Thirteen Lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from fermenting cocoa and seven reference strains were used in order to assess their antifungal properties towards three ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungi (Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus ochraceus). Furthermore, two of the isolates strains (A19 and A21) identified as belonging to the genus of Pediococcus as well as Lactobacillus plantarum B4496, Lactobacillus brevis 207 and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis BB12 showed interesting in vitro broad antifungal activities towards the three ochratoxin-producing fungi with inhibition percentages ranging from 15% to 66.7%. Treatment of cell-free supernatant at 100°C affected antifungal activity suggesting that the main compounds responsible for this activity were of proteic nature, and hence could be bacteriocins. Application of isolate A19 in cocoa fermentation as starter inhibited the growth of each of the OTA-producing species. At the end of fermentation in boxes inoculated with A19, A. niger was not detectable while A. carbonarius concentration was found to be 2 Log CFU/g of wet beans. The assessment of the ochratoxin produced during fermentation of cocoa inoculated with A. carbonarius indicated that the use of isolate A19 as starter could reduce their level of growth so as to have only a toxin production of 0.0012 ± 0.0005 μg/kg after 40 days of storage, while this was 2.45 ± 0.35 μg/kg of fermented and dried cocoa beans in the absence of A19. This work is a contribution for the application of biological control of OTA-producing fungi during cocoa production.


Transferable Ga2O3 thin film membrane is desirable for vertical and flexible solar-blind photonics and high-power electronics applications. However, Ga2O3 epitaxially grown on rigid substrates such as sapphire, Si, and SiC hinders its exfoliation due to the strong covalent bond between Ga2O3 and substrates, determining its lateral device configuration and also hardly reaching the ever-increasing demand for wearable and foldable applications. Mica substrate, which has an atomic-level flat surface and high-temperature tolerance, could be a good candidate for the van der Waals (vdW) epitaxy of crystalline Ga2O3 membrane. Beyond that, benefiting from the weak vdW bond between Ga2O3 and mica substrate, in this work, the Ga2O3 membrane is exfoliated and transferred to arbitrary flexible and adhesive tape, allowing for the vertical and flexible electronic configuration. This straightforward exfoliation method is verified to be consistent and reproducible by the transfer and characterization of thick (∼380 nm)/thin (∼95 nm) κ-phase Ga2O3 and conductive n-type β-Ga2O3. Vertical photodetectors are fabricated based on the exfoliated Ga2O3 membrane, denoting the peak response at ∼250 nm. Through the integration of Ti/Au Ohmic contact and Ni/Ag Schottky contact electrode, the vertical photodetector exhibits self-powered photodetection behavior with a responsivity of 17 mA/W under zero bias. The vdW-bond-assisted exfoliation of the Ga2O3 membrane demonstrated here could provide enormous opportunities in the pursuit of vertical and flexible Ga2O3 electronics.


In this paper we suggest the use of tangible user interfaces (TUIs) for human-robot interaction (HRI) applications. We discuss the potential benefits of this approach while focusing on low-level of autonomy tasks. We present an experimental robotic interaction test bed to support our investigation. We use the test bed to explore two HRI-related task-sets: robotic navigation control and robotic posture control. We discuss the implementation of these two task-sets using an AIBO™ robot dog. Both tasks were mapped to two different robotic control interfaces: keypad interface which resembles the interaction approach currently common in HRI, and a gesture input mechanism based on Nintendo Wii™ game controllers. We discuss the interfaces implementation and conclude with a detailed user study for evaluating these different HRI techniques in the two robotic tasks-sets.


Etch rates above have been obtained for and plasma etching of , and under electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) conditions. The etched surface morphologies are a strong function of the ratio of chlorine radicals to total ion density in the discharges, and are smoother in . Non-optimized etching conditions produce rough surfaces characterized by the presence of chlorine and boron-containing residues and substantial post-oxidation. We believe that the high ion flux available under ECR conditions provides efficient sputtering of the normally involatile , and thus a selvedge layer of this material is prevented from forming. Therefore the etch rates are much higher and the surface morphologies smoother in ECR discharges. The etch rates of are much lower than the other two ternary compounds and are independent of composition over the range x = 0.05 - 0.70 for fixed plasma conditions.


