We developed and implemented a first-principles based theory of the Landauer ballistic conductance, to determine the transport properties of nanostructures and molecular-electronics devices. Our approach starts from a quantum-mechanical description of the electronic structure of the system under consideration, performed at the densityfunctional theory level and using finite-temperature molecular dynamics simulations to obtain an ensemble of the most likely microscopic configurations. The extended Bloch states are then converted into maximally-localized Wannier functions to allow us to construct the Green's function of the conductor, from which we obtain the density of states (confirming the reliability of our microscopic calculations) and the Landauer conductance. A first application is presented to the case of pristine and functionalized carbon nanotubes. [Full Text Not Available]


Bacillus anthracis spores that are re-aerosolized from surface deposits after initial contamination present significant health risks for personnel involved in decontamination. To model repeated exposure to low dose B. anthracis spores, three groups of seven rabbits were challenged with multiple low-doses of B. anthracis spores 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Mortality, body temperature, heart and respiration rates, hematology, C-reactive protein, bacteremia, and serum protective antigen were monitored for 21 days post-exposure after the last of multiple doses. All rabbits exposed to a mean daily dose of 2.91 × 102 colony forming units (CFU) survived and showed minimal physiological changes attributable to exposure. One of seven rabbits receiving a mean daily dose of 1.22 × 103 CFU died and four of seven receiving a mean daily dose of 1.17 × 104 CFU died. The LD50 was calculated to be 8.1 × 103 CFU of accumulated dose. Rabbits that succumbed to the higher dose exhibited bacteremia and increases above baseline in heart rate, respiration rate, and body temperature. Two rabbits in the mean daily dose group of 1.17 × 104 CFU exhibited clinical signs of inhalation anthrax yet survived. This study provides a description of lethality, pathophysiology, and pathology in a controlled multiple low-dose inhalation exposure study of B. anthracis in the rabbit model. The data suggest that the accumulated dose is important in survival outcome and that a subset of rabbits may show clinical signs of disease but fully recover without therapeutic intervention


Mutual trust in European Union law traditionally refers to a horizontal relationship between Member States, requiring them to consider 'all the other Member States to be complying with EU law', as the European Court of Justice has repeatedly stated. This Article considers a new perspective: is it possible to detect the existence of trust between Member States on one hand and the European Union's institutions on the other hand? If so, what are its legal manifestations? And what light does trust shed on the cooperation between the peoples of Europe? To answer these questions, the Article seeks to offer a synthetic vision of the case law, selecting legal issues of European integration as examples of ascending (from Member States to the EU) and descending (from EU to Member States) trust. It then discusses reasons why the Court of Justice of the European Union may want to create a relationship of trust with Member States, drawing from the fruitful insights of political psychology.
EU law, mutual trust, political psychology, vertical trust, supremacy, internal market


Ectomycorrhizae, the symbiotic organs of fungi and roots of needle and broad-leaved trees, create distinct anatomical features. These characters are preferentially dependent, influenced and fashioned by the fungal hyphae during the ontogeny of these essentially important structures of root systems. Without ectomycorrhizae, the trees, which are completely dependent on them, are unable to grow. Many features of the ectomycorrhizae are functionally crucial, i.e. they influence the growth of trees to a different degree due to their variable anatomical differentiation. But these symbiotic organs are not only fascinating from a functional point of view, they contribute frequently to disentangle fungal relationships, because systematically related fungi often evolve ectomycorrhizae of similar anatomy.
Currently, world-wide some 5,500 fungal species of a few Zygomycetes, several Ascomycetes and frequently of Hymenomycetes are suggested to form ectomycorrhizae, on most of the tree genera of seasonal climates and/or of nutrient-deficient soils, particularly on roots of, e.g. Abies, Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Carya, Castanea, Castanopsis, Corylus, Cyclobalanopsis, Elaeocarpus, Engelhardtia, Eucalyptus, Fagus, Gilbertiodendron, Larix, Lithocarpus, Nothofagus, Picea, Pinus, Populus, Pseudotsuga, Quercus, Salix, Shorea, Tetraberlinia, and Tsuga.

The Colour Atlas depicts the habit of ectomycorrhizae as well as the functionally important features of many fungal relationships and of the most important ectomycorrhizal tree genera and is going to include ectomycorrhizae from all over the world.
The Colour Atlas is meanwhile a world-wide accepted and sold standard work for determination and illustrations of ectomycorrhizae, which is continuously supplemented by pictures of and information on ectomycorrhizae of additional fungi. Many of the provided illustrations show ectomycorrhizae which are identified to fungal species level, and several plates depict unidentified ectomycorrhizae, of which the fungal component is not known yet. But these samples bear their own, internationally standardized and applicable names.

The heart piece of the Colour Atlas are the folded, four-page plates, which can separately be arranged in any mode, whatever users prefer. The cover page of each plate is destined for four colour photos, the second page contains legends for all pictures, information on ecology and fruitbody illustrations, and frequently in addition data on ectomycorrhiza ecology. On the remaining two pages, half-tone photos depict important anatomical features. Dichotomous keys for determination of ectomycorrhizae, each based upon a tree genus, and comprehensive synoptic tables enable users to determine ectomycorrhizae. A glossary, explanations of important features, check lists as guides to prepare descriptions of ectomycorrhizae, keys and illustrations of the anatomy of main roots, comprehensive references, and lists of contributors complement the Colour Atlas.

The Colour Atlas will be complemented with one delivery of 10 – 20 plates in intervals of one or two years. The frequency of the deliveries depends upon the submitted contributions, which generally have to depict ectomycorrhizae of which characerizations are already availabale.
Contemporarily, the general parts of the Colour Atlas are updated, too. Ectomycorrhizae of all forest types and of all fungal relationships around the world will be depicted as far as reserchers of ectomcorrhizal anatomy focus on such areas.

The Colour Atlas, as actually it is available, contains 168 plates (see below) and the keys comprise now 406 species of ectomycorrhizae (Abies 6, Alnus 23, Betula 26, Carpinus 2, Castanopsis 1, Cistus 1, Corylus 6, Cyclobalanopsis 1, Elaeocarpus 1, Eucalyptus 5, Fagus 38, Fumana 2, Gnetum 1, Helianthemum 1, Larix 10, Nothofagus 19, Picea 96, Pinus 85, Pasania 1, Populus 7, Pseudotsuga 13, Quercus 43, Salix 4, Shorea 4, Tetraberlinia 3, Tilia 1, Tsuga 6).


I construct examples of valuing insurance loss liabilities with asset pricing models, comparing the Rubinstein-Leland model with the better-known CAPM. The two models give different values only if the loss payment is asymmetric and correlated with the market portfolio, conditions which can result from the nature of the underlying loss or from the impact of insolvency on the insurer's payment. In examples where insolvency is not possible and there is no liquidity cost of raising new equity on short notice, the value of a loss liability is equal to the value of the underlying loss, i.e., of the promised coverage, and depends neither on (1) the size of the loss pool; nor on (2) the unsystematic risk of the insurer's liabilities; nor on (3) the composition of an insurer's investment portfolio; nor on (4) the amount of insurer equity. These factors do affect the value of a loss liability in examples where insolvency and liquidity costs are considered. Other things equal, if a factor increases the likelihood of insolvency, the fair value of a loss liability is lower because the insured is partially self-insuring; but the liquidity cost of maintaining solvency by raising new equity on short notice is higher, implying a higher fair value of the loss liability.


This paper describes initial work modelling unsaturated processes within floodplain wetlands. The limitations of solely considering the dynamics of the wetland water table and hence saturated processes are examined. Water table, precipitation and evapotranspiration data from Narborough Bog, a degraded floodplain wetland of 10 ha in Leicestershire, were used in the development of a one-dimensional saturated–unsaturated flow model using UNSAT1. Hydraulic parameters were derived from a combination of field and laboratory analysis of wetland deposits previously undertaken to develop a saturated flow model of the wetland. Additional parameters describing unsaturated flow were derived by a mathematical approximation based upon the soil moisture characteristic of representative wetland sediments. The resulting model is used to explore the interaction between water table position, vertical soil moisture fluxes and evapotranspiration. Model simulations are completed over a 25-day period, and used to indicate the relationship of moisture content to key hydraulic properties of soil profiles typical of the wetland and illustrate the way in which this varies laterally along a transect. The results highlight the need to consider the importance of correct description of the wetland substrate and, notwithstanding difficulties in describing unsaturated flow parameters, there is a considerable need to improve the description of near-surface wetland water fluxes and their expansion to two dimensions. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Through advanced sensor technologies, satellite-based authentication, and high bandwidth data networks, Remote Condition Monitoring (RCM) systems are now an essential 'Internet of Things' (IoT) resource for efficient operation of railway infrastructure. However, the full potential of this big data has yet to be realized. Data is currently collected and used in siloes, with limited visibility of all possible datasets for exploitation. The RSSB on behalf of the UK Rail Industry established a cross-industry research program, T1010, to build stronger cooperation between stakeholders in sharing RCM data. This research builds upon T1010, to explore the use of blockchain and smart contracts to automate, in an auditable and tamper-proof way, the commercial agreements and payment processes for data trading. By removing the limitations of paper-based agreements, our goal is to enable innovation in shared business processes and an IoT data marketplace. Building on existing smart contract-based schemes for trading and sharing IoT data over blockchain networks, this research identifies novel ways to enforce agreements and ensure fair cost attribution between parties, without a Trusted Third Party. The initial design of a blockchain-based framework is presented, oriented around the data provider, consumer, and smart contracts. Blockchain-hosted data access agreement and accounting models are specified in detail. The processors in the efficient permissioned blockchain platforms Hyperledger Fabric, Sawtooth, and Iroha have been analyzed for their suitability for implementation. We then outline our future work to evaluate and validate two industrial use cases: monitoring systems for unattended overhead line equipment and axle bearings.


