When completed, the PHANGS-HST project will provide a census of roughly 50,000 compact star clusters and associations, as well as human morphological classifications for roughly 20,000 of those objects. These large numbers motivated the development of a more objective and repeatable method to help perform source classifications. In this paper we consider the results for five PHANGS-HST galaxies (NGC 628, NGC 1433, NGC 1566, NGC 3351, NGC 3627) using classifications from two convolutional neural network architectures (RESNET and VGG) trained using deep transfer learning techniques. The results are compared to classifications performed by humans. The primary result is that the neural network classifications are comparable in quality to the human classifications with typical agreement around 70 to 80$\%$ for Class 1 clusters (symmetric, centrally concentrated) and 40 to 70$\%$ for Class 2 clusters (asymmetric, centrally concentrated). If Class 1 and 2 are considered together the agreement is 82 $\pm$ 3$\%$. Dependencies on magnitudes, crowding, and background surface brightness are examined. A detailed description of the criteria and methodology used for the human classifications is included along with an examination of systematic differences between PHANGS-HST and LEGUS. The distribution of data points in a colour-colour diagram is used as a 'figure of merit' to further test the relative performances of the different methods. The effects on science results (e.g., determinations of mass and age functions) of using different cluster classification methods are examined and found to be minimal.


Introduction: Chronic postoperative pain, defined as persistent pain at the surgical incision site 3 months after a procedure, is a common complaint in orthopedic practice. Almost 50% of patients who undergo orthopedic surgery are presumably affected by this complaint. The objective of this study is to evaluate the lidocaine patch 5% as a method for neuropathic pain treatment after orthopedic surgery compared with therapeutic massage performed over the incisions. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized clinical trial of 37 patients who underwent orthopedic surgery from January 2015 to February 2017. All individuals were assessed using the pain visual analog scale (VAS) and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire at treatment onset and at 30, 60 and 90 days of treatment. Results: Both groups showed improvement in pain, although the group using the patch showed a greater reduction of pain over time. There were no significant differences in the parameters assessed by the SF-36: physical functioning, physical role functioning, vitality, emotional role functioning, social role functioning, general health perceptions or mental health. The main advantage of the patch lay in the degree of patient satisfaction, which was significantly higher than that of massage, most likely because the patch is easily applied and generates a psychological effect as a drug therapy. Conclusion: The lidocaine patch and massage are effective treatment methods for reducing scar pain that show similar results. The patch is associated with an improvement in the degree of patient satisfaction.


San Francisco-Patient noncompliance can be overcome with the delivery of medication to the eye with intraocular time-release systems, according to James P. Gills, MD, who spoke during the Innovator's Session at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.


SummaryThe developments in gene expression analysis have made it possible to sub-classify hormone receptor-positive (luminal) breast cancer in different prognostic subgroups. This sub-classification is currently used in clinical routine as prognostic signature (e.g. 21-gene Onoctype DX®, 70-gene Mammaprint®). As yet, the optimal method for sub-classification has not been defined. Moreover, there is no evidence from prospective trials. This review explores widely used genomic signatures in luminal breast cancer, making a critical appraisal of evidence from retrospective/prospective trials. It is based on systematic literature search performed using Medline (accessed September 2013) and abstracts presented at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.


This study was conducted to evaluate natural plant extracts for methane gas reduction in ruminants. Rumen fluid was collected from cannulated Hanwoo cow (450±30 kg) consuming 400 g/kg concentrate and 600 g/kg timothy. The 15 ml of mixture comparing McDougall's buffer and rumen fluid in the ratio 2 to 1, was dispensed anaerobically into 50 ml serum bottles. Rumen fluid contents were collected and in vitro fermentation prepared control (timothy, 300 mg), ginseng, balloon flower, yucca plant, camellia, tea plant and ogapi extracts were added at the level of 5% against 300 mg of timothy as a substrate (v/w) and incubated for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. In vitro pH values range 6.55~7.41, this range include rumen titration. The dry matter digestibility was not differ between all treatments and control. Total gas emission was significantly higher (p<0.05) in ginseng and balloon flower treatments on 24 h than in control. Carbon dioxide emission was not differ all treatments on 9 h than in control and significantly higher (p<0.05) yucca plant, camellia and tea plant treatments on 12 h than control. Methane emission was not differ all treatments on 6 h than in control. The rumen microbial growth rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in ginseng, balloon flower on 12 h and significantly higher (p<0.05) in ginseng, yucca plant, tea plant and ogapi treatments on 24 h than in control. Total VFA was significantly higher (p<0.05) in tea plant and ogapi treatments on 12 h than in control and significantly higher (p<0.05) in ginseng, balloon flower treatments on 48 h than in control. Acetic acid was significantly lower (p<0.05) in ginseng and balloon flower treatments on 24 h than in control. Propionic acid was significantly higher (p<0.05) in ginseng and balloon flower treatments on 48 h than in control. As a results, sixth natural plant extracts had no significant effect dry matter digestibility and negative on rumen fermentation, but not effect methane reduction.


The magnetic particle imaging (MPI) performance of collections of chains of magnetic nanoparticles with Néel and Brownian relaxation mechanisms was studied by carrying out simulations based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation and rotational Brownian dynamics, respectively. The effect of magnetic dipole–dipole interactions within chains on the time-domain average magnetic dipole moment and corresponding dynamic hysteresis loops, harmonic spectra, and point spread functions (PSFs) of the particle chains was evaluated. The results show that interactions within chains lead to 'square-like' dynamic hysteresis loops and enhanced MPI performance, compared to chains of non-interacting nanoparticles. For nanoparticles with the Brownian relaxation mechanism, subjected to a superimposed alternating and ramping magnetic field mimicking the magnetic field in MPI applications, we studied the dependence of x-space MPI performance of particle chains on parameters such as the amplitude of the alternating magnetic field, surface-to-surface separation between nanoparticles, solvent viscosity, and the number of nanoparticles in a chain. The results illustrate that magnetic dipole-dipole interactions within a chain contribute to enhanced MPI performance, and also suggest that there exist optimal values of the above parameters that lead to the best x-space MPI performance, i.e. maximum peak signal intensity and smallest full-width-at-half-maximum in PSFs.


Water soluble polyphenols content of 15 species of brown seaweeds collected from Goa, Mandapam and Visakhapatnam Coasts, (India) have been reported. The concentration ranged from 0.23 to 2.06% dry wt. Analysis of different parts of Sargassum and Turbinaria revealed that polyphenols accumulate with variable quantities with a maximum in apical frond like portions and minimum in the middle thallus


Seventy per cent of the Indian population (820 million people) resides in rural India consisting of 0.6 million villages largely lacking in basic infrastructure and connectivity. The rural population is mainly engaged in agriculture which has very low productivity. Further, even non agricultural occupations in rural India are characterized by low productivity levels. Given this situation, there is no doubt that if India is to continue on its current path of healthy growth rates, efforts have to be made to ensure that this growth is inclusive. We cannot afford to neglect rural India. ICT connectivity is especially essential for mainstreaming rural areas. It can help reduce isolation and increases awareness level of the rural population. ICT can facilitate access to education, health, and markets and increase knowledge and productivity levels of rural Indians. Broadband access in particular becomes especially important in situations where the other infrastructure is inadequate (roads, administrative machinery etc). Liberalization, competition and effective regulation have brought impressive gains to Indian telecommunications. However these telecom reforms are not enough for bringing about the desired level of telecom penetration in rural/remote areas which suffer from both supply side and demand side constraints such as difficult terrain, insurgency, lack of supporting infrastructure(roads, power) scattered populations, low income levels etc. In such a scenario, the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) plays an important and multi-faceted role: a) To incentivise telecom service providers to venture into rural/remote areas, b) To facilitate rural roll out c) To reduce costs and hence end user prices and d) To increase affordability of telecommunication services. The USOF's tools for fulfilling its objectives could include: subsidy support to reduce/close the viability gap, pursuance and liaison with state/local authorities to facilitate rural roll out, encouragement and support for the adoption of innovative solutions to overcome constraints such as power, backhaul etc, encouraging the sharing of infrastructure at discounted rates and building in special tariff plans for target beneficiaries where required. Funding methodology: As of March 2009, the potential funding by way of USL balance is Rs 112.43 billion while as on Septembers 2009, disbursements had crossed Rs 94 billion. Funds are made available to the USOF through the budgetary process. These are to be utilized in accordance with USOF Rules while abiding by the Government's policy directions and Government of India rules and regulations on financial propriety. The subsidy scheme design is a multi-pronged process: • First, the overall scheme is conceptualized including decisions on service deliverables (to other service providers or to end customers) • Second, the infrastructure elements to be created/augmented/shared (if any) are identified • Third, the appropriate costing is decided on, which is based on prevailing market rates/historical costs • Next, benchmarking is carried out to arrive at maximum subsidy rate/offered subsidy level. • Subsidy modeling is done to ensure correct level and structure of incentives for long term sustainability of services. • Then, a decision is made on the subsidy disbursement schedule and associated conditions (building in safeguards to ensure proper implementation) • Service rates to may be discounted appropriately to ensure affordability of telecom services for target beneficiaries • Finally, the USOF carries out the tendering process. The USOF is a comprehensive fund disbursal mechanism. It not only utilizes an all India network of departmental offices for subsidy disbursement but also carries out regular post payment verification and closely monitors ground level implementation of schemes. In this manner effective utilisation of funds is ensured and leakages are avoided. Lessons learned and the way forward: USOF activities carried out since 2002 have served to provide valuable insights into planning and implementation issues. Some of these are: (i) Public Access Schemes have shown that it is best to organize service provision along commercial lines. A solid, monitoring, awareness and feedback mechanism should be in place. (ii) Experience with individual access (Rural DEL Schemes)schemes suggests that the practicality of the monitoring requirement must be assessed carefully. Extending telecom coverage with a minimum QoS is perhaps a better approach. (iii) The Mobile Infrastructure scheme has demonstrated that rural areas hold tremendous potential for mobile services. However, there are several constraints too. For example, inadequate access to power supply is a key challenge for service providers. Land acquisition and backhaul are other difficulties encountered in rural roll outs. Going forward, USOF is coming up with various schemes and projects to overcome challenges and provide the much needed telecommunications connectivity to rural areas. However, that being said, it is essential to note that the USOF is not a universal panacea. USOF efforts must be supplemented by simultaneous programs towards overall rural infrastructural development including the areas of IT, education, power etc. A much greater level of coordination and mutual leveraging amongst various rural development programs is called for.


