Background: Coagulation abnormalities in severe COVID-19 patients have not been addressed in depth. Methods: Prospective longitudinal single-center study involving COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Conventional coagulation tests (prothrombin time, international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time), rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), platelet function, plasma fibrinolysis markers, antithrombin, protein C and S were measured at the time of study inclusion (baseline), and at days 1, 3, 7 and 14 after enrollment. Based on median total maximum SOFA score, patients were divided in two groups: SOFA ≤ 10 and SOFA > 10.Results: From March, 2020 through May, 2020, 30 patients [median (IQR) age: 61 (52-83) yrs; SAPS III score: 49 (41-61) points] were included in this study. Conventional coagulation tests remained unchanged during the study period, while the majority of patients exhibited a hypercoagulability state based on ROTEM. Fibrinogen levels were increased in both groups. ROTEM (INTEM and EXTEM) maximum clot firmness increased in both study groups from day 0 to day 14. ROTEM – FIBTEM maximum clot firmness was high in both groups during the study period, with a slight decrease from day 0 to day 14 in group SOFA ≤ 10 and a slight increase during the same period in group SOFA > 10. Fibrinolysis (INTEM and EXTEM maximum lysis) was low and decreased over time in all groups, with the most pronounced decrease observed in INTEM maximum lysis in group SOFA > 10. Antithrombin slightly increased over time in group SOFA ≤ 10 while it remained stable in group SOFA > 10. Protein C plasma levels increased over time in both groups, although patients in group SOFA > 10 exhibited lower values in comparison to patients in group SOFA ≤ 10. Protein S plasma levels were low in both groups at baseline and increased over time with no between-group differences.Conclusion: COVID-19 patients have a pronounced hypercoagulability state, characterized by impaired endogenous anticoagulation and decreased fibrinolysis. The magnitude of coagulation abnormalities seems to correlate with the severity of organ dysfunction. The hypercoagulability state of COVID-19 patients was detected by ROTEM, but not with conventional coagulation tests.


In models with a representative infinitely lived household, tax smoothing implies that the steady state of government debt should follow a random walk. This is unlikely to be the case in overlapping generations (OLG) economies, where the equilibrium interest rate may differ from the policy maker's rate of time preference. It may therefore be optimal to reduce debt today to reduce distortionary taxation in the future. In addition, the level of the capital stock in these economies is likely to be suboptimally low, and reducing government debt will crowd in additional capital. Using a version of the Blanchard-Yaari model of perpetual youth, with both public and private capital, we show that it is optimal in steady state for the government to hold assets. However, we also show how and why this level of government assets can fall short of both the level of debt that achieves the optimal capital stock and the level that eliminates income taxes. Finally, we compute the optimal adjustment path to this steady state.


Collection of short stories of James Joyce in a book under the title of "Dubliners" (1914) is a collection composing of 15 short stories, which topic of all of them is living in Dublin (stories about death, love, live in school, etc.). Short story of "sisters" narrates feelings of a boy about death of a priest. The first woman, who is afraid of love, a mother in law speaks about ambition and destroys her daughter. It ispainful narrative of a single man, who leaves the woman he loves and the woman finds in the time of her death that he has been in his loneliness all his life. Accordingly, it could be mentioned that the author has selected in his short stories a style that Flober has been its establisher. Hence, stories in the collection of Dubliners have been strongly image-based and have been less relied on storied actions. (Stein et al, 2008) The present study has analyzed two short stories of the mentioned collection under the titles of "The Dead Persons" and "The sisters\s". In this analysis, the author has considered internal modes and feelings of characters of the story. Process of analyzing the two works has been firstly related to analysis of every story separately and then has been related to goals and destinies of creator of the work and totally his collection of short stories. Finally, the study has considered investigation and analysis of short stories of James Joyce, which analysts and critics of his works have presented it and it is that Dubliners should be considered as an origin and generality. Considering stories of this artist separately can't be a competent work, since as it is obvious in this collection, the author has been tended to achieve a specific goal through considering a certain order for these stories.


Tuta absoluta is a major pest attacking tomato crops. This invasive species emerged in Europe (Spain) in 2006, and 3 years later it spread to Portugal. In 2009/2010, it was recorded for the first time in the Azores archipelago. Macrolophus pygmaeus is a predator widely used as biological control agent against the tomato leaf miner. This study contrasted the life-history traits and population growth parameters of two feral populations of M. pygmaeus, one from Portugal mainland and one from the Azores archipelago. The predators were tested on single prey diet, either of Ephestia kuehniella eggs, a factitious prey used for mass rearing of mirids, or T. absoluta eggs. We predicted that populations would express differences in its phenotypic characteristics, with the Azorean population displaying low performance due to likely low genetic diversity, as expected for insular populations. Our results revealed the inexistence of phenotypic differences in several life history traits, such as immature developmental time, female longevity, males' body weight and sex ratio. Contrary to our predictions, traits with direct impact on fitness, such as lifetime fertility (95.78 ± 14.23 vs. 61.38 ± 13.52 nymphs), explain better performances for the population of the Azores. Azorean M. pygmaeus females were larger, matured earlier and reproduced at a higher rate for longer periods, than mainland females. Therefore, population growth parameters show a positive advantage for the population of the Azores, fed on T. absoluta (time required for doubling the population Azores, Ek: 8.42 ± 0.50, Ta: 5.76 ± 0.31 and mainland, Ek: 10.88 ± 1.94, Ta: 12.07 ± 3.15). Biological performance of M. pygmaeus was similar when fed with T. absoluta or E. kuehniella that could be beneficial both to optimize mass production of the predator and biological control of the pest. Our results are discussed as well in a fundamental perspective, seeking if differences in biological performance can be explained by lower genetic diversity driven by geographic isolation.


In this study, we examined the relationship of 19p13 aberrations, usually leading to addition of unknown material (19p +), and ring chromosomes to clinical outcome in patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Analysis of 69 MFHs revealed 19 tumors with 19p + and 24 tumors with ring chromosomes. After a median follow‐up period of 36 months, 24 patients developed metastases, and 27 patients developed local recurrences. Ten patients had both local recurrences and metastases. Local recurrence was more common in association with 19p + than without. Metastasis was more common with 19p + tumors in high‐risk patients (tumor size > 5 cm and grade III–IV; n = 48) than those without 19p +. There was a trend suggesting fewer relapses after tumors with ring chromosomes. 19p + may be an independent marker of unfavorable outcome in MFH. Genes Chromosom Cancer 16:88–93 (1996). © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The study draws on a sample of over 350 consumers from 10 department stores in an emerging market where counterfeit products are available in abundance and there is a huge demand for such goods. The findings reveal that interdependent and independent self traits significantly affect individual characteristics, that is, susceptibility to normative influence, readiness to take social risk, and status acquisition (SA), which in turn influences counterfeit purchase intention. It was discovered that such individual characteristics play a mediating effect on the self‐concept—purchase intention relationship and that high degrees of interdependent self traits positively affect consumers' purchase intention. The study adds to the theory of reasoned action (TRA) by incorporating SA variables into the TRA framework and discovers their significant influence on purchase intention. Some novel insights surrounding counterfeit consumption in an emerging economy context are presented and several implications are extracted to help practitioners appeal to such individual characteristics for combating counterfeit consumption.


Silicon is one of the most promising materials for lithium secondary battery anodes. However, silicon anodes have a critical drawback to their practical application, which is capacity degradation due to pulverization of the active material by the large volume change of silicon during charge–discharge cycles. This paper reviews recent studies on silicon-based anodes that have attempted to overcome this poor cycle durability through structural control such as through thin films, porous structures, core–shell structures, and by alloying with other metals, and by application of proper binders. Among them, binder-free Si–O–C composite films prepared by electrodeposition exhibit outstanding cycle durability. The origin of this excellent durability is discussed in depth from the standpoint of chemical and morphological changes. Consequently, the combination of active materials such as Si and Li2Si2O5 and inactive materials such as Li2O, Li2CO3, and organic compounds is suggested to result in outstanding properties as a lithium secondary battery anode.


The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of two different types of lignosulfonate added to urea-formaldehyde adhesive on the performance properties of five-layered plywood panels. The physical properties (density, thickness swelling, water absorption, and moisture content), mechanical properties (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and bonding quality), and free formaldehyde emission were evaluated in accordance with international standards. The results show that the lignosulfonate used in the production of plywood panels improves not only mechanical properties but also physical properties. Furthermore, the reinforcement caused by the use of proper lignosulfonate resulted in a decrease in free formaldehyde content. Using 3% LS1, eco-friendly plywood panels with improved physical (max. 22.40%) and mechanical properties (max. 42.40%) and drastically reduced free formaldehyde emissions (max. 16.27%) can be produced. It was concluded that lignosulfonates, as a byproduct of the pulping industry, can be used as a high-value additive in formaldehyde-based adhesives for engineered wood composites.


In this paper operational transconductance amplifiers (OTA) were designed with nanowire (NW) tunnel field effect transistors (TFET) with different source materials (Si, SiGe, and Ge) and compared with NW Si MOSFET devices. Lookup tables with experimental data were used to model the transistors and simulate the OTAs. At the same dimensions and transistor efficiency region, the TFET OTAs have larger gain than the MOSFET circuit. The Ge-source TFET OTA presents the highest differential gain (105 dB), followed by the Si TFET (96 dB) and the SiGe-source TFET (90 dB), with the MOSFET presenting the lowest gain (51 dB). However, the MOSFET has the best gain-bandwidth product (GBW) (9.2 MHz) followed by the Ge-source TFET (1.6 MHz), the SiGe-source TFET (900 kHz) and the Si TFET (41 kHz). The second group of OTAs, where the same power consumption was considered and where the gain of the MOSFET OTA and the GBW of the TFETs' circuits were increased was also studied. The gain of the MOSFET OTA increased to 56 dB, but it is still lower than the TFET circuits (96, 90 and 102 dB for the Si TFET, SiGe-source TFET and Ge-source TFET, respectively). The GBW of the Si TFET, SiGe-source TFET and Ge-source TFET circuits increased to 71 kHz, 1 MHz, and 2 MHz, respectively. Nevertheless, the MOSFET OTA has the best GBW (4.7 MHz) again but being just 2.35 times the GBW of the Ge-source TFET case. Therefore, because of the high gain of the TFETs OTAs, they are indicated for low power, low-frequency applications, with the Ge-source TFET presenting a good compromise between gain and GBW. The circuits' linearity was also verified, and they demonstrate to be more dependent on bias choices than on the devices themselves.


