Pesticides in groundwater can contaminate drinking water and threaten the health of communities. How does this contamination occur and what should be done about this pressing problem? This new book uses a case-study approach to describe the discovery of the problem in four major agricultural states, to summarize the most recent data on the problem, and to review the status of the problem from both technological and policy perspectives. It also addresses the controversial questions of what levels of residues are acceptable, who should bear the costs of drinking water that is already contaminated, and how federal scientific resources can best be used to aid state initiatives in addressing this problem.


The photoelectron spectra of chromium-doped silicon cluster anions, CrSi-(n), were measured over the size range, n=8-12. Their vertical detachment energies were measured to be 2.71, 2.88, 2.87, 2.95, and 3.18 eV, respectively. Our results support theoretical calculations by Khanna, Rao, and Jena [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 016803 (2002)] which found CrSi12 to be an enhanced stability (magic) cluster with its chromium atom encapsulated inside a silicon cage and with its magnetic moment completely quenched by the effects of the surrounding cage.


This paper describes the structure of the second version of the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) speech understanding system and presents the data gathered on its performance. The system is distinctive in the way that knowledge from various sources is coordinated by a "best-first" parser to predict the sequence of words in an utterance, and in the use of word functions-programs that represent the acoustic characteristics of a word-to test the predictions.


Elaeagnuslatifolia L., an endemic fruit plant, is found in the upper north of Thailand. Sixty accessions were collected from seven locations: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Nan, Phayao and Mae Hong Son. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to identify genetic diversity of E. latifolia. Seven primers were screened from 50primers and provided a total of 178 DNA fragments of which 168 (94.38 %) were polymorphic. The genetic similarity matrix was calculated using the Jaccard similarity coefficient, and SAHN procedure was used for Dendrogram clustering. Jaccard's similarity coefficient(GSj) ranged from 0.38-0.71 and the cophenetic correlation of the similarity matrix (r) was 0.73. Fifty eight out of 60 accessions could be distinguished where as only two accessions; N55 and N72 appeared to be close to each other, with the genetic similarity coefficient of 0.71. The results indicated that the RAPD method is sufficiently informative and powerful to assess the genetic diversity in E. latifolia.


We consider optimization of the capacity of a multi-input single-output wideband cellular "downlink," in which the base station has estimates of the statistics of the spatial channel. Our main focus is on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed (OFDM) systems, although some of our results apply to single-carrier systems, as well. Prior work has shown that estimates of the channel spatial covariance can be obtained without overhead for both frequency-division duplex (FDD) and time-division duplex (TDD) systems by suitably averaging uplink measurements. In this paper, we investigate the benefits of supplementing this "free" covariance feedback with mean feedback, where the latter refers to estimates of the spatial channel realization in each subcarrier. Mean feedback can be obtained using reciprocity for TDD systems, and requires explicit feedback for FDD systems. We first devise strategies for using both covariance and mean feedback, mainly restricting attention to beamforming, which is optimal or near-optimal for many outdoor channels with narrow spatial spread. Second, since mean feedback degrades rapidly with feedback delay for mobile channels, we develop quantitative rules of thumb regarding the accuracy required for the mean feedback to be a useful supplement to the already available, and robust, covariance feedback. Our results validate the following intuition: the accuracy requirements for mean feedback to be useful are more relaxed for channels with larger spatial spread, or for a larger number of transmit elements.


The Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT's) winter maintenance program hinges primarily on the use of granular NaCl for deicing. On average, VDOT applies more than 300,000 tons of NaCl each winter season. The majority of this salt is spread by way of salt-spreaders attached to dump trucks. The spreaders require cleaning and lubricating after each use. The purpose of this research was to determine if VDOT should provide an impermeable surface beneath the spreaders to prevent potential contamination resulting from lubrication and, if so, to determine if washing could occur on the same impermeable surface, thus reducing the number of times the spreaders are handled by providing a single location for washing and lubricating. The results showed that potentially significant volumes of excess lubricants can be generated by way of the spreader lubrication process and that this excess should, therefore, be captured. In the majority of cases, this could be done by means of a drip pan or similar device. Because of dilution, if washing and lubrication were to occur at the same location and the wash water and lubricant mixture were contained and conveyed to the nearby salt ponds, lubricant concentrations found in the pond water would be relatively low. Although laboratory results indicate that these concentrations could be reduced even further by way of an in-line organoclay filter, this method of lubricant capture would be more expensive and labor intensive than the simple use of drip pans. Although paving beneath existing spreader racks was not advised unless other provisions for washing at the spreader racks are also made available, proposed best management practices were developed for three different site conditions that are likely to be found at VDOT's maintenance facilities. The benefits of following these practices include decreased potential for soil contamination beneath spreader racks and decreased potential for wash water runoff contamination and associated salt pond contamination.


The aim of this research paper is to investigate the recognition and liking of sweet tastes among older adolescents (19–21 years), and in doing so determine whether any differences exist in the liking of sweet tastes with respect to their differing sources (i.e. either of natural or artificial origin). With this aim in mind, data was obtained from sensory testing performed on a total of 101 participants between 19 and 21 years of age, of whom 60 were female and 41 male. Recognition of the basic tastes (i.e. sweet, salty, sour and bitter) was found to be good among most respondents and its success unrelated to gender. Furthermore, participants were found to demonstrate no difficulties with respect to the correct ordering of solutions of different intensities of sweetness (or, rather, of different concentrations of sucrose in water), regardless of gender. The most liked concentration among both men and women was 4.3%. Also established were differences in the liking of sweet tastes of different sources (i.e. natural and artificial). Participants were offered the most generally liked solution of sucrose in water (4.3%) as well as a number of table-top sweeteners prepared, in accordance with their packaging instructions, to be of comparable gustatory sweetness to the sucrose solution. In this endeavour, the selection of solutes was informed by the availability of table-top sweeteners among the five largest commercial producers, and involved those commercially sold under the names stevia, birch sugar, liquid sweetener (Na cyclamate, Na saccharin, thaumatin), sucralose, erythrol, fructose, Streusüße (sorbitol and saccharin). It was found that the most liked sweet tastes were those of sucrose and sucralose, while the taste of fructose was in third place albeit statistically significantly less liked than the tastes of sucrose and sucralose. Although the results of average values indicate that all kinds of sweet tastes are moderately liked, the liking of stevia and erythrol was found to be statistically significantly lower than the liking of sucrose and sucralose. From this, we conclude that artificial sweeteners are gaining in likeability, but even so, of the three most generally liked sources of sweet taste, two are natural sugars.


We study optimal bank regulation in an economy with aggregate uncertainty. Bank liabilities are used as "money" and hence earn lower returns than equity. In laissez faire equilibrium, banks maximize market value, trading off the funding advantage of debt against the risk of costly default. The capital structure is not socially optimal because external costs of distress are not internalized by the banks. The constrained efficient allocation is characterized as the solution to a planner's problem. Efficient regulation is procyclical, but countercyclical relative to laissez faire. We show that simple leverage constraints can get the decentralized economy close to the constrained efficient outcome.


The increasing availability of large-scale remote sensing labeled data has prompted researchers to develop increasingly precise and accurate data-driven models for land cover and crop classification (LC&CC). Moreover, with the introduction of self-attention and introspection mechanisms, deep learning approaches have shown promising results in processing long temporal sequences in the multispectral domain with a contained computational request. Nevertheless, most practical applications cannot rely on labeled data, and in the field, surveys are a time consuming solution that poses strict limitations to the number of collected samples. Moreover, atmospheric conditions and specific geographical region characteristics constitute a relevant domain gap that does not allow direct applicability of a trained model on the available dataset to the area of interest. In this paper, we investigate adversarial training of deep neural networks to bridge the domain discrepancy between distinct geographical zones. In particular, we perform a thorough analysis of domain adaptation applied to challenging multi-spectral, multi-temporal data, accurately highlighting the advantages of adapting state-of-the-art self-attention based models for LC&CC to different target zones where labeled data are not available. Extensive experimentation demonstrated significant performance and generalization gain in applying domain-adversarial training to source and target regions with marked dissimilarities between the distribution of extracted features.


The hypothesis that ultra-high energy (10 19 eV) cosmic rays (UHECRs) are accelerated by gamma-ray burst (GRB) blast waves is assumed to be correct. Implications of this assumption are then derived for the external shock model of gamma-ray bursts. The evolving synchrotron radiation spectrum in GRB blast waves provides target pho-tons for the photomeson production of neutrinos and neutrons. Decay characteristics and radiative efficiencies of the neutral particles that escape from the blast wave are calculated. The diffuse high-energy GRB neutrino background and the distribution of high-energy GRB neutrino events are calculated for specific parameter sets, and a scaling relation for the photomeson production efficiency in surroundings with different densities is derived. GRBs provide an intense flux of high-energy neutrons, with neutron-production ef-ficiencies exceeding ∼ 1% of the total energy release. The radiative characteristics of the neutron β-decay electrons from the GRB " neutron bomb " are solved in a special case. Galaxies with GRB activity should be surrounded by radiation halos of ∼ 100 kpc extent from the outflowing neutrons, consisting of a nonthermal optical/X-ray synchrotron component and a high-energy gamma-ray component from Compton-scattered microwave background radiation. The peak luminosity emitted by the diffuse β-electron halo from a single GRB with 2 × 10 53 ergs isotropic energy release is ∼ 10 35 ergs s −1 , with a potentially much brighter signal from the neutron-decay protons. The decay halo from a single GRB can persist for 0.1-1 Myr. Stronger neutrino fluxes and neutron decay halos can be produced by external shocks in clumpy external media and in scenarios involving internal shock scenarios, so detection of neutrinos associated with smooth-profile GRBs could rule out an implusive GRB central engine and an external shock model for the prompt phase. The luminosity of sources of GRBs and relativistic outflows in L * galaxies such as the Milky Way is at the level of ∼ 10 40±1 ergs s −1. This is sufficient to account for UHECR generation by GRBs. We briefly speculate on the possibility that hadronic cosmic rays originate from the subset of supernovae that collapse to form relativistic outflows and GRBs. – 2 –


