The phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa causes economic losses in important agricultural crops. Xylem vessel occlusion caused by biofilm formation is the major mechanism underlying the pathogenicity of distinct strains of X. fastidiosa. Here, we provide a detailed in vitro characterization of the extracellular proteins of X. fastidiosa. Based on the results, we performed a comparison with a strain J1a12, which cannot induce citrus variegated chlorosis symptoms when inoculated into citrus plants. We then extend this approach to analyze the extracellular proteins of X. fastidiosa in media supplemented with calcium. We verified increases in extracellular proteins concomitant with the days of growth and, consequently, biofilm development (3–30 days). Outer membrane vesicles carrying toxins were identified beginning at 10 days of growth in the 9a5c strain. In addition, a decrease in extracellular proteins in media supplemented with calcium was observed in both strains. Using mass spectrometry, 71 different proteins were identified during 30 days of X. fastidiosa biofilm development, including proteases, quorum-sensing proteins, biofilm formation proteins, hypothetical proteins, phage-related proteins, chaperones, toxins, antitoxins, and extracellular vesicle membrane components.


This paper provides steady-state and transient analysis of the equivalent circuit of the 1 MWh battery tied to the grid for wind integration. It also discusses the installation of a 1 MWh battery system at Reese Technology Center (RTC) in Lubbock, Texas. The research involves deploying energy storage devices for application with wind turbine model to understand the transient behavior of the system under three phase fault conditions. A 1 MW/1 MWh battery storage system at the RTC is connected to the South Plains Electric Cooperative (SPEC) grid. The batteries are used for energy storage and for mitigation of transient conditions grid dynamics. In this paper, the equivalent circuit of the 1 MWh battery is modeled in PSCAD and analyzed for its charge and discharge characteristics under transient fault conditions when it is tied to the grid for wind integration.


To understand the evolution of flowers and mating systems in animal-pollinated plants, we have to directly address the function for which flowers evolved—the movement of pollen from anthers to stigmas. However, despite a long history of making significant advances in our understanding natural selection and evolution, the field of pollination biology has largely studied pollen movement indirectly (e.g., pollen analogues or paternity assignment to seeds) due to a lack of suitable pollen tracking methods. Here, we develop and test a novel pollen-tracking technique using quantum dots as pollen-grain labels. Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals so small in size that they behave like artificial atoms. When exposed to UV light, they emit extremely bright light in a range of different colours. Their photostability, broad excitation range, and customisable binding-li-gands make quantum dots ideal bio-labels. We tested the suitability of CuInSexS2-x/ZnS (core/shell) quantum dots with oleic acid (zinc-oleate complex) ligands as pollen-grain labels. We found that quantum dots attach to pollen grains of four different species even after agitation in a polar solvent, suggesting that the oleic acid ligands on quantum dots bind to pollenkitt surrounding pollen grains. We also showed that most pollen grains within anthers of the same four species are labelled with quantum dots after applying sufficient quantum-dot solution to anthers. To test whether quantum-dot pollen-labels influenced pollen transport, we conducted pollen transfer trials on Sparaxis villosa (Iridaceae) using captively reared honeybees. We found no difference in pollen transport between labelled and unlabelled pollen grains. Our experiments therefore demonstrate the potential for quantum dots to be used as easily applied pollen labels, which allow subsequent tracking of the fates of pollen grains in the field. The ability to track pollen grain movement in situ, may finally allow us to address an historically neglected aspect of plant reproductive ecology and evolution.


A remarkable effect of solvent on the enantioselectivity was observed in the asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of 3-(2-alkenoyl)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones and dienes catalyzed by a chiral titanium reagent, and the Diels–Alder adducts were obtained in high enantioselectivity when alkyl-substituted benzenes were employed as the solvent.


ABSTRACT Light scattering from small anisotropic particles has important interests in the applications of meteorology, oceanography, communication, and nanotechnology. In this paper, the light scattering from uniaxial and biaxial small particles is investigated using the anisotropy formulation based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, although this method has been used to analyse the isotropic particles. The obtained light scattering solutions from the isotropic small particle using the FDTD method are compared with the exact solutions obtained by Mie theory. The effects of the anisotropy and the rotation of optical axes on the light scattering are also investigated. Numerical results show that the distribution of scattered light is strongly affected by the anisotropy of the particles. Therefore, the anisotropy of the scattering particles is an important factor in several applications such as free-space optical communications.


The article presents the methodological approach to a comparative case study in a regional group of countries, comparing a set of public health policies in four European welfare states. The policy problem, fighting the AIDS epidemic, is extremely complex and fast moving. It involves many policy areas as well as important private life dimensions and introduces changes in national as well as sectoral policy making. The results show four distinct policy patterns, but bring together Britain and Germany on the one hand and Italy and France on the other, although France follows a unique path with extensive policy learning and major institutional reforms. They suggest hypotheses on how culture acts in the formation of public policies. The analysis binds together internal case commonalities and the comparative logic.


The purpose of this article is to explore the interaction of two opposing forces. The forces of wealth accumulation in sturring job creation and the force of satisfaction and the "magic number" in causing job destruction are explored." An agent based model is proposed to explore the potentially competing effects of two hypothesized economic forces. The first is "trickle down" economics in which job creation occurs when wealth accumulates. The second is the "magic number" effect in which retirement occurs when wealth accumulates. Also, considered is the so-called "substitution effect" in which less is produced when the tax burden is considered to be too high. The "magic number" agent-based model proposed here is then explored using design of experiments. Three types of experiments were performed to explore (but not validate) the effects of assumed conditions on system gross domestic product (GDP) and tax revenue predicted after 50 years of operations.


Participatory design has its roots in the design of technology systems and artifacts. Over the years the focus of PD has expanded to include the design of physical environments, technology infrastructures, community networks and services, including e-government, medical, and educational services. The particular interest in service design in part is a reflection of the relatively rapid rise in the global service economy. Today nearly two thirds of all economic activity in the developed countries derives from the service sector (e.g., healthcare, education, travel, entertainment) and employment in service industries is growing throughout the world. As products commoditize, businesses expand their service offerings to attract new customers. Organizations, be they commercial, non-profit or governmental, have realized that their success is tied to the ability to design and deliver services that are valued by their clients be they citizens, patients, students or customers.


In recognition of the Silver Jubilee of the Ecclesiastical Law Society and this Journal, the Comment section in this issue is devoted to some personal reminiscences and reflections from two individuals who were very much involved at the time, and who have subsequently made their own distinctive contribution to the Society and the Journal respectively: Bishop Christopher Hill, the current chairman, and Michael Goodman, founder editor of this Journal.


Astronomy is a science that studies the heavens in an effort to understand the underlying principles governing the behaviour of planets, stars, galaxies and the universe in general. The research is both empirical and theoretical in nature since both primary and secondary sources of data were collected and analyzed in writing the paper The results identified the Islamic Universities of Nigeria and their progrmmes of study The results further identified the place of astronomy in one of the Islamic universities ss just a topic among the six topics that comprise the general studies course unit instead of a full pledge programme. Studying Astronomy has relevance to the Islamic universities because an understanding of the discipline is essential for the appreciation of the religion of Islam, Astronomy enables a Muslim to appreciates the oneness of Allah, the knowledge of Astronomy can be used to effectively served Islam, Islam in general invites man to the study and understanding of the universe. Studying Astronomy in the Islamic universities has prospects as it will assist in resolving disputes associated with moon sighting for the months of Ramadan and Shawwal, many students have shown interest in studying Astronomy among others. There are however certain challenges such as funding of the Islamic universities, very expensive instruments and equipments used in Astronomy that should be overcome for astronomy to be among the programmes to be studied in Islamic universities of Nigeria.


OBJECTIVE
The influence of daily accumulated physical activity on blood glucose among older adults with varying obesity patterns is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the blood glucose lowering effect of daily movement is modulated by distribution of adiposity in a community-based sample of older persons.

METHODS
The study sample (N = 743) was mostly women (79.4%) with an average age of 74.5+/-0.3 yr. A question from the Yale Physical Activity Survey was the indicator of lower intensity physical activity. The response, answered in h x d(-1) spent in motion, was divided into tertiles (<3, 3 to <5, and > or = 5 h x d(-1)). Random blood glucose and total blood cholesterol were assessed via finger stick. The body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) delineated the categories of adiposity patterning as follows: nonobese (N = 354), BMI = 23.8+/-0.1 kg x m(-2) and WC = 80.3+/-0.4 cm; noncentral obese (N = 79), BMI = 30.8+/-0.1 kg x m(-2) and WC = 87.5+/-0.4 cm; and central obese (N = 310), BMI = 32.7+/-0.3 kg x m(-2) and WC = 103.3+/-0.5 cm.

RESULTS
After adjusting for age, gender, race, medication use, and postprandial state, blood glucose levels were lower with greater amounts of reported daily movement in the centrally obese, 8.6+/-0.4 mmol x L(-1), 6.6+/-0.4 mmol x L(-1), and 6.3+/-0.4 mmol x L(-1) for <3 h x d(-1), 3 to <5 h x d(-1), and > or = 5 h x d(-1), respectively (P < 0.001). As the centrally obese increased their hours of moving about, their WC was observed to be less, 105.7+/-0.8 cm, 103.4+/-0.8 cm, and 102.9+/-1.0 cm, respectively, independent of age, gender, race, and medication use (P < 0.05). Neither blood glucose nor WC differed between categories of daily movement in the noncentral obese or nonobese.

CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that daily accumulated, lower intensity physical activity is advantageous for abdominal fat distribution and blood glucose among viscerally obese older adults.