A feature extraction technique based on a new criterion for "declustering" is presented. Declustering occurs when sample vectors from one pattern class form a densely packed point constellation, or cluster, in feature space while vectors from another class do not form a cluster but instead array themselves as outliers. Features chosen to optimize the declustering criterion enhance class separation and are robust over a wide range of measurement statistics.


An interscale predictive wavelet coding (IPWC) scheme is proposed in this paper. The image is encoded top-down, from the coarsest scale to the finest scale. At each scale, the current scale coefficients are predicted from the coded coefficients at the coarser scale and the prediction residue is encoded. The interscale prediction is based on MAP estimation with Huber Markov random field statistical image model. The efficiency of IPWC is supported by experimental results.


The properties of estimators of noise model parameters are investigated. The estimator covariance matrix is taken as a measure of accuracy, and it is shown to be optimized by an appropriate selection of instrumental variable (IV). The refined-optimal IV method is then proposed. The analysis and Monte-Carlo simulation results indicate that the algorithm yields asymptotically efficient estimation results, even for low sample size and low signal/noise ratios.<<ETX>>


In the past three decades, the world has witnessed the fast economic growth of Vietnam, which has become one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment in the region. Vietnam has also actively participated in the world trading system since its successful accession to the WTO. With increasing cross-border transactions between Vietnam and the rest of the world, so too has the need for resolution of business disputes. Of the various ways to settle disputes in Vietnam between Vietnamese business entities and foreign parties, arbitration is the most popular. This is so in part because Vietnam has promoted arbitration as the preferred method for dealing with international commercial disputes. A legal framework on commercial arbitration compatible with internationally recognized principles and norms of arbitration has also been developed in Vietnam since 2003. The country has also joined the New York Convention 1958 on recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards ("New York Convention"). However, to date Vietnam's record with respect to the enforcement arbitral awards leaves much to be desired as there are still some doctrinal obstacles to enforcement of arbitral awards and procedural issues in regard to the matters. This paper will briefly overview the regulatory framework on recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards in Vietnam, particularly the foreign arbitral awards and analyse the shortcomings in its application to propose some solutions for regulatory and doctrinal reforms. The author main argument is that development of liberal arbitration environment is critical to Vietnam's trade and investment interests.


The geophysical boundary layers are dynamical systems with complex characteristics that modulate their mean and turbulence responses to external forcing. To better understand the dynamics of the unsteady atmospheric boundary layer, we developed a reduced analytical model for the mean wind. The model can predict the time variability of the horizontal wind components that results from changes in horizontal pressure gradients and/or ABL surface buoyancy. The dynamics of the system are shown to be analogous to a damped oscillator where inertial, Coriolis, and friction forces represent the mass, spring and damper respectively. We show the extension of the model under diabatic conditions and validate it against results from a suite of large-eddy simulations. In addition to elucidating the fundamental features of the diurnal cycle and low-level jets, this reduced model can be used for short-term forecasts of wind power production, pollutant dispersion phenomenon, and in various other meteorological and engineering applications. Short discussion The atmospheric and oceanic boundary layers are dynamical systems with complex characteristics that modulate their mean and turbulence responses to external forcing. These responses become particularly intractable when the forces are unsteady. Unsteadiness primarily emanates from the variability of the large-scale mean horizontal pressure gradient and from the changes in the surface heat flux, yet most previous studies have focused on steady-state conditions. To better understand the dynamics of the unsteady atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), we developed a reduced analytical model for mean wind that is based on the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (Momen and Bou-Zeid 2015) and validated it against large eddy simulations (see Momen and Bou-Zeid 2016). The model can predict the time variability of the horizontal wind components that results from changes in horizontal pressure gradients and/or ABL stability (due to changes in surface heat flux). Using the new models, we show that the neutral ABL responds to the exerted external pressure gradient variations through an inertial time scale, which could be characterized by the inverse of the Coriolis frequency. This frequency acts as the natural frequency of the system that either damps or magnifies the energy input from the pressure forcing. The dynamics of the system are therefore analogous to a damped oscillator where inertial, Coriolis, and friction forces mirror the mass, spring and damper respectively. When a steady buoyancy (ranging from strongly stable to strongly unstable conditions) is superposed on the unsteady pressure gradient the same model structure can be maintained, but the damping term in the model, corresponding to friction forces, now needs to account for stability (Figure 1(a)). However, for the reverse case with constant pressure gradient under variable surface heat flux and stability, the analytical model needs to be extended to allow time-variable damper coefficient. This extension is presented and validated against results from a suite of large-eddy simulations. We will also compare our obtained solutions in the non-stationary turbulence conditions with other available analytical solutions (Figure 1(b)). In addition to elucidating the fundamental features of the diurnal cycle and low-level jets, this reduced model can be used for short-term forecasts of wind power production, and in various other meteorological and engineering applications. Figure 1: The validation of the reduced model against large-eddy simulations for (a) unsteady pressure gradient under steady positive heat flux (b) unsteady negative heat flux under steady pressure gradient.


A post and core fabrication technique for multirooted teeth with divergent canals uses a combination cast post and core and prefabricated dowel. This method modifies and improves a previously reported method by using a nickel-silver technique post during casting to preserve the channel in the resin core pattern. Following casting, the nickel-silver post is dissolved with nitric acid. Minimal hand instrumentation with a post drill leaves a clean and accurate channel for cementation of an accessory prefabricated stainless steel or titanium post.


The subject of this research paper is the same as the focus of criticisms in a recently released SEC report: namely, failures to display and execute limit orders in securities markets. Based on a statistical sample, the SEC study found frequent violations of limit order display rules. How pervasive are these kinds of violations in the market ?The theory in the paper addresses the question by identifying the probability density functions governing the display and execution of limit orders in properly functioning markets. The paper demonstrates that two distinct stochastic processes are sufficient to completely describe the execution of limit orders in markets: a conditional Binomial distribution compounded with a conditional Poisson distribution. These distributions permit rigorous tests of the statistical significance of the SEC sample findings.


The Romance of Leadership Scale (RLS) has been used in various studies in different countries and contexts. However, to date, the structure of the scale has been a subject of discussion, making it difficult to compare results over different studies. In this study, using student as well as organization samples from two countries, we want to clarify the factor structure of the RLS. In order to do so, we used a hypothetical factor matrix into which we rotated our data. Although this matrix fits some of the data quite well, the results argue for the use of one core factor. The factor solutions are, however, still ambiguous and we therefore recommend doing more research on a core factor of the Romance of Leadership scale.


Most diffusion based molecular channels suffer from low information capacity due to the structure of the diffusion environment. To address this issue, this paper studies the capacity of the diffusion based molecular communication by exploiting both time and concentration level of the released molecules for information transfer. The transmitter releases molecules in one of the sub-intervals with a level of concentration both determined by input data, hereby applying joint time and concentration (JTAC) modulation. The observation time, at the receiver, which is equal to symbol period, is divided to some sub-intervals, not necessarily equal to the number of sub-intervals in the transmitter, and the number of received molecules in each sub-interval is counted. We propose three practical schemes, depending on how the receiver uses the number of molecules counted in the sub-intervals and find the lower bound on capacity in each case. Moreover, the symmetric Kullback-Liebler (KL) divergence metric is used to obtain a computable upper bound on the JTAC channel capacity. Finally, the Blahut-Arimoto algorithm is used to compute the capacity numerically, and to determine how tight the derived bounds are. Our numerical results indicate that our bounds are tight especially in environments with high diffusion coefficient. The improvements compared to the conventional concentration based modulation and timing based modulation are also demonstrated.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Ureteroscopy (URS) is generally accepted as an outpatient procedure in most cases, however many patients have unplanned encounters following surgery. We sought to examine the patient conditions that affecting unplanned encounters including telephone calls, emergency department (ED) visits, and readmissions following URS. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed in a tertiary care hospital examining unplanned encounters defined as non-administrative, patient-initiated telephone calls, ED visits and hospital readmissions following URS. We examined psychologic and chronic pain syndromes as risk factors for unplanned encounters after ureteroscopic stone extraction. We identified 334 consecutive patients who underwent ureteroscopy in 2016. Patient-related factors were evaluated including age, gender, history of anxiety and/or depression, with or without medication, mobility issues, as well as the chronic pain conditions of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and interstitial cystitis/pelvic pain syndrome (IC/PPS). We also assessed home stent removal and prior history of stone procedure as risk factors. Data was analyzed with univariate analysis via chi square analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We found that 77/334 (23%) and 84/335 (25%) of patients were diagnosed with anxiety or depression, respectively, 19/334 (5.6%) carried a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (4), IBS (12), or IC/PPS (5) (Table 1). On multivariate analysis, there was no statistically significant increase in patient-initiated phone calls or ED visits for patients with a diagnosis of anxiety, depression or chronic pain conditions. There was a statistical significance for ureteral stent removal at home and postoperative phone calls (p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In patients carrying a diagnosis of anxiety, depression or chronic pain syndromes, there does not appear to be an increased rate of unplanned encounters. Patients instructed to remove a ureteral stent at home were more likely to call the physician. Further studies should be directed at better understanding the physiological mechanism for stent-related pain. Table. No title available. Source of Funding: None


