ABSTRACT In this study, we tested the ability of a computer-based passive acoustic location system (ALS) to determine the two-dimensional locations of vocalizing animals. The ALS uses multi-track tape recordings to estimate locations based on arrival time delays between widely-spaced microphones. We tested the accuracy of ALS location estimates using tape recordings of wild free-ranging birds made with 4 microphones placed at the corners of a 40m square. We compared ALS location estimates for these birds with locations determined by surveying the locations of the perches birds vocalized from. ALS location estimates were typically less than lm away from surveyed locations when birds vocalized within the square microphone array, rising to just over 2m for birds vocalizing from within 25m beyond the array boundary. Beyond 25m, accuracy diminished rapidly with increasing distance. ALS accuracy did not depend on the bird species located, but location estimates based on frequency-modulated tonal notes were more than twice as accurate than those made using relatively unmodulated notes from the same songs. Two examples are given to demonstrate the usefulness of the ALS in field studies.


Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the Western world. This neoplasm arises de novo from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The OSE is a simple mesothelium which, paradoxically, acquires complex epithelial characteristics in the course of neoplastic progression. The present study investigated the roles of cellular constituents that are known to contribute to epithelial differentiation: Ecadherin and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Two experimental culture models were used: (1) OSE from women without (NFH-OSE) and with (FH-OSE) familial histories of ovarian cancer; and (2) OSE at progressive stages of neoplastic transformation, created by sequentially introducing SV40 large T antigen and E-cadherin into normal OSE, which produced lines IOSE-29 and IOSE-29EC. IOSE-29EC was tumorigenic and from the tumor we generated line IOSE-29EC/T4. The data indicate that E-cadherin and HGF receptor Met expression was enhanced and stabilized in FH-OSE and neoplastic OSE, but not in NFHOSE. Importantly, coexpression of HGF and Met, resulting in constitutive activation of Met, was demonstrated in FH-OSE and ovarian cancer cell lines, suggesting an autocrine HGFMet activity in these cells. Such an increased autonomy in FH-OSE may enhance the susceptibility of these cells to neoplastic transformation. HGF stimulated growth in normal OSE, IOSE-29 and the ovarian cancer ceil line OVCAR-3, but inhibited the growth of IOSE29EC and IOSE-29EC/T4. HGF induced scattering and branching tubulogenesis in IOSE29EC and IOSE-29EC/T4 but not in IOSE-29 or OVCAR-3. These different responses to HGF could be related to different levels and kinetics of ERK activation. Increased expression of CK2 and PI3K effectors (Akt2, GSK3p and p70 S6K), downregulation of PKG and upregulation of MEK6 accompanied the neoplastic transformation of OSE. Akt2 and p70 S6K were constitutively phosphorylated in neoplastic OSE, and to a lesser degree in ii FH-OSE, but rarely in NFH-OSE. The inhibition of PI3K activity induced apoptosis in OVCAR-3 and metaphase arrest in IOSE-29EC, but had less effect on IOSE-29. These observations, in conjunction with the demonstrated capacity of E-cadherin and HGF to contribute to epithelial differentiation, support the hypothesis that these molecules play a role in the initiation of the aberrant differentiation which characterizes ovarian


The goal of the present research is to support decision-making in the schematic design phase for the realization of ultra-low-carbon buildings by improving the design procedures. Therefore, this research attempts to build an energy model that allows the designer to determine the equipment and specifications based on energy performance at the schematic design stage. Based on the schematic design outline, the present paper investigates whether the numerical targets that represent the energy performance of the building and the evaluation indexes that can be used at the schematic design stage are examined. In addition, recent system trends, decision specifications, and functions are investigated at the schematic design stage for each equipment item, thereby clarifying the decision level.


Background: Nanoparticles are clusters of atoms in a size range from (1-100) nm. Nano dentistry creates amazing useful structures from individual atoms or molecules (nanoparticles), which provides a new alternative and a possibly superior strategy in prevention and treatment of dental caries through management of dental plaque biofilms. The aim of the study was to test the sensitivity of Streptococcus mutans to different concentrations of hydroxyapatite and iron oxide nanoparticles suspension solutions, in comparison to chlorhexidine, and de-ionized water, in vitro. Materials and methods: Agar well technique was applied to test the sensitivity of Streptococcus mutans to different concentrations of hydroxyapatite and iron oxide nanoparticles compared with chlorhexidine 0.2% as a control positive and de-ionized water as control negative. Zone of inhibitions which is clear zone of no growth of the bacteria were measured across the diameter of each well, no zone indicated a complete resistance of bacteria to the agents. Results: Values of mean of inhibition zone for all concentrations of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were zero. While for iron oxide nanoparticles, they were zero until reaching the last three concentrations, in which there was a respective increase with a highly significant difference between groups (p>0.01). When making multiple comparisons of the inhibition zones of iron oxide nanoparticles between groups, findings showed that the inhibition zones of 17%, 20% and 22.5% of iron oxide nanoparticles were more than all other concentrations that had no inhibition zones with a significant difference (p>0.05). There was a highly significant difference between each concentration of hydroxyapatite and iron oxide nanoparticles with chlorhexidine and de-ionized water (p>0.01). Conclusion: Streptococcus mutans were not sensitive to hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, as there was a complete resistance for the agent. While for iron oxide nanoparticles, Streptococcus mutans were sensitive to 17.5%, 20% and 22.5% and sensitivity increased with the increase in concentration with a statistically highly significant difference and this indicates an antibacterial activity of this material.


Objective: To compare the influence of two techniques for corneal epithelial removal in photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) – blunt scrape versus rotary brush – regarding duration of technique application, intraoperative comfort, and reepithelization. Methods: This prospective randomized study included 58 eyes of 29 patients that underwent simultaneous and sequential PRK in both eyes – blunt scrape (scraped group) in one eye and rotary brush (brushed group) in the fellow eye. Results: The faster technique, measured in seconds, was the rotary brush (16.4 ± 6.3) compared to the blunt scrape (35.7 ± 7.6). There was no difference between the methods regarding discomfort reported by the patient during surgery and the type of symptom reported postoperatively (p>0.05). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the brushed group were related to a greater intensity of symptoms [F (8.104) = 1.5, p<0.05] and post hoc testing indicated that this difference was only significant (p<0.05) on day 2. All eyes of the 2 groups showed complete corneal epithelialization on day 5 postoperatively. Conclusion: In this study, it was found that epithelial removal with rotating brush was superior to manual only by its shorter application. It showed the same level of intraoperative discomfort and determined a greater intensity of symptoms postoperatively.


An intelligent system for the design optimization of electromagnetic devices is presented. The system comprises a back-propagation neural network in conjunction with an optimizing Hopfield Net for performing search and optimization functions. An adaptive algorithm is used to improve the response of the system in a dynamic environment. Data can be input by an experienced designer in addition to a case generator from the finite element (FE) solutions. Optimal designs are obtained quickly once the artificial neural network (ANN) is trained with a variety of topologies. Results of implemented examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed system. >


Addition of new nodes to a sensor network is a fundamental requirement for their continuity operation over time. We analyze the weakening of security due to node capture when adding sensor nodes using key predistribution schemes with "fixed" key pools. We have also developed an approach, which provides a significant improvement in security after multiple deployments through the use of multiple key pools, strong nodes and actors. These strong nodes are used as bridges between nodes of various deployments. To achieve better connectivity we use nodes of varying capabilities with the connectivity being a function of the quality of nodes available. We also explore the role that can be played by actors in enhancing connectivity.


The separatists of the Kingdom of New Granada (which enjoyed de facto independence from the Crown of Castile between 1810 and 1816) were well aware of the contradiction of maintaining slavery under the regime of freedom that they sought to build. In the region of Antioquia, this paradox was partially resolved by adopting several laws aimed at abolishing servitude, gradually but without excessive delays. This paper will analyse both the circumstances that allowed for the abolitionist question to be addressed and the actual measures implemented by local authorities, while also casting light on a much less well-known aspect: the enforcement of these measures and their social and political consequences.


Summary.  Background: Cancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are at high risk of recurrent VTE despite standard anticoagulation. To date, very little published literature is available to guide the treatment of cancer patients with recurrent VTE. Objectives: To evaluate the benefit and risk of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) dose escalation in cancer patients with recurrent VTE. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive cancer outpatients referred for management of a symptomatic, recurrent VTE while receiving an anticoagulant. Confirmed episodes of recurrent VTE were treated with either dose escalation of LMWH in patients already anticoagulated with LMWH, or initiation of therapeutic dose LMWH in patients who were taking a vitamin K antagonist (VKA). All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months after the index recurrent VTE unless they died during this period. Results: Seventy cancer patients with a recurrent VTE despite ongoing anticoagulation were included. At the time of the recurrence, 67% of patients were receiving LMWH, and 33% were receiving a VKA. A total of six patients [8.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0–17.5%] had a second recurrent VTE during the 3‐month follow‐up period, at an event rate of 9.9 per 100 patient‐years (95% CI 2.0–17.8%). Three patients (4.3%; 95% CI 1.5–11.9%), or 4.8 per 100 patient‐years (95% CI 0.0–10.3%) of follow‐up, had bleeding complications. The median time between the index recurrent VTE to death was 11.4 months (range, 0–83.9 months). Conclusions: Cancer patients with recurrent VTE have a short median survival. Escalating the dose of LMWH can be effective for treating cases that are resistant to standard, weight‐adjusted doses of LMWH or a VKA.