A method is presented for detecting self-similar patterns. A version of conditional distribution is introduced to self-similar patterns for representing computable morphological feature. The morphological feature associated with accurately observed attractor is proved to yield a subset that is invariant with respect to self-similarity mapping. The invariant feature is demonstrated to activate an imaging process for generating proximately located attractor. An algorithm was developed for computing invariant feature and verified through simulation study.


Web site owners have trouble identifying customer purchasing patterns from their Web logs because the two aren't directly related. Thus, organizations must understand their customers' behavior, preferences, and future needs. This imperative leads many companies to develop a great many e-service systems for data collection and analysis. Web mining is a popular technique for analyzing visitor activities in e-service systems. It mainly includes Web text mining, Web structure mining and Web log mining. Our Web log mining approach classifies a particular site's visitors into different groups on the basis of their purchase interest.


The spread of online communication technologies has brought with it new perspectives on international communication. Now, with the Internet, email, and application service providers, interacting with coworkers an entire hemisphere away can be almost as easy as interacting with coworkers in the same building. As a result of the "leveling of distance" created by online communication technologies, new kinds of international business models have been proposed; models that attempt to reduce production costs while maintaining product quality. However, some of these models fail to account for cultural differences that could cause communication problems in international online exchanges. The article examines how one particular international online production model, production facilities that never close, could encounter cultural communication problems if participants involved were not aware of certain cultural communication expectations, specifically those related to the cultural concept of "face".


The importance of ion pairing in different fields of chemistry is widely recognized. In this work, we have synthesized a set of cationic p-cymene ruthenium complexes of general formula [(p-cym)Ru(L')(κ2-O^N-L)]X (p-cym = p-cymene; L' = N-methylimidazole (MeIm), N-ethylpiperidylimidazole (EpipIm), 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA); L = 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenolato (L1), 2-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)phenolato (L2); X = Cl-, BF4-, OTf-, BPh4-). X-ray diffraction studies on selected complexes revealed relatively strong anion-cation interactions in the solid state mainly based on N-H···X (X = Cl, F, O) and C-H···π interactions, also observed in the DFT-modeled complexes in the gas phase. Moreover, NMR studies showed that they exist as intimate ion pairs in solution and, remarkably, as head-to-tail quadruples in the particular case of the cation [(p-cym)Ru(MeIm)(κ2- O^N-L1)]+ ([1]+) with Cl- and BPh4- as counteranions. Furthermore, a value of ΔG = -2.9 kcal mol-1 at 299 K has been estimated for the equilibrium {[1]BPh4···[1]BPh4} ⇆ 2{[1]+···BPh4-} in concentrated CDCl3 solutions. In addition, preliminary studies concerning the cytotoxic properties against HeLa cell lines of the derivatives suggested a positive effect derived from the presence of the lipophilic BPh4- anion and also from the NH group of the benzimidazolyl fragment.


A wide-band apparatus for contactless measurement of small changes in photoinduced carrier population is described. Since for some phenomena the signals of interest have very low amplitude, and since the generator supplying energy for the measurement is an oscillator loosely coupled electromagnetically to the semiconductor, very-low-noise circuitry is required. Further, sensitivity to minute conductivity changes is enhanced when the oscillation amplitude is made directly proportional to the figure of merit, Q, of the coupled oscillator resonant parallel inductance-capacitance (LC) tank. The circuit to approximate the desired dependence, amplitude = kQ, contains only two field-effect transistors and is basically an oscillator supplied by a constant current rather than by a constant voltage source. Its operation is analyzed via modeling that specifies the output signal as a function of device and circuit parameters; excellent correspondence with empirical data is shown. The oscillator also operates as an infinite impedance detector of its own amplitude; this amplitude is shown to be linearly dependent on carrier concentration over significant ranges. Thus, the oscillator steady-state and transient responses may be directly related to wafer conductivity, induced carrier amplitude, and lifetime. The described apparatus is sensitive to carrier concentration changes of less than 10 1 1 electrons or holes per cubic centimetre of silicon and will provide measurement of lifetimes from a microsecond to several seconds.


Background: Patients attend the Pain Clinic with varieties of complains of pain, like low back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, headache, facial pain, different neuralgias and other neuropathic pain states. They receive a multimodal treatment for their pain, Multimodal pain therapy is an integrated multidisciplinary treatment in small groups with a closely coordinated therapeutic approach. Drugs that are prescribed for treatment are not only NSAIDS or Opioids, but also various groups of adjuvant pain medications like anti-epileptics, antidepressants etc. Aim: To find out the drug utilization pattern in the Pain Clinic of a tertiary care medical college hospital in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional; unicentric study was conducted in the Pain Clinic during April 2013 to June 2013. New patients who were willing to participate in the study were enrolled as per selection criteria. A copy of prescriptions were collected from the patients. The drugs prescription patterns were analyzed. Result: 319 patients were included in this study in three months period and their prescriptions were analyzed. Female patients (222) were more in number than male (97). As single prescription and also as combination therapy, paracetamol was found to be the most frequently prescribed drug. Frequently used adjuvant pain medications were found to be pregabalin (21.63%) and amitriptyline (16.92%.). Antacid was commonly prescribed as gastroprotective agent. Among drug combinations paracetamol (325 mg) + tramadol (37.5 mg) combination was used most frequently. (55.17%). Conclusion: In this uncentric study we found that patacetamol, tramadol, pregabalin and amitriptyline are the commonly used medications in a pain clinic. We need more multi-centric and comparative Indian studies.


The goal of multi-object tracking (MOT) is detecting and tracking all the objects in a scene, while keeping a unique identifier for each object. In this paper, we present a new robust state-of-the-art tracker, which can combine the advantages of motion and appearance information, along with camera-motion compensation, and a more accurate Kalman filter state vector. Our new trackers BoT-SORT, and BoT-SORT-ReID rank first in the datasets of MOTChallenge [29, 11] on both MOT17 and MOT20 test sets, in terms of all the main MOT metrics: MOTA, IDF1, and HOTA. For MOT17: 80.5 MOTA, 80.2 IDF1, and 65.0 HOTA are achieved. The source code and the pre-trained models are available at https://github.com/NirAharon/BOT-SORT


CONTEXT
Effective recruitment and retention of professional nurses is a survival strategy for health care facilities, especially in rural areas.

PURPOSE
This study examines the use of the Individual Workload Perception Scale to measure nurse satisfaction by a small rural hospital in order to make positive changes in the work environment for nurses.

METHODS
Baseline work environment perceptions of nurses employed in a rural Kentucky hospital were assessed using the Individual Workload Perception Scale, a validated 38-item instrument. Nurses reviewed the results and brainstormed on potential interventions to address areas of concern. The 4 interventions selected for implementation by the nursing staff included (1) implementation of a shared decision making or governance model; (2) enhanced role of licensed practical nurses within the organization; (3) augmentation of administrative support on night and weekend shifts; and (4) utilization of wireless communication devices. After implementation of the interventions, staff nurse perceptions were reassessed using the same tool.

FINDINGS
The follow-up survey revealed improvements in all areas measured by the Individual Workload Perception Scale, with the greatest improvement in the perception of the work environment noted among night nurses. The increase in positive work environment perception among these nurses, with greater than or equal to 11 years of professional experience, was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS
Tools exist to support the development and evaluation of interventions to improve the work environment for nurses practicing in rural health care settings. By addressing issues of specific concern, both job satisfaction and retention of this talented pool of professionals can be enhanced.


Social Mood is one factor that affects people's emotions and their perspectives in risk management, which, in turn, influence their final decisions on actual investments. It is believed that women, in general, are more risk aversive (e.g., Bajtelsmit, Bernasek, & Jianakopdos, 1999), more pessimistic (e.g., Jacobsen, Lee, & Marquering, 2008), and have less investment confidence than men (Barber & Odean, 2001). In this study the optimism level of women and men was investigated and compared using data from Yahoo Kimo Taiwan's Business News Poll Centre. It was found that women were more pessimistic than were men when social mood was negative; when social mood was positive, women's optimism level varied depending on whether or not the investment was stock-related.


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We present new spectroscopic and photometric data of the Type Ibn supernovae 2006jc, 2000er and 2002ao. We discuss the general properties of this recently proposed supernova family, which also includes SN 1999cq. The early-time monitoring of SN 2000er traces the evolution of this class of objects during the first few days after the shock breakout. An overall similarity in the photometric and spectroscopic evolution is found among the members of this group, which would be unexpected if the energy in these core-collapse events was dominated by the interaction between supernova ejecta and circumstellar medium. Type Ibn supernovae appear to be rather normal Type Ib/c supernova explosions which occur within a He-rich circumstellar environment. SNe Ibn are therefore likely produced by the explosion of Wolf–Rayet progenitors still embedded in the He-rich material lost by the star in recent mass-loss
episodes, which resemble known luminous blue variable eruptions. The evolved Wolf–Rayet star could either result from the evolution of a very massive star or be the more evolved member of a massive binary system.We also suggest that there are a number of arguments in favour of a Type Ibn classification for the historical SN 1885A (S-Andromedae), previously considered as an anomalous Type Ia event with some resemblance to SN 1991bg.


Following the election of Donald J. Trump on November 8, 2016, questions have been raised as to whether and how a new President's administration can amend or repeal regulations issued by the previous administration. In short, once a rule has been finalized, a new administration would be required to undergo the rulemaking process to change or repeal all or part of the rule. If a rule has not yet been finalized, however, a new President may be able, immediately upon taking office, to prevent the rule from being issued. In addition to these administrative actions, Congress can also take legislative action to overturn rules.