Responsibility for a team of people and its success -- not to mention each team members' well-being and professional development -- is a big assignment to take on. Leadership has very little to do with controlling, budgeting and so on. It has little overlap with assigning work and evaluating it. Our traditional view of management is task-based and mechanical. In that worldview, we don't think about topics like: How are my teammates holding up? Are they stressed out? Are they feeling good about the future and about the energy on the team? For years we pretended that human energy isn't a factor in a team's success, even though anybody who has ever been on any kind of team knows that the team energy, also known as trust level, is the whole ballgame. We can use the carrot and the stick to get people to perform for a while but eventually, if they don't care about the mission, about their leader and/or about one another, the team will fracture and lose steam. It's inevitable! Today we know that empathetic, trust-based human leadership is not only the most effective way to lead a team but also the most profitable way to run a company. If you hold a leadership role now or aspire to do so in the future, think about steps you can take in each of these areas. Leadership and management are the terms that are often considered synonymous. It is essential to understand that leadership is an essential part of effective management. As a crucial component of management, remarkable leadership behaviours stresses upon building an environment in which each and every employee develops and excels. Leadership is defined as the potential to influence and drive the group efforts towards the accomplishment of goals. This influence may originate from formal sources, such as that provided by acquisition of managerial position in an organization. A manager must have traits of a leader, i.e., he must possess leadership qualities. Leaders develop and begin strategies that build and sustain competitive advantage. Organizations require robust leadership and robust management for optimal organizational efficiency.


This is the first of four reports in the "Nutrition and Health Outcome Study," which assesses the effects of USDA's food assistance and nutrition programs on nutrition and health outcomes. This report reviews the research designs available to evaluators for assessing the effect of USDA's food assistance and nutrition programs. The random assignment experiment is the "gold standard" design for such an evaluation. Where random assignment is impossible, quasi-experimental designs are used to infer what would have happened to program participants if the program had not existed. Eight types of quasi-experimental design are identified as having been used in evaluations of food assistance and nutrition programs, although none can guarantee unbiased estimates of program impacts.


The effects of various salts of the Hofmeister and aliphatic acid salt series and hydrophobic reagents of the urea series on the subunit structure and the dissociation of Helix pomatia alpha-hemocyanin were investigated by employing light-scattering molecular weight methods. In moderate ranges of salt concentrations [0-1.0 M NaClO4, NaSCN, NaI, and guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) and 0-2.0 M NaBr], the dissociation reaction is essentially a two-step process characterized by the dissociation of whole hemocyanin molecules dissociating to half-molecules of decamers followed by the dissociation of the half-molecules to five dimeric fragments. The effectiveness of the salts and relative ineffectiveness of the ureas and GdmCl as dissociating agents in the first step of the dissociation reaction suggest that the stabilization of the contact areas between half-molecules in solution is largely a nonhydrophobic energy process involving polar and ionic interactions. Hydrophobic forces appear to be important, however, for stabilization of the half-molecules through side to side contacts of the five dimeric units that make up each half-molecule. The analysis of our dissociation data by use of equations derived in our previous studies [Herskovits, T. T., & Harrington, J.P. (1975) Biochemistry 14, 4964-4971] gave apparent estimates of amino acid groups of about 60-150 for each of the contact areas between the cylindrically shaped half-molecules and 30-60 for each of the dimers in the half-molecules themselves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Burkitt lymphoma is endemic in the Equatorial Belt of Africa, its molecular hallmark is an activated, MYC gene mostly due to a chromosomal translocation. Especially in its endemic clinical variant, Burkitt lymphoma is associated with the oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and holoendemic malaria acts as an amplifier. Environmental factors may also cooperate in Burkitt lymphomagenesis in the endemic regions, such as plants used as traditional herbal remedies. Euphorbia tirucalli, a plant known to possess EBV-activating substances, has a similar geographical distribution to endemic Burkitt's Lymphoma and is used as a hedge, herbal remedy and toy in the Lymphoma BeltI. In this study we aimed at determining if exposure to Euphorbia tirucalli could contribute to lymphomagenesis, and at which extent. Lymphoblastoid and cord blood-derived cell lines were treated with plant extracts, and the expression of EBV-coded proteins was checked, to assess EBV reactivation. The occurrence of chromosomal translocations was then investigated by FISH. Our preliminary results suggest that E. tirucalli is able to reactivate EBV and determine chromosomal alterations, which leads to c-MYC altered expression. The existence of genomic alterations might determine the accumulation of further genetic alteration, which could eventually lead to a transformed phenotype.


