ABSTRACT The diagnostic accuracy of the modified p24 antigen assay performed on pediatric dried blood spots was evaluated. Samples analyzed within 6 weeks of collection yielded no false-positive results (specificity, 100%) and few false-negative results (sensitivity, 96.5% to 98.3%). Laboratory services with limited resources should assess this option for routine infant diagnosis.


The optimal strategy for semelparous females may involve adjustments in the relative investment in two fitness components, the number of offspring and the post-hatching investment per capita. To determine the pattern of maternal resource allocation to offspring in the matriphagous spider, Amaurobius ferox (Amauro- biidae), I investigated the relationship between maternal body-mass and the number of offspring, and quantified the transfer of maternal body-mass to the offspring via different forms of maternal provisioning (trophic egg-laying and matriphagy). There was a positive relationship between female body-mass and the number of offspring. However, Amaurobius mothers did not produce more trophic eggs when they had larger broods. Rather, spider- lings in larger A. ferox broods consumed larger quantities of maternal body-mass via matriphagy. Mothers trans- ferred 28.8 ± 6.5% of their body-mass to the spiderlings via trophic egg-laying, and an estimated 39.0 ± 12.5% of their body-mass was transferred to the spiderlings via matriphagy.


Prior research in the context of public private partnerships has mainly focused on organizational and risk management aspects. Because there is a growing number of IT megaprojects in the context of public private partnerships, recent work concentrates on the explanation of the relationship between public and private partners and the success factors for these relations. However, we still have a lack of understanding on the causes and consequences for IT megaproject failure in the context of public private partnerships. In this exploratory, qualitative single-case study from the German TollCollect IT megaproject we draw on findings from the psychological contract theory to explain psychological contract violation as a threat to IT megaproject success. Our research model suggests that the management of common understanding and expectations, moderated by political and public pressure of a public-private environment, affects the stability of the psychological contract and therefore the success of an IT megaproject in the context of public private partnerships.


A procedure for designing four different NMR probe circuits is described. Equations are derived which allow accurate estimates for tuning components. Graphs of theoretical frequency responses are presented. An accurate method for measuring effective quality factors, Q/sub eff/, is described. Four probe circuits are constructed and evaluated with respect to power efficiency, ringdown time and signal/noise. Finally, a FORTRAN computer program which will implement the design procedures described is presented.


By using an experiment model of SA node cell in the rabbit heart,which proposed by Zhang et al,the effect of the content of synaptophysin in SA node on transmembmne voltage of SA node is investigated by computer simulation.The results show,on one hand,using this model,it can be reproduced the phenomenon of abnormal rhythm in heart with physiological defect,and these results are consistent with those clinical phenomena,such as abnormal pacemaking or even sudden cardiac death,which induced by reduction of synapsin content in sinus node for elders or chronic alcoholics heart.On the other hand,the decrease of synapsin may influence the SAN in two aspects mainly,weakening the conductive activity of calcium ion channel,and reducing the secretion of acetylcholine,and these two effects directly reduce SAN 's oscillation capability.These results will help to reveal the internal connection,between the decrease of synaptophysin in the sinoatrial node and abnormal pacemaking in complex cardiac system.And provide a theoretical guidance for the clinical diagnosis of angiocardiopathy,such as,sudden cardiac death and sick sinus syndrome.


We present and solve a continuum theory of vacancy-mediated diffusion (as evidenced, for example, in the vacancy driven motion of tracers in crystals). Results are obtained for all spatial dimensions, and reveal the strongly non-gaussian nature of the tracer fluctuations. In integer dimensions, our results are in complete agreement with those from previous exact lattice calculations. We also extend our model to describe the vacancy-driven fluctuations of a slaved flux line.


Box-girder has been adopted to strengthen bridge as large border girder, in which the original girders can be unloaded with box-girder bearing most loads. However, the load transverse distribution calculation method for it is still imperfect thus a modified calculation method is specially proposed to calculate the load transverse distribution in this case basing on existed methods. An engineering example is introduced to describe the calculation process and corresponding FEM model is established to validate the feasibility and applicability of this calculation method. Besides, comparisons between the load transverse distribution before and after strengthened are conducted which further proves that adding box-girder to the original bridge is an effective strengthening way.


This paper presents a new bandwidth preemption algorithm supporting differentiated services aware traffic engineering (DS-TE) in the multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). The paper presents the following contributions. Firstly, we look at the problem of organizing the mapping of label switching paths (LSPs) in an optimal way such that we can compromise between several traffic engineering (TE) objectives: load-balancing, avoiding network bottlenecks, reducing routing cost, and minimizing path hop count. Secondly, we introduce DS-TE bandwidth management and admission control mechanisms by proposing a new bandwidth preemption algorithm for the maximum allocation model (MAM). Finally, in our proposed scheme, we conduct preemption in tow dimensions: class type (CT) and preemption level so that an LSP of CT ct and priority p can not be preempted as long as any LSP of weaker precedence remains. A case study is also provided to show how our algorithm performs in MPLS networks where DS-TE is applied.


ABSTRACT The patB gene product is required for growth and survival of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 in the absence of combined nitrogen. A patB::gfp fusion demonstrated that this gene is expressed exclusively in heterocysts. patB mutants have a normal initial pattern of heterocyst spacing along the filament but differentiate excess heterocysts after several days in the absence of combined nitrogen. Expression of hetR and patS, two critical regulators of the heterocyst development cascade, are normal for patB mutants, indicating that patB acts downstream of them in the differentiation pathway. A patB deletion mutant suffers an almost complete cessation of growth and nitrogen fixation within 24 h of combined nitrogen removal. In contrast, a new PatB mutant that is defective in its N-terminal ferredoxin domain, or a previously described mutant that has a frameshift removing its C-terminal helix-turn-helix domain, grows very slowly and differentiates multiple contiguous heterocysts under nitrogen-deficient conditions.


Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) provides a powerful tool to describe local nuclear environments. In this work, unique structural information on kaolinite and on kaolinite dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) intercalate were provided by solid-state 1H and 27Al magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR. The interlayer chemistry of kaolinite (K) was examined by intercalating a select group of highly polar organic molecules or salts into kaolinite as a first step. Once the interlayer space is expanded, the intercalated compounds can be replaced in a second step. Intercalating DMSO into kaolinite to form the DMSO-K intercalate is, thus, a particularly useful first step toward the intercalation of a large variety of molecules, including polymers and ionic liquids. Well developed characterization methods are essential to define the structural modifications of kaolinite, and MAS NMR is a useful complement to other techniques. The use of 1H and 27Al MAS NMR for this purpose has been relatively rare. 1H NMR, nevertheless, can give unique information about kaolinite hydroxyls. Because quadrupolar interactions are sensitive to the local octahedral Al(III) geometry, solid-state 27Al NMR can follow subtle structural modifications in the octahedral sheet. In the present work, the 1H MAS NMR chemical shifts of KGa-1b were unambiguously attributed to the internal surface hydroxyls at 2.7 ppm and to the internal hydroxyls at 1.7 ppm. The 1H MAS NMR chemical shifts of the two methyl groups in DMSO-K are not equivalent and can be attributed to the 2.9 and 4.2 ppm peaks. The 27Al MAS NMR spectra of KGa-1b obtained under different magnetic fields revealed that most of the quadrupolar effects were highly reduced at 21.1 T, whereas the spectra at lower field, 4.7 T, were dominated by quadrupolar effects. The two octahedral Al(III) sites are not equivalent and can be distinguished in the low-field spectral simulation. Increased quadrupolar constants were observed and showed the major perturbations of the local Al symmetry that resulted from DMSO intercalation. Both the 1H and 27Al MAS NMR studies at different magnetic fields afforded important information about the local environments of the kaolinite hydroxyl groups and structural Al(III).


This article aims to describe mental, character education form, and the urgency of character education of learners in MTs.As'adiyah Putra II Sengkang Center. Type of research used in this research is qualitative research with descriptive analysis and phenomenology approach. The paradigm of this study is qualitative by using analytical induction. The main instrument in this study is the researcher herself with several types of instruments are: interview guides, observation guides, field notes, and Crosscheck. In data processing, the researcher did the reduction, displaying and conclusion. The results showed that learners' character in MTs.As'adiyah Putra II Center of Sengkang at the low level, it was indicated by the low level of self-awareness, has not got a sense of satisfaction and still need to foster peer relationships among teachers, parents and social environment. The form of character education which were done: First, integrating the values of character in learning activities. Second, extracurricular activities.Third, providing understanding and appreciation of the values of characters that are integrated into each subject being taught.Fourth, Familiarizing prayers in congregation in school and lecture training.Fifth, recitations and barasanji.Sixth, the participation of the school community in developing mental learners.Seventh, designing a conducive school atmosphere.Character education in MTs.As'adiyahPuta II Sengkang Center is very important to prepare learners able to face challenges of increasingly complex life dynamics.