Stable estimates for angle-dependent acoustic impedance are obtained from a dual wavefield data set that consists of pressure and vertical particle velocity measurements. Using these acoustic impedance estimates, a nonlocal inversion procedure predicts sediment material impedance, interval velocity, density, and their associated relative errors as a function of depth. The method is successfully applied to data from a marine seismic experiment conducted by Halliburton Geophysical Services in the Gulf of Mexico in 1989. The inverted values for the seafloor sediment density and interval velocity lie close to those obtained independently by other methods, implying that the inversion illustrated is valid for use with field data.


A study was made of the phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI/2) phenotype of plants regenerated from suspension and protoplast culture originating from a Festuca arundinacea (2n = 6x = 42) plant with distinct PGI/2 phenotype. Of the regenerated plants from suspension culture, 20 were abnormal in that they deviated from the PGI/2 phenotype of the donor plant. Among the abnormal plants two distinct isozyme variants absent in the original donor, which were probably the result of point mutations, were recorded. There was evidence of deletions of specific PGI/2 alleles. This was confirmed cytologically by the reduced chromosome number found in the relevant cell suspension derived plants. There was also evidence that an active allele had been transformed into a null allele. All the plants regenerated from protoplast culture had the same PGI/2 phenotype as the donor plant but were hyperpolyploid. The loss of activity of individual PGI/2 alleles in plants derived from protoplasts was masked by gene duplication because of t...


We raise the issue whether conventional quantum mechanics, which is not a hidden variable theory in the usual Jauch-Piron's sense, might nevertheless be a hidden variable theory in the sense recently conjectured by G. 't Hooft in his pre-quantization scheme. We find that quantum mechanics might indeed have a fully deterministic underpinning by showing that Born's rule naturally emerges (i.e., it is not postulated) when 't Hooft's Hamiltonian for be-ables is combined with Koopmann–von Neumann operatorial formulation of classical physics.


Tracking objects in 3D space and predicting their 6DoF pose is an essential task in computer vision. State-of-the-art approaches often rely on object texture to tackle this problem. However, while they achieve impressive results, many objects do not contain sufficient texture, violating the main underlying assumption. In the following, we thus propose ICG, a novel probabilistic tracker that fuses region and depth information and only requires the object geometry. Our method deploys correspondence lines and points to iteratively refine the pose. We also implement robust occlusion handling to improve performance in real-world settings. Experiments on the YCB-Video, OPT, and Choi datasets demonstrate that, even for textured objects, our approach outperforms the current state of the art with respect to accuracy and robustness. At the same time, ICG shows fast convergence and outstanding efficiency, requiring only 1.3 ms per frame on a single CPU core. Finally, we analyze the influence of individual components and discuss our performance compared to deep learning-based methods. The source code of our tracker is publicly available11https://github.com/DLR-RM/3DObjectTracking.


The operation of Diffserv QoS service provisioning requires the aggregation of IP or MPLS traffic streams into a limited number of DiffServ classes and queue them accordingly. To be able to analytically estimate the QoS of each Diffserv class, the characteristic of the class aggregate traffic must be determined. This paper presents an analytical technique to characterize aggregate traffic. It is widely known that IP traffic stream is highly bursty and correlated, and can be modeled as a long range dependent traffic stream. By using multifractal wavelet models (MWM) to represent each long range dependent traffic stream, the proposed technique calculates MWM model parameters for the aggregate traffic and uses them to estimate the IDC of the aggregate traffic. The calculated MWM parameters are also used to estimate QoS received by the traffic aggregate. Both analysis and simulation are used to examine the performance of the proposed technique for various traffic conditions and scenarios. The MWM parameters of a number of real traffic traces are estimated and used to determine the characteristics of the aggregate traffic. The analytically derived parameters are compared to those directly measured from the simulated aggregate traffic. The results show that the calculation technique is accurate and can be effectively used in Diffserv network.


The initial clinical trials of somatic gene therapy have demonstrated that gene transfer can be performed safely in a clinical setting and with public acceptance. These trials have focused attention on the broad applications of this technology in routine medical and surgical practice. This article reviews the reasons why somatic gene therapy could lead to significant improvements in clinical practice as well as specific therapies in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Early applications include the treatment of inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, new approaches for treating malignancies, new methods for enhancing tissue repair, and regeneration after plastic and reconstructive surgery, and the potential for using the thyroid as a target for somatic gene therapy. The following review will illustrate how somatic gene therapy may have a significant impact not only on the treatment of rare genetic diseases but on managing the common problems encountered by physicians and patients in daily practice.


Short rotation coppices play an increasing role in providing wooden biomass for energy. Mixing fast-growing tree species in short rotation coppices may result in complementary effects and increased yield. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect on mortality of eight different poplar genotypes (Populus sp.) in mixed short rotation coppices with three different provenances of the N-fixing tree species black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). Pure and mixed stands were established at two sites of contrasting fertility. Survival of poplar was assessed for each tree two times a year, for a period of three years. In the first two years, high variation in mortality was observed between the genotypes, but no significant differences between pure and mixed stands were identified. However, three years after planting, higher mortality rates were observed in the mixtures across all poplar genotypes in comparison to pure stands. The expected advantage on growth of combining an N-fixing tree with an N-demanding tree species, such as poplar, was overshadowed by the Robinia's dominance and competitiveness.


Objective: The accurate estimation of outcome in postoperative breast cancer patients is an essential component of the individualized treatment, decision-making, and patient counseling processes. The disease outcome and prognosis of breast cancer patients may vary according to geographic and ethnic factors. To clarify this topic, we created a new prognostic and predictive model for breast cancer patients, based on clinical and pathological variables. Study design and setting: Clinical and pathological data were collected from 1587 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgical intervention. A survival prediction model was used to allow the analysis of the optimal combination of variables. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, as applied to an independent validation data set, was used as the measure of accuracy. Results were assessed by comparing the area under the ROC curve with the SEER database. Results: Our predictive model of survival predicted disease outcome for individual patients with breast cancer. The comparison between our predictive model and SEER databases showed that our model underestimated outcome in the SEER cohort and that the SEER model overestimated outcome in our breast cancer patients. Conclusion: Our model may present an alternative as personalized prognostic tool for breast cancer patients. Decision regarding the survival prediction should take every consideration about regional and racial factors into account.


A 55-year-old woman visited our clinic for rapid swelling of her left breast. The left breast was palpated, and a mass of about 10 cm with thick skin, and multiple lymph nodes in the supraclavicle and axilla were found. PET-CT images showed an increased uptake in her left breast, lymph nodes, spine of TH5, sternum, left lobe of liver, and both lungs. The serum tumor markers were also found to be elevated. A core needle biopsy was performed, and the tumor was diagnosed as secondary inflammatory carcinoma (invasive ductal carcinoma). Immunohistochemical staining showed negative for HER2 protein, but strongly positive for ER and PgR. Letrozole monotherapy administered her starting June, 2008. After 3 months, the metastases showed a notable response, which was subsequently maintained for 19 months. The tumor markers decreased to the normal range after 6 months, and the multiple metastases were not found by PET-CT after 1 year. A radiofrequency ablation operation was conducted on the remaining 3 cm breast cancer. Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with letrozole was shown to be useful for post-menopausal breast cancer patients with strong hormone receptor expression.


Selective autophagy mediates the degradation of cytoplasmic cargos, such as damaged organelles, invading pathogens, and protein aggregates. However, whether it targets double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of intracellular pathogens is still largely unknown. Here, we show that selective autophagy regulates the degradation of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) dsRNA genome. The amount of dsRNA decreased greatly in cells that overexpressed the autophagy-required protein VPS34 or autophagy cargo receptor SQSTM1, while it increased significantly in SQSTM1 or VPS34 knockout cells or by treating wild-type cells with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine or wortmannin. Confocal microscopy and structured illumination microscopy showed SQSTM1 colocalized with dsRNA during IBDV infection. A pull-down assay further confirmed the direct binding of SQSTM1 to dsRNA through amino acid sites R139 and K141. Overexpression of SQSTM1 inhibited the replication of IBDV, while knockout of SQSTM1 promoted IBDV replication. Therefore, our findings reveal the role of SQSTM1 in clearing viral dsRNA through selective autophagy, highlighting the antiviral role of autophagy in the removal of the viral genome.


Two large, independent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 resistance databases containing >7700 reverse-transcriptase (RT) sequences were used to analyze the epidemiology of amino acid substitutions at codons 44 and 118, which confer moderate lamivudine resistance in the presence of zidovudine resistance. As expected, E44A/D and V118I mutations were strongly associated with M41L, D67N, L210W, and T215Y but also with other mutations, including K43E/N/Q, T69D, V75M, H208Y, R211K, and K219R. Both E44D and V118I were more frequently associated with stavudine and didanosine than with zidovudine and lamivudine treatment. However, selection of E44A/D and V118I was also detected in association with a switch to other nucleoside RT inhibitors, including zalcitabine and abacavir. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that 44D and 118I can decrease phenotypic susceptibility not only to lamivudine but also to most other nucleoside analogues, particularly stavudine and abacavir. Thus, substitutions at RT codons 44 and 118 have broad implications in nucleoside RT inhibitor resistance in the setting of several nucleoside-associated mutations.


Entrapped double oxide films are known to be the most detrimental defects in cast aluminium alloys. In addition, hydrogen dissolved in the aluminium melt was suggested to pass into the defects to expand them and cause hydrogen porosity. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the concept of double oxide film defects with an emphasize on the influence of the dissolved hydrogen on the morphology of the defects in aluminium melts and in turn how such effect could govern the tensile and fatigue properties of the castings. This will give a better understanding of factors influencing the properties of light metal alloy castings which would lead to the development of improved practices by which healthier castings with reliable and more reproducible properties are obtained.


