In ovarian surface epithelium, there was no malignant transformation and no different expression of these markers in control and Ogp1-SV40 mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Ogp1-SV40 transgenic mouse develops abnormal oviductal, myometrial, and cervical proliferations with no involvement of ovaries. Weak and spotty p53 expression in the oviduct indicates that p53 pre-dysfunction status in non-malignant precursor lesions. These results indicate that Ogp1-SV40 transgenic mouse is a useful model for studies involving fallopian and low genital tract carcinogenesis.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3276.


The linear-leaf sundew has been extirpated from several stations at the southern edge of Its range. Cedarburg Bog 1s believed to harbor the largest of the remaining southern colonies of this species. Drosera linearis has a lower reproductive output at Cedarburg Bog than at other sites, and produces fewer seeds per plant than the three sundew species which share its range. The population studied at Cedarburg Bog declined in population size and reproductive output from 1980 to 1982, and revealed characteristics associated with high rates of local extinction. Populations experienced rapid turnover of individuals, and population size was closely coupled to the size of the previous year's seed crop. Sustained flooding 1n the Marks of the patterned fen further decreased population stability. The species may have persisted at Cedarburg Bog because the patterned fen is sufficiently large to allow the recolonlzation rate to keep pace with the rate of local extinction.


We derive new Bell's inequalities for entangled K(0)K(0) pairs. This requires (1) mutually exclusive setups allowing either K(0) vs K(0) or K(S) vs K(L) detection and (2) the use of kaon regenerators. The inequalities turn out to be significantly violated by quantum mechanics, resulting in interesting tests of local realism at straight phi factories and pp machines.


This paper uses sovereign CDS spread changes and their volatilities as a proxy for the informational efficiency of the sovereign markets and persistency of country risks. Specifically, we apply semi-parametric and parametric methods to the sovereign CDSs of 10 eurozone countries to test the evidence of long memory behavior during the financial crisis. Our analysis reveals that there is no evidence of long memory for the spread changes, which indicates that the price discovery process functions efficiently for sovereign CDS markets even during the crisis. In contrast, both semi-parametric methods and the dual-parametric model imply persistent behavior in the volatility of changes for Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Belgium addressing persistent sovereign uncertainty. We provide evidence of causality from volatility in CDS prices to sovereign risk premiums for these peripheral economies. We furthermore demonstrate the potential spillover effects of spread changes among eurozone countries by estimating dynamic conditional correlations.


Abstract Fluorosis is a major scourge in many countries caused by prolonged consumption of drinking water with high fluoride content found in groundwater resources. Hydroxyapatite (Hap) and its composite forms are excellent biomaterials that recently gained attention as efficient adsorbents, owing to its physical and chemical nature as it can substitute both cationic and anionic complexes present in an aqueous solution in its atomic arrangement. Its biological nature, biocompatibility and biodegradability along with its chemical characteristics such as crystallinity, stability, ion adsorption capability and highly specific catalytic activity make it suitable for a variety of applications especially in water treatment for fluoride removal. This review describes various techniques for synthesis of a wide variety of biogenic, synthetic, composite and modified forms of Hap for application in water defluoridation. Hap derived from natural sources or synthesized using conventional methods, hydrothermal, sol-gel or advanced sonication-cum-precipitation technique varied in terms of its crystallinity, structure, size, etc., which affect the fluoride removal capacity. The advantage and disadvantages of various synthesis methods, process parameters and product characteristics have been compiled, which may help to identify a suitable synthesis method for a desired Hap product for potential application and future perspectives in water treatment.


BACKGROUND
Recently, the leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic has caused heavy damage to the white-flowering horse chestnut in Europe. Among the Aesculus genus, A. pavia L. HBT genotype, characterised by red flowers, showed an atypical resistance towards this pest. Its leaves, shaken in water, originated a dense foam, indicating the presence of saponins, unlike the common horse chestnut tree. The aim was to isolate and identify these leaf saponins and test their possible defensive role against C. ohridella.

RESULTS
Spectroscopic analyses showed that A. pavia HBT genotype leaves contained a mixture of saponins, four of which were based on the same structure as commercial escin saponins, the typical saponin mixture produced by A. hippocastanum and accumulated only within bark and fruit tissues. The mixture showed a repellent effect on C. ohridella moth. The number of mines detected on the leaves of A. hippocastanum plants treated with A. pavia HBT saponins through watering and stem brushing was significantly lower than the control, and in many cases no mines were ever observed.

CONCLUSION
The results showed that the exogenous saponins were translocated from roots/stem to the leaf tissues, and their accumulation seemed to ensure an appreciable degree of protection against the leafminer.


In the present study, anther culture method was used in Anemone coronaria, known as Manisa Tulip in Turkiye, in order to obtain haploid plants. The anthers with uninucleate microspores of the flower buds, collected from an A. coronaria var. coccinea population, were used as explant. In the treatments, two basic tissue culture media (NN and B5) were tested with 4 different auxin concentrations and also 4 different auxin:cytokinin ratios. Anthers were subjected to a chilling pre-treatment for 7 days at +7°C in the dark and then incubated under continuous dark conditions at 25 +1°C. The use of cytokinin together with auxin increased callus induction frequency. It was also found that the treatments with the combinations consisting of both kind of growth regulators in B5 medium showed more successful performance.


