This article reports on a study of the steady-state, side-slip characteristics of automobile tires on icy roads. The authors studied the friction mechanism between the tire rubber and the icy surface, analyzing the heat conduction for the different regions of the contact surface. They propose a friction model for the contact of rubber and icy surface and validate this model with test data from a high-speed friction test bench. Then, using the friction model and the tire side-slip characteristics, the authors developed a bruch model for the steady-state side-slip of the tire on icy roads. The model included the effects of the ice temperature, tire load, and vehicle speed on the lateral force and the aligning moment of the tire. The results demonstrate that the steady-state side-slip characteristics of the tire on the icy road are different from those on ordinary dry roads.


Abstract Despite having a reasonably successful account of accelerated cosmology, understanding of the early evolution of Universe has always been difficult for mankind. Our promising strategy is based on a novel class of symmetric teleparallel theories of gravity called f(Q), in which the gravitational interaction is caused by the non-metricity scalar Q, which may help to solve some problems. We consider the locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type-I spacetime cosmological models and derive the motion of equations to study the early evolution of the cosmos. By assuming the hybrid expansion law (HEL) for the average scale factor, we are able to determine the solutions to the field equations of Bianchi type-I spacetime. We discuss the energy density profile, the equation of state, and the skewness parameter and conclude that our models preserve anisotropic spatial geometry during the early stages of the Universe with the possibility of an anisotropic fluid present. However, as time goes on, even in the presence of an anisotropic fluid, the Universe may move towards isotropy due to inflation while the anisotropy of the fluid dims away at the same time. It is seen from the squared speed of sound that Universe shows phantom nature at the beginning then approaches to dark energy at present epoch. We analyze both geometrical and physical behaviours of the derived model.


Infectious diseases often present as coinfections that may affect each other in positive or negative ways. Understanding the relationship between two coinfecting pathogens is thus important to understand the risk of infection and burden of disease caused by each pathogen. Although coinfections with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are very common outside Africa, it is yet unclear whether infections by the two parasite species are positively associated or if infection by one parasite suppresses the other. In this study, we use bivariate Poisson lognormal models (BPLM) to estimate covariate-adjusted associations between the incidence of infections (as measured by the force of blood-stage infections, molFOI) and clinical episodes caused by both P. falciparum and P. vivax in a cohort of Papua New Guinean children. A BPLM permits estimation of either positive or negative correlation, unlike most other multivariate Poisson models. Our results demonstrated a moderately positive association between P. falciparum and P. vivax infection rates, arguing against the hypothesis that P. vivax infections protect against P. falciparum infections. Our findings also suggest that the BPLM is only useful for counts with suitably large means and overdispersion.


Objective: Models of the human metabolism are important for understanding diseases and could serve as a powerful tool in the drug discovery process. The complexity of even a unicellular organism is tremendous and most researchers have therefore limited their modelling efforts to bacteria, or single intracellular pathways. We studied the parallel metabolism of ethanol and retinol in humans, because of its suggested physiological importance for the development of foetal alcohol syndrome. Large ethanol intake will inhibit the conversion of retinol into retinoic acid, which is a crucial transcription factor during embryonic development. In this study the objective was to construct a quantitative model that connects phenotype observations at a population, organic and intracellular level with differences in genotype and ethanol metabolism, for further prediction of the influence on the foetus. Results: We constructed a multiple compartments model, which included a detailed desccription of the ethanol and retinol metabolism in hepatic cells for different genotypes. The model has been validated using published time-series measurements of ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetate concentrations in the blood. This model correctly accounts for differences in geno- and phenotype observed within the human population. Furthermore, the model shows that the retinol metabolism is decreased by ethanol ingestion, both via a reduced intracellular NAD+ concentration, and by an inhibition of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases. Conclusions: We considered the problem of multi-level modelling with a human model for the ethanol and retinol metabolism in different compartments. This links intracellular mechanisms to macroscopic observations. The model explained the connection between geno- and phenotype differences observed at a population level. This model also shows a plausible relationship between ethanol and retinol metabolism for e.g. foetal alcohol syndrome.


OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to evaluate exposure to terpenes in sawmills and to study the acute effects on lung function and the respiratory tract of exposed laborers.

METHODS
The relationships between personal exposure to sawing fumes, assessed by air sampling, and terpene metabolites in urine were studied. The association between exposure to terpenes and acute effects on lung function was studied for 48 workers. The reactivity to methacholine within the study population was investigated. Variation in acute subjective respiratory symptoms during a workshift was evaluated by interviewing the employees before and after work, following a standardized questionnaire.

RESULTS
Personal exposure to terpenes in the sawmills was 11-158 mg. m-3. The correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.84) between exposure to alpha-pinene and the concentration of verbenols (metabolites from alpha-pinene) in urine was good. No acute effects on forced vital capacity or forced expiratory volume during 1 s were detected. A decrease in carbon monoxide lung diffusing capacity after a workshift was detected. Workers with > or = 5 years of sawmill employment showed a higher reactivity to methacholine than those with < 5 years. Eye irritation increased during a workday.

CONCLUSIONS
Personal exposure to monoterpenes during a workshift sometimes exceeds the present Swedish limit value. The results show that verbenols in urine can be used as a biological exposure index of sawing fumes. Exposure in sawmills can cause an acute decrease in diffusing capacity. Workers with < or = 5 years of employment showed increased bronchial reactivity.


Abstract This study was aimed at isolating and characterizing hydrocarbon-degrading fungi from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil in Ogbe-Ijoh oil creek in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. Isolation and characterization were carried out using standard methods. Biodegradation assay was carried out over 25 days and monitored using the following parameters; pH, total organic carbon, and total hydrocarbon content. The fungi isolated were: Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger and Fusarium sp., and these were used for the biodegradation study. Physico-chemical analysis of the crude oil contaminated soil during degradation showed that there was significant decrease in pH during degradation from day 10 - 25 (p ≥ 0.05). This showed the ability of the fungal isolates to utilize crude oil as carbon source, producing acid during its metabolism. The highest pH value during degradation by the fungal isolates was recorded in Fusarium sp. and the lowest was recorded in Aspergillus sp. The fungal isolates were able to reduce the total carbon and hydrocarbon content during degradation. This was probably due to the utilization of the nutrients in the soil sample as energy source. The results from this study indicate the potential of the isolated fungi for hydrocarbon bioremediation activity.


This paper is a review of axial-field electrical machines, which were at the origin of the invention of electrical machines such as the famous Faraday's disk. The different configurations of the axial-field machines are presented along with their advantageous key steady state characteristics such as high efficiency and high power to weight ratio. The differences between axial-field machines and conventional radial-field machines are discussed. The disc-type axial-field electrical machines with permanent magnet excitation seem to be among the best designs in terms of compactness, suitable shape, robustness, and electric characteristics. Axial-field machines are expected to be used in a large number of applications in the future owing to their special features and distinct advantages compared to conventional radialfield machines.


The authors describe the application of dynamic modeling in an explorative case study by the Amsterdam Municipal Police Force. The current organization and the business processes of the force, both 'as is' and 'as could be', have been evaluated using a dynamic model as a substitute for the complex, organizational reality. During the study, dynamic modeling proved to be an effective technique for supporting organizational change.<<ETX>>


Abstract Appropriate management of municipal solid waste (MSW) is viewed as an integrated system encompassing waste minimization, recycling, and resource recovery. This has increased the interest in the composting process, in which the biodegradable portion of MSW is biologically converted into a valuable product that can be utilized as a soil conditioner or fertilizer. Effective operation of the composting process can be achieved by determining the optimal conditions for the controlling parameters in order to enhance the biological reactions during composting. Information on biodegradation rates are also essential for process design. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to examine the factors affecting process performance and transformation of essential elements of MSW such as carbon and nitrogen. A pilot study of in-vessel aerobic composting of MSW was carried out and the operating parameters, which affect biodegradation of carbonaceous and nitrogenous matter were studied using a specially designed rotating drum and a carbon-rich MSW. The effects of temperature, moisture content, and air flow rate were examined. The performance of the composting process was evaluated by measuring the carbon and nitrogen content during experiments, each of which lasted for 30 days. The study showed that enhanced transformations of carbon and nitrogen occur at 55°C for temperature, 60% for moisture content, and 10 L/kgh for air flow rate using the food-rich MSW generated in the Gulf countries.


We present a cooperative approach using both Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms and visualization methods. SVM are widely used today and often give high quality results, but they are used as "black-box", (it is very difficult to explain the obtained results) and cannot treat easily very large datasets. We have developed graphical methods to help the user to evaluate and explain the SVM results. The first method is a graphical representation of the separating frontier quality (it is presented for the SVM case, but can be used for any other boundary like decision tree cuts, regression lines, etc). Then it is linked with other graphical methods to help the user explaining SVM results. The information provided by these graphical methods can also be used in the SVM parameter tuning stage. These graphical methods are then used together with automatic algorithms to deal with very large datasets on standard personal computers. We present an evaluation of our approach with the UCI and the Kent Ridge Bio-medical data sets.


Load forecasting is a critical element of power system operation and planning, involving prediction of the future level of demand to serve as the basis for supply and demand planning. This includes planning for transmission and distribution facilities as well as new generation plants. This paper presents the development of a novel hybrid intelligent model and validates its prediction on the short-term electric load forecasting of the Power System of the Greek Island of Crete. The architecture and learning scheme of a novel fuzzy logic system (AFINN) implemented in the framework of a neural network is proposed. The network constructs its initial rules by clustering while the final fuzzy rule base is determined by competitive learning. The results corresponding to the minimum and maximum load time-series indicate that the proposed load forecasting model provides significantly accurate forecasts, compared to conventional neural networks models.