From the clinician's standpoint, an ideal bronchodilator should have (1) selectivity for bronchial smooth muscle, (2) minimal stimulatory effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous system, (3) prolonged action, (4) rapid onset of action, and (5) oral effectiveness for patient convenience. In addition, bronchodilation should occur in both central and peripheral airways without causing worsening of gas exchange due to aggravated ventilation perfusion inequalities. The observations reported by Banner et al in this issue (see p 434) again raise questions regarding the cardiovascular side effects of the different bronchodilator agents that are currently in clinical use. While differences may exist among various bronchodilators with respect to their effects on respiratory mechanics and gas exchange, the search for new compounds has primarily resulted from the need for agents with prolonged duration of action, convenient mode of administration, and fewer cardiovascular side effects. The increase in alveoloarterial oxygen tension difference after administration


Hemichromes, the precursors of red cell Heinz bodies, were prepared by treatment of native hemoglobin with phenylhydrazine, and their interaction with the cytoplasmic surface of the human erythrocyte membrane was studied. Binding of hemichromes to leaky red cell ghosts was found to be biphasic, exhibiting both high-affinity and low-affinity sites. The high-affinity sites were shown to be located on the cytoplasmic domain of band 3, since (i) glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a known ligand of band 3, competes with the hemichromes for their binding sites, (ii) removal of the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 by proteolytic cleavage causes loss of the high-affinity sites, and (iii) the isolated cytoplasmic domain of band 3 interacts tightly with hemichromes, rapidly forming a pH-dependent, water-insoluble copolymer upon mixing in aqueous solution. Since the copolymer of hemichromes with the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 was readily isolatable, a partial characterization of its properties was conducted. The copolymer was shown to be of defined stoichiometry, containing approximately 2.5 hemichrome tetramers (or approximately 5 hemichrome dimers) per band 3 dimer, regardless of the ratio of hemichrome:band 3 in the initial reaction solution. The copolymer was found to be of macroscopic dimensions, generating particles which could be easily visualized without use of a microscope. The coprecipitation was also highly selective for hemichromes, since, in mixed solutions with native hemoglobin, only hemichrome was observed in the isolated pellet. Furthermore, no precipitate was ever observed upon mixing the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 with oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, (carbonmonoxy) hemoglobin, or methemoglobin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


A 78-year-old woman presented with fever, severe abdominal pain, and distension. She had been institutionalized for depression and senile dementia. Laboratory examinations disclosed a leucocytosis (WBC: 12,500/microL) and elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (2.8 mEq/L). Diagnosis of acute cecal volvulus was made from a "coffee bean sign" on an abdominal computed tomography and a "beak sign" on a gastrographin enema. An emergent laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis and an ileo-colectomy with primary anastomosis was carried out. The patient recovered after intensive respiratory care and fluid therapy, and then returned to her former institution. A review of Japanese literature disclosed that: (1) a marked increase of aged patients with mental disability presenting with cecal volvulus, (2) adoption of ileo-colectomy as the standard surgical procedure, and (3) improved survival of the patients, were observed in the last decade.


The master's thesis deals with fairy tales as learning aid to promote self-concept of students with a mild intellectual disability. In addition to the reduced intellectual level, these students have problems in other areas, which can leave the consequences for their self-concept, which is often negative and unrealistic. For this reason, they need a lot of encouragement, positive reinforcements, a pleasant atmosphere and the conditions to form a positive and realistic self-concept. Fairy tales can aid in the improvement of these areas.
In the theoretical part of the master's thesis, we covered and clarified the basic concepts with the help of different literature: we presented in detail the characteristics and functioning of students with mild intellectual disability and their education, defined self-concept, the structure of self-concept according to models, the characteristics of students with positive and negative self-concept. In the following, we presented the definitions and the meaning of the fairy tale, the structuring of fairy tales and the characteristics of fairy tales, we linked the fairy tale with self-concept and the students with a mild intellectual disability, and we finished with the treatment of fairy tales in an adapted program with a lower educational standard.
In the empirical part of the master's thesis, in order to stimulate positive and real self-concept, 12-week fairy tale workshops with two students with a mild intellectual disability attending the sixth grade of a program with a lower educational standard were conducted. Research is based on the acquisition of data by qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data were obtained before and after the workshops with the help of Piers-Harris children's self-concept scale and partly structured interviews with students and their class teacher. The majority of the data were obtained through the analysis of fairy tales and the preparation of activities for fairy tale workshops and reflexive diaries of workshops. On the basis of the obtained data and analysis, we have identified the progress and positive changes of students in different fields of self-concept. The performance of 12-week fairy tale workshops is assessed as effective and successful, since many of the activities next to identification with the main character have proved to be useful and suitable for stimulating positive and realistic self-concept of students with mild intellectual disability.


Megestrol acetate is one of the pharmacological agents used for cancer-associated fatigue. To date, there are no studies on its use in the treatment of post-COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) fatigue. So, we report a case of metastatic carcinoma lung with a partial response with three cycles of palliative chemotherapy. He was contracted with mild COVID-19 infection post three cycles of his chemotherapy. Post this episode, fatigue was his main and most troublesome symptom. After a thorough clinical history, physical examination, and investigations, type 2 post-COVID-19 syndrome was diagnosed. After explaining the risks and benefits, we started the patient on low-dose megestrol acetate (160 mg/d per oral) with low to moderate benefits. However, upon increasing the dose to 480 mg/d, the benefit on the subjective quality of life was significant. Studies with a larger sample and randomized controlled trials have to be conducted to substantiate the hypothesis and actual effect of megestrol acetate in the treatment of post-COVID-19 fatigue.


The role of encoding conditions in producing hypermnesia (increased recall over successive trials) was examined by manipulating the availability of item-specific and relational information at encoding. Our findings demonstrate that encodings providing item-specific information (e.g., elaborative encodings) produce hypermnesia by facilitating the recovery of new items over trials, whereas encodings providing relational information (e.g., organizational encodings) produce hypermnesia by protecting against the loss of previously recalled items. Thus, the effects of encodings on hypermnesia may be understood by considering the type of trace information they make available.


ABSTRACT The surface of most Gram-negative bacteria is covered with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), creating a permeability barrier against toxic molecules, including many antimicrobials. To assemble LPS on their surface, Gram-negative bacteria must extract newly synthesized LPS from the inner membrane, transport it across the aqueous periplasm, and translocate it across the outer membrane. The LptA to -G proteins assemble into a transenvelope complex that transports LPS from the inner membrane to the cell surface. The Lpt system powers LPS transport from the inner membrane by using a poorly characterized ATP-binding cassette system composed of the ATPase LptB and the transmembrane domains LptFG. Here, we characterize a cluster of residues in the groove region of LptB that is important for controlling LPS transport. We also provide the first functional characterization of LptFG and identify their coupling helices that interact with the LptB groove. Substitutions at conserved residues in these coupling helices compromise both the assembly and function of the LptB2FG complex. Defects in LPS transport conferred by alterations in the LptFG coupling helices can be rescued by changing a residue in LptB that is adjacent to functionally important residues in the groove region. This suppression is achieved by increasing the ATPase activity of the LptB2FG complex. Taken together, these data identify a specific binding site in LptB for the coupling helices of LptFG that is responsible for coupling of ATP hydrolysis by LptB with LptFG function to achieve LPS extraction. IMPORTANCE Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is synthesized at the cytoplasmic membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and transported across several compartments to the cell surface, where it forms a barrier that protects these organisms from antibiotics. The LptB2FG proteins form an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that uses energy from ATP hydrolysis in the cytoplasm to facilitate extraction of LPS from the outer face of the cytoplasmic membrane prior to transport to the cell surface. How ATP hydrolysis is coupled with LPS release from the membrane is not understood. We have identified residues at the interface between the ATPase and the transmembrane domains of this heteromeric ABC complex that are important for LPS transport, some of which coordinate ATPase activity with LPS release. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is synthesized at the cytoplasmic membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and transported across several compartments to the cell surface, where it forms a barrier that protects these organisms from antibiotics. The LptB2FG proteins form an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that uses energy from ATP hydrolysis in the cytoplasm to facilitate extraction of LPS from the outer face of the cytoplasmic membrane prior to transport to the cell surface. How ATP hydrolysis is coupled with LPS release from the membrane is not understood. We have identified residues at the interface between the ATPase and the transmembrane domains of this heteromeric ABC complex that are important for LPS transport, some of which coordinate ATPase activity with LPS release.


This study was designed to evaluate the antiulcer activity of Commiphora africana stem-bark extracts using ethanol induction model in laboratory rats and to identify phytochemical constituents of the extracts responsible for the observed activity. C. africana stem-bark was extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol gradient wise in a soxhlet apparatus at 50oC. The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis, toxicity experiment and anti- ulcer evaluation using ethanol – induced gastric ulcer in laboratory rats. A standard anti-ulcer agent, omeprazole was used as reference standard. The data were analyzed by one-way Analysis of Variance with significant level at (p<0.05). The percentage yield from the gradient extraction of C. africana stem-bark showed methanol to be the highest. Thin Layer Chromatographic analysis visualized with specific reagents confirmed the presence of steroids/triterpenes, phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the stem-bark of C. africana. LD50 was above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. Ethanol triggered severe gastric ulcers with mean ulcer index (12.8 ± 0.97 mm) and pretreatment with C. africana stem-bark n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts at (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) and Omeprazole (20 mg/kg) produced a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent anti-ulcer activity with increase in percentage ulcer inhibition of (9.38%, 43.75% and 57.81%) for CAHE, (59.38%, 68.75% and 85.94%) for CAEE and (65.63%, 73.44% and 90.63%) for CAME respectively. Omeprazole had 68.75% ulcer inhibition. This study demonstrated that C. africana has anti-ulcer potential and it justified the traditional uses of the stem-bark in ulcer treatment. K e y w o r d s Commiphora africana, TLC, Acute toxicity, Antiulcer activity, Ethanol.