Lipoid pneumonia (referred to by various authors as oil pneumonia, oil aspiration pneumonia, oil inspiration pneumonia, paraffinoma, paraffin oil tumor and pneumonolipoidosis) occurs most commonly in infants and in the debilitated old, resulting most frequently from the administration of laxative oils or the therapeutic instillation of oils into the nasopharynx with subsequent aspiration of the oily or fatty substance into the lung. Less frequently this lesion has been reported in adults not necessarily debilitated. The lesion was first described by Laughlen 1 in 1925 in one infant, two children and one adult. Pinkerton 2 in 1927 reported six cases in infants and children and the following year 3 reported the results of intratracheal injection of vegetable, animal and mineral oil in rabbits and dogs. The human cases, 106 in number, reported up to April 1936 are reviewed by Ikeda. 4 He adds five cases of his own. More recently 5


Objectives To explore the extent to which national policy in end of life care in England influences and guides local practice, to ensure that care for patients over the age 75 years is of a consistently good quality. Method This paper reports on phase one of a larger study and focuses its discussion on the high-level (macro) determinants emerging from the analysis. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with professionals involved in the development of English policy in end of life care. Results Factors influencing the quality of end of life care were stratified into three system levels: meso, macro and micro. English national policy was reported to be an important macro-level determinant of effective outcomes, and examples were provided to demonstrate how policy was influencing practice. Yet, the complexity of the area and the range of interacting contributory factors mean the value of policy alone is hard to assess. At the macro-level, concern was voiced around: whether policy was effective in tackling rising inequity; lack of mandatory leverage to exert change relating to end of life outcomes; the impact of ongoing infrastructural change on statutory services; workforce pressures; over-reliance on acute services and continued abdication of responsibility for end of life care to medical professionals supported by the continued dominance of the medical model of care. Conclusions The links between the existence of policy at the macro-level of the system and the effective enactment of good practice remain unclear, although strategies are suggested to help achieve greater national consistency in end of life care outcomes. Policymakers must pay attention to the following: controlling the rise in localism and its contribution to regional inequalities; the impact of continuous infrastructural change together with increasing workforce pressures; encouraging broader professional and public responsibility for recognition and care of those at the end of life.


The results of previous epidemiological studies exploring the relationship between interleukin-10 (IL-10) promoter polymorphisms and susceptibility to pediatric asthma are not consistent. Therefore, we have performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a more convincing conclusion. Odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of association between the IL-10 promoter polymorphisms and susceptibility to pediatric asthma. Publication bias was examined by Begg's funnel plots and the Egger test. A detailed literature search based on stringent parameters yielded sixteen relevant studies, comprising 2494 cases and 2160 controls. The overall population showed no significant association between the IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphism and pediatric asthma risk in any of the genetic models (dominant model: OR = 1.583, 95%CI = 0.614-4.076, P = 0.342; allelic model: OR = 1.214, 95%CI = 0.748-1.971, P = 0.433; additive model: OR = 2.240, 95%CI = 0.950-5.277, P = 0.065; recessive model: OR = 1.435, 95%CI = 0.659-3.128, P = 0.363). Subgroup analyses revealed a significant association between different ethnicity and atopic status subgroups. However, there was no evidence of a significant association between the other two polymorphisms (-819C/ T and -592C/A) and pediatric asthma in our study. No significant publication bias was observed in this meta-analysis. The results of this study indicate that the IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphism might be a risk factor for asthma in children. However, because of the small sample size included in the subgroup analyses, the results should be interpreted with caution.