Background: An early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important in order to initiate symptomatic treatment with currently approved drugs and will be of even greater importance with the advent of disease-modifying compounds. Methods: Protein profiles of human cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with AD (n = 85), frontotemporal dementia (n = 20), and healthy controls (n = 32) were analyzed by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to verify previously discovered biomarkers. Results: We verified 15 protein biomarkers that were able to differentiate between AD and controls, and 7 of these 15 markers also differentiated AD from FTD. Conclusion: A panel of cerebrospinal fluid protein markers was verified by a proteomics technology which may potentially improve the accuracy of the AD diagnosis.


A significant portion of both fatal and total crashes occurs at intersections in the United States. Skew angle may be a significant contributor to these crashes. This paper examines the effects of intersection angle on intersection safety performance. With seven years of crash data from Minnesota and five years of crash data from Ohio, random forest regression data mining and negative binomial regression models were developed to estimate crash modification functions at three-leg and four-leg stop-controlled intersections with two-lane and multilane major legs. Where possible, the results were compared between the two states and used to develop average crash modification function curves. This study shows that over half of the intersection types experience the highest number of predicted crashes when the intersection angle between roadway legs is between 50 degrees and 65 degrees. These results have practical implications for engineers and safety professionals. First, the crash modification function curves supplement and revise the guidance for intersection angle in the Highway Safety Manual and Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets. Second, the functions offer new guidance to agencies planning intersection improvements. Third, the crash modification functions can be used to determine the safety effect of changes in intersection angle.


A method for assembling arrays of components in programmable 2D arrangements with nanometer-scale precision is needed for the manufacture of high density nanoelectronic circuitry. We discuss the programmed self-assembly based on in situ hybridization of DNA-functionalized components to a pre-assembled 2D DNA scaffolding on a surface. We show that arrays of prototype electronic components composed of Au nanoparticles and nanowires can be assembled on a surface with high precision. This approach is broadly applicable to the manufacture of nanoscale integrated circuits for logic, memory, sensing, and other applications.


Background: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is an emerging technique used in cholecystectomy. Nevertheless, studies on the difference in postoperative pain between SILC and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy are lacking in the literature. Patient and Methods: From August 2009 to July 2010, 20 consecutive patients who underwent SILC (SILC group) were compared with a prospective cohort of 20 patients who underwent conventional 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group) during the same period. Standard postoperative analgesic protocol was applied to all patients. Pain scores were registered before operation and one day after operation using visual analog scale. Satisfactory score was self-assessed by all patients one month after surgery using visual analog scale. Results: There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics, preoperative pain score, and intraoperative opioid usage between the 2 groups. The postoperative pain score was significantly lower in the SILC group (2.9±1.6 in SILC group vs. 4.8±1.5 in LC group, P<0.01). There was also a lower analgesic consumption and a higher satisfactory score in the SILC group although the results did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: SILC resulted in significantly less postoperative pain than conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is a safe alternative to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


Introduction: Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) after cardiac surgery are important concerns for both short term and long term disability, which is associated with increased medical costs and decreased cognitive function and quality of life. Hypothesis: This study aims to examine the epidemiology, risk factors and healthcare burden of new-onset stroke and TIA during the long term following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: All 9,172 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG and discharged alive between January 1999 and December 2008 were included and analyzed for long-term new-onset stroke and TIA after the procedure. Patients were defined with stroke or TIA, according to the definitions of the 2013 American Heart Association criteria. Predictors of stroke and TIA were determined by developing a multivariate regression model. Results: After an average of 3.7 years of follow-up, the prevalence of new-onset ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, undetermined stroke and TIA was 5.6%, 0.3%, 0.5% and 2.3%, respectively. The prevalence of stroke or TIA was 2.2%, 4.9%, 9.7%, 14.4% and 18.1% at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 8 years and 10 years after the CABG. The relative risks of myocardial infarction was 4.33 (95% CI 2.68-6.99) for patients developed new-onset stroke or TIA. Among patients who developed stroke and TIA, 78.8% of them experienced at least once repeat hospitalization. Following adjustment for patient and surgical characteristics, preoperative atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio [HR]=1.48; 95% CI, 1.01-2.16), insufficient physical activity (HR=1.72; 95% CI, 1.41-2.11) and underuse of β-blockers (HR=1.20; 95% CI, 1.04-1.39) were independently associated with significantly higher risk of suffering new-onset stroke and TIA after CABG. At 3 years after CABG, costs for patients who developed stroke were 22,778 RMB (approximately US$3,282) higher than for those who did not (p Conclusions: Morbidity combined with the significant incremental costs attributed to the postoperative stroke and TIA was high after CABG. Reasonable prevention strategies should be designed to attenuate the healthcare burden of new-onset stroke and TIA following the primary procedure.


Abstract The paper is based on the conclusions of ethnological research of Ukrainian minority carried out by the author on the territory of Slovakia between 2014 and 2016. Its main objective was the reflection of ethnic stereotypes of the Ukrainian minority towards the Slovak majority. An unavoidable element in research on stereotyping and reflection of "national character" was also an analysis of ethnic identity of the members of the minority group. How do they perceive themselves, what does it personally mean to them to be a Ukrainian and what practically fulfills an abstract category of "being Ukrainian". The author briefly summarizes key theoretical objectives of the concept of ethnic identity and then analyses its reflection within the Ukrainians in Slovakia with regard to its main characteristics. Ukrainian autostereotypisation in the broader context of Ukrainian-Russian relatioship is also examined.


[1] A novel data mining method called MineTool is introduced which, by virtue of automating the modeling process and model evaluations, makes it more accessible to nonexperts. The technique aggregates the various stages of model building into a four-step process consisting of (1) data segmentation and sampling, (2) variable preselection and transform generation, (3) predictive model estimation and validation, and (4) final model testing. Optimal strategies are chosen for each modeling step. However, the modular design of the MineTool enables the substitution of alternative strategies in any of the four modeling steps. A notable feature of the technique is that the final model is always in closed analytical form rather than "black box" form of most other techniques. MineTool can be used for analysis of data (e.g., time series) as well as images. The utility of the technique is illustrated through several examples based on synthetic data. Application of the technique to analysis of spacecraft data will be presented in subsequent papers.


Recent research highlights the considerable potential of industrial policy to support structural transformation in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the importance of the state in industrial policy, this paper considers the implications for these discussions of recent work on state fragility. It argues that weaknesses in state capacity in the region can be expected to severely limit the likelihood of successful industrial policy in a number of countries.indeed, over a half of them, if we believe standard metrics. It concludes that more attention should be paid in work on industrial policy to the systematic study of weak state capacity and strategies to address the challenges it poses, including .islands of excellence..


Under the local volatility model, the convergence of Monte-Carlo with Milstein discretization and Euler discretization are compared for the pricing of Vanilla, Digital, discrete Barrier options as well as a more exotic variety of option, the Accumulator. A finite difference approach is also studied. Parametric and Non-Parametric local volatility models are examined.


We theoretically study the dependence of photoelectron angular distribution on laser polarization direction in nitrogen molecules. The approach is based on the time-dependent density functional theory at the level of local density approximation complemented by self-interaction correction. It is found that photoelectron emission in one photon regime could be considered as a probing tool for the main character of different types of molecular orbitals (σ or π). The pattern of emitted photoelectrons strongly depends on the polarized angle of the laser, for σ orbital, the number of photoelectron decreases with increasing the polarized angle, while for π orbital, it has the inverse relation to the polarized angle, which reveals the multi-electron effect in molecules. On the other hand, concerning the total photoelectron emission, one should take into account a few occupied orbitals instead of only the outmost one.


Dr. Charles K. Jenkins: A 48-year-old white woman went to see her physician because of frequent and painful urination. Pyuria was found at that time, and sulfisoxazole, 1 gm/day, was given for a total of four months. The symptoms improved, but recurred one month later. Intravenous pyelography was performed at this time and was reported as abnormal. The patient was referred to this hospital. Results of physical examination were essentially normal. Examination of the abdomen revealed no costovertebral angle tenderness and no mass or organic enlargement. Laboratory studies showed a blood urea nitrogen of 17 mg/100 cc and a serum creatinine value of 1.6 mg/100 cc. Urine showed 30 to 40 white blood cells per high-power field and 3+ bacteria. Urine culture grew Escherichia coli . On cystoscopy the bladder appeared entirely normal. Although several attempts were made to introduce a No. 8 acorn-tipped catheter into the left ureter, it would


We consider a receive antenna selection multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system, where only one out of N r receive antennas is selected. Spatial channel correlation will be considered at the receiver side only. Our goal is to investigate the capacity performance of this system. In particular, we will derive a closed-form expression for the outage probability and an upper bound for the ergodic (average) capacity. These quantities will be expressed using an infinite series representation. To do so, we will first derive the joint cumulative distribution function and the joint probability density function of the squared row norms of the channel matrix. This is enabled by taking advantage of the statistical properties of multivariate chi-squared random variables. Using the outage expression derived, we demonstrate that the considered antenna selection system achieves a full diversity order that is similar to a MIMO system without antenna selection. Next, we derive the probability density function of the maximum of the squared row norms of the channel matrix and its moments, which is straightly related to the system ergodic capacity. We also analyze the error rate performance of the aforementioned receive antenna selection MIMO system while using orthogonal space-time block codes (OSTBCs) at the transmitter. Our simulation results are shown to validate our analytical findings.