BACKGROUND. The number of patients with end-stage renal disease is steadily increasing. One of the main complications arising from the disorders of calcium-phosphorus metabolism in patients on hemodialysis is various types of renal osteodystrophy. The frequency of pathological fractures among patients receiving renal replacement therapy is twice as high as in the general population. The prevalence and structure of injuries, especially the diagnosis of injuries of the musculoskeletal system in hemodialysis patients, are not well understood. THE AIM: to determine the prevalence and structure of injuries and the consequences of pathological injuries of bones and joints undergoing hemodialysis in Saint-Petersburg. To achieve this goal, the authors developed a special questionnaire, consisting of 4 blocks, including 32 questions.PATIENTS AND METHODS. An analysis of questionnaires of 798 patients from 15 hemodialysis centers of Saint-Petersburg was carried out.RESULTS. A number of problems were identified, such as insufficient coverage of patients not only with specific instrumental examination methods (MSCT, MRI), but also with radiographic ones. Satisfaction with quality of life and physical activity was noted in less than half of patients. 46.4% had a history of fractures and injuries, while the proportion of operated patients was half that, which indicates the need for more active work of hemodialysis centers with city hospitals with traumatology and orthopedic departments.CONCLUSION. Patients on HD require regular x-ray examination and densitometry to detect pathological damage to bones and joints. Based on the results of these studies, it is advisable to consult a traumatologist at least 1 time per year.


Intracranial aneurysms are rare in children although several features distinguish them from adult aneurysms including variation in anatomic distribution and an increased incidence of giant and posterior circulation aneurysms. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is the most frequent presentation; however, clinical presentation suggestive of intracranial tumor is not uncommon making accurate diagnosis difficult. Direct clipping is recommended whenever possible although alternative techniques may sometimes be necessary. This report of a giant aneurysm of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery in an 11-month-old child illustrates the occasional difficulty in diagnosis and management of these unusual aneurysms.


Acknowledgments INTRODUCTORY Introduction--Robert Zussman and Joya Misra For Public Sociology--Michael Burawoy INSTITUTIONALIZING PUBLIC SOCIOLOGY Public Sociology and the End of Society--Alain Touraine Stalled at the Altar? Conflict, Hierarchy, and Compartmentalization in Burawoy's Public Sociology--Sharon Hays If I Were the Goddess of Sociological Things--Judith Stacey Going Public: Doing the Sociology That Had No Name--Patricia Hill Collins POLITICS AND THE PROFESSION Speaking to Publics--William Julius Wilson Do We Need a Public Sociology? It Depends on What You Mean by Sociology--Lynn Smith-Lovin Speaking Truth to the Public, and Indirectly to Power--Arthur L. Stinchcombe The Strength of Weak Politics--Douglas S. Massey From Public Sociology to Politicized Sociologist--Frances Fox Piven FALSE DISTINCTIONS: CONCEPTUAL RESERVATIONS The Sociologist and the Public Sphere--Immanuel Wallerstein About Public Sociology--Orlando Patterson For Humanist Sociology--Andrew Abbott INTERDISCIPLINARITY Whose Public Sociology? The Subaltern Speaks, but Who Is Listening?--Evelyn Nakano Glenn A Journalist's Plea--Barbara Ehrenreich REJOINDER The Field of Sociology: Its Power and Its Promise--Michael Burawoy Editors and Contributors Index


The purposes of the experiment were to examine the appropriateness of pre- and post-implant intensity measures (thresholds, most comfortable listening level, and loudness discomfort level) as predictors of post-implant phoneme-recognition ability and to study the relationship between pre- and post-implant intensity measures. Pre-implant intensity measures were obtained on 16 subjects who were eventually implanted with either a Nucleus device (n = 8) or a Symbion device (n = 8). Phoneme scores on a NU-6 word list were obtained on these 16 subjects at 1 month post-implant. Post-implant intensity measures were also made on the 8 Symbion subjects at 1 month post-implant. The results showed that none of the pre-implant intensity measures correlated significantly with post-implant phoneme scores. In addition, pre-implant intensity measures did not correlate with the same post-implant intensity measures. However, post-implant MCLs and LDLs correlated significantly with phoneme scores as reflected by correlation coefficients that were larger than 0.8. These preliminary results suggest that although intensity measures may relate to phoneme-recognition ability, their use as predictive measures (as in pre-implant measures) for post-implant ability is questionable.


Learning creativity skill is important for students. Distance learning during the Covid-19 period is the best option for study. However, students' needs among cognitive, affective, psychomotor and various skills need to be well accommodated. This study aims to describe the process of creativity in project-based learning in distance learning. The research subjects were 10 elementary school education students grade 2nd. The learning project was carried out at home with online guidance and discussion due to the conditions of Covid-19 which made it impossible to gather. The learning project that is designed is to create a learning media for beginning reading for elementary school students. Wallas' creative process includes 5 stages: preparation, incubation, intimacy, illumination and verification. Distance learning projects are carried out in 7 stages, namely: (1) formulating learning outcomes, (2) understanding concepts, (3) skills training, (4) designing the project, (5) making the project proposal, (6) executing projects and (7) project report. The results showed that in distance project learning can still be done to train creativity with paying more in accessibility of communication and following the learning stage


We tested the hypothesis that extracellular haem is linked to the incidence of acute complications of sickle cell disease (SCD). Using multivariable regression analysis, higher plasma free haem, but not total plasma haem, was associated with increased odds of vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC) [P = 0·028, odds ratio (OR); 2·05, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1·08–3·89] and acute chest syndrome (ACS) [P = 0·016, OR; 2·56, CI = 1·19, 5·47], after adjusting for age and gender in children with SCD. These findings suggest that haem and factors that influence its concentration in plasma may be informative of the risk of VOC and ACS in SCD patients.


Abstract The roots of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) establish symbiosis with nodule-inducing rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The existing nodules systemically suppress subsequent nodule formation, a phenomenon known as autoregulation. Grafting experiments revealed that some forms of autoregulation are controlled by the shoot. In the present study, we examined shoot-controlled regulation of AM fungal colonization using a reciprocal grafting technique. Ten-day-old seedlings of wild-type soybean cv. Enrei and its hypernodulating mutant En6500 were cut below the cotyledons and the shoots were grafted to self or reciprocal roots. Grafted seedlings were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Gigaspora rosea and grown in a glasshouse for 60 days. The arbuscule abundance of the En6500 (shoot)/En6500(root) graft was 1.5-fold higher than that of the Enrei/Enrei graft. In grafts between Enrei and En6500, an increased arbuscule abundance was detected only when En6500 was used as the shoot. The arbuscule abundance of Enrei/En6500 when Enrei was used as the shoot was comparable to that of Enrei/Enrei. The intensity of AM fungal colonization was lower in Enrei/En6500 than in the other grafting treatments. From the results obtained, we suggest that soybean shoots systemically control arbuscule formation in both AM symbiosis and nodule formation.


Knowledge graph embedding aims at offering a numerical knowledge representation paradigm by transforming the entities and relations into continuous vector space. However, existing methods could not characterize the knowledge graph in a fine degree to make a precise prediction. There are two reasons: being an ill-posed algebraic system and applying an overstrict geometric form. As precise prediction is critical, we propose an manifold-based embedding principle (\textbf{ManifoldE}) which could be treated as a well-posed algebraic system that expands the position of golden triples from one point in current models to a manifold in ours. Extensive experiments show that the proposed models achieve substantial improvements against the state-of-the-art baselines especially for the precise prediction task, and yet maintain high efficiency.


Pharmaceuticals or derivatives from natural products, i.e. small molecules obtained from the Earth's biosphere, account for a significant proportion of global drug sales. Since the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), however, researchers can no longer simply apply to access organisms or genetic material without also entering into a mutually agreed benefit sharing agreement with the country of origin. The CBD may have stymied research in some countries while legislation for access and benefit agreements are being developed. In Australia, the Natural Product Discovery collaboration between Griffith University and the pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca has pursued a biodiscovery program since 1993 under the auspices of the CBD. In addition to providing novel chemical leads and insights to many of the company's biological targets, the collaboration has also enabled systematic mapping of Australian flora and fauna via its collection program and taxonomic identification of new species. This article highlights the progress being made in this area and the specific obstacles to this approach from an Australian perspective.


This study was conducted comparative analysis of juvenile brassiere and adult brassiere to identify the problems of brassieres on the market. The raw data for this study was processed by SPSS 10.1 version(statistical software) and the results of this study can be summarized as follows. 1) The result of comparative analysis of juvenile brassiere and adult brassiere pattern is that each pattern showed no difference. 2) The results of the comparative analysis of juvenile and adult brassiere pattern in wing's length and angle is that even though there are some difference between juvenile and adult in side line inclination of brassiere. there is no setting difference but size of that brassiere. 3) The result of a comparative analysis pattern and cup size measurement of juvenile brassiere and adult brassiere is that even though the adult cup girth and angle is bigger than the juvenile because adults have more protrusive and bigger volume and well developed breast, some case rather the adult's cup angle is smaller than the juvenile as brand. And as we grow up to be a woman, difference of lower breast girth and breast girth are become big while difference of upper breast girth and breast girth are become small for that reason upper cup must be lower and lower cup must be higher but there is almost no difference between adult and juvenile. 4) The result of a comparative analysis of juvenile brassiere and adult brassiere bust point of the pattern is that adult brassiere's distance between bust points 6.12cm, and juvenile's 5.6cm, there are only 0.52cm difference between two products and just 0.4cm, size grading. These results are explained that even though when grow up to be a woman the distance between two bust points become to be long and breast toward out side but brassiere size don't vary with body characteristic.


Internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection is a cause of stroke, but it is often underdiagnosed in children. ICAs' risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood, and the treatment is still empirical. We report the case of a previously healthy 9-year-old girl who presented with involuntary hypertonic closure of the right hand associated with transient difficulty for both fine movements of the right arm and speech. She had a history of minor cervical trauma occurring 20 days prior to our observation without other associated risk factors. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography showed ischemic lesions due to the left ICA dissection. Treatment with both acetylsalicylic acid and levetiracetam allowed recanalization of the ICA associated with the resolution of clinical signs. Our clinical case suggests that the ICA dissection must be suspected early whenever a child manifests mild neurologic deficits after a cervical trauma, especially if they are associated with headache and/or cervical pain. Moreover, the management of ICA dissection must be improved.


A scale was developed to measure the attitude of the beneficiary farmers towards District Poverty Initiative Project (DPIP) based on Likert's technique. A list of 51 statements indicating the positive or negative attitude was drafted suited to the area of study. The statements were edited in the light of the informal criteria suggested by Edwards, Thurstone and Chave and Edward and Kilpatrick. The score of each individual item on the scale was calculated by summing up the weights of the individual items. On the basis of total score, 25 percent of the subjects with the highest total score and also 25 percent of the subjects with lowest total scores were taken assuming that these groups provided criterion groups in terms of high and low evaluated by the individual statement. In order to find out the discriminating index for each item,'t' value was calculated using the formula and procedure given by Edwards. The scale so developed finally consisted of 19 statements (10 positive and 9 negative) whose't' values were found to be significant at one percent level of probability.


Leaf demography, sclerophylly and ecophysiology were assessed on Banksia petiolaris (ground creeper, large vertical leaves) and B. baueri (shrub, smaller horizontal leaves) in the dry mediterranean scrub-heath of Western Australia. Leaves survived for up to 13 and 5 years respectively (50% survival was 5.9 and 2.0 years). Leaf specific mass increased with age for both species, due to increase in leaf density. Shading was negligible for 1-year-old B. baueri leaves but increased sharply with age, whereas shading was moderate and similar for leaves of all ages in B. petiolaris. Transpiration rates and stomatal conductance during cloudy autumn weather were higher in B. petiolaris, whereas photosynthesis was lower. Stomatal conductance, transpiration and photosynthesis declined with leaf age in both species, but more steeply in B. baueri. Dawn and midday xylem pressure potentials and hydraulic conductance decreased with leaf age and were higher and declined more gradually in B. Petiolaris. Water-use efficiency declined slightly with age. The water potential at zero turgor, osmotic potential at 100% relative water content and bulk elastic modulus values were closer to zero in B. Petiolaris and changed little with age, while the relative water content at zero turgor and bound water were higher in older leaves of B. petiolaris. No trends in chlorophyll concentrations or fluorescence kinetics were observed with aging except that the oldest leaves of B. baueri had lowest activity. Area based leaf N decreased in B. baueri with leaf age, but was unchanged in B. petiolaris up to 10 years. K and Mg did not vary with leaf age, but P decreased and Ca increased in both species. P levels were extremely low, yet 70% resorption prior to leaf death was apparent. Photosynthetic-N and -P use efficiencies were high in the 1-year-old relative to the 2-year-old leaves, and declined gradually with further aging, but more steeply in B. baueri. We conclude that the exceptionally long-lived leaves of B. Petiolaris are consistent with the substantial investment they represent (large surface area, mass and total nutrient store) and low levels of physiological activity associated with low soil nutrient and moisture availability and moderate illumination at all leaf ages.


Using 4 strains considered to belong to Staphylococcus aureus and albus, selected from various bacteria isolated from the human mouth as test bacteria and one strain each of the standard-strain bacteria kept in our laboratory as the control, the author made comparative studies of the productivity of hemolysins of both growing bacteria and resting cells as well as investigated effects of various conditions on the production of hemolysins. The results are presented in the following. 1. By passage through the animal the productivity of hemolysin increases markedly in the case of standard strain of aureus while with albus the increase is only slight. 2. On the whole the productivity of hemolysin of the bacteria belonging to aureus strain is greater than those belonging to the albus, and No.2 and standard strain of aureus presents the hemolyzat the highest degree. 3. Nitrogen source is required in the production of hemolysins by resting cells, and the most effective one is pepton; while among amino acids, glutamate, aspartate, alanine and glycine are effective, but there is no amino acid known to be indispensable to the hemolysin production.
Though hemolysin production does not occur when carbon source alone is added, when C-source is added in combination with N-source, the hemolysin production is enhanced. However, in the case of sugars, pH is lowered during the oxidation so there is a tendency to inhibit the hemolysin production. 4. Hemolysin production is inhibited by such metal ions as Fe(++), Mg(++), Co(++) and Cu(++), and it is likewise inhibited by monoiodoacetate, aureomycine, and chloromycetine. 5. Hemolysin produced by the resting cells are all unstable against heat with exception of standar strain of albus.


Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the presence of a lunate medial facet and the incidence of ligament lesions of the wrist and arthrosis of the proximal pole of the hamate. This study was carried out on cadavers. Methods: Arthroscopic evaluation and dissection were performed on cadaver wrists. Results: There was a clear, statistically significant correlation between arthrosis of the proximal pole of the hamate and the presence of a medial facet on the lunate. Conclusion: Arthrosis of the proximal pole of the hamate is correlated with the presence of a type II lunate. Level of Evidence III, Study of nonconsecutive patients; without consistently applied reference ''gold'' standard.


In the treatment of traumatic injuries, burns, and ulcers of the eye, inadequate epithelial tissue healing remains a major challenge. Wound healing is a complex process involving the temporal and spatial interplay between cells and their extracellular milieu. It can be impaired by a variety of causes including infection, poor circulation, loss of critical cells, and/or proteins, and a deficiency in normal neural signaling (e.g., neurotrophic ulcers). Ocular anatomy is particularly vulnerable to lasting morbidity from delayed healing, whether it be scarring or perforation of the cornea, destruction of the conjunctival mucous membrane, or cicatricial changes to the eyelids and surrounding skin. Therefore, there is a major clinical need for new modalities for controlling and accelerating wound healing, particularly in the eye. Collagen matrices have long been explored as scaffolds to support cell growth as both two-dimensional coatings and substrates, as well as three-dimensional matrices. Meanwhile, the immobilization of growth factors to various substrates has also been extensively studied as a way to promote enhanced cellular adhesion and proliferation. Herein we present a new strategy for photochemically immobilizing growth factors to collagen using riboflavin as a photosensitizer and exposure to visible light (∼458 nm). Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was successfully bound to collagen-coated surfaces as well as directly to endogenous collagen from porcine corneas. The initial concentration of riboflavin and EGF as well as the blue light exposure time were keys to the successful binding of growth factors to these surfaces. The photocrosslinking reaction increased EGF residence time on collagen surfaces over 7 days. EGF activity was maintained after the photocrosslinking reaction with a short duration of pulsed blue light exposure. Bound EGF accelerated in vitro corneal epithelial cell proliferation and migration and maintained normal cell phenotype. Additionally, the treated surfaces were cytocompatible, and the photocrosslinking reaction was proven to be safe, preserving nearly 100% cell viability. These results suggest that this general approach is safe and versatile may be used for targeting and immobilizing bioactive factors onto collagen matrices in a variety of applications, including in the presence of live, seeded cells or in vivo onto endogenous extracellular matrix collagen.


As the importance of environment management in construction sites has increased, there has been a tendency of reinforcing related laws and regulations. It is critical to understand and use environmental management related laws and regulations in order to conduct efficient and law-keeping environment management. However, due to the complexity and the volume of the information, difficulties arise in construction fields as to timely using such information. In order to improve this situation, it is necessary to develop and use an IT system by which the information of the environment management laws and regulations can be provided, and structuring such information is a first step. The objective of this paper is to structure tasks and the information of laws and regulations in environment management during construction stage by analyzing existing research and practice manuals.


The world is experiencing an unrestrained devastating power of COVID-19 Lack of experience in combating such a pandemic, insufficient medical equipment and professionals, and above all, poor management have led to failure in controlling disease transmission to a large extent in Bangladesh Therefore, an incredibly high percentage of people may need medical intervention However, most of the hospitals in the country are not fully ready to cope with the expected surge in critically ill COVID-19 patients The majority of the private hospitals and some government hospitals are not providing necessary medical care to both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients Therefore, it is of utmost importance to reinstate the healthcare system to full function to ensure proper treatment to the ailing patients of both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19


In this article, I look at Mihai Pop as an agent of continuity, but also as an agent of theoretical refreshment in the social sciences in communist Romania. Through his research activity, but also through his status as director of the Institute of Folklore and university professor, he ensured not only the connection with the past, but also a permanent connection of the local scientific field with research centers around the world. I have chosen to stop at some pivotal moments in the history of ethnology during the communist period that have Pop as the protagonist, whether it is theoretical disputes, the practice of discipline or the evolution of institutions. I want to show both the way in which the study of folklore was distorted by the ideology, but also the strategies by which the scientific field maintained, as far as the times allowed, a kind of autonomy. I will start from Mihai Pop's vision of the village and of the folkloric reality showing that, despite the passing of the years, the changes in the political regime and the evolution of the social sciences, the researcher's vision on the Romanian village has not changed fundamentally during his career. I will then show how the theoretical dispute between Mihai Pop and George Călinescu, from the early 1960s, imposed a new conception of the notion of literary folklore as an ethnological science and not a philological one. I will also point out how Mihai Pop's double role – as director of the Folklore Institute and Folklore professor at the University of Bucharest greatly influenced the development of the field during communism.