A simple device for making pressure microinjections into the brain, its application for delivery of a tracer substance, biotin dextran amine, and an example of the resulting axonal transport are described. The device is based on the use of a Luer tip Hamilton microliter syringe mated directly to the plastic hub of an injection needle assembly in which the metal needle has been replaced by a glass pipette. In model experiments, the injection sites were measured in brain sections of rats, which were perfused with fixative immediately after administration of the tracer, and the relationship between the injected volume and the area of the injection site was evaluated. The results showed that the device provided accurate and reproducible delivery of the fluid. @ 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.


the evidence for an association between prolonged breastfeeding and malnutrition in developing countries. They stated that most prior studies had demonstrated a negative association (increased malnutrition or lower mean nutritional status, both in terms of heightfor-age and weight-for-height, among prolonged breastfed children), although an absence of a relationship, or even positive relationships have been described. We agree with the authors that confounding alone cannot explain the negative association between breastfeeding status and nutritional status, and also that 'reverse causality' is more likely to explain it. The authors state that according to their knowledge, 'there is little more than anecdotal support from the scientific literature' to support the hypothesis of reverse causality. However, at least three papers based on longitudinal studies provide results that suggest that malnourished children are weaned later than other children. In rural Guatemala, children weaned before the age of 36 months were taller than the children weaned later, and since the height differences existed from infancy, they were not a result of earlier weaning. In rural Bangladesh, mean weight-for-age of children aged 12–36 months, who were to be weaned during the following month was slightly, but significantly higher than the mean of children who were to remain breastfed, after adjustment for age (70.4% versus 69.6% of the NCHS median, P , 0.05). In a periurban area of Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, children with a very low weight-for-age (,–2.5 z-scores) at 10–17 months were weaned significantly later than other children (24.1 versus 22.3 months, P , 0.05). This difference remained significant after adjustment for ethnic group and mother's age and education. Conversely, the study cited by the authors, which suggests that the child's length might influence weaning, does not consider weaning as cessation of breastfeeding, but rather as the introduction of complementary food in addition to breastmilk during infancy; thus, it is not relevant in this context. We agree that further longitudinal studies are needed to assess whether age at weaning is related to nutritional status at weaning in other settings, and how nutritional status is affected by weaning in different environments. Nevertheless, the evidence that malnutrition is not a consequence of prolonged breastfeeding is already strong enough to promote continued breastfeeding in case of malnutrition, rather than to promote weaning, as has been suggested by some authors.


We address the open issue of providing eficient mechanisms for multi-destination communication over one class of lightwave WDM architectures, namely, singlehop networks. We suggest, analyze, and optimize several alternative approaches for broadcast/multicast. One of our major contributions is the development of a suite of adaptive multicast protocols which have very good performance, are very simple to implement, and are insensitive to propagation delays.


This paper is on the retrieval of spectral properties of surface ocean waves from the real-aperture radar KuROS carried on an airplane. The system was designed to prepare the satellite mission CFOSAT and to contribute to its validation. In addition, KuROS provides Doppler measurements which are analyzed as Doppler velocity spectra co-located with the wave height spectra derived from intensity measurements. Data have been acquired from 2013 to 2017 in various circumstances including fetch-limited, swell, or mixed sea conditions and under moderate to high wind conditions. In this paper we present results on the directional spectra obtained and on the associated integral parameters such as significant wave height, peak direction, peak wavelength (or frequency), directional and frequency spreads. Comparisons with outputs of the wave model hindcast (MFWAM model) are presented. We also show some results on the Doppler fluctuation spectra.


To calibrate a squareness standard and a height micrometer, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has built a new linear measuring machine moving vertically. The main requirement on design of the machine is to achieve the flexibility to calibrate several kinds of standards such as square master, cylindrical square, height micrometer and linear height gauge which are positioned vertically on the surface plate. The system consists of a precision granite column with an air bearing state, a laser interferometer and two electronic probes. In order to calibrate the squareness standards, the granite beam is used as a reference of squareness and a guide of vertical movement. The instrument incorporates a frequency stabilized He-Ne laser. The vertical movement is measured by a laser interferometer whose operation is based on the heterodyne measurement technique. Positioning for calibrating the height micrometer is undertaken by using a vertical state and a horizontal stage, and its measurement range of 0-700 mm. The paper gives a description of the system and a preliminary measurement results.


Cloud computing is one of the innovative computing, which deals with storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet [1]. It is the delivery of computing resources and services, such as storing of data on servers and databases, providing networking facilities and software development platforms over the Internet. It provides the flexibility of resources for everyone. These services are provided via data centers, which are located in various parts of the world [2, 3]. Cloud computing makes access to these resources to everyone on a global scale at a very minimal cost and significantly higher speed. These servers provide services to the users, which would have cost a lot of computational power to them if they had to buy them. The first mention of cloud computing was referenced in a Compaq internal document released in 1996 [4]. Cloud computing was then commercialized in 2006 when Amazon released elastic compute cloud (EC2). Furthermore, Google released Google app engine in 2008 and Microsoft Azure services were launched in October 2008, which increased the competition in the area of cloud computing. Since then these companies have done a lot of development in cloud computing.


Panniculitides represent heterogenous group of disorders involving subcutaneous fat tissue, and are etiologically related to different causes, including systemic diseases. Two female patients having subcutaneous sarcoidosis and panniculitis associated with dermatomyositis are presented in this paper. The first patient, (38 years of age), was with the nodes on forearms and lower legs, which occurred one month after hypophysectomy for adrenocorticoscopic (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenoma, and showed histopathologically confirmed epithelioid, noncaseating granulomas in the subcutaneous fat tissue. Laboratory and radiographic findings were normal, with the exception of positive rheumatoid factor and incompletely developed cysts in proximal phalanges of the hand. The second patient (56 years of age), was with subcutaneous nodes on the upper arm and the lateral chest wall, which were noticed several months after the diagnosis of dermatomyositis. Histopathological examination showed lobular pannicilitis with hyaline fibrosis and plasmocytic-lymphocytic infiltrate.


Layer II/III of rat perirhinal cortex (PR) contains numerous late-spiking (LS) pyramidal neurons. When injected with a depolarizing current step, these LS cells typically delay spiking for one or more seconds from the onset of the current step and then sustain firing for the duration of the step. This pattern of delayed and sustained firing suggested a specific computational role for LS cells in temporal learning. This hypothesis predicts and requires that some layer II/III neurons should also exhibit delayed and sustained spiking in response to a train of excitatory synaptic inputs. Here we tested this prediction using visually guided, whole cell recordings from rat PR brain slices. Most LS cells (19 of 26) exhibited delayed spiking to synaptic stimulation (>1 s latency from the train onset), and the majority of these cells (13 of 19) also showed sustained firing that persisted for the duration of the synaptic train (5-10 s duration). Delayed and sustained firing in response to long synaptic trains has not been previously reported in vertebrate neurons. The data are consistent with our model that a circuit containing late spiking neurons can be used for encoding long time intervals during associative learning.


Rationale: There is increasing evidence that intermittent hypoxia resulting from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is independently associated with dyslipidemia. Nevertheless, no data exist on potential links between OSA-related dyslipidemia and susceptibility genes of dyslipidemia in such patients. Our aim was to study the effects of apoliprotein E (APOE) genotype and hypoxia on atherogenic dyslipidemia in patients with OSA. Methods: 519 clinically stable subjects prospectively recruited at the tertiary referral teaching hospital underwent full polysomnography. APOE gene polymorphisms were assessed using real-time PCR. Findings: In all APOE genotype groups, triglycerides were higher in patients with quartile (Q) 2-4 of oxygen desaturation index (ODI) compared to those with Q1 ODI. In contrast, apolipoprotein B levels were higher in patients with Q2-4 ODI compared to Q1 ODI only in e2 carriers and e3e3 homozygous group but not among e4 carriers. After adjustment for sex, age, BMI, smoking, diabetes, and statin use, only APOE genotype(p=0.009) and ODI (p Conclusion: Present findings suggest that the adverse effects of OSA on serum lipids may be genotype-specific, and suggest the possibility of interaction between APOE genotype and hypoxia on triglyceride and apolipoprotein B levels. Funding: APVV-0134-11, VEGA 1/0111/12, Slovakia.


Seven cytochromes P-450 (A, B, C, D, E1, E2 and F) were isolated from hepatic microsomes of phenobarbital-induced rats by a modification of the procedure of Guengerich and Martin [Arch. Biochem. Biophys. (1980) 205, 365-379]. The modification consisted of replacing DEAE-cellulose column by two DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B columns connected in tandem, changing the elution scheme and monitoring the resulting fractions by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cytochrome P-450 forms D, E1, E2 and F having molecular masses of 52.5 kDa, 52.5 kDa, 53.3 kDa and 53.2 kDa, respectively were resolved from the major form of cytochrome P-450 'peak B2' of Guengerich and Martin (above reference). These four cytochromes P-450 were immunologically identical by Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis. Slight but significant differences were evident in the partial peptide digest maps of these four cytochromes P-450 and catalytic properties of these four forms, though qualitatively similar, demonstrated distinct quantitative differences. Furthermore, HPLC retention times of these four cytochrome P-450s were quite different. Cytochrome P-450 forms A, B and C were distinctly different from each other and from the forms D, E1, E2 and F in the following respects: partial peptide digest maps, catalytic activities, and HPLC retention times. The present results show that cytochromes P-450 considered homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis may be heterogeneous and contain multiple forms of cytochromes P-450 with different net charges but similar molecular-masses. These studies also demonstrate the capability of HPLC in providing a simple and effective tool for monitoring the separation of cytochromes P-450 showing charge heterogeneity.


OBJECTIVES
To assess the impact of stabilization method on the complication rate after lateral humeral condylar fracture (LHCF) repair.

STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective multicenter clinical cohort study.

ANIMALS
Dogs (n = 151) with LHCF.

METHODS
Medical records (2004-2012) were reviewed for dogs that had surgical repair of LHCF. Data retrieved included signalment, cause of fracture, evidence of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle, occurrence of postoperative complications, presence of supracondylar comminution preoperatively, and persistence of an intracondylar fissure postoperatively. Outcome was assessed based on the most recent data available and graded as excellent, good, fair, or poor.