This study aims to reveal the effect of communication games on developing intermediate students' pronunciation. To achieve this aim, a quasi-experimental design was used. A pretest and a posttest were used to collect the data. A selected communication games were used to training the students to develop their pronunciation performance. The participants were 68 male students from second grade intermediate school in Baghdad. The results revealed that there is no statistical significance difference between the mean scores of the students in the experimental and control groups due to the teaching method. The researcher suggested to expose students to electronic communication games that provide the sound of the word from a native source .


O NE of the great religio-literary controversies has, for nearly four centuries, involved the question of authorship of the Martin Marprelate Tracts. The tracts themselves deliberately seek to. obscure answers, and diverse asseverations on the matter extend from I588 (the year of the first tracts) to the present.' The printing and publishing of such inflammatory writings as the Marprelate Tracts was, from the beginning, likewise a matter of controversy, although less extensive and less disputed than the authorship.


In the state of São Paulo, the Bauru Group units cover about 47% of the territory, constituting an aquifer of great interest, in particular for public watersupply. In this study, core samples were taken for petrographic and diagenetic characterization of different units, seeking to improve the knowledge of the Bauru Aquifer System. The samples were submitted to analysis by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The units of this aquifer system are mostly subarkoses (67% of the samples), except the Marilia Formation, which is composed of sublitharenite and quartzarenite. These sandstones were submitted to shallow and low-intensity diagenesis. The main diagenetic phases identified were dissolution of the detrital minerals, notably feldspar and pyroxene, neoformation of clay minerals, iron oxi-hydroxide, calcite and analcime. Locally there is precipitation of quartz, feldspar and titanium oxide.


Abstract : The Strategic Studies Institute is pleased to publish Prevailing In A Well-Armed World: Devising Competitive Strategies Against Weapons Proliferation. This work provides insights into the competitive strategies methodology. Andrew Marshall notes that policymakers and analysts can benefit by using an analytical tool that stimulates their thinking-more directly-about strategy in terms of long-term competition between nations with conflicting values, policies, and objectives. Part I of this work suggests that the competitive strategies approach has value for both the practitioner and the scholar. The book also demonstrates the strengths of the competitive strategies approach as an instrument for examining U.S. policy. The method in this book focuses on policies regarding the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In "shaping" the international environment in the next millennium, no other national security issue seems as complex or important. The imperative here is to look to competitive strategies to assist in asking critical questions and thinking broadly and precisely about alternatives for pitting U.S. strengths against opponents' weaknesses. Part II uses the framework to examine and evaluate U.S. nonproliferation and counterproliferation policies formed in the final years of the 20th century. In Part III, the competitive strategies method is used to analyze a regional case, that of Iran.


(Re)designing mathematics assessment tasks that prepare pre-service teachers for teaching and offer learning opportunities for developing pedagogical practice is a challenging endeavour for teacher educators. Collaborative, reflexive peer learning teams provide expertise and support in advancing effective curriculum work, such as assessment tasks. This case study sheds light on the impact of selfstudy to facilitate changes in curriculum work and improve learning outcomes for pre-service teachers and teacher educators, thus, is worthy of further exploration.


OBJECTIVE
Microfluctuation (MF) of fetal heart rate (FHR) is regarded as the most sensitive parameter for diagnosing the condition of the fetus. The MF can only be crudely quantified with the naked eye. Therefore the following questions arise: 1) How can MF be exactly measured numerically? 2) What interrelationships are there between the MF determined electronically, the basal FHR, the oscillation amplitude (OA) of the FHR and the beat-to-beat variability (beat-to-beat var.) 3) What are the effects of hypoxia and acidosis on these index parameters?

METHODS
387 intrapartal FHR tracings were registered directly (F-ECG) with the cardiotocograph (HP instruments) via an RS422 interface and stored on diskette. The data were processed further with a computer program we developed ourselves (MATLAB, the MathWorks Inc., USA). The parameters of the fetal acid-base balance were measured in the blood of the umbilical artery (UA) and umbilical vein (UV) with instruments from Radiometer, Copenhagen (ABL 500, ABL 5) and stored off-line with a selection of clinical data and processed further on a laptop (HP, Omnibook XE 3). The fluctuation of the basal FHR was determined on the basis of the following four parameters: the number of high and low points (extrema) per minute (EXT),the mean beat-to-beat variability per minute and the OA (bpm). In order to correlate the MF of the basal FHR with the parameters of the fetal acid-base balance, only the last 30 CTG minutes ante-partum of each tracing were included. All decelerations and optionally in addition all accelerations were electronically deleted from the FHR curve.

RESULTS
Basic statistical values and the distribution of the four index parameters in 5486 minutes of basal FHR were studied: the median of EXT is at 59 and the mean value at 58.9 +/- 13.9 extrema/min. The distribution is normal. The median frequency amounts to 138 bpm, the median OA to 22.2 bpm and the median beat-to-beat variability to 161.7 bpm, respectively. The mean pH value in UA blood was 7.262 +/- 0.064. The acidotic risk (pH, UA < 7.100) reached 1.3 %. There were no pH values below 7.0. With increasing basal FHR, EXT increases highly significantly (r = 0.468, P << 0.0000). EXT decreases highly significantly (r = -0.432, P << 0.0000) with increasing OA. The mean basal frequency shows the best correlation with the base excess in UA blood (r = -0.263, P << 0.0000). Beat-to-beat variability and EXT alone correlate poorly with the actual, pH and BE values (UA). Multiplication of the index parameters leads to an increase of the correlation coefficients when compared with their single values.

CONCLUSION
With increasing hypoxia and acidosis the four index parameters do show a complex pattern which is characterized by tachycardia, increase of EXT and opening of the OA. A loss of EXT and a reduction of OA seems to be the result of already severe acidosis (pH, UA < 7.000). Using the four parameters of basal FHR alone, there is no possibility to evaluate fetal jeopardization. Numerical combination (e. g., multiplication) of some index parameters ameliorates their prognostic power and should be used in future online scoring procedures.


Diseases of the vitreous, fundus and optic nerve are described and illustrated according to their ophthalmological appearance. Vitreal alterations are commonly of developmental, degenerative, age related, traumatic or inflammatory origin and of minor clinical relevance. In contrast, those affecting the fundus, may be accompanied by visual deficits or blindness. Fundic lesions of inflammatory (multifocal or peripapillary chorioretinitis, haemorrhage, retinal detachment) and traumatic origin have to be differentiated from congenital (congenital stationary night blindness, colobomatous defects, retinal dysplasia), degenerative (cystic retinal degeneration), metabolic (equine motor neuron disease), neoplastic and age related alterations (senile retinopathy). Inflammation (acute neurochorioretinitis) and ischaemia (ischaemic neuro-chorioretinopathy) involving the optic nerve will lead to blindness. The optic disc can be aplastic/hypoplastic or excavated due to coloboma or glaucoma, affected by ligation of the carotid and palatine arteries. Optic disc masses may arise due to inflammation, severe systemic haemorrhage, neoplasia or trauma. Lesions of the retrobulbar optic nerve can be caused by Borna virus infection, fungal granuloma, toxic insult, halicephalobiasis, trauma, severe blood loss and infection of the sphenopalatine sinus.


To evaluate the influence of food, time of dosing, and body position on the steady‐state pharmacokinetics of an osmotically controlled formulation of verapamil (COER‐verapamil), each of 29 healthy men received one tablet a day at specified times in an open‐label, multiple‐dose, four‐period, crossover study. The verapamil tablets were administered in a randomized, balanced, crossover design: 240 mg at 8:00 AM on an empty stomach, subjects remaining ambulatory;240 mg at 8:00 AM on an empty stomach, subjects remaining supine for 8 hours; 240 mg at 10:00 PM with a standardized meal, subjects remaining supine for 8 hours; and 240 mg at 10:00 PM on an empty stomach, subjects remaining supine for 8 hours. Plasma verapamil concentrations were measured at steady state over the dosing interval. Steady‐state plasma concentrations were achieved by the fourth administration of the drug. Neither food nor posture had any effect on the pharmacokinetics of verapamil or norverapamil, or on hemodynamic measurements. Time of dosing did affect the rate of appearance and elimination of verapamil, but had no effect on the extent of verapamil absorption, norverapamil appearance, or hemodynamic measurements.


Transmission efficiency is a critical factor determining the size of an outbreak of infectious disease. Indeed, the propensity of SARS-CoV-2 to transmit among humans precipitated and continues to sustain the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the number of new cases among contacts is highly variable and underlying reasons for wide-ranging transmission outcomes remain unclear. Here, we evaluated viral spread in golden Syrian hamsters to define the impact of temporal and environmental conditions on the efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through the air. Our data show that exposure periods as brief as one hour are sufficient to support robust transmission. However, the timing after infection is critical for transmission success, with the highest frequency of transmission to contacts occurring at times of peak viral load in the donor animals. Relative humidity and temperature had no detectable impact on transmission when exposures were carried out with optimal timing. However, contrary to expectation, trends observed with sub-optimal exposure timing suggest improved transmission at high relative humidity or high temperature. In sum, among the conditions tested, our data reveal the timing of exposure to be the strongest determinant of SARS-CoV-2 transmission success and implicate viral load as an important driver of transmission.