The insulin-deficient state induces profound changes in bile formation. The present work was to test the effect of acute insulin administration on lipid secretion into bile in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (6 mg/100 g body-weight, i.p., 6 days before the experiments). Bile formation was stimulated by taurocholate infusion (0.5 mumol/min/100 g body-weight). Intravenous administration of insulin (bolus: 100 mU/100 g body-weight, plus infusion: 5 mU/min/100 g body-weight) induced choleresis accompanied by a slight and transient enhancement in bile acid output which was similar to that found in lecithin and cholesterol output in the control group. However, insulin induced a rapid and significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in biliary lipid output in the diabetic rats. These results suggest that insulin may play an important role in mechanisms other than synthesis involved in the supply of biliary lipids towards the canaliculi.


OBJECTIVES
The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of implant length on implant survival and patient satisfaction during the first 24 months in function.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective cohort of 312 "short" Straumann(®) SLActive(®) implants (length ≤ 8 mm) in 224 patients, which were inserted between 2008 and 2010 in private practice, were evaluated. The mean observation period was 26.7 ± 9.7 months. Three hundred and eighty-two Straumann SLActive(®) implants in 192 patients with a length ≥ 12 mm served as control group. The mean observation period in the control group was 28.3 ± 10.1 months. Implant survival rate, crown-to-implant ratio, resonance frequency analysis, and patient satisfaction were evaluated.

RESULTS
Implant survival rate was 99% in the test vs. 98.7% in the control group. The crown-to-implant ratio was significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.0001). Resonance frequency analysis showed slightly higher values for the short implants. There was a tendency to higher satisfaction (Oral Health Impact Profile [OHIP]) in the test group without statistical significant differences but a high overall satisfaction in both groups.

CONCLUSION
Within the limits of the present investigation, implant length had no significant influence on implant survival during the first 24 months of function of the specific implant system with hydrophilic surface (SLActive(®) ). Further follow-up studies are required to evaluate long-term results of the reduced implant length.


This work describes a one-dimensional (1-D) steady-state model of the Hartmann boundary layers appropriate to a high-density rotating plasma which is in local thermodynamic equilibrium. The purpose of the model is to predict the performance of high-pressure plasma centrifuges, and approximations appropriate to magnetohydrodynamic plasmas are made. Transport properties are calculated using a chemical equilibrium approximation which should apply at high densities in a plasma centrifuge. As well as rotation in the azimuthal direction, the model shows that there is plasma circulation in the radial direction, arising both from convection of the neutral particles with the ions ("ion wind") and the nonuniform distribution of the centrifugal force in the axial direction (conventional secondary flow). Calculated results have been compared with experimental data from a rotating argon plasma. The agreement is reasonable.


The method of matching pursuits utilizes a nonlinear iterative procedure to project a given waveform onto a particular dictionary. For scattering problems, the most appropriate dictionary is composed of wave objects that are consistent with the underlying wave phenomenology. A signal scattered from most targets of interest can be decomposed in terms of wavefronts, resonances, and chirps-and each of these subclasses can be further subdivided based on characteristic wave physics. Here, we investigate the efficacy of applying the method of matching pursuits with a wave-based dictionary for the processing of scattering data. The performance of this algorithm is examined for scattering data with and without additive noise.


Deliberate self-harm predominantly occurs in women under the age of 30 years. This qualitative case study using feminist methods explored the experiences of three women who each had a long history of self-harming behaviour. Psychoanalytical concepts are used to explore the meaning of the conflicts that these women experience. Emergent themes include: great expectations, I speak but no one hears, sexual naivety meets sexual violence, and redrawing the sexual map. This thematic analysis helps facilitate an insight into what these women are trying to communicate, and provides guidance for mental health professionals to more effectively respond to the challenges of working with women who self-harm.


Myanmar is a thriving country in Southeast Asia and is facing future earthquake risks caused by the Sagaing Fault. Under these circumstances, Yangon must implement earthquake risk reduction measures in future development. Applying the building collapse risk evaluation method proposed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and analyzing current and future urban conditions of Yangon City based on available datasets, this study aimed to (1) evaluate present urban vulnerability focusing on building collapse risk, (2) clarify its future expansion tendency based on residential area development conditions from 2004 to 2018, and (3) estimate future building collapse risk in terms of future urban expansion limitation with urban function and building vulnerability in order to obtain useful information on earthquake risk reduction for future development in Yangon. Mainly, this research clarified as follows: (1) The inventory provided by YCDC (Yangon City Development Committee) showed that wooden buildings and RC accounted for 93.8% of all buildings in Yangon. (2) In order to understand the present urban vulnerability of Yangon based on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's method, 567 objective wards were categorized into five ranks according to the building collapse risk value. It indicated that building collapse risk in the Dawpon and Tharkayta Townships, located on the west side of Pazundaung Creek, were the highest. Some newly developed outskirts areas, such as Hlaingtharyar or Dala, also appeared as vulnerable with Ranks 4 and 5. (3) Yangon's urban development conditions from 2004 to 2018 were visually clarified. Then, the relationships between the number of buildings, residential district area, and population according to townships were analyzed to estimate future development. (4) Finally, two types of urban development scenarios were set: Scenario A based on urban expansion limitation and urban function, and Scenario B based on building vulnerability. Then, the future building collapse risk trend from 2014 until 2040 was estimated. It was found that the Sub-center System would deter future urban sprawl in the future more than the Super CBD Single-core System, and the number of damaged buildings can be reduced by 43.5% at most in Dagon Seikkan.


In this paper, we study the estimation of a rank-one spiked tensor in the presence of heavy tailed noise. Our results highlight some of the fundamental similarities and differences in the tradeoff between statistical and computational efficiencies under heavy tailed and Gaussian noise. In particular, we show that, for $p$ th order tensors, the tradeoff manifests in an identical fashion as the Gaussian case when the noise has finite $4(p-1)$ th moment. The difference in signal strength requirements, with or without computational constraints, for us to estimate the singular vectors at the optimal rate, interestingly, narrows for noise with heavier tails and vanishes when the noise only has finite fourth moment. Moreover, if the noise has less than fourth moment, tensor SVD, perhaps the most natural approach, is suboptimal even though it is computationally intractable. Our analysis exploits a close connection between estimating the rank-one spikes and the spectral norm of a random tensor with iid entries. In particular, we show that the order of the spectral norm of a random tensor can be precisely characterized by the moment of its entries, generalizing classical results for random matrices. In addition to the theoretical guarantees, we propose estimation procedures for the heavy tailed regime, which are easy to implement and efficient to run. Numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate their practical merits.


To analyze the nutritive value and active principles of cinnamon and turmeric, prepare respective spice capsules and to supplement the diets of hyperlipidemic diabetic adults with the spice capsules for a period of three months. A group of 45 mild to moderate hyperlipidemic diabetics were selected for the supplementation study and were divided into three groups (15 each), two supplementation groups and one control group. To one group, cinnamon and to the other turmeric, both in the form of capsules were supplemented. Clinical examination and biochemical parameters were evaluated before and after supplementation. Most of the clinical symptoms experienced by the cinnamon supplemented group disappeared whereas only few symptoms disappeared in turmeric supplemented group. Cinnamon supplemented group of hyperlipidemic diabetics showed a maximum reduction in lipid and blood sugar levels which were significant at one per cent level. No change was observed in the turmeric supplemented and control group. A positive trend in the control of lipid profile and blood sugar levels was evident in cinnamon supplemented group and longer periods of dietary supplementation of spices could help to maintain the lipid and blood sugar levels.


As a result of China's increasing presence in Africa, Chinese urban development projects are increasing in number in the continent's cities. In Nairobi, Chinese development aid and state companies are helping to build road infrastructure. Chinese property developers, who are for the most part private, are building and selling housing for the middle classes. Urban projects being carried out by public and private Chinese players are helping the development of the Kenyan capital and the exportation of Chinese urban planning and design practices to Africa. They represent a vector of the power of attraction of China. This article sets out the results of a field study.


This paper develops a physical model of a MEMS capacitive accelerometer in order to use the accelerometer effectively in low-g motion tracking applications. The proposed physical model includes common physical parameters used to rate an accelerometer: scale factor, bias, and misalignment. Simple experiments used to reveal the behavior and characteristics of these parameters are described. A phenomenological modeling method is used to establish mathematical representations of these parameters in relation to errors such as nonlinearity, hysteresis, cross-axis effect, and temperature effect, without requiring a complete understanding of the underlying physics. Experimental results are presented, in which the physical model reduces RMSE by 93.1% in comparison with the manufacturer's recommended method.