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Mieap, a p53-inducible protein, plays a pivotal role in mitochondrial quality control (MQC) by repairing or eliminating unhealthy mitochondria1-4. To investigate physiological significance of the Mieap-regulated MQC, we generated and analyzed the Mieap-KO mice. (1) p53-dependent: Hypoxia induced Mieap expression and accumulation of lysosomal proteins within mitochondria in WT MEFs, but not Mieap-/- and p53-/- MEFs. Mieap-/- and p53-/- MEFs exhibited accumulation of oxidized mitochondrial proteins and increased ROS generation by unhealthy mitochondria under hypoxia, which enhanced cell migration and invasion. (2) p53-dependent: Mieap+/- / ApcMIN/+ mice displayed a shortening of the lifetime, compared to the ApcMIN/+ mice (average life-span: Mieap+/- / ApcMIN/+ mice vs ApcMIN/+ mice = 19.1 weeks vs 24.4 weeks), suggesting that Mieap deficiency may affect intestinal tumorigenesis. (3) p53-independent: Mieap was highly expressed in the midpiece, where the sperm mitochondria are localized, of the sperm in WT mice. This Mieap expression was independent on p53. Mieap-/- mice are fertile in vivo. However, in vitro fertilization of Mieap-/- sperm was severely impaired because of a failure of sperm motility. The oxidized proteins were dramatically accumulated in the midpiece of Mieap-/- sperm. These results, taken together, suggest that Mieap plays a crucial role in protection of the cell against oxidative stresses probably through its MQC function. This may also largely contribute to p53 tumor suppression.

1. Miyamoto Y et al. PLoS ONE 6: e16054, 2011

2. Kitamura N et al. PLoS ONE 6: e16060, 2011

3. Nakamura Y et al. PLoS ONE 7: e30767, 2012

4. Miyamoto T et al. Sci Rep 2: 379, 2012

Citation Format: Yasuyuki Nakamura, Hiroki Kamino, Yuri Saito, Hitoya Sano, Hirofumi Arakawa. p53-dependent and independent functions of Mieap. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2465. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2465


The bacteriological profile of palm oil sale sites in selected markets in Kaduna state, Nigeria were evaluated using standard techniques by collecting a (60) soil samples. Aside from bacteriological profile, pH, moisture content, temperature and lipase activity analyzed. The soil samples had pH that ranged from acidic to neutral (3.0-8.00) which indicates the presence of hydrolytic enzymes. Microorganisms isolated from soil samples palm oil sale sites were screened from their lipase producing ability. A total of (10) ten bacteria belonging to the genera Bacillus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Streptobacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas. The lipolytic activity of the bacteria when screened on solid agar ranged for 1.1 to 3.2cm, 2.3-3.7cm, 2.3-6.7cm at 24, 48 and 72hours respectively while that of fungal species ranged from 0.6 to12cm, 0.3-1.5cm and 1.1-1. 7cm at 3,7,14 days of incubation respectively. Exo-enzyme was produced from the various species screened for lipolytic activities. The study shows that Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma spp. had high potential.


Herein, we report the synthesis of nanocomposites (NCs) prepared by azide-functionalized polystyrene (Az-f-PS) coupled with alkyne-functionalized nanographite platelets (Alk-f-NGPs) by using copper(I) catalyzed azide–alkyne click chemistry. Linear polystyrene (PS) was functionalized with an azide moiety after bromine-termination of PS through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using CuBr/2,2′-bipyridyl as a catalyst. The nanographite platelets (NGPs) were formed from graphite flakes through intercalation followed by functionalization with an alkyne moiety. The structure and micromorphology of the prepared NCs were confirmed by NMR, FTIR, Raman, XRD, TGA, SEM, TEM and AFM techniques. The electrical properties of the click nanocomposites (C-NCs) were investigated and the C-NCs were found to posses the resistance of 1.08 × 108 Ω at 1 wt% NGPs loading. The C-NCs with fast response (∼3 s), rapid recovery (∼60 s) and excellent repeatability at room temperature provide novel materials for chemiresistive sensors for detection of H2O2 vapors.


Breast cancer metastases have been crucial for treatment and prognosis of breast cancer, therefore, the early diagnosis of metastases is of great significance to improve the patient's survival. The lung is one of the most common metastatic sites of breast cancer. Although there are many techniques used for lung metastasis diagnosis, they have difficulty in detecting lung metastases at an early and resectable stage when metastatic nodules are small or specially located. In this study, we used 1H NMR based metabonomics in conjunction with multivariate analysis to determine the metabolic phenotypes of lung tissues at different metastatic stages, and identify the common potential biomarkers for early metastasis in both MMTV-PyMT and 4T1 breast cancer lung metastasis models. Multivariate analysis results showed that the increased levels in lactate, alanine, glutamate and creatine were the potential biomarkers at early metastatic stage. With the severity of metastasis, the emerging changes of up-regulated GPC/PC and myo-inositol, together with down-regulated valine were metabolic profiles at late metastatic stage. These findings give a metabonomic overview of breast cancer metastatic lung tissues characterized by a series of changed biochemical pathways including energy metabolism (glycolysis and creatine metabolism), amino acids and phospholipids metabolism, demonstrating metabonomics as a useful approach for identifying biomarkers for tumor metastasis.


This question is practical, for it is admitted that many more sanatoria for the treatment of tuberculosis are needed, and the first question to be decided in starting to build one is where to locate it. Since it is also admitted that sanatoria need not be confined to any particular climate or region, there is a wide choice of locations, which will be affected by many considerations. Foremost among them are those relating to the purpose for which the institution is started, requiring abundant fresh air, a maximum of sunshine and freedom from smoke or dust. These all imply plenty of room, if not something like isolation; and many sanatoria are located at a distance from cities or even from any large town. The absence of the excitement caused by contact with numbers of people, and of the distractions incident to city life, favors successful treatment, but convenience of access


Natalia Churkina, analyst, Institute for Complex Strategic StudiesKyoto protocol soft limitations allowed Russia to postpone the development of national climate change strategy (unlike in many developed and some developing countries). Most of Russian companies are not interested in environmental and particularly climate change policy today.At the same time Russia is one of the most carbon intensive economies in the world. High carbon intensity imposes potential limitations on economic development of Russia through probable carbon taxes and technical standards. Moreover, post-Kyoto period may introduce tight obligations for Russia to reduce carbon emissions. Lack of climate change policy in Russia sends the challenge for fulfillment of Russian international obligations, particularly those accepted by Russia as G8 member. The availability of national strategy on climate change becomes crucial ahead of the Hokkaido Toyako Summit and further post-Kyoto dialogue.


In this paper, we address the relay assignment in cooperative networks based on order statistics. We consider a network comprising a cluster of transmitting sources, a cluster of relay nodes and a single destination. This is motivated by the fact that the existing relay assignment schemes don't achieve diversity for the network configuration under consideration. We assume that the cooperation is in the amplify-and-forward (AF) mode, but proposed scheme is applicable to the decode-and-forward (DF) mode. In the relay assignment process, the source nodes that have weaker source-destination links, have higher priority in relay selection. We analyze the probability density function (PDF) and the average bit error rate (BER) for the proposed scheme where we invoke important results that we first derive for simple two-hop networks. Specifically, we calculate the exact expression for the PDF of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Compared to other relay assignment schemes (like maximizing sum of SNR values or maximizing the minimum selected SNR), the proposed scheme has the advantages of simplicity, higher diversity order and fairness.


The dynamic equations for a rigid asymmetrical spinning space station with an internal movable mass are presented in the appendix. The body rates induced by certain mass movements are shown to be elliptic functions for the uncontrolled space station. This assumes the mass movement is simulated by impulsive product of inertia changes. A linear analysis is presented for the controlled space station using a gyroscopic controller. The controller provides nutation damping and limited precession control.


Mobile collaborative maintenance system (MCMS) has the potential to offer significant advantages over existing maintenance systems. Moreover, in this context, an integrated high-level maintenance strategy comprising multiple sub-systems requires the collaboration of many stakeholders including multiple systems and departments. They work together to improve coordination and sharing of information within the whole disparate maintenance process. Several specialized systems have been invested in to enhance asset management and maintenance systems; however, experts argue that the success rate of such systems is less than thirty per cent. The lack of systematic approach, together with the lack of specific requirements may be the main cause, which calls for a comprehensive framework that engineering organization can implement. The objective of this research therefore is to propose a framework guiding the implementation of new mobile technologies enterprise that meets all collaborative maintenance requirements.


The influence of traditional mass media institutions is being challenged by an unprecedented level of audience participation and co-creation in online media production, which has blurred the lines between consumer and producer, audience and public. There are signs suggesting that this convergence has permeated into traditional market areas such as the tourism industry and the music industry respectively. Internet-based social media tools like blogs, podcasts, online video and social network websites, have given voice to the opinions of millions of individual consumers worldwide. And while traditional mass media (namely television, radio and print) continue to be central to the dissemination of (mainstream) information, these traditional channels are increasingly being influenced by those online conversations taking place in the social media. This working paper is based on my ongoing doctoral research on the same topic and emphasises the need for a multidimensional approach to understanding the social media phenomenon. This paper postulates that 'generative audiences' are behind this convergence and contends that generative audiences have given rise to newer approaches to marketing and the engagement of audiences using social media network sites that are characterised by conversation and community. This paper discusses the generative phenomenon whereby individuals and organisations today are able to use those social media network sites to extend their sphere of influence to engage and/re-engage successive generations of audiences.


point of view of the effect of different remedies. Treatment in institutions in places with suitable climates is carried out by the pottery companies, and effects improvement in the dyspnoea, cough, and sputum. An interesting monograph by H.-W. Schlipkoter describes the results of animal experiments with a substance which limits the fibrosis produced by quartz. Schlipkoter does not however claim that this is a new silicosis therapy. From a study of this report it is evident that the members of the South German Tuberculosis Society had an interesting and informative meeting. This volume brings them up to date with present-day thought in Germany on pneumoconiosis.


