This article shows that it could be theoretically possible to create a positive praedial trading servitude in the context of the right to trade on another's land if certain established requirements are complied with when the doctrinal framework of South African law and s 63(1) of the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 are applied. In light of s 63(1) of the Deeds Registries Act and the intention and subtraction from the dominium tests, it is conceivable that a positive trading right has the ability to burden land and to subtract from the servient owner's entitlement of use and enjoyment of the land even in a physical sense. Therefore, such a right may be real and registrable. Furthermore, it is possible that a positive trading right could comply with the commonlaw criteria for the establishment of a praedial trading servitude. The article also examines the possible nature and content of positive personal trading servitudes. If parties do not negotiate for a positive praedial trading servitude, a personal servitude can be negotiated in favour of the beneficiary in his or personal capacity.


New consortial buying models have dramatically increased the availability of online resources, particularly journal articles, in the universities and technical institutes of developing countries. The degree of acceptance and pattern of use of such materials is of great interest to library collection development. Ankara University surveyed faculty members regarding their awareness and use of these electronic materials.


Recently, the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, extended to include ionization interaction between light and weak plasma, was used to explore numerically the experimentally observed long. filamentary propagation of femtosecond pulses in air. A rather dynamic picture arises in which an initial pulse is formed, absorbed by plasma generation, and subsequently replenished by power from the trailing edge of the pulse. This process, termed dynamic spatial replenishment, can repeat several times and produce long distance propagation for high power input pulses. The onset and recurrence of multiple light filaments during the long-distance propagation of intense femtosecond infrared pulses in air in the simulations resembles the behavior reported experimentally and is shown to share features with strong turbulence in other physical systems. Here, however, space-time collapse events drive the turbulence, and plasma defocusing, not dissipation, is the dominant mechanism regularizing the collapse.


Since Braun in 1905 first associated adrenalin with Einhorn's novocaine (procaine) to augment anaesthetic action, many attempts have been made to replace this vasoconstrictor because of the often severe inconveniences it can cause (cardiovasculopathic, arteriosclerotic, etc.). Reduction in dosimetry is recalled in brief: 1-corbasil; vasopressin; nor-adrenalin. It is personally considered that none of these measures ever successfully replaced adrenalin, nor did they prove to be so harmless as was originally believed. Finally, the refinement of biochemical research enabled more powerful and less toxic locoregional anaesthetics to be marketed and these provided ideal anaesthesia without vasoconstrictors. Pure carbocaine has been personally used exclusively for more than four years, with the two-fold advantage of practically completely avoiding any general inconvenience, particularly in cardionephrotics, diabetics, etc. and, in plexic (or terminal) injections, avoiding the threat of ischaemia which is the most frequent cause of alveolitis and of secondary haemorrhage. This locoregional anaesthetic without vasoconstrictor is therefore recommended, while the vast majority of clinics continue to use anaesthetics associated wtih non-indispensable and dangerous vasoconstrictors.


We present BV CCD surface photometry, profiles, and images of the galaxy ESO 383-45, together with other galaxies in the same CCD field. We also present a B - V color map of the field and images of the galaxies enhanced by self-correlation of pixel values and by digital "unsharp masking." The extended halo and system of filaments of ESO 383-45 are seen clearly. We suggest that the evidence (radio jets and their curvature and areas of diffuse optical emission) of a dense intergalactic medium (IGM) in this field toward the center of the IC 4296 cluster may indicate that the galaxy ESO 383-45 is still undergoing ram pressure stripping of its gas, forming stars in the filaments, while the central galaxy has evolved to have a lenticular morphology. On the other hand, there are "knots" in the filaments that look like tidal dwarf galaxies in formation, and previous simulations of the tidal interaction of two disk galaxies have produced galaxies that can resemble ESO 383-45 from certain viewing angles. Other galaxies in the field appear to lie beyond the IC 4296 cluster and may be part of sheets of galaxies previously identified as connecting the Abell clusters of the Shapley supercluster. We identify many uncataloged faint extended objects that may represent background clusters of galaxies or knots (possibly of star formation) associated with the filaments and diffuse IGM of ESO 383-45. The present work represents the first multicolor surface photometric study for all of these galaxies, and only ESO 383-45 has previously been studied morphologically, using digitally co-added Schmidt plates obtained by some of the authors.


Labor market discrimination limits the opportunities of minoritized groups on the labor market. Despite increasing research into labor market discrimination, a shared picture among researchers and policy makers about effective interventions to mitigate labor market discrimination is lacking. This Delphi study aims to come to a shared picture about the most effective interventions to limit labor market discrimination according to nineteen (scientific) experts in the field of discrimination and inclusion in recruitment and selection. Interventions that were judged predominantly positive related to: 1) objectifying the selection procedure via de-identification of CVs, structured interviewing, and selection based on objective criteria; 2) changing and adhering to the social norm of non-discrimination; 3) increasing awareness of stereotypes and prejudices in combination with offering a perspective for action; and 4) long-term contact with the minoritized group through internships. More information about the candidate and short-term contact by means of, for example, speed dates was judged ineffective. Based on the results of the Delphi study, several recommendations are made to practice to reduce labor market discrimination during the recruitment and selection process.


Throughout most of its history, donors have perceived official development assistance (ODA) as a potentially helpful and mostly harmless form of intervention. Despite some destructive consequences, it was not until the late 1990s when the donor community realised that badly designed and insensitively implemented ODA can be just as disastrous to the recipient society as poorly executed military interventions or indiscriminate economic sanctions. Increasing interest in the impact of economic assistance on conflict made all major donor agencies adopt guidelines to avoid harming recipient societies and to maximise the positive impact of their aid on peace. This paper summarises the key literature on the role of ODA in ongoing conflicts as well as in times of peace, focusing on the influence of aid on violent tensions in the recipient societies. It traces the evolution of ideas which led to the recognition that aid can do harm. It argues that many of these connections, seemingly obvious, are unclear and likely to produce unmet expectations, and hence frustration.


Over the past few decades, many studies conducted in the field of learning science have reported that scaffolding plays an important role in human learning. To scaffold a learner efficiently, a teacher should predict how much support a learner must have to complete tasks and then decide the optimal degree of assistance to support the learner's development. Nevertheless, it is difficult to ascertain the optimal degree of assistance for learner development.


The article presents a new, multidimensional arithmetic of type 2 fuzzy numbers (M-IT2-F arithmetic) in which the result is a multidimensional fuzzy set. This arithmetic increases the accuracy of calculations and the scope of problems solved in relation to the currently used interval type 2 standard fuzzy arithmetic (IT2-SF arithmetic). The proposed M-IT2-F arithmetic has mathematical properties that IT2-SF arithmetic does not have. Thanks to these properties, it provides accurate calculation results that are not over- or under-estimated in terms of uncertainty. The paper contains comparisons of both types of arithmetic in application to two problems. Fuzzy arithmetic is not a finished work and is in a phase of continuous improvement and development. M-IT2-F arithmetic is a higher form of M-IT2 (non-fuzzy) arithmetic.


The notion of participation as a relation between objects, activities, and time has been axiomatized in various ontologies. In this paper, we focus on three of these ontologies – PSL-Core, Gangemi's axioms, and DOLCE. We provide a verification of these participation ontologies by introducing ontologies for new classes of mathematical structures known as incidence bundles and incidence foliations. The new mathematical ontologies serve as reusable ontology design patterns for participation, and also are the basis for mappings between the different participation ontologies. Finally, we illustrate the concept of ontology transfer through the use of these ontology design patterns.


The problem of Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability of two superposed compressible magnetized anisotropic pressure plasmas is investigated using generalized polytrope laws. The relevant magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations of the problem have been modified using generalized polytrope laws in terms of polytropic indices. The general dispersion relation is obtained using normal mode analysis by applying the appropriate boundary conditions. The conditions for K-H stability, instability and overstability are obtained for MHD and Chew-Goldberger and Low (CGL) set of equations. It is found that the conditions of K-H stability, instability and overstability depend on polytropic indices and magnetic field. We find that in general overstability is not possible unless the new conditions in terms of polytropic indices are not satisfied. The weak magnetic field changes the criteria of K-H instability. The effect of pressure anisotropy is studied on the growth rate of K-H instability. We conclude that increase in pressure anisotropy causes increase in the region of K-H instability.


BACKGROUND Sebaceous lymphadenoma is a benign tumor that occurs rarely in the salivary glands, most commonly in the parotid glands or periparotid lymph nodes, and even more rarely undergoes malignant transformation into a sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma. CASE SUMMARY We report an 82-year-old woman who presented with a painless mass in the right parotid region. We performed extended surgical resection of the parotid gland mass. Intraoperative pathology revealed a sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma with metastasis into the periparotid cervical lymph nodes, so we also performed neck dissection and lymph node resection. Postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis. The literature review revealed that this was the seventh reported case of sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma and the second reported case of cervical lymph node metastasis and infiltration of the skin of the parotid gland. CONCLUSION Treatment of sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma depends on the typing and clinical staging of the cancer. Extensive resection is the first choice, and adjuvant radiotherapy should be given to patients with high-grade tumors or those at an advanced clinical stage.