ABSTRACT:
 Culturally modified trees (CMTs) are trees with scars that reflect human utilization of forested ecosystems. Some CMTs can reveal unique knowledge of native cultures and insight to peoples' subsistence and land use in the past, and are mostly to be found in protected areas since they contain very old trees. In this study, we examine attributes and the spatial and temporal distribution of bark-peeled trees, and present forest structure in two remnant ponderosa pine forests (Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson) in western Montana. We also wanted to use an alternative method of dating CMTs and initiate a broader discussion of threats to such trees and needs for sustaining and protecting them. In total, 343 bark-peelings were recorded on 274 living and dead trees. Our results show that only certain trees were selected for harvest. Nearby trees of similar size and age were not used. The age estimation indicates that the bark-peelings were performed from the mid 1600s until the early 1900s. Today the forest at both study areas is generally low in density and all-aged with very old individual trees. They consist of a mosaic of uneven-aged tree groups and individual trees of various ages. We conclude that the abundance and density of bark-peeled trees at the study areas exceed values reported in most other North American studies (formally protected forests included), that the two areas represent different harvest areas for ponderosa pine inner bark, and that CMTs need to be recognized both as ecologically and culturally valuable features of old ponderosa pine forests.


The private equity firm SK Capital has purchased D.B. Western, the largest merchant formaldehyde maker in North America. It has renamed the business Foremark Performance Chemicals. Foremark's La Porte, Texas, plant makes 550,000 metric tons of formaldehyde at a concentration of 37% with water, and 100,000 metric tons of MEA triazine per year. MEA triazine is used to remove hydrogen sulfide from oil and gas.


The purpose of this study was to determine the form and content of the messages contained in a persuasive discourse on social media community at MU in Solo. This research uses descriptive method with qualitative approach. Sources of data in this study is a written discourse written by community members in Solo MU fans can be obtained from the media up as study materials. The methods used in data collection in this study is the method see, record and record. Methods of data analysis using dishonest methods, followed by qualitative data analysis techniques. The results showed that: a form of discourse persuasive in social media used community at MU in Solo are: discourse persuasive nature of the solicitation, the discourse persuasive mandatory, the discourse of persuasion is
persuasion, discourse persuasively that are convincing, and discourse persuasive nature advice , The contents of the message contained in a persuasive discourse on social media community at MU in Solo evoke to do something, give orders,
persuade, convince, and provide advice about something.


Estimations of reservoir bathymetry and storage are of great significance due to their substantial impacts on hydrological processes and water resource management. However, existing approaches for reservoir bathymetry construction often rely on field measurements, which restricts their application at regional and global scales. This study proposes a novel Approach for Determining the BAthymetry and water storage of channel‐type Reservoirs, hereafter referred to as ADBAR, for which only open‐access digital elevation model (DEM) and satellite images are required. The basic idea of ADBAR is to utilize the geomorphological similarity and topographical continuity of the reservoir inundation area with its lateral valleys and upstream/downstream regions to predict underwater bathymetry. Forty‐eight reservoirs with different topographic and geometric characteristics were selected for method validation. The selected reservoirs were all impounded after the year 2000, so the modeled reservoir bathymetry can be validated by the "reference" reservoir storage calculated using the exposed topography in SRTM DEM and the mapped water extents from spectral images. The difference between the estimated and reference storages is about 13% on average. Furthermore, the modeled results in two selected basins with dense reservoir distributions, the Upper Yellow River Basin in China and the Tocantins River Basin in Brazil, are comparable with the documented effective storage capacities. The validations for both individual reservoirs and the two large basins demonstrate that ADBAR is a robust tool for estimating reservoir bathymetries and storage capacities and thus facilitates the modeling of reservoir impacts on water budgets at large and global scales.


Background More men than women in the UK are living with overweight or obesity, but men are less likely to engage with weight loss programmes. Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids is an effective Australian weight management programme that targets fathers, who participate with their primary school-aged children. Behavioural interventions do not always transfer between contexts, so an adaptation of the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids programme to an ethnically diverse UK setting was trialled. Objectives To adapt and test the Australian Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids programme for delivery to men in an ethnically diverse, socioeconomically disadvantaged UK setting. Design Phase 1a studied the cultural adaptation of the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids programme and was informed by qualitative data from fathers and other family members, and a theoretical framework. Phase 1b was an uncontrolled feasibility trial. Phase 2 was a randomised controlled feasibility trial. Setting Two ethnically diverse, socioeconomically disadvantaged UK cities. Participants In phase 1a, participants were parents and family members from black and minority ethnic groups and/or socioeconomically deprived localities. In phases 1b and 2, participants were fathers with overweight or obesity and their children aged 4–11 years. Interventions The adapted Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids intervention comprised nine sessions that targeted diet and physical activity and incorporated joint father–child physical activity. Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids was delivered in two programmes in phase 1b and four programmes in phase 2. Those in the comparator arm in phase 2 received a family voucher to attend a local sports centre. Main outcome measures The following outcomes were measured: recruitment to the trial, retention, intervention fidelity, attendance, feasibility of trial processes and collection of outcome data. Results Forty-three fathers participated (intervention group, n = 29) in phase 2 (48% of recruitment target), despite multiple recruitment locations. Fathers' mean body mass index was 30.2 kg/m2 (standard deviation 5.1 kg/m2); 60.2% were from a minority ethnic group, with a high proportion from disadvantaged localities. Twenty-seven (63%) fathers completed follow-up at 3 months. Identifying sites for delivery at a time that was convenient for the families, with appropriately skilled programme facilitators, proved challenging. Four programmes were delivered in leisure centres and community venues. Of the participants who attended the intervention at least once (n = 20), 75% completed the programme (attended five or more sessions). Feedback from participants rated the sessions as 'good' or 'very good' and participants reported behavioural change. Researcher observations of intervention delivery showed that the sessions were delivered with high fidelity. Conclusions The intervention was well delivered and received, but there were significant challenges in recruiting overweight men, and follow-up rates at 3 and 6 months were low. We do not recommend progression to a definitive trial as it was not feasible to deliver the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids programme to fathers living with overweight and obesity in ethnically diverse, socioeconomically deprived communities in the UK. More work is needed to explore the optimal ways to engage fathers from ethnically diverse socioeconomically deprived populations in research. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN16724454. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 8, No. 2. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.


A 29-year-old woman, a known case of tuberous sclerosis, presented to our hospital with a 1-day history of multiple episodes of convulsions. This was associated with vague chest and abdominal pain. CT scans of the brain showed multiple calcific foci in the gray-white matter junctions and in the periventricular …


Abstract Okinawan sea urchins, the genus Echinometra, are four independent species. But which species are the same species as E. mathaei and E. oblonga as described by Blainville 1825 is still open to question. To answer this question, a field survey of genus Echinometra was made in Mauritius (the type locality of E. mathaei) according to the characteristics used to classify Okinawan Echinometra: appearance, pore pairs, spicules in gonads and tubefeet, sperm shape, and distribution on a reef. The results of crossfertilization between Echinometra from Mauritius and Okinawa are also reported. Mauritian Echinometra are classified into three groups which resemble Okinawan Echinometra sp. B, D, and violet spine color Echinometra. The latter has almost the same characteristics as Okinawan Echinometra sp. B but with violet spines, a spine color not found in Okinawa. In cross-fertilization experiments, the sperm of Mauritian Echinometra sp. B-like and violet Echinometra fertilized Okinawan Echinometra sp. B with almost 100% success. However, fertilization was unsuccessful with other Okinawan Echinometra species. Therefore, it could be said that Okinawan Echinometra sp. B is the same as Mauritian Echinometra sp. B-like, and the counterparts of Okinawan Echinometra sp. A and C are not distributed in Mauritius. The descriptions of E. mathaei most match Mauritian Echinometra sp. B-like and the type locality of E. mathaei is Mauritius. Thus, it is probable that Mauritian Echinometra sp. B-like is E. mathaei. Therefore, Okinawan Echinometra sp. B, which most resembles Mauritian Echinometra sp. B-like, would be also E. mathaei. Echinometra sp. A and C would be considered to be new species. Echinometra sp. D is thought to be the same species as Mauritian black Echinometra. Whether Okinawan Echinometra sp. D is the same as E. oblonga remains as a problem for future research. Because the type locality of E. oblonga is not known and, it is suggested that the E. oblonga described in the Indo-West Pacific is a complex species.


The analysis of the faunistic remains found in the prehispanic burial at a locality of Montalvito (Espinal–Tolima) is presented. The six excavated tombs were elaborated during the late formative period (Montalvo Complex) and its temporal asignation corresponds to the fi rst millennium before Christ. The remains found belong to the following taxonomic groups: molluscs, amphibians, reptiles, fi shes, and mammals; most of these are part of a funeral offering.


Tithonia diversifolia and cassava bran are two food resources that noted for their protein and energy levels, respectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response performance of broilers fed diets containing T. diversifolia silage alone or mixed with cassava bran. We used 150 females chickens, which were housed in 15 pens and each pen was assigned to the treatments according to a randomized experimental design. The treatments consisted of three diets that were supplied to birds between 35 and 56 d of age: a control where the birds were fed only concentrate and two other treatments in which the birds were supplied concentrate of control treatment and additionally offered T. diversifolia silage either alone or mixed with cassava bran. Silage supply did not affect live weight at 56 d of age, but resulted in a reduction in concentrate consumption (P<0.05) and the carcass weight (P<0.05). It was concluded that T. diversifolia silage can be used to decrease the consumption of concentrate, but is necessary to carry out a proper habituation to avoid decrease in dry matter intake.