Protest Event Analysis is important for government officials and social scientists. Here we present a new method for predicting protest events and identifying indicators of protests and violence by monitoring the content generated on Twitter. By identifying these indicators, protests and the possibility of violence can be predicted and controlled more accurately. Twitter user behaviors such as opinion share and event log share are used as indicators and this study presents a new method based on a Bayesian logistic regression algorithm for predicting protests and violence using Twitter user behaviors. According to the proposed method, users' event log share behaviors which include the rate of tweets containing date and time information is the reliable indicator for identifying protests. Users' opinion share behaviors which include hate-anger tweet rates is also best for identifying violence in protests.
A dataset which consists of tweets that are generated on protests in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement after the death of George Floyd is used in the evaluation of the proposed method. According to information published on acleddata.com, protests and violence have been reported in various cities on specific dates. The dataset contains 1414 protest events and 3078 non-protest events from 460 cities in 37 U.S. states. Protest events in the BLM movement between May 28 and June 30 among which 285 were violent and 1129 were peaceful. Our proposed method is tested on this dataset and the occurrence of protests is predicted with 85% precision. It is also possible to predict violence in protests with 85% precision with our method on this dataset. This study provides a successful method to predict small and large-scale protests, different from the existing literature focusing on large-scale protests.


Theoretical and experimental methods are used to predict the thermal properties of an air-cooled integrated-circuit package with a large LSl type of chip. A previously reported three-dimensional solution to the differential equation for steady-state heat transfer has been extended to include composite media with up to four layers of unequal thickness and thermal conductivity. The theoretical results are used to calculate the detailed thermal characteristics of a 1.3 X 0.6-in package with a 0.17-in square chip. Geometric and physical considerations include the effects of ceramic thickness and thermal conductivity, chip dimensions, lead conduction, and heat-sink variations. An empirical technique is used to determine the forced-convection heat-transfer coefficients for a variety of extruded aluminum heat sinks. The effects of fin length, air velocity, and number of fins per inch are measured.


The present paper provides keys to the genera and species of Lycopodiaceae for the 5 genera and 25 species recorded from Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The treatment includes nomenclature, descriptions of species, and information about distribution and habitats, and notes on problems of species delimitation and infraspecific variation. All species are illustrated, and representative specimens are cited.


The paper reports an interactive tool for calibrating a camera, suitable for use in outdoor scenes. The motivation for the tool was the need to obtain an approximate calibration for images taken with no explicit calibration data. Such images are frequently presented to research laboratories, especially in surveillance applications, with a request to demonstrate algorithms. The method decomposes the calibration parameters into intuitively simple components, and relies on the operator interactively adjusting the parameter settings to achieve a visually acceptable agreement between a rectilinear calibration model and his own perception of the scene. Using the tool, we have been able to calibrate images of unknown scenes, taken with unknown cameras, in a matter of minutes. The standard of calibration has proved to be sufficient for model-based pose recovery and tracking of vehicles.


Recent changes in the design of enemy threats such as submarines and the technological achievements in sensor development have paved the way for multistatic sonar applications, which increase security and situational awareness in underwater tactical operations. Previously, coverage in multistatic sonar sensor networks (MSSN) was studied using Cassini ovals and the traditional sonar detection model in two dimensions without any discussion of the practicability and feasibility in terms of conditions related to the underwater acoustic propagation environment. In this study, a practical three-dimensional MSSN channel model is proposed. The proposed model covers a spectral variation of absorption loss, ambient noise, sound speed profile, and shadow zones. The realistic effects of sound propagation and environmental conditions are modeled and evaluated using Lybin, which is a well-known sonar performance prediction tool. Using the practical MSSN channel model, the number of source-receiver pairs required to cover a three-dimensional MSSN volume is calculated. The impacts of frequency, source-to-receiver distance, and source level are investigated. The results are compared to the Cassini oval and traditional sonar detection models via an error expression derived according to our verified practical model. The results reveal that the inclusion of ambient conditions and sound propagation characteristics in the channel model leads to huge error levels of 4700000% in the Cassini oval model and 170000% in the traditional sonar detection model, depending on frequency. Thus, the applicability of these models in realistic MSSN deployment scenarios is limited.


The English humour magazine Punch, or the London Charivari, which first appeared in 1841, quickly became something of a national institution with a large and multi-layered readership. Though comic in tone, Punch was deeply serious about upholding high literary and artistic standards, about dealing with seriuos subject-matter, and about attempting to nurture its readers' appreciation of the national drama and of Shakespeare's plays in particular. The author's detailed examination of Punch's constant advocacy of Shakespeare reveals telling new evidence concerning the ubiquitous presence of Shakespeare within Victorian culture. New research in the Punch archives and elsewhere also reveals the identities of many of the Punch authors and artists. The author shows how those who worked for Punch often subsumed their collective identities within the single persona of Mr. Punch, a fictional creation who repeatedly presents himself in both texts and graphics as a close friend and admirer of Shakespeare, a man able to remind Victorian readers constantly of the supreme literary and moral values represented by Shakespeare's works.


Most recent reports published by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring network under the auspices of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention predict that one in every 150 children will suffer from some kind of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), with a 4-to-one prevalence of boys over girls [1]. The etiology of ASD is currently unknown, and there is no known cure [2]. In a 2009 study involving phone conversations with 78,000 parents of US children who were identified by a health professional as having an ASD, the prevalence of ASD amongst 3 to 17 years old was estimated to be as high as 1:100 [3].This article discusses the diagnosis, etiology, and clinical aspects of ASD that are pertinent to dental professionals who treat these patients.


We discuss the problem of estimating probabilities of rare events in static simulation models using the recently proposed cross-entropy method, which is a type of importance-sampling technique in which the new distributions are successively calculated by minimizing the cross-entropy with respect to the ideal (but unattainable) zero-variance distribution. In our approach, by working on a functional space we are able to provide an efficient procedure without assuming any specific family of distributions. We then describe an implementable algorithm that incorporates the ideas described in the paper. Some convergence properties of the proposed method are established, and numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the efficacy of the algorithm.


In a group of 11 monoclonal antibodies specifically reacting with the measles virus fusion protein, three antibodies also immunoprecipitated other proteins, in particular a 79,000-molecular-weight protein from virus-infected cells. The cross-reacting 79,000-molecular-weight protein was shown to be a virus-induced host stress protein. This protein could be induced by (i) different paramyxoviruses, (ii) heat shock of uninfected HeLa cells, and (iii) 2-deoxyglucose, tunicamycin, or L-canavanine treatment of different mammalian cell lines. Immunofluorescence of stressed HeLa cells localized the cross-reacting host protein(s) mainly in the cytoplasm. The significance of these results in relation to autoimmunity is discussed.


Amino-functionalized graphene oxide was reacted with isocyanate monomer to evaluate the potential application of GO-NH2 as a functional filler for the preparation of polyurethane nanocomposites. A set of advanced techniques (XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and TEM) was used to characterize the functionalized samples, together with elemental analysis and XPS, which provided valuable information on the total N content and the nitrogen (chemical) speciation, respectively. In addition, a simple and fast spectrophotometric method was developed for the estimation of accessible amino groups (functional speciation). The method is based on the interaction of NH2 groups with the anionic dye acid orange 7 under appropriate conditions (pH = 3.6) and shows good precision. It can be advantageously used for the fast evaluation of the GO-NH2 reactivity with isocyanate monomer and its applicability as the polymer filler.


Biofilms are communities of surface-associated bacteria or fungi embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix that are notoriously difficult to be eradicated and are sources of many recalcitrant infections. Treatment for biofilm infection with any individual drug is always less effective, while the combinations of different types of drugs are superior to monotherapy concerning the removing of biofilms. This paper focus on research progress in recent years for synergistic effect of drugs in combination against biofilms formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.


This contribution focuses on the discretion enjoyed by the EU administration when it implements EU law as well as the intensity of review of that discretion by the General Court. It is argued that "administrative discretion" should not be treated as a homogeneous concept, since different forms of discretion exist which do not call for the same level of judicial scrutiny. A distinction could be drawn between, on the one hand, the "discretion proper" or "power of appraisal" conferred on the administration by the Treaty or the legislature and, on the other hand, the "technical discretion" or "margin of appraisal" that merely results from judicial self-restraint in view of the complexity of the assessments carried out by the administration. While the General Court is bound to respect the former under the principle of separation of powers, in relation to the latter it should be open to the General Court to increase the intensity of its review when it considers this necessary and is in a position to do so.