Perfluorocarbon liquids are useful in treating a variety of complex vitreoretinal surgical conditions, including complex retinal detachments, dislocated intraocular lenses, and intravitreal crystalline lenses and lens fragments. 1 We report the use of perfluorocarbon liquid to facilitate the removal of two large radiopaque intraocular glass fragments. Report of a Case. A 14-year-old boy noted immediate pain and loss of vision in his left eye on explosion of a glass bottle packed with dry ice. He had sustained a BB injury to the left orbit without sequelae 3 months earlier. Examination revealed a visual acuity in the left eye of hand motions, a left afferent pupillary defect, hemorrhagic chemosis, hyphema, and dense vitreous hemorrhage. Orbital computed tomographic scanning demonstrated a BB in the left ethmoidal sinus and two large densely radiopaque foreign bodies along the inferior sclera of the left eye ( Figure ). During primary repair of a posterior scleral laceration, no


Background: Today, the Internet provides an important tool to access information and opportunities for learning and entertainment, but its use is not without potential risks. This study investigates the relationship between parental mediation, mental health, high-risk behaviors, and cyberspace activities in Iranian adolescent Internet addiction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that lasted from January 10 to June 14, 2019. The sample consisted of 300 high school students aged 14-17 years in Kerman, Iran. Cluster sampling method was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21 software. Results: The prevalence of internet addiction disorder in adolescents was 51.7% (girls=26.7% and boys=25%). Chi-square results showed a significant negative relationship between mother's job and internet addiction (p<0.016). The t-test result showed that the role of mediate active parental immunity was more in people with Internet addiction and they experienced more online activities, cyberbullying victimization, substance use, and depression, whereas the role of restrictive mediation, parental attachment and self-esteem were higher in people without internet addiction. Logistic regression showed that variables of online activities OR=1.21 (95% CI: 1.12-1.3), cyberbullying victimization OR=1.18 (95% CI: 1.04-1.34) and depression OR=1.05 (95% CI: 0.99-1.09) had positive effect on Internet addiction, and self-esteem OR=0.92 (95% CI: 0.86-0.97) and restrictive parental mediation OR=0.89 (95% CI: 0.83-0.97) had negative effect (p<0.05). Conclusions : The prevalence rate of internet addiction in Iranian adolescents is high which important factors such as inappropriate parental mediation, psychological weakness (such as low self-esteem and depression), high levels of cyber activities, and cyberbullying victimization are considered as important factors to predict this disorder. Keywords: internet addiction, parental mediation, attachment, depression, self-esteem


With the development of the seismic interpretation technology, a single technology could not satisfy the requirements of the reservoir prediction. More and more technologies are used jointly to improve the predicted accuracy. In this paper, we study a method of prediction by combining the Matching pursuit (MP) algorithm and the RGB blend technology. Firstly, the data is divided into three bands. Then, the MP algorithm is used to select the region with large amplitude though several iterations. This is the most important step and decides the final result. Based on this, the RGB attribute is calculated to give the information of frequency by means of color mixing or transition. A more accurate prediction can be given after analyzing the improved RGB attribute. The model and real data demonstrate that it is an effective method of reservoir prediction.


Dependability properties of bi-directional and braided rings are well recognized in improving communication availability. However, current ring-based topologies have no mechanisms for extreme integrity and have not been considered for emerging high-dependability markets where cost is a significant driver, such as the automotive "by-wire" applications. This paper introduces a braided-ring architecture with superior guardian functionality and complete Byzantine fault tolerance while simultaneously reducing cost. This paper reviews anticipated requirements for high-dependability low-cost applications and emphasizes the need for regular safe testing of core coverage functions. The paper describes the ring's main mechanisms for achieving integrity and availability levels similar to SAFEbus/spl reg/ but at low automotive costs. The paper also presents a mechanism to achieve self-stabilizing TDMA-based communication and design methods for fault-tolerant protocols on a network of simplex nodes. The paper also introduces a new self-checking pair concept that leverages braided-ring properties. This novel message-based self-checking-pair concept allows high-integrity source data at extremely low cost.


Objective: To investigate the risk factors of perineal incision complications after abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer, and to establish a nomogram model to predict the complications of perineal incision. Methods: A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively collect the medical records of 213 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent APR at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2010 to December 2016. The complications of perineal incision after APR were classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications (Version 2019), and the complications of grade II and above were defined as "clinically significant complications" .Twenty-two factors related to complication of perineal incision, such as gender, age, surgical procedure, surgical approach, perineal repair, placement of drainage tube, skin position of drainage tube, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, intraoperative local perfusion chemotherapy, tumor classification, pathological grade, tumor T stage, tumor TNM stage and so on, were analyzed by chi-square test for univariate risk factor of complication in all variables, and variables with P<0.2 in univariate analysis were further included in multivariate analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to screen out independent risk factors. R software (R 3.3.2) was introduced. The rms software package was used to construct a nomogram prediction model. The C-index was calculated (higher meaning better consistency with actual risk) to evaluate the discriminant degree of the model. The Bootstrap method was used to repeat the sampling for internal verification. A total of 42 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent APR from January 2017 to December 2017 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were externally validated, and the corrected C-index was calculated. The model conformity was determined by comparing the C-index calibration difference between the predicted and actual risks. Results: Of the 213 patients with colorectal cancer, 131 were male and 82 were female, with mean age of (59.6±11.6) years. The incidence of postoperative perineal incision complications was 20.2% (43/213), including 27 cases of Clavien-Dindo II and above complications. Univariate analysis showed that the Eastern Cancer Cooperative Group (ECOG) score, preoperative albumin, skin position of drainage tube, intraoperative blood loss, preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy were associated with complications of postoperative perineal incision (All P<0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative albumin levels ≤38 g/L (OR=105.261, 95% CI: 7.781 to 1423.998, P<0.001), perinead drainage (OR=11.493, 95% CI: 1.379 to 95.767, P=0.024), intraoperative blood loss >110 ml (OR=6.476, 95% CI: 1.505 to 27.863, P=0.012) and preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy (OR=7.479, 95% CI: 1.887 to 29.640, P=0.004) were postoperative clinically significant independent risk factors for perineal incision complications. The nomogram model was established. Preoperative albumin level <38 g/L was for 100 points, the preoperative chemoradiotherapy was for 52.5 points, the intraoperative blood loss >110 ml was for 28.5 points, and the perineal drainage was for 17.5 points. Adding all the points was the total score, and the complication rate corresponding to the total score was the predicted rate of the model. The model had a C-index of 0.863. After internal verification, the C-index dropped by 0.005. External verification showed a C-index of 0.841. Conclusions: Preoperative nutritional status, skin position of drainage tube, intraoperative blood loss and preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy may affect the occurrence of perineal wound complications after APR for rectal cancer. The nomogram model constructed in this study is helpful for predicting the probability of clinically significant complications after APR.


In this article I draw on architectural and choreographic ways of thinking to discuss how filmed material is transformed through projection and active and mobile spectatorship. Shifting my attention from what is projected to where it is projected, I expand the discourse beyond the single flat cinematic screen. I do this by concentrating on how the projected surface (its placement in space and its assembly with multiple screens) creates social encounters. This study accepts Rosenberg's definition of the screen as "a receptor of an otherwise ephemeral image and which reifies that image in the process of receiving it." Anarchitextures is a screen-based performance project through which I explored Eisensteinian montage to include a spatial and ambulatory practice. The project speaks to choreographic environments and events that use the screen as a socially engaged practice, and also poses some questions regarding the boundaries that appear to shape the screendance field.


: The Melbourne School of Design (MSD) located at the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus aspires to be a 'pedagogical building', with built -pedagogy a driving aspiration behind its design and construction. This paper reviews one programmatic component of the building, the library, and how notions of built-pedagogy were interpreted by the user-group and the project design and management team in the design of the library as one of the key learning spaces in the building. It investigates the nature of current thinking about tertiary education learning spaces and their design from the perspective of those tasked with delivering the Architecture Building and Planning Library as a response to the understanding of built pedagogy developed by the design team, project managers, and library management. It suggests that the notion of built pedagogy contains multiple interpretations, influenced by current tertiary education shifts towards student-centred pedagogic practice, consideration of campus spaces within their social settings and the facility for buildings to engage as reference exemplars in teaching and learning which is generating opportunities for campus-centred student experience within increasing availability of online and digitally enabled education.


The prevalence rate of the digestive system lesions in patients with systemic lupus
 erythematosus (SLE) ranges from 8.0 to 50.0%. The symptoms caused by systemic lupus
 erythematosus (immunocomplex inflammation, vasculitis, etc.) have not been clearly
 distinguished yet from those that are associated with co-occurring diseases or adverse
 effects of medications used to treat patients with SLE.

 To characterize and clarify the prevalence of the digestive system lesions that are
 pathogenetically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

 370 patients (331 women and 39 men), stratified by age, duration, and activity of SLE,
 were included in the study and subjected to comprehensive examinations. The results were
 processed in Microsoft Excel using descriptive statistics, χ2 test, z-test for comparisons
 between two proportions; the relationship was considered to be statistically significant
 when p < 0.05.