Nitriding process is a process that can enhance mechanical properties as well as the
corrosion rate of steels. Hence due to this reason, nitriding had become one of the desirable
method used for surface treatment in producing material with high quality of performance.
The main purpose of this project is to enhance the corrosion resistance of austenitic
stainless steel which used normally in oil and gas industry. This project is mostly
concentrating on conducting the gas nitriding process and investigation is made to define
the effect of nitriding process on the pipe in terms of corrosion resistance and
microstructure. The high temperature gas nitriding process was subjected on A316L
austenitic stainless steel at the temperature of 1200°C for 8 hours holding time. The
samples were undergoing the metallography process to see and compare of the
microstructure of treated and untreated AISI 316. The microstructures of the nitrided
stainless steel were found they are twin formation which can be can divided into two
patterns which is suspended twin and transgranular twin. Besides that, the samples
undergo Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) test in order to check the nitrogen content
after the stainless steel was nitrided. The nitrogen content is expressed in duration curve
which shows that the diffusion of the nitrogen throughout the whole pipe after nitriding
process are uniformed. Moreover, the immersion test was carried out to compare the
corrosion rate before and after nitriding.


Using cyclic shear to drive a two-dimensional granular system, we determine the structural characteristics for different interparticle friction coefficients. These characteristics are the result of a competition between mechanical stability and entropy, with the latter's effect increasing with friction. We show that a parameter-free maximum-entropy argument alone predicts an exponential cell order distribution, with excellent agreement with the experimental observation. We show that friction only tunes the mean cell order and, consequently, the exponential decay rate and the packing fraction. We further show that cells, which can be very large in such systems, are short-lived, implying that our systems are liquidlike rather than glassy.


In 1976, we decided to review the files of the scoliosis clinic at Ste-Justine Hospital in Montreal. We found 2,237 patients with scoliosis, 212 of them are classified as congenital. At this time, congenital scoliosis were the major unresolved problems. We decided to look at an experimental model, to study the physio-pathological mechanism of the induction of these malformations. We chose the mouse as the experimental animal, and "hypobaric hypoxia" as the teratogenic agent. With this model, we can produce, malformations at different levels of the spine, if we treat at different days of pregnancy. For example, if we treat the mothers in the 10th day of her pregnancy, we get 90% of malformed embryos, at the lumbar level. All the malformations reproduced in the mice, are similar to those found in humans. We have also demonstrated no difference in the morphology of these malformations from birth to maturity, in contradiction with Epstein, who said that the majority of cleft vertebrae will disappear with bone maturation. We have also demonstrated that these malformations are present in the cartilaginous stage of development of the vertebral column. Our findings are in contradiction with Nassim's who stated, that congenital vertebral malformations are produced by an abnormal ossification process on a normal cartilage primum. Finally, our findings are in agreements with those of Dr. Uhthoff, who showed that congenital vertebral malformations are present in cartilaginous stage of development in human embryos.


Abstract The horizontal momentum exchange process between cumulus clouds and their environment are examined. A general formula is also derived for the rates of entrainment and detrainment of momentum of a cumulus cloud ensemble. These general entrainment and detrainment rates are found to depend on the cloud mass entrainment/detrainment rate and cloud dynamic properties in a way quite different from that assumed in previous parameterization studies. The formula is applied to two simple cloud models. It is shown that even in the context of these simple models, the general formulation gives substantially different results.


ABSTRACT Two rival approaches to property rights dominate contemporary political philosophy: Lockean natural rights and egalitarian theories of distributive justice. This article defends a third approach, which can be traced to the work of David Hume. Unlike Lockean rights, Humean property rights are not grounded in pre-institutional moral entitlements. In contrast to the egalitarian approach, which begins with highly abstract principles of distributive justice, Humean theory starts with simple property conventions and shows how more complex institutions can be justified against a background of settled property rights. Property rights allow people to coordinate their use of scarce resources. For property rules to serve this function effectively, certain questions must be considered settled. Treating existing property entitlements as having prima facie validity facilitates cooperation between people who disagree about distributive justice. Lockean and egalitarian theories endorse moral claims that threaten to unsettle property conventions and undermine social cooperation.


Meaningful proportions of households on the South African Highveld regularly use energy carriers that result in the emission of significant quantities of particulate and gaseous pollutants. Dirty fuels are mostly used by lower-income households, with the exception of recreational wood use that is also prevalent in higher-income households. The dirty fuel use patterns and trends observed on the Highveld are the result of the unique combination of the utility, accessibility, affordability, availability, and desirability of the energy carriers and equipment, climatological factors, markets and infrastructure, as well as the inertia of historic energy use patterns. There are no systematic reviews and prognosis of the use of dirty fuels by low-income households on the South African Highveld that consider critical recent events such as the Covid pandemic and emerging dynamics such as the just transition movement. In this article we will use a literature review as well as our own research to describe dirty fuel use by low-income households on the Highveld, paying specific attention to changes over time. We will attempt to describe what is being used, who the users are, and for which utilities fuels are being used. From these descriptions, specific patterns emerge that shed light on possible avenues and prospects for ending dirty fuel use on the Highveld.


We propose that the anomalous Cretaceous vertical motion of Australia and distinctive geochemistry and geophysics of the Australian-Antarctic Discordance (AAD) were caused by a subducted slab which migrated beneath the continent during the Cretaceous, stalled within the mantle transition zone, and is presently being drawn up by the Southeast Indian Ridge. During the Early Cretaceous the eastern interior of the Australian continent rapidly subsided, but must have later uplifted on a regional scale. Beneath the AAD the mantle is cooler than normal, as indicated by a variety of observations. Seismic tomography shows an oblong, slab-like structure orientated N-S in the transition zone and lower mantle, consistent with an old subducted slab. Using a three-dimensional model of mantle convection with imposed plate tectonics, we show that both of these well documented features are related. The models start with slabs dipping toward the restored eastern Australian margin. As Australia moves east in a hot spot reference frame from 130-90 Ma, a broad dynamic topography depression of decreasing amplitude migrates west across the continent causing the continent to subside and then uplift. Most of the slab descends into the deeper mantle, but the models show part of the cooler mantle becomes trapped within the transition zone. From 40 Ma to the present, wisps of this cool mantle are drawn up by the northwardly migrating ridge between Australia and Antarctica. This causes a circular dynamic topography depression and thinner crust to develop at the present position of the AAD. The AAD is unique within the ocean basins because it is the only place where a modern ridge has migrated over the position of long term Mesozoic subduction. Our study demonstrates the predictive power of mantle convection models when they incorporate plate tectonics.


The goal of motion segmentation and layer extraction can be viewed as the detection and localization of occluding surfaces. A feature that has been shown to be a particularly strong indicator of occlusion, in both computer vision and neuroscience, is the T-junction; however, little progress has been made in T-junction detection. One reason for this is the difficulty in distinguishing false T-junctions (i.e. those not on an occluding edge) and real T-junctions in cluttered images. In addition to this, their photometric profile alone is not enough for reliable detection. This paper overcomes the first problem by searching for T-junctions not in space, but in space-time. This removes many false T-junctions and creates a simpler image structure to explore. The second problem is mitigated by learning the appearance of T-junctions in these spatiotemporal images. An RVM T-junction classifier is learnt from hand-labelled data using SIFT to capture its redundancy. This detector is then demonstrated in a novel occlusion detector that fuses Canny edges and T-junctions in the spatiotemporal domain to detect occluding edges in the spatial domain.


In this paper, a multi-objective load shedding framework on the power system is presented. The frame work is useable in any kind of smart power systems; the word of smart here refers to the availability of data transmission infrastructure (like PLC or power line carrier) in the system, in order to carry the system data to the load shedding framework. This is an open framework that means it can optimize load shedding problem by considering unlimited number of objective functions, in other word, the number of objectives can be as much as the operator decides, finally in the end of frame work just one matrix breaker state is chosen in a way of having the most compatibility with the operator ideas which are determined by objectives importance percentage which are one input groups of the framework. A two-stage methodology is used for the optimal load shedding problem. In the first stage, Discrete Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization method is used to find a collection of the best states of load shedding (Pareto front). In the second stage, the fuzzy logic is used as a Pareto front inference engine. Fuzzy selection algorithm (FSA) is designed in a way that it can infer according to the operator's opinion without the expert interference that means rule base is formed automatically by fuzzy algorithm. FSA is consisted of two parts. Membership functions and rules base are formed automatically in the first part, the former in accordance with the costs of Pareto front particles and the latter in correspondence with importance percentage of objectives which are entered to FSA by operator; in other word, decision matrix is formed automatically in the algorithm according to the cost of Pareto front particles and importance percentage of objectives. In the Second part, Mamdani inference engine scrutinizes the Pareto front particles by the use of formed membership functions and rules base to know if they are compatible to operator's opinion or not. Getting this approach, cost functions of each particle are considered as the inputs of (FSA), then a fuzzy combined fitness (FCF) is allocated to each Pareto front particle by Mamdani inference engine. In other word, FCF shows how much the particle is compatible to the operator's opinion. Finding minimum FCF, final inference is done. The proposed method is tested on 30-bus, and 118-bus IEEE systems by considering two or three objective functions and the results are presented.


Purpose Knowledge is fundamental that is able to make the company succeed and survive in different conditions. The focus of this study to test and analyze the role of tacit knowledge in innovation capability in sharia banking. Another factor that is capable of dang very important that the existence of social capital that are determinants of tacit knowledge sharing that leads to innovation capability in Islamic bangking
Design / methodology / approach This study begins with an overview of the literature related to the field of tacit knowledge sharing, knowledge quality, socal capital and innovation capability, then made a hypothesis that was developed based on the model that has been created. Then validated through a survey on 210 respondents. Mechanical analysis using statistical test equipment SEM-PLS
Finding The third variable that tacit knowledge, social capital and knowledge quality has a significant influence on innovation capability, these findings differ from previous findings. In this study, knowledge quality directly influence a positive and significant impact on innovation capability.
The practical implications organization that exists today has a very tight competition that is necessary to an understanding of innovation capability. The success obtained from the application of innovation capability is expected to be applied to other organizations that are just starting out or even walking. The application of knowledge management in addition to explicitly also expected to use the tacit knowledge, because tacit knowledge in research has been able to become a moderator of the innovation capability of variables.
Originality / value Many studies or literature that has been discussed about knowledge management in various sectors, but there is little research linking knowledge management (tacit knowledge) to the innovation capability in Islamic banking.
Discussion This study focused on the role of tacit knowledge sharing on innovation capability, which is supported by other factors such as social capital.