To measure the working band of a digital attenuator automatically,a program based on virtual instrument was carried out,using Agilent E8362B network analyzer as its measuring tool.In the program,the attenuation values can be automatically written into Excel table to form the frequency-attenuation curve.Finally,through analyzing the attenuation in different frequency,the best working band of the digital attenuator can be determined easily,and the whole process is automated.Compared with the traditional way of changing the measured parameters manually and recording the measured data one by one,the developed method in the paper can avoid the cumbersome manual operation and its possible errors to improve the measurement accuracy and efficiency.


Virtual reality technology is a newly-developed technical means to achieve human-computer interaction, assisted by computer and the latest sensing technology. Based on virtual reality technology, mining parameters and geological conditions are digitized and fed into VR system via human-computer interaction, and the scenes of mining subsidence, damage towards ground buildings and geohazards can be created instantaneously. Meanwhile, actual mining subsidence and geohazards are learned by virtual reality system which is then able to carry out risk forecasts. This has provided valuable information for safety of operation and optimum system design of mines. Two vital techniques in virtual reality technology were addressed in this paper: virtual scene modeling and virtual scene driving.


French consumer acceptability of Akpan, a traditional Beninse yoghurt-like product, was carried out in Montpellier, France. A sort of "All in one" method was used comprising an hedonic scoring (appearance, odour, taste, texture and overall liking using a 9-point scale, but also sweetness and acidity using a JAR scale), a Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) question with 25 sensory and 6 perceptions descriptors, and a questionnaire on the views about the product with some socio-demographic information. Four Akpan products were tested by 104 consumers: Natural Akpan AN, and Natural Akpan added with three ingredients (sugar AS; condensed milk AM; condensed milk and sugar AMS). The overall acceptability of Akpan products significantly differed. Only Akpans added with sugar were on average acceptance (mean score around 5-6) but found too sweet by most of consumers. The two others, with no sugar added, were the least liked, with a mean score lower than 5. Acidity was perceived differently by the consumers depending of the products and their sensibility. Three groups of consumers were identified: the Akpan dislikers (25%), the sweet Akpan likers (32%) and Natural Akpan dislikers (44%). Through a MFA analysis of CATA results, AN was described as tasteless, watery, mealy, sour, with fermented taste, pasty consistency, neutral odour and was associated to bitter, astringent and rough perceptions. AMS was related to cereal and yoghurt taste, creamy consistency, milk odour, smooth appearance and to nutritious perception. AS was related to Bulgarian yoghurt appearance, citrus or floral taste and odour, homogenous consistency and, to artificial perception. AM was related to compact appearance, cereal and fermented odour, milk taste, and to natural perception. Sensory terms were found close to perception terms in MFA plan and both were highly correlated to overall acceptance. Most of the consumers disliked by the Akpan products and would not buy them (86%). For the least liked product, 44% of consumers would like to change everything except colour. For the most liked product, 37% would like to change odour, taste and texture. 42% thought that Akpan could not replace any product they know well and 36% thought that it could replace soy yoghurt. 30% of the respondents could buy this product for intolerance to dairies and pleasure and 60% for all the reasons except pleasure and diet. (Resume d'auteur)


– The aim of our paper is to present the development proses of a locking mechanism that may act as each a hinge and a lock, compresses the gaskets between the panel and the door at least 6 mm, helps to supply controlled air outlet and will increase the protection level. Thanks to the compression feature of the product, the novel designed mechanism could be tightened the cabinet by the cabinet gaskets. It provides IP65 sealing standard requirements. Thus, it can be used in outdoor environments in safe. Since this mechanism be developed more, it can be used in ventilation, generator, and plenty of different sectors. It has a high potential to lead to new applications and R&D studies in numerous technology fields.


The role and contribution of biological control to hunger and poverty alleviation, and protection of biodiversity are discussed in context of the global development agenda. These linked themes are projected to continue occupying the global development agenda for the foreseeable future. Hunger and poverty alleviation efforts have frequently focused on improving agricultural production inter alia with a view to provide adequate but safe food to meet local and export demands especially to northern markets. Such markets have increasingly put stringent requirements on imported food including minimum acceptable pesticide residue levels. Recent years have also seen a rise in demand for organic food, providing more opportunities for export of tropical produce. Implicit in these trends has been the growing need for ecological crop management. From this context, it is inferred that there is a demand for biological control as a tool to manage the large number of native and alien pests. Another area for application of biological control is the management of invasive alien species (IAS) in the context of biodiversity conservation, under article 8h of the Convention on Biological Diversity. An assessment of the trends in biological control research and application suggest that there has been little growth despite increased opportunities and challenges.


The development of an all-inorganic lead-free perovskite nanocrystal is of crucial importance to solve the instability and lead toxicity of organic-inorganic lead hybrid perovskites. Herein, single-layered Cs4CuSb2Cl12 nanocrystals (NCs) with a narrow band gap of 1.6 eV were prepared for the first time via an ultrasonic exfoliation technique. This powerful top-down method was further generalized to synthesize a class of lead-free perovskite (Cs3Bi2X9 and Cs3Sb2X9) NCs. The experimental and theoretical studies revealed that not only inter-layer van der Waals forces but also in-plane chemical bonds played a critical role in the exfoliation process. Specifically, smaller uniform-sized NCs were observed for Cs4CuSb2Cl12 (∼3 nm) as compared to those for Cs3Sb2Cl9 (∼20 nm) although both Cs4CuSb2Cl12 and Cs3Sb2Cl9 exhibited a similar exfoliation energy (∼0.310 J m-2). This can be ascribed to the weaker in-plane chemical bonds of Cu-Cl (2.808 Å) and Sb-Cl (2.924 Å) in Cs4CuSb2Cl12 than the uniform Cl-Sb bond (2.69 Å) in Cs3Sb2Cl9 that allow for an easier exfoliation process. In addition, exfoliation of the Cs4CuSb2Cl12 microcrystal into NCs results in an indirect-to-direct bandgap transition and a reduced electron effective mass, which provides a rapid and steady photoelectrochemical response, demonstrating that Cs4CuSb2Cl12 NCs are a promising candidate for optoelectronic applications.


Vascular responses to changes in Paco2 are used widely to estimate cerebral perfusion reserve, and they can also be used to assess the degree of arteriosclerosis. In the present study, the effect of aging on cerebral vascular responses to both hypercapnia and hypocapnia was investigated. Cerebral blood flow was measured with positron emission tomography at rest, during hypercapnia, and during hypocapnia in 11 young men and 12 older men. The vascular response to change in Paco2 was calculated as the percent change in cerebral blood flow per absolute change in Paco2 in response to hypercapnia and hypocapnia. The total vascular response to change in Paco2 from hypocapnia to hypercapnia was also calculated. To evaluate age-related changes in regional cerebral vascular responses on a pixel-by-pixel basis, an anatomic standardization technique was also used. Although no significant differences between young and old subjects was observed for vascular responses to both hypercapnia and hypocapnia, a significant decrease in total vascular response was observed with aging, indicating progression of sclerotic changes in the cerebral perforating and medullary arteries with normal aging. According to anatomic standardization analysis, relative capacities for vasodilatation in the cerebellum and insular cortex, and relative capacity for vasoconstriction in the frontal cortex were greater in the younger subjects. Such aging effects should be considered when estimating cerebral perfusion reserve.


The application of stochastic automata to adaptive parameter optimization problems is considered. The fundamental problem is that of relating the concepts of automata theory and mathematical psychology learning theory to the usual notion of a performance index in a control system. Consideration is given to a number of possible automata structures, linear and nonlinear. One particular linear model is derived with optimal rather than expedient properties of convergence. A basic feature of this model is that it is based on a system response set of rewards and inactions, the latter being substituted for the more common penalty responses. This choice of response set is directly related to the achievement of the desired behavior. Simulations are described for the maximization of multimodal performance functions intentionally constructed to demonstrate the use of the method in situations where relative extrema occur. An example is also given of the automaton as a direct adaptive controller for a third order control system.


This paper proposes a new loss function for adversarial training. Since adversarial training has difficulties, e.g., necessity of high model capacity, focusing on important data points by weighting cross-entropy loss has attracted much attention. However, they are vulnerable to sophisticated attacks, e.g., Auto-Attack. This paper experimentally reveals that the cause of their vulnerability is their small margins between logits for the true label and the other labels. Since neural networks classify the data points based on the logits, logit margins should be large enough to avoid flipping the largest logit by the attacks. Importance-aware methods do not increase logit margins of important samples but decrease those of less-important samples compared with cross-entropy loss. To increase logit margins of important samples, we propose switching one-vs-the-rest loss (SOVR), which switches from cross-entropy to one-vs-the-rest loss for important samples that have small logit margins. We prove that one-vs-the-rest loss increases logit margins two times larger than the weighted cross-entropy loss for a simple problem. We experimentally confirm that SOVR increases logit margins of important samples unlike existing methods and achieves better robustness against Auto-Attack than importance-aware methods.