 The digestive system lesions were detected in 225 (60.81%) patients with systemic lupus
 erythematosus. The prevalence of steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and chronic
 pancreatitis rose with the progression of the underlying disease, so we concluded that they
 may be considered to be pathogenetically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus as
 syntropic comorbid lesions. Other digestive system lesions – chronic pharyngitis,
 cardiochalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis, chronic gastritis, peptic
 ulcer, chronic duodenitis, duodenogastric reflux, duodenal ulcer, chronic viral hepatitis B,
 chronic viral hepatitis C, toxic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, acalculous cholecystitis,
 chronic cholecystitis (asymptomatic gallstones, chronic calculous cholecystitis, gallbladder
 polyps), irritable bowel syndrome, chronic colitis, hemorrhoids, dolichosigma, peritoneal
 adhesions – are only comorbidities, ie. co-occurring digestive system lesions, since there
 was no relationship between their prevalence and the progression of the underlying disease.
 The mesenchymal inflammatory syndrome was detected in most patients with systemic lupus
 erythematosus and pathogenetically associated syntropic comorbid steatohepatitis.
 Hepatocellular dysfunction syndrome was detected in the three-fourths of patients with SLE
 and steatohepatitis. The mesenchymal inflammatory syndrome was also detected in all patients
 with SLE and pathogenetically associated syntropic comorbid autoimmune hepatitis. More than
 half of the patients with SLE and autoimmune hepatitis were also diagnosed with
 hepatocellular dysfunction and hepatic cytolysis syndromes. The asthenic-neurotic clinical
 syndrome occurred in the three-fourths of patients with SLE and pathogenetically associated
 syntropic comorbid chronic pancreatitis. Almost every second patient with SLE and chronic
 pancreatitis had a dyspeptic syndrome. Steatohepatitis was detected predominantly in
 patients aged 25 to 59 (young age subgroup II and middle age group). It was not detected in
 patients with the SLE duration of less than one year. Autoimmune hepatitis was detected
 predominantly in elderly patients and patients with the SLE duration of more than ten years.
 Chronic pancreatitis was significantly less prevalent in women and more prevalent in elderly
 patients – it occurred in almost half of them. It was absent in patients with the SLE
 duration of less than one year. Patients with the SLE duration of 6-10 years had the highest
 prevalence of chronic pancreatitis.


Recently a nonparametric method has been proposed to impute the genetic component of a trait for a large set of genotyped individuals based on a separate GWAS summary dataset of the same trait (from the same population). The imputed trait may contain linear, non-linear and epistatic effects of genetic variants, thus can be used for downstream linear or non-linear association analyses and machine learning tasks. Here we propose an extension of the method to impute both genetic and environmental components of a trait using both SNP-trait and omics-trait association summary data. We illustrate an application to a UK Biobank subset of individuals (n ≈ 80 K) with both body mass index (BMI) GWAS data and metabolomic data. We divided the whole dataset into two equally sized and non-overlapping training and test datasets; we used the training data to build SNP- and metabolite-BMI association summary data and impute BMI on the test data. We compared the performance of the original and new imputation methods. As by the original method, the imputed BMI values by the new method largely retained SNP-BMI association information; however, the latter retained more information about BMI-environment associations, and were more highly correlated with the original observed BMI values.


This article proposes an Adaptive Asynchronous Parallel (AAP) model for graph computations. As opposed to Bulk Synchronous Parallel (BSP) and Asynchronous Parallel (AP) models, AAP reduces both stragglers and stale computations by dynamically adjusting relative progress of workers. We show that BSP, AP, and Stale Synchronous Parallel model (SSP) are special cases of AAP. Better yet, AAP optimizes parallel processing by adaptively switching among these models at different stages of a single execution. Moreover, employing the programming model of GRAPE, AAP aims to parallelize existing sequential algorithms based on simultaneous fixpoint computation with partial and incremental evaluation. Under a monotone condition, AAP guarantees to converge at correct answers if the sequential algorithms are correct. Furthermore, we show that AAP can optimally simulate MapReduce, PRAM, BSP, AP, and SSP. Using real-life and synthetic graphs, we experimentally verify that AAP outperforms BSP, AP, and SSP for a variety of graph computations.


Three versatile functions (the Weibull, normal and lognormal distributions) are used to the fit of fracture strengths of advanced ceramics. The best distribution for each ceramics is determined in terms of its main distribution features and a minimum information criterion. The results show that there seems to be not a universal distribution. Special focus is on the skewed distribution on the side of low strength values in order to provide deep insights into the relationship between fracture and defect statistics.


The floating dollar standard was rooted in the aggressive pursuit of liberalized financial markets and the asymmetric integration of countries in the periphery into the international financial system. The mechanism of generating international liquidity was buttressed by the concerted advocacy of trade and financial liberalization of developing countries in the interests of preserving dollar dominance. This had enabled fragility to be exported to the periphery through two and a half decades of growing US deficits, while at the same time imparting greater elasticity to the adjustment mechanisms in the core. The debates and negotiations around refashioning the global financial architecture in the wake of the current global crisis need to take these core –periphery issues into account.


Agouti-related protein (AgRP) is a 4-kDa cystine-knot peptide of human origin with four disulfide bonds and four solvent-exposed loops. The cell adhesion receptor integrin αvβ3 is an important tumor angiogenesis factor that determines the invasiveness and metastatic ability of many malignant tumors. AgRP mutants have been engineered to bind to integrin αvβ3 with high affinity and specificity using directed evolution. Here, AgRP mutants 7C and 6E were radiolabeled with 111In and evaluated for in vivo targeting of tumor integrin αvβ3 receptors. AgRP peptides were conjugated to the metal chelator 1, 4, 7, 10-tetra-azacyclododecane- N, N′, N″, N‴-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and radiolabeled with 111In. The stability of the radiopeptides 111In-DOTA-AgRP-7C and 111In-DOTA-AgRP-6E was tested in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and mouse serum, respectively. Cell uptake assays of the radiolabeled peptides were performed in U87MG cell lines. Biodistribution studies were performed to evaluate the in vivo performance of the two resulting probes using mice bearing integrin-expressing U87MG xenograft tumors. Both AgRP peptides were easily labeled with 111In in high yield and radiochemical purity (>99%). The two probes exhibited high stability in phosphate-buffered saline and mouse serum. Compared with 111In-DOTA-AgRP-6E, 111In-DOTA-AgRP-7C showed increased U87MG tumor uptake and longer tumor retention (5.74 ± 1.60 and 1.29 ± 0.02%ID/g at 0.5 and 24 h, resp.), which was consistent with measurements of cell uptake. Moreover, the tumor uptake of 111In-DOTA-AgRP-7C was specifically inhibited by coinjection with an excess of the integrin-binding peptidomimetic c(RGDyK). Thus, 111In-DOTA-AgRP-7C is a promising probe for targeting integrin αvβ3 positive tumors in living subjects.


This work offers a practical vision about the application of automation technologies in systems of sanitation and has as objective to expose solutions guided to the management of hydric supply systems. These automated systems are characterized mainly by the necessity of acquisition and information sending of one or more operational control centers to remote stations located in the most several locations as: densely urbanized centers, non urban areas, restricted access places, coastal areas, port areas, underground places and high topography places. This diversity of characteristics demands a group of automation, supervision and administration of information solutions to the control and the administration of the supply system in an integrated and efficient way.


Directed networks are generally used to represent asymmetric relationships among units. Co-clustering aims to cluster the senders and receivers of directed networks simultaneously. In particular, the well-known spectral clustering algorithm could be modified as the spectral co-clustering to co-cluster directed networks. However, large-scale networks pose computational challenge to it. In this paper, we leverage randomized sketching techniques to accelerate the spectral co-clustering algorithms in order to co-cluster large-scale directed networks more efficiently. Specifically, we derive two series of randomized spectral co-clustering algorithms, one is random-projection-based and the other is random-sampling-based. Theoretically, we analyze the resulting algorithms under two generative models\textendash the \emph{stochastic co-block model} and the \emph{degree corrected stochastic co-block model}. The approximation error rates and misclustering error rates of proposed two randomized spectral co-clustering algorithms are established, which indicate better bounds than the state-of-the-art results of co-clustering literature. Numerically, we conduct simulations to support our theoretical results and test the efficiency of the algorithms on real networks with up to tens of millions of nodes.


In attempts to further understand complex systems at an individual level, the application of agent-based modeling is becoming prevalent across a range of academic disciplines. With the advantages of being multi-platform, requiring little programming experience, and supported by a large number of freely available case study examples, Netlogo has become a popular choice as the software tool to apply in the construction of agent-based models. To utilize the constructed model as an informative or predictive tool, statistical analyses can be performed to reveal the influence that a parameter has on simulation behavior, offering an insight into the system under study. Here we demonstrate the integration of Netlogo's parameter sweep function, Behavior Space, with an extended version of SPARTAN, our previously published open source statistical package for performing local and global sensitivity analyses. With the addition of SPARTAN, the researcher can automatically create Netlogo experiment files for both local (individual parameter) and global (latin-hypercube and Fourier frequency) analyses, run these experiments in Netlogo, and receive detailed statistical information on the influence a parameter has on simulation response: vital information for translating a simulation result to a hypothesis grounded in the system being studied. To ensure our example work is reproducible, we demonstrate use of SPARTAN using the Virus transmission and perpetuation model available in the Netlogo model library.


In osteoporosis, disruption of bone remodelling leads to bone loss, microarchitectural damage and increased fracture risk, and the goal of any treatment for osteoporosis is to decrease this fracture risk. Available anti-resorptive and anabolic agents effectively achieve this goal by either suppressing or stimulating the activation frequency of bone remodelling units, and by improving the biomechanical properties of bone by a number of different mechanisms. Strontium ranelate represents a novel approach in the management of osteoporosis with proven anti-fracture efficacy. Two putative mechanisms have been proposed for the unique dual mode of action of strontium ranelate, rebalancing bone turnover in favour of bone formation: activation of the calcium- or other cation-sensing receptor, and increase in the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), coupled with a decrease in RANK ligand expression by the osteoblasts. In addition to these cellular changes, micro-CT analysis of bone biopsies from strontium ranelate-treated patients demonstrate improvement in intrinsic bone tissue quality as evidenced by increased trabecular number, decreased trabecular separation, lower structure model index and increased cortical thickness, associated with a shift in trabecular structure from rod-to plate-like configuration compared with controls. This review examines the evidence for the ability of strontium ranelate to improve bone microarchitecture in osteoporosis and explores the cellular and microstructural changes by which its anti-fracture efficacy may be achieved. No attempt is made at comparing the effects of strontium ranelate on bone microarchitecture with that of other anti-resorptive or anabolic osteoporosis agents.