SUMMARY The methanol extract of the seed of Swietenia macrophylla (Meliaceae) seeds were investigated forits hypoglycaemic activity in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Seed extract suspended inaqueous Tween 80 solution, the graded doses were administered to normal and experimentaldiabetic rats for 10 days. Fasting blood glucose levels, serum lipid profiles and changes in bodyweight were evaluated in normal rats while the hepatic marker enzymes and liver glycogen levelswere evaluated additionally in diabetic rats. The diabetic groups treated with the seed extractwere compared with standard drug glibenclamide. The findings showed the significantantidiabetic potential of the extract in ameliorating the diabetic conditions in diabetic rats. Theextract also has hypoglycaemic action in normal rats. A toxicity study has been performed for theextract, which revealed that the extract is safe to use even at the doses of 3.2 mg/kg of bodyweight orally. The result from the present investigation indicates good correlation between thefolk use and scientific investigation.Keys words: Swietenia macrophylla; Alloxan; Antidiabetic


As a member of the death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) family, STK17B plays an important role in the regulation of cellular apoptosis and has been considered as a promising drug target for hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the highly conserved ATP-binding site of protein kinases represents a challenge to design selective inhibitors for a specific DAPK isoform. In this study, molecular docking, multiple large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and binding free energy calculations were performed to decipher the molecular mechanism of the binding selectivity of PKIS43 toward STK17B against its high homology STK17A. MD simulations revealed that STK17A underwent a significant conformational arrangement of the activation loop compared to STK17B. The binding free energy predictions suggested that the driving force to control the binding selectivity of PKIS43 was derived from the difference in the protein–ligand electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, the per-residue free energy decomposition unveiled that the energy contribution from Arg41 at the phosphate-binding loop of STK17B was the determinant factor responsible for the binding specificity of PKIS43. This study may provide useful information for the rational design of novel and potent selective inhibitors toward STK17B.


Robustness in deep neural networks and machine learning algorithms in general is an open research challenge. In particular, it is difficult to ensure algorithmic performance is maintained on out-of-distribution inputs or anomalous instances that cannot be anticipated at training time. Embodied agents will be deployed in these conditions, and are likely to make incorrect predictions. An agent will be viewed as untrustworthy unless it can maintain its performance in dynamic environments. Most robust training techniques aim to improve model accuracy on perturbed inputs; as an alternate form of robustness, we aim to reduce the severity of mistakes made by neural networks in challenging conditions. We leverage current adversarial training methods to generate targeted adversarial attacks during the training process in order to increase the semantic similarity between a model's predictions and true labels of misclassified instances. Results demonstrate that our approach performs better with respect to mistake severity compared to standard and adversarially trained models. We also find an intriguing role that non-robust features play with regards to semantic similarity.


Three-dimensional finite element simulations of the indentation and sliding ofa rigid sphere on a half-space with a harder and stiffer layer are presented. The sphere is modeled by contact elements, thereby avoiding a priori assumptions for the pressure profile. Indentations are performed to normal loads of 100 and 200 times the initial yield load of the substrate material and subsequent sliding is performed at a constant normal load to distances of approximately twice the indentation contact radius. Two complete load cycles are performed in selected cases to assess the effect of repeated sliding on the surface displacements and contact stresses. The effects of layer material properties, interface friction, and normal load on the sliding and residual contact stresses and forward plastic flow are examined. Emphasis is given to the sliding and residual tensile stresses at the surface in order to assess the consequences for crack initiation and subsequent failure as a function of the layer material properties, the coefficient offriction, and normal load. The finite element results are shown to be in good agreement with the results of analytical and experimental studies.


Modern mobile devices have numerous ephemeral tasks. These tasks are driven by background activities, such as push notifications and sensor readings. In order to execute these tasks, the whole platform has to periodically wake up beforehand, and go to sleep afterwards. During this process, the OS kernel operates on power state of various IO devices, which has been identified as the bottleneck for energy efficiency. To this end, we want to offload this kernel phase to a more energy efficient, microcontroller level core, named peripheral core. To execute commodity OS on a peripheral core, existing approaches either require much engineering effort or incur high execution cost. Therefore, we proposed a new OS model called transkernel. By utilizing cross-ISA dynamic binary translation (DBT) technique, transkernel creates a virtualized environment on the peripheral core. It relies on a small set of stable interfaces. It is specialized for frequently executed kernel path. It exploits ISA similarities to reduce DBT overhead. We implement a transkernel model on ARM platform. With novel design and optimization, we demonstrate that a transkernel can gain energy efficiency. Moreover, it provides a new OS design to harness heterogeneous SoCs.


By the map of New Zealand it will be seen that in the 36th degree of south latitude the Northern Island of New Zealand is so much narrowed as to form an isthmus of about six miles in width from east to west, connecting the broader and higher land on either side. This isthmus, like the land immediately to the north and south of it, has an undulating surface, rising in some places to hills of about 600 or 7OO feet above the sea. The cliffs which bound its eastern side show beds of soft sandstone, indurated clay, and mud-rock, with layers of volcanic ashes, and, occasionally, seams of lignite and coal. The whole seems to belong to the Tertiary formation, and probably to the Eocene period. Organic remains are rarely met with. But at one locality, between Kohuroa and Omaha, Terebratulœ. (of which specimens are forwarded to the Society) occur at the junction of the volcanic ashes and clay-beds above-mentioned. The higher land to the south of the isthmus—beginning on the eastern coast—consists of, first, clay-slate, then rocks of the Cretaceous formations, and lastly, a magnetic sandstone-rock, mixed with a black conglomerate. This series rises into hills of 800 of 1000 feet above the sea. To the northward of the isthmus the Tertiary is bounded on the eastern slope by a black trap-rock of a very close texture, next by a black boulder-rock, and finally, on the west coast, by a trachytic breccia, rising into peaks and ridges of


The object of these studies was to examine the localization of type IV collagen (Coll‐IV) in the basement membranes (BM) of epithelial and stromal elements (smooth muscle, nerves, vessels) in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic (primary and metastatic) prostate. We also examined the relationship of Coll‐IV distribution to the degree of tumor differentiation (Gleason grading system). We compared immunoperoxidase (IP) and immunoalkaline phosphatase (AP) techniques in these studies and in selected samples we also evaluated immunofluorescence (IF) localization of Coll‐IV and the effects of tissue fixation and pepsin digestion. We found that IF localization of Coll‐IV was intense in unfixed sections. IP and AP reactions were absent in fixed, paraffin‐embedded sections but pepsin treatment yielded intense and uniform reaction products in these same preparations. Both the IP and AP techniques showed similar localization of Coll‐IV in the BM of normal, hyperplastic, and well‐differentiated tumor. In most of the higher‐grade tumors Coll‐IV localization was reduced and a similar pattern of distribution was observed after IP and AP techniques. However, in some high‐grade tumors the IP technique showed good localization but AP did not, and vice versa. Such discrepancies were noted in the BM of the tumor cells, as well as in the BM of the stromal elements and in lymph nodes with metastatic tumor. Thus, our study shows decreased Coll‐IV localization in higher‐grade tumors and suggests that the use of a single technique (IP or AP) may exaggerate this apparent loss of Coll‐IV BM components. The exact cause of these discrepancies is unknown but they must reflect variable losses in the ability of the tumor cells to form BM, degradation or decreased synthesis of BM components by high‐grade tumors, or a combination of the above.


The current Uruguay Round of negotiations in GATT is considering the issues of industrial and intellectual property rights (IIPRs), trade in services and direct foreign investment. Although these issues are not linked conceptually, they have come to be integrated in a single policy initiative in which the US government is particularly active. The major reason for targetting IIPRs for reform is that there are major changes in technology which render the inherited regime anachronistic. This article considers these changes in technology, describes the implications for property rights and discusses the current policy negotiations in GATT. It concludes by pointing to the key role being played by the USA and questions whether this is likely to endure given the undermining of the technologically dominant position of the US economy.


The design of smart nanoplatforms presenting well-definite structures able to achieve controlled cascade action remotely triggered by external stimuli presents a great challenge. We report here a new nanosystem consisting of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles covalently grafted with a thermosensitive radical initiator alkoxyamine, able to provide controlled and localized release of free radicals triggered by an alternating current (ac) magnetic field. These nanoparticles exhibit a high intrinsic loss power of 4.73 nHm2 kg-1 providing rapid heating of their surface under the action of an ac field, inducing the homolysis of alkoxyamine C-ON bond and then the oxygen-independent formation of radicals. This latter was demonstrated by electronic paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the kinetics of homolysis has been investigated allowing a comparison of the temperature of alkoxyamine's homolysis with the one measured during the magnetothermia process.


Knowledge of advantages and disadvantages identified by each generation in multigenerational households (MGHs) composed of three generations helps to guide decision making by families and policymakers as well as assist professionals who provide clinical services to these families. As part of an exploratory study, survey data were collected from 171 respondents, representing 43 families and three generations. Using a panel of experts and content analysis techniques, categories were developed to sort the data for further analysis. Advantages outweighed disad vantages, particularly for the oldest generation. Family closeness and increased tangible resources were the most frequent advantages given. Intrahousehold family relationship stress and issues of privacy were the most frequent disadvantages identified. Statistically significant generational differences in responses were identified and explained by individual and family life stage theory. Implications for future research on the MGH are presented.


As a natural dietary ingredient, berberine possesses multiple biological activities including anti-inflammatory effects. In this work, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated alleviation of inflammation by berberine was investigated by a combination of in vitro, in silico, and in vivo approaches. The fluorescence polarization assay showed that berberine bound to GR with an IC50 value of 9.14 ± 0.16 pM. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation suggested that berberine bound stably to the active site of GR via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Berberine induced GR nuclear translocation but did not activate the glucocorticoid response element in HeLa cells. Furthermore, both gene and protein expressions of PEPCK were significantly attenuated by berberine in HepG2 cells. Interestingly, berberine downregulated CBG mRNA and protein levels without up-regulating TAT mRNA and protein levels in HepG2 cells, demonstrating its dissociated characteristics that could separate transrepression from transactivation. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of berberine were confirmed in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells and in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis, respectively. In conclusion, berberine might serve as a potential selective GR modulator.