UNLABELLED
SUMMARY Taxonomy: Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is a member of genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae. ZYMV is a positive-strand RNA virus. Physical properties: Virions are flexuous filaments of 680-730 nm in length and 11-13 nm in diameter, composed of about 2000 subunits of a single 31-kDa protein (calculated). The genome RNA size is 9.6 kb covalently linked to a viral-encoded protein (the VPg) at the 5' end, and with a 3' poly A tail. The 5' end of the sequence is AU-rich (69%). Viral proteins: The genome is expressed as a polyprotein cleaved by three viral proteases and processed into ten putative mature proteins. The structural coat protein is processed from the carboxyl terminus of the polyprotein and is highly immunogenic. Host and symptoms: Natural and experimental infection has been reported mainly in the Cucurbitaceae. Experimental local lesion hosts include Chenopodium amaranticolour, C. quinoa and Gomphrena globosa. Some ZYMV strains cause symptomless infection as in Ranunculus sardous, Nicotiana benthamiana and Sesamum indicum. ZYMV causes stunting and major foliar deformation with dark green blisters and mosaics in cucurbit hosts, eventually developing a filamentous leaf phenotype. In general, symptoms are severe on cucurbit hosts and cause dramatic reductions in yields due to severe fruit deformation. The virus is present in all the plant tissues at relatively high concentrations (c. 0.1 mg/mL of purified virus per 1 g fresh leaf tissue). The most suitable species for maintenance and purification is Cucurbita pepo.

TRANSMISSION
ZYMV is efficiently transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner. The coat protein (CP) and the helper component-protease (HC-Pro) are required for aphid transmission, through the CP DAG motif and the HC-Pro KLSC and PTK motifs. Mechanical transmission is efficient both in the laboratory and naturally. Economic importance: ZYMV disease is a major constraint in the production of cucurbits world-wide. The virus can cause massive damage (to total loss) to cucurbit crops, and prevents the growth of some cucurbit crops in certain areas. Control of ZYMV requires the integration of conventional resistance and transgenic breeding along with cross-protection technologies.


In this paper, we present a comparative study of two different dual-band high impedance surfaces (HIS) to be used as ground planes. These structures are designed to behave as a magnetic conductor surface for global positioning system (GPS) standard frequencies L1 (1575 MHz) and L2 (1227 MHz). Each of the two surfaces is characterized by performing parametric studies of its unit cell. The studies were carried out using CST Microwave Studio Simulation software. The results show that the two-layer cell gives the best bandwidth for high and low frequency bands.


This book provides an overview of electronic and optical properties of graphite-related systems. It presents a well-developed and up-to-date theoretical model and addresses important advances in essential properties and diverse quantization phenomena. Key features include various Hamiltonian models, dimension-enriched carbon-related systems, complete and unusual results, detailed comparisons with the experimental measurements, clear physical pictures, and further generalizations to other emergent 2D materials. It also covers potential applications, such as touch-screen panel devices, FETs, supercapacitors, sensors, LEDs, solar cells, photodetectors, and photomodulators.


Environmental epidemiology studies aim to understand the impact of mixed exposures on health outcomes while adjusting for covariates. However, traditional statistical methods make simplistic assumptions that may not be applicable to public policy decisions. Researchers are ultimately interested in answering causal questions, such as the impact of reducing toxic chemical exposures on adverse health outcomes like cancer. For example, in the case of PFAS, a class of chemicals measured simultaneously in blood samples, identifying the shifts that result in the greatest reduction in thyroid cancer rates can help more directly inform policy decisions on PFAS. In mixtures, nonlinear and non-additive relationships call for new statistical methods to estimate such modified exposure policies. To address these limitations, the open-source SuperNOVA package has been developed to use data-adaptive machine learning methods for identifying variable sets that have the most explanatory power on an outcome of interest. This package applies non-parametric definitions of interaction and effect modification to these variable sets in a mixed exposure, enabling researchers to explore modified treatment policies using stochastic interventions and answer causal questions. The SuperNOVA software implements the data-adaptive discovery of variable sets and estimation using optimal estimators for stochastic interventions described in our paper "Semi-Parametric Identification and Estimation of Interaction and Effect Modification in Mixed Exposures using Stochastic Interventions"


Abstract : The Joint Army/Navy Rotorcraft Analysis and Design (JANRAD) computer program was developed at the Naval Postgraduate School to perform performance, stability and control, and rotor dynamics analysis during preliminary helicopter design efforts. This thesis is the continuation of a previous work in which a Graphical User Interface (GUI) was developed and implemented as the front end of the NPS program. Due to the complexity of the GUI design, only the Performance module of JANRAD was completed by the prior student. This thesis expands the capabilities of the Performance module, and the JANRAD code, by adding graphical output of performance results, improved rotor sizing capabilities, resources for user defined blade elements and non-linear blade twist, airfoil meshing capabilities, and additional reference airfoil data corrected for compressibility effects. It contains the basic architecture for the Stability and Control module GUI. Additionally, utilizing actual UH-60A Black Hawk airfoil and test flight data as inputs, JANRAD version 5.0 was run to validate its output with the test flight results, and those produced in a prior thesis by JANRAD version 3.1 (1995). Excellent agreement was demonstrated in all flight regimes. Utilizing airfoil data corrected for compressibility effects, high altitude runs resulted in much better correlation with test flight results than those experienced in 1995 using uncorrected airfoil data. A JANRAD Users Guide was updated and is included in Appendix A.


PURPOSES : As a research to develop a cement treated base course for an airport pavement which can enhance its drainage, this paper investigated the strength, infiltration performance and durability of the pervious concrete with respect to maximum coarse aggregate sizes and compaction methods. METHODS : This study measured compressive strength, infiltration rate, continuous porosity and freeze-thaw resistance of pervious concrete specimens, which were fabricated with five different compaction methods and different maximum aggregate sizes. In addition, in order to reduce the usage of Portland cement content and to enhance environment-friendliness, a portion of the cement was replaced with Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS). RESULTS: Compressive strength requirement, 5 MPa at 7 days, was met for all applied compaction methods and aggregate sizes, except for the case of self-compaction. Infiltration rate became increased as the size of aggregate increased. The measured continuous porosities varied with the different compaction methods but the variation was not significant. When GGBS was incorporated, the strength requirement was successfully satisfied and the resistance to freezing-thawing was also superior to the required limit. CONCLUSIONS: The infiltration rate increased as the maximum size of aggregate increased but considering construct ability and supply of course aggregate, its size is recommended to be 25mm. With the suggested mix proportions, the developed pervious concrete is expected to successfully meet requirements for strength, drainage and durability for cement treated base or subbase course of an airport pavement.


Dynamic modeling and controller design for a flexible four-bar mechanism is studied. The fully coupled nonlinear equations of motion are obtained through a constrained Lagrangian approach. Resulting differential-algebraic equations are solved numerically to obtain the system response. A linearized dynamic model is developed which facilitates design of various controllers. The fully coupled nature of the governing equations facilitates control of elastic motion through the input link alone. A simple PD and a robust μ-synthesis controller are shown to be efficient in suppressing the vibrations of the flexible link as well as controlling the rigid body motion.


Many contract lawyers seem to consider the rules assigning liability for fraudulent - and sometimes even negligent - misrepresentation in contract formation to be among the few mandatory rules of the contracting game. This article challenges that assumption. There are both moral and economic objections to allowing individuals to contract out of liability for fraud. However, few judges or lawyers seem to recognize that those objections usually do not apply when parties have negotiated their agreement through agents rather than by bargaining face-to-face. This article explores both the moral and economic ramifications of enforcing disclaimers of liability for fraud in a variety of contexts. The analysis suggests that sophisticated parties should routinely be allowed to disclaim liability for their agents' pre contractual misrepresentations, whether fraudulent or not. Individuals however, should not be permitted to contract out of liability for their own fraud. These conclusions are potentially significant because the relevant legal rules affect a large number of transactions and the case law is divided. This article is also significant from a theoretical perspective because it emphasizes the importance of adapting the rules of contract law to reflect modern commercial reality in which face-to-face bargaining is the exception rather than the rule.


Heavy duty rotating equipment, like turbines and fans, frequently fail, sometimes with catastrophic consequences. Permanent improvement in material properties, manufacturing technology and inspection, supported by sophisticated testing instruments and strict requirements in regulations and codes significantly reduced the failures, but they still occur. Vibrodiagnostics significantly helps to avoid failures, enabling to continuously monitor the vibration behaviour during operation, not only periodically, during breaks, and the analysis to ensure safe and reliable service. Rotating equipment is in continuous operation, so damages and failures can occur instantaneously, if the amplitude increases above a limited value. Continuous monitoring has to be performed on selected critical locations in the system. With developed electronics, computers and software, the system can be switched off in a critical situation. The design and capacity of a recently developed portable device MICROMON for vibrodiagnostics at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and its inservice application are presented in this paper. Kljucne reci • otkaz • obrtna oprema • vibrodijagnostika • inspekcija


Highly productive kelps release abundant particulate organic matter into the nearshore environment due to their constant fragmentation and erosion by ocean waves. The contribution of kelp detritus to coastal planktonic food webs has not previously been examined. Here, we demonstrate that detritus derived from a dominant kelp in the Northeast Pacific, Nereocystis luetkeana, provides high‐quality food for planktonic sea urchin larvae. Our findings challenge the paradigm that phytoplankton are the main diet for zooplankton in nearshore regions, with implications for modeling of ocean production. Furthermore, at the benthic adult stage, sea urchins can destructively graze kelps causing the kelp ecosystem to collapse; hence, our results have implications for understanding feedback mechanisms that may determine the resilience of kelp ecosystems.


A stable graphene (GR)/CdS:Mn photocatalyst was synthesized through a simple and straightforward one-pot hydrothermal method, and it exhibited enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) response to glutathione. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. It showed efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers and low photo-corrosion. The doped Mn2+ effectively improved the band structure of CdS. Meanwhile, the introduced GR greatly enhanced and facilitated visible light absorption as well as electron transport. The GR/CdS:Mn based PEC sensor displayed more sensitive photocurrent response to glutathione than the pure CdS, CdS:Mn and GR/CdS based sensors. Furthermore, the response of the sensor was rapid and stable. The details of the additions and specific effects of each component were discussed. Under the optimized conditions, it presented wide detection range of 0.01 μM to 100 μM, low detection limit, as well as good reproducibility. The sensor could be applied to the determination of glutathione in tomato and ketchup samples.