The remanent magnetization of the Upper Devonian Perry Formation of New Brunswick consists of two components B and A acquired before and after folding (pre-Westphalian D) respectively. The stability spectra of these components overlap and it is therefore difficult to define them accurately and calculate their errors. The best estimate of the older (B) component (with respect to bedding) is 175,+23 (pole 32° N, 118° E), but this may be in error by 15° or more: its age is considered to be Late Devonian or Mississippian. The best estimate of the younger (A) component (with respect to present horizontal) is also 175, +23 and its age is considered to be early Pennsylvanian or older. The uncertainty in estimating these directions, however, means that the paleomagnetic observations, although they do not preclude the possibility that Newfoundland has rotated, also do not provide independent evidence that this has occurred, as has been suggested.


In tempered countries, higher sudden infant death rates are observed during winters, which is in favor of an infectious factor in the etiology. According to the geographic regions, the rates of SIDS are showing a downward gradient from the north of France to the south. In an attempt to assess the infectious hypothesis, we carried out a research about space-time clusters of Sudden infant deaths. The Knox's méthode was used with data of the medical causes of death registered in France from 1981-82 to 1985-86, by areas. Clusters were found in several regions, but they are moving from one year to another. The interpretation of these findings remains difficult because of the large number of tests.


This paper reports a preliminary effort in designing and constructing an artificial face to mimic human facial expressions. The face was built over the surface of a plastic human-size skull, with shape memory alloy (SMA) wires providing the needed actuation in place of human muscles. Due to the special properties that they have, the modeling and control aspects of the SMA wires constitute a great challenge to the success of our objective. In this work, a special configuration of neural networks is adopted for the purpose. Various selected points on the artificial face, including the opening and closing of the mouth, are controlled as such to emulate human expressions. A software face model is also implemented for interfacing. Overall acceptable performance is demonstrated experimentally.


In this study, physicochemical properties of 49 compounds, extracted from antiinflammatory sponge species with the aim of ADMET test and Lipinski rule of five, have been determined. Fourteen compounds, which showed the best results, were subjected to molecular docking studies with IL-17. Among these compounds, four compounds with low binding energy were obtained. These compounds; namely, frondosins C, frondosins D, methylpourewate B, and Cadlinolide C, have shown promising ADMET properties and strong interactions in the active site of IL-17. The ROC curve with the acceptable area under the curve of 0.853 was used for validation of the docking protocol. If the efficacy of these compounds is proven by biochemical tests, the molecules will be potentially important inhibitors of IL-17A and used as a basis for the further development of anti-inflammatory and anti-psoriasis agents.


Based on satellite‐derived global snow cover data on weekly time scales, the climatology and interannual variability of snow onset day‐of‐year, snowmelt day‐of‐year and number of snow‐free days in a year are presented. Trends for snow onset day‐of‐year, snowmelt day‐of‐year and number of snow‐free days in a year indicate that there has been an increase in number of snow‐free days in recent decades. The relationship between snow cover and the Arctic oscillation (AO) index is examined on a hierarchy of time scales using lagged correlation and composite analysis. On weekly time scales, composite snow extent anomalies are maximum when AO leads snow cover by 1 week. These composite differences are maintained several weeks thereafter, particularly in the negative phase of the AO. Maps of composite snow cover anomalies when AO leads snow cover by 1 week delineate the spatial structure of these snow anomalies. On monthly time scales, lead–lag correlation between monthly snow cover and AO index indicates that the AO index during January, February and March is significantly correlated with snow cover in concurrent and subsequent spring months, particularly over Eurasia. Finally, on seasonal time scales, it is shown that winter season AO and winter/spring season snow cover are significantly correlated. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.


In the framework of the JT-60SA project, included inside the Broader Approach agreement, EU is expected to provide to JA the totality of the toroidal field (TF) magnet system. It consists in 18 coils, evenly shared for in-kind procurement between France and Italy while the TF conductor providing is under the responsibility of Fusion for Energy. The conductor is a rectangular-shaped, NbTi-based, cable-in-conduit (CICC) and will be wound in double-pancake inside the TF casing. In the paper, the experimental approach of conductor design validation process and the associated analyses of conductor samples test campaign in the SULTAN facility are shown. A design and manufacture action on full-size SULTAN-type short samples for the TF conductor have been launched in 2007 to allow an early gathering of relevant information enabling to proceed onto the conductor design qualification process. A series of two pre-prototypes was realized, based on a former conductor design which even if slightly different from the most up-to-date layout, includes all its important relevant features: square-shaped section, superconducting strands segregation with copper, no subwrapping. The samples are designed to allow comparative studies on shape influence (two types of sections) and on joint influence (presence or not of a bottom joint), and to provide a consolidated baseline for making decisions on conductor final design. A descriptive part of the samples manufacturing activity is included. The samples TFCS1 and TFJS1 were then characterized in the SULTAN facility (Villigen, CH) respectively in 2008 and 2009, experiencing DC tests, AC tests, mechanical cycling, and stability tests. The corresponding results and the associated analyses are shown and statements regarding the contribution of the present results to the assessment of the actual JT-60SA TF conductor design are also drawn.


An efficient design of a digital-video-port (DVP) compatible bridge architecture to randomly access image pixels of a high speed image sensor is presented. FPGA synthesis results show that the bridge can support a data rate up to 215 MHz. The design is also synthesized using CMOS 0.18um technology.


Disdrometer data collected during three spring days, with moderate to heavy rain in the Norman, Oklahoma region are used with various polarimetric radar algorithms to simulate rain rates. It is assumed that available measurables are 1) reflectivity at horizontal polarization, 4,2) differential reflectivity, ZDR (ratio of horizontal to vertical reflectivity factors in dB), and 3)differential propagation constant, K D ~ . The accuracies of the simulated rain rates from Z,, Z D ~ , and KDP are evaluated and compared. A new algorithm that utilizes both reflectivity factor and differential propagation constant is also examined. In comparing the relative accuracies, the disdrometer-derived rain rates are assumed to be the "truth" measurements


PURPOSE
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), which delivers a potent dose of highly conformal radiation to the target in a single fraction, requires accurate tumor delineation for treatment planning. We present an automatic segmentation strategy, that synergizes intensity histogram thresholding, super-voxel clustering, and level-set based contour evolving methods to efficiently and accurately delineate SRS brain tumors on contrast-enhance T1-weighted (T1c) Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI).

METHODS
The developed auto-segmentation strategy consists of three major steps. Firstly, tumor sites are localized through 2D slice intensity histogram scanning. Then, super voxels are obtained through clustering the corresponding voxels in 3D with reference to the similarity metrics composited from spatial distance and intensity difference. The combination of the above two could generate the initial contour surface. Finally, a localized region active contour model is utilized to evolve the surface to achieve the accurate delineation of the tumors. The developed method was evaluated on numerical phantom data, synthetic BRATS (Multimodal Brain Tumor Image Segmentation challenge) data, and clinical patients' data. The auto-segmentation results were quantitatively evaluated by comparing to ground truths with both volume and surface similarity metrics.

RESULTS
DICE coefficient (DC) was performed as a quantitative metric to evaluate the auto-segmentation in the numerical phantom with 8 tumors. DCs are 0.999±0.001 without noise, 0.969±0.065 with Rician noise and 0.976±0.038 with Gaussian noise. DC, NMI (Normalized Mutual Information), SSIM (Structural Similarity) and Hausdorff distance (HD) were calculated as the metrics for the BRATS and patients' data. Assessment of BRATS data across 25 tumor segmentation yield DC 0.886±0.078, NMI 0.817±0.108, SSIM 0.997±0.002, and HD 6.483±4.079mm. Evaluation on 8 patients with total 14 tumor sites yield DC 0.872±0.070, NMI 0.824±0.078, SSIM 0.999±0.001, and HD 5.926±6.141mm.

CONCLUSION
The developed automatic segmentation strategy, which yields accurate brain tumor delineation in evaluation cases, is promising for its application in SRS treatment planning.


Insect populations decline, particularly in intensively managed agricultural landscapes. Insect communities are influenced by current agricultural practices, which are themselves determined by the economic, political and social frameworks.
We highlight these direct and indirect drivers affecting insect communities, raise key research questions and discuss options for action to encourage a transformative change towards an economic, political and social system protecting biodiversity.


The Persistent power outage in the country due to faults has become alarming to the government and the body responsible for electricity generation in the country. It also creates a major problem for electricity consumers in Nigeria, there must be an improvement in the reliability of the transmission system in Nigeria. This research work is predominantly concerned with the analysis of outages on 330kV and 132kV transmission system, and system disturbances on generation and transmission system for five (5) years. The result shows that the forced outages are the most occurred outages on the 330 kV line, while on 132 kV line, emergency outages have the highest number of outages in 2014 but decreases rapidly over the years, similarly, twenty-seven (27) major system disturbances occurred in 2016 with 31% against ten (10) with 11% disturbances in 2015, while 2014 and 2018 with the same number of system disturbances of thirteen (13) with 15%, it is apparent that more disturbances occur on the transmission system, and there should be a proper protection scheme to maintain stable grid network. Consequently, Mini-grid and off-grid solutions will prominently address the issue of power supply shortage and instability in Nigeria. Keywords: outage, transmission, generation, disturbances, grid.