We present a rare case of mosaicism for a structural abnormality of chromosome 12 in a patient with phenotypic features of Pallister-Killian syndrome. A six-month-old child with dysmorphic features, exotropia, hypotonia, and developmental delay was mosaic for both a normal karyotype and a cell line with 12p duplication/triplication in 25 percent of metaphase cells. Utilization of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) identified three copies of probes from the end of the short arm of chromosome 12 (TEL(12p13) locus and the subtelomere (12p terminal)) on the structurally abnormal chromosome 12. Genome-wide SNP array analysis revealed that the regions of duplication and triplication were of maternal origin. The abnormal cell line in our patient was present at 25 percent at six months and 19 months of age in both metaphase and interphase cells from peripheral blood, where typically the isochromosome 12p is absent in the newborn. This may suggest that the gene(s) resulting in a growth disadvantage of abnormal cells in peripheral blood of patients with tetrasomy 12p may not have the same influence when present in only three copies.


The cholinolytic activity of the following compounds and their toxicity in mice has been determined: atropine, atropine methylnitrate, 2-diethylaminoethyl cyclopentylhydroxy-(2-thienyl)-acetate (WIN 2299), 1-phenyl-1-cyclo-hexyl-3-piperidino-1-propanol (WIN 511) and the corresponding metho-salts of the last two compounds, WIN 4369 and WIN 1593, respectively.

In barbitalized dogs, the relative order of effectiveness in antagonizing the action of carbachol on blood pressure, salivation and intestinal motility was as follows: WIN 4369 > atropine methylnitrate > atropine sulfate > WIN 1593 > WIN 2299 > WIN 511.

Blockade of pilocarpine-induced salivation in unanesthetized rabbits was obtained with the following order of activity: atropine methylnitrate-800; WIN 4369-320; WIN 1593-130; atropine sulfate-100; WIN 2299-12 and WIN 511-5.

On the isolated rabbit intestine stimulated with acetylcholine, WIN 4369 and WIN 2299 were twice as active as atropine and WIN 1593. Atropine methylnitrate was somewhat more active than atropine.

By instillation into the conjunctival sac of cats, mydriatic activity was as follows: atropine sulfate > WIN 2299 > atropine methylnitrate > WIN 4369 > WIN 511 = WIN 1593.

The negative inotropic effect of acetylcholine on the isolated turtle auricles was reduced or abolished by atropine sulfate and WIN 2299 in about the same concentrations. WIN 4369 and atropine methylnitrate were somewhat less active. WIN 511 was the least active on this preparation.

The central nervous system stimulating effects of the tertiary amines were greater than those of the corresponding quaternary compounds. Atropine and WIN 2299 were the most stimulating.

The nature of the difference in activity between parasympatholytic tertiary amines and the corresponding quaternary ammonium compounds is discussed. It is assumed that the greater activity of the metho-salts is most likely due to a greater specific adsorbability to the receptor and not to the fact that the tertiary amines ionize to a lesser degree.


The microenvironment of tumors is characterized by structural changes in the fibronectin matrix, which include increased deposition of the EDA isoform of fibronectin and the unfolding of the fibronectin Type III domains. The impact of these structural changes on tumor progression is not well understood. The fibronectin EDA (FnEDA) domain and the partially unfolded first Type III domain of fibronectin (FnIII-1c) have been identified as endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs), which induce innate immune responses by serving as agonists for Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs). Using two triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231, we show that FnEDA and FnIII-1c induce the pro-tumorigenic cytokine, IL-8, by serving as agonists for TLR5 and TLR2, the canonical receptors for bacterial flagellin and lipoprotein, respectively. We also find that FnIII-1c is not recognized by MDA-MB-468 cells but is recognized by MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting a cell type rather than ligand specific utilization of TLRs. As IL-8 plays a major role in the progression of TNBC, these studies suggest that tumor-induced structural changes in the fibronectin matrix promote an inflammatory microenvironment conducive to metastatic progression.


The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of two probiotics and a prebiotic (inulin) on intestinal microbiota of rats exposed to cadmium and mercury. Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups. All groups except control group were fed standard rat chow with 5% inulin and treated as follows: i) control (standard diet), ii) Lactobacillus plantarum - treated group (1×109 CFU/day), iii) Bacillus coagulans -treated group (1×109 spores/day), iv) cadmium-treated group (200 μg/rat/day), v) L. plantarum and cadmium-treated group, vi) B. coagulans and cadmium-treated group, vii) mercury-treated group (10 μg/rat/day), viii) L. plantarum and mercurytreated group, ix) B. coagulans and mercurytreated group. Cadmium, mercury and probiotics were daily gavaged to individual rats for 42 days. Treatment effects on intestinal microbiota composition of rats were determined. Data showed that cadmium and mercury accumulation in rat intestine affected the gastrointestinal tract and had a reduction effect on all microbial counts (total aerobic bacteria, total anaerobic bacteria, total Lactic acid bacteria, L. plantarum and B. coagulans counts) compared to the control group. It was also observed that application of synbiotics in synbiotic and heavy metals-treated groups had a significant effect and increased the number of fecal bacteria compared to the heavy metals groups. Based on our study, it can be concluded that L. plantarum and B. coagulans along with prebiotic inulin play a role in protection against cadmium and mercury inhibitory effect and have the potential to be a beneficial supplement in rats' diets.


Whole navy bean flour and its fine and coarse particle size fractions were used to completely replace wheat flour in cakes. Replacement of wheat flour with whole bean flour significantly increased the protein content. The protein content was adjusted to 3 levels with navy bean starch. The effect of navy bean flour and its fractions at 3 levels of protein on cake batter rheology and cake quality was studied and compared with wheat flour samples. Batters prepared from navy bean flour and its fractions had higher viscosity than the cake flour. Reducing the protein content by addition of starch significantly lowered the viscosity of cake batters. The whole navy bean flour and coarse bean fraction cakes were softer than cakes made with wheat flour but had reduced springiness. Principal component analysis showed a clear discrimination of cakes according to protein. It also showed that low protein navy bean flour cakes were similar to wheat flour cakes. Navy bean flour with protein content adjusted to the level of cake (wheat) flour has potential as a healthy alternative in gluten-free cakes.


Three isostrucutral dodecanuclear clusters with the general formula [Ln12(fsa)12(μf3-OH)12(DMF)12]·nDMF (fsa2- is the dianion of 3-formylsalicylic acid; Ln = Eu 1, Gd 2, Dy 3) have been obtained from the reaction of fromylsalicyclic acid (H2fsa), tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and Ln(NO3)3·6H2O in methanol/DMF. Their structure consists of four vertex-sharing heterocubanes. Each heterocubane unit is assembled from four LnIII ions, three μ3-OH groups and one μ3-oxygen atom arising from the fsa2- carboxylato group. The photophysical properties of the europium derivative investigated at both 300 and 80 K sustain a relative intense emission obtained under low power LED excitation at 420 nm. The dysprosium derivative shows a SMM behavior with an effective energy barrier Ueff of 22.9 cm-1, while the thermodynamical properties of Gd12 confirm a large magnetocaloric effect: S(7 T) - S(0 T) = 20R = 166 J mol-1 K), typical for isotropic GdIII derivatives, with ΔS = S(7 T) - S(0 T) = 1.7R for each GdIII ion.


Sodium thioglycolate is a white powder with a melting point greater than 300 degrees Celsius. It appears as hygroscopic crystals with an unpleasant odor characteristic of the sulfhydryl group (mercaptans). Thioglycolic acid can be prepared by the action of sodium sulfhydrate on sodium chloroacetate and by electrolysis of dithioglycolic acid from sodium sulfide and sodium chloroacetate. It is also formed by heating chloroacetic acid with potassium hydrogen sulfide. Thioglycolic acid and its salts and glyceryl esters are not known to occur naturally. Sodium thioglycolate is used in the cosmetic industry as an antioxidant, depilating agent, hair waving/straightening agent, and reducing agent. Its primary cosmetic use is in depilatories. Sodium thioglycolate is also used as an analytical reagent and in bacteriology for the preparation of thioglycolate media. Sodium thioglycolate was nominated by the National Cancer Institute for toxicology studies due to its high production volume and widespread occupational and consumer exposure to thioglycolic acid and its salts and esters, including significant female exposure in personal care products. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1/N mice were administered sodium thioglycolate (approximately 99% pure) in a vehicle of 95% ethanol:deionized water (1:1) by application to shaved dorsal skin for 16 (rats) or 17 (mice) days or for 3 months. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium and mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. (Abstract Abridged).


The purpose of this inventory was to determine what oncology nurses perceived to be the challenges and priorities in pain assessment and management in Canada. It was recognised that there are a variety of practices in Canada, and if we are to establish an educational framework, there is a need to know what some of the issues are and what assessment tools are being used. Sixty-six survey questionnaires were sent to centres with an oncology or palliative care focus. Thirty-one surveys were returned with a great deal of information. The findings of this descriptive inventory of cancer pain assessment and management hold several key implications for future directions of the CANO Pain Initiative. The findings provide further support for ongoing efforts to educate and inform health professionals about the nature of cancer pain and associated assessment and management issues. A number of other issues have been identified with this survey which continues to support the efforts of the CANO Pain Initiative in developing educational modules, comprehensive care plans and practical ways to document pain interventions.