1. Introduction and Overview, Paul Cambridge and Steven Carnaby, Tizard Centre, University of Kent at Canterbury. 2. Person Centred Planning and Person-Centred Action: A Critical Perspective, Jim Mansell and Julie Beadle-Brown, Tizard Centre, University of Kent at Canterbury. 3. Relationships between Care Management and Person Centred Planning, Simon Duffy and Helen Sanderson. 4. Managing the Tensions between the Interests of Organisations and Service Users, Tony Osgood, Tizard Centre, University of Kent at Canterbury. 5. Promoting Empowerment: Your Life Can Change If You Want It To, Doris Clark, Robert Garland, Circles Network, Bristol and Val Williams, Norah Fry Research Centre, Bristol. 6. Involving Young People with Learning Disabilities Leaving School in Planning for the Future, Patricia Lewis, Shepherd School, Nottingham and Steven Carnaby. 7. Total Communication, Person Centred Planning and Person-Centred Services, David Dick, Learning Disability Service, Somerset and Karin Purvis, Somerset Partnership and Social Care Trust. 8. The Role of Communication in Person Centred Planning: Working with People with Complex Needs, Jill Bradshaw, Manchester Metropolitan University. 9. Addressing Ethnicity and the Multicultural Context, Robina Shah, Stockport Acute NHS Trust. 10. Implementing and Reviewing Person Centred Planning: Links with Care Management, Clinical Support and Commissioning, Hector Medora and Sue Ledger, Kensington and Chelsea NHS Primary Care Trust. 11. Person Centred Planning and Direct Payments: Opening Doors for People with Learning Disabilities, Julie Beadle-Brown, Tizard Centre, University of Kent at Canterbury. 12. Person Centred Planning and Risk: Challenging the Boundaries, Helen Alaszewski And Andy Alaszewski, Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent at Canterbury. 13. Person Centred Planning and the Adult Protection Process, Hilary Brown with Karen Scott, Salomans, Canterbury Christ Church University College. 14. Considerations for Making PCP and Care Management Work: Summary Observations and Concluding Remarks, Paul Cambridge and Steven Carnaby. The Contributors. Subject Index. Author Index.


Onset of firing for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastroc soleus groups during running, both on a treadmill and over ground, was determined in seven normal adult male subjects. Surface and wire electrode data were collected simultaneously from 959 individual gait cycles. The mean velocity over ground was 274 +/- 38 m/minute, with a mean cadence of 171 +/- 14 steps/minute. The treadmill was set at 107 m/minute (4 miles/hour), and the subjects' mean cadence was 147 +/- 11 steps/minute. Over ground, the mean swing/stance ratio was 70/30 +/- 3%, and that for the treadmill was 60/40 +/- 6%. Like muscle groups on the right and left showed a mean difference in onset of muscle activity of 1.3% (+/- 4.6%) when measured during a minimum of ten cycles per subject for each test condition. The average difference in time of onset between the surface and wire electrodes was 2% (SD +/- 4.9%) on the treadmill and 1.5% (SD +/- 3.7%) for over-ground running. These differences are not statistically significant. Surface and wire electrode data have been determined to be equivalent only for regional synergistic muscle groups and should not be extrapolated to compare functions of individual muscles within those groups.


A healthy and clean environment can not be separated from the role of
dustman who has contributed subtainlly in cleaning and collecting garbage.
However, several person underestimated their work. Dustman categorized as
marginal groups because its presence is often overlooked and often difficult to use
public access such as, health, education and social activities. Also the cost of
living in the city which is too expensive to demand therefore they are difficult to
fulfill basic needs of daily such as food and clothing. The research problem to
describe the forms of social capital as well as the growing use of social capital
among the garbage man as a survival strategy.
This study used descriptive qualitative methods or field research to
describe the state of the subject / object of study based on the facts that appear or
as they are (fact finding). Method of data collection are done by unstructure
interview, observation and documentation. The collected data was then analyzed
by reducing the data, display the data, and draw conclusions.
The result in this research showed that social capital is growing among
dustman in Nologaten TPS is the social capital of trust in cooperation, and a sense
of shared kinship, mutual aid and rescue as well as social network implemented
into a social institution in the form of Association Punokawan . Furthermore,
Punokawan Society are savings and loan activities, social gatherings, and selfhelp
social activities, accident compensation, death benefits, volunteer activities
and other that have benefits to the life survival strategy of the dustman.
In the future as an attempt improve the welfare and effectiveness of the
performance of dustman need to a review the retribution costs increase by
considering socio economic dustman conditions and need to determine dustman
health insurance by the Government of Sleman district for the dustman at risk of
disease because of garbage.
Keyword: Social capital, Life survival strategy, Dustman, TPS


This paper proposes an effective feature compensation scheme based on speech model for achieving robust speech recognition. Conventional model-based method requires off-line training with noisy speech database and is not suitable for online adaptation. In the proposed scheme, we can relax the off-line training with noisy speech database by employing the parallel model combination technique for estimation of correction factors. Applying the model combination process over to the mixture model alone as opposed to entire HMM makes the online model combination possible. Exploiting the availability of noise model from off-line sources, we accomplish the online adaptation via MAP(Maximum A Posteriori) estimation. In addition, the online channel estimation procedure is induced within the proposed framework. The representative experimental results indicate that the suggested algorithm is effective in realizing robust speech recognition under the combined adverse conditions of additive background noise and channel distortion.


PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of grit, which is the tendency to pursue long-term goals with perseverance and continuing passion, on leaders' self-reported behavior in terms of role modeling and innovating, as well as inspiring, empowering and supporting followers.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from an international sample of 3,702 leaders in work and non-work contexts. They reported their level of grit and how frequently they engaged in five leadership practices. Moderation analysis was used to test the influence of grit on leadership behaviors across contexts.FindingsHigh grit leaders reported more frequent role modeling and innovating behaviors, but less inspiring behavior. Grit's effect on empowering behaviors depended on the context; grit caused leaders to empower followers more in non-work contexts, but not in work-related ones.Research limitations/implicationsThat grit is an important predictor of leadership behavior yields both practical and theoretical implications. For practice, the results suggest that grit is a desirable trait in managers, corresponding with their greater use of various leadership behaviors. For theory, the results suggest that part of the effect of traits in leadership arises from influencing the frequency with which leaders engage in particular behaviors.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine grit's role in leadership, and it has practical and theoretical implications. For practice, the results suggest that grit is a desirable trait in leaders, but one which requires unique supports from the leader's environment. For theory, the results begin to fill an important gap. It is well-established that personality influences leadership outcomes, but it remains uncertain how and when. The current study suggests how, since traits influence the frequency with which leaders engage in particular behaviors, and begins to define when, highlighting differences between work and non-work contexts.


Members of MEF2 (Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2) family of transcription factors are major regulators of cardiac development and homeostasis. Their functions are regulated at several levels, including the association with a variety of protein partners. We have previously shown that FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase) regulates the stretch-induced activation of MEF2 in cardiomyocytes. But, the molecular mechanisms, involved in this process, are unclear. Here, we integrated biochemical, imaging and structural analyses to characterize a novel interaction between MEF2 and FAK. An association between MEF2 and FAK was detected by co-immunoprecipitation in the extracts of stretched cardiomyocytes (10%, 60Hz, 2 hours). MEF2 and FAK staining were co-localized in the nuclei of stretched cells. Pull down assays indicated that the Focal Adhesion Targeting (FAT) domain is sufficient to confer FAK interaction with MEF2. Gene reporter assays indicated that the interaction with FAK enhances the MEF2C transcriptional activity in cultured cardiomyocytes. Also, we present a 2.9-A X-ray crystal structure for the FAK_FAT domain bound to MEF2C (1-95), comprised by the MADS box/MEF2 domain. The structural information, when used in combination with biochemical studies, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data and reporter gene assay, lead to a mechanistic model describing how FAK binds to MEF2C and stimulates its transcription function in cardiomyocytes. We further validated this model by showing that the binding of FAK to MEF2C is essential for the hypertrophy of cardiomyocyte in response to mechanical stress. Our results present FAK as a new positive regulator of MEF2, implicated in the fine control of the signal transduction between focal adhesions and the nucleus of cardiac myocytes during mechanical stress.


Positioning of nucleosomes within the 30nm fiber is fundamental in understanding how
DNA compaction regulates gene expression. Numerous studies have focused on determining the
structure, however; no studies have assessed the structure genome-wide. In this study, a new in
silico methodology for genome-wide nucleosome arrangement was assessed through the use of
randomly generating in silico datasets for the solenoid, solenoid-interdigitated, cross-linker (with
odd and even n), twisted ribbon, and twisted ribbon-interdigitated. A PERL script was written to
generate six in silico datasets from the human genome based on patterns and probabilities of close
proximity nucleosomes, and align various length terminal ends of the sequences to the genome. A
graphical representation was used to assess the genome-wide pattern of paired sequence
alignments for each model. Whole genome sequence data from formaldehyde fixed HeLa cells
were filtered, aligned, and compared to the models. Lack of sufficient experimental alignments
yielded inconclusive model determination.


An important aim of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) was to reduce the cost of capital by enhancing auditor independence. However, prior literature has argued that SOX has been ineffective in meeting this objective. We contribute to this debate by first providing evidence suggesting that auditor independence has increased following SOX. Though we posit an inverse relationship between auditor independence and cost of capital, it is an open question whether this relationship has become stronger or weaker following SOX. An examination of this relationship reveals that auditor independence is more strongly related to bond rating and bond yield premium in the post-SOX period relative to the period before SOX. This evidence suggests greater price sensitivity of corporate debt to the level of auditor independence following SOX. We also show that controlling for the effect of auditor independence and other factors, cost of debt decreased following SOX.


Health issues such as pelvic floor muscle (PFM) dysfunction can impact the wellbeing of young women, detrimentally altering sexual and urinary function that can continue throughout their lives (Rosenbaum & Owens, 2008). About 1/3 of women are affected by PFM dysfunction post childbirth. This qualitative study aimed to explore college aged women's concerns regarding their sexual and reproductive health, including pelvic floor muscle function.
 Participants identified and instituted behaviors to prevent STIs and pregnancy and expressed concerns about cancer, dyspareunia, and fertility. Their knowledge about PFM and PFM strengthening exercises was limited, often self-taught, associated with a lack of confidence, linked to a desire to enhance their sexuality, and associated with little knowledge about childbirth-related issues for which PFM strengthening could be helpful to them. The women recommended increasing college women's awareness of PFMs and teaching PFM strengthening. Insights gained from this study will benefit health educators who develop programs to educate college aged women about sexuality and reproductive health, including the role of pelvic floor muscles in sexual response and the strategies young women can institute now to help prevent pelvic floor dysfunction later.