Posing the most serious challenge to international security today, fourth-generation warfare (4GW) uses all available networks – political, economic, social and military – to convince the enemy's political decision-makers that their strategic goals are either unachievable or too costly for the perceived benefit. It is rooted in the fundamental precept that superior political will, when properly employed, can defeat greater economic and military power. 4GW does not attempt to win by defeating the enemy's military forces. Instead, combining guerrilla tactics or civil disobedience with the soft networks of social, cultural and economic ties, disinformation campaigns and innovative political activity, it directly attacks the enemy's political will. Over the past 50 years, 4GW has defeated superpowers in Vietnam, Somalia, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Chechnya. Each time, using protracted campaigns, the insurgents defeated the will of the enemy rather than his military. In sum, 4GW is political, socially (rather than technically) networked and protracted in duration. It is the antithesis of the high-technology, short war the Pentagon is preparing to fight.


From the very first moments of their lives, infants are able to link specific movements of the visual articulators to auditory speech signals. However, recent evidence indicates that infants focus primarily on auditory speech signals when learning new words. Here, we ask whether 30-month-old children are able to learn new words based solely on visible speech information, and whether information from both auditory and visual modalities is available after learning in only one modality. To test this, children were taught new lexical mappings. One group of children experienced the words in the auditory modality (i.e., acoustic form of the word with no accompanying face). Another group experienced the words in the visual modality (seeing a silent talking face). Lexical recognition was tested in either the learning modality or in the other modality. Results revealed successful word learning in either modality. Results further showed cross-modal recognition following an auditory-only, but not a visual-only, experience of the words. Together, these findings suggest that visible speech becomes increasingly informative for the purpose of lexical learning, but that an auditory-only experience evokes a cross-modal representation of the words.


Information visualization is defined as interactive visual representations supported by the computer, in order to increase cognition. The tools and methods applied can help to accelerate the understanding of a large volume of data, improving understanding, especially with multidimensional data sets. Visual analysis methods allow decision makers to combine flexibility, creativity and human knowledge with the enormous storage and processing resources of today's computers to gain insight into complex problems. If we add data mining to advanced visual interfaces, decision makers will be able to interact directly with data analysis, adapting to their tastes and needs. The MLV-Viewer prototype, in its data mining aspect, will be described in this article.


The seasonal variation in the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil of Zanthoxylum clava-herculis has been analyzed by GC-MS. Three individual trees were sampled four times during the course of the 2004 growing season. Notable differences were recorded in the essential oil yields from the three trees on the four collection dates; yields were highest in May and lowest in July The leaf essential oils were made up of 25 components, largely menthane monoterpenoids, dominated by limonene (44-73%) and 1,8-cineole (16-43%), with lesser amounts of α-thujene, linalool, γ-terpinene, and α-terpineol. The ratio of oxygenated monoterpenoids to monoterpene hydrocarbons generally increased during the season, largely reflected in the 1,8-cineole/limonene ratio.


The world is seeing a quick segment move towards a more established populace, a pattern with significant clinical, social, monetary and political ramifications. Maturing is a multifaceted procedure, including various sub-atomic and cell components with regards to various organ frameworks. A urgent part of maturing is a lot of useful and auxiliary adjustments in the invulnerable framework that can show as a diminished capacity to battle contamination, lessened reaction to inoculation, increased incidence of cancer, higher prevalence of autoimmunity and constitutive lowgrade inflammation, among others. In addition to cell-intrinsic changes in both innate and adaptive immune cells, alteration in the stromal microenvironment in primary and secondary lymphoid organs plays an important role in age-associated immune dysfunction. This review will provide a broad overview of these phenomena and point out some of their clinical and therapeutic implications. This review study setting, discussing the gradual aging immune system. Data for this study is collected from different search engines like PubMed, Google Scholar, MeSH, Semantic scholar, Cochrane, NCBI, Medline, core science. A total of 53 articles were selected. The aging of the immune system is associated with dramatic changes in the distribution and competence of immune cells. Anti-Aging therapy should aim at prolonging T cells' survival while weakening inflammation prone to innate immunity.


Recent warnings by the UN Fund for Population Activities about the rapid growth of the world population and the overwhelming role in it played by impoverished women in developing countries are of interest to all women in Latin America. According to the document Third World Women require drastic improvements in their socioeconomic positions in order to achieve reductions in their family sizes and avoid an increase in the world population from 5 billion at present to 10 billion in 2025 which would be a disaster for the planet. The document states that much of the environmental damage that would occur would be attributable to the combination of poverty and rapid population increase. If the proportion of the worlds women using contraceptives increases from the current 45% to 58% by the year 2000 the world population in 2025 will be 8.5 billion. The document recommends that the amount of money invested in family planning be greatly increased by 2000 in order to make possible increased use of family planning. It appears however that much of the funding for family planning is under the control of private organizations and is used to serve the interests of foreign countries. The 2 principal private family planning organizations in Brazil for example received 18.2 million US dollars between 1978--84 which were used largely to finance a campaign of mass sterilization. Brazils rate of population growth which was 2.1% in 1980-85 and 1.8% in 1990 is expected to drop to 1.6% in 1995. With the decline in the rate of growth the population will be 170 million in 2000 instead of the 220 million projected using data from the 1970s. A much higher proportion of fertile-aged women in Brazil is sterilized than in the US or Europe . Closer examination of the premises behind family planning policies shows them to be questionable. The premise that population density affects the environment is questionable; Japan West Germany and Holland have some of the highest population densities in the world but are highly developed. On the other hand Bolivia and Peru are underdeveloped but have very low population densities. Brazil has 1 of the lowest population densities in the world at 14 inhabitants per sq km. Rural- urban migration in the past few decades has transferred a hugh contingent of rural dwellers to the outskirts of the large and medium sized cities. Brazils perverse economic model that concentrates income focuses on exports and encourages latifundia and not population density is responsible for urban growth. A truly efficient demographic policy would seek a transformation of the economic model. Another myth is that environmental damage is caused by poverty and rapid population growth. The most polluting countries of the world are the most developed and richest. Population movements in Latin American countries with mass sterilization programs should divert the funds to programs improving the status of women who could then control their own fertility.


Suppression therapy is a treatment strategy for genetic diseases caused by nonsense mutations. This therapeutic approach utilizes pharmacological agents that suppress translation termination at in‐frame premature termination codons (PTCs) to restore translation of a full‐length, functional polypeptide. The efficiency of various classes of compounds to suppress PTCs in mammalian cells is discussed along with the current limitations of this therapy. We also elaborate on approaches to improve the efficiency of suppression that include methods to enhance the effectiveness of current suppression drugs and the design or discovery of new, more effective suppression agents. Finally, we discuss the role of nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD) in limiting the effectiveness of suppression therapy, and describe tactics that may allow the efficiency of NMD to be modulated in order to enhance suppression therapy. WIREs RNA 2011 2 837–852 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.95


An infill system consisting of ductile fiber reinforced composite panels with bolted connections is being developed for seismic retrofits. A combination of laboratory and numerical studies are being used to evaluate and develop components of the infill system. Initial results suggest that the composite infill panels are capable of increasing the lateral load capacity, the stiffness and the energy dissipation capability of a steel frame subjected to cyclic lateral loads.


Colonization and survival of fungi on oil seeds during storage is mainly determined by prevailing temperature and moisture contents of the seeds. The present study deals with effect of temperature on dynamics of storage fungi of oil seeds. The seed mycoflora of two oil seeds viz-Sunflower (Var. Advanta, Krishna, Shakti) and Groundnut (Var. Kaberi, JL-24. ICGS-45) was studied by standard blotter method and Agar plate method. The dominant fungi detected on three varieties of sunflower were—Alternaria helianthi, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum while , Aspergillus niger spp., Cercospora spp., Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus spp. were predominantly isolated from selected varieties of ground nut. It was found that temperature invariably affected the dynamics of seed mycoflora of investigated seeds in the storage. The percentage incidence of storage fungi varied at different temperature. Maximum fungi colonized the seeds at 30°C. The number of storage fungi on tested seeds showed a marked increasing trend from 10°C-30°C but declined gradually at higher temperature (upto 40°C) in all the tested varieties. The storage of oil seeds below 10°C is recommended to prevent the seed spoilage by storage fungi.


The pre‐ and postpartum maternal serum anti‐D concentrations of 28 women with severe Rh(D) immunization who received high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment has been determined. In all cases, including 1 in which the newborn was D negative, a sharp increment in the anti‐D titer was observed after delivery. The specific immunoglobulin concentration rose to levels ranging from 4.7 to 204.0 μg/ml and, in 20% of the patients, increments of fifty times or greater were observed. Human monoclonal antibodies (hmAb) have been produced from Epstein‐Barr virus‐transformed lymphoblastoid B cell lines derived from 1 of these naturally hyperimmunized patients whose serum contained an anti‐D‐category DVI antibody. Four anti‐D‐secreting cell lines (97.E3.39.214, 44.E4.R1.257, E7.R126.96.36.199 and E11V.117.63; hereafter referred to as 214, 257, 115 and 63) have been established and maintained in continuous culture for periods ranging from several months to 3 years, without loss of antibody production capacity. Antibodies 115 and 214 recognize all Du samples tested at the same level as the polyclonal positive control. Antibodies 63 and 257 show a significantly lower reaction strength with some of the Du samples. Studies with D category cells showed that the DVI category was recognized only by hmAb 214. The reactivity pattern of this antibody is that of an anti‐epD4, although the reaction strength varied greatly with different DIVa cell samples. Results obtained with hmAb 257 and 115 using papain‐treated D category cells suggest that booth react as anti‐epD6/7. Antibody 63 reacts as anti‐epD1, although it shows only weak reactivity with the single sample of DVII cells tested. A mixture of hmAb 214 and 115 should thus be capable of identifying most weak and partial D erythrocytes by an appropriate method.