RESULTS
LHCF (n = 135) were evaluated in 132 dogs; 61 fractures were stabilized using a transcondylar screw and supracondylar K-wire, 13 using a transcondylar screw and supracondylar screw, and 61 using a transcondylar screw and lateral epicondylar plate. Major complications were significantly (P = .01) more common after stabilization using a transcondylar screw and supracondylar K-wire (28%) than in dogs where a supracondylar screw or lateral epicondylar plate were used (11%). Cases that had postoperative complications were significantly (P = .02) more likely to have a poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS
LHCF stabilized using a transcondylar screw and supracondylar K-wire are more likely to have major complications resulting in a poorer outcome than cases stabilized using a supracondylar screw or lateral epicondylar plate.


Abstract:This article introduces "chopology"—a homiletic method that breaks down biblical texts into component linguistic units—as a hermeneutic by which to understand the scripturalism of John Donne's religious poetry. It first explores how this controversial reading method operated in the sermons of Donne's homiletic predecessors; then it examines Donne's own way of breaking down scriptural texts in his sermons; and finally it finds this destructive hermeneutic at work in his "Hymne to God my God, in my sicknesse" and Holy Sonnets. "John Donne, Chopologist" thus provides a new perspective on Donne's poetic practice by uncovering a subterranean link between his preaching and his poetry and by articulating his method for moving from a given text to a poetic composition. I argue that Donne's devotional poems, rather than merely mimicking or meditating upon scriptural texts, perform methodical interpretations of them, merging poesis, the act of poetic creation, with exegesis, the art of interpretation.


To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of intradermally injected bleomycin in saline and oil versus placebo, a double-blind study of 62 patients with 108 warts was made. Although bleomycin has been recommended in previous reports, we found no difference between the group treated with bleomycin and the placebo group.


The purpose of this study was to isolate yeasts that may express original characteristics notably in terms of flavour from traditional Algerian agricultural and dairy products. A total of eighteen yeast isolates were recovered from dates, melons and gherkins, and from milk of camel, goat, sheep and cow. Molecular taxonomy based on the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S ribosomal RNA gene, grouped these isolates into nine yeast species. The identification of Clavispora lusitaniae, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Kodamaea ohmeri, Pichia kudriavezii, Zygosaccharomyces baili, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Yarrowialipolytica was in accordance with the physico-chemical characteristics of agricultural and dairy products analyzed. The P. kudriavezii species showed  resistance to ethanol and osmotic stress, as well as production of alcohols that was remarkably higher than the laboratory S. cerevisiaestrain CEN.PK. In conclusion, this study draws attention to the use of this yeast species for biotechnological application in the field of flavour production.

 Key words: Yeast taxonomy, microbial physiology, stress, fermentation, flavours.


The development of Latin America and the Caribbean is still a work in progress. Although there have been macroeconomic improvements, allowing the region to confront the recent crisis on a better footing, this crisis has exposed old and new structural constraints faced by the countries of the region, which are reflected in the persistence of large social, economic, fiscal and environmental gaps. These gaps need to be closed for the sake of future generations and as a precondition for viable development that combines economic growth with equality and sustainability. This suggests that there are more than just economic reasons for the State to play, once again, a major role in development strategies, so that public policies take the lead in building the future. The main purpose of the present article is to make this argument.


The market concentration is a measure of competition and, as such, is closely monitored by public competition authorities in the European Union or the United States. Among recent claims in Europe, we study the case of the mobile operating system Google Android, despite its open source quality and the fact it can as such be regarded as presenting no risk in terms of market dominance. In this research, we analyze the concept of market concentration. We suggest that when a dominant or significant participant is open, such as is the case for the Apache web server in the overall web server market, the negative effects of high concentration are mitigated. As such, a new market concentration metric is proposed that takes into account openness, as measured by the Open Governance Index of Liz Laffan. We thus combine a concentration index and a governance index described in literature to obtain Open Concentration Index suitable for open source context.


Groundnut rosette disease (GRD) is the most destructive virus disease of Valencia groundnuts ( Arachis hypogaea  L.) in sub-Saharan Africa. Cultural, biological and chemical control measures have received limited success due to small scale farmers' inability to use them. Use of host plant resistance provides the most effective and economically viable management option for the resource poor farmers. This study was conducted to determine heritability for resistance to GRD in Valencia groundnuts. Six crosses; Valencia C (P 1 ) × ICGV-SM 90704 (P 2 ), Valencia C (P 1 ) × ICGV-SM 96801(P 2 ), Valencia C (P 1 ) × ICGV-SM 99566 (P 2 ), NuMex-M 3 (P 1 ) × ICGV-SM 90704 (P 2 ), NuMex-M 3 × ICGV-SM 96801 (P 2 ), and NuMex-M 3 (P 1 ) × ICGV-SM 99566 (P 2 ), were made to generate F 1 , F 2 , BC 1 P 1 and BC 1 P 2 populations. Data on GRD severity were collected on a 1-9 score scale. Genetic Advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) and heritability were estimated using variance components. Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) estimates were high (20.04-70.1%) in the six crosses, except for Valencia C × ICGV-SM 96801(18.1%) and NuMex-M3 × ICGV-SM 96801(17.1%), which exhibited moderate GCV values. Broad and narrow sense heritability estimates for GRD disease score ranged from 64.1 to 73.7% and 31 to 41.9%, respectively, in all the crosses. GAM was high in all the crosses (21- 50.7%), except for Valencia C x ICGV-SM 96801 (14.67), M3 x ICGV-SM 99566 (18%) and NuMex-M 3 x ICGVSM 96801 (13.5%) crosses that exhibited moderate GAM. The study revealed the presence of variability of GRD resistance, implying that genetic improvement of these exotic materials is possible. Key Words : Arachis hypogea , coefficients of variation


where the rim) and rim) are the irepuency-dependcnt Uansmission and reflection cacfilcients and the F-operators ue Lmmgcvin noise tcms associated with the losses. Bean>-splitter 1osses generally affect the noise levels detecrahlc in oxpcriments involving nonclersical light. When employed to investigate two-photon interference effcctr, il loray beam splitter can lead to apparent nonlinear absorplian which, in the most extreme case, leads to either hath or neither of the photons beinp abiurbed. The degree of secondorder coherence of antibunched light cul be maintdned on transmission through [he beanl~splitter but any ampl~tude squte2mg in tht incident light i s degraded. The input-output relstiann given above c m a150 be applied to neat media enhihiting linear amplification 131. This also leads lo a modification of quantum interference effects and of any nonclassical proprr~icr associated with the incident light.


STUDY QUESTION
Can a second round of biopsy, vitrification and chromosomal testing provide a valid diagnosis where the first attempt fails?

SUMMARY ANSWER
The risk of inconclusive chromosomal-assessment after trophectoderm biopsy was 2.5% but a further biopsy and vitrification-warming appeared not to impair the competence of euploid blastocysts.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
The increasing implementation of multicell trophectoderm biopsy has significantly reduced the risk of inconclusive diagnosis after preimplantation-genetic-testing (PGT). Yet, few reports have defined the variables that influence the risk of failure or described the technical and clinical outcomes after re-biopsy.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Retrospective multicenter study involving 8990 blastocyst biopsies conducted between April 2013 and September 2017 at six IVF centers but analyzed at a single genetic laboratory. A total of 206 blastocysts were successfully re-biopsied after warming and re-expansion, then re-vitrified. And 49 of these blastocysts were diagnosed euploid and used in single-embryo-transfers (SETs). Logistic regression analyses were conducted.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
A total of 3244 PGT-for-aneuploidies (PGT-A) cycles with a freeze-all approach, vitrification and qPCR-based analysis were performed by 2687 consenting couples. DNA amplification failure (AF) or non-concurrent data resulted in inconclusive diagnoses. In case of DNA amplification, the cellularity of the biopsy was estimated according to a previously validated method. Euploid SETs were performed. Clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, live birth rates (LBR) and perinatal outcomes were monitored.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Overall, 2.5% of trophectoderm biopsies resulted in an inconclusive diagnosis (N = 228/8990). Specifically, 2% (N = 176/8990) resulted in AF and 0.5% (N = 52/8990) in non-concurrent results. The only parameters significantly associated with inconclusive diagnoses were the IVF center and the embryo age (days) at biopsy. Among samples with successful amplification, the number of cells in the biopsy and the day of biopsy were critical to limit non-concurrent results. In total, 213 blastocysts with an inconclusive diagnosis were warmed for re-analysis and the survival rate was 96.7% (N = 206/213). The euploidy rate in blastocysts biopsied twice was 51.9% (N = 107/206) and the euploid embryos were re-vitrified. Overall, 49 euploid embryos were warmed for replacement and all survived. The LBR after SET was 38.8% (N = 19/49). No minor/major obstetrical/perinatal complication was reported.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
A single aneuploidy-testing method was adopted in this retrospective analysis. A more powered report of the clinical and obstetrical/perinatal outcomes after re-biopsied and re-vitrified blastocysts euploid SET requires a larger sample size.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
It is important to re-biopsy and re-vitrify undiagnosed blastocysts since healthy live births can result from them.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
None.


The age-old philosophical problem of evil, especially prominent in Western philosophy, as resulting from the intellectual irreconcilability of some  appellations of God with the presence of evil – indeed, of myriads of evil – in the world, has been debated upon by many African religious scholars;  particularly, philosophers. These include John Mbiti, Kwasi Wiredu, Kwame Gyekye, E. B. Idowu and E.O. Oduwole. While the debate has often been about  the existence or not of the problem of evil in African theology, not much philosophical discussion has taken place regarding death and its implications for  African conception(s) of God. This paper attempts to contribute to the discussion of those implications. It explores the evilness of death, as exemplified in  the African notion of "evil death," and argues that the phenomenon of death presents itself in complex but interesting ways that do not philosophically  ground its characterization as evil. Therefore, the problem of evil would not arise in African thought on account of the phenomenon of death.