This final rule with comment period implements several provisions of section 4002 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508) that affect Medicare payment for inpatient hospital services and that take effect with discharges occurring on or after January 1, 1991. The provisions of section 4002 of Public Law 101-508 affect the following: The standardized amounts, the hospital wage index, rural counties whose hospitals are deemed urban, and hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of low income patients.


The morphologic changes which follow the extirpation of one kidney, and which result in a compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining organ, have been even more extensively studied than the functional disturbances which obtain under such conditions. The following study adds, therefore, but little to our knowledge of the changes involved, but is of interest chiefly in that it correlates these changes with the functional disturbances described in the first section of this paper, and also in that it makes clear the reason for certain discrepancies which are found when the weight of the kidney is taken as a measure of the amount of functioning tissue present in it. As examples of earlier morphologic work two studies may be briefly cited which summarize our knowledge of the subject. Lorenz 1 found that the increase in the size of the remaining kidney was chiefly due to an increase in the volume of the


Industrial agglomeration is a concentration phenomenon of economic activities in cities. In recent years, the geographic and functional structures of industries are constantly changing due to global industrialization and regional urbanization. Thus far, a scarcity of research has investigated spatial-functional organizations of sectoral industries in urbanized megaregions. By using points of interest (POIs) data collected in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), this paper seeks to portray the spatial extent of industrial agglomerations and to label their functional characteristics. A kernel density function is first applied to measure the spatial extent of industrial agglomerations. Next, we explore the industrial functions by implementing a semantic-based information retrieval to label the functional characteristics of industrial agglomerations via words that are tokenized from POI registered names. The empirical results suggest that the concentrations of industrial activities are strongly heterogeneous across different economic sectors, revealing that agglomerations across the GBA can provide a variety types of industrial products and services. Concerning manufacturing industries, the present analysis further confirms the existence of both specialization and diversification agglomerations along with far distinct spatial characteristics. This research supplements empirical evidence and provides novel insights into the geographical and functional organizations of economic activities regarding one of the largest urban megaregions in the world. The implications that are related to megaregional economic collaboration and development are discussed.


Abstract. The dynamic absorption coefficients of several chemically amplified resists (CAR) and non-CAR extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresists are measured experimentally using a specifically developed setup in transmission mode at the x-ray interference lithography beamline of the Swiss Light Source. The absorption coefficient α and the Dill parameters ABC were measured with unprecedented accuracy. In general, the α of resists match very closely with the theoretical value calculated from elemental densities and absorption coefficients, whereas exceptions are observed. In addition, through the direct measurements of the absorption coefficients and dose-to-clear values, we introduce a new figure of merit called chemical sensitivity to account for all the postabsorption chemical reaction ongoing in the resist, which also predicts a quantitative clearing volume and clearing radius, due to the photon absorption in the resist. These parameters may help provide deeper insight into the underlying mechanisms of the EUV concepts of clearing volume and clearing radius, which are then defined and quantitatively calculated.


In this study, we created a new model to determine strain fatigue characteristics obtained from a bending test. The developed model consists of comparing the stress and strain gradient surface ratio for bending and tensile elements. For model verification, seven different materials were examined based on fatigue tests we conducted, or data available in the literature: 30CrNiMo8, 10HNAP, SM45C, 16Mo3 steel, MO58 brass, and 2017A-T4 and 6082-T6 aluminum alloys. As a result, we confirmed that the proposed method can be used to determine strain fatigue characteristics that agree with the values determined on the basis of a tensile compression test.


The intercellular junctions (tight junctions, desmosomes and gasp junctions) of the vomeronasal neuroepithelium of male Wistar rats were investigated by freeze-fracture. Tight junctions were localized apically sealing the intercellular clefts. Tight junctions were composed of 6 to 12 junctional strands arranged in a meshwork. the distance between the most apical and the most basal junctional strand was 430 +/- 90 nm. No proper distinction could be made between receptor-supporting and supporting-supporting cell tight junctions. Besides tight junctions, numerous desmosomes and ga junctions were found. Desmosomes were present on the supporting and receptor cell membranes below the level of the tight junctions. Gap junctions could be seen at the level of the perikarya of the supporting and receptor cells. They were only found on supporting cell membranes.


Asphaltenes are a major problem for oil industry. Their variability in size, structure and polarity presents a challenge to develop formulations that are effective against precipitation and deposition for all types of asphaltenes. Also, changes in production systems, such as the rate of water break through, can also impact the efficiency of dispersants. In this paper sophorolipids, a class of microbial surfactants, that are renewable and biodegradable with low aquatic toxicity, are tested as asphaltene dispersants. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, asphaltenes were extracted from a heavy oil and their solubility and stability were evaluated at different concentrations of n-heptane and water. The behavior under n-heptane concentration sweep was found to be in line with previous experimental works and water did not change that behavior. The sophorolipids were able to inhibit ~100 % of the polar asphaltenes precipitation at low concentrations. Under similar conditions dodecylobenzesulfonic acid, which was used as a benchmark for comparison, did not perform at concentrations up to 1000 ppm either with or without water. The high performance of biosurfactants is attributed to their enhanced dispersing properties for organics such as wax and asphaltenes.