The temperature of blood pumps and other left ventricular assistance devices (LVAD) increases during operation due to the effects of the electromagnetic drive and mechanical work. The blood is heated when passing through an LVAD. Temperature can influence erythrocytes' mechanical properties and erythrocytes' threshold shear stress for hemolysis in shear flow. A nonlinear two-dimensional membrane model was introduced based on the linear spring network model and non-linear worm-like-chains (WLC) model. The simulation of erythrocytes in shear flow was performed in the framework of the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method (IB-LBM). When the shear stress was set to the often-cited threshold for hemolysis of 400 Pa and the temperature was 37°C, the free energy change of the erythrocyte membrane was calculated to be 3.5 × 10 −15J, which was defined as the threshold value of erythrocytes' membrane energy change for hemolysis. As the temperature rose to 39°C, 41°C and 43°C, the shear stress varied from 200 to 400 Pa, the free energy changed, and the shape parameters were studied. By comparing the threshold energy changes, we found the threshold shear stress values at 39°C, 41°C and 43°C to be 340, 315 and 295 Pa, respectively. Whether red blood cells (RBCs) are damaged when passing through an LVAD can be determined according to these data. This work should provide a basis for LVAD design and optimization.


Nearly 1,000 officer-involved killings occur each year in the United States. This article documents the large, racially disparate effects of these events on the educational and psychological well-being of Los Angeles public high school students. Exploiting hyperlocal variation in how close students live to a killing, I find that exposure to police violence leads to persistent decreases in GPA, increased incidence of emotional disturbance, and lower rates of high school completion and college enrollment. These effects are driven entirely by black and Hispanic students in response to police killings of other minorities and are largest for incidents involving unarmed individuals.


Use of long-acting progestin only contraceptives (LAPCs) offers a discrete and highly effective family planning method. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is the major side effect of, and cause for, discontinuation of LAPCs. The endometria of LAPC-treated women display abnormally enlarged, fragile blood vessels, decreased endometrial blood flow and oxidative stress. To understanding to mechanisms underlying AUB, we propose to identify LAPC-modulated unique gene cluster(s) in human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). Protein and RNA isolated from cultured HESCs treated 7 days with estradiol (E2) or E2+ medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or E2+ etonogestrel (ETO) or E2+ progesterone (P4) were analyzed by quantitative Real-time (q)-PCR and immunoblotting. HSCORES were determined for immunostained-paired endometria of pre-and 3 months post-Depot MPA (DMPA) treated women and ovariectomized guinea pigs (GPs) treated with placebo or E2 or MPA or E2+MPA for 21 days. In HESCs, whole genome analysis identified a 67 gene group regulated by all three progestins, whereas a 235 gene group was regulated by E2+ETO and E2+MPA, but not E2+P4. Ingenuity pathway analysis identified glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation as one of upstream regulators of the 235 MPA and ETO-specific genes. Among these, microarray results demonstrated significant enhancement of FKBP51, a repressor of PR/GR transcriptional activity, by both MPA and ETO. q-PCR and immunoblot analysis confirmed the microarray results. In endometria of post-DMPA versus pre-DMPA administered women, FKBP51 expression was significantly increased in endometrial stromal and glandular cells. In GPs, E2+MPA or MPA significantly increased FKBP51 immunoreactivity in endometrial stromal and glandular cells versus placebo- and E2-administered groups. MPA or ETO administration activates GR signaling and increases endometrial FKBP51 expression, which could be one of the mechanisms causing AUB by inhibiting PR and GR-mediated transcription. The resultant PR and/or GR-mediated functional withdrawal may contribute to associated endometrial inflammation, aberrant angiogenesis, and bleeding.


An evaluation of the first two years of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Veterans' Affairs' Patient Safety Improvement Corps program for improving health care professionals' patient-safety knowledge and skills. Data were collected through in-person interviews at the final training session, and through telephone follow-up interviews one year later. Overall, participants valued the tools and skills they learned and continue to use.


The relative merits of rational choice and behavioral approaches to the study of negotiation continue to be hotly debated.This article tests qualitative postdictions (assertions or deductions about something in the past) from these paradigms as well as the alternative approach of new institutional theory against the extensive record of negotiation process, contractual form, and contract implementation from the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.I find the incomplete relational form of the peace treaty to be consistent with the behavioral and new institutional concepts and find that only behavioral theory can explain how unilateral German moves unraveled the treaty during the 1930s. But the historical record further reveals that the close fit between the behavioral paradigm and these events is more than coincidence.I also discuss the role of conference participants, particularly John Maynard Keynes and Walter Lippmann, in establishing the basis for modern behavioral science. The behavioral paradigm emerged from efforts to understand and fix serious policy mistakes such as those made in the peace negotiations. The study of human error was intended to serve as the basis for broad-based organizational solutions. Finally, I discuss the impact of "the Munich stereotype" on such recent events as the planning for the American invasion and reconstruction of Iraq;such examples suggest continued imperfections in the system of organized intelligence that has actually evolved in the United States.


In this demo, an optimal design method for generating a flight path passing through specified waypoints while satisfying the task points sent by the ground base station is proposed. Each specified waypoint is reached exactly at the specified location and time while intermediate waypoints are generated in such a way that they satisfy the task points with high task priority and high QoS priority. Generated waypoints are points from where imagery data of the task points are collected and taking into consideration factors such as task points' priorities, sensory capability and deviation required from the shortest path to satisfy that waypoint aggregates these task points. In this demo paper, we demonstrate the procedure for 4D flight trajectory generation, by taking the velocities, maneuverability of the aerial vehicle into consideration while ensuring that the vehicle avoids no-fly zones.


Two-way satellite time and frequency transfer (TWSTFT) data are typically recorded on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This produces an unevenly spaced time series on which it is difficult to perform an accurate two-sample variance analysis. We have investigated the effect of uneven data spacing on the computation of σx(τ) [1-2]. Evenly spaced simulated data sets were generated for noise processes ranging from white phase modulation to random walk frequency modulation. σx(τ) was then calculated for each noise type. Data were subsequently removed from each simulated data set to create two unevenly spaced sets with average intervals of 2,8 and 3,6 days. These sparse sets correspond to typical TWSTFT data patterns. σx(τ) was then calculated for each sparse data set using two different approaches. First, the missing data points were replaced by linear interpolation and σx(τ) calculated from this now full data set. The second approach ignored the fact that the data were unevenly spaced and calculated σx(τ) as if the data were equally spaced with average spacing of 2,8 or 3,6 days. The impact of uneven data spacing on the results of these two approaches is significant and is discussed. Finally, techniques are presented for correcting errors caused by uneven data spacing in simulated TWSTFT data sets, and the appropriate technique is applied to a real data set.


The present work is initiated to investigate whether a defined culture comprising a mixture of three yeast species, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Pichia stipitis can ferment a mixture of sugars to produce bioethanol at rates higher than those achieved by pure cultures of the same. For this purpose, we develop models of single species based on the hybrid cybernetic model framework, and simulate fermentations in the mixed culture by combining individual models. An underlying assumption is that the behavior of each species is determined only by the common environment independently of the presence and metabolism of other species. Model performance is thoroughly assessed using the experimental data available in the literature. The dynamic behavior of mixed cultures in mixed culture experiments are accurately predicted by the model reflecting faithfully the simultaneous/sequential uptake patterns of mixed substrates. This model is then used to investigate performance of various possible reactor configurations. With the foregoing species of organisms, mixed culture itself does not lead to a significant increase of bioethanol productivity. Rather, the model shows that substantial improvement is acquired by sequential use of different, properly chosen organisms during fermentation. Thus, the successive use of K. marxianus and P. stipitis is shown to increase bioethanol productivity up to about 58% in comparison to fermentation by single species alone. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1508–1517. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


A sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational micro-spectroscopy system was developed to examine buried heterogeneous biointerfaces. A compact optical microscope was constructed with total-internal reflection (TIR) SFG geometry to monitor the tightly focused SFG laser spots on interfaces, providing the capability of selectively probing different regions on heterogeneous biointerfaces. The TIR configuration ensures and enhances the SFG signal generated only from the sample/substrate interfacial area. As an example for possible applications in biointerfaces studies, the system was used to probe and compare buried interfacial structures of different biological samples attached to underwater surfaces. We studied the interface of a single mouse oocyte on a silica prism to demonstrate the feasibility of tracing and studying a single live cell and substrate interface using SFG. We also examined the interface between a marine mussel adhesive plaque and a CaF2 substrate, showing the removal of interface-bonded water molecules. This work also paves the way for future integration of other microscopic techniques such as TIR-fluorescence microscopy or nonlinear optical imaging with SFG spectroscopy for multimodal surface or interface studies.


For a long time categorial grammars were regarded as "toys grammars". Indeed, in spite of a very solid theoretical base, categorial grammars remain rather marginal as soon as it is a question of conceiving concrete applications. However, this model of grammars has an unquestionable advantage compared to the majority of the other grammatical models: it is multilingual; multilingualism becoming, with the rise of the Web, one of the most significant constraints in the development of tools for natural language processing. In our article we show a multilingual approach for the extraction of the complex terms using a linguistic filter founded on a categorial model.