Neuroendocrine liver metastases (LM-NEN) develop in a considerable proportion of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. There is a paucity of experimental models that accurately recapitulate this complex metastatic human liver microenvironment precluding scientific and clinical advancements. Here, we describe the development of a novel personalised immunocompetent precision cut tumour slice (PCTS) model for LM-NEN using resected human liver tissue. The histological assessment throughout the culture demonstrated that slices maintain viability for at least 7 days and retain the cellular heterogeneity of the original tumour. Essential clinical features, such as patient-specific histoarchitecture, tumour grade, neuroendocrine differentiation and metabolic capacity, are preserved in the slices. The PCTS also replicate the tumor-specific immunological profile as shown by the innate and adaptive immunity markers analysis. Furthermore, the study of soluble immune checkpoint receptors in the culture supernatants proves that these immunomodulators are actively produced by LM-NEN and suggests that this process is epithelium-dependent. This model can be employed to investigate these pathways and provides a powerful platform for mechanistic, immunological and pre-clinical studies.


Someone tells you a story. It seems wrong. It misrepresents someone you care about. But it has been told by someone you do not want to offend or contradict. What do you do? You feel you must say something—set the record straight, absolve your friend, clarify your relationship to her, assert your view on what is right and wrong. How do stories provoke this sense of urgency? When a story is told and interpreted, nothing less than truth, power, morality, and individual agency can be at stake, and these stakes are too high to ignore. The stories analyzed in this book illustrate that narratives bring into play those elements that bring meaning to life . . .


This study aims to determine the effect of a variable products innovation consisting of sub-variables relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, divisibility, and communicability on purchasing decisions on a T-shirt & Souvenir Jakoz outlets in the city of Jambi. This research is a survey using a questionnaire instrument. The samples used were 100 consumer brands Jakoz shirts. The analytical tool used is multiple linear regression analysis. This study indicates that product innovation (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, divisibility, and communicability) simultaneously influences consumer purchasing decisions in partial compatibility, complexity, divisibility, and communicability influence purchase decisions. In contrast, the relative superiority does not affect the purchase decisions on Jakoz shirt brand products in Jambi.


It is accepted as a well-known fact that a similar anthropogenic impact on the Earth's crust in different places causes dissimilar response. Seismic zoning maps are not designed to predict such geodynamic hazards as rock bursts, induced earthquakes, reactivation of tectonic faults, etc., and require careful adjustment in places of intense impact on the subsurface strata. In this regard, we consider the classification of the Earth's crust areas according to the degree of geodynamic hazard, i.e. its potential geodynamic response to anthropogenic intervention. This classification is based on the concept that there exists a critically stressed layer within the Earth's crust. It is believed that such critically stressed layer within the Earth's crust extends from the Earth's surface to a certain depth, which at each point depends on the nature of the interaction between crustal blocks of different hierarchical levels.From this perspective, anthropogenic impact, such as mining operations, represents a direct impact upon the critically stressed zone. The hypothesis is accepted that the thicker is the critical stressed rock layer, the stronger might be the response to anthropogenic intervention, as it has more accumulated energy. Four categorized of the geodynamic threat were found and mapped. To verify this classification, the manifestations of the geodynamic hazards were studied. The intensity of geodynamic hazard increases from the 1st area to the 4th area. The phenomenon of large induced seismic events with hypocenters at great depths is explained by the base of this idea and could be associated with anthropogenic impacts from the surface directly on the regional zone of the critical stressed rock massif. The approach can be used to assess the geodynamic consequences of human exposure to the Earth's crust.


Research Findings: This study examined 34 Head Start teachers' use of four categories of mental state talk (verbalizations of mental processes using emotion terms, cognition terms, desire terms, and perception terms) during naturally occurring classroom interactions. Transcriptions from classroom videos were coded for mental state talk category, sentence type in which the mental state term was used, and referent of the mental state term. Results indicated that teachers used varying amounts of mental state talk (perception terms were used most frequently and emotion terms least frequently) and that categories of mental state talk differed by sentence type and referent; emotion and cognition terms were used in statements more than questions, and, when using emotion terms, teachers were more likely to refer to their own emotions than children's emotions. Differences in teachers' mental state talk were associated with teachers' years of experience and observed classroom quality as assessed by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System. Practice or Policy: Teachers' mental state talk may be a mechanism through which teachers' use of verbal language contributes to positive and sensitive teacher–child interactions. Further examination of mental state talk within teacher–child interactions has the potential to contribute to understanding aspects of effective teaching in early childhood classrooms.


Following scant evidence for the effects of proximity to rail transit on car use, we pinpoint the impacts of rail transit and neighbourhood characteristics on both transit and car use in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. We apply the structural equations modelling approach on 597 residents who moved into the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit (LRT) corridor after it opened. The analysis is based on a self-administrated survey where all attributes of the built environment and transit quality are perceived measures. Using a quasi-longitudinal design to compare the behaviour of movers into the Hiawatha and control corridors, we found that the Hiawatha LRT acts as both a catalyst and a magnet. Movers into the Hiawatha corridor experience transit improvement, which increases transit use and reduces car use. The LRT also enables transit-liking people who were unable to realise their preference previously to relocate near the LRT. However, the LRT has no significant effects on changes in car ownership.


With the advance of mobile devices, cloud computing has enabled people to access data and computing resources without spatiotemporal constraints. A common assumption is that mobile devices are well connected to remote data centers and the data centers securely store and process data. However, for systems like mobile cloud deployed in infrastructureless dynamic networks (i.e., with frequent topology changes because of node failure/unavailability and mobility), reliability and energy efficiency remain largely unaddressed challenges. To address these issues, we develop the first 'k-out-of-n computing' framework that ensures nodes retrieve or process data stored in mobile cloud with minimum energy consumption as long as k out of n storage/processing nodes are accessible. We demonstrate the feasibility and performance of our framework through both hardware implementation and extensive simulations.


In this short review attention is focused on the occurrence of metabolic diseases in combination with disturbances of the immunologic response. Epidemiological surveys in cows suffering from hepatic lipidosis indicate an increased percentage of a specific infectious diseases. Few experiments have been described in which immunoreactivity in cows with spontaneous or induced metabolic diseases were studied. The results reported in these studies indeed strongly suggest impairment of the immune response in metabolic diseases, but do not indicate a causative relationship between metabolism and immunity.


Comparative studies of the antigenic structure of influenza B viruses isolated in 1976-1977 and in previous years demonstrated one-way relationship of the hemagglutinin of B/76 viruses with that of B/72 viruses. Antisera to new B/76 strains neutralized the hemagglutinating activity of all known reference influenza B virus strains beginning from 1972. Influenza B/76 viruses were divided into two groups depending on complete or partial neutralization by antiserum B/Hong Kong/7/75. The study of the antigenic structure of neuraminidase showed no significant differences between influenza B/76 and B/72 virus neuraminidase. All the influenza B viruses from different years under study had marked interferon-inducing properties and were sensitive to interferon. Unlike the Yamagata/1/73 strain, all the influenza B/76 viruses under study were resistant to thermostable inhibitors of normal horse, guinea pig, and rabbit sera.


With the development of information technology, band expansion technology is gradually applied to college English listening teaching. This technology aims to recover broadband speech signals from narrowband speech signals with a limited frequency band. However, due to the limitations of current voice equipment and channel conditions, the existing voice band expansion technology often ignores the high-frequency and low-frequency correlation of the audio, resulting in excessive smoothing of the recovered high-frequency spectrum, too dull subjective hearing, and insufficient expression ability. In order to solve this problem, a neural network model PCA-NN (principal components analysis-neural network) based on principal component image analysis is proposed. Based on the nonlinear characteristics of the audio image signal, the model reduces the dimension of high-dimensional data and realizes the effective recovery of the high-frequency detailed spectrum of audio signal in phase space. The results show that the PCA-NN, i.e., neural network based on principal component analysis, is superior to other audio expansion algorithms in subjective and objective evaluation; in log spectrum distortion evaluation, PCA-NN algorithm obtains smaller LSD. Compared with EHBE, Le, and La, the average LSD decreased by 2.286 dB, 0.51 dB, and 0.15 dB, respectively. The above results show that in the image frequency band expansion of college English listening, the neural network algorithm based on principal component analysis (PCA-NN) can obtain better high-frequency reconstruction accuracy and effectively improve the audio quality.


An empirically based relationship between overall complex stability (-DeltaG degrees ) and various possible component interactions is developed to probe the question of whether the A.T/U and G.C base-pairs exhibit enhanced stability relative to similarly hydrogen-bonded complexes. This phenomenological approach suggests ca. 2-2.5 kcal mol-1 in additional stability for A.T owing to a group interaction containing a CH...O contact. Pairing geometry and the role of the CH...O interaction in the A.T base-pair were also probed using MP2/6-31+G(d,p) calculations and a double mutant cycle. The ab initio studies indicated that Hoogsteen geometry is preferred over Watson-Crick geometry in A.T by ca. 1 kcal mol-1. Factors that might contribute to the preference for Hoogsteen geometry are a shorter CH...O contact, a favorable alignment of dipoles, and greater distances between secondary repulsive sites. The CH...O interaction was also investigated in model complexes of adenine with ketene and isocyanic acid. The ab initio calculations support the result of the phenomenological approach that the A.T base-pair does have enhanced stability relative to hydrogen-bonded complexes with just N-H...N and N-H...O hydrogen bonds.