Community colleges increase college access, extending postsecondary educational opportunities to underserved students, yet, these students exhibit low rates of program completion and transfer to 4-year colleges. Sociological research on community colleges focuses on the tension between increasing educational opportunity and failing to improve equity in college completion across key demographics, such as race and socioeconomic status. This article provides an overview of sociology's approach to understanding community colleges. We describe sociological theories, examine the contributions they make to the field, and discuss the discipline's recent debates regarding community colleges. We conclude by highlighting research areas for further progress and discussing the role sociology could play in transforming community colleges.


We have studied infrared photoluminescence (PL) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) of 400 nm and 1500 nm thick InAs epilayers on GaAs, and 4 nm thick InAs on graded InGaAs layer with total thickness of 300 nm grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The PL peak positions of 400 nm, 1500 nm and 4 nm InAs epilayer measured at 10 K are blue-shifted from that of InAs bulk by 6.5, 4.5, and 6 meV, respectively, which can be largely explained by the residual strain in the epilayer. The residual strain caused by the lattice mismatch between InAs and GaAs or graded InGaAs/GaAs was observed from XRD measurements. While the PL peak position of 400 nm thick InAs layer is linearly shifted toward higher energy with increase in excitation intensity ranging from 10 to 140 mW, those of 4 nm InAs epilayer on InGaAs and 1500 nm InAs layer on GaAs is gradually blue-shifted and then, saturated above a power of 75 mW. These results suggest that adopting a graded InGaAs layer between InAs and GaAs can efficiently reduce the strain due to lattice mismatch in the structure of InAs/GaAs.


We construct a theory, based on defect unbinding, of the m=1, d=3 XY Lifshitz point. This theory also describes phase transitions in three-dimensional systems with layered ordered phases in which the layer normals are energetically confined to a predetermined plane. Such systems include smectics-A with negative magnetic (dielectric) anisotropy and smectics-C and cholesterics with positive magnetic (dielectric) anisotropy in external magnetic (electric) fields, smectics-\~A and -C\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}, and various magnetic systems with spatially modulated phases. We show that this class of systems can disorder via two continuous transitions, in which case a bond-orientationally-ordered phase intervenes between the low-temperature, translationally ordered and high-temperature, translationally disordered phases. The transition between the bond orientationally ordered and isotropic phases is in the universality class of the isotropic d=3 XY model. The transition from the translationally ordered phase to the orientationally ordered phase is in the universality class of the m=1, d=3 XY Lifshitz point, which exhibits anisotropic scaling with two distinct correlation length exponents, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{?}$ and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$. Duality arguments show that either (a) ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{?}$/${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$=(2/3) or (b) the transition is self-dual, in which case the specific-heat amplitude ratio is unity.


The spread of Covid-19 since the beginning of 2020 has resulted in changes in the work system of Indonesian civil servants from working in offices to working from home (WFH). The goal of this was to break the chain of the spread of Covid-19. This was stated in the policy issued by the Minister of PAN RB which regulated this new WFH system of civil servants and was in accordance with the President's policies related to accelerating the handling of the spread of Covid-19. This policy did not however apply to the two highest levels of structural officials in government agencies so that government administration and services to the community were not disrupted. This paper examined the implementation of WFH for civil servants who work in specific regions. Data were collected through interviews with relevant officials in the field of civil service in the district of North Sumatra Province, Kulon Progo Regency as a representation of the regional government agencies of the Sumatra Island region, Java, and the State Civil Service Agency as a representation of the central government agencies domiciled in the capital. This research was conducted in early 2021 as a form of evaluation of WFH implementation. It was found that those who work in WFH cities felt they had fewer days off than those who did not.
Keywords: pandemic, Covid-19, new civil service work system, WFH, WFO, holidays


A semi-implicit in time, entropy stable finite volume scheme for the compressible barotropic Euler system is designed and analyzed and its weak convergence to a dissipative measure-valued (DMV) solution [E. Feireisl et al., Dissipative measure-valued solutions to the compressible Navier-Stokes system, Calc. Var. Partial Differential Equations, 2016] of the Euler system is shown. The entropy stability is achieved by introducing a shifted velocity in the convective fluxes of the mass and momentum balances, provided some CFL-like condition is satisfied to ensure stability. A consistency analysis is performed in the spirit of the Lax's equivalence theorem under some physically reasonable boundedness assumptions. The concept of K-convergence [E. Feireisl et al., K-convergence as a new tool in numerical analysis, IMA J. Numer. Anal., 2020] is used in order to obtain some strong convergence results, which are then illustrated via rigorous numerical case studies. The convergence of the scheme to a DMV solution, a weak solution and a strong solution of the Euler system using the weak-strong uniqueness principle and relative entropy are presented.


A nature-inspired musculoskeletal system is designed and developed to examine the principle of nonlinear elastic energy storage–release for robotic applications. The musculoskeletal system architecture consists of elastically rigid segments and hyperelastic soft materials to emulate rigid–soft interactions in limbless vertebrates. The objectives are to (i) improve the energy efficiency of actuation beyond that of current pure soft actuators while (ii) producing a high range of motion similar to that of soft robots but with structural stability. This paper proposes a musculoskeletal design that takes advantage of structural segmentation to increase the system's degrees of freedom, which enhances the range of motion. Our findings show that rigid–soft interactions provide a remarkable increase in energy storage and release and, thus, an increase in the undulation speed. The energy efficiency achieved is approximately 68% for bending the musculoskeletal system from the straight configuration, compared to 2.5–30% efficiency in purely soft actuators. The hybrid compliance of the musculoskeletal system under investigation shows promise for alleviating the need for actuators at each joint in a robot.


A method to derive general standard and null Lagrangians for second-order differential equations whose solutions are special function of mathematical physics is presented. The general null Lagrangians are used to find the corresponding general gauge functions. All derived Lagrangians are new and in special cases they reduce to those published in the literature. The obtained results are applied to the Bessel, Hermite and Legendre equations, which have many applications in physics, applied mathematics and engineering.


Standard approaches to classical inventory control problems treat satisfying a predefined demand level as a constraint. In many practical contexts, however, total demand is comprised of separate demands from different markets or customers. It is not always clear that constraining a producer to satisfy all markets is an optimal approach. Since the inventory‐related cost of an item depends on total demand volume, no clear method exists for determining a market's profitability a priori, based simply on per unit revenue and cost. Moreover, capacity constraints often limit a producer's ability to meet all demands. This paper presents models to address economic ordering decisions when a producer can choose whether to satisfy multiple markets. These models result in a set of nonlinear binary integer programming problems that, in the uncapacitated case, lend themselves to efficient solution due to their special structure. The capacitated versions can be cast as nonlinear knapsack problems, for which we propose a heuristic solution approach that is asymptotically optimal in the number of markets. The models generalize the classical EOQ and EPQ problems and lead to interesting optimization problems with intuitively appealing solution properties and interesting implications for inventory and pricing management. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.


A prototype 5-GHz 500-kW CW klystron (model E3762 provided by Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co. Ltd.) has been operating as the RF source for the lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) system in the KSTAR tokamak. A cavity design study is being carried out with a simulation code based on the main klystron's operation parameters in order to investigate how the efficiency of the 5-GHz 500-kW CW klystron prototype can be enhanced. This is being done by simulating the klystron's performances for various cavity parameters, including the number of cavities, the inter-cavity distance, and the cavity's tuning frequencies. The simulation has been done with the FCI (field charge interaction) code aided by a matlab script for scanning input parameters. The initial set of scan parameters was obtained by benchmarking the E3762 klystron, and we are able to obtain optimized design parameters for a cavity system with better efficiency by adopting a multi-cell output cavity. However, the multi-cell output cavity is prone to self-oscillations due to the prolonged (several half RF periods) beam-field interaction along its multiple gaps. We have checked the feasibility of the optimization by evaluating the stability of the output cavity system. The stability is given by the ratio of a beam-loading conductance to the circuit conductance.


Abstract : This is the first of two volumes that present methods for solving crack problems in the metallic elements of adhesively bonded structures. There are six major sections in the report that cover the following topics: 1. Methods of analysis, namely the finite element method and the integral equation method. Assumptions in the analysis and the influence of various parameters on the analytical results. 2. Criterion for the propagation of a debond. 3. Criterion for the crack transfer to a sound layer. 4. Verification test program. 5. Sensitivity of analysis to various parameters. 6. Limitations of the analysis. The stress intensity factors have been obtained for the geometries of (1) a cracked sheet with an adhesively bonded stringer, and (2) a two-layer, bonded structure with a center crack, an edge crack, and a crack at a hole. The influence of finite boundaries, adhesive methods, debond size, and bending on stress intensity factors has been studied. Comparison has been made of actual crack growth life and that based on analytical stress intensity factors. The crack growth life has been predicted analytically within ten percent of actual life. The influence of adhesive and adherend materials and thicknesses on crack growth life has been studied. The predicted debond sizes have been compared with those observed experimentally. A criterion for the cracking of a sound layer, based on load transfer to a sound layer, has been developed.


Service-level requirements emerge among the alternative strategies for supply chain firms that have already harvested the benefits of adopting ever low system wide costs. Though, the subjective and ever changing nature of services related understandings creates a challenge. In an attempt to fill this gap, our recent work presents an expert system approach, ESSER (Expert System Application for Suppliers to Improve Service-Levels) as a decision support mechanism for helping supplier firms to tailor their service offerings in order to meet updated service level requirements of their individual buyers.