Enterococcus cecorum (EC) was thus far only known as a pathogen for broilers and broiler breeders. Recently there was evidence of EC field outbreaks in Pekin duck flocks in Germany. In this study we experimentally reproduced an EC infection in Pekin ducks. At 12 days post hatch, groups of Pekin ducks were infected orally, via the thoracic air sac or intravenously with 1.5 × 109 colony-forming units (CFU) of EC per bird or via the air sac with 8.5 × 105 or 8.5 × 107 CFU per bird. Ducks of the intravenously infected group showed 100% mortality after 2 days post infection. The air sac inoculated high-dose group exhibited a mortality rate of 67%. Birds that were infected with 8.5 × 105 and 8.5 × 107 CFU showed 6.7% mortality after 7 days post infection. Dead birds displayed pneumonia, airsacculitis, pericarditis and splenitis and EC was re-isolated from these organs. Surviving birds of all groups apart from the orally infected ducks demonstrated clinical signs such as huddling, reduced mobility and diarrhoea. Furthermore, they showed gross pathological lesions including airsacculitis and splenitis and lower bodyweights than the control group at necropsy on days 7, 14 and 21 post infection. The present study clearly confirms that EC is pathogenic for Pekin ducks after experimental infection via the intravenous route or the respiratory tract. EC therefore has to be considered as an emerging avian pathogen not only in broilers but also in Pekin ducks.


A set of governing differential equations is derived for the inplane motion of a rotating thin flexible beam. The beam is assumed to be linearly elastic and is connected to a rigid hub driven by a torque motor. Both flexural and extensional effects are included in the derivation. This coupling due to flexure and extension is usually neglected in studies dealing with the control of such a system. Models for typical control studies are often derived by utilizing an assumed mode approach where the mode shapes are obtained by solving the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation for flexural vibrations, with clamped-free or pinned-free boundary conditions. The coupled equations developed in this paper are used to demonstrate that typical models in control studies give satisfactory results up to a critical rotational speed. For the case where these coupled equations are specialized to simple flexure only, valid for low angular speeds, a unique feedforward control strategy can be derived. This is an open-loop control strategy that enables total elimination of an a priori specified vibratory mode from the gross motion in a finite critical time.


Background: 5% minoxidil formulations twice daily are effective in treating vertex male androgenetic alopecia (AGA); however, efficacy and safety data in frontotemporal regions are lacking. Objectives: To assess the efficacy of 5% minoxidil topical foam (5% MTF) in the frontotemporal region of male AGA patients after 24 weeks of treatment compared to placebo treatment and to the vertex region. Methods: Seventy males with moderate AGA applied 5% MTF or placebo foam (plaTF) twice daily for 24 weeks in frontotemporal and vertex regions. Target area non-vellus hair count (TAHC) was the primary end point. Results: Frontotemporal and vertex TAHC and target area cumulative non-vellus hair width (TAHW) showed similar responses to 5% MTF with significant increases up to week 16 compared to baseline (p < 0.001). After 24 weeks of treatment, frontotemporal TAHW increased significantly in the 5% MTF group compared to the plaTF group (p = 0.017), while TAHC showed a similar non-significant increase from baseline in both regions. At 24 weeks, 5% MTF users rated a significant improvement in scalp coverage for the frontotemporal (p = 0.016) and vertex areas (p = 0.027). Conclusions: 5% MTF twice a day promotes hair density and width in both frontotemporal and vertex regions in men with moderate stages of AGA.


The Bidder's organ is an undeveloped ovary located anterior to the testis in male true toads (Bufonidae). The presence of sperm and oocytes, derived from the primordial germ cells of the male toad, provides an exceptional condition for the study of germ cell differentiation in vertebrates. In this study, the effects of orchidectomy on morphology and on lamina‐associated polypeptide 2 (LAP2) expression were investigated in the Bidder's organ of Bufo marinus. To characterize bidderian oocytes, oogenesis in the ovary was divided into six stages. It was found that ovarian and bidderian oocytes were morphologically identical. To determine the expression of LAP2 isoforms, oocytes from the ovary and the Bidder's organ were examined by sodium dodecylsulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. In amphibians, LAP2β is expressed in somatic cells, whereas LAP2ω is expressed in oocytes. The Bidder's organ normally contained previtellogenic oocytes of less than 150 µm in diameter that expressed LAP2β. However, the organ in some male toads contained a few larger oocytes, resulting in the faint detection of LAP2ω. After orchidectomy, bidderian oocytes grew and strongly expressed LAP2ω. Moreover, as in the ovary, LAP2ω was upregulated in bidderian oocytes of 240 µm in diameter. This work represents the first demonstration of the molecular similarity between ovarian and bidderian oocytes.


Presently, it is not possible to corroborate Tellegen's theorem or to articulate the compensation theorem in the frequency domain when considering all the harmonics simultaneously. The circuit analysis approach based on geometric algebra is used here to solve these two challenges. We show here the significance of representing harmonics by k -vectors and how k -vectors process the magnitude, the phase and the frequency of a sine wave. We take a tutorial approach and provide examples to demonstrate both, the simplicity of this approach and how a distinct representation of time-domain signals of different frequencies facilitates both, energy analysis and confirming the principle of superposition and Kirchhoff's circuits' laws in non-sinusoidal conditions when considering all the harmonics simultaneously.


In this paper I take a look at a classic problem in Spanish morphosyntax, namely the alternation between the forms -se and -ra in the Imperfect Subjunctive ( Imperfecto de Subjuntivo ). Research on this topic has mainly focused on sociolinguistic variation, and has been done almost exclusively with impressionistic data and speaker's intuitions. I address the problem from a usage-based perspective, using corpus linguistics methods. The main claim is that the choice between -se and -ra correlates to a certain extent with morpho-syntactic and discourse factors. Through collostructional analysis I also show that there are repelled and attracted collexemes that distinguish and relate both forms.


We propose a new multifractal traffic model for network traffic. The model is a combination of a multiplicative cascade with an independent lognormal process. We show that the model has all the important properties observed in data traffic including long-range dependence (LRD), multifractality and lognormality. We also demonstrate that the model is flexible enough to capture the complete multifractal characteristics of data traffic including both the scaling function and the moment factor. On the other hand, we argue that the model is simple from practical point of view having only three parameters. Practical applications for measured data traffic and validation of the model with queueing performance evaluation are also presented.


We engage with Leitch and Palmer's (2010) analysis of Critical Discourse Analytical (CDA) scholarship in organizational and management studies, in order to argue that, whereas they rightly point to the need for further reflexivity in the field, their recommendation for a strict methodological protocol in CDA studies may be reproducing some of the problems they identify in their analysis. We put forward an alternative, relational-dialectic conception of discourse that defends an integrationist orientation to research methodology, privileging trans-disciplinarity over rigour.


A low-cost, easy to construct, digital system for measurement of photocurrent transients in semi-insulating materials is described. The hardware and software involved are detailed. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, an automatic dark current cancellation circuit was introduced using a D/A converter and the software controlled the change of amplifier gain. Typical photocurrent transient data obtained with this system for semi-insulating GaAs samples are presented.


KM3NeT is a deep-sea neutrino telescope of very large scale ( severalkm3) to be deployed and operated in the Mediterranean Sea. Neutrino-induced charg ed particles are detected by measuring their Cherenkov light in sea-water, using Photomultiplier Tubes inside transparent, pressure resistant spherical enclosures. The aim is to instrument several km3 of sea volume with tens of thousands of optical sensors, connected to the shore through ele ctro-optical cables up to 100km. The KM3NeT collaboration has successfully developed an optica l sensor, the Digital Optical Module, by placing 31, 3-inch Photomultiplier Tubes in a 17-inch gla ss sphere along with the readout electronics. Each Digital Optical Module is supplied power thro ugh a high voltage (400VDC) line, converted to low voltage (12VDC) in a breakout box before ent eri g the Digital Optical Module. The Power Converter Board, situated inside the Digital Opti cal Module, is used to produce seven voltage rails as required by the Digital Optical Module elec tronic modules. This paper summarizes the design considerations and implementation of the P ower Converter Board and the results of the trial runs so far. Technology and Instrumentation in Particle Physics 2014, 2-6 June, 2014 Amsterdam, the Netherlands


Codex was by far the most widely attested book form among early Christian literary papyri. Nevertheless, the papyrological record does include several notable exceptions, two of which contain parts of the book of Revelation (18 and 98). Recently, the former's status as a roll has been disputed by Brent Nongbri, who suggested that, instead, 18 is more likely to be a miscellaneous codex. This article provides a fresh look at the extant evidence and critically reviews Nongbri's case. In closing, brief reflections on the manuscript's social setting are offered.


Companies expect managers to use financial data to allocate resources and run their departments. But many managers can't read a balance sheet, wouldn't recognize a liquidity ratio, and don't know how to calculate return on investment. Worse, they don't have any idea where the numbers come from or how reliable they really are. In "Financial Intelligence", Karen Berman and Joe Knight teach the basics of finance - but with a twist. Financial reporting, they argue, is as much art as science. Since nobody can quantify everything, accountants always rely on estimates, assumptions, and judgment calls. Savvy managers need to know how those sources of possible bias can affect the financials - and they need to know that sometimes the numbers can be challenged.While providing the foundation for a deep understanding of the financial side of business, the book also arms managers with practical strategies for improving their companies' performance - strategies such as "managing the balance sheet" that are well understood by financial professionals but rarely shared with their nonfinancial colleagues. Accessible, jargon-free, and filled with entertaining stories of real companies, "Financial Intelligence" will help nonfinancial managers be smarter and more confident in their everyday work.