The Arab Spring revealed the rise of Islamists and a wave of Islamic movements across the region. The Islamist agenda is debatable on issues regarding their commitment to democracy, pluralism and individual freedom. Central to this is understanding their evolving definition of Islamism and how the players view themselves. The article provides a brief background on which to describe and define the modern Islamist. The features of Islamist political parties are described. The article offers a definition of neo-Islamism that reflects its most modern trends, including these key characteristics: non-traditional religiosity, gradualism, Islam modernization, nationalism and pragmatic relations with the West.


This paper investigates the effect of utterance duration to the calibration of a modern i-vector speaker recognition system with probabilistic linear discriminant analysis (PLDA) modeling. A calibration approach to deal with these effects using quality measure functions (QMFs) is proposed to include duration in the calibration transformation. Extensive experiments are performed in order to evaluate the robustness of the proposed calibration approach for unseen conditions in the training of calibration parameters. Using the latest NIST corpora for evaluation, results highlight the importance of considering the quality metrics like duration in calibrating the scores for automatic speaker recognition systems.


ABSTRACT
 Fossil remains of at least seven individuals of a new species of Aegypius vulture from the Upper Varswater Formation at Langebaanweg, South Africa (early Pliocene), represent the earliest, unequivocal, and most substantial evidence for crown-group Aegypiinae in the world. Evaluation of available data on previously described vulture species from the Miocene of Africa and China such as Gansugyps linxiaensis, Mioaegypius gui, and Qiluornis taishanensis indicate that the corresponding fossils either lack any diagnostic characters of aegypiine vultures or are referable to the stem lineage of Aegypiinae. Aegypiine vultures, nevertheless, might be of Asian origin, and the extension of the range of this taxon into Africa south of the Sahara might be correlated with the spread of gregarious herbivores such as bovids and equids from Eurasia to Africa during the Miocene. The holotype of the new vulture species, an associated partial skeleton with elements of the pectoral girdle, the wing, and the hind limb preserved, is comparable in size to smaller individuals of A. monachus and A. tracheliotos. Evidence for an Aegypius vulture at Langebaanweg further indicates that open woodlands were an important component of the early Pliocene paleoenvironments at this particular site.


OBJECTIVE
The zygomycete Apophysomyces elegans is an unusual human pathogen that is being reported with increasing frequency as a cause of infection in previously healthy patients following trauma or after invasive procedures. We report 2 cases of infection caused by this emerging fungal pathogen.

METHODS
Histologic sections of tissue removed from the infected patients and the isolates in culture were examined. Other infections caused by A. elegans that have been reported in the literature were reviewed.

RESULTS
Both patients developed infection due to A. elegans after sustaining trauma that required tissue debridement because of tissue necrosis. Histologic examination showed broad, sparsely septate, thin-walled hyphae and angioinvasion with thrombosis. Extensive coagulation necrosis of surrounding tissue was seen. A rapidly growing mold with sporangiophores having funnel-shaped apophyses and pyriform sporangia, characteristic of A. elegans, was isolated from each case.

CONCLUSION
Apophysomyces elegans is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infection in previously healthy patients who suffer an injury to the cutaneous barrier, such as trauma or burns. Infection with this zygomycete should be considered when there is progressive necrosis of a wound in a previously healthy patient. Successful treatment requires tissue debridement and amphotericin B. Histologic examination for early diagnosis and frozen section evaluation of surgical margins are required for optimal therapy.


Preparation of a p–n heterojunction with hierarchical structure is of great significance for photocatalysis due to its large specific surface area, abundant active sites and increased charge separation rate. Herein, we designed the novel p–n heterojunction photocatalyst TiO2/SnO microflower (TiO2/F-SnO) with hierarchical architecture by decorating TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of the SnO microflower via a simple hydrothermal route. Compared to pure TiO2 and TiO2/SnO with a microplate structure (TiO2/P-SnO), TiO2/F-SnO heterojunctions exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic performances for organics removal such as toluidine blue O (TBO) and methylene blue (MB) under daylight fluorescent lamp irradiation (350–800 nm). The improved performance was not only ascribed to the promoted charge transfer and separation efficiency induced by the formation of p–n junction, but also attributed to the larger specific surface area, sufficient active sites and stronger redox ability provided by the hierarchical microflowers. Moreover, after three photocatalytic cycles (24 h), the TiO2/SnO heterojunction still exhibited a stable photocatalytic activity. Finally, the photocatalytic enhancement mechanism for the TiO2/SnO heterojunction was proposed based on band alignments calculation and the active species trapping experiments.


Abstract Exergy analysis enables one to evaluate quantitatively the causes resulting in increases of exergy due to thermodynamic imperfections of thermal and chemical processes. Exergy express the quality of energy and can be defined as the minimal work necessary to produce a material in its specified state from materials common in the environment in a reversible way, heat being exchanged only with the environment. On the other hand, achieving sustainable solutions to today's energy and environmental problems needs long-term planning and actions. Energy issues are particularly prevalent at present and renewables appear to provide one component of an effective sustainable solution. Discussed in this article are possible future energy-utilization patterns and related environmental impacts, potential solutions to current environmental problems, renewable energy technologies and their relations to sustainable development, and how the principles of thermodynamics via exergy can be beneficially used to evaluate energy systems and technologies as well as environmental impact. Throughout the article, current and future perspectives regarding thermodynamics and sustainable development are considered.


This paper presents the design and implementation of an experimental study of a two-axis (Azimuth and Altitude) automatic control solar tracking system to measure the solar radiation in an inexpensive way by a tracking solar PV panel according to the direction of the beam propagation of the solar radiation from dawn to dusk. The designed tracking system consists of four sensors (LDR) and a programmable logic controller (PLC) which controls two DC servomotors with control software designed for this purpose to move the system panel according to the information from the input sensors, keeping the panel always perpendicular to sun rays. The designed software contains also a backup program (override part of the software) which controls the tracker in adverse weather conditions (cloudy or partly cloudy). To investigate the effect of using two-axis sun tracker system in measuring the solar radiation, an experimental study is carried out to evaluate its performance in the territory of Mosul Technical Institute.


In this article, we address two key challenges in deep reinforcement learning (DRL) setting, sample inefficiency and slow learning, with a dual-neural network (NN)-driven learning approach. In the proposed approach, we use two deep NNs with independent initialization to robustly approximate the action-value function in the presence of image inputs. In particular, we develop a temporal difference (TD) error-driven learning (EDL) approach, where we introduce a set of linear transformations of the TD error to directly update the parameters of each layer in the deep NN. We demonstrate theoretically that the cost minimized by the EDL regime is an approximation of the empirical cost, and the approximation error reduces as learning progresses, irrespective of the size of the network. Using simulation analysis, we show that the proposed methods enable faster learning and convergence and require reduced buffer size (thereby increasing the sample efficiency).


Aum, Lee, and Shin (2018) quantify the impact of production complementarities and differential productivity growth across occupations and sectors on the slowdown of aggregate productivity growth. This note expands their work to study substitutability between new computer equipment and labor in individual occupations as opposed to all occupations combined. Preliminary empirical evidence suggests (1) significantly different elasticities of substitution between computers and labor across occupations and (2) a strong correlation between productivity growth of computers and labor in occupations where these two inputs are complementary. When they are substitutes, however, their productivity growth rates appear uncorrelated. These findings have the potential to amplify or weaken the magnitude of the aggregate productivity slowdown explained by Aum, Lee, and Shin (2018) making their approach a promising avenue for future research.


Stein's method (Stein, 1973; 1981) is a powerful tool for statistical applications, and has had a significant impact in machine learning. Stein's lemma plays an essential role in Stein's method. Previous applications of Stein's lemma either required strong technical assumptions or were limited to Gaussian distributions with restricted covariance structures. In this work, we extend Stein's lemma to exponential-family mixture distributions including Gaussian distributions with full covariance structures. Our generalization enables us to establish a connection between Stein's lemma and the reparamterization trick to derive gradients of expectations of a large class of functions under weak assumptions. Using this connection, we can derive many new reparameterizable gradient-identities that goes beyond the reach of existing works. For example, we give gradient identities when expectation is taken with respect to Student's t-distribution, skew Gaussian, exponentially modified Gaussian, and normal inverse Gaussian.


The chlorosomal light‐harvesting antennae of green phototrophic bacteria consist of large supramolecular aggregates of bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c). The supramolecular structure of (31‐R/S)‐BChl c on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). On MoS2, we observed single BChl c molecules, dimers or tetramers, depending on the polarity of the solvent. On HOPG, we observed extensive self‐assembly of the dimers and tetramers. We propose C=O · · · H–O · · · Mg bonding networks for the observed dimer chains, in agreement with former ultraviolet–visible and infrared spectroscopic work. The BChl c moieties in the tetramers are probably linked by four C=O · · · H–O hydrogen bonds to form a circle and further stabilized by Mg · · · O–H bondings to underlying BChl c layers. The tetramers form highly ordered, distinct chains and extended two‐dimensional networks. We investigated semisynthetic chlorins for comparison by STM but observed that only BChl c self‐assembles to well‐structured large aggregates on HOPG. The results on the synthetic chlorins support our structure proposition.


The primary outcome measure is the outcome that an investigator considers to be the most important among the many outcomes that are to be examined in the study. The primary outcome needs to be defined at the time the study is designed. There are 2 reasons for this: it reduces the risk of false-positive errors resulting from the statistical testing of many outcomes, and it reduces the risk of a false-negative error by providing the basis for the estimation of the sample size necessary for an adequately powered study. This article discusses the setting of the primary outcome measure, the need for it, the increased risk of false-positive and false-negative errors in secondary outcome results, how to regard articles that do not state the primary outcome, how to interpret results when secondary outcomes are statistically significant but not the primary outcome, and limitations of the concept of a primary outcome measure in clinical trial research.