Jury nullification refers to the behaviour of a jury that votes to acquit a defendant of criminal charges despite believing that: a) the defendant did in fact commit the actions with which she is charged; and, b) such actions are, indeed, prohibited by law. While there are many objections to this practice, the most striking thing about jury nullification is that nothing is done to actually prevent or punish jurors who behave this way. In this paper, I explore three rationales for why jury nullification is an officially tolerated, if not necessarily welcome, element of Anglo-American criminal law jury trials. All three of these rationales centre in one way or another on the idea that the very concept of a jury trial necessitates allowing the jury to extend its traditional purview in such a manner.


Abstract 2623 Poster Board II-599 The t(8;21)(q22;q22) translocation, present in 10–15% of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases produces the AML1/ETO (AE) fusion protein. The molecular mechanism of AE action is not well understood. Using Affymetrix RNA expression array analysis on RNA isolated from whole bone marrow (BM) aspirates from patients with de novo AML (n=113), we identified POU4F1 as an expression outlier uniquely associated with t(8;21). All t(8;21) positive patients in this cohort (n=4) had POU4F1 expression levels exceeding 2 SD above the mean for this cohort. None of the t(8;21) negative AML samples or normal CD34+ BM samples (n=5) had POU4F1 levels above this threshold. POU4F1 is a POU domain containing transcription factor that has been studied most extensively in neurons of the caudal CNS and peripheral sensory nervous system. Pou4f1 null mice die peripartum from motor neuron failure. Given the strong correlation between POU4F1 expression and t(8;21), we hypothesized that POU4F1 is a direct transcriptional target of AE and a mediator of its activity. We found that transient or stable over-expression of AE in primary mouse BM or human cell lines did not increase the levels of POU4F1 when analyzed by qRT-PCR, implying that POU4F1 over-expression in t(8;21) AML is AE independent. AE is known to cause increased self renewal of hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro. To determine whether Pou4f1 may contribute to this phenotype we retrovirally transduced murine BM cells with AE, Pou4f1 , or empty vector. We then performed weekly clonal serial replating of myeloid progenitors in cytokine enriched methocellulose media. Progenitors transduced with AE had robust replating activity (15–20/24 CFUs replated for at least five generations in three independent experiments), whereas cells transduced with Pou4f1 did not (1-4/24 CFUs replated; P Pou4f1 null mice to determine whether Pou4f1 is required for AE induced progenitor self renewal. We repeated the serial replating assay using Pou4f1 +/+, +/−, or −/− E14.5-16.5 fetal liver cells (3 independent experiments, n=3 mice per genotype). Regardless of Pou4f1 genotype, cells transduced with AE retained replating capacity for five generations. Taken together these results indicate Pou4f1 is neither necessary nor sufficient for enhanced self renewal of hematopoietic progenitors in vitro. To further elucidate the role of POU4F1 in t(8;21) AML, we investigated what effect Pou4f1 had on the transcriptional profile of hematopoietic cells. Pou4f1 +/+ or −/− fetal liver cells were retrovirally transduced to produce cells with high (MSCV-IRES- Pou4f1 -GFP in +/+), normal (MSCV-IRES-GFP in +/+), or no (MSCV-IRES-GFP in −/−) Pou4f1 expression. GFP positive cells were sorted and RNA was prepared. Affymetrix MOE430v2.0 GeneChip microarrays were run and comparisons were made between the gene expression profiles of the three experimental groups (each group n=3). As expected, since Pou4f1 is not normally expressed in hematopoietic cells, the gene expression profiles between Pou4f1 wildtype and null cells showed no significant differences. Comparisons of the cells expressing high levels of Pou4f1 to Pou4f1 wildtype or null, however, revealed 114 differentially expressed genes (FDR Pou4f1 gene expression signature is conserved from mice to humans and is retained throughout leukemic transformation. Remarkably, unsupervised clustering performed on the expression profiles of the 114 Pou4f1 signature genes alone was sufficient to separately group the t(8;21) patients from all the other AML patients. Of these 114 genes, the expression of eight (PPAPDC1B, PELI2, FAM69B, ROBO1, SOX4, CAV1, H2AFV, PLXDC2) was significantly increased (P POU4F1 gene expression signature that distinguishes between t(8;21) positive and negative AML samples. These surprising results directly refute the assumption that the gene expression profile of t(8;21) AML is solely attributable to AE and suggest that POU4F1 is an important independent contributor to the pathophysiology of these leukemias. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Sinusoidal frequency estimation based on discrete Fourier transform provides accurate results for well-separated spectral tones. However, if a single sinusoid is disturbed by other tones, estimation accuracy may suffer significantly. In particular, the bias can increase considerably when the frequencies of the disturbances are close to that of the desired sinusoid. In addition to frequency estimation by maximization of the Schuster periodogram, examining a frequency located on the opposite side of the disturbance at the edge of the cost function may reduce its influence on the bias of the estimator. In this paper, we present an empirical appraisal of this bias reduction. Since our edge estimation procedure increases the variance of the estimated frequency, we also present an analytical method for assessing this increase. Possible applications are measurement or tracking tasks where frequency estimates with low bias are essential to the working of an overall measurement system. Further, we describe a method that combines the advantages of peak and edge estimation. All results were validated using simulations and data obtained from a frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar system.


The magnetic susceptibility of chain and disordered structures of high-Tc superconductive particles dispersed in textured polymerised magnetic fluids has been calculated by means of the Maxwell-Garnet theory using an iterative procedure. The critical magnetic fields, Hcl, for various structures are compared with the critical magnetic field Hcl of the bulk.


Electrocoagulation (EC) approach employing two aluminium electrodes and a two phase medium of aqueous solution of NaCl and hexane (2-phase-EC) was developed. The approach enabled electrochemical treatment of odor active compounds in perfume extract. The samples before and after 2-phase-EC at cathode, anode and between the two electrodes left for equilibrium after the treatment were analyzed by using solid phase micro extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography hyphenated with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This allowed identification of volatile compounds in each sample based on comparison with MS and retention index database. After the treatment, the perfume smells were fresher, sweeter and more floral corresponding to their different types and amounts of the odor active compounds. The major odor active products mainly obtained at the anode of the 2-phase-EC system were methyl benzoate, 2-phenylethanol and benzyl acetate. The corresponding product at the cathode was phenylmethanol. Comparison of the investigated sample profiles further reveals enrichment of several compounds at each electrode without undergoing electrochemical reaction. The major reactant and product profiles were further investigated with Gas Analyzer revealing slower rate of decrease in the amounts of the characteristic m/z of the products during the 2-phase EC. The 2-phase-EC and analytical approach have a potential for application in the area of electrochemical reaction in organic media in the future.


Abstract. The characterization of fossil-fuel CO2 (ffCO2) emissions is paramount to carbon cycle studies, but the use of atmospheric inverse modeling approaches for this purpose has been limited by the highly heterogeneous and non-Gaussian spatiotemporal variability of emissions. Here we explore the feasibility of capturing this variability using a low-dimensional parameterization that can be implemented within the context of atmospheric CO2 inverse problems aimed at constraining regional-scale emissions. We construct a multiresolution (i.e., wavelet-based) spatial parameterization for ffCO2 emissions using the Vulcan inventory, and examine whether such a~parameterization can capture a realistic representation of the expected spatial variability of actual emissions. We then explore whether sub-selecting wavelets using two easily available proxies of human activity (images of lights at night and maps of built-up areas) yields a low-dimensional alternative. We finally implement this low-dimensional parameterization within an idealized inversion, where a sparse reconstruction algorithm, an extension of stagewise orthogonal matching pursuit (StOMP), is used to identify the wavelet coefficients. We find that (i) the spatial variability of fossil-fuel emission can indeed be represented using a low-dimensional wavelet-based parameterization, (ii) that images of lights at night can be used as a proxy for sub-selecting wavelets for such analysis, and (iii) that implementing this parameterization within the described inversion framework makes it possible to quantify fossil-fuel emissions at regional scales if fossil-fuel-only CO2 observations are available.


Beef quality can be examined visually by observing the beef color or texture using human eyes.  This manual method is very simple yet very subjective because of differences in knowledge about fresh or defective beef characteristics and differences in accuracy. Therefore, a system that can automatically classify beef quality whether it is still fresh or already defective is needed. In this research, we developed a system that can classify beef quality based on its color and texture features using Support Vector Machines classifier. Statistical approach and Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) methods were used for the feature extraction process. The total of data used in this research was 480 images, divided into training and testing datasets. The highest accuracy was 97% for cold beef when the system was tested using color features of HSI color space.


The imprinted mouse H19 gene exhibits maternal allele-specific expression and paternal allele-specific hypermethylation. We previously demonstrated that a 14-kb H19 minitransgene possessing 5' differentially methylated sequence recapitulates the endogenous H19 imprinting pattern when present as high-copy arrays. To investigate the minimal sequences that are sufficient for H19 transgene imprinting, we have tested new transgenes in mice. While transgenes harboring limited or no 3' H19 sequence indicate that multiple elements within the 8-kb 3' fragment are required for appropriate imprinting, transgenes incorporating 1.7 kb of additional 5' sequence mimic the endogenous H19 pattern, including proper imprinting of low-copy arrays. One of these imprinted lines had a single 15.7-kb transgene integrant. This is the smallest H19 transgene identified thus far to display imprinting properties characteristic of the endogenous gene, suggesting that all cis-acting elements required for H19 imprinting in endodermal tissues reside within the 15.7-kb transgenic sequence.


Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare variant of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A 26year-old female presented a hepatic mass and mild elevation of liver enzymes. Viral markers were negative, and levels of tumor markers were normal. Radiologically, the mass was well demarcated with central dot-like calcification and hypervascularity. Under the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, right lobectomy was performed. The tumor was grayish yellow with central fibrosis and focal hemorrhage and invaded a septal bile duct. Non-neoplastic liver was unremarkable. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of large polygonal cells in sheets, cords, and pseudoglands that were interwound by dense collagenous stroma. Tumor cells had abundant deeply eosinophilic cytoplasm and large nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Intracellular bile pigments and pale bodies were present. Tumor cells were diffusely immunostained for cytokeratin 7 (CK7), but not for cytokeratin 20 (CK20). Strong expression of CK7 in the present case suggests dual differentiation of FLC.


The baseband power spectral density characteristics of X-band radar backscatter from wind-influenced vegetation were investigated using a short-range continuous wave radar system. Radar reflectance and concurrent wind-speed data were gathered from various individual trees from a distance of approximately 30 m. The power spectral density was observed to drop off at a rate slower than the widely-used single-peak Gaussian model. An empirical model which characterises the power spectrum as a combination of Gaussian functions with different peak locations is proposed. The model postulates that (i) the spectral broadening of the central peak is attributable to branch sway, (ii) the location of non-central peaks is attributable to leaf flutter, and (iii) the spectral broadening of the non-central peaks is attributable to a combination of branch sway and leaf flutter. The model shows satisfactory agreement with measured data. It is shown that realistic estimates of MTI improvement factors for delay-line cancellers can be obtained by knowledge of the type of vegetative clutter environment.


Predicting traffic speed is of importance in transportation management. Signalized road networks manifest highly dynamic speed patterns that are challenging to model and predict. We propose a hybrid deep-learning-based approach for link speed prediction, aiming at capturing heterogeneous spatiotemporal correlations between road intersections. After transforming original road networks and intersections into graphs, this approach leverages a layered graph convolution network structure to model traffic speed variations at both intersection and road network levels. The two levels are combined through a fully connected neural layer. Neural spatiotemporal attention mechanisms are applied to modulate the most relevant periodical traffic information during signal cycles. The proposed approach was evaluated using real-world speed data collected in Hangzhou City, China. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach can offer a scalable and effective solution for predicting short-term speed for signalized road networks.


Using error diagrams, we quantify the forecasting of characteristic-earthquake occurrence in a recently introduced minimalist model. Initially we connect the earthquake alarm at a fixed time after the ocurrence of a characteristic event. The evaluation of this strategy leads to a one-dimensional numerical exploration of the loss function. This first strategy is then refined by considering a classification of the seismic cycles of the model according to the presence, or not, of some factors related to the seismicity observed in the cycle. These factors, statistically speaking, enlarge or shorten the length of the cycles. The independent evaluation of the impact of these factors in the forecast process leads to two-dimensional numerical explorations. Finally, and as a third gradual step in the process of refinement, we combine these factors leading to a three-dimensional exploration. The final improvement in the loss function is about 8.5%.


This report constitutes a formulation of a new concept for improving thermal-system performance by utilizing the combined mechanisms of enhanced heat transfer, transport, and thermal energy storage associated with a phasechange slurry as the working fluid. In addition, pertinent literature is surveyed and a quantitative scoping assessment of enhancement potential confirms concept merit. It has been determined that additional research and development is required in order to adequately understand the enhancement mechanisms to the degree that enhanced performance thermal systems using slurries can be designed. The concepts presented are identified as being new, rewarding research activities. This report satieifes a comitment A. R. Valentino (ANL/EES) has to the DOE, Conservation, to identify new promising research activities.


Abstract: The study aimed to examine school drug education and agile leadership and lawlessness factors in children involving adults. This report led to a study on child narcotics crimes. 17 district court decisions from 2017-2020 are the unit of analysis, using the Question Nvivo-12 plus software process. The aim of using Nvivo-12 plus is to analyze data with a data coding model.  In addition, the writers also interviewed main witnesses, including judges who prosecuted child narcotics cases. . The data analysis procedure includes a validity test using triangulation of sources, time, and place. Grouping of data in the form of images and tables that have been processed for analysis with three data analysis techniques through percentages, making explanations, and comparing with theories or previous research results. According to the findings of the study, drugs education for youngsters involved in narcotics cases is critical. Furthermore, economic constraints, unsatisfactory home conditions, invites from acquaintances, and the influence of social media are all variables that lead to children committing narcotics offenses. In addition to these factors, the authors also found something new that makes children entangled in narcotics crimes, namely the involvement of adults who use children in the narcotics trade. For these factors, agile leadership is need, especially adult leaders with sensitivity, leadership unity, and quality of optimizing resources to protect children from the effects of drug abuse and the need to build particular educational institutions for children involved in crime. So children are given adequate education and skills, so they are not entangled again in drug cases..

Keywords: Drug Education, Violation of The Law, Criminal Act, Leadership Agility


We present a scheme for entanglement concentration of an unknown atomic non-maximally entangled GHZ state via cavity decay. In the scheme, the atom trapped in a cavity is manipulated by laser field, so the maximally entangled GHZ state can be obtained by performing certain operation, which can be realized by illuminating the atom in a cavity. Our method is robust against spontaneous atomic decay.


BACKGROUND
There are few studies of individual exposure to atmospheric particles, because of the relatively bulky and noisy sampling devices. These personalized measurements, generally associated with micro-environmental measurements, are aimed at studying the distribution of individual exposure and identifying its main determinants.

METHODS
A synopsis of the methods implemented in such studies (populations studied, measurements strategies, questionnaires on time-activity patterns, residences and work place) was detailed. The major results are presented and discussed from an epidemiological point of view.

RESULTS
The individual exposure measured with portable devices generally were generally found to be higher than the estimations made by combining micro-environmental (outdoor and indoor) measurements and data from time-activity diaries. The difference between results of these two approaches, known as "personal cloud", remains poorly understood. Correlations between individual measurings and outdoor concentrations are weak; nevertheless, day to day variations of these two series of measurements are better related. The main determinants of individual exposure to particles are identified but a quantification of their contribution remains difficult, except for passive smoking.

CONCLUSION
Personal measurements cannot be used to estimate particle exposure in large scale epidemiological studies. This exposure needs to be modelized.


Abstract Crop raiding by primates in particular and wild animals in general is a significant source of people-forest conflict around the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda. Crop loss to wild animals undermines local support for conservation efforts in this area. Patterns of primate crop raiding were studied over a period of 14 months in six villages (five adjacent to the Budongo Forest Reserve and one that is approximately 3,500 m from the forest edge). Data were collected via a questionnaire survey. Additional information was obtained from the relevant local government offices. Chimpanzees Pan troglodytes, baboons Papio anubis, other monkeys, bush pigs Potamochoeus procus and porcupines Hystrix cristata were reported by farmers to be the major causes of crop losses by wildlife. Of farmers, 73% reported suffering crop damage caused by primates, and 79% considered baboons to be the most destructive of all crop raiding species. Drought, insect pests, poor sowing, plant diseases and accidental fires were other sources of crop losses to farmers, though the risk of crop damage particularly by primates is perceived as the most serious potential cause of losses. Using chimpanzees as a case study, patterns of crop damage across the year are compared with seasonal fluctuations in availability of wild foods.


Landfill post-closure with contaminant concentration in soil below permissible limit assessed at limited spot does not represent the contamination issue. Assessment limit to professionals also does not gives a potential of change to practice constant assessment to a wider context of assessor - citizen living nearby - as a collaborative effort to sustain a safe environment. Therefore sizeable, qualitative, and cost-effective analysis of the concentrations of contaminants is needed and this work recommends kriging assessment and the logical impact pathway framework as factors of change in landfill aftercare management. The kriging framework is developed utilising lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) data from inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. The development of the kriging framework is conducted based on the observation of censored data from ICP-MS analysis. The estimation analysis involves the analysis of ordinary kriging with regression analysis, showing the interpolation of spatial correlation and regression error. Hence, ordinary kriging with regression of the variable of interest, i.e., Pb, using the data of the explanatory variable, i.e., Cr, is inappropriate. Further investigation with the utilisation of guess-field kriging analysis hypothetically exposed a potential contaminated area using an existing but limited number of explanatory variables; although, guess-field kriging may possibly result immense uncertainty at the area where the explanatory variable does not exist. Besides, this work anticipated outcomes in societal impact and sustainability practices from the proposed kriging framework by recommending a logical impact pathway. The development of the kriging framework and impact pathway reassure the necessary actions to be executed by responsible parties and act as the stimulus of a wider spectrum of improvement initiatives to oversee real issues, such as the time of occurrence, and to prevent negative impacts on the environment and humans.


Purpose. To test the applicability of standards of appearance, construction, optical quality and performance, and durability proposed for readymade spectacles to be used by eye care programs in low-resource countries. Methods. Orders of readymade spectacles were procured from three suppliers by an eye care program in Timor-Leste. Feedback regarding quality was given to one supplier before placing subsequent orders. Spectacles were randomly selected from each order: 250 for powers +3.00 to −3.00 diopter sphere (DS), being of most interest to eye care programs, and 100 from ±3.50 DS and ±4.00 DS powers combined. An additional 100 spectacles of infrequently dispensed higher powers were sourced and tested. Every appliance was assessed by a single investigator against items of the proposed standards. A pass or fail was determined for each appliance for each standard. Based on this experience, the utility of application of the proposed standards was appraised. Results. With the exception of impact resistance, it was possible to test spectacles against all proposed standards. Cost was no predictor of quality. Of a sample of high power spectacles, 65% failed at least one standard. For low power samples, as few as 2.8% failed. Quality improved with feedback to the supplier. Conclusions. Standards testing can be accommodated with a combination of manufacturer/supplier batch testing and program evaluation of spectacle units. With limited skill and equipment (lensmeter, pupillary distance rule, and caliper), and an ongoing interaction with its supplier, an eye care program can apply the proposed standards and influence the quality of spectacles supplied.