Purpose This study examines health perceptions, self and body image, physical exercise and nutrition among undergraduate students. Methods A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to more than 1500 students at a large academic institute in Israel. The study population was heterogenic in both gender and fields of academic study. Results High correlations between health perceptions, appropriate nutrition, and positive self and body image were found. The relationships between these variables differed between the subpopulation in the sample and the different genders. Engagement in physical exercise contributed to positive body image and positive health perceptions more than engagement in healthy nutrition. Nutrition students reported higher frequencies of positive health perceptions, positive self and body image and higher engagement in physical exercise in comparison to all other students in the sample. Conclusions This study suggests, as have many before, that successful health promotion policy should reflect a collectivist rather than an individualist ethos by providing health prerequisites through a public policy of health-promotion, where the academic settings support a healthy lifestyle policy, by increasing availability of a healthy, nutritious and varied menu in the cafeterias, and offering students various activities that enhance healthy eating and exercise. Implications and contribution This study examined health perceptions, self-image, physical exercise and nutrition among undergraduate students and found high correlations between these topics. Nutrition students reported higher frequencies of positive health perceptions, and positive self and body image and engaged more in physical exercise when compared with all other students in the sample.


Abstract Epicoccum nigrum is a saprophytic or endophytic fungus that is found worldwide. Because of the antagonist effects of E. nigrum on many plant pathogens, current studies on E. nigrum have focused on the development of biological control agents and the utilization of its various metabolites. In this study, E. nigrum was collected from a wheat field, and its genetic diversity was analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses identified 63 isolates of E. nigrum divided into seven groups, indicating a wide genetic diversity. Isolates antagonized the wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum, and reduced disease symptoms caused by F. graminearum in wheat coleoptiles. Moreover, pretreatment of wheat coleoptiles with E. nigrum induced the upregulation of pathogen-related (PR) genes, PR1, PR2, PR3, PR5, PR9, and PR10 in wheat coleoptiles responding to F. graminearum invasion. Overall, this study indicates that E. nigrum isolates can be used as biological pathogen inhibitors applied in wheat fields.


Plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and adrenomedullin (ADM), two opposingly acting peptides, correlate with mortality in endotoxemia, but their measurement is cumbersome. New sandwich assays have been introduced that measure more stable precursor fragments. The objective of this study was to investigate the counterplay of their precursor peptides in septic patients and to compare them with disease severity and other biomarkers. Blood samples of an observational study in 95 consecutive critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were analyzed. CT-proET-1 and MR-proADM concentrations on admission were measured using new sandwich immunoassays. Depending on the clinical severity of the infection, both CT-proET-1 and MR-proADM levels exhibited a gradual increase from Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) to sepsis and septic shock (p < .001). Compared to the group of survivors, the group of non-survivors had higher median values of MR-proADM (5.7 nmol/L [range 0.4 to 21.0] versus 1.9 nmol/L [range 0.3 to 17.1], p < .02) and similar CT-proET-1 levels (56.0pmol/L [range 0.5 to 271.0] versus 54.1pmol/L [range 1.0 to 506.0], p = .86). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed a higher prognostic accuracy of the calculated ratio of both counteracting substances as compared to CT-proET-1 (p = 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = .001) and in the range of MR-proADM (p = .51), procalcitonin (p = 0.22), and the APACHE II score (p = .61). Endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin precursor peptides gradually increase with increasing severities of infection in critically ill patients. The ratio of the two counteracting peptides correlates with mortality and shows aprognostic accuracy to predict adverse outcome comparable to the APACHE II score.


Summary form only given. With the arrival of the new computing paradigm in addressing autonomous systems for heterogeneous distributed architectures, distributed component technologies face challenges ahead. One of the key issues is how one can have component models adapt and respond to environment changes autonomously. We argue that additional annotation specifications for components are needed to advance this process. We first present additional annotation specifications for components. This information can then be retrieved by Java introspection and represented in DAML+OIL language, which is based on the RDF schema and the XML syntax. Based on the specifications, we then present a component management service (CMS) model and architecture to address the specification and composition issues of components on heterogeneous distributed architectures. Experimental results show significant performance improvements with our support of component adaptations in all cases. Our work presents a major advance for areas related to specifications and compositions of distributed components.


PURPOSE
Due to the complexity of the upper motor neuron syndrome, functional improvement in the paretic upper limb after stroke continues to be a challenge in neurorehabilitation. Robot-assisted training has been shown to be useful in relearning gait. In order to achieve similar results in the upper limb, an electromechanical arm robot (ARMOR), capable of moving all joints through complex patterns, has been developed.

MATERIAL AND METHOD
Eight patients following stroke of different etiologies were included in a clinical AB-BA cross-over study comparing ARMOR training with EMG-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (EMG-NMES). Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment, modified Ashworth Scale, goniometry (Neutral-0-Method), dynamometry and Functional Dexterity Test served as outcome measures.

RESULTS
ARMOR training resulted in more improvement of muscle tone (p = 0.004), range of movement (ROM) (p = 0.005) and dexterity, but less improvement of strength, than EMG-NMES. Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment showed improvement of at least one point in shoulder pain and arm and hand activity during ARMOR training, while these values did not change with EMG-NMS. Better results of ARMOR training were achieved in the earlier phase (A1) than in the later phase (A2).

CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates the positive effect of automatised training with a new electromechanical arm robot (ARMOR), and documents its clinical applicability in the rehabilitation of the paretic upper extremity in stroke patients.


The cell wall (CW) is a dynamic structure extensively remodeled during plant growth and under stress conditions, however little is known about its roles during the immune system priming, especially in crops. In order to shed light on such a process, we used the Phaseolus vulgaris-Pseudomonas syringae (Pph) pathosystem and the immune priming capacity of 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA). In the first instance we confirmed that INA-pretreated plants were more resistant to Pph, which was in line with the enhanced production of H2O2 of the primed plants after elicitation with the peptide flg22. Thereafter, CWs from plants subjected to the different treatments (non- or Pph-inoculated on non- or INA-pretreated plants) were isolated to study their composition and properties. As a result, the Pph inoculation modified the bean CW to some extent, mostly the pectic component, but the CW was as vulnerable to enzymatic hydrolysis as in the case of non-inoculated plants. By contrast, the INA priming triggered a pronounced CW remodeling, both on the cellulosic and non-cellulosic polysaccharides, and CW proteins, which resulted in a CW that was more resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis. In conclusion, the increased bean resistance against Pph produced by INA priming can be explained, at least partially, by a drastic CW remodeling.


This case is fictitious but draws upon facts from actual occurrences. It requires students to apply auditing concepts and professional standards in an international setting. An affiliate of a U.S. accounting firm, Loxon Shanghai CPA Ltd., has received a request from the SEC for the audit workpapers of one of their Chinese clients, Great Lead Software. If Loxon complies with the SEC, it may violate Chinese State Secrecy Laws. After revelations of fraud by Great Lead Software surface, Loxon's decision regarding the workpapers becomes more perilous. The case provides an opportunity for students to achieve multiple learning objectives, including identify audit deficiencies in a globalized setting, identify auditor's responsibility in the United States versus China, describe the benefits of International Standards on Auditing, describe how culture may affect financial reporting systems including transparency and regulatory issues, and identify potential conflicts between U.S. regulatory requirements and the Chinese state secrets laws.


The paper deals with an influence of a cyclic degradation process on changes of a shear tensile strength of single lap-shear adhesive bonds and their elongation according to ČSN EN ISO 9142. Five one-component structural adhesives used in a construction of car body works were used within the research. The degradation of adhesive bonds is a significant factor which influences a quality and a service life of adhesive bonds exposed to environment. A main requirement in production companies is not only reaching satisfactory initial mechanical properties but namely ensuring a reliability and a safety of adhesive bonds during their usage. These reasons show a great importance of adhesive bonds tests either directly in the operating environment or by a simulation of operating conditions in laboratories. The degradation process of adhesive bonds worsens mechanical properties of not only the bond itself but also of the bonded material. This process is progressing and it is usually permanent and irreversible. It is a change of mechanical and physical properties which can endanger a safety and a reliability of parts, prospectively of the whole equipment. It can leads up to a complete failure of its function in the extreme case. A temperature, a moisture, a direct contact with water and chemicals or an atmospheric corrosion belong among the most serious degradation agents. It is important to take into regard time of the processes influence at the same time which can act either independently or concurrently when their effects grow stronger. From that reason the adhesive bonds were exposed to the cyclic degradation process according to the standard ČSN EN ISO 9142. Subsequently, the adhesive bonds mechanical properties were tested on universal testing machine and by means of SEM analysis (TESCAN MIRA 3). Results of mechanical tests proved a fall of the shear tensile strength of single lap-shear adhesive bonds after 42 cycles of the degradation process of 12.8 to 21.7%. The bond strength fall was gradual and it showed a linear trend at some adhesives. Other adhesives showed a significant fall after the exposition to the degradation process after which the strength fall stabilized.