The quantum wave packet dynamics following a coherent electronic excitation of LiH by an ultrashort, polarized, strong one-cycle infrared optical pulse is computed on several electronic states using a grid method. The coupling to the strong field of the pump and the probe pulses is included in the Hamiltonian used to solve the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. The polarization of the pump pulse allows us to control the localization in time and in space of the nonequilibrium coherent electronic motion and the subsequent nuclear dynamics. We show that transient absorption, resulting from the interaction of the total molecular dipole with the electric fields of the pump and the probe, is a very versatile probe of the different time scales of the vibronic dynamics. It allows probing both the ultrashort, femtosecond time scale of the electronic coherences as well as the longer dozens of femtoseconds time scales of the nuclear motion on the excited electronic states. The ultrafast beatings of the electronic coherences in space and in time are shown to be modulated by the different periods of the nuclear motion.


The main purpose of ion implantation process study is obtaining information concerning doping conditions into low-resistant materials. This paper concerns implantation of Cu- and Pb-ions into 30HGSN2A-steel samples. Using computer program simulation based on Monte Carlo method the introduced ion distribution profile in a multi-component target has been obtained.


Abstract. A number of extreme and rogue wave studies have been conducted theoretically, numerically, experimentally and based on field data in the last years, which have significantly advanced our knowledge of ocean waves. So far, however, consensus on the probability of occurrence of rogue waves has not been achieved. The present investigation is addressing this topic from the perspective of design needs. Probability of occurrence of extreme and rogue wave crests in deep water is here discussed based on higher order time simulations, experiments and hindcast data. Focus is given to occurrence of rogue waves in high sea states.


—The scope of this paper is to analyze the performance of HG_EDFA (High Gain Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier) and LN_EYCDFA (Less ASE Noise erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber amplifier) using single pumping with the wavelength of 980nm by the various parameters like Gain, forward output signal power and forward and backward ASE (Amplified spontaneous Emission) noise power. This Paper describes the simulation models of HG_EDFA is connected with an input of (DMLaser1) direct modulated laser source and the performance was analyzed with the parameters were measured and the values are tabulated and plotted and compared with LN_EYCDFA. The simulation model consists of input source 1mw with wavelength (1550nm), pumping CW Laser source with wavelength 980nm and Filter. The resulting models were accurately represents Gain and optimized output signal power. Simulation results shows that by choosing careful fiber length 20m and pump power 1mw in single pumping gives ASE noise 0.0025mw in HG_EDFA and 12X10 -14 mw in LN_EYCDFA.


REPORT OF A CASE A 71-year-old man was first seen in 1982 suffering from rosacea. He complained of mild facial burning and persistent redness predominantly affecting the convexities of the face. He derived little benefit from prolonged courses of oral oxytetracycline and minocycline. For a few months, he also made use of fluocinonide applied to the face. He was a football trainer for many years. His duties included prolonged ''heading the ball'' sessions, subjecting his forehead to repeated blunt trauma. In 1992, he presented with a 6-month history of persistent symmetrical swelling of the upper half of the face associated with minimal discomfort. He denied headaches or nasal symptoms. On physical examination, he had symmetrical nonpitting edema most prominent on the central forehead, periorbital regions, and upper cheeks, accompanied by diffuse facial erythema and some telangiectasia ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). The rest of the skin and eyes were normal.


OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccine and use of infection control procedures by dental health care workers in Taegu, South Korea.

METHODS
Information was obtained with a mailed questionnaire sent to 300 private dental practices. Surveys were received from 177 dentists, 104 dental hygienists, and 46 dental assistants. All dental health care workers were asked to donate a blood sample for analysis of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs).

RESULTS
Vaccination against hepatitis B virus was reported by 63 percent of the respondents. About 40 percent of all participants answered that they were anti-HBs positive, while another 43 percent did not know their status. About 89 percent of dentists reported that they wore a mask with all patients, while hygienists (13.6%) and assistants (13.0%) were less likely to do so. Reported use of gloves (4.5%) and protective eyewear (14%) with all patients was extremely low in every group. Among the 56 dentists who were tested for HBV markers, 23 did not receive the vaccine against hepatitis B, and 13 percent (3 of 23) were positive for HBsAg as carriers.

CONCLUSIONS
About 37 percent (120 of 327) of dental health care workers surveyed in this study in Korea did not receive the vaccine against HBV infection. Basic barrier techniques to prevent cross-contamination were not being used consistently. Nationwide guidelines for barrier techniques and hepatitis vaccinations should be developed and disseminated to dental personnel.


Introduction: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of mortality in Indonesia, there is a significant increasing trend in annual hypertension prevalence in Indonesia. Hypertension is one of the most common diseases in NTB (Nusa Tenggara Barat), the prevalence of hypertension measured based on blood pressure in NTB is 1,523,574 (32.4%), it is higher than the national rate (1,255,537 (26.7%) of 4,702,389 people). The highest prevalence of hypertension in Mataram City is in Cakranegara Primary Care, there are 724 people with hypertension in this primary care working area. The purpose of this study is to determine the average number of patient's hypertension rate at Cakranegara Primary Care before and after given muscle relaxation techniques.
Method: This study uses "Quasi Experiment Design" with control group as comparison. The population in this study are 724 hypertension patients and 27 patients as sample based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: The results of this study indicates that the T-test calculation using Quasi Experiment Design shows the difference of average of hypertension rate before and after given progressive muscle relaxation technique. It is 10,306 mmHg in intervention group and 1,425 mmHg in control group. The p-value in the intervention group is 0.000 that is smaller than α=0.05 and the p-value of control group is 0.431 that is greater than α=0.05.
Conclusion: From this study, we can conclude that there is a difference of hypertension rate between intervention and control group. We hope this progressive muscle relaxation technique can be used as an appropriate alternative or complementing treatment to control Hypertension rate.


Various R&D programs for rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) engines have progressed worldwide for the space development and the defense applications. As a way toward indigenous domestic RBCC program, a preliminary design of flight test conditions was studied in this study for a sub-scale RBCC engine using a sounding rocket. Launch and flight profiles were calculated for several booster options and compared with that of HyShot II program. The result shows that the Korea Sounding Rocket-II (KSR-II) is a proper candidate to perform the flight test available in Korea. The recommend flight test conditions with KSR-II are Mach 6.0 with a test vehicle of 230 kg and Mach 7.4 with 50 kg. Present study will soon be followed by a design of sub-scale RBCC for a flight test using a sounding rocket.


Although captive bears are popular zoo attractions, they are known to exhibit high levels of repetitive behaviors (RBs). These behaviors have also made them particularly popular subjects for welfare research. To date, most research on ursid welfare has focused on various feeding methods that seek to increase time spent searching for, extracting, or consuming food. Prior research indicates an average of a 50% reduction in RBs when attempts are successful and, roughly, a 50% success rate across studies. This research focused on decreasing time spent in an RB while increasing the time spent active by increasing time spent searching for, extracting, and consuming food. The utility of timed, automated scatter feeders was examined for use with captive grizzly bears (Ursis arctos horribilis). Findings include a significant decrease in time spent in RB and a significant increase in time spent active while the feeders were in use. Further, the bears exhibited a wider range of behaviors and a greater use of their enclosure.


Tarsal coalition is a condition characterized by abnormal connections between ≥2 tarsi. Although tarsal coalition is not rare, tarsal coalitions involving >2 tarsi are very unusual. In this report, we describe a case of multiple tarsal coalitions in a 24-year-old male who experienced progressively worsening pain for 3 to 4 months before presenting for care. This case was unique in that all the tarsal and tarsometatarsal bones in the foot were fused and formed 1 integrated tarsal. All of the metatarsals were fused as well, and the patient had no joints or ranges of motion in the hindfoot or midfoot. The patient's pain was responsive to anti-inflammatory medications, and no surgical intervention was necessary. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most extensive case of multiple tarsal coalitions described in the literature to date.


Photoacoustic (PA) effect induced in solids by x-ray absorption was observed, and the experimental signals were obtained on graphite and copper samples as functions of the chopping frequency. Theoretical calculations and detailed discussions were made to interpret the experimental results using Rosencwaig-Gerho (RG) theory.


Whole-genome sequencing was used to determine whether the reductions in recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection observed with fidaxomicin in pivotal phase 3 trials occurred by preventing relapse of the same infection, by preventing reinfection with a new strain, or by preventing both outcomes. Paired isolates of C. difficile were available from 93 of 199 participants with recurrences (28 were treated with fidaxomicin, and 65 were treated with vancomycin). Given C. difficile evolutionary rates, paired samples ≤2 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) apart were considered relapses, paired samples >10 SNVs apart were considered reinfection, and those 3–10 SNVs apart (or without whole-genome sequences) were considered indeterminate in a competing risks survival analysis. Fidaxomicin reduced the risk of both relapse (competing risks hazard ratio [HR], 0.40 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .25–.66]; P = .0003) and reinfection (competing risks HR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.11–1.01]; P = .05).


A method has been proposed for determining the detection limit (L(D)) from the slope of a semilogarithmic plot of a B/B(0) curve in competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As an application, this paper describes a graphic determination of L(D) from analogue data in the literature. The L(D) obtained corresponds to the concentration at which the relative standard deviation of concentration estimates is 30%.