The third generation (3G) mobile telecommunication systems (IMT-2000) are under consideration. The systems will be put into commercial use in the year 2000 and later. At the beginning of their operation, the second-generation systems seem to be coexisting. Therefore, the transceiver equipment of the base station (BS) and mobile station (MS) should support the operation of these systems from the viewpoint of system compatibility. In this case, so-called multi-mode/multi-band operation is required for users' convenience. Furthermore, realization of small sized and low power consumption handy terminals is necessary. The software radio approach is one of the most promising techniques for this purpose. This paper describes the application of software radio technique to realize the multi-mode transceiver for 3G system.


P75/AIRM1 is a recently identified surface molecule that belongs to the sialoadhesin family and displays homology with the myeloid cell antigen CD33. In lymphoid cells, p75/AIRM1 is confined to natural killer cells and mediates inhibition of their cytolytic activity. In this study, we show that p75/AIRM1 is also expressed by cells of the myelomonocytic cell lineage, in which it appears at a later stage as compared with CD33. In vitro proliferation and differentiation of cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells (induced by stem cell factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) were consistently inhibited by the addition of anti-p75/AIRM1 mAb. Engagement of CD33 led to inhibition in some experiments. A sharp decrease of cell proliferation/survival was detected in all three p75/AIRM1+ chronic myeloid leukemias analyzed when cultured in the presence of either anti-p75/AIRM1 or anti-CD33 mAbs. Thus, the present study suggests that p75/AIRM1 and CD33 may play a regulatory role in normal myelopoiesis and may be viewed as suitable target molecules to counteract the proliferation/survival of chronic myeloid leukemias.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has emerged as a key tool in the diagnostic pathway of prostate cancer. Recent evidence has confirmed the accuracy of MRI-targeted biopsy in detecting clinically significant disease, suggesting the potential to omit systematic biopsy cores in the presence of a clearly positive mpMRI. However, presence of tumor in the postero-lateral peripheral zone (PL Pz) of the prostate is an important consideration in the decision to perform a nerve sparing (NS) radical prostatectomy (RP). As such, it is vital to ensure any tumor in PL Pz is visible on mpMRI prior to omitting systematic cores. We aimed to assess the incidence of clinically significant tumor in the PL Pz missed by mpMRI, and the impact of this on positive surgical margins (PSM) at the site of nerve sparing. METHODS: From a prospective single-center database we analyzed the records of men who underwent mpMRI and prostate biopsy prior to RP between 2014 and 2018. Men with PIRADS 3-5 lesions on mpMRI were divided into 2 groups. Group A included those men with any MRI lesion in the PL Pz, and Group B included those with no specifically visible lesion in the PL Pz. Clinically significant disease was defined as Gleason Score 4+3=7 or greater on RP. Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact test were used. RESULTS: 412 men underwent RP following mpMRI and prostate biopsy. 385 had PIRADS 3-5 lesions on mpMRI, including 249 (64.7%) in Group A and 136 (35.3%) in Group B. Overall, 29 (7.5%), 151 (39.2%) and 205 (53.3%) had PIRADS 3, 4 and 5 lesions, respectively. There was no significant difference between Groups A and B in mean age (66.4 vs 65.5 years, p=0.193) or PSAD (0.238 vs 0.237, p=0.760). 122 (89.7%) of 136 men in Group B had tumor in PL Pz on RP, despite MRI findings, including 49 (36.0%) with clinically significant disease. 123 (90.4%) men in Group B had NS RP. 41 (30.1%) men in Group B had PSM, including 17 (12.5%) who had PSM in the PL Pz. 15 (11.0%) of these men underwent NS RP on the side corresponding to the PSM. 50 (20.1%) men in Group A had a PSM in the PL Pz. There was no significant difference between the rate of PSM in the PL Pz in Group A (20.1%) and Group B (12.5%) (p=0.068). CONCLUSIONS: High rates of clinically significant disease are found in the PL Pz of the prostate in men undergoing RP, not specifically visible in the corresponding location on mpMRI. Hence, MRI-targeted only biopsies may risk missing tumors which could influence the decision to perform nerve-sparing RP. However, we found no significant difference in PSM between men with and without mpMRI visible lesions in PL Pz. Source of Funding: None


The presents study showed the effect of open dumping on soil characteristics and biodegradation settlement analysis of soil in non-engineered landfill. The contaminated soil is referred to as waste soil which has different settlement rates due to the various categories and complex characteristics of waste. The degradation of waste causing percolation of leachate into soil affecting the strength and stability of soil. This paper includes the analysis of geotechnical properties and settlement analysis of waste soil and its comparison was done with natural soil. The geochemical analysis was carried out by Energy Dispersive X- Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The elemental analysis of soil exhibited presence of high oxygen and silica content in uncontaminated soil. The analysis depicted that specific gravity, maximum dry density (MDD), permeability and California bearing ratio (CBR) showed decreasing trend variation for polluted soil. It was observed that cohesion for contaminated soil was found to be increased thereby increasing the shear strength of soil. Additionally, temperature, pH and moisture content hold a significant position for assessing the settlement. The settlement of soil due to biodegradation of MSW is estimated using empirical mathematical model for dump site depending upon pH, moisture content and temperature. Additionally, settlement is evaluated keeping in view the settlement due to biodegradation of MSW on soil, which further helped in determination of the suitability of the site for the construction and other recreational purposes.


Geometric feature extraction can play an important role in the understanding of the content of an image. Methods such as the Hough transform are useful, but are subject to restrictions imposed by scale and object orientation. This paper describes the chord transform, not widely used to date, primarily due to the computational requirements. The chord transform can be used to detect geometric edge structural content within an image. Various adaptations of the chord transform, its implementation, and some practical applications in geometric feature extraction are discussed in this paper.


The purpose of this paper is to use the hybridized optimization method in order to find mathematical structures for analysis of experimental data. The heuristic optimization method will be hybridized with deterministic optimization method in order to that structures found require not knowledge about data generated experimentally. Three case studies are proposed and discussed to validate the results. The proposed method has viable solution for the analysis of experimental data and extrapolation, with mathematical expression reduced.


The long experience of academic program accreditation is utilized to create a similar quality assurance measures to the emerging E-learning paradigm. In this paper; we used Accreditation parameters (eleven parameters): 1. Mission and Objectives, 2. Governance and Administration, 3. Management of Quality Assurance and Improvement, 4. Learning and Teaching, 5. Student Administration and Support Services, 6. Learning Resources, 7. Facilities and Equipment, 8. Financial Planning and Management, 9. Faculty and Staff Employment Processes, 10. Research, 11. Institutional Relationships with the Community. We also used E-learning benchmarks, such as; a- Institutional Support, b-Course Development, c-Teaching/Learning, d- Course Structure, e- Student Support, f- Faculty Support, and g-Evaluation and Assessment are examined. We found that three Academic accreditation elements are not covered in the E-learning benchmarks; namely Mission and Objectives, Research, and Institutional Relationships with the Community. In this paper we established the missing elements in e-learning benchmarks to satisfy academic accreditation, and we suggested some new benchmarks to remedy this issue. The outcome of this paper is a set of new added elements to some of the seven e-learning benchmarks. Those newly found elements will make the e-learning benchmarks in alignment with the academic accreditation elements.


Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic conditions that primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract, with a complex pathogenesis; they are characterized by a significant heterogeneity of clinical presentations and of inflammatory pathways that sustain intestinal damage. After the introduction of the first biological therapies, the pipeline of therapies for IBD has been constantly expanding, and a significant number of new molecules is expected in the next few years. Evidence from clinical trials and real-life experiences has taught us that up to 40% of patients do not respond to a specific drug. Unfortunately, to date, clinicians lack a valid tool that can predict each patient's response to therapies and that could help them in choosing what drug to administer. Several candidate biomarkers have been investigated so far, with conflicting results: clinical, genetic, immunological, pharmacokinetic and microbial markers have been tested, but no ideal marker has been identified so far. Based on recent evidence, multiparametric models seemingly hold the greatest potential for predicting response to therapy. In this narrative review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on predictors and early markers of response to biological therapies in IBD.


Mesalamine suppositories have been used widely for the treatment of distal ulcerative colitis and considered to be safer than systemic administration for its limited systemic absorption. However, previous studies have shown that mesalamine suppository occasionally causes severe hypersensitivity reactions including fever, rashes, colitis exacerbation and acute eosinophilic pneumonia. Here we present a 25-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis with bloody diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain and fever which were aggravated after introduction of mesalamine suppositories. In light of symptom exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, increased inflammatory injury of colon mucosa shown by colonoscopy and elevated peripheral eosinophil count after mesalamine suppositories administration, and the Naranjo algorithm score of 10, the possibility of hypersensitivity reaction to mesalamine suppositories should be considered, warning us to be aware of this potential reaction after administration of mesalamine formulations even if it is the suppositories.


Cladding mechanical property data for analysis and prediction of fuel pin transient behavior were obtained under experimental conditions in which the temperature ramps of reactor transients were simulated. All cladding specimens were 20% CW Type 316 stainless steel and were cut from EBR-II irradiated fuel pins. It was determined that irradiation degraded the cladding ductility and failure strength. Specimens that had been adjacent to the fuel exhibited the poorest properties. Correlations were developed to describe the effect of neutron fluence on the mechanical behavior of the cladding. Metallographic examinations were conducted to characterize the failure mode and to establish the nature of internal and external surface corrosion. Various mechanisms for the fuel adjacency effect were examined and results for helium concentration profiles were presented. Results from the simulated transient tests were compared with TREAT test results.


The system of fluid-Maxwell equations governing the two-dimensional dynamics of electromagnetic waves in a plasma is analyzed by means of multiple scale perturbation method. It is shown that the evolution of the amplitude of wave field is governed by a two-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation. The stability of bright envelope solitons is studied using the variational method. It is found that the development of transverse periodic perturbations on bright solitons is faster for a plasma with near critical density. Dynamics of electromagnetic bright solitons is investigated in the long-wave approximation. Our model predicts the appearance of collapse of electromagnetic waves in plasmas and describes the collapse dynamics at initial stages.