Background Radiography of the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) in spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a valuable diagnostic tool but is unreliable and unresponsive for assessment of treatment effects. There is an unmet need for imaging tools to assess the potential disease-modifying effects of therapeutic agents early in SpA when disease is still confined to the SIJ. There has been limited validation of MRI-based scores for structural lesions in the SIJ. The SPARCC MRI SIJ Structural Score (SSS) assesses a spectrum of structural lesions and can be used to assess treatment-associated changes in structural damage. Objectives To determine whether the SSS method has the discriminatory capacity to detect treatment-related structural changes in the SIJ of patients with SpA. Methods The SSS method assesses fat metaplasia (FAT), erosion (ER), backfill (BF), and ankylosis (ANK) according to standardized and validated definitions. It scores 5 consecutive coronal slices anteriorly through the cartilaginous portion of the joint from the transitional slice, defined as the first slice in the cartilaginous portion that has a visible portion of the ligamentous joint. Lesions are scored dichotomously (present/absent) in SIJ quadrants (fat, erosion) or halves (backfill, ankylosis). Scoring ranges are: FAT (0-40), ER (0-40), BF (0-20), ANK (0-20). After a calibration exercise, two readers independently scored 147 pairs of scans conducted at baseline and 2 years from a prospective cohort of patients with SpA who received either standard (n=69) or anti-TNF (n=78) therapies. Treatment group differences were assessed descriptively and using the Mann-Whitney test. We identified baseline variables associated with change in SSS score by univariate analysis and analyzed the independent effect of treatment by multivariate regression adjusted for severity of baseline structural damage and demographic variables. We also analyzed interaction effects between treatment, patient demographics, and baseline damage scores. Results A significant increase in mean SSS score for fat metaplasia (p=0.017) and decrease in mean SSS score for erosion (p=0.017) was noted in anti-TNFα treated patients compared to those on standard therapy. There was a significantly higher percentage of patients who developed new fat metaplasia on TNFα inhibitor therapy (38.0%) versus those who received standard therapy (17.6%) (p=0.01). Conversely, more patients on standard therapy had a decrease in fat metaplasia compared to those on TNFα inhibitor therapy (32.3% versus 19.0%, respectively). Significantly more patients on standard therapy developed new erosion compared to those on TNFα inhibitor therapy (26.5% versus 13.9%, respectively, p=0.037). In multivariate analyses, treatment and baseline SSS score for erosion were independently associated with change in SSS erosion score (β=1.75, p=0.003 and β=0.40, p<0.0001, respectively). Change in ASDAS (β=-0.46, p=0.006), SPARCC MRI SIJ inflammation score (β=-0.077, p=0.019), and baseline SSS score for fat metaplasia (β=0.085, p=0.034) were independently associated with development of new fat metaplasia. Conclusions Anti-TNF therapy may influence structural progression in the SIJ as detected using the SPARCC SSS method, especially by decreasing erosion. Disclosure of Interest S. Pedersen: None declared, S. Wichuk: None declared, P. Chiowchanwisawakit: None declared, R. Lambert: None declared, W. Maksymowych Grant/research support: Abbvie, Janssen, Consultant for: Abbvie, Amgen, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Pfizer, UCB DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3777


Electronic healthcare records data promises to improve the efficiency of patient eligibility screening, which is an important factor in the success of clinical trials and observational studies. To bridge the sociotechnical gap in cohort identification by end-users, who are clinicians or researchers unfamiliar with underlying EHR databases, we previously developed a natural language query interface named Criteria2Query (C2Q) that automatically transforms free-text eligibility criteria to executable database queries. In this study, we present a comprehensive evaluation of C2Q to generate more actionable insights to inform the design and evaluation of future natural language user interfaces for clinical databases, towards the realization of Augmented Intelligence (AI) for clinical cohort definition via e-screening.


New principles and processes for the treatment of polymers and polymer-based composites are discussed. The controlled effects of physical and mechanical fields on the rheological properties of polymers are analysed as a promising method of developing new component forming techniques. The following topics are discussed: solid-phase extrusion and hydro-extrusion, the cyclic deformation of melts in shear, the interaction of transverse and longitudinal ultrasonic vibrations, and the preparation of ultra-strong films and fibres. The bibliography contains 64 references.


Abstract Objective The purpose of our study was to explore the effect of dexmedetomidine on cardiac tolerance to bupivacaine. Method Human coronary endothelial cells were used to establish in vitro model. They were randomly divided into control (Con) group, dexmedetomidine (Dex) group, bupivacaine (Bupi) group, dexmedetomidine + bupivacaine group (DB group), and dexmedetomidine + bupivacaine + PI3K inhibitor (DB-inhibitor) group. Cell activity was measured by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Transwell was used to detect cell permeability. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of related factors. Results There were no notable differences in cell activity among the five groups (P > 0.05). Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the permeability of endothelial cells to bupivacaine and increased the protein expression of Zonulaoeeludens-1 (ZO-1) (P < 0.01). However, the aforementioned effects of dexmedetomidine were disappeared after the addition of PI3K inhibitors. Furthermore, Dex and DB markedly increased the protein expression of PI3K, p-Akt, and p-PTEN in comparison with Con group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in p-PTEN among DB-inhibitor, Con, and Bupi groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Dex reduced Bupi-induced vasopermeability through protein expression of ZO-1 and PI3K/Akt pathway, which may lead to the decrease of Bupi-induced cardiotoxicity.


Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have been widely discussed on social-technical platforms (e.g., Stack Overflow). Extracting API mentions from such informal software texts is the prerequisite for API-centric search and summarization of programming knowledge. Machine learning based API extraction has demonstrated superior performance than rule-based methods in informal software texts that lack consistent writing forms and annotations. However, machine learning based methods have a significant overhead in preparing training data and effective features. In this paper, we propose a multi-layer neural network based architecture for API extraction. Our architecture automatically learns character-, word- and sentence-level features from the input texts, thus removing the need for manual feature engineering and the dependence on advanced features (e.g., API gazetteers) beyond the input texts. We also propose to adopt transfer learning to adapt a source-library-trained model to a target-library, thus reducing the overhead of manual training-data labeling when the software text of multiple programming languages and libraries need to be processed. We conduct extensive experiments with six libraries of four programming languages which support diverse functionalities and have different API-naming and API-mention characteristics. Our experiments investigate the performance of our neural architecture for API extraction in informal software texts, the importance of different features, the effectiveness of transfer learning. Our results confirm not only the superior performance of our neural architecture than existing machine learning based methods for API extraction in informal software texts, but also the easy-to-deploy characteristic of our neural architecture.


The behavior of dual frequency capacitively coupled plasmas is investigated. Assuming a realistic reactor configuration represented by effective geometry factors and taking into account two separate sinusoidal voltage sources operating at different frequencies, an ordinary differential equation is derived which describes the nonlinear dynamics of such discharges. An exact analytical solution of the equation is presented and employed for a parameter study of the discharge current characteristics. Simulation results for various gas pressures (=various electron-neutral collision rates), various amplitude ratios of the two independent rf sources, and various integer frequency ratios are shown. When the two frequencies are comparable, surprising nonlinear effects are observed. Particular under study is the heating at the plasma series resonance, either by direct excitation or via the nonlinear electron resonance heating mechanism.


Weeds can be defined as unwanted plants or plants growing out of place. Proper identification and some understanding of how and why weeds are present in a lawn are important when selecting the best control strategy. Knowing if weeds were previously present in an area also helps homeowners prepare control measures in the future. Weed control should be a carefully planned and coordinated program.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep141
Previous version: Unruh, Joseph, Ramon Leon, Barry Brecke, and Laurie Trenholm. 2013. "Weed Management Guide for Florida Lawns". EDIS 2013 (7). https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/121086.


Laminar premixed unity-Lewis number flames are studied numerically, to examine flow-flame interaction in a two-dimensional closed domain. Two opposed planar flame fronts are perturbed sinusoidally and allowed to develop by consuming premixed reactants. Combustion heat release leads to global pressure and temperature rise in the domain, due to confinement. A superadiabatic condition, with products temperature rising with distance behind the flame front, is observed due to stagnation pressure rise. Variations in tangential strain rate behind the perturbed flame fronts, due to flame curvature and heat release, result in a modified local superadiabatic temperature gradient in the products. These variations in temperature gradients are shown to determine the net local confinement-heating rate in the products, leading to corresponding deviations in products temperature, and the local reaction rate along the flame front. These observations, which are not consistent with one-dimensional superadiabatic stagnation flame behavior, are a direct result of the unrestrained unsteady nature of two-dimensional flame-flow interaction.


The paper analyzes the data available in the literature on the possibilities of determining the time of fetal death during an autopsy study. It presents gross changes in the appearance and internal organs of the fetus, as well as histological changes in the organs and placenta, which develop during maceration. The microscopic characteristics of the development of lung and kidney tissues are given in relation to the gestational age of the fetus. Changes in the mass of internal organs during maceration, as well as their standard values are indicated depending on gestational age and degree of maceration.


A retrospective study of 251 operations carried out in a private surgical  consultation clinic in Nakuru, Kenya was undertaken. A review was carried out of the clinical notes of patients who had surgery at this clinic between Jan. 1993 and June 1998 and who were regularly followed up to their formal discharge from the clinic. The records were analyzed for age, sex, type of operation, the anaesthetic used, the post-operative analgesics prescribed and post-operative complications. There were 75 (30%) excisions or biopsies of masses or malignancies, 50 (20%) surgical toilets and suture of wounds, 39 (15.5%) incisions and drainage of abscesses, 24 (9.5%) reductions of fractures, 15 (6%) anal operations and 14 (5.5%) inguinal hernia repairs. Postoperative wound sepsis developed in 82 (32.65) of the patients. The study confirmed that In a suitably located, well-organized and adequately  equipped surgical consultation clinic, a wide range of carefully selected surgical operations can be safely carried out mainly under local ?iEETthesia but occasionally with added sedation. Adequate anaesthesia can be achieved in over 70% of the operations and post-operative pain can be effectively controlled using NSAIDs with or without narcotic analgesics. Systemic toxicity though uncommon, is the most serious anaethetic complication. The main post-operative complication is wound sepsis. Key words : Day-care surgery, private consultation, surgical, clinic.