Nuclear medicine offers ideal techniques to visualize inflammatory processes using noninvasive methods of whole-body scanning, enabling the determination of both the localization and the number of inflammatory foci. In nuclear medicine, a radiolabeled compound is injected (mostly) intravenously and accumulates in the inflammatory lesion due to the locally changed physiological condition. These changes are enhanced blood flow, enhanced vascular permeability and enhanced influx of leukocytes. Radiopharmaceuticals can be primarily divided into two classes: those accumulating in the inflammatory lesion based on non-specific processes and those accumulating in connection to leukocytes. Nonspecific tracers like Ga-citrate, radiolabeled non-specific immunoglobulins and radiolabeled liposomes are discussed in detail. Studies using specific tracers mainly focus on radiolabeling leukocytes, either directly or indirectly. Direct labeling of isolated leukocytes and reinjecting them is considered the "gold standard" nuclear medicine technique for imaging inflammation. Labeling leukocytes in vivo (the indirect approach) can be achieved by the use of radiolabeled antibodies or by compounds binding to leukocyte receptors with high affinity. At least three anti-granulocyte antibodies have been tested for infection imaging: anti-NCA-95 IgG (BW250/183), anti-NCA-90 Fab' (Immu-MN3, leukoscan®: anti-CD66), and anti-SSEA-1 IgM (LeuTech: anti-CD15). In addition, a w ide var iety of pe ptide s binding to le ukocyte re ceptors ha s be en inve stiga ted, e.g. chemota ctic pe ptide formylMe t-L eu-Phe, cytokines such as inte rleukin-1, inte rleukin-2, inte rleukin-8 and pla te let f actor 4 (deriva tives) a nd complement f ac tor s suc h as C5a. Furthermore, positron emission tomography with Ffluorodeoxyglucose takes advantage of the enhanced glucose requirements of leukocytes and macrophages in inflammatory foci. A totally different approach is to target directly micro-organisms, without intervention of leukocytes. This strategy is adopted in radiopharmaceuticals such as Infecton and antimicrobial peptides. The discussed radiopharmaceuticals enable accurate diagnosis of the inflammatory condition and with these agents the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory therapies can be monitored.


Sensor, weapon and command systems on board modern naval ships have a high dependence on support systems, particularly distributed fluid systems. Distributed Intelligent Networked Control Systems (DINCS) offers timely and efficient reconfiguration of these support systems in case of malfunctions or weapon-induced failures. Software agents contained within DINCS autonomously detect, isolate and reconfigure distributed fluid systems to maintain as much of the ship's fight-through capability as possible. First this paper analyses the performance of DINCS with the survivability analysis tool RESIST (REsilience SImulation for Ship Targets) to validate the impact of DINCS on the ship's survivability. This work determines the effects of weapon hits and assesses the combined consequences for the ship's state after the incident. Results show that the fight-through capability, expressed as the number of tasks the ship is still able to perform in accordance with the command aim, increases strongly when using DINCS, whilst the vulnerability of the platform support systems to battle damage is minimised. Secondly, increased automation often raises questions about the impact on operator situational awareness. In this paper new Human Machine Interface (HMI) concepts for the DINCS technology demonstrator to improve the crewmembers' situational awareness are discussed, with due consideration of relevant standards and legislation. These concepts support the operator in: presenting system status; monitoring and alerting on leaks and battle damage; displaying consequences of battle damage and informing the operator of autonomously conducted isolations and reconfigurations; suggesting solutions when DINCS is set to non-autonomous; presenting tasks for the ship's crew to return to full operational capability and providing situational awareness at the correct level of detail. In multiple subject matter expert reviews, these designs have been improved iteratively by using cognitive walkthroughs of various scenarios. Furthermore the evaluation set-up to test the operator situational awareness of the final HMIdesign is described.


Many organisms have free‐running circadian clocks to anticipate the time of the day, including the Kai protein‐based clock in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus. However, other species have an 'hourglass' timer, such as the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus marinus. What conditions favor an hourglass timer or a free running clock over the other? We argue that this evolutionary choice is influenced by the noise levels in the external environment (e.g., light fluctuations due to weather) relative to noise levels in the internal environment of the cell (e.g., molecular fluctuations). Besides different clock dynamics in different species, we find that the clock of a single species, S. elongatus, exploits a clock‐metabolic coupling to tune its clock dynamics towards an hourglass timer to deal with changing noise levels.


We summarize the top-quark mass measurements from the CDF and DØ experiments at Fermilab. We combine published Run I (1992–1996) measurements with the most precise published and preliminary Run II (2001-present) measurements using up to 5.8 fb−1 of data, adding new analyses (the 6ET+Jets analysis) and updating old ones. Taking uncertainty correlations into account, and adding in quadrature the statistical and systematic uncertainties, the resulting preliminary Tevatron average mass of the top quark is Mt = 173.2± 0.9 GeV/c2. The Tevatron Electroweak Working Group can be contacted at firstname.lastname@example.com. More information can be found at http://tevewwg.fnal.gov.


This guide will help new and experienced storytellers locate and access information about the history of storytelling, classical myths, legends, family tales, ballads, folk and fairy tales.


The test mass suspensions of cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors such as the KAGRA project are tasked with extracting the heat deposited on the optics. Thus these suspensions have a nonuniform temperature, requiring the calculation of thermal noise in non-equilibrium conditions. While it is not possible to describe the whole suspension system with one temperature, the local temperature anywhere in the system is still well defined. We therefore generalize the application of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem to mechanical systems, pioneered by Saulson and Levin, to nonequilibrium conditions in which a temperature can only be defined locally. The result is intuitive in the sense that the temperature-averaging relevant for the thermal noise in the observed degree of freedom is given by averaging the temperature field, weighted by the dissipation density associated with that particular degree of freedom. After proving this theorem we apply the result to examples of increasing complexity: a simple spring, the bending of a pendulum suspension fiber, as well as a model of the KAGRA cryogenic suspension. We conclude by outlining the application to non-equilibrium thermo-elastic noise.


The aim of this paper is to determine the bulk etch rate Vb of the nuclear track detector CR-39 using the method based on measuring the thickness of the layer removed from the surface of the detector (the thickness difference) by the chemical etching, and then studying how to change it with the temperature of the etching solution to extract an empirical relationship between them. The detector samples were etched in a 6 N of NaOH solution at temperatures 80, 70, 60 and 501 o C, and the thickness of the removed layer was determined by successive measuring the detector thickness for etching times of 1-9 h increasing with 1 h intervals. The results showed that the values of Vb range between 2.351-0.605 μm/h for etching temperature 50-80 o C respectively. An exponential relationship was obtained between the bulk etch rate and the etching temperature. It was noted that the results were consistent with that obtained by other studies using the track Length-diameter(Le-D) measurement method. The slight difference in Vb magnitudes between the compared results is due to the slight difference in the concentration of the etching solution in certain cases as well as the difference of the detector origin and the method of measurement.


This study aimed at examining smallholders upgrading in local linkages using evidence from fresh fruits and vegetables value chain from small farmers to tourist hotels in Zanzibar. The study employed a case study strategy of inquiry where, in-depth interviews with the hotel managers, intermediaries and small farmers were engaged in data collection which was later subjected to qualitative analysis and interpretation. The findings show that formal contracts coupled with captive linkages between tourist hotels and small farmers provide greater upgrading opportunities for smallholders. Market and other linkages characterised by informal contracts do not offer any potential for smallholders upgrading as they tend to reduce rewards and increase risks for small farmers with negative ramifications. The strategies and recommendations to strengthen the capabilities of local farmers to access this value chain and link-up with tourist hotels have been provided for further action.


AIM To investigate the longitudinal changes of interstitial and airways disease in resolving chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD). METHODS Thirty three infants were studied between 35 and 40 weeks of postconceptional age, and then at three monthly intervals throughout their first year. Measurements of mean arterial oxygen saturation (MSaO2) and its variability (δMSaO2) were recorded. PaCO2 and PaO2 were determined while the infants breathed steady state 50% oxygen via a hood. From these, the alveolar arterial difference (A-a) Do2 50 was calculated. Airway disease was assessed by the measurement of partial forced expiratory flow volume curves (PEFC) to give V˙max Frc. RESULTS The cohort mean +/- 95% confidence intervals measured between 35 and 40 weeks were for MSaO2(89·25 +/- 1·87%, range 75-96·5%) and δMSaO2(4·79 +/- 0·8%, range 0·16-9·64%), PaCO2 (5·89 +/- 0·56 kpa, range 4·2-10·11 kpa), (A-a) Do2 50 (22·7 +/- 2·56 kpa, range 6·67-31·4 kpa) and V˙maxFrc (41·5 +/- 8·65 mls/second, range 8·5-103·7 ml/second). The most significant improvement in all measurements occurred within the first three months (P = 0·05). An MSaO2 of less than 90% in room air at 1 year of age was predicted between 35 and 40 weeks postconceptional age by an (A-a) Do2 50 of greater than 29 kpa, with a sensitivity of 0·85 and a specificity of 0·88, and a PaCO2 greater than 7 kpa predicted a specificity of 0·78 and a sensitivity of 0·88. Predictions were strengthened by combining the above criteria and these then gave a sensitivity and specificity of 1. CONCLUSION Measurements of (A-a) Do2 50 and PaCO2 taken between 35 and 40 weeks can be used to assess the degree of pulmonary dysfunction at 1 year. Quantification of the severity of CLD could be used as a measurable end point for early neonatal intervention studies.


OBJECTIVE
to present the term, concept and technique of art of maternal womb painting.

METHOD
a theoretical, exploratory and qualitative study.

RESULTS
from the results, the concept was elaborated and based on linguistic, philosophical and specialized perspective. The concept and technique of Art of Maternal Womb Painting were guided by humanism and holism.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
this study can broaden the visibility of this visual art and insert it in the obstetrics, as well as its adoption by nurses, midwives and other health professionals in humanistic and holistic care for maternal health.