Hyponatraemia during a long-distance run, such as a marathon, is usually mild and asymptomatic. However, in runners who present with symptoms at a healthcare station, the diagnosis of hyponatraemia can have significant consequences. The complaints are usually aspecific, but in more severe hyponatraemia, signs of cerebral dysfunction due to incipient to severe cerebral oedema predominate. The most important aetiological factor is an excessive electrolyte-free fluid intake. The most important risk factors for the development of hyponatraemia are: a long duration of the run, female gender, recent use of NSAIDs, lower body weight and environmental factors like high temperature and high humidity. In the presence of symptoms, rapid correction must be started by administration ofhypertonic saline, sometimes in combination with a loop diuretic in cases of eu- and hypervolaemia. Isotonic saline must be added in case of dehydration. Prevention consists primarily of advice to moderate the fluid intake.


Active body control system is an important system for determining the driving stability and ride comfort of the vehicle. Active body control system is composed of a cylinder unit power supply unit, and control valve unit. Control valve is a proportional pressure control valve, the dynamic characteristics of the valve affects the performance of the active body control system. We have developed an analytical model, we analyzed the design parameters of the proportional pressure control valve. Further, by knowing the design parameters effect on the system and to optimize the design parameters, and improved performance of the dynamic properties.


We isolated mutants affected in the circadian expression of the psbAI gene in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 using a strategy that tags the genomic locus responsible for the mutant phenotype. The search identified one short period (22 h) mutant (M2) and two low amplitude mutants, one of which showed apparent arhythmia (M11) and one that was still clearly rhythmic (M16). We characterized the disrupted locus of the low amplitude but still rhythmic mutant (M16) as the rpoD2 gene, a member of a gene family that encodes sigma70‐like transcription factors in Synechococcus. We also inactivated rpoD2 in a number of reporter strains and showed that the circadian expression of some genes is not modified by the loss of this sigma factor. Therefore, we conclude that rpoD2 is a component of an output pathway of the biological clock that affects the circadian expression of a subset of genes in Synechococcus. This work demonstrates a direct link between a transcription factor and the manifestation of circadian gene expression.


The M4 Sherman medium tank was the mainstay of the American and British armored forces in World War II. From its introduction in 1942 until the production line closed in the second half of 1945, tens of thousands of these versatile armored fighting vehicles were produced. In addition to the basic tank, which itself went through numerous modifications during its three year production run, many more Sherman variants were produced. The M4 was adapted for use as armored artillery, self-propelled antiaircraft artillery, tank destroyers, cargo and personnel carriers, and a vast array of specialized armored combat engineer vehicles.As a result of the vast numbers of operational M4s still in service at the end of World War II, the Sherman soldiered on around the world for decades. Indeed, the basic design was so sound and durable that the Israeli Army still had some in use in the 1973 Yom-Kippur War. Heavily modified with a modem, high velocity 75mm gun it was dubbed the Super Sherman.This massive, heavily illustrated book is, without doubt, the definitive work on its subject.


This study aims to identify and measure the impact on the Competitive capability of frozen seafood processing enterprises in BR-VT province. Research access tocompetitiveness is based on competency theory, different from previous domestic studies primarily approaching competitiveness based on traditional competition theory and value chain theory. The research model consists of 9 factors. The study was conducted with 356 survey samples of 76 frozen seafood processing enterprises, surveyed through a questionnaire.Data analysis through SPSS 24.0. The test results have 8 accepted hypothesis, the highest impact factor is the ability to access and innovate technology with β = 0.3328 (p = 0.000) and the lowest is local infrastructure factorwith β = 0.067 (p = 0.042), and Policy and Legal Factor with β = - 0.038 (p = 0.249), there is not statistical significance should not be accepted.


PulseNet is a network that utilizes standardized pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) protocols with the purpose of conducting laboratory-based surveillance of foodborne pathogens. PulseNet standardized PFGE protocols are subject to rigorous testing during the developmental phase and careful evaluation during a validation process assessing its robustness and reproducibility in different laboratories. Here we describe the development and validation of a rapid PFGE protocol for subtyping Vibrio cholerae for use in PulseNet International activities. While the protocol was derived from the existing PulseNet protocol for Escherichia coli O157, various aspects of this protocol were optimized for use with V. cholerae, most notably a change of the primary and secondary restriction enzyme to SfiI and NotI, respectively, and the use of a two-block electrophoresis program. External validation of this protocol was undertaken through a collaboration between three PulseNet Asia Pacific laboratories (Public Health Laboratory Centre, Hong Kong, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, and International Center for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research-Bangladesh) and PulseNet USA. Comparison of PFGE patterns generated by each of the participating laboratories demonstrated that the protocol is robust and reproducible.


Faecal calprotectin (FC) is the most common surrogate marker of mucosal healing (MH) in UC. A number of endoscopic and histologic scoring systems in UC have been developed for defining MH. We report the optimum FC thresholds for defining MH using all the assessment methods.

 In a prospective study we collected all clinical, endoscopic and histologic data and FC from 76 UC patients (mean age 44.2y, 50.0% male) who attended endoscopy unit for colitis assessment or surveillance. Endoscopic scores were determined by the same endoscopist (MI) and included Mayo Endoscopic Score (MES), Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) and PICaSSO (Paddington International virtual ChromoendoScopy ScOre). Histological activity was scored by the Robarts Histology Index (RHI) and Nancy Index by the same pathologist (DZ). Faecal calprotectin was assayed using Buhlmann faecal turbo test, particle enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay. ROC curves were performed to evaluate sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the optimum cut-off of FC to predict endoscopic and histological healing.

 The best cut-off for FC to predict endoscopic healing calculated as Picasso≤3 was 161 μg/g with Area Under ROC curve (AUROC) of 85.3% (95% CI 76.2, 94.4). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 87.9% (95% CI 57.6, 100), 76.7% (95% CI 53.5, 90.7) and 81.6% (95% CI 68.4, 89.5), respectively. While, the best threshold of FC to predict UCEIS≤1 was 148 μg/g with AUROC of 89.2 (95% CI 81.9, 96.5). Sensitivity was 93.5% (95% CI 50.5, 100), specificity 82.2% (95% CI 53.3, 91.1) and accuracy 86.8% (95% CI 69.7, 92.1). The best threshold for FC to predict MES equal to 0, was 112 μg/g, with AUROC of 89.6 μg/g, (95% CI 82.5, 96.7). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 89.7%ww (95% CI 39.2, 100), 85.1% (95% CI 55.3, 93.6) and 86.9% (95% CI 68.4, 92.1), respectively. The best value of FC to predict histological healing with RHI≤3 was 112μg/g with AUROC of 88.0% (95% CI 80.6, 95.4). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 88.5% (95% CI 53.8, 100), 80.0% (95% CI 62.0, 90.0) and 82.9% (95% CI 72.5, 89.5), respectively.
 When used Nancy≤1 FC cut-off to predict healing was 172 μg/g with AUROC of 87.1% (95% CI 78.6, 95.6). Sensitivity was 96.4% (95% CI 60.7, 100), specificity 72.9% (54.2, 85.4) and accuracy 81.6% (69.7, 89.5).

 Advanced enhancement technologies can accurately define the level of FC to predict endoscopic and histological healing in UC. The optimum FC threshold for MH by PICaSSO and by Nancy was similar (161 and 172 μg/g respectively), while the FC threshold for mucosal healing by MES and by RHI was 112 μg/g. The FC threshold for determining MH in clinical practice should be lower than at least 200 μg/g.


Purpose: Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) has been shown to reduce medication error rates by as much as 55%. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of CPOE on the rate of medication errors at a not-for-profit community hospital. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted utilizing a pharmacist-driven concurrent data collection tool to evaluate all medication errors intercepted by each pharmacist. The survey was conducted for 3 separate 1-week periods: once prior to CPOE implementation and twice post CPOE implementation. The primary outcome was the rate of medication errors reported via the pharmacist concurrent data collection tool pre and post CPOE. The secondary outcomes included the errors reported through a hospitalwide, self-reported adverse medication event system, the types of errors, and error severity. Results: A statistically significant 41% reduction (P , .01) in the rate of errors 3 months following CPOE implementation was observed. The secondary outcome of self-reported medication errors per adjusted patient day decreased significantly with a 25% reduction (P , .05). The type of errors reported by the pharmacists changed notably pre and post CPOE implementation; however the severity of the reported errors did not change. Conclusion: CPOE decreased the rate of medication errors at our community hospital 3 months post CPOE implementation. Errors were increased at 1 month post CPOE implementation, but not significantly. The types of errors changed post CPOE implementation, but distribution of error severity was unchanged.


The synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids from acetate-1-C14 was studied in the aortas and livers of 42 diabetic rats and their normal controls. Hepatic cholesterol synthesis was significantly increased in 13, decreased in 13, and unchanged in 16 of the 42 animals. Fatty acid synthesis was depressed in the liver in 39 of the 42 diabetic rats. Aortic cholesterogenesis was increased in only 2 of the 13 aortas from the same rats showing elevated hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Fatty acid synthesis was depressed in 21 of 42 aortas from the diabetic group. It is concluded, therefore, that the aorta is relatively resistant to stimulation of cholesterol synthesis by diabetes even when hepatic cholesterol synthesis in the same animal is elevated. Lipogenesis on the other hand is commonly depressed in the aorta as well as the liver. Cholesterol was purified through dibrominization and both normal and diabetic aortas were shown to be capable of carrying cholesterol synthesis to completion.