The effects of glucagon versus placebo were evaluated in a double-blind trial including only patients with a first attack of severe acute pancreatitis not associated with biliary disease. All 22 patients had deterioriation of their clinical condition, elevated serum amylase and pulse rate above 100/min. or shock. An initial dose of 1 mg. glucagon was given as a bolus injection followed by infusion of 6 mg. in 1,500 ml. saline/24 hr. for three days. All were treated with nasogastric decompression, fluids, calcium and antibiotics. Severe complications developed in five of the 10 patients receiving glucagon and in eight of the 12 given a placebo. Three of the 10 (glucagon) and five of the 12 (placebo) died from these complications. Hemorrhagic pancreatitis was found in 11 patients at laparotomy or autopsy. Three of the five with hemorrhagic pancreatitis in the glucagon group and four of the six in the placebo group died. Pooling the data of the present and two other studies makes it probable that glucagon has no effect on mortality from acute severe pancreatitis.


Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with an increased risk of nephrolithiasis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess stone clearance and complication rates following surgical treatment of kidney stones in this population. We systematically reviewed the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases for studies examining outcomes of kidney stone procedures in SCI patients. Our primary outcomes were stone-free rate (SFR) and complications, as categorized by Clavien-Dindo classi�cation. A meta-analysis of comparative studies was performed to assess differences in outcomes between SCI and non-SCI patients following PCNL. A total of 27 retrospective and observational articles were included. Interventions for kidney stones included PCNL, shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), and ureteroscopy. Pooled SFR in SCI patients undergoing surgery for kidney stones was 54.1%, for SWL, 73.6% for PCNL, and 36.2% for ureteroscopy. Four studies compared outcomes following PCNL in SCI and non-SCI patients. Meta-analysis found that there were higher rate of grades I (OR 9.54; 95% CI, 3.06-29.79), II (OR 3.38; 95% CI, 1.85-6.18), and III-V (OR 2.38; 95% CI, 1.35-4.19) complications in SCI patients compared to non-SCI patients following PCNL. The rate of infectious complications was also higher in patients with SCI (OR 6.15; 95% CI, 1.86-20.39). However, there was no difference in SFR (OR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.15-2.64) between groups. Patients with SCI are at higher risk of complications following PCNL compared to non-SCI patients. SFR after PCNL was equivalent between groups, suggesting that PCNL is an effective surgery for kidney stones in SCI patients.


Although synthetic fungicides have been efficient for controlling phytopathogenic fungi, these products present potential toxic effect to the human health and to environment. In this context, the biological control has been used as an alternative to reduce losses caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in several crops of economic importance in Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this work was to study 23 isolates of Trichoderma harzianum obtained from Cerrado soils as biological control agent against S. rolfsii, an important soil-borne pathogen of bean and soybean crops. The antagonism of the isolates was verified by dual culture assays (at 22oC, 25oC and 28oC) and in vivo experiments carried out in greenhouse, using common bean and soybean plants. The isolates CEN155, CEN158, CEN169, CEN170, CEN194 and CEN197 were able to inhibit the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii in the three temperatures employed in the dual culture assays, colonizing at least 66% of the Petri dish surfaces and were also effective for the in vivo controlling of S. rolfsii on bean and soybean crops, affording average value (%) of healthy plants over 88%, at 15 days after soil inoculations with pathogen and antagonists.


Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices can be used as vapor phase chemical sensors. If we make use of SAW devices with high frequency properties and multi-channel structures, highly sensitive and multi gas sensors can be realized. However, it is generally difficult to deposit different gas sensitive films on the propagation paths of monolithic multi-channel SAW devices. This paper describes the new coating method by which several types of gas-sensitive molecular films can be coated on the paths. The method is called partial casting method on water surface. It makes use of the water surface segmented by a trapezoidal frame, and the molecular film spread in the frame is compressed by the vertical movement of the frame and deposited on the substrate placed on the frame top. Several bilayers of dialkyl polyion complex and dimyristoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine were coated on 36°Y-X LiTaO 3 SAW delay line oscillators, and odor sensor characteristics were successfully measured. It was confirmed from the present experiments that the method can be applicable to fabrication of multi-channel SAW chemical sensors with various kinds of molecular films.


Proteases constitute one of the primary targets in drug discovery. In the present review, we focus on extracellular proteases (ECPs) because of their differential expression in many pathophysiological processes, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and inflammatory, pulmonary, and periodontal diseases. Many new ECP inhibitors are currently under clinical investigation and a significant increase in new therapies based on protease inhibition can be expected in the coming years. In addition to directly blocking the activity of a targeted protease, one can take advantage of differential expression in disease states to selectively deliver therapeutic or imaging agents. Recent studies in targeted drug development for the metalloproteases (matrix metalloproteinases, adamalysins, pappalysins, neprilysin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, metallocarboxypeptidases, and glutamate carboxypeptidase II), serine proteases (elastase, coagulation factors, tissue/urokinase plasminogen activator system, kallikreins, tryptase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV) and cysteine proteases (cathepsin B) are discussed herein.