Individual organic molecules in a liquid crystal array on a graphite surface have been imaged with the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with near-atomic resolution 1,2. Two-dimensional order has been identified in 4-n-octy1-4'-cyanobiphenyl (8CR) and 5-nony1-2-n-nonoxylphenylpyrimidine (PYT) 909). The high resolution of the STM allows direct observation of intermolecular distances, angles and orientations. From the data, we find in the case of 803 a variety of surface phases can exist whereas for PYP 909 we find only one simple configuration. The graphite substrate appears to influence the molecules in two ways: 1) the molecular axes lie parallel to the surface so that the STM images a cross-section of the classical smectic planes; and 2) molecules of one plane are registered with those of adjacent planes, a degree of order which is not normally observed in the bulk.


Lipid-enveloped viruses, including HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, infect their host cells by fusion either directly with the plasma membrane or with the endosome membrane following endocytosis. Biophysical insights into the conformational changes of viral fusion proteins have led to the development of peptide inhibitors of these changes, and hence of membrane fusion. The peptide T-20 (Enfuvirtide) inhibits HIV-1-cell fusion and is being used clinically. The cholesterol-conjugated C34 peptide has an IC50 of 4 pM for inhibiting HIV-1 infectivity, much lower than that of plain C34 and T-20. A peptide (P155-185-chol) corresponding to a segment of the post-fusion structure of influenza virus hemagglutinin, also coupled to cholesterol, inhibits infection by the A/H3N2 subtype with an IC50 of 0.4 μM. Myrcludex B, a myristoylated lipopeptide, inhibits the entry of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus into hepatocytes with an IC50 of 80 pM. Dimer peptides (HRC2 and HRX4) derived from the measles virus F-protein and coupled to cholesterol inhibit measles virus infection at IC50 values of less than 1 nM to 2 nM. Peptides derived from the E protein of Japanese encephalitis virus inhibit infection at nanomolar IC50 values.
 The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted numerous studies to design peptide inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated membrane fusion. The coupling of a lipidic anchor like cholesterol to some of these peptides enhances the antiviral effect of the peptides, lowering the IC50 to low nanomolar concentrations. It is highly likely that peptides against SARS-CoV-2 will soon be evaluated in clinical trials.


Bounds of cavitation inception are experimentally determined in a creeping flow between eccentric cylinders, the inner one being static and the outer rotating at a constant angular velocity, Ω. The geometric configuration is additionally specified by a small minimum gap between cylinders, H, as compared with the radii of the inner and outer cylinders. For some values H and Ω, cavitation bubbles are observed, which are collected on the surface of the inner cylinder and equally distributed over the line parallel to its axis near the downstream minimum gap position. Cavitation occurs for the parameters {H,Ω} within a region bounded on the right by the cavitation inception curve that passes through the plane origin and cannot exceed the asymptotic threshold value of the minimum gap, Ha, in whose vicinity cavitation may occur at H < Ha only for high angular rotation velocities.


To select the type and value of the impedance of fault current limiters (FCLs) for power network designers, we introduce a new method to calculate the optimum value of FCL impedance depending on its position in the network. Due to the complexity of its impedance, the costs of both real and imaginary parts of FCL impedance are considered. The optimization of FCL impedance is based on a goal function that maximizes the reduction of the fault current while minimizing the costs. While the position of FCL in the network has an effect on the calculation of the optimum impedance value, the method for selecting FCL location is not the focus of this study. The proposed method for optimizing FCL impedance can be used for every network that has symmetrical and/or asymmetrical faults. We use a 14-bus IEEE network as an example to explain the process. The optimum FCL impedance used in this network is calculated by considering the vast range of costs for both real and imaginary parts of FCL impedance.


Three-dimensional hierarchical flower-like graphene oxide-hydroxyapatite (GO-HAp) nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple biomimetic method in a modified simulated body fluid (mSBF). The obtained GO-HAp nanocomposites were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The formation mechanism was proposed and the prepared GO-HAp was applied as an adsorbent to remove strontium from large volumes of aqueous solutions. A maximum adsorption capacity of 702.18 mg g(-1) was achieved on GO-HAp, almost two fold higher than that of bare HAp and nine fold higher than that of GO. The effects of pH, adsorbent content, contact time and Sr(2+) initial concentrations on Sr(2+) removal from solution by GO-HAp were systematically investigated, and the results indicated that the removal of Sr(2+) by GO-HAp was weakly dependent on solution pH. The results herein reveal that the GO-HAp nanocomposites had exceptional potential as a suitable material for preconcentration and solidification of radiostrontium from large volumes of aqueous solutions in nuclear waste management and radiostrontium pollution cleanup.


This review aimed to illustrate the types, limitations, and possible alternatives of peer review (PR) based on a literature review together with the opinions of a social media audience via Twitter. This study was conducted via the #OpenSourceResearch collaborative platform and combined a comprehensive literature search on the current PR system with the opinions of a social media audience of surgeons who are actively engaged in the current PR system. Six independent researchers conducted a literature search of electronic databases in addition to Google Scholar. Electronic polls were organized via Twitter to assess surgeons' opinions on the current PR system and potential alternative approaches. PR can be classified into single-blind, double-blind, triple-blind, and open PR. Newer PR systems include interactive platforms, prepublication and postpublication commenting or review, transparent review, and collaborative review. The main limitations of the current PR system are its allegedly time-consuming nature and inconsistent, biased, and non-transparent results. Suggestions to improve the PR process include employing an interactive, double-blind PR system, using artificial intelligence to recruit reviewers, providing incentives for reviewers, and using PR templates. The above results offer several concepts for possible alternative approaches and modifications to this critically important process.


Multiple delayed rectifier potassium currents, including I(Ks), are responsible for the repolarization and termination of the cardiac action potential, and blockers of these currents may be useful as antiarrhythmic agents. Modification of compound 5 produced 19(S) that is the most potent I(Ks) blocker reported to date with >5000-fold selectivity over other cardiac ion channels. Further modification produced 24A with 23% oral bioavailability.


Present electricity grids are predominantly thermal (coal, gas), hydro and nuclear based. Conventional power planning
involves hydro-thermal scheduling and merit order dispatch. In the future, modern renewables (wind, solar, biomass) are likely
to have a significant share in the power sector. This paper presents a method to analyse the impacts of wind power in the
electricity grid. The short term and long period effects of wind power on the grid are elaborated. A duration curve based
approach has been developed. Wind energy has been treated as negative loads to obtain a modified load duration curve from
which capacity savings in terms of base and peak load generation can be computed. The methodology is illustrated for Tamil Nadu (a state in India). Scenarios for 2021-22 have been constructed to illustrate the methodology proposed. This technique can be useful for power planners for an analysis of renewables in future electricity grids.


Using a combination of ultraviolet spectroscopy under pressure and stopped-flow kinetics under pressure, we have shown that the monomers of yeast enolase produced by hydrostatic pressure are inactive. K(eq), deltaV and deltaV for the dissociation/inactivation produced by hydrostatic pressure have been determined under various conditions. Removing the Mg2+ from enolase, either by adding EDTA or by preparing apoenzyme, displaces the equilibrium towards monomers and decreases both deltaV and deltaV. Loss of Mg2+ contributes to the negative deltaV for dissociation; this loss occurs, at least partially, in the transition state for dissociation. Both removal of Mg(II) and dissociation of the enzyme produce major changes in the intensity of the aromatic region of the CD spectrum. We propose that these changes in the CD spectra reflect changes in the conformations of the 'mobile loops' of enolase. The precise conformation of these, loops is necessary for binding Mg2+ (and, hence, for activity) and for maintaining subunit interactions.


Transitive inferences using both a linear dimension (A is longer than B) and a nonlinear dimension (A and B are friends) were examined. In Study 1, 6- to 9-year-old children received two problems of each kind. Performance showed similar developmental progressions but nonsignificant correlations between the two tasks. Study 2 extended these results by modifying the linear transitivity problem and adding variation in both context and type of social relation. Children 7, 9, and 11 years of age were given problems requiring judgments about friendship and about nonfriends (children who were quarreling with each other) in two different social contexts. No correlations were found between social judgments and judgments concerning length. Both type of relation and context influenced judgments about social relations. These results suggest that children possess two distinct strategies for making transitive judgments that correspond to the logical structure of the underlying relations.


Carbonyl-iron (CI)-based magnetorheological (MR) fluid containing submicron-sized additive particles was prepared. The flow behavior at a steady shear mode was investigated by comparing flow properties of CI-mineral oil suspensions with and without an additive under the magnetic field strength. To enhance the dispersion stability, submicron-sized organoclay was added to the CI suspensions. The submicron-sized particles, while preserving the magnetic properties, inhibited the sedimentation of the CI particles. In addition, with the precision control of magnetic field strength, we examined the novel features of submicron-sized particle-filled CI suspensions, especially under weak magnetic field strengths, in steady shear modes. A temporal decrease of steady shear viscosity was observed in sweeping magnetic field strengths.


The design optimization of wings for supersonic transport by means of Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms is presented. Three objective functions are first considered to minimize the drag for transonic cruise, the drag for supersonic cruise and the bending moment at the wing root at the supersonic condition. The wing shape is defined by planform, thickness distributions and warp shapes in total of 66 design variables. A Navier-Stokes code is used to evaluate the aerodynamic performance at both cruise conditions. Based on the results, the optimization problem is further revised. The definition of the thickness distributions is given more precisely by adding control points. In total 72 design variables are used. The fourth objective function to minimize the pitching moment is added. The results of the revised optimization are compared with the three-objective optimization results as well as NAL's design. Two Pareto solutions are found superior to NAL's design for all four objective functions. The planform shapes of those solutions are "Arrow wing" type.