Various geometrically pure (E)-beta-alkyl-styrenes have been synthesized by the radical NO(2) substitution of alkyl moieties generated via hydrogen abstraction followed by decarbonylation from aliphatic aldehydes. These reactions, which involve a high chemical selectivity and regioselectivity constitute a new route to (E)-beta-alkylstyrenes. Both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes can be used in this novel reaction. When 2-allyloxybenzaldehyde was used, the benzoyl radical added directly to the double bond without decarbonylation to give the 3-cinnamylchroman-4-one. This unique difference between aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes represents a simple route for the synthesis of biologically important chromanones.


We evaluated how climate change, rising atmospheric CO2 concentration, and land use change influenced the terrestrial carbon (C) cycle for the last century using a process‐based ecosystem model. Over the last century, the modeled land use change emitted about 129 Pg of C to the atmosphere. About 76% (or 98 Pg C) of this emission, however, was offset by net C uptake on land driven by climate changes and rising atmospheric CO2 concentration. Thus, the modeled net release of C from the terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere from 1901 to 2002 is about 31 Pg C. Global net primary productivity (NPP) has significantly increased by 14% during the last century, especially since the 1970s. From 1980 to 2002, global NPP increased with an average increase rate of 0.4% yr−1. At global scale, such an increase seems to be primarily attributed to the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration, and then to precipitation change. Over the last 2 decades, climate change and rising CO2 forced the land carbon sink (1.6 Pg C yr−1 for 1980s and 2.2 Pg C yr−1 for 1990s) to be larger than land use change driven carbon emissions (1.0 Pg C yr−1 for 1980s and 1.2 Pg C yr−1 for 1990s), resulting a net land sink of 0.5 Pg C yr−1 in the 1980s and of 1.0 Pg C yr−1 in the 1990s. The largest C emission from land use change appeared in tropical regions with an average emission of 0.6 Pg C yr−1 in 1980s and 0.7 Pg C yr−1 in 1990s, which is slightly larger than net carbon uptake due to CO2 fertilization and climate change. Thus, net carbon balance of tropical lands is close to neutral over the past 2 decades (about 0.13 Pg C yr−1 in 1980s and 0.03 Pg C yr−1 in 1990s). We also found that current global warming has already started accelerating C loss from terrestrial ecosystems, by enhanced decomposition of soil organic carbon. In response to warming trends only, the global net carbon uptake significantly decreased, offsetting about 70% of the increase in global net carbon uptake owing to CO2 fertilization during 1980–2002. The global terrestrial C cycle also shows large year‐to‐year variations, and different regions have quite distinct dominant drivers. Generally, interannual changes of carbon fluxes in tropical and temperate ecosystems are mainly explained by precipitation variability, while temperature variability plays a major role in boreal ecosystems.


Breast carcinoma in men is a relatively rare disease with an incidence of nearly 1% of all breast cancers; it accounts for < 1% of all cases of cancer in men. The most common histologic subtype of invasive breast carcinoma in either sex is infiltrating ductal carcinoma, which accounts for about 85% of all tumours.1 Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast has a 2.7% incidence, and lobular carcinoma, 1%. Even rarer subtypes include medullary, tubulary, mucinous and squamous carcinomas.

IMPC is a morphologically distinctive form of ductal carcinoma in which the tumour cells are arranged in morule-like clusters. A pure IMPC of the breast is very rare.2 This report describes a pure micropapillary carcinoma in a 66-year-old man, with additional relevant clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical features.


Proteins are some of the building blocks of organisms. They usually perform their functions by interacting with each other and forming protein complexes. A protein-protein interaction network is a graph that consists of proteins as vertices and their interactions as edges. Protein-protein interaction network alignment is very important in identifying protein complexes and predicting protein functions. Many algorithms based on graph theory have been developed to improve the accuracy of alignment, but due to the sparsity of protein-protein interactions, the result is far from satisfactory. We propose to improve the network alignment through adding protein interactions to existing PPI networks. In order to assess the improvement, we devise four groups of experiments and compare their results. The quality of PPI network alignment is assessed through the number of known protein complexes that are discovered. Significant improvement is obtained, up to 70% additional complexes being discovered after adding interactions. Other consequences are observed as well. Out of the two programs we compare, AlignMCL and MaWISH, the former performs significantly better whereas the latter is more stable. Further, adding predicted PPIs is not as efficient as adding PPIs from existing databases. Finally, we show that smaller but more reliable sets of interactions perform better than larger PPI sets.


the only definitive repository of the content that has been certified and accepted after peer review. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by Academic Press. This material may not be copied or reposted without explicit permission.


Objective. To investigate the effect of structured didactic lectures by leaders in the field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine on reported clinical decision-making. Methods. An interactive survey of obstetric management was performed as part of a postgraduate course at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Seven controversial topics were addressed, including tocolytic therapy, progesterone supplementation for the prevention of preterm birth, screening for inherited thrombophilia, cervical cerclage for a shortened cervix, the management of preterm premature rupture of membranes, magnesium sulfate seizure prophylaxis, and dexamethasone therapy for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. The survey was carried out before and after a series of structured didactic lectures, thereby allowing for analysis of the effect of the lectures on reported clinical decision-making. Results. A total of 298 obstetric care providers attended the postgraduate course. By report, the majority of attendees were Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists (60.7%), less than 10 years out from specialty training (56.3%), and practicing in a university-based setting (52.9%). An average of 233 practitioners (range 157–298) answered each question. Comparison of responses to the survey given before and after the lectures demonstrated significant differences, especially in the areas of tocolytic therapy and inherited thrombophilias. Conclusions. Postgraduate lectures by leaders in the field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine have significant immediate impact on reported clinical decision-making.


BACKGROUND
Despite theoretically higher requirements for water due to physiologic demands of pregnancy and lactation, little is known of actual ranges of intake in pregnant and lactating women.

METHODS
Population-based estimates of total water and tapwater intake in women of reproductive age were derived using data from the 1977-78 USDA Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. Three-day average intakes were calculated for 188 pregnant women, 77 lactating women, and 6,201 non-pregnant, non-lactating control women.

RESULTS
Total water intake (mean +/- SD) was 1,940 +/- 686 g/day (median 1,835) for control women, 2,076 +/- 743 g/day (median 1,928) for pregnant women and 2,242 +/- 658 g/day (median 2,164) for lactating women. Tapwater intake was 1,157 +/- 635 g/day (median 1,065) for control women, 1,189 +/- 699 g/day (median 1,063) for pregnant women, and 1,310 +/- 591 g/day (median 1,330) for lactating women. Total water intake was equal to or greater than 3,000 g/day among 7 percent of control women, 11 percent of pregnant women, and 13 percent of lactating women. Tapwater intake was equal to or greater than 2,000 g/day among 10 percent of control women, 15 percent of pregnant women, and 8 percent of lactating women.

CONCLUSIONS
These results should be useful in estimating amounts of nutrients and toxic substances that women of reproductive age obtain through the water supply.


The density profiles of dark matter haloes contain rich information about their growth history and physical properties. One particularly interesting region is the splashback radius, Rsp, which marks the transition between particles orbiting in the halo and particles undergoing first infall. While the dependence of Rsp on the recent accretion rate is well established and theoretically expected, it is not clear exactly what parts of the accretion history Rsp responds to, and what other halo properties might additionally influence its position. We comprehensively investigate these questions by correlating the dynamically measured splashback radii of a large set of simulated haloes with their individual growth histories as well as their structural, dynamical, and environmental properties. We find that Rsp is sensitive to the accretion over one crossing time but largely insensitive to the prior history (in contrast to concentration, which probes earlier epochs). All secondary correlations are much weaker, but we discern a relatively higher Rsp in less massive, older, more elliptical, and more tidally deformed haloes. Despite these minor influences, we conclude that the splashback radius is a clean indicator of a halo's growth over the past dynamical time. We predict that the magnitude gap should be a promising observable indicator of a halo's accretion rate and splashback radius.


Experiments are reported on initial instability, turbulence, and overall heat transfer in a porous medium heated from below. The porous medium comprises either water or a water-glycerin solution and randomly stacked glass spheres in an insulated cylinder of height:diameter ratio of 1.9. Heating is with a constant flux lower surface and a constant temperature upper surface, and the stability criterion is determined for a step heat input. The critical Rayleigh number for the onset of convection is obtained in terms of a length scale normalized to the thermal penetration depth as Ra c =83/(1.08η-0.08η 2 ) for 0.02<η<0.18. Steady convection in terms of the Nusselt and Rayleigh numbers is Nu =0.047Rα 0.91 Pr 0.11 (μ/μ 0 ) 0.72 for 100 <Ra <5000. Time-averaged temperatures suggest the existence of a unicellular axisymmetric flow dominated by upflow over the central region of the heated surface. When turbulence is present, the magnitude and frequency of temperature fluctuations increase weakly with increasing Rayleigh number. Analysis of temperature fluctuations in the fluid provides an estimate of the speed of the upward moving thermals, which decreases with distance from the heated surface.


The large amount of data produced by satellites and airborne remote sensing instruments has posed important challenges to efficient and scalable processing of remotely sensed data in the context of various applications. In this paper, we propose a new big data framework for processing massive amounts of remote sensing images on cloud computing platforms. In addition to taking advantage of the parallel processing abilities of cloud computing to cope with large-scale remote sensing data, this framework incorporates task scheduling strategy to further exploit the parallelism during the distributed processing stage. Using a computation- and data-intensive pan-sharpening method as a study case, the proposed approach starts by profiling a remote sensing application and characterizing it into a directed acyclic graph (DAG). With the obtained DAG representing the application, we further develop an optimization framework that incorporates the distributed computing mechanism and task scheduling strategy to minimize the total execution time. By determining an optimized solution of task partitioning and task assignments, high utilization of cloud computing resources and accordingly a significant speedup can be achieved for remote sensing data processing. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves promising results in terms of execution time as compared with the traditional (serial) processing approach. Our results also show that the proposed approach is scalable with regard to the increasing scale of remote sensing data.