CFU/ml ) wasaerosolised in the chamber for 10 minutes; pigs re-mained in the chamber for an additional 10 minutes.Unchallenged control pigs received a placebo aerosolconsisting of PBS.Pigs were assigned a daily composite clinical score. Allpigs were weighed on days -4, 0, 7 and 21, and feedconsumption was measured for days 0 to 7 and 7 to 21.Animal days were calculated for each pig from day 0 toeuthanasia. Animals that died or were euthanized forhumane reasons before day 21, and animals remainingon day 21 were subjected to necropsy. The pleural,pericardial and peritoneal cavities, meninges and allshoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, stifle, hock and atlanto-occipital joints in each pig were examined and scored.The pleural, pericardial and peritoneal surfaces, thebasal meninges, trachea, and both hocks, stifles, carpaljoints and elbows were swabbed and cultured onPPLO-NAD.Data were examined at the room level by analysis ofvariance. Variables measured as proportions were firstsubjected to an empirical logit transformation.


Introduction. Laser correlation spectroscopy is a promising method that allows one to analyze sizes of nanoparticles and to evaluate their shape and dynamics of aggregation in liquids. A limited usage of laser correlation spectroscopy is currently caused by insufficient accuracy of existing instruments and data processing algorithms. The paper described the development of laser correlation spectroscopic hardware complex designed for nanoparticles size determination in liquids. The basic requirements for the elements of the device and the approaches used to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio were discussed. The achieved parameters of the laser correlation spectrometer were presented.Aim. To develop the hardware for nanoparticles size determination in liquids and to optimize the parameters of hardware elements to increase signal-to-noise ratio.Materials and methods. Theory of dynamic light scattering to describe scattering of laser radiation in liquids was applied. Fundamental requirements for the elements of the laser correlation spectrometer were described.Results. An original scheme of the laser correlation spectrometer was developed, the basic requirements for the general scheme elements were described. Equations for calculating signal-to-noise ratio were given.Conclusion. The analysis of the main parameters of the elements of the laser correlation spectroscopic scheme were carried out. It helps one to evaluate the expected signal-to-noise ratio in laser correlation spectrometers.


Using a Josephson junction interferometer (DC SQUID) as a microwave source for irradiating a single-electron trap, both devices fabricated on the same chip, we study the process of photon-assisted tunneling as an effective mechanism of single photon detection. High sensitivity down to a very small oscillation amplitude vJ∼10 nV≪Eact≲hfJ and down to low photon absorption rates Γph ∼ (1–50) Hz, as well as a clear threshold type of operation with an activation energy Eact ∼ 400 μeV, is demonstrated for the trap with respect to the microwave photons of frequency fJ ∼ (100–200) GHz. Tunable generation is demonstrated with respect to the power and frequency of the microwave signal produced by the SQUID source biased within the subgap voltage range. A much weaker effect is observed at the higher junction voltages along the quasiparticle branch of the I–V curve; this response mostly appears due to the recombination phonons.


Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKHS) is characterized by various abnormalities of paramesonephric duct structures; vaginal aplasia being the commonest anomaly in the spectrum. We report a 17-year-old girl; a case of MRKHS with vaginal agenesis. The cervix was present but atretic; uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries were normal. There were no associated renal or skeletal defects. Colovaginoplasty was done to bridge the gap between uterus and introitus. Postoperatively, small part of colovaginoplasty flap became necrotic posteriorly, which was ultimately managed by insetting of labial flap.