In this letter, we design a segment training based individual channel estimation (STICE) scheme in the classical three-node it amplify-and-forward two-way relay network (TWRN). We resort to linear minimum-mean-square-error (LMMSE) estimators to achieve the in-channel estimation without sign ambiguity through two consecutive segments. We derive the mean-square-error (MSE) of the individual channel estimation, from which the optimal training and the optimal relay's power allocation are obtained. Numerical results are provided to corroborate the provided studies.


Motivated by frequency assignment in office blocks, we study the chromatic number of the adjacency graph of 3-dimensional parallelepiped arrangements. In the case each parallelepiped is within one floor, a direct application of the Four-Colour Theorem yields that the adjacency graph has chromatic number at most 8. We provide an example of such an arrangement needing exactly 8 colours. We also discuss bounds on the chromatic number of the adjacency graph of general arrangements of 3-dimensional parallelepipeds according to geometrical measures of the parallelepipeds (side length, total surface or volume).


Acute maxillary sinusitis in children is diagnosed often based on the patient's clinical findings. However, imaging is required in many cases due to overlap of signs and symptoms. CT scan is nowadays used as a radiologic Gold Standard. Ultrasound, as a diagnostic method, has been less studied and the results of studies have also been different. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound compared to that of CT scan in diagnosing acute maxillary sinusitis in children. This is a cross-sectional study. The inclusion criterion of study was 5 to 15 years of old children, underwent paranasal sinuses CT scans with suspected acute rhinosinusitis clinically, to confirm the diagnosis. Exclusion criteria included presence of other sinus pathologies such as polyp and retention cyst. All patients underwent maxillary sinus ultrasound within 24 hours of CT scan. The findings of ultrasound and CT scan were classified as opacification (Op), mucosal thickening (MT) and normal. The DTComPair package under the R software was used for analysis and calculations. In addition, level of agreement between the two modalities was determined using CAPA statistical index. Results: given the exclusion criteria, 50 patients, including 22 female and 28 male patients with mean age of 7.14 ± 2.98 were included into study. Subjects with 100% maxillary sinus underwent ultrasound. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ultrasound were determined 92%, 88%, 92%, and 88%, respectively. The level of ultrasound error was low in diagnosing normal and opacification cases but high in diagnosing mucosal thinning (41.7%). Ultrasound is a reliable method for diagnosis of acute maxillary sinusitis, while this modality shows a high level of error in diagnosing mucosal thickening.


OBJECTIVE To describe frequency and type of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) and consolidated pneumonia (CP) in Chilean infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS One-year prospective surveillance in three health care centers. PID surveillance: blood culture in infants with suspected invasive bacterial disease or with fever higher than 39 degrees C axillary without focus or with acute otitis media. CP surveillance: blood culture and independent evaluation of chest X-ray in infants with suspected pneumonia. RESULTS IPD: in 4,369 infants studied, 58 cases of invasive bacterial diseases were identified, 37 (64%) due to S. pneumoniae. Rates of IPD: 110/100,000 (Chilian) and 288/100,000 (Valparaiso). Serotypes identified: 18C(n: 8), 14 (n: 8), 19A(n: 5), others (n: 12). CP: in 3,005 infants 762 CP were detected. Rates of CP: 2,918/100,000 (Chilian) and 5,547/100,000 (Valparaiso). DISCUSSION Results support the relevance of S. pneumoniae as the main cause of invasive bacterial disease and the high frequency of CP in this age group in Chile.


Purpose of review Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) leading to allograft rejection in solid organ transplant recipients is a devastating event that compromises graft and patient survival. As our clinical knowledge regarding its definition and presentation has significantly improved over the last years, adequate biomarkers translating to important therapeutic intervention remains a challenge. This review will summarize recent findings in this area. Recent findings In the past 18 months, our understanding of organ transplantation IRI has improved. IRI involves a positive amplification feedback loop encompassing damaged cells at the graft site, the activity of redox-sensitive damage-associated molecular patterns, and local sequestration of recipient-derived monocytes, lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, like neutrophils, to sustain the immunological cascade and to enhance the destruction of the foreign tissue. Recent studies have identified critical components leading to IRI, including the oxidation state of high mobility group box 1, a classic danger signal, its role in the Toll-like receptor 4–interleukin (IL)-23–IL-17A signaling axis, and the role of neutrophils and CD321, a marker for transmigration of circulating leukocytes into the inflamed tissue. In addition, recent findings imply that the protective functions mediated by autophagy activation counterbalance the detrimental nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome pathway. Finally, clinical studies reveal the posttransplant variables associated with early allograft dysfunction and IRI. Summary The future challenge will be understanding how crosstalk at the molecular and cellular levels integrate prospectively to predict which peri-transplant signals are essential for long-term clinical outcomes.


Simple Summary Transport is an inevitable process in the modern swine industry due to the multiple-site approach to raising pigs and transport can be a significant source of stress to the animals, which raises a welfare concern. Maintaining the environment inside the transport trailer is crucial for pig comfort. This study aims to determine the amount of ventilation, or varied side-wall boarding, required to keep pigs within their thermal comfort zone. Examination of 302 trailers transporting 48,143 pigs found that pig losses were highest when low boarding levels (open sides) were used in cold air temperatures (<5 °C). In mild air temperatures (5 to 26 °C), boarding levels had little impact on pig losses. Abstract Specifically, this study aimed to establish the effects on mortality and morbidity of boarding levels (amount of side-wall trailer ventilation) for finishing pigs in mild weather (8.80 ± 0.30 °C, 71.70% ± 1.12% humidity). Pigs from commercial finishing sites were transported in 302 pot-bellied trailers to commercial processing plants. Measures collected at the processing plant were rates of dead on arrival (DOA), non-ambulatory, non-injured (NANI), non-ambulatory, injured (NAI), and total dead and down (D&D). Boarding levels (% that side walls were closed off with inserted boards) were divided into 3 bins: low, medium, and high, and outside temperature was divided into 4 bins <5 °C, 5.10–10 °C, and 10.10–15 °C and >15 °C. Average rates of DOA, NANI, NAI, and D&D were approximately 0.30%, 0.12%, 0.04%, and 0.46%, respectively. The D&D was highest when boarding level was low with temperatures <5 °C (p < 0.05). However, variations in boarding level (medium and high boarding) in the temperature range of 5.10 °C to 23.30 °C did not affect pig losses.


The population growth in the city of Pucallpa, forces more and more projects to be executed on complicated soils, which in the past were rejected because of their bad characteristics, therefore, foundations on uncontrolled fills pre-sent very serious problems due to the heterogeneity of these materials, producing damages and reducing the life time of these buildings. The objective of this experimental investigation was to diagnose, by means of laboratory tests, the mechanical characteristics of controlled fill soils for foundations. The methods used were documentary analysis, laboratory studies and statistical processing using the Microsoft Excel program; the procedures performed for each soil test were guided and indicated by the manual of materials testing. The results for the controlled fill soil were: i) granulometry yielded a SUCS classification "SC (clayey sand)", AAHSTO classification "A-7-6 (clayey soils)" ii) compaction yielded a CBR at 100 % of the MDS of 14.00 % at 0.1" iii) shear strength yielded a friction angle at 25.01° and a cohesion of 0.00 kg cm -2 . The above indicates that the geomechanical characteristics of the controlled fill soil, the subgrade of the terrain according to the MTC is a good material for foundations in the city of Pucallpa, since it is a material with better physical and mechanical properties. of the Andina Biosphere Bolivia. rights reserved.


TO THE EDITOR: Nash and colleagues have produced another report on medicolegal matters and Australian doctors. This report, and one that preceded it in 2009, are derived from responses to a questionnaire from nearly 3000 doctors. The survey showed that 65% of respondents had been involved in "medicolegal matters". From a mass of data, the authors conclude that medicolegal concerns impact on doctors' practice of medicine. As potential benefits of medicolegal matters, they list improved communication of risk to patients, disclosure of diagnostic uncertainty, and better methods to track test results and non-attenders. Negative impacts included increased referral to specialists, ordering more tests, and seeing fewer patients. The authors recommend targeted training in patient safety and medicolegal aspects of practice to help doctors to be "better informed". However, as 65% of the group had been involved in medicolegal matters, it seems unlikely they need to be better informed about them. In the title and throughout the article, there is much emphasis on the word "perceived". With this heavy emphasis on perception, it might be thought that the key finding was that fear of a medicolegal matter was greater than the reality. In fact, the reverse was found. Of those who had experienced medicolegal matters, 46% had considered retiring early, 39% considered giving up medicine and 38% considered reducing hours of work. The respective figures for those who had not experienced medicolegal matters were 29%, 22% and 21%. The difference was highly significant. An inescapable conclusion is that medicolegal matters result in large numbers of demoralised doctors. The reality is worse than the perception. Unfortunately, the obvious question — What was the outcome of the medicolegal matter? — was not included in the survey. Given the numbers involved, it seems likely that for many doctors, although the outcome was favourable, the process had a profoundly negative effect on their work. Forty-one per cent now regard every patient as a potential litigant. A logical response to these data might have been to ask: (1) Could there be a problem with the way medicolegal matters are conducted? and (2) Is the demoralisation of a large percentage of the medical workforce good for society? Neither question was asked here. This is perhaps not surprising as, in their previous article, the authors questioned, without embarrassment and on the basis of a questionnaire, whether "psychiatric morbidity in doctors is a cause or effect of the medicolegal process". This study is "one of the largest [of its kind] in the world". Sadly, the authors' negativity towards doctors and their unquestioning allegiance to current medicolegal practice have greatly diminished its value.