Aim
To study the clinical profile and outcome of the patients with kidney biopsy diagnosis of IgA Nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods
A retrospective study of the patients diagnosed IgAN over a period of three and half years.

Results
Sixty (13.5%) had a diagnosis of IgAN. Twenty four (40%) had a clinical diagnosis of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), 20 (33.3%) chronic kidney disease (CKD), 11 (18.3%) nephrotic syndrome, three (5%) acute glomerulonephritis and two (3.3%) asymptomatic urinary abnormalities. Fifty-six (93.4%) patients had hypertension; 15 (25%) patients were presenting as a hypertensive crisis with malignant hypertension in two. Fifteen of the RPGN patients presented with the hypertensive crisis, and all of them had evidence of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) on biopsy. Three (5%) patients had secondary IgAN. Patients with the nephrotic syndrome responded to treatment and had a significantly higher renal survival. Patients with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) ≥25% and mesangial hypercellularity score of >0.5 did not respond to treatment.

Conclusion
RPGN, CKD, and nephrotic syndrome were the typical manifestation of IgAN. Hypertension and hypertensive crisis were common. Response to treatment was seen in nephrotic syndrome whereas those with IFTA ≥25% and mesangial hypercellularity score of > 0.5 did not respond to treatment.


The dose distributions due to neutrons and photons produced when negative pions are used in radiotherapy are calculated using a Monte Carlo transport program. The simple model used for the calculation assumes a spherical, uniform stopping region centred within a sphere of tissue. Treatment volumes of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 litre are used, representing a range of tumour sizes. The photon dose is found to be negligible in comparison to the neutron dose. Curves for the neutron dose as a function of radius within the sphere of tissue are presented. The average doses delivered outside of the treatment volumes range from 0.012% to 0.91% of the total treatment doses. It is concluded that the secondary dose to nearby organs due to neutrons produced in pion 'stars' will not severely limit the utility of pion radiotherapy; however, vital structures located adjacent to large treatment volumes can receive significant doses.


Get the hands-on, step-by-step guide to learning the latest enhancements in ASP.NET code name Orcas. ASP.NET continues to be an important application platform that delivers a simplified, high-performance, and powerful Web development experience. Building on your familiarity with the Microsoft .NET Framework and Microsoft Visual C#, you can teach yourself the essentials of working with ASP.NET in the Microsoft Visual Studio environment one step at a time. With STEP BY STEP, you work at your own pace through hands-on, learn-by-doing exercises. Whether you re a beginning programmer or new to this version of the technology, you ll understand the core capabilities and fundamental techniques for ASP.NET and begin building practical Web applications and Web services. Includes a companion CD with code samples, data sets, and a fully searchable eBook.Features easy-to-follow, logically planned lessons to help you learn at your own paceDelivers a solid understanding of how to use Visual Studio Orcas with ASP.NET to create Web applications and Web servicesIncludes a companion CD with code samples, data sets, and a fully searchable eBook


of Transparent Low bulk density transparent porous monoliths have unique optical properties such as low refractive index and usually can be obtained via supercritical drying to prevent deformation and collapse of pore structure. We succeeded in fabricating a transparent cryogel with a bulk density of 3.5 mg cm −3 by vacuum freeze drying of a monolithic wet gel composed of boehmite nanofibers. In the case of adding a functional material into the starting sol of the gel, a composite material can be obtained. We analyzed the optical properties of transparent cryogels using image processing (direct-global separation) and applied the composite with a fluorescent molecule to volumetric three-dimensional (3D) displays. ABSTRACT Low bulk density transparent porous monoliths have unique optical properties such as low refractive index and usually can be obtained via supercritical drying to prevent deformation and collapse of pore structure. We succeeded in fabricating a transparent cryogel with a bulk density of 3.5 mg cm −3 by vacuum freeze drying of a monolithic


ABSTRACT:This article examines how female audiences shaped the development of feature-length comedy in the American film industry during the 1910s. Worrying that women were alienated by forms of humor thriving in shorts, producers redesigned comedy for the feature. I argue that female audiences' centrality as a commercial force helped determine the direction of featurelength comedy. I also call into question standard histories of silent comedy that either ignore the shift or dismiss it as an acquiescence to genteel tastes. Such a characterization overlooks the degree to which comedies designed to appeal to women reflected and contributed to modern popular culture.


BRD7 was isolated through cDNA representational difference analysis (RDA) (GenBank accession No. AF152604). Previous studies showed that BRD7 gene was down-regulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and tissues, and three cSNPs (coding-region single nucleotide polymorphisms) were found on BRD7. In addition, six BRD7-interacting proteins were identified by yeast two-hybrid system. To study the function of this gene on carcinogenesis in NPC, BRD7 gene was transfected into HNE1 cells low-expressed BRD7 by using liposomes and a stable cell line over-expressing BRD7 was established. After two-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE), twenty differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS including argininosuccinate lyase, metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 precursor, proteaseome activator28 beta subunit, thyroid transcriptional factor-1, cyclinH (MO15-associated protein), and so on. These differentially expressed proteins are related to cell cycling, transcription regulation, signaling pathway etc. Therefore, BRD7 may exert its functions by mediating differential expression of these proteins.


The computer programs ARRRG and FOOD were written to facilitate the calculation of internal radiation doses to man from the radionuclides in the environment and external radiation doses from radionuclides in the environment. Using ARRRG, radiation doses to man may be calculated for radionuclides released to bodies of water from which people might obtain fish, other aquatic foods, or drinking water, and in which they might fish, swim or boat. With the FOOD program, radiation doses to man may be calculated from deposition on farm or garden soil and crops during either an atmospheric or water release of radionuclides. Deposition may be either directly from the air or from irrigation water. Fifteen crop or animal product pathways may be chosen. ARRAG and FOOD doses may be calculated for either a maximum-exposed individual or for a population group. Doses calculated are a one-year dose and a committed dose from one year of exposure. The exposure is usually considered as chronic; however, equations are included to calculate dose and dose commitment from acute (one-time) exposure. The equations for calculating internal dose and dose commitment are derived from those given by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for body burdens and Maximum more » Permissible Concentration (MPC) of each radionuclide. The radiation doses from external exposure to contaminated farm fields or shorelines are calculated assuming an infinite flat plane source of radionuclides. A factor of two is included for surface roughness. A modifying factor to compensate for finite extent is included in the shoreline calculations. « less


Cubans who have migrated since the 1990s after living for two decades or more in their country of origin left with an embedded gender ideology that they acquired in a society where gender relations were undergoing radical transformations. As a result, Cuban feminization of migrations has its peculiarities. In this context, there are three issues to consider: explaining how gender relations attained in Cuba, as part of the overall attitudes gained since childhood, influenced Cuban migrants who have left the island permanently since 1990, introduced uniqueness in their migration processes, and made up a different feminization of migration; identifying the features of Cuban social structure that shaped the gender ideology of Cuban migrants; and producing new knowledge about Cuban international migration processes by using a gender perspective and by analyzing the gender relations prevailing in the years before the crisis of the 1990s, as well as since the beginning of the twenty-first century. The first part of this article focuses on gender distinctiveness of recent Cuban migrants, and the second summarizes some traits of the Cuban social structure—mainly referred to female employment—that could explain the gender training of the migrants.


ABSTRACT South America has undergone many dramatic changes during the past 60 million years, which has had a major impact on the patterns of biological speciation and diversity in the region. Birds have been particularly affected, and major geologic events have been an important factor in generating avian diversity in the New World. Here we investigate the impact of two geologic events, Andean uplift and the Panamanian land bridge formation, on the speciation and diversification patterns of birds in the New World using a broadly dispersed clade, the small New World ground doves (Aves: Columbidae). Using complete species-level sampling for the clade (barring 2 possibly extinct species), we used sequences of 4 mitochondrial genes and 1 nuclear gene to infer a phylogenetic tree for the group. To address historical biogeographic questions, we estimated divergence times and reconstructed ancestral ranges. The phylogenetic analysis resulted in a well-supported tree. Divergence time estimates and historical biogeographic reconstruction indicated a South American origin for the clade, with several speciation events coinciding with either Andean uplift events or the land bridge formation. These results indicate how major geologic events affected the diversification of this group of birds, and lead to a broader understanding of the impact of these events on patterns of speciation in New World birds.


In this paper, we propose a new TESLA (timed efficient stream loss-tolerant authentication) based secure vehicular communication (TSVC) protocol with privacy preserving, aiming to achieve less communication overhead without compromising the security and privacy requirements. With TSVC, the communication overhead can be significantly reduced due to the message authentication code (MAC) tag attached in each packet and only a fast hash operation is required to verify each packet. Simulation results show that TSVC maintains acceptable message latency with much smaller packet size while significantly reducing the message loss ratio compared with that by the existing PKI-based protocols especially when the traffic is denser.


Age-related macular degeneration is a complex genetic disorder. Recent data suggest that the additive genetic risk for late-stage disease is more than two-thirds. Comprehensive genetic studies (candidate gene approaches, linkage and association studies) have been performed in recent years to identity the genetic risk factors at the molecular lavel. Very recently, a significant risk allele, Y402H, has been discovered in the complement factor H (CFH) gene. The relative risk of developing AMD has been estimated between 2.4-4.6 for heterozygotes and 3.3-7.4 for homozygotes. This polymorphism accounts for approximately 20-50% of the overall risk of developing AMD. In this review the results from molecular genetic studies in AMD are summarized, with a special emphasis on the recent data obtained for the CFH gene.