The Mott insulator κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Cl consists of molecular dimers arranged on an anisotropic triangular lattice. At low temperatures a pronounced dielectric anomaly is observed, and eventually a canted antiferromagnetic ground state forms. Optical spectroscopy clearly rules out charge imbalance and the existence of quantum electric dipoles with a dipolar-spin coupling. Here we suggest a novel form of spin–charge coupling where the prominent in-plane dielectric response in κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Cl is explained by short-range discommensurations of the antiferromagnetic phase in the temperature range 30 K < T < 50 K, and by relaxation of charged domain walls in the ferromagnetic structure at lower temperatures.


Animal integumentary coloration plays a crucial role in visual communication and camouflage, and varies extensively among and within species and populations. To understand the pressures underlying such diversity, it is essential to elucidate the mechanisms by which animals have created novel integumentary coloration. Colours can be produced by selective absorption of light by skin pigments, through light scattering by structured or unstructured tissues, or by a combination of pigments and nanostructures. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of the interactions between pigments and structural integumentary tissues and molecules. We analyse the available evidence suggesting that these combined mechanisms are capable of creating colours and optical properties unachievable by either mechanism alone, thereby effectively expanding the animal colour palette. Moreover, structural and pigmentary colour mechanisms frequently interact in unexpected and overlooked ways, suggesting that classification of colours as being of any particular type may be difficult. Finally, we discuss how these mixtures are useful for investigating the largely unknown genetic, developmental and physical processes generating phenotypic diversity. This article is part of the themed issue 'Animal coloration: production, perception, function and application'.


After summarizing the basic concepts for the exterior algebra, we first discuss the gauge structure of the bundle over base manifold for deciding the form of the gravitational sector of the total Lagrangian in any dimensions. Then we couple minimally a Dirac spinor field to our gravitational Lagrangian 2-form which is quadratic in the nonmetricity and both linear and quadratic in the curvature in two dimensions. Subsequently, we obtain field equations by varying the total Lagrangian with respect to the independent variables. Finally, we find some classes of solutions of the vacuum theory and then a solution of the Dirac equation in a specific background and analyze them.


Increasingly, reverse e-auctions are replacing traditional competitive bidding for sourcing decisions. Using the Internet, reverse e-auctions allow suppliers to compete dynamically, in real-time, for a buyer's business. During a reverse e-auction, suppliers submit multiple electronic bids over a fixed time period, often 30 min or less. Typically, the price of the item or service being purchased drops, often dramatically, during the bidding process. E-auctions offer a range of benefits to buying organizations including lower transaction costs, shorter order-cycle times, a large pool of potential suppliers, and competitive purchase prices. Some buyers are concerned that the emphasis on price will overshadow other important performance characteristics. The differences between buying organizations that have adopted reverse e-auctions and those that have not used e-auctions for sourcing decisions are explored in this paper. Data for the study were gathered using a survey of vice presidents and directors of purchasing. Chi-squared analysis shows that there are no differences between reverse e-auction adopters and nonadopters on the level of importance placed on the purchasing objectives of cost management and on supplier collaboration. There is a significant difference considering organization size, where reverse e-auction adopters have higher annual sales than nonadopters. The findings suggest that contrary to expectations, e-auction use and supplier collaboration are not mutually exclusive. Opportunities for future research are discussed.


During the period 1990 to 2005, a total of 11 844 cases of dengue fever (DF), with 3 deaths, were reported in Guangdong province. The average attack rate was 1.27/100 000 pop. The disease affected 17 out of 21 cities in the province. DF occurred throughout the year and the epidemic phase extended from July to December. DENV-1, that affected all age groups, appeared to be the predominant circulating virus, although DENV-2, -3 and -4 were also involved. Aedes albopictus was the only vector species responsible for the DF outbreaks.


Abstract:Since around 2010, a new theoretical strand within Chinese feminism has been forming, which, for lack of a programmatic label, the author calls "socialist feminism." Broadly speaking, Chinese socialist feminism shows an interest in political economy and attributes women's status to their place in the economic structures of Chinese society. Productive and reproductive work (past and present) are therefore main fields of research. The distinctive terminological mark of socialist feminism, however, is its emphasis on China's socialist past as a legacy and resource for today's society. Differing from its Western counterpart, Chinese socialist feminism derives its profile not from theoretical debates on the relation between class and gender or capitalism and patriarchy and their empirical manifestations in Western industrialized societies, but from the very fact that socialism and a socialist approach to women's problems have been a reality on Chinese soil that deserves recognition for feminist theory building. Socialism as a historical legacy and memory is indicative of China's postsocialist situation, which, as the author argues, has a deep impact on the epistemological, theoretical, and political outlook as well as the identity of socialist feminists in today's China.


This paper explores social, psychological and technological impacts of surgical robot applications in health care environments. The introduction of novel medical and surgical robot technologies is changing the practice of medicine. The aim is to analyze how technological, social and psychological factors mutually affect person-friendly robot interaction, including the major determinants of utility, usability, and acceptability. The empirical inquiry consists of a qualitative case study of professional clinicians in two medical departments that have been studied through interviews, observations and examination of written records. As the study shows, interfaces of surgical robots should harmonize to the characteristics of human users. The appropriate allocation of tasks and capabilities between the robot, the surgeon, assistant surgeons and other members in the operation team proves to be a dilemma. The design of separate approaches to the social and technical systems of HRI is not sufficient. Instead, the proper technology is the one that best fits the entire situation.


This paper is concerned with the exponential mean-square stabilization problem via dynamic output-feedback controller for Markovian jump systems with nonlinear perturbations and time delays. Sufficient delay-range-dependent stabilization conditions for the existence of robust output-feedback controller are proposed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) with equality constraints. Since the obtained conditions are not strict LMI conditions, a globally convergent algorithm involving convex optimization based on the sequential linear programming matrix is suggested to solve the matrix inequalities characterizing the output-feedback controller solutions. It is shown that the maximum allowable bound on the nonlinearity could be computed thorough solving a constraint optimization problem. Finally, an illustrative example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.


In telephony system, the received signal by the loudspeaker, is reverberated through the environment and picked up by the microphone. It is called an echo signal. Which is in the form of time delayed and attenuated image of original speech signal, and causes a reduction in the quality of the communication. Adaptive filters are a class of filters that iteratively alter their parameters in order to minimize a difference between a desired output and their output. In the case of acoustic echo, the optimal output is an echoed signal that accurately emulates the unwanted echo signal. This is then used to negate the echo in the return signal. The better the adaptive filter simulates this echo, the more successful the cancellation will be. This paper examines LMS algorithm of adaptive filtering and the application in acoustic echo cancellation system. Employing a discrete signal processing in Matlab for simulation with real acoustic signals. Also a hardware implementation of an adaptive filter have been developed using XC3S500E Xilinx FPGA chip, and VHDL language on RTL abstraction level.


The performance of traveling-wave tube (TWT) amplifiers incorporating nonlinear dielectric elements is studied via computer simulation. Two different situations are investigated: (1) the use of nonlinear dielectric elements to reduce intermodulation distortion and (2) the use of voltage-controlled dielectrics to provide rapid modification of the dispersion characteristics of the slow-wave structure. In the first case, the use of dielectrics with negative second-order susceptibilities is studied as a means of reducing phase and intermodulation distortion. Use of these dielectrics along with dynamic velocity taper to reduce amplitude modulation distortion results in marked reduction of predicted intermodulation distortion. In the second case, the goal is to design an amplifying structure whose gain as a function of frequency can be varied electrically. Preliminary design studies show that relatively large changes in the center frequency of the amplification band can be achieved with relatively modest changes in the dielectric constant of helix support structure.


Biological cells regulate their biochemical behavior in response to mechanical stress present in their organism. Most of the available cell cultures designed to study the effect of mechanical stimuli on cells are cm2 area, far too large to monitor single cell response or have a very low throughput. We have developed two sets of high throughput single cell stretcher devices based on dielectric elastomer microactuators to stretch groups of individual cells with various strain levels in a single experiment. The first device consists of an array of 100 μm x 200 μm actuators on a non-stretched PDMS membrane bonded to a Pyrex chip, showing up to 4.7% strain at the electric field of 96 V/μm. The second device contains an array of 100 μm x 100 μm actuators on a 160% uniaxially prestretched PDMS membrane suspended over a frame. 37% strain is recorded at the nominal electric field of 114 V/μm. The performance of these devices as a cell stretcher is assessed by comparing their static and dynamic behavior.


Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 7 S I Davidson & F T Fraunfelder (ed) pp 223 £22 ISBN 0-443-03103-7 Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone 1985 In the three years since the publication of the last edition of Recent Advances in Ophthalmology there have been several important advances which impinge directly on the daily clinical practice of every ophthalmologist. There are now several new therapeutic options to consider for the patient with open angle glaucoma, and the ophthalmologist needs help to make appropriate decisions. Unfortunately, although there are two sections devoted to glaucoma, this particular aspect is not adequately covered. However, for the surgeon aware but with little knowledge of the possibility of retinal damage from the operating microscope, the chapter on ocular phototoxicity by Lerman is timely, informative, easy to follow and alone worth the price of this book. There are also excellent chapters on the use of viscous and viscoelastic substances by Eisner, and the treatment of congenital cataract by Hoyt. The first of these is particularly well-illustrated and covers substances in addition to the much advertised sodium hyaluronate. The chapter by Hoyt could have been improved by discussing the indications for surgery in greater detail. The chapters on herpes simplex, malignant melanoma, glaucoma and laser trabeculoplasty are all easy to read but are not sufficiently balanced to be recommended. There are useful, well referenced and sensible reviews on intraocular lenses, vitreous surgery, radial keratotomy, diabetic retinopathy and macular disease. Nine of the 13 chapters in this edition can be highly recommended, and at £22 it is excellent value. A R FIELDER Reader in Ophthalmology Leicester Royal Infirmary


Mechanism of the metabolic disturbance as the cause of the experimental hypertension was further studied in this report. Using the heart and skeletal muscle of toad, the author demonstrated that dinitrophenol and monoiodoacetate induce the accumulation of Na ion in the muscle cells. Here neurogenic factor of hypertension was also examined and discussed.


Nowadays, deep representations have been attracting much attention owing to the great performance in various tasks. However, the interpretability of deep representations poses a vast challenge on real-world applications. To alleviate the challenge, a deep matrix factorization method with non-negative constraints is proposed to learn deep part-based representations of interpretability for big data in this paper. Specifically, a deep architecture with a supervisor network suppressing noise in data and a student network learning deep representations of interpretability is designed, which is an end-to-end framework for pattern mining. Furthermore, to train the deep matrix factorization architecture, an interpretability loss is defined, including a symmetric loss, an apposition loss, and a non-negative constraint loss, which can ensure the knowledge transfer from the supervisor network to the student network, enhancing the robustness of deep representations. Finally, extensive experimental results on two benchmark datasets demonstrate the superiority of the deep matrix factorization method.


The remnant trees in casttle have a significant ecological importance because they alter the microhabitat and also affect biological interactions. Ali these factors improve mycorrhizal fungi establishment and forest vegetation species proliferation. The objective of this study was to determine space-temporal variation of the morphospecies of arbuscular mycorrhiza and their spores number under remnant trees. This study was carried out in a casttle, in the northern edge of the Biology Station of "Los Tuxtlas", Veracruz, Mexico. Four isolated trees (Ampelocera hottlei, Poulsenia armata and Ficus sp.) were chosen. Soil samples were collected under each tree cover during dry, rainy and "nortes" seasons. Thirteen arbuscular mycorrh izal species of the Glomaceae, Acaulosporaceae and Gigasporaceae families were observed. The number of spores among climatic seasons was significant different, the highest value was presented in "nortes" season and the lowest occurred in the dry season. There were no significant differences among isolated tree species, this could imply that the remnant tree function as a unit. Differential water availability, a long the year, may explain spores production variation.


This review gives indications for tooth extraction in cats as well as a brief description of the necessary instrumentation. General guidelines and a step-by-step procedure for an extraction lege artis are described.


SUMMARY Rapid population growth and economic change on the tropical islands of Mauritius have led to one of the highest rates of urban build-out in the world. Pressure on many of the island's natural features and resources increasingly risks further degradation to the environmental services that they provide to the country. Fourteen types of marine and terrestrial environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) are critical to the nation's sustainable development. Twelve of these ESA types are currently at risk of degradation, owing to their spatial proximity to built-up areas (BUAs) and current use designation. There was a bimodal distribution in proximity; eight of the 12 ESA types analysed had an area-weighted modal peak < 500 m from the nearest BUA, and four ESAs had a modal peak 2–3 km from the nearest BUA. Six coastal and marine ESAs had limited protection from urban expansion and over-use. The Mauritian experience reflects trends that are emerging across many tropical developing countries, where the bulk of future global growth in urban area is expected to occur. The approach detailed in this case study is replicable and may be useful in assessing degradation risk as a result of urban expansion in other island countries.


This paper uses a new set of questions to analyse the impact of populist attitudes on party preferences and voting behaviour in the 2015 Polish parliamentary elections. At these elections, voters faced a choice between two broad blocs: parties that accepted the "liberal-orthodox" model of post-communist politics, and those that rejected this model and the political elites associated with its implementation. I find that there is a coherent set of populist attitudes among the Polish electorate, and that it correlates with economic and cultural attitudes in ways consistent with the supply-side divide between liberal and anti-liberal parties. Analysis of the individual and combined impact of these attitudes on voting behaviour reveals that populism plays a significant role both in structuring the sentiments of voters towards particular kinds of political parties and in determining how they cast their vote.


ABSTRACT A 'co-production of knowledge' transdisciplinary approach connects different systems of knowledge that are in collaboration with each other. The transdisciplinarity presupposes bringing natural, social sciences, and Indigenous knowledge together. A growing body of literature on knowledge co-production and better control over research by Indigenous stakeholders contributes to a better collaboration of different knowledge holders. However, as power imbalance and issues of trust continue to persist, further analysis of case studies, where different knowledge holders collaborate, allow for a better understanding of how better long-term collaborations could be built. This reflection paper examines several observations and parts of interviews carried out during a recent ethnographic study on urban Indigenous identity preservation in Anchorage, Alaska in collaboration with the urban Yup'ik population. It may serve as an illustration of some challenges that might hinder the co-production of Indigenous knowledge and Western science. The observations examined in this paper may contribute to a further understanding of different approaches to learning of Arctic Indigenous and Western knowledge systems that are in need of further clarification to enable their better interaction for meeting current sustainability challenges.


A total of 343 HIV-1-positive samples obtained between June 1996 and March 1999 was genetically characterized in the envelope region by HMA and/or sequencing. The env subtype distribution was as follows: 290 (84.6%) A, 22 (6.5%) B, 16 (4.7%) C, 8 (2.5%) D, 1 (0.03%) E, 1 (0.03%) F1, 4 (1.2%) G, and 1 (0.03%) H. For 77 samples the p24 region from the gag gene was also sequenced, and for 9 (11.6%) the subtypes between env and gag were different. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed the predominance of AG-IBNG-like viruses among gag and env subtype A sequences. HMA is relatively simple and requires less sophisticated technical facilities compared with sequencing, and in Senegal 323 (94.2%) of the 343 samples could be identified by this technique. However, in the actual configuration of the assay, discrimination between the recombinant AG-IBNG-like recombinant viruses, which are predominant in Senegal, and the nonrecombinant subtype A viruses is not possible.


Based on papers presented at the third in a series of svmposia sponsored by the Ear Research Foundation of Florida and the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, this book continues to il lustrate the creative interchange between neurologv' and otolaryn gology that has characterized otologic surgical development dur ing the pa.st 25 years. In substance and format the present volume represents a continuity with and a departure from its disting uished predecessors edited by Herbert Silverstein and Horace Norrell under the title Neurological Surgery of the Ear. volumes 1 and 2, based on the papers given at the first symposia.


Ultrasound (US) is widely accepted in clinic for anatomical structure inspection. However, lacking in resources to practice US scan, novices often struggle to learn the operation skills. Also, in the deep learning era, automated US image analysis is limited by the lack of annotated samples. Efficiently synthesizing realistic, editable and high resolution US images can solve the problems. The task is challenging and previous methods can only partially complete it. In this paper, we devise a new framework for US image synthesis. Particularly, we firstly adopt a sketch generative adversarial networks (Sgan) to introduce background sketch upon object mask in a conditioned generative adversarial network. With enriched sketch cues, Sgan can generate realistic US images with editable and fine-grained structure details. Although effective, Sgan is hard to generate high resolution US images. To achieve this, we further implant the Sgan into a progressive growing scheme (PGSgan). By smoothly growing both generator and discriminator, PGSgan can gradually synthesize US images from low to high resolution. By synthesizing ovary and follicle US images, our extensive perceptual evaluation, user study and segmentation results prove the promising efficacy and efficiency of the proposed PGSgan.


We designed this research guide to introduce you to the field of Latin American studies. You'll find the materials, search tools, and other resources you need to start your research.


In medical images, ROI (Region Of Interest) is an area which contains important information and must be stored without any distortion. We propose a digital watermarking method which avoids the distortion of the image data in ROI by embedding signature information into other area than the ROI. Signature image compressed by a progressive coding algorithm is used as the signature information. The most significant information of the signature information is embedded in the nearest area to the ROI. The proposed method can detect the signature image with moderate quality from a clipped image including the ROI. Furthermore, by dividing the contour of the ROI into several regions and embedding the signature information in the regions respectively, the signature image with moderate quality can be acquired from a clipped image including only part of the ROI.


In order to reduce the internal cracks and control the quality of the steel strand in continuous casting, a thermal-mechanical model considering the movement of the strand, real roll arrangement and caster structure, has been established with the elasto-viscoplastic constitution to predict the three dimensional temperature distribution and bulging deformation of the strand. Using the sequentially coupled finite element method the model is solved numerically, and is validated by the comparisons of the simulation results and measured data. The model is suitable for future research on the whole strand bulging deformation to help improve the strand quality in continuous casting.