Since the 1970s, a "Polynesian Pipeline" has brought football players from American Sāmoa to Hawaii and the mainland United States to play at the collegiate and professional levels. In Gridiron Capital Lisa Uperesa charts the cultural and social dynamics that have made football so central to Samoan communities. For Samoan athletes, football is not just an opportunity for upward mobility; it is a way to contribute to, support, and represent their family, village, and nation. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, archival research, and media analysis, Uperesa shows how the Samoan ascendancy in football is underpinned by the legacies of US empire and a set of imperial formations that mark Indigenous Pacific peoples as racialized subjects of US economic aid and development. Samoan players succeed by becoming entrepreneurs: building and commodifying their bodies and brands to enhance their football stock and market value. Uperesa offers insights into the social and physical costs of pursuing a football career, the structures that compel Pacific Islander youth toward athletic labor, and the possibilities for safeguarding their health and wellbeing in the future.
 Duke University Press Scholars of Color First Book Award recipient


Abstract Plant mitochondrial genomes display an enormous structural complexity, as recombining repeat-pairs lead to the generation of various sub-genomic molecules, rendering these genomes extremely challenging to assemble. We present a novel bioinformatic data-processing pipeline called SAGBAC (Semi-Automated Graph-Based Assembly Curator) that identifies recombinogenic repeat-pairs and reconstructs plant mitochondrial genomes. SAGBAC processes assembly outputs and applies our novel ISEIS (Iterative Sequence Ends Identity Search) algorithm to obtain a graph-based visualization. We applied this approach to three mitochondrial genomes of evening primrose (Oenothera), a plant genus used for cytoplasmic genetics studies. All identified repeat pairs were found to be flanked by two alternative and unique sequence-contigs defining so-called 'double forks', resulting in four possible contig-repeat‐contig combinations for each repeat pair. Based on the inferred structural models, the stoichiometry of the different contig-repeat-contig combinations was analyzed using Illumina mate-pair and PacBio RSII data. This uncovered a remarkable structural diversity of the three closely related mitochondrial genomes, as well as substantial phylogenetic variation of the underlying repeats. Our model allows predicting all recombination events and, thus, all possible sub-genomes. In future work, the proposed methodology may prove useful for the investigation of the sub-genome organization and dynamics in different tissues and at various developmental stages.


Two donor–acceptor thread-like compounds incorporating viologen (V2+) units and 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene (DNP) stations have been prepared. Their ability to form self-assembled charge-transfer (CT) complexes with cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) is evidenced by UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopies, as well as by mass spectrometry. Binding studies show the formation of 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 complexes between CB[8] and a thread-like compound containing two viologen units, while only a 1 : 1 inclusion complex was observed between CB[8] and a thread-like compound containing only a single viologen unit. The switching behavior of the threads within their pseudorotaxane frameworks was investigated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV-Vis spectroscopy.


This paper develops a closed-form formula, f(k), to count the number of transition-tour sequences of length k for bistable machines. It is shown that the function f(k) is related to Fibonacci numbers. Some applications of the results in this paper are in the areas of testable sequential machine designs, random testing of register data paths, and qualification tests for random pattern generators.


It is well known that typical antipsychotic drugs have been implicated as a cause of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest; studies have shown that conventional antipsychotics increase the risk of hospitalization for ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest nearly 2-fold. However, atypical antipsychotics are not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. The use of atypical antipsychotics increased since they were first discovered and now are the mainstay of treatment, but with their broad use, heart effects have been documented, such as prolonged QT interval. Clozapine has been linked to severe cardiac problems, and risperidone has been linked to an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. We present a case of a patient with bipolar disorder who presented with symptomatic bradycardia secondary to aripiprazole.


SUMMARY

The interpretation of palynological data into a history of the plant communities in a region requires (1) the estimation of the pollen density in the samples, (2) the knowledge of the relative representation rates of the vegetation elements in the pollen spectra and (3) a careful distinction between air-borne and water-borne pollen because of their different recording values. In the present article, a method is described for pollen density determination which is convenient when cores have to be analysed consisting of peat, gyttja and clastic sediments. This method involves the addition of a foreign pollen. Examples are given of the variation which may occur in the pollen density of sediments in a horizontal series of samples. In three cores the pollen densities were determined and the use of this additional information for the interpretation of the analysis data is demonstrated.

In a number of nature reserves a comparison was made between the composition of the local stand of vegetation and the pollen sedimentation. To this purpose moss samples were analysed. The representation of the plant communities was generally found to be fair.

The dispersal of water-borne pollen was studied by a comparison of the regional vegetation types with the pollen precipitated on river banks and tidal flats; there was also made a series of analyses of the pollen content of the water, which shows that the seasonal variations are so small that the pollen which is precipitated from the water in the regions investigated is not representative for the regional vegetation type. The pollen which is deposited in such conditions may originate from three different sources: (1) the local or regional stand of vegetation, (2) forests or other plant communities in remote upstream areas and (3) peat or gyttja layers or other pollen containing deposits which are eroded by the water currents. A number of examples of these dispersal mechanisms is described in this article. In a few cases it is demonstrated how the determination of pollen density may contribute to the solution of the problem, in which proportion these three dispersal mechanisms have been responsable for the presence of the pollen in the sediment under investigation.


In a step toward a clinical trial, the tumor response and survival of a weekday-on/weekend-off schedule of UFT was compared with its conventional daily schedule in a cancer-bearing rat model. The dose-intensive schedule--600 mg of UFT for 5 days followed by 2 drug-free days--amounts to a weekly dose similar to the conventional schedule of 400 mg/day. The weekday-on/weekend-off schedule provided increased survival and significantly greater antitumor activity than the conventional daily schedule, with no difference in adverse reactions. A study was also conducted in human subjects to measure fluorouracil (5-FU) concentrations that identified the pharmacokinetic activity during the 2 drug-free days of the weekday-on/weekend-off schedule. The plasma 5-FU concentration declined markedly after 24 hours, but the concentration in the tumor remained at a relatively high level after 2 days off the drug. A one-year clinical study evaluated the compliance and toxicity of the weekday-on/weekend-off UFT schedule as adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Based on the findings of all these studies, the weekday-on/weekend-off schedule for UFT as adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer can be recommended for a clinical trial.


We analyze the path arrival rate for an in-room radio channel with directive antennas. The impulse response of this channel exhibits a transition from early separate components followed by a diffuse reverberation tail. Under the assumption that the transmitter's (or receiver's) position and orientation are picked uniformly at random, we derive an exact expression of the mean arrival rate for a rectangular room predicted by the mirror source theory. The rate is quadratic in delay, inversely proportional to the room volume, and proportional to the product of beam coverages of the transmitter and receiver antennas. Making use of the exact formula, we characterize the onset of the diffuse tail by defining a "mixing time" as the point in time where the arrival rate exceeds one component per transmit pulse duration. We also give an approximation for the power-delay spectrum. It turns out that the power-delay spectrum is unaffected by the antenna directivity. However, Monte Carlo simulations show that antenna directivity does indeed play an important role for the distribution of instantaneous mean delay and rms delay spread.


We prove the existence of a critical subsolution of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation which is differentiable with Lipschitz differential, improving a previous result of Fathi and Siconolfi. This text is a consolidated version with a minor mistake corrected from the published version.


The noradrenaline content of the microsomal fraction of cat spleen was reduced by nerve stimulation. The reduction was greater in the presence of phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine, but was not affected by the presence of cocaine. The results suggest that phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine are able to increase the impulse-evoked release of noradrenaline.


This paper approaches information technology and the Internet's social and political impact in contemporary China from the perspective of political participation. This paper applies the "public sphere" concept as an analytical tool to define the relationship between public sphere and the newly rising cyberspace. It finds that certain part of cyberspace is the relevant reflection of public sphere in the virtual world. Then the paper turns to political participation process in the context of contemporary China. It argues that political participation in China is composed of at least two layers: behavioral layer aims at directly affects policy-making process, and psychological layer concerns more with broadly involved and engaged in politics in more dimensions. This paper then introduces some basic information about the recent Internet developmenttrend in China. The paper views the Internet regulation in China as a paradox: the party-state encourages the development of the Internet on one hand, while on the other hand believing that it can monitor and censor activities and information flows in cyberspace. The most primary part of the paper is the case study. Two public forums or BBS have been chosen, which are corresponding to the two layers of Chinese political participation process respectively. The first one that corresponds to the behavior layer is the Hepatitis B virus carriers (HBVers) forum, which engages with changing state discrimination against them. The second one that corresponds to the psychological layer is the Tianya BBS. Its membership and discussion topics are very broad and universal. The paper finally concludes that although the cyberspace and Internet make some landmark changes in political participation process and even the whole political system in China, the prospect of political development oriented to a more democratic regime is still dim and pessimistic rather than bright and optimistic. Internet use on its own is unlikely to launch the dawning of a new political age in China


In January 2008, the Ronald Coase Institute conducted the First Asia Workshop on Institutional Analysis, in partnership with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Asia Competitiveness Institute of the National University of Singapore. This report highlights the general theme of the workshop: that well-functioning institutions are fundamental to development. This is shown by summarising two studies presented at the workshop and by contrasting two countries from Southeast Asia, i.e., the Philippines and Singapore.