For millennial learners, SDL and self-access English study on the web are interesting learning options. Physical space and separation are anticipated since web-based learning may be accessed at any time and from any place. The present study's goal is to find out what kinds of English-language websites students use to improve their speaking skills. Additionally, it is anticipated to look at how learners' perceptions of their speaking skills (cognitive, emotional, and complex) grow as a result of self-directed learning for web-based English access. Due to the improvement in their speaking abilities for SDL and web-based English access, fourth-year undergraduate students in the Indonesian English department were the subjects of the research. The ATLAS.ti application benefits from the thematic analysis of the collected internet data. Three speaking improvement characteristics may be supported by the findings: (1) cognition, fluency, and accuracy outcomes; (2) emotional and motivational outcomes; and (3) learners' problems while using SDL web-based learning. Our study has certain limits, however, and we highly advise participatory action research for future work to assess time management and tailor learning tactics to the level of the learner. The English-language site design will be addressed last.


All intraoral fixed distalizers have a loss of anterior anchorage as side effect. Most of the clinical research has focused on the improvement of the anterior anchorage. This paper has tried to focus on the possibilities to enhance molar movement e reduce molar resistance to distal thrust. Material. Nine adult patients with Class II malocclusion divided in two groups. Group A of six patients treated with a corticotomy performed with rotating surgical instruments. Group B of three patients treated with piezosurgery. Segmental corticotomy was made both buccally and palatally on the upper molars to distalize and it has been associated to an intraoral distalizing system (200 g Sentalloy coils compressed between second premolars and first permanent molars). No anchorage was provided in the anterior region. Results. The segmental corticotomy was able to provide a bodily distal movement of the upper permanent molars with little anterior anchorage loss. No particular side effect was found. Actually, periodontal conditions of the distalized molars improved in all cases. (Rev Esp Ortod. 2011;41:xxx-xx).


This study investigated parental perceptions of children who had extensive nursing caries that necessitated the extraction of the four maxillary incisors. The study investigated social skills, speech development, school progress, and personality changes in these children as perceived by their parents. The majority of parents saw no noticeable behavior change after the extractions; classified post-extraction behavior as normal; believed that their child had no problems making new friends; and perceived that their child had no difficulty speaking or learning to speak without the maxillary incisors.


In Reply We agree that there are limited evidence-based data indicating that perioperative topical antibiotics reduce rates of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.1 As previously discussed, the use of perioperative topical povidoneiodine, an eyelid speculum and drape with isolation of the eyelids and eyelashes, and meticulous sterile preparation and procedures is effective in limiting the incidence of endophthalmitis in these patients.2 It is unlikely that a large-scale randomized prospective trial to evaluate the use of perioperative topical antibiotics could be performed because the rates of endophthalmitis are very low. Furthermore, other risk factors including rupture of the posterior capsule, anterior vitrectomy, diabetes mellitus, and older age may be more important for the development of postoperative endophthalmitis. In a somewhat similar model used by vitreoretinal specialists, periprocedural topical antibiotics do not appear to reduce the risk of endophthamitis following intravitreal injections.3 Topical antibiotics may promote the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, leading to the potential of endophthalmitis caused by more virulent organisms.4


Spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks imposes some security threats to the secondary users (SUs) such as primary user emulation attack (PUEA). In the present paper, throughput of an SU is studied for cognitive radio network under PUEA where SU spectrum access is hybrid, ie, either in overlay mode or in underlay mode. A novel analytical expression for throughput of an SU in presence of PUEA is developed. Impact of several parameters such as sensing time, attacker strength, attacker's presence probabilities, maximum allowable SU transmit power, and tolerable interference limit at primary user on the throughput of an SU is investigated. The throughput performance under PUEA and without PUEA is compared.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects and mechanisms of anthocyanin from Ligustrum vicaryi on chronic inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant.

METHODS
Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10):normal saline control group (NS), chronic inflammatory pain model group(Mod, injected with complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) 100 μl to the left hind leg), anthocyanin treatment group(Ant, dosed with anthocyanins (90 m), mechanical pain threshold (MPT), and left toe volume in each group were measured before modeling and 1,3,5,7,9,11,13 days after operation. Antioxidant indexes in serum were mensurated by spectrophotometer, and the total capsaicin receptor (TRPV1) and phosphorylated capsaicin receptor (p-TRPV1) in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS
In comparison with controls, HPT and MPT were improved (P<0.05),toe swelling was reduced(P<0.05), the serum level of SOD was increased (P<0.01), while the levels of MDA and NO were decreased (P<0.05), the ratio of P-TRPV1/TRPV1 protein was depressed in Mod rat hippocampal region treated with anthocyanin.

CONCLUSIONS
The results show that anthocyanins has an analgesic effect on chronic inflammatory pain induced by CFA, and its mechanism may be related to the improvement of antioxidant capacity and the reduction of TRPV1 phosphorylation.


The Late Cretaceous Surprise Lake batholith in the Atlin
 district of northern British Columbia is a highly differentiated, fluoritic,
 and peraluminous subalkaline body of adamellite-granite composition. The
 presence of miarolitic cavities and chilled, fine-grained margins suggests
 it was emplaced at a high structural level, and its trace element signature
 indicates it has some within-plate granitoid characteristics. The batholith
 shows many chemical similarities to the I-type igneous rocks associated with
 W skarns in British Columbia, although it averages >2,700 ppm F, whereas
 plutons related to W skarns average <400 ppm F. It also shares similar
 characteristics to the Seagull batholith in south-central Yukon which, like
 the Surprise Lake suite, is associated with several skarns, including the
 largest Sn skarn in the Canadian Cordillera, the 1.25 Mt JC deposit. The Surprise Lake batholith and a nearby satellite body,
 the Mount Leonard stock, intrude an oceanic package of sedimentary, mafic
 volcanic, and ultramafic rocks belonging to the allochthonous Cache Creek
 terrane. Hornfels adjacent to the intrusive bodies host three Sn-bearing
 skarns, the Silver Diamond, Atlin Magnetite, and Daybreak occurrences.
 Despite the close proximity (<500 m) of all three skarns to the Surprise
 Lake intrusive bodies, they exhibit differences in their mineral
 compositions and assemblages, skarn textures, and presumed oxidation states.
 The presence of andraditic garnets (Ad 76 –99 )
 and the overall higher pyrite and Cu content at the Atlin Magnetite skarn
 suggests it formed in relatively more oxidizing conditions. By contrast, the
 abundance of pyrrhotite and hedenbergitic pyroxene (Hd90–99)
 at the Silver Diamond occurrence points to a more reduced and sulfur-rich
 chemical state. The Daybreak occurrence is notable for having an
 extensive distal skarn with garnet-vesuvianite-pyroxene veins and a much
 smaller proximal ribbon or wrigglite skarn with thin rhythmic layers (0.25
 mm to 1 cm) dominated by either magnetite, garnet, fluorite, or vesuvianite.
 Some of its skarn silicates contain elevated amounts of Cr, F, Mg, or Sn (up
 to 1.19 wt % Cr 2 O 3 , 2.07 wt % F, and 1.68 wt % MgO in
 the garnets and 1.77 wt % F and 0.15 wt % SnO 2 in the
 vesuvianites). There are two chemically distinct garnet populations in the
 distal veined skarn, one of which contains higher quantities of F, Mg ,and
 Ti, whereas the other population is characterized by more Cr, Fe, and Mn. Although many Sn and W skarns worldwide contain F-bearing
 garnets, it is unusual for such systems to also contain Cr- and Mg-bearing
 garnets. The Cr and Mg enrichment in some Daybreak garnets is probably due
 to contamination from ultramafic and dolomitic units in the host rocks. This
 in turn reflects a tectonic history that enabled mineralizing fluids from
 the Surprise Lake batholith to interact with ultramafic and oceanic rocks of
 the Cache Creek terrane.


BY conventionally accepted criteria the Dominican Repub lic has had a dismal career as an independent state. Wretchedly poor, politically and socially primitive, intel lectually and culturally undistinguished, it has been flotsam on the great tides of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, an object not a subject on the international scene. Late last April public order collapsed in the capital. Rapidly more than 20,000 United States troops were put into the city to ensure the safety of foreigners, halt the bloodshed and quell the violence, restore order?and forestall what President Johnson believed was the imminent takeover of the Republic by Commu nist-dominated elements and the establishment of a "second Cuba." The President's decision to intervene, applauded by most North Americans, caused consternation in other parts of the hemisphere. Many Dominicans were offended by this latest affront to their national dignity, seeing in it a dramatic demon stration that the United States had no confidence in their ability to resolve their own problems and little respect for their position as citizens of a sovereign and independent state, juridically the equal of the United States itself. Many other Latin Americans were deeply disturbed, both because of the massive breach of the non-intervention principle and because of the way in which the United States took to itself responsibility for defining the char acter of the developing Dominican situation and responding to it. The Organization of American States, profoundly shocked, its pride in tatters, came reluctantly to the support of the United States, assuming responsibility for helping the Dominicans end their strife and make a new start on the long, unfamiliar road toward political democracy, economic well-being and social jus tice. Subsequently a small number of hemispheric states sent military contingents to serve with U.S. personnel as part of an Inter-American Force stationed in the Dominican Republic. All of this is now history. But it is history that could repeat itself?with appropriate local variations?in other countries of Central America and the Caribbean. In Haiti, for instance, or in


Abstract The genetic basis of complex trait like learning and memory have been well studied over the decades. Through those groundbreaking findings, we now have a better understanding about some of the genes and pathways that are involved in learning and/or memory. However, few of these findings identified the naturally segregating variants that are influencing learning and/or memory within populations. In this special issue honoring the legacy of Troy Zars, we review some of the traditional approaches that have been used to elucidate the genetic basis of learning and/or memory, specifically in fruit flies. We highlight some of his contributions to the field, and specifically describe his vision to bring together behavior and quantitative genomics with the aim of expanding our knowledge of the genetic basis of both learning and memory. Finally, we present some of our recent work in this area using a multiparental population (MPP) as a case study and describe the potential of this approach to advance our understanding of neurogenetics.