Objectives: This study examined trends and socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in the United States between 1969 and 2013. Methods: National vital statistics data and the National Longitudinal Mortality Study were used to estimate racial/ethnic and area- and individual-level socioeconomic disparities in CVD mortality over time. Rate ratios and log-linear regression were used to model mortality trends and differentials. Results: Between 1969 and 2013, CVD mortality rates decreased by 2.66% per year for whites and 2.12% for blacks. Racial disparities and socioeconomic gradients in CVD mortality increased substantially during the study period. In 2013, blacks had 30% higher CVD mortality than whites and 113% higher mortality than Asians/Pacific Islanders. Compared to those in the most affluent group, individuals in the most deprived area group had 11% higher CVD mortality in 1969 but 40% higher mortality in 2007-2011. Education, income, and occupation were inversely associated with CVD mortality in both men and women. Men and women with low education and incomes had 46-76% higher CVD mortality risks than their counterparts with high education and income levels. Men in clerical, service, farming, craft, repair, construction, and transport occupations, and manual laborers had 30-58% higher CVD mortality risks than those employed in executive and managerial occupations. Conclusions and Global Health Implications: Socioeconomic and racial disparities in CVD mortality are marked and have increased over time because of faster declines in mortality among the affluent and majority populations. Disparities in CVD mortality may reflect inequalities in the social environment, behavioral risk factors such as smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, disease prevalence, and healthcare access and treatment. With rising prevalence of many chronic disease risk factors, the global burden of cardiovascular diseases is expected to increase further, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where over 80% of all CVD deaths occur.


The first part of the present thesis reviews the speech production mechanism and several models of the glottal flow derivative waveform and of the vocal tract filter. The source filter model is investigated in depth, since it is the most important "ingredient" of linear prediction analysis. We also review seven linear prediction (LP) methods based on the same general LP optimization framework. Moreover, we examine the importance of pre-emphasis and glottal-cancellation prior to LP. The second part of the thesis, provides an experimental evaluation of the LP methods combined with several pre-emphasis and glottal-cancellation techniques in the context of two general application areas. The first area consists of applications which aim to estimate the true glottal flow or glottal flow derivative signal. The second area consists of applications which aim to find a sparse residual. In particular, five factors are investigated: the sparsity of the residual using the Gini index, the estimation accuracy of the glottal flow derivative using the signal to noise ratio (SNR), the estimation accuracy of the vocal tract spectral magnitude using the log spectral distortion distance (LSD) metric, and the probability of obtaining a stable linear prediction filter. All these factors are evaluated for clean and reverberated speech signals. The sparse linear prediction methods and the iteratively reweighted least squares method combined with the second order pre-emphasis filter give the most accurate glottal flow derivative estimates, the most accurate vocal tract estimates and the sparsest residuals in most cases. Finally, we compare several linear prediction methods in the context of the speech dereverberation method proposed in [1, 2]. This method enhances the reverberated residual obtained via the autocorrelation method. In the context of this application, we show that the sparse linear prediction method and the weighted linear prediction method combined with a second-order pre-emphasis filter perform better than the autocorrelation method.


Studies have shown that particulate matter (PM) induces the expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) leading to the activation of the oxidative stress response. This study is aimed at characterizing the specific impact of fine PM on the expression profile of the Ahr and oxidative stress response in the primary auditory cortex. PM2.5 (<1.8 μm)-loaded filters were suspended in sterile saline to 102.6–111.82 μg/ml. Next, 10 μl of PM2.5 or an equal volume of saline was administered intracranially into the temporal cortex of two groups of rats (PM2.5 and control; n = 14 per group), respectively. One week after intracranial injection, the temporal cortex was harvested. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to evaluate the distribution of PM2.5 within the temporal cortex. Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression levels of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), CYP1B1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Ahr, and brevican mRNA and protein were measured using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blotting, respectively. Finally, the protein expression levels of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PM2.5 was observed in intracellular vesicles within the temporal cortex following intracranial injection. Levels of oxidative stress molecules (i.e., CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and iNOS), Ahr, Brevican, and RAGE were higher in the PM2.5 group compared with the control group. Intracranial administration of PM2.5 led to increased levels of Ahr and markers of an oxidative stress response in the temporal cortex. The oxidative stress response-mediated increases in the levels of brevican and RAGE.


In many visual interaction applications the user needs to explore a scene by moving with respect to the virtual environment. Using a fixed camera viewpoint leads to visual inconsistencies, which can be avoided only if the exact pose of the user head is known and can be used to produce a perspective correct rendering. To this end, tracking devices are often used, however many of them are relatively expensive or require the user to wear special apparel. With this paper we present a tracking system that can be implemented with a simple and very low cost modification of standard shutter glasses. The accuracy of such approach has been evaluated quantitatively with a specially crafted experimental setup.


Chondroitin sulphate (CS) proteoglycans with variable sulphation-motifs along their glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains are closely associated with the stem cell niche of articular cartilage, where they are believed to influence the characteristics of the resident stem cells. Here, we investigated the immunohistochemical distribution of hybrid CS/dermatan sulphate (DS) GAGs in the periphery of the adult chicken cornea, which is the location of the cornea's stem cell niche in a number of species, using a monoclonal antibody, 6C3, that recognises a sulphation motif-specific CS/DS GAG epitope. This revealed positive labelling that was restricted to the subepithelial corneal stroma, as well as nearby bony structures within the sclera, called ossicles. When cultivated on cell culture dishes coated with 6C3-rich CS/DS, corneal stromal cells (keratocytes) that had been isolated from embryonic chicken corneas formed circular colonies, which took several days to reach confluency. A flow cytometric analysis of these keratocytes revealed changes in their expression levels of the indicative stem cell markers, Connexin 43 (Cx43), Paired Box 6 (PAX6), B-lymphoma Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion region-1 (Bmi-1), and C-X-C Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) suggestive of a less-differentiated phenotype compared with expression levels in cells not exposed to CS/DS. These findings support the view that CS/DS promotes the retention of a stem cell phenotype in corneal cells, much as it has been proposed to do in other connective tissues.


The paper is devoted to development of advanced technologies, which allow choosing an optimum mode of hardening of the wagon cast parts by the method of elastic-plastic deformation.


As one of the brightest active blazars in both X-ray and very high energy γ-ray bands, Mrk 501, is very useful for physics associated with jets from active galactic nuclei. The ARGO-YBJ experiment has monitored Mrk 501 for γ-rays above 0.3 TeV since 2007 November. The largest flare since 2005 was observed from 2011 October and lasted until about 2012 April. In this paper, a detailed analysis of this event is reported. During the brightest γ-ray flaring episodes from 2011 October 17 to November 22, an excess of the event rate over 6σ is detected by ARGO-YBJ in the direction of Mrk 501, corresponding to an increase of the γ-ray flux above 1 TeV by a factor of 6.6 ± 2.2 from its steady emission. In particular, the γ-ray flux above 8 TeV is detected with a significance better than 4σ. Based on time-dependent synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) processes, the broadband energy spectrum is interpreted as the emission from an electron energy distribution parameterized with a single power-law function with an exponential cutoff at its high-energy end. The average spectral energy distribution for the steady emission is well described by this simple one-zone SSC model. However, the detection of γ-rays above 8 TeV during the flare challenges this model due to the hardness of the spectra. Correlations between X-rays and γ-rays are also investigated.


The effect of metal contamination and silicon surface defects on the gate oxide yield is investigated. The characteristics of various cleaning procedures are studied and correlated with the integrity of thin gate oxides. The standard wet cleaning recipe is optimized and a new cleaning strategy is proposed. Selective contamination experiments in chemicals and on Siwafers are used to investigate the effect of small amounts of metal contaminants on the gate oxide integrity. It is found that the characteristics of the silicon substrate play a dominant role in this. HF-last processes are investigated and a new wet cleaning strategy is proposed.


we study theoretically a driven hybrid optomechanical system with a membrane-in-the-middle configuration containing two identical elongated cigar-shaped Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in each side of the membrane. In the weakly interacting regime, the BECs can be considered as singlemode oscillators in the Bogoliubov approximation which are coupled to the optical field through the radiation pressure interaction so that they behave as two quasi-membranes. We show that the degree of squeezing of each BEC and its entanglement with the moving membrane can be controlled by the s-wave scattering frequency of the other one. Since the s-wave frequency of each BEC depends on the transverse trapping frequency of the atoms which is an experimentally controllable parameter, one can control the entanglement and squeezing of each BEC through the trapping frequency of the other one.


The study was designed to test the knowledge and attitude of pupils in three high schools with respect to AIDS. The 412 pupils who participated in the study represented three different educational institutions: an academic level school, a traditional religious school, and a vocational trade school. The standard of knowledge was found to be relatively lacking (67-75%), and there were significant differences between the three schools (P < 0.00001). There were many misconceptions concerning the symptomatology of the disease, its chronology and its prognosis. Boys were better informed than girls (P < 0.0225), and with age, the pupils' knowledge improved (P < 0.001). There were, however, no differences in the severity of the pupils' attitude towards the disease in any of the three schools (P < 0.00001). Attitudes regarding expulsion of AIDS patients from school, and moral and financial assistance varied from school to school. A most consistent factor was that pupils acquired their knowledge from the media (TV 94.66%, newspapers 89.81%), and that the medical profession contributed very little to the pupils' understanding of the disease (22.09%). Most of the pupils (92.9%) requested that prevention of this disease be incorporated as a subject into the formal teaching program of the school.