Academic and popular discourses alike tend to focus on street-involved youth as exemplars of the homeless problem or to overlook them entirely. This discussion aims to move beyond these frameworks, which often fail to acknowledge the talents and agency of street-involved young people, and to engage instead with the unique knowledges that are embedded within their creative endeavours. To do this, this essay places a media analysis of Another Slice, a multimedia website produced on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, in conversation with interviews with content producers as a means of illuminating the meaningful ways that youth at Directions Youth Services employ multimedia to assert identity, build community, challenge misconceptions about street life, and reimagine physical and social spaces.


This study investigated the role of vitamin C as an antioxidant in protecting the testis against damage in experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. Forty‐five male Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups. The control group had intact rats, the cryptorchid group had unilateral cryptorchid rats and the treatment group had unilateral cryptorchid rats that it received vitamin C at a dose of 50 mg kg−1 body weight intraperitoneal, once a day, during experimental period. Histopathological samples were obtained from five cases of 15 animals of each group at 15, 30 and 60 days after induction of cryptorchidism. The results showed histopathological parameters of the cryptorchid (left) testes in the cryptorchid group significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and treatment with vitamin C after 60 days significantly improved all parameters of these testes compared with the cryptorchid group (P < 0.05). In addition, the left testes on unilateral cryptorchid rats had noticeable adverse effects on the scrotal (right) testes (P < 0.05). Treatment with vitamin C after 60 days significantly improved all parameters of these testes compared with the cryptorchid group (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that treatment with vitamin C significantly improved histopathological parameters in scrotal testes on unilateral cryptorchid rats.


This paper aims to improve efficiency in permanent magnet synchronous (PM) motor drives. The controllable electrical loss which consists of the copper loss and the iron loss can be minimized by the optimal control of the armature current vector. The control algorithm of the current vector minimizing the electrical loss is proposed and the optimal current vector can be decided according to the operating speed and the load conditions. The proposed control algorithm is applied to the experimental PM motor drive system, in which one digital signal processor is employed to execute the control algorithms, and several drive tests are carried out. The operating characteristics controlled by the loss minimization control algorithm are examined in detail by computer simulations and experimental results. >


The application of symmetry analysis to uniform waveguides is discussed. Symmetry analysis provides exact information concerning mode classification, mode degeneracy, modal electromagnetic- field symmetries, and the minimum waveguide sectors which completely determine the modes in each mode class. This paper provides a summary of the development. that leads to the results concerning symmetry-induced modal characteristics of uniform waveguides discussed in the previous paper. Some of the concepts of group theory are introduced, including the irreducible representations of symmetry groups. The use of the irreducible representations to determine the mode classes and their degeneracies is described. The projection operators belonging to the irreducible representations are introduced and their application to determining the azimuthal symmetry of the modal fields is explained. The minimum waveguide sectors for the mode classes are obtained from the azimuthal symmetry of the modal fields.


A Caesarean section, also known as C-section, is a surgical procedure in which incisions are made through a mother's abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies. It is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would put the baby's or mother's life or health at risk, although in recent times it has been also performed upon request for childbirths that could otherwise have been natural. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the rate of Caesarean sections should not exceed 15% in any country. This programme includes narrated surgical video of the procedure as well as interactive case exercises and a brief self-assessment.


The kinetics of copper cementation during atmosphere leaching of a Ni-Cu matte in CuSO4-H2SO4 solution was studied as a function of initial copper ion concentration, initial acid concentration, temperature, stirring rate, particle size distribution and pulp density. It was found that all these process variables influenced the rate of cementation. A two-stage rate of reaction was observed in most of the experiments, with the rate of cementation in the initial stage being slower than that of the subsequent second stage. The increased rate of cementation in the second stage was attributed to the enhancing effect of the surface deposit. The cementation process was found to take place by two different rate-controlling mechanisms. At a temperature range of 50i?½70i?½C, an activation energy of 74.6 kJ/mol was obtained, indicating a surface reaction controlled process. At higher temperatures (70i?½80i?½C) a lower value of activation energy was observed (18.2 kJ/mol), indicative of a process controlled by diffusion through surface layers. The structural characteristics of the cemented deposit could not be determined in the investigated system where the deposit was mixed with the leach solid residue.


The physics underlying operation of cold (room-temperature) ionic-liquid emitter sources for use in propulsion shows that such thrusters are advantaged relative to all other "rockets" because of the direct scaling of power with emitter array density. Nanomaterials and their integration through nano- and microfabrication can propel these charged-particle sources to the forefront and open up new applications including mass-efficient in-orbit satellite propulsion and high-thrust-density deep-space exploration. Analyses of electrostatic, fluid-dynamic, and electrochemical limits all suggest that arrays of such ionic-liquid thrusters can reach thrust densities beyond most in-space propulsion concepts, with a limit on nanoporous thruster packing density of ∼1 μm due to ionic-liquid viscous flow and electrochemistry. Nanoengineered materials and manufacturing schemes are suggested for the implementation of microfabricated and nanostructured thruster arrays.


Polyphenols from ethyl acetate extracts from the leaves, stems and roots of Korean Humulus japonicus were comprehensively profiled using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 36 polyphenols were detected, of which 26 were structurally characterized based on their [M - H]- peak, tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation pattern, UV-vis absorption and published data. Validation data provided satisfactory results for the evaluated parameters. The determination coefficients were ≥0.9812. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.017-0.573 and 0.056-1.834 mg/L, respectively, indicating good performance limits. The accuracy (expressed as percentage recovery) at 50 and 100 mg/L was 71.4-99.7 and 75.1-105.1%, with precisions (expressed as relative standard deviation) of 1.5-7.3 and 0.8-4.1%, respectively, indicating acceptable accuracy and precision values. The leaves were rich in total polyphenols (3089.9 ± 6.4 mg/kg of fresh sample) followed by the stems (1313.9 ± 6.4 mg/kg of fresh sample) and roots (655.2 ± 2.7 mg/kg of fresh sample). Antioxidant activity, determined by α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, revealed the lowest EC50 value for the leaf extracts, indicating a higher scavenging activity in this tissue followed by the roots and stems. Overall, the results indicated that H. japonicus is rich in polyphenols and could be a potential alternative to Humulus lupulus (hop plant) in the brewery industry.


The use of seeds and seedlings in X-ray research work probably dates back to the time that this form of radiation was used for therapeutic purposes. Yet there has not been a great amount of work done in this field probably because of the feeling that the error of biological variation was too great to draw definite conclusions from the results obtained. In fact, Friedrich (1) using vicia faba seedlings claims that a difference in the germinating garden bean is just recognizable with a difference in dose of about 100 per cent. Having done a certain amount of work on the effect of X-radiation on growing seedlings we also found that there was an enormous difference in the sensitivity in plants toward X-rays. Based on this work as well as the work of others we endeavored to determine if this error could be reduced or accounted for. After further work we concluded that the sensitivity depended on (1) species; (2) age; (3) time when radiated; (4) part radiated. (1) Species : A species variation is to be expected but if we consider that in the young germinating seedling the processes of cell division and early growth must essentially be the same for the various plants then we would expect that the effect of radiation on these seedlings should not differ appreciably. It was determined that a certain intensity of X-rays applied for one minute would produce very definite stunting in the growth of a two-day old pea seedling. The same intensity applied for 3 minutes would produce approximately the same stunting in a bean seedling. With other seedlings such as cress and mustard ten to fifteen minutes were necessary to produce a definite change. Others have found similar differences and claim that they are due to the varying water-content of the seeds.


Purpose: The study focused mainly on factors that were associated with the teamwork approach at the job environment and their contribution on the employee performance and as a result overall performance of Kenyatta University.
Methods: The study took a detailed form to analyze the subject using data to describe different perspectives in order to meet the study objective fully. The population targeted was faculty members of Kenyatta University and to cover consumer satisfaction students were involved. The study was an analysis of 100 respondents where the questionnaires were distributed among various schools and in the supportive sector which included the cafeteria and health department. The sampling was purposive in the selection of the respondents and mainly focused on experience period at the faculties. The main instrument used to collect data for this study was mainly a questionnaire and an interactive interview. The instrument was structured in a simple format where simple questions, open-ended, were framed based on the set objectives of the study.
Results: The findings indicated that teamwork has proven to be closely related to the performance of the individual employee. This concurs with earlier research work which indicates that teamwork helps to enhance productivity, boosts effectiveness and also efficiency at the workplace. The various faculties and the supporting sectors should seek to enhance the teamwork in attaining their mandate through the participation of every employee.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The organizations which are yet to adopt teamwork should consider doing so following the established benefits of effective teamwork in an organization. The management, on the other hand, should seek to provide the necessary support to the teamwork groups as basic components of the organization operates.


Drilling fluids are complex mixtures of natural and synthetic chemical compounds used to cool and lubricate the drill bit, clean the wellbore, carry drilled cuttings to the surface, control formation pressure, and improve the function of the drill string and tools in the hole. The two main types of drilling fluids are water-based and oil-based drilling fluids, where the oil-based also include synthetic-based drilling fluids.
 Many rheological properties of drilling fluids are key parameters that must be controlled during design and operations. The base fluid properties are constructed by the interaction of the emulsified water droplets in combination with organophilic clay particles. The rheological properties resulted from this combination, along with the particle size distribution of weight materials are vital in controlling the physical stability of the microstructure in the drilling fluid. A weak fluid microstructure induces settling and sagging of weight material particles. The presence of sag has relatively often been the cause for gas kicks and oil-based drilling fluids are known to be more vulnerable for sag than water-based drilling fluids. Hence, the shear-dependent viscosity and elasticity of drilling fluids are central properties for the engineers to control the stability of weight material particles in suspension.
 In this study, we examined the stability of typical oil-based drilling fluids made for North Sea oilfield drilling application with oil-water-ratios (OWR) of 80/20 and 60/40. The structural character of the fluid samples was analyzed both at rest and dynamic conditions via flow and viscosity curves, amplitude sweep, frequency sweep, and time-dependent oscillatory sweep tests using a rheometer with a measuring system applying a grooved bob at atmospheric conditions. A high precision density meter was used to measure the density of the drilling fluid samples before and after each test. The measurement criteria used to rank the fluids stability include the yield stress as measured from flow curves and oscillatory tests, flow transition index, mechanical storage stability index, and dynamic sag index.
 We observed that between the two drilling fluids, the sample with OWR = 60/40 showed a stable dispersion with stronger network structure as evidenced by higher yield stress and flow transition index values, while the mechanical storage stability index and dynamic sag index recorded lower values. The results of this study enable drilling fluid engineers to design realistic oil-based drilling fluids with stable microstructure to mitigate settling and sagging of weight material particles for North Sea drilling operation.