Dickkopf (Dkk) proteins are antagonists of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and are crucial for embryonic cell fate and bone formation. Wnt antagonism of Dkk requires the binding of the C-terminal cysteine-rich domain of Dkk to the Wnt coreceptor, LRP5/6. However, the structural basis of the interaction between Dkk and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 5/6 is unknown. In this study, we examined the structure of the Dkk functional domain and elucidated its interactions with LRP5/6. Using NMR spectroscopy, we determined the solution structure of the C-terminal cysteine-rich domain of mouse Dkk2 (Dkk2C). Then, guided by mutagenesis studies, we docked Dkk2C to the YWTD β-propeller domains of LRP5/6 and showed that the ligand binding site of the third LRP5/6 β-propeller domain matches Dkk2C best, suggesting that this domain binds to Dkk2C with higher affinity. Such differential binding affinity is likely to play an essential role in Dkk function in the canonical Wnt pathway.


Summary: To improve the properties of recycled PE for pipe applications, additions of nanoclay and adhesion promoter were done. The presence of the nanoclay Cloisite 93A and the polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride in the compounds have promoted the thermal properties. The possible exfoliation/intercalation of the PE in the nanoclay layers increases the barrier properties and reduced permeation to oxidation agents. The melt flow index, the glass transition temperature and the initial decomposition temperature (TG) have decreased. The XRD analysis has presented increase of interplanar distance in the nanoclay layers. The FTIR analysis has showed a decrease in the oxidation peaks intensity. These results are indicators of nanocomposite/microcomposite formation.


This article examines the focus on hygiene, medical surveillance, and physical regeneration in late 19th and early 20th century French nursery schools (e ́coles maternelles) and its impact on their architecture. Administrators had originally charged maternelles with providing education and motherly care to young children. But bureaucratic anxieties about physical degeneration and disease among French schoolchildren led to new practices focused on the body, which ultimately led to changes in the schools' architectural program and aesthetics. Supposedly at stake was nothing less than the biological, political, and economic future of France.


The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the body charged with operational and policy authority over the Domain Name System (DNS), is developing a set of criteria to expand the internet community's power to name and design its own domains. This initiative presents an opportunity to clarify policy on some contentious issues, including the treatment of geographic names. However, it is by no means clear whether the possibility of recourse to geographical names is compatible with international law. Is it lawful and possible to allocate domain names named after continents, regions, countries, cities and other geographic areas? Who is entitled to use these denominations? Offering a comprehensive analysis of a field which at present raises more questions than answers, this book examines the implications of positive international law to assess the extent to which geographical names are currently protected by different titles, and to what extent they can be exclusively claimed by governments in defence of territorial prerogatives. In the course of the analysis an entirely new field of international economic law emerges, as a number of distinct areas of law intersect and engage with such diverse legal issues as the following: • intellectual property
• unfair competition
• issues of internet governance
• the role of 'soft law'
• the extent to which rights in geographic names are recognized in trademark law
• geographical indications
• international human rights to national identity, self-determination, freedom of expression, culture, language, and property
• 'bad actors'
• rights recognition and challenge mechanisms
• controversial and 'geopolitical' names; and
• dispute resolution policy. Demonstrating beyond a doubt that a great number of different legal facets will need to be taken into account, this remarkable and far-seeing work offers a valuable contribution to shaping future rules in the field of internet domain name allocation. It is sure to be of the greatest interest both to practitioners and to academics focusing on internet governance and its challenges in the process of legal globalization.


In this study, the use of puppetry was explored as a mediational means for students' comprehension while reading a variety of texts. Seven first grade students from a rural school district took part in this study. The study took place over the course of five weeks and included students using puppets with reader' s theatre scripts as well as trade books. The students taking part participated in a twenty minute puppetry center where they were encouraged to incorporate puppets into their reading activities. Data were analyzed using triangulation of student interviews, live observations, audio tape recorded sessions, retelling rubrics, and student work samples. Analysis showed that the use of puppets influenced the students' reading experience in a variety of different ways. Table of


The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' subject matter knowledge relevant to the teaching of informal line of best fit. Task-based interviews were conducted with nineteen pre-service and in-service mathematics teachers. The results include descriptions and categorizations of teachers' conceptions, criteria for placement, accuracy of placement, and interpretation of the informal line of best fit. Implications regarding teacher preparation for the teaching of this topic, including current status and recommendations for future preparation, are discussed.


Abstract Following their larger counterparts, an increasing number of small firms outsource their IT tasks to lower cost offshore destinations. For small firms, however, offshore outsourcing is a difficult undertaking as it involves high transaction costs. Online marketplaces for IT services, which have recently become available to small firms, make offshore IT outsourcing more accessible and manageable, although differences in the marketplace design result in varying outcomes across the marketplaces. This has consequences for an SME's decision as to which online marketplace to use, because different markets may have different types of benefits and costs. This paper sets out to analyze some of the similarities and differences between online marketplaces for IT services and their effects for small firms. First, we analyze if and how online marketplaces reduce small firms' transaction costs in offshore IT outsourcing. Second, we examine the effects of market entry barriers on outcomes of online marketplaces and their implications for small firms. The results indicate that online marketplaces for IT services do reduce transaction costs for small firms in offshore outsourcing across ten specific market processes. More surprising, however, is the finding that the lower market entry barriers for suppliers result in lower prices for buyers without compromising other aspects of market performance.


The error model of the initial alignment of the marine strapdown inertial navigation system is nonlinear, while the azimuth angle error is large on the swaying base. For this nonlinear model, a new nonlinear filter called as the central difference Gaussian Particle filter is proposed, which is based on the central difference Kalman filter and the Gaussian Particle filter. The central difference Kalman filter is used to calculate the estimate value and the covariance matrix in the observation update for the distribution function, which is sampled as the importance density function for the Gaussian Particle filter. The simulation results demonstrate the novel filter has better estimation performance than the unscented Kalman filter and the Gaussian Particle filter for the initial alignment.


Indonesia coal ash is predicted to reach 10.8 million tons in the year 2020 but its utilization is still limited. In the last decade, coal ash has become a promising REY source candidate. To determine the potency of REY in Indonesia coal ash, information about element concentration and mineralogy of the ash is essential. In this study, coal ash samples were taken from Paiton-2, Pacitan, Rembang, and Tanjung Jati coal-fired power plants. Element content and mineralogy were analyzed using Inductive Couple Plasma Mass Spectroscopy/Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-MS/AES), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and petrographic. The results showed that coal fly ash and bottom ash contains critical REY in the range of 38% to 41% with Coutlook larger than one. XRD analysis showed that both fly ash and bottom ash have similar mineral phases with slightly different concentrations. The mineral phase is dominated by amorphous glass, quartz, Fe-bearing minerals, and unburned carbon. The amorphous glass phase in fly ash is in the range of 23 to 34% while in bottom ash between 14 and 34%. Unburned carbon content in fly ash and bottom ashes are 7-13% and 7-19%, respectively. Fe-bearing mineral content in fly ash is 15-20% and bottom ash is 13-20%. In addition, Indonesia coal ash has a higher Heavy-REY enrichment factor than Light-REY. The Enrichment Factor of HREY in fly ash is as much as 1.3 times (in average) of the bottom ash.


The Troll and Jotun hot springs are located along the Bockfjorden fault zone at 79°23'N on Svalbard and represent the northernmost thermal springs documented on land. They are recharged through subpermafrost aquifers supplied mainly by glacial meltwater and derive their Ca and CO 2 contents from Proterozoic marbles. Gases exsolved from the 25-28°C hot spring waters are N 2 and CO 2 -dominated with high contents of He (reaching 1.5% in the Jotun springs) and Ar. The temperature distribution and temporal variation in the main Troll spring have been constrained by IR-photography and by temperature loggers embedded in the springs and associated, water-filled travertine pools over a period of one year. High-resolution micro-drilling techniques have allowed detailed stable isotope profiles to be obtained from selected travertine cross-sections. The data reflect seasonal fluctuations in temperatures during travertine growth and constrain the travertine growth rate. Most of the travertine growth occurs during the summer season as most of the flooded travertine pools were probably frozen for about 6 months per year. Oxygen isotope variations among the travertine terraces partly reflect fluctuations in the spring source composition. These fluctuations have been used to constrain the temporal evolution of the terrace system.


A common mode of limb suspension for transtibial amputees is the pin liner/shuttle lock system. Despite its popularity, some clinicians question its use because of observed daily and chronic changes to the residual limb. For this study, we measured limb interface pressures during ambulation with pin and suction suspension systems. No pressure differences were seen between the modes of suspension during stance phase. However, during swing phase, pin suspension maintained an average occlusive compressive pressure of 6.7 kPa on the proximal tissues, as compared to the subocclusive pressure of 1.1 kPa with suction suspension. Simultaneously, pin suspension elevated the peak magnitude of suction to -39.5 kPa at the distal residual limb, compared to -26.1 kPa with suction suspension. During swing phase, the pin liner squeezes proximally while creating a large suction distally on the residual limb and is the likely cause of daily and chronic skin changes observed in pin users.