The objective this paper is to analyze the dynamic path of the profit rate, the interest rate, the rate of capital accumulation and the degree of utilization of the productive capacity face exogenous changes of the intensity of technological progress and the propensity to save of capitalists within a Post-Keynesian macroeconomic dynamic model that join the real and monetary side of the economy. The computational simulation allowed investigating the degree of proximity of the model to the dynamics of a real economy. The simulation showed, amongst other results, that: (i) the profit rate is significantly elastic with regard to the rate of technological progress, while the interests rate and the degree of utilization of the capacity are little sensible to this variable; and (ii) the confirmation of the paradox of the thrift, according to which an increase of the propensity to save of the capitalists reduces the level of the aggregate saving.


The standard three-way stopcock is valuable in present-day anesthesia, as it permits administration of fractionating doses of thiopental (Pentothal) sodium, relaxants, and fluids intravenously through a single venipuncture. The principle disadvantage is that there is no stability to the syringe, and the incidence of syringe breakage is quite high. We have been able to replace the screw at the base of the selecting directional faucet with a long screw and a cylindrical washer. This is introduced into a suction rubber stopper that can be applied to any flat surface. The latter keeps the stopcock firmly secure and gives stability to the syringe. We find it both practical and more economical than the various syringe holders found at present on the market. 19th and E streets, S.E. (3) (Dr. S. N. Albert).


Forty-eight consecutive patients not taking dopamine antagonists and without Parkinson's disease referred to a psychogeriatric service with a diagnosis of psychiatric disorder were assessed for affective flattening using an objective rating scale. Nearly half (44%) exhibited significant affective flattening, which proved open to reliable assessment. Affective flattening is a useful sign of pathology.


A simple, fully symmetrical, current-controlled CMOS oscillator is presented. The oscillator uses two grounded capacitors. This 5-V architecture permits relatively large capacitor voltage amplitudes, thus minimizing jitter. However, the design also operates with power supply voltages as low as 3 V. Because there are no special capacitor requirements, the design is compatible with standard scaled digital CMOS processes. The use of a double differential latching comparator allows high-speed operation with good control linearity. The circuit was successfully fabricated using a 1.2-pm CMOS process.


Objective To establish and evaluate a severe hepatic trauma model.Methods Eleven Chinese miniature swine for experiments were used in the current study.Using the self-made explosive-actuated device(MT-1),the explosive substance was prepared from 0.4 g black gunpowder and was placed on the diaphragmatic surface of the target hepatic lobe after the miniature swine had received celiotomy.Protective isolation for adjacent structure was then conducted,and then "fire".The parenchyma area(S) was destroyed,and the mean arterial pressure(MAP) and blood loss(V) were measured to evaluate the local injury of the model animals and the changes of hemodynamics after being injured.Results The area(S) of the destroyed parenchyma was 12.19±2.28 cm2.MAP presents the linear decline from 2 min to 7 min in the early stage post injury,with a decreasing rate of 6.58±2.30 mmHg/min and a period of 7.22±0.37 min when dropped to half.Blood loss was 466±79 ml when MAP drops to half of the level before injury.Treatment was not initiated for the first three animals and the time to death was between 23 min and 31 min.Conclusions The prepared model of severe hepatic trauma miniature swine corresponds with grade IV(AAST) in human.The current model can be used to study war and traffic accident traumas due to its good repeatability and strong controllability.


The aim of the paper was to study the spatial effects of gas flaring on rainwater quality in Bayelsa State, Eastern Niger-Delta, Nigeria. The physicochemical variables were isolated from the analysis of rainwater samples from eight locations in the State, while mean monthly rainfall data for 2011 of the selected areas was collected from the Port Harcourt International Airport which has a distance of 15 km to the farthest location and 6 km to the nearest location. The analysis of physicochemical elements was variously done using the relevant methods. The result shows that all the eight physicochemical elements have values above the World health Organisation (WHO) 2004 maximum allowable concentration level, but in varying degrees with NO3- achieving the highest. Pearson's product moment correlation was employed to establish relationship between the eight variables and the quantity of gas flaring in the area, then principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized to collapse the eight variables into significant and orthogonal components. After these two analyses, the principal component regression (PCR) analysis was used to calculate the relative contributions of the physicochemical variables with NO3 contributing the highest of 38.44% to poor quality of rain water in the area, while temperature contributed the least of 0.19%. After the PCR calculation of the entire State, it was further performed in individual locations. Result showed that all local government areas in South-West zone of the State have high rate of nitric acid accumulation in rainwater sample with those in the central zone having average rate of accumulation, while those in north-western zone exhibiting a low rate. Conclusions were drawn from the result while the major recommendation was on the need to develop a home grown gas flaring policy option that will address the problem.

 Key words: Eastern, Delta, analysis, elements, rainfall.


The membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of Acholeplasma laidlawii B differs in many respects from the common (Mg2+, Ca2+)-ATPase activity of higher bacteria, most notably in that it is specifically activated by Mg2+ and strongly and specifically stimulated by Na+ (or Li+). Various inhibitors diminish the ATPase activity with a concentration dependence which suggests that a single enzyme species is responsible for all of the observed ATP hydrolytic activity (both basal and Na+ stimulated). The Km for ATP is influenced by temperature but not by membrane lipid fatty acid composition. Vmax is influenced by both of these factors, showing a break in Arrhenius plots which falls below the lipid phase transition midpoint but well above the lower boundary when a phase transition occurs within the temperature range studied. The apparent energy of activation for Vmax is strongly influenced by lipid fatty acid composition both above and below the break. When whole cells of A. laidlawii B are incubated in KCl or NaCl buffers, they rapidly swell and lyse if deprived of an energy source or treated with ATPase inhibitors at concentrations which significantly inhibit enzyme activity in isolated membranes, whereas in sucrose or MgSO4 buffers of equal osmolarity, the cells are stable under these conditions. These results suggest that the membrane ATPase of A. laidlawii B is intimately associated with the membrane lipids and that it functions as a monovalent cation pump which regulates intracellular osmolarity as the (Na+, K+)-ATPase does in eucaryotes.


This article provides a critical review of key theoretical positions relevant to border control and sets out an agenda for developing these ideas. In 2005 Mythen and Walklate published a theoretical milestone for the study of terrorism in their article 'Criminology and terrorism: Which thesis? Risk society or governmentality?'. Those authors reviewed two theories of risk, considering how each might contribute to understanding 'new terrorism'. Inspired by 'Which thesis?' we review, contrast and compare three key theoretical contributions relevant to penology, criminology and border control: Stump's 'crimmigration' thesis, Bosworth and Guild's adaptation of the 'new penology' perspective, and Krasmann's critique of Jakobs' 'enemy penology' thesis. The article consolidates these important theoretical strands into one critical discussion, highlighting the growing relevance of the pre-crime literature to the study of borders, and signposting potential theoretical developments within border criminology that build on these foundations.


This cross sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital over a period of 4 months from January 2012 to April 2012 to assess the clinico-epidemiological condition of different types of poisoning and to evaluate immediate hospital outcome. Suspected case of poisoning aged 12 years or above of either sex was included. Patients of paediatric age group, having other co-morbid condition and died before clinical evaluation were excluded. This study revealed that rural people (76.9%), aging 20-30 years (46.3%) were mostly affected in poisoning. Patients belong to low socioeconomic group (65.3%), illiterate (26.5%) and educated up to primary level (29.9%) were mostly identified. Regarding the occupation this study showed student (30.6%) and farmer (25.2%) were predominantly involved. In this series organophosphorus compound (63.9%) poisoning was in the top of the list followed by benzodiazepine (6.8%). Suicidal attempt (81.6%) was found as a motive of poisoning in maximum cases. Among the precipitating factors quarrel with spouse, girl or boy friend (46.9%) were significant in number. In this study outcome was measured as complete recovery (92.5%) and death (3.4%).


Photograph of a two story brick building with a wooden staircase to a second story entrance. The yard is grass near the house, but mainly dirt / sand with a scattering of plants in the foreground. Behind the house is a street with two cars along a forested area.


Abstract Involuntary emotional expression disorder (IEED) is a syndrome in which emotional or affective motor control becomes dysregulated as a result of brain damage from neurological disease or as a result of brain injury. A debilitating disorder with persistent symptoms, IEED has a significant impact upon the lives of patients and caregivers, but is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. IEED is a clinically well-defined disorder, and specific criteria may be used when making a diagnosis. It must be distinguished from depression or other psychological and neurological conditions. Several assessment scales have been validated for use in IEED, in order to evaluate the baseline severity and to track the course of the disorder and response to treatment.


The international seabed 'Area' and its mineral resources are the common heritage of mankind and must be administered for the benefit of humankind as a whole. Yet the vision of the benefits to be reaped from the Area has changed over the years. The common heritage concept encapsulates seemingly conflicting developmental, commercial, and ecological imperatives. With seabed mining edging closer to becoming a reality, there is a need to analyse these imperatives and the range of benefits that humankind can (and in some cases already does) derive from the Area. This article critically discusses six categories of benefits that are relevant to seabed mining and assesses them against historical expectations. These are wealth generation and redistribution, advancement of developing States, security of mineral supply, ecosystem services, scientific knowledge, and other uses of the Area.


Abstract Maternal syphilis infection is a common infectious cause of nonimmune hydrops fetalis. Generally, hydrops fetalis is equated with poor prognoses in affected pregnancies. A 38-year-old G5P2114 presented at 28 5/7 weeks' gestation with newly diagnosed primary syphilis infection, sonographic findings of hydrops fetalis, and elevated middle cerebral artery Dopplers concerning for fetal anemia. Following treatment with intramuscular penicillin, the symptoms of hydrops fetalis were resolved and our patient delivered a healthy male neonate with no signs of congenital syphilis at the time of delivery. Routine and early testing for syphilis is an important component of prenatal care. Though not previously documented, the secondary findings of suspected fetal syphilis may be able to completely resolve in utero with penicillin treatment.