ISU-type proteins mediate cluster transfer to apo protein targets. Rate constants have been determined for cluster transfer from ISU to apo Fd for both Homo sapiens and Schizosaccharomyces pombe proteins, and cross reactions have also been examined. Substitution of a key aspartate residue of ISU is found to decrease the rate of cluster transfer by at least an order of magnitude (for wild-type Hs ISU cluster transfer to Hs apo Fd, k(2) approximately 540 M(-1) min(-1), relative 56 M(-1) min(-1) for D37A ISU). This change in rate constant does not reflect any change in binding affinity of the ISU and Fd proteins. The pH dependencies of cluster transfer rates are similar for WT and D37A ISU, arguing against a role for Asp37 as a catalytic base, although evidence for general base catalysis mediating deprotonation of Cys from the apo target is supported by an observed pK(a) of 6.9 determined from the pH profiles for both WT and D37A ISU. Such a pK(a) value is at the lower limit for Cys and is common for solvent-accessible Cys thiols. The temperature dependence of the rate constant defining the cluster transfer reaction for wild type versus the aspartate derivative is distinct. Thermal activation parameters (DeltaH and DeltaS) are consistent with a solvent-accessible ISU-bound cluster, with desolvation as a principle barrier to cluster transfer. Experiments to determine the dependence of reaction rate constants on viscosity indicate cluster transfer to be rate-limiting. Fully oxidized cluster appears to be the natural state for transfer to target proteins. Reduced Fd does not readily reduce ISU-bound [2Fe-2S](2+) and does not promote cluster transfer to an apo Fd target.


Heat-loving quantum oscillations The shape of the Fermi surface in a conductor can be gleaned through quantum oscillations—periodic changes in transport properties as an external magnetic field is varied. Like most quantum properties, the phenomenon can usually be observed only at very low temperatures. Krishna Kumar et al. report quantum oscillations in graphene that do not go away even at the temperature of boiling water. Although "ordinary," low-temperature quantum oscillations die away, another oscillatory behavior sets in that is extremely robust to heating. These resilient oscillations appear only in samples in which graphene is nearly aligned with its hexagonal boron nitride substrate, indicating that they are caused by the potential of the moiré superlattice that forms in such circumstances. Science, this issue p. 181 Magnetotransport in graphene–hexagonal boron nitride heterostructures exhibits robust oscillations. Cyclotron motion of charge carriers in metals and semiconductors leads to Landau quantization and magneto-oscillatory behavior in their properties. Cryogenic temperatures are usually required to observe these oscillations. We show that graphene superlattices support a different type of quantum oscillation that does not rely on Landau quantization. The oscillations are extremely robust and persist well above room temperature in magnetic fields of only a few tesla. We attribute this phenomenon to repetitive changes in the electronic structure of superlattices such that charge carriers experience effectively no magnetic field at simple fractions of the flux quantum per superlattice unit cell. Our work hints at unexplored physics in Hofstadter butterfly systems at high temperatures.


The VLA and the BIMA array were used to obtain high resolution (10-20") observations of C+, traced by the C91a recombination line at 8.6 GHz, and the dense molecular gas, traced by HCN and HCO+(1-0), of the photon dominated region (PDR) associated with the reflection nebula NGC 2023. Using the VLA, continuum emission is detected at 8.6 GHz from a faint HII region associated with HD 37903. The C91a emission originates from a 0.4 pc long filament, extending from the east to the south of the exciting star HD 37903. Within the filament three C91a clumps can be distinguished, each associated with filamentary vibrationally excited H2 emission in the direction toward HD 37903. The HCO+ emission has a clumpy appearance superimposed on a more extended component. C91a is, in general, closer to the exciting star than HCO+ emission as expected from PDR models. The morphologies of HCO+ and HCN are quite similar. Based on the C91a linewidth towards one of the clumps a limit of 170 K on the kinetic temperature in the ionized carbon layer can be derived. This value is consistent with PDR models with H2 densities of about 10^5/cm^3. However, this result suggests surprisingly low limits on the turbulence in the PDR. We detected a compact 3 mm continuum source in the PDR, which appears to be a cold "core" of density 10^7/cm^3, 0.03 parsec diameter, and 6 solar masses. We conclude that it may have formed within the PDR. In an appendix, observations of the C91a recombination line toward five additional PDRs using the Effelsberg 100m telescope are described.


Historical contingency, such as the order of species arrival, can modify
competitive outcomes via niche modification or preemption. However how
these mechanisms ultimately modify stabilising niche and average fitness
differences remains largely unknown. By experimentally assembling two
congeneric spider mite species feeding on tomato plants during two
generations, we show that order of arrival interacts with species'
competitive ability to determine competitive outcomes. Contrary to
expectations, we did not observe that order of arrival cause priority
effects. In fact, coexistence was predicted when the inferior competitor
(Tetranychus urticae) arrived first. In that case, T. urticae colonized
the preferred feeding stratum (leaves) of T. evansi leading to spatial
niche preemption, which equalized fitness but also increased niche
differences, driving community assembly to a close-to-neutrality
scenario. Our study demonstrates how the spatial context of competitive
interactions interact with species competitive ability to influence the
effect of order of arrival on species coexistence.


The process-induced stress in interconnect structures in modern integrated circuits has a direct influence on the mean time to failure for the device. As the active devices are aggressively scaled to meet the constant demands of the industry, the interconnect structures are also being driven to smaller dimensions and this is increasing the demands made on material scientists to deliver high quality, stress-free metallization. We have demonstrated the measurement of process-induced stress in a single interconnect structure, fabricated in a CMOS compatible process, using a rotating beam sensor. We have shown its applicability in observing the variation in stress level from differing process conditions. Comparison of the rotation observed in the fabricated sensors with finite element simulation using ANSYS is discussed. The structure is suitable for use in a production environment and is scalable to deep sub-micron features for future technology nodes.


The purpose of this study was to determine pet‐related management factors that may be associated with the presence of Salmonella spp. in feces of pet dogs from volunteer households. From October 2005 until May 2006, 138 dogs from 84 households in Ontario were recruited to participate in a cross‐sectional study. Five consecutive daily fecal samples were collected from each dog and enrichment culture for Salmonella spp. was performed. A higher than expected number of the dogs (23.2%; 32/138) had at least one fecal sample positive for Salmonella, and 25% (21/84) of the households had at least one dog shedding Salmonella. Twelve serotypes of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica were identified, with the predominant serotypes being Typhimurium (33.3%; 13/39), Kentucky (15.4%; 6/39), Brandenburg (15.4%; 6/39) and Heidelberg (12.8%; 5/39). Univariable logistic regression models were created with a random effect for household to account for clustering. Statistically significant risk factors for a dog testing positive included having contact with livestock, receiving a probiotic in the previous 30 days, feeding a commercial or homemade raw food diet, feeding raw meat and eggs, feeding a homemade cooked diet, and having more than one dog in the household. In two‐variable models that controlled for feeding raw food, the non‐dietary variables were no longer statistically significant. These results highlight the potential public health risk of including raw animal products in canine diets.


The content of conscious perception is known to correlate with steady-state responses (SSRs), yet their causal relationship remains unclear. Can we manipulate conscious perception by directly interfering with SSRs through transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)? Here, we directly addressed this question in three experiments involving binocular rivalry and continuous flash suppression (CFS). Specifically, while participants (N=24) viewed either binocular rivalry or tried to detect stimuli masked by CFS, we applied sham or real tACS across parieto-occipital cortex at either the same or a different frequency and phase as an SSR eliciting flicker stimulus. We found that tACS did not differentially affect conscious perception in the forms of predominance, CFS detection accuracy, reaction time, or metacognitive sensitivity, confirmed by Bayesian statistics. We conclude that tACS application at frequencies of stimulus-induced SSRs does not have perceptual effects and that SSRs may be epiphenomenal to conscious perception.