This thesis project aims to provide insights into pediatric mental health care and help to improve its current practice. We explore records of mental health related emergency department visits from children and youth. The data are extracted from the provincial health administrative data systems of Alberta. We start with a descriptive data analysis, and then adopt the counting process framework to conduct statistical inference. A generalized (stratified) Cox regression model and a renewal process model are considered. We evaluate the frequency and identify important risk factors with various model specifications. We also account for the gaps of the visit process due to hospitalization. The project presents the estimates of the model parameters via likelihood and partial likelihood approaches. Robust estimates and the non-parametric bootstrap estimates for the standard errors of the parameter estimators are obtained in addition to the likelihood based standard error estimates. We summarize the analysis and outline a few problems for future investigation in the final chapter.


PURPOSE
We determined the frequency with which 6 genitourinary tract complications (urethral meatal stenosis, urinary retention, bladder hypertrophy, hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral strictures, pyelonephritis and cystitis) occur in inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in the American EB population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Up to 16 years of longitudinal followup was done in 3,280 consecutively enrolled patients in the National EB Registry, a National Institutes of Health funded epidemiological study covering the entire continental United States. Data were stratified by major EB type and subtype. Frequencies of occurrence were determined for each of 6 genitourinary tract variables and stratified into 10 mutually exclusive, major EB subtypes.

RESULTS
Urinary tract complications occurred in a minority of patients across all major EB subtypes with the highest frequency seen in Herlitz junctional EB (JEB-H). Urethral meatus stenosis was the most common complication, occurring in 11.6% and 8.0% of patients with JEB-H and Hallopeau-Siemens recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB), respectively. Urinary retention, hydronephrosis and bladder hypertrophy occurred in 9.3%, 7.0% and 4.6% of JEB-H cases, respectively. In contrast, pyelonephritis and cystitis were most often seen in the setting of generalized EB simplex (Koebner variant) and inversa RDEB.

CONCLUSIONS
The urinary tract may be involved in any subtype of inherited EB, although these complications usually arise in patients with the most severe subtypes of junctional and recessive dystrophic disease. Chronic surveillance for the presence of genitourinary tract disease activity is warranted, especially in patients with JEB and RDEB, given the potential for longterm kidney injury if untreated.


SUMMARY The performance of milk yield (PDCL) and fat percentage (PDCG) was studied in the control day in buffalo herds of the Granma province using 2140 monthly records of daily milk yield and 1620 of fat records from 500 lactations. This corresponded to 150 buffalo cows of the Buffalypso breed whose calvings occurred between 1997 and 2005. The SAS statistical software was used with a mixed model of fixed effects for the effects group of contemporaries, weighting date and the interaction between herd and weighting date as fixed, and herd and earring of each animal within each herd, as random. The repeatability values for milk and fat were calculated. It was concluded that the milk yield in the control day was low and the fat percentage was kept within the range for this species. The repeatabilities were, in general, within the range from middle to high. The modeling with the values TDMP and TDMF fitted by the lineal model had high coefficients of adjustment using the logarithmic quadratic model. The selection of the buffalo cows for milk yield could be done from the repeated records of the control day through the highest values of repeatabilities obtained, studying also the non-genetic factors affecting milk yield.


Veterinary antibiotics have become a major concern due to potential environmental effects. This study presents an investigation of the exposure and environmental effects of the veterinary medicinal product in powder form, administered in the drinking water of piglets, chickens and turkeys, containing 250 mg/g penicillin G (benzylpenicillin potassium), performed according to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) guideline and the results obtained by an analytical method based on online solid-phase extraction, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (SPE-online-UHPLC-MS/MS). The study presents the determination of the environmental risk and through an original, interactive, fast software method, created on the basis of a proprietary calculation algorithm that goes through all the prescriptions and recommendations of the EMEA guide. The results demonstrated that the concentration value for penicillin G determined in surface water by SPE-online-UHPLC-MS/MS is much lower than that predicted by calculation (predictable concentration in surface water, PECsurface water = 37.66 µg/L and the concentration SPE-online-UHPLC-MS/MS = 0.032 µg/L). Both results lead to a sub-unit risk quotient (R) indicating that the treatment carried out with the considered veterinary product does not present any risk to the environment.


Bio-prospecting has become a controversial issue under IPRs scheme when TRIPs allow monopoly rights of the product or process derived of biological resources without recognizing the ownership of the biological resources. TRIPs has written to protect the intellectual property rights around the world by bringing contracting parties under common international rules with an effective enforcement mechanism. As a consequence, many nations especially developing nations who have abundant biological resources consider that they could not be of great benefit from being an owner of these resources under the TRIPs' IPRs scheme as long as the TRIPs agreement still doesn't recognize the sovereignty of state over biological resources. One of the solutions for the bio-prospecting problem is to make change of a patent law by adding the requirement which recognizes the sovereignty of state over biological resources. However, this thesis has explained later that adding extra criteria of patentability by amending the patent law under the TRIPs is politically difficult. Therefore, this thesis sees the solution to the problem is to find out how the country can control the access and use of biological resources in a fair and equitable matter before it applies for patent protection. This thesis has chosen Thailand as a reference because Thailand still does not have comprehensive condition and tool that can deal with the bio-prospecting problem. This thesis has proposed a solution to the bio-prospecting problem by placing conditions and tools in the legislation or so called "Biodiversity Legislation". The thesis views that the legislation equipped with the conditions and tools will be the best way to escape the rigidity of the TRIPs agreement and political deadlocks and additionally can focus on any biodiversity issues in the future. It should be noted that the conditions and tools to be equipped in the legislation are Prior Informed Consent, the Benefit Sharing Scheme and Social Impact Assessment. These conditions and tools are a reflection of the recognition of sovereignty of state over biological resources. This thesis has concluded that a new "Biodiversity Legislation" equipped with conditions and tools will help Thailand to deal with the problem of bioprospecting effectively and efficiency under the international rule and keep up Thailand competitiveness and benefit from bio-prospecting activities and technological development in the capitalistic world. i


Matrix recovery is raised in many areas. In this paper, we build up a framework for almost everywhere matrix recovery which means to recover almost all the $P\in {\mathcal M}\subset {\mathbb H}^{p\times q}$ from $Tr(A_jP), j=1,\ldots,N$ where $A_j\in V_j\subset {\mathbb H}^{p\times q}$. We mainly focus on the following question: how many measurements are needed to recover almost all the matrices in ${\mathcal M}$? For the case where both ${\mathcal M}$ and $V_j$ are algebraic varieties, we use the tools from algebraic geometry to study the question and present some results to address it under many different settings.


Objectives The aim of this report was to characterize the key physicochemical, pharmacokinetic (PK), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties of gadoquatrane (BAY 1747846), a newly designed tetrameric, macrocyclic, extracellular gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) with high relaxivity and stability. Materials and Methods The r1-relaxivities of the tetrameric gadoquatrane at 1.41 and 3.0 T were determined in human plasma and the nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion profiles in water and plasma. The complex stability was analyzed in human serum over 21 days at pH 7.4 at 37°C and was compared with the linear GBCA gadodiamide and the macrocyclic GBCA (mGBCA) gadobutrol. In addition, zinc transmetallation assay was performed to investigate the kinetic inertness. Protein binding and the blood-to-plasma ratio were determined in vitro using rat and human plasma. The PK profile was evaluated in rats (up to 7 days postinjection). Magnetic resonance imaging properties were investigated using a glioblastoma (GS9L) rat model. Results The new chemical entity gadoquatrane is a macrocyclic tetrameric Gd complex with one inner sphere water molecule per Gd (q = 1). Gadoquatrane showed high solubility in buffer (1.43 mol Gd/L, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4), high hydrophilicity (logP −4.32 in 1-butanol/water), and negligible protein binding. The r1-relaxivity of gadoquatrane in human plasma per Gd of 11.8 mM−1·s−1 (corresponding to 47.2 mM−1·s−1 per molecule at 1.41 T at 37°C, pH 7.4) was more than 2-fold (8-fold per molecule) higher compared with established mGBCAs. Nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion profiles confirmed the more than 2-fold higher r1-relaxivity in human plasma for the clinically relevant magnetic field strengths from 0.47 to 3.0 T. The complex stability of gadoquatrane at physiological conditions was very high. The observed Gd release after 21 days at 37°C in human serum was below the lower limit of quantification. Gadoquatrane showed no Gd3+ release in the presence of zinc in the transmetallation assay. The PK profile (plasma elimination, biodistribution, recovery) was comparable to that of gadobutrol. In MRI, the quantitative evaluation of the tumor-to-brain contrast in the rat glioblastoma model showed significantly improved contrast enhancement using gadoquatrane compared with gadobutrol at the same Gd dose administered (0.1 mmol Gd/kg body weight). In comparison to gadoterate meglumine, similar contrast enhancement was reached with gadoquatrane with 75% less Gd dose. In terms of the molecule dose, this was reduced by 90% when compared with gadoterate meglumine. Because of its tetrameric structure and hence lower number of molecules per volume, all prepared formulations of gadoquatrane were iso-osmolar to blood. Conclusions The tetrameric gadoquatrane is a novel, highly effective mGBCA for use in MRI. Gadoquatrane provides favorable physicochemical properties (high relaxivity and stability, negligible protein binding) while showing essentially the same PK profile (fast extracellular distribution, fast elimination via the kidneys in an unchanged form) to established mGBCAs on the market. Overall, gadoquatrane is an excellent candidate for further clinical development.