I would like to thank seminar participants at Brown University, Swarthmore College and the University of Stavanger for helpful comments. I would also like to thank Drew Griffen for excellent research assistance. The usual caveats apply. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research. ABSTRACT Wisconsin's influential Learnfare initiative is a conditional cash penalty program that sanctions a family's welfare grant when covered teens fail to meet school attendance targets. In the presence of reference-dependent preferences, Learnfare provides uniquely powerful financial incentives for student performance. However, a 10-county random-assignment evaluation suggested that Learnfare had no sustained effects on school enrollment and attendance. This study evaluates the data from this randomized field experiment. In Milwaukee County, the Learnfare procedures were poorly implemented and the random-assignment process failed to produce balanced baseline traits. However, in the nine remaining counties, Learnfare increased school enrollment by 3.7 percent (effect size = 0.08) and attendance by 4.5 percent (effect size = 0.10). The hypothesis of a common treatment effect sustained throughout the six-semester study period could not be rejected. These effects were larger among subgroups at risk for dropping out of school (e.g., baseline dropouts, those over age for grade). For example, these heterogeneous treatment effects imply that Learnfare closed the enrollment gap between baseline dropouts and school attendees by 41 percent. These results suggest that well-designed financial incentives can be an effective mechanism for improving the school persistence of at-risk students at scale. 1 " Eighty percent of success is showing up. "-Woody Allen 1-Introduction The recent growth in economic inequality and the well-established importance of education for economic success have created a focused interest in identifying scalable policies that can promote the human-capital accumulation of at-risk youth. Some of the most fundamental antecedents to cognitive development are " non-cognitive " traits like academic engagement and motivation. However, the deterioration of family environments in recent decades and the relative


Education and cognitive occupations is commonly associated to reduced risk of Alzheimer?s disease (AD) dementia. Animal studies have demonstrated that cognitive stimulation (CS) achieved by social/physical activities and/or enriched environments compensates for memory decline. We have elaborated a novel paradigm of CS that is devoid of physical/social activity and enriched environments. 4 months-old Tg2576 mice were cognitively trained for 8 weeks and, after a break of 8 months, long-lasting effects of CS on cognitive abilities and AD-like pathology were measured. MWM and NOR tests showed that deficits in spatial and recognition memories were compensated by CS. These outcomes were accompanied by increased levels of hippocampal post-synaptic markers (PSD95 and NR1) and proteins involved in synaptic formation (Arc, â-catenin). CS softened amyloid pathology in terms of reduced levels of Aâ1-42 and the dodecameric assembly, referred as Aâ*56. CS appeared to affect the APP processing since differences in levels of ADAM17, BACE1 and C99/C83 ratio were found. Tau hyper-phosphorylation and high activities of Tau kinases were also reduced by CS. In contrast, CS did not induce any of these molecular changes in wild-type mice. The present findings suggest beneficial and long-lasting effects of CS early in life on cognitive decline and AD-like pathology. In this research work we have also characterized the role of BDNF on a new mechanism by which cognitive stimulation exerts its beneficial effects on cognitive decline and AD-like pathology.


Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: ESMO Clinical Recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up P. G. Casali, L. Jost, P. Reichardt, M. Schlemmer & J.-Y. Blay On behalf of the ESMO Guidelines Working Group* Department of Cancer Medicine, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology, Kantonsspital, Bruderholz, Switzerland; Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Helios Klinikum, Bad Saarow, Germany; III Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, Munich, Germany; INSERM U590, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France


Abstract. Biomass burning plumes containing aerosols from forest fires can be transported long distances, which can ultimately impact climate and air quality in regions far from the source. Interestingly, these fires can inject aerosols other than smoke into the atmosphere, which very few studies have evidenced. Here, we demonstrate a set of case studies of long-range transport of mineral dust aerosols in addition to smoke from numerous fires (including predominantly forest fires and a few grass/shrub fires) in the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, US. These aerosols were detected in Boulder, Colorado, along the Front Range using beta-ray attenuation and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and corroborated with satellite-borne lidar observations of smoke and dust. Further, we examined the transport pathways of these aerosols using air mass trajectory analysis and regional- and synoptic-scale meteorological dynamics. Three separate events with poor air quality and increased mass concentrations of metals from biomass burning (S and K) and minerals (Al, Si, Ca, Fe, and Ti) occurred due to the introduction of smoke and dust from regional- and synoptic-scale winds. Cleaner time periods with good air quality and lesser concentrations of biomass burning and mineral metals between the haze events were due to the advection of smoke and dust away from the region. Dust and smoke present in biomass burning haze can have diverse impacts on visibility, health, cloud formation, and surface radiation. Thus, it is important to understand how aerosol populations can be influenced by long-range-transported aerosols, particularly those emitted from large source contributors such as wildfires.


In cancer therapy the platinum-based drugs are used frequently with a good clinical outcome, but besides unwanted side effects which occur, the tumour cells subjected to treatment are prone to develop tolerance or even multidrug resistance (MDR). Metal compounds with a central atom other than platinum are efficient in targeting the chemoresistant cells, therefore the biological outcome of two recently synthesized gallium phosphinoarylbisthiolato complexes was studied, having the formula [X][Ga{PPh(2-SC6H4)2-κ(3)S,S',P}{PPh(2-SC6H4)2-κ(2)S,S'}] where [X] is either the NEt3H (1) or PPh4 (2) cation. Compounds 1 and 2 display in vitro cytotoxicity against both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant cell lines (A2780 and A2780cis). Morphological and ultrastructural evidence points toward their capacity to impair tumour cells survival. This behaviour is based on malignant cells capacity to selectively intake gallium, and to bind to the cellular DNA. They are able to cause massive DNA damage in treated cancer cells, focusing on 7-methylguanine and 8-oxoguanine sites and oxidizing the pyrimidine bases; this leads to early apoptosis of a significant percent of treated cells. The intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways are influenced through the modulation of gene expression following the treatment with complexes 1 and 2, which accompanies the negative regulation of P-glycoprotein 1 (Pgp-1), an important cellular ABC-type transporter from the multidrug resistance (MDR) family. The studied Ga(III) compounds demonstrated the capacity to counteract the chemoresistance mechanisms in the tumours defiant to standard drug action. Compound 2 shows a good anticancer potential and it could represent an alternative to platinum-based drugs especially in the situation of standard treatment failure.


Obscured active galactic nuclei, which are classified optically as type 2 (narrow line) Seyfert galaxies in the local universe, are by far the most promising candidates for the origin of the hard (2-10 keV) X-ray background radiation. However, optical follow-up observations of faint X-ray sources in deep Chandra images have revealed surprising numbers of apparently normal galaxies at modest redshift. Such objects represent ~40%-60% of the sources classified in deep Chandra surveys, raising the possibility that the X-ray galaxy population has evolved with cosmic time. Alternatively, most of the faint X-ray galaxies in question are so distant that their angular diameters are comparable to the slit widths used in ground-based spectroscopic observations; thus, their nuclear spectral features may be overwhelmed ("hidden") by host galaxy light. To test this hypothesis, we have obtained integrated spectra of a sample of nearby, well-studied Seyfert 2 galaxies. The data, which accurately simulate observations of distant Chandra sources, demonstrate convincingly that the defining spectral signatures of Seyfert 2s can be hidden by light from their host galaxies. In fact, 60% of the observed objects would not be classified as Seyfert 2s on the basis of their integrated spectra, similar to the fraction of faint X-ray sources identified with "normal" galaxies. Thus, the numbers of narrow-line active galaxies in deep Chandra surveys (and perhaps all ground-based spectroscopic surveys of distant galaxies) are likely to have been underestimated.


Snow cover dynamics and snow melt are important hydrological process and water resource for some drainage basins. The variations of seasonal snow cover in the Nam Co basin of Tibetan Plateau from 2000 to 2010 are examined using MODIS data. A method of two thresholds of maximum cloud percentage (10%) and composite days (8) are used to remove cloud cover from MODIS daily snow cover products. Results show that multi-day composite product has annual mean cloud cover of 5.39%, which is much less than annual mean of 43.87%, 51.32%, and 36.79% from daily MODIS/Terra, MODIS/Aqua, and daily MODIS Terra-Aqua combined snow cover products, respectively. The annual mean snow cover from the multi-day composite snow cover product is 12.85%, with largest variations in autumn, followed by winter, with the smallest variation in summer. An overall decrease tendency of snow cover in both spring and summer suggests increased snow melt in the basin, which is consistent with the lake level increase in recent decades. The increased melt of perennial snow cover or glaciers in the summer season could have been due to increased temperature in recent decades.


As increases in anthropogenic eutrophication and climate change contribute to more severe and frequent cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in freshwater ecosystems worldwide, understanding the effects and consequences cyanobacterial blooms have on aquatic organisms is crucial. Microcystis aeruginosa is one of the most common cyanobacteria taxa found in cyanobacterial blooms, producing a number of toxins including Microcystins. This study examined the effects of Microcystis aeruginosa on aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates, specifically the pollution intolerant taxa Ephemeroptera, the pollution moderately intolerant taxa Zygoptera, and the pollution tolerant taxa Chironomidae. In a controlled lab environment, macroinvertebrates were exposed to approximately 100,000 cells/ml of Microcystis aeruginosa . The survival percentage was lower for macroinvertebrates exposed to Microcystis aeruginosa in all three tolerance groups while corresponding with the pollution tolerance levels of the species. These findings support the notion that cyanobacterial blooms have deleterious effects on freshwater ecosystems and can affect aquatic food webs.