With any waveguide device accurate knowledge of the optical characteristics is necessary for device design and specification; hence it is important from a practical and theoretical point of view to establish an efficient and precise method for measuring the refractive index profile of optical waveguides. For the majority of waveguide applications accurate knowledge of the absolute refractive index is rarely required but in contrast the difference between two adjacent regions is essential. The technique presented here addresses this second requirement. Measurements can be performed at any wavelength on the basis of intensity measurements of reflected signals from two adjacent points on the surface of a material and, since it is a non-contact measurement, it is also possible to record reflectance changes in situ. Samples can be heated, illuminated or processed in other ways, with a constant record of the refractive index changes which occur or are being made, mapped across an entire surface to an accuracy in of . The spatial mapping of is limited only by the focused spot diameters and the need for a separation between them, the surface quality and the noise associated with the combined detector and PSD electrical noise. We used and ZnSe at various temperatures to calibrate and measure small refractive index changes.


Aim. To study the efficacy and other treatment outcomes of Ovesco clip closure of iatrogenic perforation. Methods. Retrospective study from 3 tertiary-care hospitals in Thailand. Patients with iatrogenic perforation who underwent immediate endoscopic closure by Ovesco clip were included. Patients' demographic data, perforation size, number of Ovesco clips used, fasting day, length of hospital stay, success rates, and complication rate were recorded. Technical success was defined as closure achievement during endoscopic procedure and clinical success was defined as the patient can be discharged without the need of additional surgical or radiological intervention. Results. There were 6 iatrogenic perforations in 2 male and 4 female patients. The median age was 59 years (range 39–78 years). The locations of perforation were 5 duodenal walls and 1 rectosigmoid junction. The median perforation size was 13 mm (range 10–40 mm). The technical success was 100% and the clinical success was 83.3%. The success rates per locations were 100% in colon and 80% in duodenum, respectively. The median fasting time was 5 days (range 1–10 days) and the median length of hospital stay was 10 days (range 2–22 days). There was no mortality in any. Conclusion. Ovesco clip seems to be an effective and safe tool for a closure of iatrogenic perforation.


Radical-induced oxidn. of reversible addn.-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents is studied with respect to the effect of mol. structure on oxidn. rate. The radicals are generated by homolysis of either azobisisobutyronitrile or alkoxyamine and transformed in situ immediately into peroxy radicals through transfer to mol. oxygen. The oxidn. rate depends on the structure of Z- and R-group of thiocarbonylthio compds. For dithioesters with identical Z-Ph substituent, the oxidn. rate decreases in the order of cyanoisopropyl (-C(Me)2CN) > cumyl (-C(Me)2Ph) > phenylethyl (-CH(Me)Ph) > 2-methoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl (-CH(Me) -C(=O)OCH3) > benzyl (-CH2Ph). For dithioesters with identical R-group, the oxidn. rate decreases in the order of Z = phenyl- ∼ benzyl- > RS- (trithiocarbonates) > RO- (xanthates). The stability of the RAFT agents toward oxidn. correlates well with the chain transfer abilities as those previously reported by Rizzardo and coworkers. The priority of the oxidn. reaction over the RAFT process, and the subsequent influence on RAFT polymn. are also studied. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011. [on SciFinder(R)]


Attention to environmental issues is not only limited to local or national problems but also as an international problem. Protection of the environment has become a main agenda of the international community. This program based on the reality of various environmental pollution and damage events that have had a profound impact on human life. This article analyzes the relationship between the environment and human rights and the Indonesian government's policy to protect the environment. The purposes of this paper are to find out the correlation between human rights and the environment, and find out the policies of the Indonesian government in this regard. Through this article, it can be seen that the environment is an inherent part of human rights, which the right to a good and healthy environment is a human right. Furthermore, the Indonesian government has also taken steps and efforts in ensuring environmental protection, one of which is through legal instruments of the law.


The friction coefficient plays a critical role in a friction-type isolator, since it determines the transmitted seismic force and the energy dissipation capacity of the isolator, simultaneously. However, the choice of feasible sliding materials that possess appropriate friction coefficients is very limited, and this has restricted the development and applications of friction-type isolators. To overcome this, an isolator called the eccentric rocking bearing (ERB) with the property of designable friction is introduced in this study. By using an eccentric rolling mechanism, the ERB bearing is self-centering and its effective friction coefficient is adjustable by a geometric parameter that can be designed by engineers. The results of a shaking table test conducted on an ERB-isolated full-scale structure have confirmed the feasibility and efficiency of the ERB bearings for seismic isolation. Additionally, the high consistency between the simulated and experimental dynamic responses verifies the method developed to analyze the ERB.


Abstract We study the Saito-Ikeda infinitesimal invariant of the cycle defined by curves in their Jacobians using rank k + 1 vector bundles. We give a criterion for which the higher cycle class map is not trivial. When k = 2, this turns out to be strictly linked to the Petri map for vector bundles. In this case we can improve a result of Ikeda: an explicit construction on a curve of genus g ≥ 10 shows the existence of a non trivial element in the higher Griffiths group.


The article deals with to the critical analysis of the internal rate of return, which represents one of the traditional most frequently used indicators of financial effectiveness of investment projects, allowing investors to sense relative yield from investing in a project. Within the analysis the author identifies deficiencies of applying the internal rate of return and offers alternative means of practical evaluation of relative yield from investing in a project based on modelling of an investor's behavior related to expected schedule of return invested capital.


A programmable systolic array cell for signal processing applications is described. The cell uses two chips: the 16-b NCR45CM16 CMOS multiplier/accumulator (MAC) for arithmetic, and the systolic array controller (SAC) for routing data and controlling the MAC. All major cell resources can operate concurrently. The many practical details of implementing systolic array algorithms on an array of SAC/MAC cells are fully presented. A library of macros for commonly used program segments is described. Key issues are discussed such as programming the MAC, scaling operands, loading RAM, synchronizing cells, delaying data, unloading results, combining the macros into a program, and pipelining a program. Two systolic algorithms are developed: matrix multiplication on a linear array, and matrix multiplication on a two-dimensional array. With a two-dimensional array, a series of pipelined matrix-matrix multiplications uses the MAC every cycle. >


OBJECTIVE
To validate the Clinical Gait and Balance Scale (GABS) for a Brazilian population of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to compare it to the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

METHODS
One hundred and seven PD patients were evaluated by shortened UPDRS motor scale (sUPDRSm), Hoehn and Yahr (HY), Schwab and England scale (SE), Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q), BBS and GABS.

RESULTS
The internal consistency of the GABS was 0.94, the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were 0.94 and 0.98 respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.72, with a sensitivity of 0.75 and specificity of 0.6, to discriminate patients with a history of falls in the last twelve months, for a cut-off score of 13 points.

CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that the Brazilian version of the GABS is a reliable and valid instrument to assess gait and balance in PD.


Background Premature birth is associated with ventricular remodeling, early heart failure, and altered left ventricular (LV) response to physiological stress. Using computational cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging we aimed to quantify preterm ventricular remodeling in the neonatal period, and explore contributory clinical factors. Methods 73 CMR scans (34 preterm infants, 10 term controls) were performed to assess in-utero development and preterm ex-utero growth. End-diastolic computational atlases were created for both cardiac ventricles; t statistics, linear regression modeling and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to describe the impact of prematurity and perinatal factors on ventricular volumetrics, ventricular geometry, myocardial mass and wall thickness. This study adapted available neonatal CMR and adult computational atlasing techniques to confirm the hypothesis that preterm-associated ventricular remodeling originates in the neonatal period, demonstrate the phenotype of neonatal remodeling, and robustly explore associated clinical factors which could potentially offer future therapeutic targets. increases in myocardial wall thickness affected by each covariate and demonstrated on standardized myocardial meshes. All quoted P -values are post FDR correction.


Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help farmers access the information they need. Nowadays, an array of ICTs tools and projects are available not only in urban areas but in rural areas also. However effective utilization of ICTs for accessing agricultural information by the farmers is the major concern as generally, people use them more for entertainment and time passing. To what extent the farmers are using the ICTs in accessing agriculture information is fundamental for redesigning the agricultural development projects integrating the ICTs. Keeping this in view, the study was undertaken to ascertain the extent of the use of ICTs for accessing agricultural information by the farmers of South Gujarat. The study was carried out in the Valsad and Navsari districts of Gujarat for 120 farmers. Multistage random sampling was adopted for the selection of respondents. An Ex-post-facto research design was used for the study. Results of the study indicated that the majority (62.50 percent) of the respondents had a moderate level of extent of utilization of ICTs followed by 19.17 and 18.33 percent of them had high and low extent of utilization, respectively. Out of the 14 factors studied, education, extension participation, training received, mass media exposure, information source accessibility, innovativeness, social participation, and economic motivation were found positively and highly significantly correlated with the extent of use of ICTs.


Experimental
X-ray crystallography, NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy, dual
polarization interferometry, etc. are indeed very powerful tools to determine
the 3-Dimensional structure of a protein (including the membrane protein);
theoretical mathematical and physical computational approaches can also allow
us to obtain a description of the protein 3D structure at a submicroscopic
level for some unstable, noncrystalline and insoluble proteins. X-ray
crystallography finds the X-ray final structure of a protein, which usually
need refinements using theoretical protocols in order to produce a better
structure. This means theoretical methods are also important in determinations
of protein structures. Optimization is always needed in the computer-aided drug
design, structure-based drug design, molecular dynamics, and quantum and
molecular mechanics. This paper introduces some optimization algorithms used in
these research fields and presents a new theoretical computational method—an
improved LBFGS Quasi-Newtonian mathematical optimization method—to produce 3D
structures of prion AGAAAAGA amyloid fibrils (which are unstable,
noncrystalline and insoluble), from the potential energy minimization point of
view. Because the NMR or X-ray structure of the hydrophobic region AGAAAAGA of
prion proteins has not yet been determined, the model constructed by this paper
can be used as a reference for experimental studies on this region, and may be
useful in furthering the goals of medicinal chemistry in this field.


Calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) was used as the plasticizer to improve the properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The interaction between Ca(NO3)2 and PVA was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The influence of Ca(NO3)2 on the crystalline, thermal, and mechanical properties of PVA was studied by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile testing, respectively. FTIR studies showed that Ca(NO3)2 could strongly interact with PVA molecule and reduce the intensity of the hydrogen bonding between PVA molecules. The crystallization of PVA was interrupted and the degree of crystallinity of PVA decreased due to the strong interaction between Ca(NO3)2 and PVA. DSC studies showed that the glass transition temperature of PVA decreased with the addition of Ca(NO3)2. However, the thermal stability of PVA decreased with the addition of Ca(NO3)2. The mechanical properties of PVA was improved with the addition of Ca(NO3)2, PVA film became soft and ductile, with lower tensile strength and higher elongation at break compared with original PVA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers


The article describes the features of the plant community of the territory where the plant Artemisia schrenkiana Ledeb, which grows in the Urzhar District of Abai Kazakhstan region, is found. The research work was carried out by Universal geobotanical methods. As a result of the study, the authors, with a comprehensive analysis of the microclimatic state, terrain structure and flora composition of the territory where the Artemisia schrenkiana Ledeb plant grows, described 163 plant species belonging to 116 genera in 31 families from the plant community. In the areas where the plant Artemisia schrenkiana Ledeb grows, the following five families predominate in terms of the number of species: the family of Poaceae or Gramineae, a family of Compositae Giseke, A family of Chenopodiaceae Vent, a family of Leguminosae Juss, a family of Boraginaceae Juss. Plants in the studied community were classified according to their useful properties as follows: 157 species of cattle, 38 species of medicinal plants, 5 species of poisonous plants, 10 species of essential oil plants, 3 species of rotting plants, 3 species of ornamental plants. Currently, no external factors have a strong negative impact on the plant community in the teritorry of the Urzhar district, where the medicinal plant Artemisia schrenkiana Ledeb grows. In the future, it will be possible to collect reserves of useful and medicinal plants from this region.


Environmental decision-makers are increasingly demanding detailed spatial coverages with high temporal frequency to assess trends and changes in the extent and condition of wetlands, species habitats, farmlands, forests, rangelands, soil, water, and vegetation. Dynamic land cover information can substantially meet these requirements. Access to satellite-based time series information provides an unprecedented opportunity to better focus natural resource management (NRM) in Australia. Opportunities include assessing the extent and condition of key assets, prioritizing investment in key localities and time periods, improving targeting of scarce public funding, and monitoring and evaluating the outcome of this investment to assist land managers in improving land management practices to meet wider community social, economic, and environmental goals. We illustrate how these key "decision points" can be enhanced by linking dynamic land cover information to a stepped "cycle" model. We use the stepped cycle model to present two case studies, the management of fire and soil erosion, which demonstrate the application of dynamic land cover information to improve NRM decision-making across three broad stakeholder groups (national, regional, local). We use the case studies to highlight how accurate dynamic land cover information has been used to improve the design and reporting of national NRM programs.


There are two fundamental ideas in which Kwasi Wiredu apply his conceptual decolonization. These to him are two complementary things that are both negative and positive. In the negative sense, Wiredu's conceptual decolonization is the process that seeks to avoid and reverse "through a critical self-awareness the unexamined assimilation" in the thoughts of contemporary African philosophers those conceptual frameworks that are found in western or other philosophical cultures that have influenced African ways of life and thought. On the positive side, conceptual decolonization to Wiredu involves the exploitation of the vast "resources" of African conceptual frameworks in philosophical exercises or reflections on all the basic and crucial problems of contemporary philosophy. This establishes Wiredu's conceptual decolonization on historical foundation of the African problems through the process of colonialism. This historical trend in Africa has significant impacts on the whole of African system, which include education, politics, culture, science, technology, religion, culture, language, and thought patterns. These suggest that African contemporary systems are greatly influenced through the means of language, religion and politics; and the methods of science and technology. However, a critical reflection on these indicate that Wiredu's conceptual decolonization is distinctly opposed to the principles and tenets of globalization as a socio-political concept that is inspired by economic ideas, which are anchored on technological innovativeness and development. This explains the fact that globalization is driven by technological revolutionary and innovative ideas that are powered and energized by information, computer technology (ICT). This process thrives to link the world to a common system of circuit from where all knowledge and activities in the world can be viewed and known. This characteristically shrinks the world to what has been described as "global village" in an integrative pattern. These clearly in diverse manners promote interculturalism and interdependence to the extent that no nation or continent can be seen as an island. The world through globalization has been fused in a way that Wiredu's conceptual decolonization has been rendered a philosophical failed project with no practical and epistemological relevance. In this paper therefore, effort will be made to assess the impacts of globalization on Wiredu's conceptual decolonization. We submit that globalization has a more pragmatic, socio-economic and political allures to prevent Wiredu's conceptual decolonization from making any positive impact on African philosophy. Our approach here will be analytic and speculative.


Nowadays the dye lasers play as an important tool and are used in many applications including spectroscopy, medicine and dermatology. This research was carried out to study the possibility of using the beet dyes as a laser gain medium. The fluorescence quantum yield was determined by the comparative method with rodamine b as an organic dye standard. The value of the fluorescence quantum yield was found about (0.14) and the fluorescence quantum yield was developed until reaching about (0.323). The increasing of fluorescence quantum yield of dye solution as a result of increasing the viscosity of solvent was observed clearly. The study concluded that the beet dyes are so sensitive to fluorescence and it is very suitable to be used as a laser gain medium.


Nonfarm employment is an increasing form of employment in rural areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is partly because many of the workers in developing countries especially in Sub-Saharan Africa are self-employed workers.  Most women in Uganda do not own land since customary land ownership system deprives women of owning land. This has pushed women to nonfarm employment in urban areas, semi-rural, and rural areas. This paper explored the implications of nonfarm rural employment on the social and economic empowerment of women in rural areas. The findings revealed that nonfarm rural employment boosts women's income, puts women in leadership positions in women's groups such as the savings groups, and empowers women to become independent by reducing economic dependence on men or their husbands while also providing women with decision making power both in the community and households. Additionally, successful women in nonfarm employment, especially self-employed women, are role models and a motivation to other rural women to venture into nonfarm employment. Being successful as a woman in nonfarm employment also comes along with leadership roles and high social status in the community.

 Key words: Nonfarm employment, women empowerment, rural nonfarm economy, Uganda.


Osteomyelitis of the clavicle is rare; however, it may occur following head and neck surgery. Risk factors include radiation, longstanding tracheitis, disruption of the periosteum or the cortical bone with interruption of the blood supply to the clavicle. Proper management includes early diagnosis, surgical debridement of soft tissue and bone, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and coverage of the defect with a myocutaneous flap to protect the great vessels of the upper mediastinum.


Two entomopathogenic bacteria, Xenorhabdus nematophila and Photorhabdus temperata subsp. temperata, are known to be potent against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, when the bacteria are injected into the hemocoel. This study investigated any pathogenic effect of their culture broth on P. xylostella by oral administration. Only culture broth of both bacterial species did not give enough pathogenic effects by the oral administration. However, when the culture broth was orally treated together with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), both cell-free culture broth significantly enhanced Bt pathogenicity against the 3rd instar larvae of P. xylostella. The culture broth was then fractionated into hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts. Most synergistic effect on Bt pathogenicity was found in ethyl acetate extracts of both bacterial species. Thin layer chromatography of these extracts clearly showed that ethyl acetate extracts of both bacterial culture broths possessed metabolites that were different to those of hexane and aqueous extracts. These results suggest that the both entomopathogenic bacteria produce and secrete different factors to give significant synergistic effect on Bt pathogenicity.


This paper argues for a fluid approach to the study of agency in relation to algorithms, one that promotes crossing the boundaries of established analytical positions and breaking away from dualistic forms to frame its study. Building on various intellectual traditions, we develop three sensibilities for implementing such an approach: (a) working with tensions as an alternative to thinking about algorithmic power and human agency as an either/or binary; (b) examining mediations to reverse the tendency to treat algorithms as an ahistorical and universal force; and (c) exploring transversalities to navigate the spaces that emerge between various temporalities and levels of analysis. To make our case, we examine a crucial tension in the study of agency and algorithms, namely how scholars have either attributed power to algorithms or agency to users of algorithmic systems. The conclusion situates our argument for fluidity within larger historical debates in the study of technological power and human agency.


Monitoring the vital parameters of a greenhouse namely temperature and soil moisture through internet of things technology (IOT). Irrespective of wherever in the world you are through IOT technology we can monitor and control the greenhouse parameters. All the vital sensor data will be available to authorized users via internet. Even though the technology is yet to take off globally, this report analyses the possibility of integrating a greenhouse and the IOT. The project covers wide area of embedded system and networking. This paper presents a low cost and flexible greenhouse monitoring system using an embedded MCU with wi-fi connectivity to the internet. The proposed system does not require a dedicated server PC with respect to similar systems and offers a light weight communication protocol to monitor and control the environment. To demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this system, devices such as soil moisture sensor and temperature sensor have been integrated with the proposed greenhouse control system