Hippocampal overexpression of FK506-binding protein 12.6/1b (FKBP1b), a negative regulator of ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release, reverses aging-induced memory impairment and neuronal Ca2+ dysregulation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that FKBP1b also can protect downstream transcriptional networks from aging-induced dysregulation. We gave hippocampal microinjections of FKBP1b-expressing viral vector to male rats at either 13 months of age (long-term, LT) or 19 months of age (short-term, ST) and tested memory performance in the Morris water maze at 21 months of age. Aged rats treated ST or LT with FKBP1b substantially outperformed age-matched vector controls and performed similarly to each other and young controls (YCs). Transcriptional profiling in the same animals identified 2342 genes with hippocampal expression that was upregulated/downregulated in aged controls (ACs) compared with YCs (the aging effect). Of these aging-dependent genes, 876 (37%) also showed altered expression in aged FKBP1b-treated rats compared with ACs, with FKBP1b restoring expression of essentially all such genes (872/876, 99.5%) in the direction opposite the aging effect and closer to levels in YCs. This inverse relationship between the aging and FKBP1b effects suggests that the aging effects arise from FKBP1b deficiency. Functional category analysis revealed that genes downregulated with aging and restored by FKBP1b were associated predominantly with diverse brain structure categories, including cytoskeleton, membrane channels, and extracellular region. Conversely, genes upregulated with aging but not restored by FKBP1b associated primarily with glial–neuroinflammatory, ribosomal, and lysosomal categories. Immunohistochemistry confirmed aging-induced rarefaction and FKBP1b-mediated restoration of neuronal microtubular structure. Therefore, a previously unrecognized genomic network modulating diverse brain structural processes is dysregulated by aging and restored by FKBP1b overexpression. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Previously, we found that hippocampal overexpression of FK506-binding protein 12.6/1b (FKBP1b), a negative regulator of intracellular Ca2+ responses, reverses both aging-related Ca2+ dysregulation and cognitive impairment. Here, we tested whether hippocampal FKBP1b overexpression also counteracts aging changes in gene transcriptional networks. In addition to reducing memory deficits in aged rats, FKBP1b selectively counteracted aging-induced expression changes in 37% of aging-dependent genes, with cytoskeletal and extracellular structure categories highly associated with the FKBP1b-rescued genes. Our results indicate that, in parallel with cognitive processes, a novel transcriptional network coordinating brain structural organization is dysregulated with aging and restored by FKBP1b.


AIM
To develop polymeric-ceramic nanocarriers (NCs) in order to achieve oral delivery of the anticancer neutraceutical iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin (Fe-bLf) protein.

MATERIALS & METHODS
Fe-bLf or paclitaxel (Taxol®) were adsorbed onto calcium phosphate nanocores, enclosed in biodegradable polymers chitosan and alginate. The Fe-bLf or Taxol-loaded NCs indicated as AEC-CP-Fe-bLf or AEC-CP-Taxol NCs, respectively, were made by combination of ionic gelation and nanoprecipitation. Size distribution, morphology, internalization and release profiles of the NCs were studied along with evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities and compared with paclitaxel.

RESULTS
AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs obtained spherical morphology and showed enhanced endocytosis, transcytosis and anticancer activity in Caco-2 cells in vitro. AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs were supplemented in an AIN 93G diet and fed to mice in both prevention and treatment human xenograft colon cancer models. AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs were found to be highly significantly effective when given orally, as a pretreatment, 1 week before Caco-2 cell injections. None of the mice from the AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NC-fed group developed tumors or showed any signs of toxicity, while the mice fed the control AIN 93G diet showed normal tumor growth. Fe-bLf or Taxol, when given orally in a diet as nanoformulations post-tumor development, showed a significant regression in the tumor size with complete inhibition of tumor growth later, while intratumoral injection of Taxol just delayed the growth of tumors. The pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies indicated that nanoformulated Fe-bLf was predominantly present on tumor cells compared to non-nanoformulated Fe-bLf. Fe-bLf-loaded NCs were found to help in absorption of iron and thus may have utility in enhancing the iron uptake during iron deficiency without interfering with the absorption of calcium.

CONCLUSION
With the promising results of our study, the future potential of NC-loaded Fe-bLf in chemoprevention and in the treatment of human colon cancer, deserves further investigation for translational research and preclinical studies of other malignancies.


Transient electroluminescence (EL) was used to measure the onset of emission delay in OLEDs based on transition metal, phosphorescent bis[3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazolato] platinum(ΙΙ) and rare earth, phosphorescent Eu(hfa)3 with 4'-(p-tolyl)-2,2":6',2" terpyridine (ttrpy) doped into 4,4'-bis(carbazol-9-yl) triphenylamine (CBP), from which the carrier mobility was determined. For the Pt(ptp)2 doped CBP films in OLEDs with the structure: ITO/NPB (40nm)/mcp (10nm)/65% Pt(ptp)2:CBP (25nm)/TPBI (30nm)/Mg:Ag (100nm), where NPB=N, N'-bis(1-naphthyl)-N-N'-biphenyl-1, 1'-biphenyl-4, MCP= N, N'-dicarbazolyl-3,5-benzene, TPBI=1,3,5-tris(phenyl-2-benzimidazolyl)-benzene, delayed recombination was observed and based on its dependence on frequency and duty cycle, ascribed to trapping and de-trapping processes at the interface of the emissive layer and electron blocker. The result suggests that the exciton recombination zone is at, or close to the interface between the emissive layer and electron blocker. The lifetime of the thin films of phosphorescent emitter Pt(ptp)2 were studied for comparison with rare earth emitter Eu(hfa)3. The lifetime of 65% Pt(ptp)2:CBP co-film was around 638 nanoseconds at the emission peak of 572nm, and the lifetime of neat Eu(hfa)3 film was obtained around 1 millisecond at 616 nm, which supports the enhanced efficiency obtained from the Pt(ptp)2 devices. The long lifetime and narrow emission of the rare earth dopant Eu(hfa)3 is a fundamental factor limiting device performance. Red organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on the rare earth emitter Eu(hfa)3 with 4'-(p-tolyl)-2,2":6',2" terpyridine (ttrpy) complex have been studied and improved with respect performance. The 4.5% Eu(hfa)3 doped into CBP device produced the best power efficiency of 0.53 lm/W, and current efficiency of 1.09 cd/A. The data suggests that the long lifetime of the f-f transition of the Eu ion is a principal limiting factor irrespective of how efficient the energy transfer from the host to the dopant and the antenna effect are.


ABSTRACT:Scholars and archivists of amateur cinema in recent years have started to appreciate the significant creative accomplishments of this kind of filmmaking. However, amateur films often remain somewhat opaque because we know relatively little about the contexts of their exhibition and reception. To address this challenge, this essay closely examines a specific series of amateur-film screenings held annually in New York during the 1930s. The shifting exhibition circumstances and institutional collaborations of these events illuminate some of the general parameters and challenges of amateur-film exhibition during the period.


The role of ear photosynthesis in grain filling was studied in a number of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var durum L.) landraces and varieties from the Middle East, North Africa, and from the collections of 'Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique' (INRA, France) and 'Centro International de Mejora de Maiz y Trigo' (CIMMYT, Mexico). Plants were grown in the field in a Mediterranean climate. Flag leaves (blade plus sheath) and ears were kept in the dark from 1 week after anthesis to maturity which reduced grain weight by 22.4% and 59.0%, respectively. In a further experiment, the carbon isotope discrimination ratio (Δ) of ear bracts, awns and flag leaves was measured on samples taken at anthesis and on mature kernels. The mean value of Δ for the water soluble fraction of bracts (17.0‰) and awns (17.7‰) were lower than those of leaves (19.5‰) and fairly similar to those of kernels (17.4‰) averaged across all genotypes. Data indicate that most of the photosynthates in the grain come from ear parts and not from flag leaves. In addition, a higher water use efficiency (WUE) of ear parts than of the flag leaf is suggested by their lower Δ values. Gas exchange in ears and flag leaves was measured during grain filling. Averaged over all genotypes, CO2 diffusive conductance was about five times higher in the flag leaf than in the spike (with distal portions of awns outside the photosynthetic chamber) 2 weeks after anthesis. In absolute terms, the dark respiration rate (Rd) was greater than the net photosynthesis rate (Pn) by a factor of 1.74 in the spike, whereas Rd was much smaller, only 22.1, 65.7 and 24.8% of Pn in blade, sheath and awns, respectively. Data indicate that photosynthesis, and hence the water use efficiency (photosynthesis/transpiration), is greatly underestimated in ears because of the high rates of respiration which diminish the measured rates of net CO2 exchange. Results of 13C discrimination and gas exchange show that genotypes from North Africa have higher WUE than those from the Middle East. The high Rd values of ears as well as their low diffusive conductance suggest that CO2 from respiration may be used as source of carbon for ear photosynthesis. In the same way, the anatomy of glumes, for example, supports the role of bracts using internal CO2 as source of photosynthesis. In the first experiment, the Δ in mature grains from culms with darkened ears compared with control culms provided further evidence in support of this hypothesis. Thus, the Δ from kernels of control plants was 0.40 higher than that from ear-darkened plants, probably because of some degree of refixation (recycling) of respired CO2 in the grains.


Abstract Ecologically valid research and wearable brain imaging are increasingly important in cognitive neuroscience as they enable researchers to measure neural mechanisms of complex social behaviors in real-world environments. This article presents a proof of principle study that aims to push the limits of what wearable brain imaging can capture and find new ways to explore the neuroscience of acting. Specifically, we focus on how to build an interdisciplinary paradigm to investigate the effects of taking on a role on an actor's sense of self and present methods to quantify interpersonal coordination at different levels (brain, physiology, behavior) as pairs of actors rehearse an extract of a play prepared for live performance. Participants were six actors from Flute Theatre, rehearsing an extract from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Sense of self was measured in terms of the response of the pFC to hearing one's own name (compared with another person's name). Interpersonal coordination was measured using wavelet coherence analysis of brain signals, heartbeats, breathing, and behavior. Findings show that it is possible to capture an actor's pFC response to their own name and that this response is suppressed when an actor rehearses a segment of the play. In addition, we found that it is possible to measure interpersonal synchrony across three modalities simultaneously. These methods open the way to new studies that can use wearable neuroimaging and hyperscanning to understand the neuroscience of social interaction and the complex social–emotional processes involved in theatrical training and performing theater.