The Internet has brought a new meaning to the term communities. Geography is no longer a barrier to international communications. However, the paradigm of meeting new interesting people remains entrenched in traditional means; meeting new interesting people on the Internet still relies on chance and contacts. This thesis explores a new approach towards matching users in online communities in an effective fashion. Instead of using the conventional feature-vector scheme to profile users, each user is represented by a personalized concept hierarchy (or an ontology) that is learnt from the user's behavior in the system. Each concept hierarchy is then interpreted within the Information Theory framework as a probabilistic decision tree. The matching algorithm uses the Kullback-Leiber distance as a measure of deviation between two probabilistic decision trees. Thus, in an online community, where a personalized concept hierarchy represents each user, the Kullback-Leiber distance imposes a fullorder rank on the level of similarity of all the users with respect to a particular user in question. The validity and utility of the proposed scheme of matching users is then applied in a set of simulations, using the feature-vector-overlap measure as a baseline. The results of the simulations show that the Kullback-Leiber distance, when used in conjunction with the concept hierarchy, is more robust to noise and is able to make a stronger and more distinctive classification of users into similar groups in comparison to the conventional keyword-overlap scheme. A graphical agent system that relies upon the ontology-based interest matching algorithm, called the Collaborative Sanctioning Network, is also described in this thesis. Thesis Supervisor: Peter Szolovits Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science


Conjugation between two Pseudomonas putida species has been studied. Special emphasis has been given to the design of tools for better defined and reproducible experimental conditions. This is an essential prerequisite for any kinetic analysis of the phenomenon. The experimental approach suggested in the paper is a three-stage continuous fermentation, where donor and recipient strains can be cultivated at predefined steady-state growth rates, and conjugation takes place at steady-state conditions in the third stage. For the first time a remarkable influence of agitative speed on conjugation has been experimentally observed.


Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound with a crucial role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and membrane antioxidant protection. Despite the ubiquitous endogenous biosynthesis, specific medical conditions are associated with low circulating CoQ10 levels. However, previous studies of oral CoQ10 supplementation yielded inconsistent outcomes. In this article, we reviewed previous CoQ10 trials, either single or in combination with other nutrients, and stratified the study participants according to their metabolic statuses and medical conditions. The CoQ10 supplementation trials in elders reported many favorable outcomes. However, the single intervention was less promising when the host metabolic statuses were worsening with the likelihood of multiple nutrient insufficiencies, as in patients with an established diagnosis of metabolic or immune-related disorders. On the contrary, the mixed CoQ10 supplementation with other interacting nutrients created more promising impacts in hosts with compromised nutrient reserves. Furthermore, the results of either single or combined intervention will be less promising in far-advanced conditions with established damage, such as neurodegenerative disorders or cancers. With the limited high-level evidence studies on each host metabolic category, we could only conclude that the considerations of whether to take supplementation varied by the individuals' metabolic status and their nutrient reserves. Further studies are warranted.


In the era of information processing and use of information technology, speech recognition and processing plays a very important role for many human computing tasks. Speech pattern and Speech recognition is fundamental for speech analysis in speech data handling system. No doubt it allows all users to communicate with computers and along with electronic devices using any natural language. Today the potential power of the PCs enables the implementation of the novel method proposed in this paper. The prime concern is that none of the software is freely available, user friendly and cross platform. Therefore it necessitates using open-source programming language to an Open Ended System for Speech Data Handler using self created Hexapod: a six legged robot. This system facilitates the way any electronic device with an UART port or USB port can be controlled using speech commands.


Research Highlights: This paper provides an alternative approach to contextualize mangrove forest loss by integrating available environmental and socio-economic data sets and products. Background and Objectives: Mangrove forest ecosystems grow in brackish water especially in areas exposed to accumulation of organic matter and tides. This forest type is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical coastal areas. Recent studies have revealed that the mangrove forest ecosystem had significantly degraded due to Land Use and Cover Changes (LUCC) in the recent past. Therefore, contribution of mangrove deforestation drivers has to be assessed to ensure a comprehensive analysis for ecosystem conservation and restoration and facilitate decision making. Materials and Methods: Firstly, a correlation analysis was conducted between individual data products and mangrove deforestation. Each data product was associated with the Dominant Land Use of Deforested Mangrove Patches data for 2012. Next, calculations were performed for specific data combinations to estimate the contributions of anthropogenic factors to mangrove deforestation. Results: In general, our study revealed that 22.64% of the total deforested area was converted into agriculture, 5.85% was converted into aquaculture, 0.69% was converted into infrastructure, and 16.35% was not converted into any specific land use class but was still affected by other human activities. Conclusions: We discovered that the percentage of land affected by these anthropogenic factors varied between countries and regions. This research can facilitate trade-off analysis for natural resources and environmental sustainability policy studies. Diverse management strategies can be evaluated to assess the trade-offs between preserving mangrove forests for climate change mitigation and transforming them for economic purposes.


In the present investigation, maize growing areas in Punjab were delineated with respect to climate and technology variables using statistical and geospatial techniques. The effect of the climate (maximum temperature, minimum temperature and rainfall) and technology variables (fertilizers, irrigation) on maize yield was studied in spatio-temporal domain in maize growing areas of Punjab. Long-term data on climate and technology variables as well as maize productivity was collected for maize growing districts of the state. The maximum temperature during maize growing season was highest (35.7°C) in Amritsar, the minimum temperature was highest (25.3°C) in Ludhiana, whereas rainfall was highest (765.4 mm) in Gurdaspur. The results of Mann-Kendall test showed significant increase in maximum temperature @ 0.03°C year-1 in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Patiala and Roopnagar and minimum temperature @ 0.04°C year-1in Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Roopnagar, @ 0.03°C year-1 in Jalandhar and @ 0.05°C year-1 in Ludhiana and Patiala districts. Analysis indicated that the maize yield was significantly higher in Ludhiana than other districts. Spatial variability in maize yield, climate and technology was studied using Geographic Information System (GIS). The integration of the layers of climate parameters with yield in GIS demarcated four major maize growing zones in Punjab.


Picosecond amplification characteristics were investigated in KrF amplifiers with aperture sizes of 2xlcm2 and 7x7cm2. The system including a ps pulse generator, two 2xlcm2-aperture lasers and a 7x7cm2-aperture laser was successfully operated with the precise synchronism, resulting in an output energy of 150 mJ.


This article considers the constitutionality of compulsory marketing schemes in terms of s92 of the Australian Constitution, providing for absolutely free trade, commerce and intercourse among the States. It considers the contradictory case law on the extent to which such schemes infringe s92 and takes issue with the High Court's most recent decision in this area, Barley Marketing Board v Norman. It criticises the current test for assessing the validity of schemes under s92, and concludes that, even under the current approach, such measures are liable to challenge, it being difficult to argue they are 'reasonable regulation' measures.


Interferons inhibit virus replication through the expression of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). We have found that a specific isoform of one such ISG, Oligoadenylate Synthetase 1 (OAS1) limits host susceptibility to West Nile Virus (WNV) infection through a non-canonical mechanism. This OAS1 isoform (OAS1 P46) in humans is generated due to an alternative splice acceptor site at the C-terminus of OAS1 gene. The SNP rs10774671 at this site has been associated with disease severity to WNV. We show that human OAS1-KO cells have lower basal levels of cGAS protein and can be rescued by OAS1 P46 independent of its enzyme activity. Additionally, through RNA-seq, SILAC, polysome profiling and radiolabeling experiments, we show that OAS1 does not regulate mRNA transcription but instead enhances protein translation of a select set of mRNAs, thereby increasing the steady state and induced levels of specific proteins with antiviral properties. Inducible expression of OAS1 P46 in cGAS-KO cells does not suppress WNV replication, suggesting that the antiviral activity of OAS1 is mediated through cGAS. We also have established functional equivalence between OAS1 P46 and a mouse ortholog, Oas1b (no enzyme activity), which similarly affects WNV susceptibility. Oas1b inhibits WNV infection and pathogenesis in vivo and inhibits WNV infection in vitro in cGAS-dependent manner. Through RNA-protein crosslinking experiments we have identified target mRNAs that bind to OAS1 and have demonstrated increased sensitivity of WNV in Oas1b RNA binding mutants. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism of OAS1 in which it binds to target mRNAs, enhances the translation of these RNAs and limits virus infection.


This paper considers the challenges of attempting to apply national quality standards for distance education onto online programmes designed for clinical practitioners. It addresses some of the quality frameworks available for UK Higher Education and their potential weaknesses in addressing learner needs. In contrast, we continue by describing how a framework constructed around a problem-based learning (PBL) approach has been used at City University to offer a more appropriate and robust mechanism for ensure quality standards in clinical practice education. The PBL approach offers adult learners a flexible and responsive method of learning whilst simultaneously meeting national quality guidelines.


Background: The incidence of drug eruptions is increasing during the last few years due to a large number of new medications. Early detection of the causative agent and the prevention from exposure are crucial managements in terms of drug eruption, mainly to prevent its recurrence. Objective: To understand skin test as a diagnostic modality in drug eruption, which includes skin patch test, skin prick test, and intradermal test. Literature review: Drug eruption is a form of skin eruption triggered by the use of medications, topical or systemic, in the right dose and indication. The manifestation can vary from maculopapular, urticaria, pustular, and bullous eruption; from the most nonsignificant to a life-threatening reaction. A diagnostic procedure is critical to discover the type of drugs that cause the eruption, i.e., skin test, specific IgE measurement, histamine-release test, and provocation test. Skin test is the first choice in the diagnostic process as it is simple, easy, practical and has high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: Skin test is one of the many available diagnostic tools. However, both false positive and false negative results might still arise. The experts are currently attempting to come up with more accurate and practical tests to aid the diagnostic of drug eruption, thus preventing its occurrence.