Cervical cancer (CC) is the most frequent cancer in the female population worldwide. Although there are treatments available, they are ineffective and cause adverse effects. 6-gingerol is an active component in ginger with anticancer activity. This research aims to discover the mechanism by which 6-gingerol act as an anticancer agent on CC through a pharmacological network using bioinformatics databases. From MalaCard, Swiss Target Prediction, Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, we obtained the target genes for 6-gingerol and CC and matched them. We got 26 genes and analyzed them in ShinyGO-0.76.3 and DAVID-Bioinformatics Resources. Then, we generated a protein-protein interaction network in Cytoscape and obtained 12 hub genes. Hub genes were analyzed in Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis and TISIDB. In addition, molecular docking studies were performed between target proteins with 6-gingerol using SwissDock database. Finally, molecular dynamics studies for three proteins with the lowest interaction energy were implemented using Gromacs software. According to gene ontology results, 6-gingerol is involved in processes of apoptosis, cell cycle, and protein kinase complexes, affecting mitochondria and pathways related to HPV infection. CTNNB1 gene was negatively correlated with CD8+ infiltration but was not associated with a higher survival rate. Furthermore, the molecular docking study showed that 6-gingerol has a high binding to proteins, and the molecular dynamics showed a stable interaction of 6-gingerol to AKT1, CCNB1, and CTNNB1 proteins. Conclusion, our work helps to understand the anticancer activity of 6-gingerol in CC that should be studied experimentally.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.


We investigate the microstructure of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films with different preferred grain orientations (textures). The films are grown by coevaporation from elemental sources. We analyse the electro-optical properties of the films with a cathodoluminescence spectrometer attached to a transmission electron microscope. {112} textured films show sharp contrasts at the grain boundaries, whereas grain boundaries in {220/204} textured films give only very weak contrasts indicating a preferential population of electronically rather inactive grain boundaries.


The thesis focuses on the allelophatic effect of three different species of touch-me-not growing in Slovenia. We prepared watter extracts from the roots and leaves of himalayan balsam (I. glandulifera), small balsam (I. parviflora) and touch-me-not plant (I. noli-tangere) that were tested on corn seeds (Zea mays) and radish seeds (Raphanus sativus). The main interest was to determine the differences in inhibitory effect between all three species, the diferences between root and leaf extracts and if higher concentrates have higher inhibitory effect on tested species. We observed seed germination and measured root and shoot length. In the end of the experiment we harvested both tested plant species and separately weighed roots and shoots. We passed biochemical analysis to determine if the extracts of Impatiens caused an oxidative stress in tested species. To determine the oxidative stress we measured total protein concentration, enzyme activity of guaiacol peroxidase (G-POD) and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). All of the extracts had inhibitory effects on growth and development of tested plants species. A significant inhibitory effect was observed with I. glandulifera and I. parviflora extracts. The root extracts had higher inhibitory effect compared to leaf exctracts. Extracts increased G-POD enzyme activity in tested species which is a marker of oxidative stress. Higher concentration of extracts had higher inhibitory effect mostly on morphological features compared to oxidative stress parameters.


Abstract : The European Distribution System Aircraft (EDSA) Study is defined as follows: given a fleet of aircraft, a set of airbases to be transited for pick up and delivery of spare aircraft parts, and the stipulation that every base be transited twice each day, determine points (operating locations) at which to base the aircraft and a set of routes that meet the twice daily service criteria and minimize the sum of all route durations. The EDSA Study belongs to the general class of combinatorial problems known as location-allocation-routing. As such, all three parts of the problem cannot be solved simultaneously. Instead, standard practice is to first solve operating locations and then find routes using the locations selected. Multisource Weber theory, called the moment-sum method, is used to find the n sites for operating locations, where n is a decision variable. Given a set of operating locations, a routing procedure is used to find the shortest routes. The heuristic used in the EDSA model is based upon the Clarke-Wright savings method, with the Tillman-Cain multidepot extension. The computer code used, originally developed by Magnanti, Golden, and Nguyen, includes additional refinements, most notably Lin's three-opt procedure as a route improvement post-processor, and efficient data structuring. The EDSA model required further extensions, including maximum route duration and an addition of a refueling requirement based on cumulative flight time between refuelings. The code was altered somewhat to utilize the CRAY-1S vector processing capability. Routing and output was piped to the DISSPLA graphics package to generate color route maps. (Author)


The paper gives an overview of the sport management definition, which can contribute to a more transparent understanding of the importance of management as a key factor of success of sport. There is a number of definitions for sports management in the sports literature (Chelladurai, 1994; Bartoluci, 1997; Slack, 1997; Parks & Qurterman, 2002; Daft, 2003; Lussier & Kimball, 2004; Houlihan, 2008; Sugman Bednarik & Kolaric, 2002; Kolar, 2013; Retar, Plevnik, Kolar, 2013). Most of them are pointing out that the definitions are based on the management of key resources, which are important for the realization of the mission and the goals of sports organizations, sports events or for athletes. A general definition that would uniquely explain the definition of management in sport does not exist yet. Therefore, for the purposes of the definition of sport management in the Slovenian area, we are suggesting to apply the Retar et al. (2013, p. 83) definition. This definition provides that "Management in sport is a process of management of key resources and cooperation with important stakeholders, which ensures efficient realisation of business and sporting goals of an organisation and/or sportsman in all management/managing functions."


In this paper, we propose a terahertz bifunctional absorber with broadband and dual-band absorbing properties based on a hybrid graphene-vanadium dioxide (VO2) metamaterial configuration. When VO2 is in the insulating state and the Fermi energy of graphene is set to 0.8 eV, the designed device behaves as a tunable perfect dual-band absorber. The operating bandwidth and magnitude of the dual-band spectrum can be continuously adjusted by changing the Fermi energy of graphene. When VO2 is changed from insulator to metal, the designed system can be regarded as a broadband absorber, it has a broad absorption band in the range of 1.45-4.37 THz, and the corresponding absorptance is more than 90%. The simulation results indicate that the absorptance can be dynamically changed from 17% to 99% by adjusting the conductivity of the VO2 when the Fermi energy of graphene is fixed at 0.01 eV. Besides, both dual absorption spectrum and broad absorption spectrum maintain a strong polarization-independent characteristic and operate well at wide incident angles. Furthermore, we have introduced the interference theory to explain the physical mechanism of the absorption from an optical method. Therefore, our designed system can be applied in many promising fields like cloaking and switch.


Abstract Twenty-three Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), populations collected in the southeastern (Alabama and Mississippi), midwestern (Indiana), and northwestern (Idaho and Washington) United States from 1995 to 1999 were evaluated for biotype composition based on response to Hessian fly resistance genes H3, H5, H6, and H7H8 in wheat, Triticum aestivum L. Biotypes L and O, combined, made up at least 60% of all Alabama populations. Biotype L was predominant in the northern third of Alabama and biotype O in the southern two-thirds of the state. Based on biotype data, wheat cultivars with H7H8 resistance should be highly effective in central and southern Alabama. Fifty-four percent of the Mississippi population consisted of biotype L, and the remaining virulent biotypes (B, D, E, G, J, and O) ranged in frequency from 1 to 17%. The Mississippi population also contained 4% of the avirulent biotype GP. Only biotypes D and L were found in Indiana populations, but biotype L was predominant. Hessian fly populations from Idaho and Washington contained one or more of the virulent biotypes D-H, J, and L-O; however, only biotypes E, F, and G occurred at frequencies >12%. The avirulent biotype GP made up 25–57% of Idaho and Washington populations, a much higher percentage than found in populations from the eastern United States. Although the highest level of virulence in Idaho and Washington populations was found to resistance genes H3 and H6, the frequency of biotype GP would indicate that the currently deployed gene H3 would provide a moderate to high level of resistance, depending on location. Nine of the populations, plus populations collected from the mid-Atlantic state area in 1989 and 1996, also were tested against the wheat cultivar 'INW9811' that carries H13 resistance to Hessian fly biotype L and two Purdue wheat lines with unidentified genes for resistance. The H13 resistance in INW9811 was highly effective against all populations tested from the eastern and northwestern U.S. wheat production areas, except Maryland and Virginia. Population studies also indicated that wheat line CI 17960-1-1-2–4-2-10 likely carries the H13 resistance gene, based on the similarity of its response and that of INW9811 to eight fly populations. Continued monitoring of biotype frequency in Hessian fly populations is required for optimal deployment and management of resistance genes in all wheat production areas.


Coastal erosion is one of the major problems of the coastal zone. The erosion is triggered by various reasons such as high wave energy, reduction of sediments, natural disasters and climate change etc. In the era of industrialization, major infrastructure developments are happening along the coast. Prior to the initiation of those projects, it is important to understand the coastal processes of erosion, deposition, sediment-transport, flooding and sea-level-changes of the region which continuously alters the shoreline. These processes disturb the stability and productivity of aquatic environment and may have severe implications for proprietors. This study attempts morphological assessment of shoreline in the middle coastal plains of Odisha state on the east coast of India. Shorelines changes study is carried out at Dhamra and Maipura Coast to quantify erosion and accretion during years 1990 – 2012. Satellite derived remote sensing data of LANDSAT and IRS P6 for the years 1990, 2000 and 2012 were used in this study. Dhamra coast has been modified in between these years due to anthropogenic disturbance such as port development. Maipura coast which has large mangrove cover, Bhitarkanika national park carries its ecological importance. These coasts experienced erosion during 2000-2012 compared to 1990-2000. Accretion is noticed in the nearby river mouths. Temporal variation of sediments and frequent flood events will also be discussed in the paper. The detailed analysis reveals that the maximum erosion of 227 m, 47 m in a decade at Dhamra and Maipura coasts respectively. Area of Dhamra coast was under accretion during 1990-2000 and this area experienced erosion near Dhamra port just after the development of port in 2007. This study concludes that shoreline of study area is under high risk of erosion and inundation due to natural as well as anthropogenic activities in the area.