The last two decades have witnessed a surge in territorial cooperation arrangements across the EU. This paper engages with on-going academic and policy debates around the contributions of territorial cooperation. Addressing the well-recognised difficulties in evaluating their contributions, the analysis sets out a nuanced framework in which to evaluate territorial cooperation, which is sensitive to quantitative and qualitative results of cooperation. Crucially, the analysis focusses on the 'maturation' process of territorial cooperation programmes and proposes a framework in which key characteristics of territorial cooperation efforts are identified - motivation, scale, intensity, governance structures, as themes - as variable in accordance to different phases of maturity. The main argument is that maturation should be a key consideration in relation to the results that can be expected from territorial cooperation and how these can be measured. In doing so, the paper addresses a significant gap in the literature on territorial cooperation and a significant practical challenge for policy makers. The analysis focusses on INTERREG programmes; the EU's primary policy instrument for supporting territorial cooperation. Evidence is drawn from data that was gathered as part of a three-year research project (ESPON TERCO) and consists of an analysis of INTERREG programme documentation. Furthermore, 35 semi-structured interviews with programme officials were conducted in five targeted INTERREG case studies: Flanders – Netherlands, North Sea Region, Czech – Slovakia, Slovenia – Austria and the Central Baltic Programme.


Coordinated coupling of biochemical reactions involving protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation represents the hallmark of the intracellular signal transduction machinery. Distinct classes of enzymes known as kinases and phosphatases respectively drive these reactions. Alterations in activity of such signaling intermediates, either due to mutations in the corresponding genes or epigenetic modulation of their expression levels, is often the cause of many cancers. The role of kinases during signal transduction has been extensively investigated over the past several decades and the consensus view is that subsets of kinases form distinct cascades of signaling pathways. Further, the extensive crosstalk that exists between these cascades leads to a complex network configuration for the signaling machinery. Inhibitors of many of these kinases are now being exploited in cancer therapy. In contrast to this, regulation by cellular phosphatases has generally been considered to occur through isolated interactions between a given phosphatase and its target substrate. Emerging evidence, however, is beginning to suggest that phosphatases also inter-regulate each other, and that such interactions can lead to the formation of discrete phosphatase-specific cascades. A phosphatase cascade may be defined broadly as a series of successive dephosphorylation reactions that occur within a cell and are catalyzed by phosphatases which are activated sequentially. In general, the term phosphatase cascade refers to cascades that include two or more phosphatase members. The crosstalk between such regulatory axes of phosphatases and kinase cascades provides for complex modes of regulation, with non-linear signal input/output relationships. This review discusses the implications of such phosphatase-constituted regulatory elements for both signal processing and transmission. Further, we also explore the potential that insights on the functioning of phosphatase cascades offers, for the development of new and selective strategies for cancer therapy.


ABSTRACT Going from a neighbourhood-based to a choice-based system of school selection can have positive effects on enrolment in higher achievement schools, increasing average student achievement. We develop an Agent-Based model (ABM) that simulates students' decisions on a heterogeneous agents' framework with information asymmetries between income levels, allowing to simulate school choice policies and determine their impact on school enrolment and average student achievement. We use data from Santiago schools to initialise the model and study the impact of a discrete information signal of school achievement, as a policy implemented in 2010 in Chile called traffic lights.


Based on weight integration to obtain a closed solution of cohesive crack problem, a new method is proposed to determine the tensile-strain softening curve (TSC) for quasi-brittle materials. The key technique is to determine the weight function by superposition of the solution with different fictitious crack lengths to satisfy a given crack opening displacement within cohesive crack surfaces. As an example, a central crack problem under uniform tension with given crack opening displacement in the fracture process zone (FPZ) was analyzed, the corresponding TSC was determined, and then the solution for stress and displacement field was obtained.


Sarker MR, Ali MM, Monir MS, Paul M, Barman AC (2014) Growth and production performance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) polyculture with carps in homestead pond. Marine Res. Aqua. 2(1), 1-6. An experiment was conducted in six homestead ponds (20 decimal) to assess growth and production of fishes with different species compositions in polyculture using tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita), mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) and mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio var. specularis) for the period of 121 days from March 16 to June 16, 2012 at Gouripur upazila under Mymensingh district. There were three treatments each with two replicates viz. stocking densities: tilapia 250, silver carp 5, catla 3, ruhu 3, mrigal 3 and mirror carp 3 fish per decimal inT1 (267 fish/dec); tilapia 330, silver carps 3, catla 3, rohu 2, mrigal 5 and mirror carps 2 fish per decimal in T2 (365 fish/dec); and tilapia 130, silver carps 2, catla 2, rohu 3, mrigal 2 and mirror carp 3 fish per decimal in T3 (142 fish/dec);. The physico-chemical parameters of water temperature (31.61-32 o C), transparency (30.69-34.11 cm), dissolved oxygen (5.33-7.56 mg/l) and pH (7.48-7.76) during the study period was found within optimum range. The mean final weight attained of tilapia under T1, T2 and T3 were 199.9, 88.1 and 185 g, respectively. The mean final weight gain (g) of tilapia, silver carp, catla, ruhu, mrigal and mirror carp were 154.8, 258.8, 119.7, 119.7, 124.7 and 193.8 g in T3 that was the highest among the treatments. However, it was found that the highest total production was in T3 (1151 kg/20dec/121days) and the lowest in T2 (588.7 kg/20dec/121days). However, the lowest species wise production of tilapia 425, silver carp 40.5, catla 16.0, rohu 36.0, mrigal 34.5, mirror carp 36.7 kg/20dec/121 days was in T2 and the highest in T3 that was tilapia 960, silver carp 68, catla 28, rohu 31, mrigal 28 and mirror carp 36 kg/20 dec/121days.


Motivated by emerging applications such as livestreaming e-commerce, promotions and recommendations, we introduce a general class of multiarmed bandit problems that have the following two features: (i) the decision maker can pull and collect rewards from at most K out of N different arms in each time period; (ii) the expected reward of an arm immediately drops after it is pulled, and then non-parametrically recovers as the idle time increases. With the objective of maximizing expected cumulative rewards over T time periods, we propose, construct and prove performance guarantees for a class of "Purely Periodic Policies". For the offline problem when all model parameters are known, our proposed policy obtains an approximation ratio that is at the order of 1 − O(1/ √ K), which is asymptotically optimal when K grows to infinity. For the online problem when the model parameters are unknown and need to be learned, we design an Upper Confidence Bound (UCB) based policy that approximately has Õ(N √ T ) regret against the offline benchmark. Our framework and policy design may have the potential to be adapted into other offline planning and online learning applications with non-stationary and recovering rewards.


It often appears that the most appropriate form of addressing disadvantage related to disability is through policies that can be called "status enhancements": changes to the social, cultural and material environment so that the difficulties experienced by those with impairments are reduced, even eradicated. However, status enhancements can also have their limitations. This paper compares the relative merits of policies of status enhancement and "personal enhancement": changes to the disabled person. It then takes up the question of how to assess the priority of the claims of disabled people in the face of scarcity of resources for which there can be many competing social claims, arguing for the theory of "declustering disadvantage".


Auditory and somatosensory evoked potentials were recorded from 10 patients suffering from Friedreich's ataxia. All patients were subjected to audiological tests and EMG-ENG study. Acoustic evoked potentials recordings included brainstem acoustic evoked potentials and long latency components. Peripheral and central components of somatosensory evoked potentials were obtained by stimulating the median nerve at the wrist and elbow. Various abnormalities of the cortical components were observed in all patients for both acoustic and somatosensory evoked potentials. Analysis of brainstem acoustic evoked potentials and of the early components of somatosensory evoked potentials showed a different incidence of abnormalities. The main feature of brainstem acoustic evoked potential changes was the frequent absence of one or more waves; the greatest abnormalities occurred in patients whose disease was of long duration. Long latency components (N85) were significantly prolonged in all but one patient. There was often an absence or reduction of early somatosensory evoked potentials with normal or near normal latencies, even though cortical responses were markedly prolonged. The sensory conduction velocity between stimulation sites at wrist and elbow was normal in all patients. Clinically brainstem acoustic evoked potentials may prove to be a reliable means of monitoring the progression of the disease, while long latency components and somatosensory evoked potentials could be used as complementary procedures in early diagnosis.


Lake Victoria in East Africa is a major ecosystem, whose size and importance has warranted the exploration of MODIS imagery to provide continuous and accurate water quality information. To this effect, two sea expeditions (in November 2014 and February 2015) were carried out to collect in situ lake surface temperature (LST), chlorophyll a (Chl) and Secchi disk depth (SDD) to compare with the corresponding satellite derived variables. Comparisons were made based on the following error matrices: coefficient of correlation (r), mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute deviation (MAD) and mean absolute percent error (MAPE). In general the results showed that satellite derived LST gives a good estimate of in situ LST. Conversely, the error matrices indicated that satellite derived Chl yielded more uncertainty when compared with in situ Chl. This could be because of the fact that the MODIS Chl product algorithm was designed for oceans and may not be appropriate for inland lakes. Satellite derived SDD compared fairly well with in situ SDD. From these results it is evident that with more in situ observations and improved algorithms, MODIS can be useful to improve how water quality is monitored on Lake Victoria.