The standard values and tolerances used in the assessment of the clinical efficiency of different types of tonometers are once again demonstrated. Investigations carried out in accordance with the existing test plan for comparative clinical measurements using two non-contact tonometers II (NCT II) and a calibrated applanation tonometer as a reference instrument in 155 patient eyes showed that both the regression equation and the scattering of the individual values around the regression curve satisfy the conditions of clinical assessment criteria. Of the individual values, 2.6% are outside the 95% limits. Following a brief illustration of the measuring principle of the NCT II, a test procedure is described for this type of tonometer. It consists of a torsion balance mounted on a cross-sliding carriage with a small mirror 2.5 mm in diameter and a control balance. A lens equipped with a centering cross is used for adjustment to the nominal distances of 11 mm between the nozzle and the cornea. This test procedure makes it possible to determine whether the digital display of any particular NTC II deviates from the nominal value by not more than +/- 1 digit in the range between "12" and "30" and by not more than +/- 2 digits between "31" and "50".


This is the first of two articles dealing with the constitutional right of access to social assistance in South Africa by way of comparison with the social justice provisions applicable in India. Part I deals specifically with the significance of a comparison between these two countries and focuses on the provisions of the Indian Constitution and court judgments which may inform social policy in South Africa. Part II will highlight the duty of the state in South Africa given the wording of section 27 of the Constitution and will, based on lessons from India, argue that use of the right to life may be a solution for people not qualifying for any social assistance in South Africa despite being in desperate need.


This study seeks to assess the effect of working capital management on the profitability of Afriland First Bank Cameroon. Time series data from 2002 to 2013 was extracted from the financial statement of the bank, Correlation analysis and ordinary least square regression was used to determine how working capital affect profitability. The findings of this study show that working capital management effectively influences the performance of Afriland First Bank. The analysis show that customer deposits, the size of the bank, outstanding expenditure and return on assets all have a positive impact on bank profitability and are statistically significant, however, an increase in reserves leads to a reduction of profitability while other factors such as leverage have a positive effect on bank profitability.


From 1972 through 1975 a study of plasma lipid levels was conducted at the Columbia Medical Plan (a prepaid group practice in an upper-middle-class suburban community) in accordance with nationally standardized interview, blood-drawing and laboratory procedures of the Lipid Research Clinics Program. Data were obtained from a large group of volunteers from the plan as well as from subjects selected by random sampling from membership rolls. Of 2,591 fasting, nonpregnant adults (age greater than or equal to 20 years), 825 were volunteers and 1,766 were randomly selected subjects. Analysis of the plasma total cholesterol values indicated a possible association of volunteer status and higher educational levels with a lower plasma total cholesterol level. Age- and sex-specific comparisons confirmed this finding, although the magnitude of the differences was quite small from the standpoint of clinical risk. The data suggest that even within educational strata, self-selection for cholesterol screening was associated with a lower cholesterol level.


Previously the cost and extremely limited capabilities of sensors prohibited Quality of Service (QoS) implementations in wireless sensor networks. With advances in technology, sensors are becoming significantly less expensive and the increases in computational and storage capabilities are opening the door for new, sophisticated algorithms to be implemented. Newer sensor network applications require higher data rates with more stringent priority requirements. We introduce a dynamic scheduling algorithm to improve bandwidth for high priority data in sensor networks, called Tiny-DWFQ. Our Tiny-Dynamic Weighted Fair Queuing scheduling algorithm allows for dynamic QoS for prioritized communications by continually adjusting the treatment of communication packages according to their priorities and the current level of network congestion. For performance evaluation, we tested Tiny-DWFQ, Tiny-WFQ (traditional WFQ algorithm implemented in TinyOS), and FIFO queues on an Imote2-based wireless sensor network and report their throughput and packet loss. Our results show that Tiny-DWFQ performs better in all test cases.


OBJECTIVE
To provide a current review and synthesis of the present state of knowledge of anxiety disorders and symptoms in the elderly.

METHODS
Current research derived from a MEDLINE search and references in key textbook articles and other papers were reviewed. These data were combined with the clinical empirical knowledge and experience of the authors.

RESULTS
Anxiety disorders and symptoms are a common presenting problem in the elderly. Current knowledge and research findings are limited. Extrapolation from adult studies are of use, but important limitations are evident because of the nature, uniqueness, and complexity of the geriatric psychiatry patient. Comorbidity, especially with depression, medical conditions, drugs, and dementia, remains an important concept in assessment and approach to management of anxiety in the older person. Comprehensive assessment of anxiety symptoms requires consideration of physical, intellectual, environmental, and social determinants. Major anxiety disorders, as defined by DSM-IV, and anxiety symptoms are significant problems in the older adult population and are responsible for significant morbidity and cost to the health care network.

CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety disorders and symptoms in old age, although common, have received little research focus to date. A comprehensive, careful approach by the clinician to assessment and management is required because anxiety is often a comorbid condition in the elderly. Effective treatments are available and should be applied in a flexible, integrated, and specific manner.


To enhance the performance of vehicle rollover detection and prevention, this paper proposes a novel control strategy integrating the mass-center-position (MCP) metric and the active rollover preventer (ARPer) system. The applied MCP metric can provide completed rollover information without saturation in the case of tire lift-off. Based on the continuous roll motion detection provided by the MCP metric, the proposed ARPer system can generate corrective control efforts independent to tire–road interactions. Moreover, the capability of the ARPer system is investigated for the given vehicle physical spatial constraints. A hierarchical control architecture is also designed for tracking desired accelerations derived from the MCP metric and allocating control efforts to the ARPer system and the active front steering (AFS) control. Cosimulations between CarSim® and MATLAB/SIMULINK with a fishhook maneuver are conducted to verify the control performance. The results show that the vehicle with the assistance of the ARPer system can successfully achieve better performance of vehicle rollover prevention, compared with an uncontrolled vehicle and an AFS-controlled vehicle.


Introduction: Dracocephalum kotschyi is an Iranian traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory properties. The objective of this research was to investigate the preventive effect of D. kotschyi extract in bleomycin induced fibrosis. Methods: Fibrosis was induced by intratracheal administration of a single dose of bleomycin (5 mg/kg) in rat. One group received daily administration of normal saline. Other groups were treated daily with oral administration of either hydroalcoholic or aqueous extract of D. kotschyi (20, 40, & 80 mg/kg). Another group was treated with pirfenidone (100 mg/kg). After 4 weeks daily treatments, the animals were sacrificed and the whole lungs were dissected out for biochemical and histopathological examinations. The biochemical examination included assessment of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde levels.Results: The lung tissues in bleomycin treated groups showed severe tissue injuries. However, lung tissues in the groups that received hydroalcoholic or aqueous extracts of D. kotschyi showed mild to moderate tissue injuries. Intratracheal instillation of bleomycin significantly increased hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde biomarker levels compared with the sham group. In the positive control group treated with pirfenidone, there was a marked reduction in both hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde levels. Both hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts of D. kotschyi significantly prevented the elevation of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde levels at the above oral doses in comparison to the vehicle treated control group. Conclusion: Prevention of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde elevation levels in this experiment indicates that D. kotschyi extract might be a suitable remedy for the treatment of respiratory fibrosis induced by drugs such as bleomycin.


The purpose of the current study was to explore the impact of body image on self-esteem in adolescent males and females. A sample of 290 adolescents (144= male, 146= females) was taken from different schools and colleges of Multan. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Body Image Scale were used to measure the impact. Findings indicated a positive relationship between the level of confidence in the body image of adolescent males and their self-esteem. Moreover, it was found that adolescent females in their later years of adolescence had a high level of self-esteem as compared to adolescent females in their early years of adolescence. Independent t-test scores found that adolescent females report feeling more conscious about their body image and weight as compared to adolescent males. Results also showed that adolescent females disclose less information about themselves as compared to adolescent males.


The present study aims to study of formation backgrounds of attachment to neighborhood from the perspective of citizens. Methodology of this study is based on framework analysis. Research methodology is based on framework analysis. The qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews and participatory observation techniques and were collected by purposive sampling of 41 male and female participants of new and traditional areas of Tehran in the common-law north and south of Tehran. In addition to analysis of data from five step process include familiarization, identifying a thematic framework, indexing, charting and mapping, combined data and interpretation is used. The findings around seven main themes as "archaism of neighborhood/ having a long history", "relations with neighbors and relatives", "having good experiences and memories", "meet the needs", "Environmental and physical desirable", "continuity of residence" and "involvement in community affairs" were organized for each of the themes of the two or three subthemes cover. At the end of the review and incorporate themes extracted achieved the ultimate theoretical framework. According to the "ultimate theoretical framework" can be stated that the formation basis of attachment to the neighborhood of citizens based on a series of "bonds of affection, social and physical," and the consequences of these bonds can be noted to "the formation of neighborhood identity". The final outcome of attachment to the neighborhood in the study, there was a sense of relief and satisfaction neighborhood, participation in neighborhood affairs and is the continuation of settlement.