Using zeolite-rich tuffs for improving soil properties and crop N-use efficiency is becoming popular. However, the mechanistic understanding of their influence on soil N-processes is still poor. This paper aims to shed new light on how natural and NH4+-enriched chabazite zeolites alter short-term N-ammonification and nitrification rates with and without the use of nitrification inhibitor (DMPP). We employed the 15N pool dilution technique to determine short-term gross rates of ammonification and nitrification in a silty-clay soil amended with two typologies of chabazite-rich tuff: (1) at natural state and (2) enriched with NH4+-N from an animal slurry. Archaeal and bacterial amoA, nirS and nosZ genes, N2O-N and CO2-C emissions were also evaluated. The results showed modest short-term effects of chabazite at natural state only on nitrate production rates, which was slightly delayed compared to the unamended soil. On the other hand, the addition of NH4+-enriched chabazite stimulated NH4+-N production, N2O-N emissions, but reduced NO3−-N production and abundance of nirS-nosZ genes. DMPP efficiency in reducing nitrification rates was dependent on N addition but not affected by the two typologies of zeolites tested. The outcomes of this study indicated the good compatibility of both natural and NH4+-enriched chabazite zeolite with DMPP. In particular, the application of NH4+-enriched zeolites with DMPP is recommended to mitigate short-term N losses.


nan el tema de vectores en pahispanohablantes. Descriptores: Test de conceptos vectoriales; test con opciones m ´ ultiples; ande confiabilidad; ande entendimiento. In a previous article (1) we presented an overview of the instrument "Test of Understanding of Vectors" (TUV) in English that evaluates students' understanding in vector concepts. This test was originally designed by us in Spanish (TUV-Spanish) and afterwards in English. The three objectives of this study are: 1) to present the test in Spanish and its design process, 2) to show that it is a reliable evaluation instrument with satisfactory discriminatory power following the analyses recommended by Ding et al. (2), and 3) to analyze the understanding in each of the vector concepts evaluated in the test of 585 students completing the introductory physics courses in a private Mexican university. The article has diverse implications. The design process and the reliable analyses presented in the article can be used by researchers that want to design multiple-choice tests. On the other hand, the analysis of students' understanding and the test in Spanish (that is included at the end of the article) can be employed by physics teachers that teaches vector concepts in Spanish-speaking countries.


An antenna-in-package solution is introduced for millimeter-wave applications. The solution is implemented in an asymmetric PCB technology incorporating 4 laminates of a Teflon-based and one laminate of a Ceramic-based material. A Horn-like element embedded in the PCB technology is designed and manufactured. The simulated and measured return losses are better than 10 dB in the frequency band 55–68 GHz, which makes the element suitable to be used for 60 GHz multi-Gb/Sec applications. The antenna element also provides 6 dB of gain with a ripple less that 0.5 dB from 53 GHz to 60 GHz. Moreover, 3 different arrays have been designed using the same Horn-like antenna as the radiating element. The simulated and measured radiation characteristics of all the antennas are investigated at different frequencies. It is shown that the antenna element is capable of being arrayed for applications where non-line-of-sight communication is needed or multi-path spatial diversity techniques are to be implemented.


The quantification of the mechanical stability of lipid bilayers is important in establishing composition-structure-property relations and sheds light on our understanding of the functions of biological membranes. Here, we designed an experiment to directly probe and quantify the nanomechanical stability and rigidity of the ceramide-enriched platforms that play a distinctive role in a variety of cellular processes. Our force mapping results have demonstrated that the ceramide-enriched domains require both methyl beta-cyclodextrin (MbCD) and chloroform treatments to weaken their highly ordered organization, suggesting a lipid packing that is different from that in typical gel states. Our results also show the expulsion of cholesterol from the sphingolipid/cholesterol-enriched domains as a result of ceramide incorporation. This work provides quantitative information on the nanomechanical stability and rigidity of coexisting phase-segregated lipid bilayers with the presence of ceramide-enriched platforms, indicating that that generation of ceramide in cells drastically alters the structural organization and the mechanical property of biological membranes.


In this paper, we present a non-contact, C-V technique for ultra-thin dielectrics on silicon. The technique uses incremental corona charging of dielectric and a measurement of the surface potential with a vibrating capacitive electrode. A differential quasistatic C-V curve is generated using time-resolved measurements. The technique incorporates transconductance corrections that enable corresponding ultra-low electrical oxide thickness (EOT) determination down to the sub-nanometer range. It also provides a means for monitoring the flat band voltage, v FB , the interface trap spectrum, D IT , and the total dielectric charge, Q TOT . This technique is seen as a replacement for not only MOS C-V measurements but also for mercury-probe C-V. In addition. EOT measurement by the corona C-V has a major advantage over optical thickness methods because it is not affected by water adsorption and molecular airborne contamination, MAC. These effects have been a problem for optical metrology of ultra-thin dielectrics.


Weather Surveillance Radar‐1988 Doppler (WSR‐88D) level II data and special sensor microwave imager (SSM/I) brightness temperature data were collocated to further investigate the use of the area‐time integral (ATI) technique in the estimation of satellite microwave rainfall amount based on the storm area coverage information. The concept of a strong relationship between the areal extent and time duration of precipitation and the total amount of precipitation seems to have been extant in radar meteorology for some time, primarily in the tropics. This strong relationship is again demonstrated using WSR‐88D data. However, it was found that this correlation strongly depends on the Z‐R relationship used in computing rain rate from radar reflectivity data. This study conducted two experiments: (1) using one Z‐R relationship for the whole storm rain area and (2) separating rain into two parts, convective and stratiform, and applying two Z‐R relationships. The area‐wide average rain rate from the storm as viewed from the satellite was calculated from the ATI formalism based on the relationships developed from the WSR‐88D data. The estimates were compared with the SSM/I 85‐GHz scattering algorithm estimates and verified using Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) observations and hourly rain gauge measurements. The results reveal that the ATI technique can be used as an alternative approach for determining and validating satellite precipitation parameters. The separation of convective and stratiform precipitation improved the relationship between the area‐wide average rain rate and fractional rainfall area and consequently improved the accuracy of satellite rainfall estimation.


To the Editor:— The two serious diseases which were found prevalent in the -histories of the Negro sharecroppers were gonorrhea and malaria. All these subjects had been under medical care and, as far as one could determine, had been cured. That they had been adequately treated and had recovered is not deplorable. Two subjects showed positive Wassermann reactions, and 1 of these was not a sharecropper. However, accepting the figure of 8 per cent, Roberts and Williams (South. M. J.30:458 [May] 1937) report an incidence of 11.7 per cent in the white population of Gibson County in Tennessee, and Usilton (Ven. Dis. Inform.16:147 [May] 1935) estimates that 8 per cent of males from 20 to 30 years of age contract syphilis. I cannot regret the fact that the figure for the Negroes is, if anything, lower than that for the white population. That the cardiac and respiratory signs found on clinical


Based on extensive research into newly discovered documents, this new edition of the popular volume offers an updated look at the daily lives of ordinary citizens caught up in the Civil War.
 When first published, Daily Life in Civil War America shifted the spotlight from the conflict's military operations and famous leaders to its affect on day-to-day living. Now this popular, groundbreaking work returns in a thoroughly updated new edition, drawing on an expanded range of journals, journalism, diaries, and correspondence to capture the realities of wartime life for soldiers and citizens, slaves and free persons, women and children, on both sides of the conflict.
 In addition to chapter-by-chapter updating, the edition features new chapters on two important topics: the affects of the war on families, focusing on the absence of men on the home front and the plight of nearly 26,000 children orphaned by the war; and the activities of the Copperheads, anti-Confederate border residents, and other Southern pacifist groups.


Relations between Lpu and H¡¡ are studied for the product space R1 x R1 in the case 1 < p < oo and u(xux2) = \Q\(x\)\p\Q2(x2)\pw(xi,X2), where Q\ and Qi are polynomials and w satisfies the Ap condition for rectangles. A description of the distributions in H¡¡ is given. Questions about boundary values and about the existence of dense subsets of smooth functions satisfying appropriate moment conditions are also considered.


In a definitive new account of the Soviet Union at war, Alexander Hill charts the development, successes and failures of the Red Army from the industrialisation of the Soviet Union in the late 1920s through to the end of the Great Patriotic War in May 1945. Setting military strategy and operations within a broader context that includes national mobilisation on a staggering scale, the book presents a comprehensive account of the origins and course of the war from the perspective of this key Allied power. Drawing on the latest archival research and a wealth of eyewitness testimony, Hill portrays the Red Army at war from the perspective of senior leaders and men and women at the front line to reveal how the Red Army triumphed over the forces of Nazi Germany and her allies on the Eastern Front, and why it did so at such great cost.


Part I: Fundamentals of Interviewing. Interviewing: The Principles Behind the Art. The Dynamic Structure of the Interview. Nonverbal Behaviour: The Interview as Mime. Assessment Perspectives: Pathways to Effective Treatment Planning. Part II: The Interview and Psychopathology. Interviewing Techniques in Depression and Other Mood Disorders. Interviewing Techniques While Exploring Psychosis. Personality Disorders: Reflections of the Social History. Part III: Advanced Techniques of Interviewing. Exploring Suicidal and Homicidal Ideation. The Mental Status and Vantage Points: Bridges to Psychotherapy. The Art of Moving with Resistance. Appendix I: Supervision Utilizing Facilic Analysis. Appendix II: Annotated Interview (Full 60-Minute Intake). Appendix III: The Written Document: Effective Strategies. Appendix IV: Tips for Passing the Oral Boards in Psychiatry. Glossary of Interview Supervision Terms.


Abstract. A total of 2.7 billion people live in areas where earthquakes causing at least slight
damage have to be expected regularly. Providing information can potentially
save lives and improve the resilience of a society. Maps are an established
way to illustrate natural hazards. Despite being mainly tailored to the
requirements of professional users, they are often the only accessible
information to help the public in deciding about mitigation measures. There is
evidence that hazard maps are frequently misconceived. Visual and textual
characteristics as well as the manner of presentation have been shown to
influence their comprehensibility. Using a real case reflecting current
practices, the material to communicate the updated seismic hazard model for
Switzerland was analyzed in a representative online survey of the population
( N=491 ) and in two workshops involving architects and engineers not
specializing in seismic retrofitting ( N=23 ). Although many best-practice
recommendations have been followed, the understanding of seismic hazard
information remains challenging. Whereas most participants were able to
distinguish hazardous from less hazardous areas, correctly interpreting
detailed results and identifying the most suitable set of information for
answering a given question proved demanding. We suggest scrutinizing current
natural-hazard communication strategies, empirically testing new products,
and exploring alternatives to raise awareness and enhance preparedness.


The Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) will be producing 2.2 terabyte HI spectral-line cubes for each 8 hours of observation by 2013. Global views of spectral data cubes are vital for the detection of instrumentation errors, the identification of data artefacts and noise characteristics, and the discovery of strange phenomena, unexpected relations, or unknown patterns. We have previously presented the first framework that can render ASKAP-sized cubes at interactive frame rates. The framework provides the user with a real-time interactive volume rendering by combining shared and distributed memory architectures, distributed CPUs and graphics processing units (GPUs), using the ray-casting algorithm. In this paper we present two main extensions of this framework which are: using a multi-panel display system to provide a high resolution rendering output, and the ability to integrate automated data analysis tools into the visualization output and to interact with its output in place.


1489 EGFR mutations are closely related with the response to the EGFR-tyrosine kinas inhibitors. Among more than 20 EGFR mutations described until now, the del 746-750 mutation on exon 19 has been reported to be a better predictor of the response than others. We investigated the response to EGFR inhibitors and the expression of EGFR-related signaling molecules in HCC827, PC-9 and H1650, non-small cell lung cancer cell lines with del 746-750 mutation. Gefitinib, erlotinib, Cl-387,785, ZD6474 and cetuximab were used for the inhibition of EGFR signals. HCC827 was sensitive to all EGFR inhibitors while H1650 did not respond well. PC-9 cells were also sensitive to all of them except cetuximab. Gefitinib inhibited EGFR phosphorylation and strongly reduced EGF-mediated downstream signals (p-Erk and p-Akt) in HCC827 and PC-9 cells. Moreover, cell death was induced in them after G1 arrest in presence of gefitinib. In contrast, the level of Akt phosphorylation was persisted in H1650 cells, although gefitinib completely inhibited EGFR phosphorylation. Treatment of H1650 cells with gefitinib led to G1 arrest, but did not induce cell death. In summary, three non-small cell lung cancer cell lines with same del 746-750 mutation show different response to EGFR inhibitors suggesting that additional contributing factors may be required to determine the sensitivity.


Summary form only given. We study an inventory control problem, under a stochastic demand process and with risk (i.e., variance) sensitive optimality criteria. Using convexity and semimodularity-type arguments, we present sufficient conditions for an optimal base-stock policy to exist, in the finite horizon problem. For the infinite horizon case, we show that there exists an ultimately stationary base-stock optimal policy.


In this paper, we investigate the identification problem of linear system theory from the viewpoint of nonlinear filtering. Following the work of Brockett and Mitter, one associates in a natural way a certain (infinite dimensional) Lie algebra of differential operators known as the estimation algebra of the problem. For the identification problem the estimation algebra is a subalgebra of a current algebra. In this paper we study questions of representation and integrability of current algebras as they impinge upon the identification problem. A Wei-Norman type procedure for the associated Cauchy problem is developed which reveals a sequence of functionals of the observations that play the role of joint sufficient statistics for the identification problem.


Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is becoming major thread to the whole world. Its toxic emissions mixed with virgin soil and air and causing harmful effects to the entire biota either directly or indirectly. Direct impacts include release of acids, toxic compounds including heavy metals, carcinogenic chemicals and indirect effects such as bio magnification of heavy metals. Many private firms are involved in collecting, dismantling, separation and exporting e-wastes for recyclers. However, strict regulations are currently being followed as on approval of such firms such as e-steward certification by Basel action network in US, they also involved in public awareness programs; this review is based on collected information from various journal articles, websites including the technical note by Greenpeace international. Further, it analyzes the current progress on e-waste management worldwide.


Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a global emergent arthritogenic alphavirus transmitted by anthropophilic Stegomyia mosquitoes. Chikungunya fever may evolve to chronic arthralgia in 57–80% of infected patients. This study was developed to identify possibly fast, simple low-cost biomarkers tomonitor chronic CHIKV-induced articular disease. Between 2017 and 2018, we analyzed clinical data of patients meeting the criteria established by standard protocols to define chronic chikungunya articular disease. Patients were classified according to the disease activity scores, inflammatory biomarkers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], ferritin, and C-reactive protein [CRP] serum), positive rheumatoid factor, comorbidities, smoking, and previous use of corticosteroids determined before beginning therapy. Of 106 patients, 98 (92.5%) were women with mean age of 52 ± 13 years, 6.8 ± 4.4 months of illness duration at the first medical appointment, and 6.7 ± 4.5 affected joints. Mean ESR (26 ± 19), CRP (2.6 ± 3.6), and stratified ferritin (144 ± 115) levels were normal according to reference values. There was no significance in comparing the levels of inflammatory biomarkers and the additional variables analyzed in the presence of moderate chronic joint disease in the study population. However, we identified a negative correlation between disease activity measures and duration of disease at the first medical evaluation after initial infection (P < 0.001), corroborating data observed in the literature.


The arid and semi arid areas comprise a large percentage of the land area in Africa. Communities in these areas have over the years depended on livestock production for livelihood. Livestock has traditionally served as source of food and a store of wealth in the arid and semi arid areas. However, the challenges posed by the harsh environmental factors, especially climate-change induced shocks are causing significant changes in livelihood strategies in the arid and semi-arid areas. Increasing numbers of households are shifting from pure pastoralist livelihood to crop farming with many growing vegetables commercially. This paper examines the factors driving this transition from pure pastoralist system to vegetable farming. It then assesses the strategies used by these new farmers to manage the fertility of the vegetable fields and the factors driving the use of these strategies. The paper finds that the shift to vegetable farming is driven by, among others, access to other sources of income, hence desire to diversify livelihoods. It also finds that, in general, these vegetable growers use a number of soil fertility management practices. The intensity of adoption of soil fertility management practices is driven by, among others, access to information and prior participation in govern soil conservation programs. The paper highlights the policy implications of these findings.

 Key words: Kenya, pastoralists, transition, vegetable farming, fertility management, drylands.


Multiple imputation (MI) is a popular method for handling missing data. In education research, it can be challenging to use MI because the data often have a clustered structure that need to be accommodated during MI. Although much research has considered applications of MI in hierarchical data, little is known about its use in cross-classified data, in which observations are clustered in multiple higher-level units simultaneously (e.g., schools and neighborhoods, transitions from primary to secondary schools). In this article, we consider several approaches to MI for cross-classified data (CC-MI), including a novel fully conditional specification approach, a joint modeling approach, and other approaches that are based on single- and two-level MI. In this context, we clarify the conditions that CC-MI methods need to fulfill to provide a suitable treatment of missing data, and we compare the approaches both from a theoretical perspective and in a simulation study. Finally, we illustrate the use of CC-MI in real data and discuss the implications of our findings for research practice.


Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common hepatic disorder, affecting 22–28% of the adult population and more than 50% of obese people all over the world. Modulation of the fatty acids in diet as a means of prevention against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in animal models (NAFLD) remains unclear. The treatment of NAFLD has not been described in specific guidelines so far. Thus, the justification for the study is to check modifications in macronutrients composition, fatty acids, in particular, play a significant role in the treatment of NAFLD regardless of weight loss. Aim To investigate different vegetable oils in prevention and progression of NAFLD in animal models. Methods For the experiment were used fifty C57BL/6J mice male fed with high fat and fructose diet (HFD) to induce the NAFLD status and they received different commercial vegetable oils for 16 weeks to prevent steatosis. Liver steatosis and oxidative stress parameters were analyzed using biochemical and histological methods. Fatty acids profile in the oils and in the liver samples was obtained. Results The high fat and fructose diet led to obesity and the vegetable oils offered were effective in maintaining body weight similar to the control group. At the end of the experiment (16 weeks), the HFHFr group had a greater body weight compared to control and treated groups (HFHFr: 44.20 ± 2.34 g/animal vs. control: 34.80 ± 3.45 g/animal; p < 0.001; HFHFr/OL: 35.40 ± 4.19 g/animal; HFHFr/C: 36.10 ± 3.92 g/animal; HFHFr/S: 36.25 ± 5.70 g/animal; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the HFD diet has caused an increase in total liver fat compared to control (p < 0.01). Among the treated groups, the animals receiving canola oil showed a reduction of hepatic and retroperitoneal fat (p < 0.05). These biochemical levels were positively correlated with the hepatic histology findings. Hepatic levels of omega-3 decreased in the olive oil and high fat diet groups compared to the control group, whereas these levels increased in the groups receiving canola and soybean oil compared to control and the high fat groups. Conclusion In conclusion, the commercial vegetable oils either contributed to the prevention or reduction of induced nonalcoholic fatty liver with high fat and fructose diet, especially canola oil.


In this work, we investigated the P-O bond cleavage of dianionic p-nitrophenyl phosphate monoester (p-NPP), with attack of aqueous methylamine on phosphorus, by using the hybrid quantum mechanical/effective fragment potential (QM/EFP) approach. We explored the structures, energetic properties, reaction mechanism, and charge distribution along the entire reaction coordinate. Our B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)/EFP results show that the cleavage of the P-O bond of p-NPP proceeds through a concerted mechanism with an activation energy of about 26 kcal/mol and an activation free energy at 39 degrees C of 23.6 kcal/mol, in good agreement with the experimental value of 27 kcal/mol. The reaction involves a trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) transition state with less initial bonding to the nucleophile than to the leaving group. The extent of the P-O(nitrophenolate) bond dissociation at the transition state, with methylamine as the nucleophile, is less than that with OH(-). The computed charge distribution along the reaction coordinate is consistent with a progressive charge transfer from the nitrogen atom of methylamine to the phosphate unit along the reaction coordinate. A new strategy to build the initial EFP cluster, by running a classical Monte Carlo simulation and analyzing the center-of-mass radial pair distribution function, was also used.