The present study compared the quality of sperm collected by artificial vagina or pharmacologically induced ejaculation from a 10-year-old thoroughbred stallion with seminal vesiculitis. The pharmacological protocol involved intravenous administration of detomidine (0.01 mg·kg-1 ) and oxytocin (20 IU) and successfully induced ejaculation in all attempts of semen collection. Sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (PMAI), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) percentage, and bacterial profiles of fresh and cooled semen (5°C for 24 h) were evaluated. Semen obtained by the pharmacological method presented reduced seminal volume, decreased PMN percentage, and superior sperm motility in cooled samples. Moreover, higher PMAI and lower ROS levels were observed in semen collected by the pharmacological method. Therefore, pharmacologically induced ejaculation is an alternative to obtain semen with minimal contamination and with sperm of superior quality and longevity from stallions with seminal vesiculitis.


The qualitative and quantitative parameters of persistent soil seed bank, including species composition, seed density, vertical distribution and the relationship of soil seed bank and vegetation, were assessed along an altitudinal gradient in seven communities in shady slope, sunny slope and summit plain of Qilian Mountains. The highest density of soil seed bank of 3946 seeds m(-2) was found in grassland in summit plain, and lowest of 225 seeds m(-2) in the dwarf scrub grassland in shady slope, while the highest numbers of species of 21 species in per sampled area of 962 cm(2) was found in grassland in sunny slope and lowest of 5 species in per sampled area of 962 cm(2) in scrub land in shady slope. Of the species 18% were annuals and 73% perennial herbs, only 1 shrub of Salix gilashanica was recorded. Considerably more seeds were concentrated in the upper layer (0 to 5 cm), and seed density declined by 71.10% in the lower layer (5 to 10 cm). There was a tendency for the soil seed bank to decrease in density with increasing elevation in both shady slope and sunny slope, although this pattern is complicated by the occurrence of different plant communities and species at different altitudes. Sorensen similarity index between soil seed bank and vegetation of the seven habitats was very low, and Picea crassifolia was absent in the soil seed bank despite being a prominent component of the surface vegetation at woodlands; thus, P. crassifolia has no persistent seed bank. It will be important to maintain the existing vegetation in the future management.


The object of this experiment was to investigate the food habits of sika deer fed with various roughage sources. The experimental trials were conducted at Unbong Animal Genetic Resources Station in 2008. The experimental roughages include five sources and 25 species in all; grasses and legumes: 5 species (mixed grasses, orchardgrass, tall fescue, alfalfa, white clover), native grasses and weeds: 5 species (mixed native grasses, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss, Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) Tanaka, barnyard grass, short awn, forage crops (hay, silages and straw): 5 species (barley + hairy vetch, Wheat + hairy vetch, rye silage, barley silage, baled rice straw), browse and fallen leaves: 5 species (mixed browse, oriental white oak, Quercus serrta Thunb., oriental cherry fallen leaves, Japanese chestnut fallen leaves), and imported hays and straws: 5 species (timothy hay, tall fescue straw, annual ryegrass straw, klinegrass hay, alfalfa hay). Five sika deer were used as experimental animals and the averaged body weight was 95+5.4kg. The chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of each roughage source and species were significantly different at the sampling area, plant species, growth stages and cutting period(p<0.05). The sika deer ate more roughages which had low fibrous contents, but high dry matter digestibility. Among all the 25 species of roughages, the favorite intake roughage sources ranking by sika deer was observed like this: browse and fallen leaves (32.2%), grass and legumes (27.0%), native grasses and weeds (22.0%), imported hays (12.9%) and forages crops (5.5%) respectively. Although, the sika deer ate more browse leaves, but ate more roughage which had low fibrous contents (NDF and ADF), but high drymatter digestibility. On the other hand, compared to each roughage source, total intake amount by sika deer was showed as browse and fallen leaves (32.2%). Based on the result, the food habit of sika deer seems to be closer to the typical browser.


Factors associated with the potential for recurrence of keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) still remain to be clearly determined and no consensus exists concerning the management of KCOT. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different clinical factors associated with KCOT and its treatment methods. A retrospective review was performed of 55 cases treated from 2001 to 2010. Of the 55 cases, 27% were associated with an impacted or semi-impacted tooth. The majority of the lesions (82%) were located in tooth-bearing areas, and the overall mandibular to maxilla ratio of tumour occurrence was 5:1. The treatment options included enucleation, marsupialisation, or peripheral ostectomy, with or without the use of Carnoy´s solution. Recurrence was found in 14 cases (25%). No significant association was seen between recurrence and age, symptomatic cases, location of the lesion, or unilocular or multilocular appearance. The recurrence rate was higher in the group with tooth involvement, more marked in cases with third molar involvement. Statistical analysis showed a significant relation between recurrence and the type of treatment, with higher rates in cases treated with enucleation associated with tooth extraction. In our series, those cases with a closer relation with dental tissues showed a higher risk of recurrence, suggesting the need for a distinct classification for peripheral variants of KCOT. Key words:Keratocystic odontogenic tumour, Odontogenic keratocyst, Odontogenic cysts, Keratocyst, Carnoy's solution.