. Sustaining water quality is an important component of coastal resilience. Floodwaters deliver reactive nitrogen (NO x ) to sensitive aquatic systems and can diminish water quality. Coastal habitats in flooded areas can be effective at removing reactive nitrogen through denitrification (DNF). However, less is known about this biogeochemical process in 10 urbanized environments. This study assessed the nitrogen removal capabilities of flooded habitats along an urban estuarine coastline in the upper Neuse River Estuary (NRE), NC, USA under two nitrate concentrations (16.8 µM and 52.3 µM NO x , respectively). We also determined how storm characteristics (e.g., precipitation and wind) affect water column NO x concentrations and consequently DNF by flooded habitats. Continuous flow-through sediment core incubation experiments quantified gas and nutrient fluxes across the sediment-water interface in marsh, swamp forest, undeveloped open space, 15 stormwater pond, and shallow subtidal sediments. All habitats exhibited net DNF. Additionally, all habitats increased DNF rates under elevated nitrate conditions compared to low nitrate. Structured habitats with high sediment organic matter had higher nitrogen removal capacity than unstructured, low sediment organic matter habitats. High precipitation-high wind storm events produced concentrations significantly lower than other types of storms (e.g., low precipitation-high wind, high wind-low precipitation, low wind-low precipitation), which likely results in relatively low DNF rates by flooded habitats and low 20 removal percentages of total dissolved nitrogen loads. These results demonstrate the importance of natural systems to water quality in urbanized coastal areas subject to flooding.


The mechanism underlying the GH-releasing effect of galanin (GAL), a novel 29-amino acid peptide, was investigated in the neonatal rat. The effect of galanin was compared to that of clonidine (CLO), a drug known to release GH via endogenous GHRF. GAL administration (5-25 micrograms/kg BW, sc) induced in 10-day-old pups a clear-cut and dose-related rise in plasma GH 15 min postinjection. CLO (50-450 micrograms/kg BW, sc) induced a marked rise in plasma GH, but no dose-related effect was evident. Inhibition of hypothalamic norepinephrine and epinephrine biosynthesis by DU-18288 (6 mg/kg BW, ip) or selective inhibition of epinephrine biosynthesis by SKF-64139 (50 mg/kg BW, ip) completely abolished the GH-releasing effect of GAL (25 micrograms/kg, sc), but left unaltered the GH rise induced by CLO (150 micrograms/kg, sc). Passive immunization with an anti-GHRF serum decreased basal GH levels and prevented the GH-releasing effect of either GAL or CLO, whereas in pups pretreated with an antisomatostatin serum, CLO, but not GAL, increased the already elevated plasma GH titers. In all these data indicate that in the infant rat 1) GAL is a potent GH secretagogue; 2) the action of GAL is not exerted directly on GHRF- or somatostatin-secreting structures, but requires the intervention of catecholaminergic neurons; 3) the GH-releasing effect of GAL is ultimately exerted via GHRF release, although a mechanism operating to inhibit hypothalamic somatostatin release cannot be ruled out; and 4) differently from GAL, CLO releases GH via postsynaptic stimulation of GHRF-secreting neurons.


In this paper, an electromechanical in-situ measurement method is to be developed for determination of some properties of fuel-oils. Electromechanical impedance spectroscopy (EMIS) method is to be utilized in the measurement technique which will be developed. This method uses piezoelectric sensors that work in electromechanical principles as resonator and dynamically determines the characteristics of a medium that the resonator interacts. EMIS method has been mostly used to determine the dynamic changes in elastic properties of solid materials.This method utilizes the shear horizontal piezoelectric wafer active sensor (SH-PWAS) to generate shear horizontal mode standing waves. Piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS), that are to be utilized in this study, have recently been developed as easily manufactured, small in size and weight, and broad banded transducers to utilize in qualitative and quantitative measurement systems.


New Zealand Maori artist Ralph Hotere's (1931–2013) Song of Solomon series is a collaborative visual and poetic commentary that Hotere made with award winning New Zealand poet Cilla McQueen (b.1949) in protest at the Gulf War (Iraq, 1991). Here I present a reading of one of the paintings from this series with McQueen's poem, Warpath. I explore the sonorous effects of repetition and visual and spatial arrangements in Hotere and McQueen's collaboration, paying specific attention to the appropriation and re-contextualisation of 2:10 – 12 of the Song of Songs as it is embedded in the particular material qualities of the painting.


Background: Paclitaxel (PTX) is a widely used anti-cancer drug for treating various types of solid malignant tumors including breast, ovarian and lung cancers. However, PTX has a low therapeutic response and is linked with acquired resistance, as well as a high incidence of adverse events, such as allergic reactions, neurotoxicity and myelosuppression. The situation is compounded when its complex chemical structure contributes towards hydrophobicity, shortening its circulation time in blood, causing off-target effects and limiting its therapeutic activity against cancer cells. Formulating a smart nano-carrier may overcome the solubility and toxicity issues of the drug and enable its more selective delivery to the cancerous cells. Among the nano-carriers, natural polymers are of great importance due to their excellent biodegradability, non-toxicity and good accessibility. The aim of the present research is to develop self-assembled sodium caseinate nanomicelles (NaCNs) with PTX loaded into the hydrophobic core of NaCNs for effective uptake of the drug in cancer cells and its subsequent intracellular release. Methods: The PTX-loaded micelle was characterized with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR), High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX). Following treatment with PTX-loaded NaCNs, cell viability, cellular uptake and morphological changes were analyzed using MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cell lines. Results: We found that PTX-loaded NaCNs efficiently released PTX in an acidic tumor environment, while showing an enhanced cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and in-vivo anti-tumor efficacy in a mouse model of breast cancer when compared to free drug and blank micelles. Additionally, the nanomicelles also presented improved colloidal stability for three months at 4 °C and −20 °C and when placed at a temperature of 37 °C. Conclusions: We conclude that the newly developed NaCNs is a promising carrier of PTX to enhance tumor accumulation of the drug while addressing its toxicity issues as well.


Two market-based instruments, namely Enterprise Based Conservation, have been operating in western NSW since 2003. These programs provide a cost-effective alternative to the national park estate, with over 130,000 hectares across 18 sites being managed for conservation outcomes for approximately $2 per hectare per year. Ecological resilience is enhanced through a reduction in total grazing pressure, and through the control of weeds and pest animals. Providing an alternative income to traditional rain-based products improves the economic resilience of participating landholders. Maintaining people in the rural landscape allows rural communities and their services to continue to be supported, sustaining the social resilience of the often diminishing communities in rangeland areas.


A key requirement for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to maintain their corporate tax-exempt status is that 95 percent of income must be distributed as dividents. Receipt of this income imposes a personal tax burden on shareholders. A central tenet of this research is that REIT management is motivated to reduce investors' personal taxes. This may involve reduction of before-tax income through acquisitions. Market reaction to REIT merger announcements is found to be positive and significant. The evidence developed is more consistent with abnormal returns being related to a tax advantage from acquisitions rather than gaining economies of scale.


We have synthesized perovskite oxide BaPb1-x Zrx O3 by solid-state reaction in different atmospheres and performed x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, electrical resistivity and thermoelectric power measurements on them. Nearly single-phase samples with cubic symmetry were obtained in the range 0.0<x 0.25. As x increased, a metal-insulator (MI) transition occurred at a critical doping level xc , which depended on the sintering atmosphere of the samples. Meanwhile, a jump in resistivity was found. At low temperatures (13 K T 100 K), the temperature dependence of resistivity followed the power law when 0<x <xc and the hopping law when x xc . When prepared in oxygen and in air, the resistivity decreased linearly with the rising temperature in the range between 100 and 300 K. However, the unusual linear behaviour was absent when the doped oxides were sintered in N2 . An anomalous broad peak was also observed in the thermoelectric power of the air-sintered samples. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of disorder and electron-electron interactions, oxygen vacancies and the crystal-field splitting of the 4d levels of transition metal Zr.


The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is an open standard for creating domain- and industry-specific markup vocabularies. XML has become the predominant mechanism for electronic data interchange between information systems and can be described as a universally applicable, durable "Code of Integration." As we celebrate its tenth anniversary, it is appropriate to reflect on the role XML has played and the technical ecosystem in which it functions. In this paper, we discuss both the environment from which XML arose and its technical underpinnings, and we relate these topics to companion papers in this issue of the IBM Systems Journal. We discuss the broad consequences of XML and argue that XML will take its place among the technical standards having the greatest impact on the world in which we live. We conclude with some reflections on the significant technical, economic, and societal consequences that XML is likely to have in the future.


Background There is substantial heterogeneity in the size and trajectory of HIV, driven largely by differences in the population sexual structure, which determines overall HIV transmission dynamics. Two standard methods have been developed to appraise epidemics and guide prevention strategies. The numerical proxy method classifies epidemics based on HIV prevalence thresholds. The Modes of Transmission (MOT) model estimates the distribution of incidence over 1 year among subgroups. Neither approach explicitly captures the drivers of the epidemic and can therefore lead to misguided prevention priorities. Using data from India, we explored the limitations of current methods and propose an alternative approach. Methods We compared outputs of the traditional methods in five countries with published results, and applied the numeric and MOT model to India, and to six districts within India. We developed an alternative approach based on a qualitative understanding of local epidemic drivers, the Transmission Dynamics Epidemic Classification (TDEC) scheme, and demonstrated its application. Where data permitted, we calculated the population attributable fraction of paid sex for HIV infection among males to assist in TDEC classification. Results Country and district level analysis illustrated three main limitations of the numeric and MOT methods: (1) their results misinterpreted underlying transmission dynamics and were inconsistent; (2) they were difficult to apply to local epidemics with heterogeneity across districts ; and (3) the MOT model was highly sensitive to input parameters, many of which required extraction from non-regional sources. The TDEC method offered a logical algorithm to characterise local sexual structures that likely sustain onward HIV transmission; it required minimal but key input data. Conclusion Traditional appraisals of HIV epidemics can misdirect prevention programming if the goal is long-term HIV control. By characterising local transmission dynamics, the TDEC approach provides a potentially more effective tool with which policy makers can design intervention programs.