PURPOSE
In 1997, two studies were performed in interventional radiology units, one of them by the CCLIN Paris-Nord and the other, by the staff of the vascular radiology department of Hautepierre Hospital of Strasbourg in collaboration with the CCLIN Est. The results have shown poor compliance with recommended infection control guidelines and standard precautions. A working group was set up by the CCLIN Paris-Nord, with radiologists, radiology technicians, nurses and infection control practitioners to elaborate guidelines for infection control practices in interventional radiology. Materials and methods. These guidelines were compiled using legislation, consensus or expert conferences, evaluations or studies which had demonstrated a benefit to prevent infectious risk. The working group also formulated its own recommendations when no pre-existing document was available. These recommendations have been categorized according to evidence of benefit in infectious risk prevention.

RESULTS
Guidelines are divided in two parts. The first part describes rooms and optimal architecture of the interventional radiology unit, flows (patients, staff, material, linen and waste), type of floor and furniture surfaces, and environment of the interventional unit (air, water, room and device cleaning). The second part details staff garments, hand washing procedures according to tasks, and protection against accident for the staff (accidental blood exposure, antimitotic drugs). Recommendations have been elaborated for patients'skin preparation and equipment handling (contrast product, automatic injector, US, scanner). A proposal for work organization is made regarding nursing protocols, documents of maintenance, surveillance of medical devices.


We propose a new method for activity recognition based on a view independent representation of human motion. Robust 3D volume motion templates (VMTs) are calculated from tracklets. View independence is achieved through a rotation with respect to a canonical orientation. From this volumes, features based on 3D gradients are extracted, projected to a codebook and pooled into a bags-of-words model classified with an SVM classifier. Experiments show that the method outperforms the original HoG3D method.


Vertical Total electron content (VTEC) gradient or rate of change of TEC (ROT) and total electron content (TEC) rate index or rate of change of TEC index (ROTI) can directly be estimated from receiver independent exchange (RINEX) data and can be used to estimate presence and intensity of ionospheric irregularities. In this paper we present results of the variation of ROT and ROTI over Kisumu, Kenya (Geomagnetic coordinates: 9.64°S, 108.59°E; Geographic coordinates: 0.02°S, 34.6°E) for both selected quiet and disturbed conditions between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2014 using data derived from NovAtel GSV4004B SCINDA-GPS receiver at Kisumu as a step in establishing ionospheric irregularities over Kisumu, Kenya during a high solar activity period of solar cycle 24. ROT was calculated from filtered average daily VTEC data within intervals of 120 seconds while ROTI was computed over 4 minutes window from ROT. ROT and corresponding ROTI for the selected quiet and storm days were plotted against universal time (UT). The presence and intensity of irregularities on the selected quiet and storm days of the years 2013 and 2014 were determined by checking ROT fluctuations and the corresponding ROTI values from the plots. The obtained results showed increased fluctuation of ROT corresponding with large ROTI values after sunset. The selected storm days of the years 2013 and 2014 had higher ROTI values than the selected quiet days of the years 2013 and 2014. The higher ROTI values during the selected storm days may be attributed to the impact of geomagnetic storms brought about by several competing dynamics including Prompt penetration electric field (PPEF), disturbance dynamo electric field (DDEF) and reduction in electron density due to increased recombination rates. The high ROTI values after sunset were a manifestation of post-sunset plasma irregularities. The obtained results also showed a diurnal trend for ROT and ROTI where ROT increased steadily from 0.00UT to around 12:00UT before falling and having an increased fluctuation between 18:00UT and 20:00UT. This corresponded well with low ROTI values between 0:00UT and 16:00UT followed by high ROTI values between 18:00UT and 20:00UT. The diurnal variability of ROT might have resulted from variation of TEC and which was attributed to changes in the intensity of incoming solar radiation.


This study focuses on the vulnerability aspect of Indonesian food security by examining imported wheat, particularly from Australia. Indonesia has a long record an effort to achieve Food Security and self sufficiency. In fact, this country still depends significantly on food import as the case of Australia's wheat imports is illustrative. Trend of Indonesian wheat dependence to Australia needs to carefully assess the risk to national food security. What does it meant the dependence of Indonesia to Australian imported wheat for Food Security? Does dominancy of the supply has sustained Indonesian food security or it has merely contributed to food insecurity? What are any challenge for sustainability of Indonesia food security in the future? This paper argues that Indonesia is facing dilemmas as a result of the nature of the dominance Australian imported wheat in this country.


Background: Asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) are common in highly trained athletes. An accurate evaluation with exercise bronchial provocation testing (EBPT) is necessary to justify specific treatment of EIB or EIB with asthma. Aim: To assess the incidence of EIB, EIB with asthma and vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) in adolescent athletes with dyspnea on exertion in Slovenia. Methods: We performed a two year retrospective chart review of highly trained adolescent athletes with dyspnea on exertion referred to our tertiary centre. Patients9 medical history and results of pulmonary function testing (PFT) were evaluated, including % predicted FEV1 (%FEV1), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), methacholine challenge (MC) and EBPT. EIB was defined as ≥10% fall in %FEV1 from the pre-exercise level. VCD was diagnosed if exercise-induced inspiratory stridor was observed by a physician, or with flexible laryngoscopy during exercise. Results: 40 highly trained athletes (57.5% girls) were reviewed in our centre (mean age 15.5 yrs., SD 2.3). %FEV1 showed normal lung function in all subjects, median FeNO level was 16.4 (IQR 10.7-36.1), 37.5% of athletes who had an MC performed had a positive result. Diagnosis of asthma was made in 25.0% of subjects prior to EBPT. The latter showed EIB in 32.5% and EIB with asthma in 7.5%. VCD was present in 27.5% of all athletes. Finally, 50.0% of athletes had neither EIB nor asthma. Conclusion: Half of the athletes had only subjective symptoms. Our data imply that although mostly negative, EBPT is mandatory in order to avoid overdiagnosed EIB with asthma and subsequent overtreatment.


In this paper, we address the problem of testing hypotheses using the likelihood ratio test statistic in nonidentifiable models, with application to model selection in situations where the parametrization for the larger model leads to nonidentifiability in the smaller model. We give two major applications: the case where the number of populations has to be tested in a mixture and the case of stationary ARMA(p, q) processes where the order (p,q) has to be tested. We give the asymptotic distribution for the likelihood ratio test statistic when testing the order of the model. In the case of order selection for ARMAs, the asymptotic distribution is invariant with respect to the parameters generating the process. A locally conic parametrization is a key tool in deriving the limiting distributions; it allows one to discover the deep similarity between the two problems.


The potential and limitations of the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine concept has been experimentally investigated. The operation range, in terms of usable air/fuel ratio and engine load, and the emission characteristics have been studied. An 1.6 litre single cylinder engine based on a heavy duty six cylinder Volvo, was used for the tests. As follows the experimental work was limited to study HCCI combustion at low speed operation in a heavy duty sized engine.

The HCCI combustion process is very different compared to the Spark Ignition and Compression Ignition (Diesel) combustion processes. HCCI lacks normal flame propagation, instead the entire charge is gradually consumed in a non-flame mode almost at the same time. As almost the entire charge is involved in the combustion process at the same time, the global heat release rate is primary determined by the local heat release rate. This means that the heat release rate is controlled by the grade of charge dilution. Normally, the entire charge is consumed in 5 – 20 crank angle degrees.

Due to its nature, HCCI has the potential to generate very low emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). It is possible to operate the engine with almost zero NOx. The reason for the low NOx potential is that the HCCI concept has the capability to use ultra lean premixed mixtures, resulting in a low and uniform combustion temperature in the combustion chamber.

The emissions of unburned hydrocarbons (HC) proved to be two to three times higher compared to spark ignition operation for a given engine load. The main source of unburned hydrocarbons are crevices, primary the piston topland crevice. Wall effects and bulk quenching proved to be less important. If the total crevice volume is minimized and the engine is operated rich enough, say below lambda = 2.5, very low HC levels are possible to obtain.

The emission of carbon monoxide (CO) is very dependent on the temperature history during the combustion period. Close to the rich limit and/or with early timing, CO is quite low, lower than for SI operation.

HCCI combustion can be considered as smokeless when using high volatility fuels (light fuels like gasoline). With heavier fuels, like diesel fuel, smoke is very sensitive to the mixture preparation. With port injection of diesel fuel very much smoke was generated in some cases. The combination of low charge temperature and port injection of diesel fuel, resulted in smoke levels of 1 – 4 BSN units.

The HCCI engine concept has superior potential for achieving high part load fuel conversion efficiency. This is due to the combination of small pumping losses, high compression ratio and short combustion period. With the present test engine, the best obtained indicated efficiency at part load conditions was about 45 %.

The requirement of highly diluted mixtures limits the attainable engine load. With the present test engine the maximum IMEP was around 5 bar at unthrottled operation (naturally aspirated). However, by applying supercharging via an external air compressor, 16 bar of IMEP has been obtained.

Besides the limited power density, the lack of direct ignition timing control is maybe the major disadvantage of the HCCI concept. A feedback signal from some sort of combustion sensor is necessary in order to contol the ignition timing via an indirect method. Possible control strategies are through Variable Compression Ratio (VCR), dual fuels or internal EGR.

Turbulence and combustion chamber geometry proved to play an important role for HCCI combustion. Higher turbulence resultet in reduced heat release rate.


ABSTRACT A very good separation of unburned carbon from fly ash was achieved with a laboratory flotation machine by employing a mixture of 4-dodecylphenol (DDP) and hexadecane (HXD) as a collector. No other reagent was required. Good results were obtained by recleaning either the concentrate or the tailings in two-stage flotation tests. Therefore, it was possible to reduce the carbon content of a selected fly ash from an initial level of 25% to a final level of 6.0% or less. At the same time it was possible to recover 87–95% of the carbon in the concentrate and 70–80% of the fly ash in the tailings by recleaning the concentrate. The lowest fly ash carbon content (2-3%) was realized by recleaning the tailings, but this also reduced fly ash recovery.