Abstract Industrial laboratories generate profit for their parent companies and in so doing benefit society through spillovers of novel technologies and solutions. However, research's share of corporate investment in R&D has been declining. To understand this trend from the operations perspective, we develop a model-based analysis of the management of intellectual asset production in industrial laboratories. The model consists of a linear network with multiple stages in which the first stage is the research division engaged in generating novel concepts and prototypes. It is followed by multiple development stages that transform research outputs into intellectual assets and marketable products. Management is responsible for strategic budget allocation to the stages, and tactical management of individual projects. Decisions are based on intrinsic return on investment in the laboratory, and option values of projects, both of which are endogenously determined. Our model and analyses have revealed several possible pathways that can lead to the management of the laboratories to reduce the share of research spending in their budgets, namely: (i) lower variability of project values; (ii) improved investment efficiency at development stages; and (iii) higher revenue realization from assets produced at early development stages.


This paper evaluates the need and prospects for older workers to develop and deploy effective and critical personal epistemologies in order to maintain workplace competence, successfully negotiate work transitions and secure ontological security in their working life. Furthermore, it addresses different ways of reflecting by workers, which types of reflection are appreciated by workplace managers and how these relate to the work situation and other contextual factors. A personal epistemology is an approach to and a practice of learning directed by individuals, often for purposes that are important for them. This seems particularly salient for older workers as both the institutional and brute facts (Searle 1995) that comprise workplace affordances and maturation factors, respectively, may not be supportive of their attempts to maintain competence in their working lives. Instead, as both individual agents and parts of collective actions, the exercise of personal epistemologies premised on critical reflection stands as a means for older workers to understand and respond to the changing requirements of work life. These propositions are introduced and elaborated using a study of older workers' capacities to be critically reflective of their practice and enact workplace change.


Thoracic trauma will continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our population. Improvement in ambulance transport systems and prehospital care has improved the salvage rate. It is hoped that earlier recognition, better understanding of the pathophysiology, and improvement in management will further reduce the number of deaths due to thoracic injuries.


The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life and psychological wellbeing of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) in Chile, and to identify other associated factors. The study enrolled 68 patients aged between 18 and 72 (median 29), 35 being females. They completed a questionnaire, which included a quality of life assessment tool (the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey), a number of psychological scales (the General Health Questionnaire, the Basic Psychological Needs Scales and the Beck Hopelessness Scale), a socioeconomic survey, and some clinical data. CHD patients reported worse scores in those scales assessing physical dimensions of quality of life (physical function (70.5), physical role functioning (64), vitality (65.3)), and general quality of life (58.6), than in emotional or social dimensions. Female gender was associated with lower scores in physical function (59.12 versus 82.66; p<0.01) and physical role functioning (53.68 versus 75; p<0.05); poverty was associated with worse results in physical function (61.92 versus 82.96; p<0.01), role physical (53.21 versus 79.63; p<0.01), vitality (60.89 versus 71.67; p<0.05), social role functioning (70.19 versus 82.87; p<0.05) and bodily pain (65.77 versus 81.2; p<0.05). Furthermore, we found that psychological scales had an association with quality of life, but clinical variables did not show significant correlations to any dimension. Poverty has an impact on the quality of life of CHD patients. This population only has a decrease in the quality of life physical dimensions, suggesting that quality of life depends on many different factors.


Hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene-based porous and nonporous polyurethaneurea membranes were prepared and used to study the phenol separation efficiency from dilute aqueous solution. The porosity was developed by incorporation of lithium chloride in polymer matrix with subsequent leaching of the same in hot water. The porous membrane showed higher phenol flux over that of nonporous membrane. Permeate containing about 97 wt % phenol was obtained from feed containing 7 wt % phenol, when pervaporation was carried out with porous polyurethaneurea membrane at 75°C. The activation energies for diffusion, permeation, and pervaporation were calculated from Arrhenius plots. From the activation energy values, it was observed that the pervaporation process became easier with increased phenol concentration in the feed and porosity of the membrane used. The membrane boundary resistance was observed to decrease with increase in temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1857–1865, 2006


Here we report a case of HIV infection in a lesbian lacking other risk factors. She had sought advice for asthenia and unexplained weight loss. The physical examination disclosed oropharyngeal candidiasis and generalized lymphoadenopathies. The patient defined herself as an active sexual partner and denied having any heterosexual intercourse whatsoever. Particle agglutination test proved positive for anti-HIV, as well as two consecutive ELISA assays, confirmed by Western blot. Since there was no history of blood transfusions or intravenous drug addiction, it may be concluded that HIV transmission was most likely due to female homosexual practices.


The exposed auricle of the anesthetized dog was stimulated at its tip. Electrograms were recorded from distant auricular spots. 1. Auricular conduction velocity was studied as a function of auricular rate. Vagal stimulation increases it principally at high rates, whereas sympathetic stimulation increases it at all rates. Procaine (8 mgm. per kgm.) decreases it at all rates, whereas diethylaminoethanol (DEAE) (32 mgm. per kgm.) and diethylaminoethyl 2,4-dichlorobenzoate (DCB) (8 mgm. per kgm.) decrease it principally at high rates. 2. The threshold voltage was determined at different rates of stimulation of the auricle. Section of the vagi alone or of the sympathetics alone or stimulation of either of these nerves decreases threshold at all auricular rates. Section of both nerves increases the thresholds. Procaine increases thresholds only at high auricular rates, whereas DEAE and DCB increase them at all rates. 3. The maximal rate at which the auricle will respond when driven by impulses conducted from a distant stimulated auricular site is increased by vagal or sympathetic stimulation and decreased by procaine, DEAE, and DCB. 4. The ventricular rate was studied as a function of auricular rate. Sympathetic tonic discharge seems to predominate over vagal. Procaine improves the ability of the ventricle to follow the auricle in the innervated heart but impairs it after decentralization; and procaine blocks the effects of vagal or sympathetic stimulation. DEAE and DCB impair the ability of the ventricle to follow the auricle in innervated or decentralized hearts and do not effectively block the effects of stimulating the nerves.


This paper describes some of the pressurized water reactor (PWR) transient analyses performed at Los Alamos for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission using the Transient Reactor Analysis Code (TRAC-PF1). Many of the transient analyses performed directly address current PWR safety issues. Included in this paper are examples of two safety issues addressed by TRAC-PF1. These examples are pressurized thermal shock (PTS) and feed-and-bleed cooling for Oconee-1. The calculations performed were plant specific in that details of both the primary and secondary sides were modeled in addition to models of the plant integrated control systems. The results of these analyses show that for these two transients, the reactor cores remained covered and cooled at all times posing no real threat to the reactor system nor to the public.


One hundred eighty-eight consecutive children with serious blunt abdominal or multisystem trauma were evaluated between August 1981 and July 1985. Of the 188 patients, 53 (28%) were found to have hepatic parenchymal injuries and are the basis of this report. Four of the 53 (8%) underwent emergency laparotomy for exsanguinating hemorrhage; two patients died, both of hepatic vein lacerations, and two are alive and well after right hepatic lobectomy. Forty-nine (92%) of the children with liver injuries did not require operation for hemorrhage. Four of these 49 patients developed serious complications; hemobilia occurred in one patient and bile peritonitis occurred in three. The one case of hemobilia was resolved without surgery. One child underwent a delayed operative biliary tract reconstruction that was successful. The other two children required a combination of debridement and drainage procedures. Fifty-one of the 53 children (96%) are currently alive without morbidity related to their liver injuries. Both children who died had multiple trauma including central nervous system injuries and had exsanguinating hemorrhage that required emergency laparotomy at initial evaluation. There were no children with "late" hemorrhage and none who developed septic complications. Nonoperative management of most childhood blunt abdominal trauma is possible. Widespread use of abdominal computerized tomography scanning has made this approach practical. This large series of consecutive liver injuries from a large pediatric trauma center illustrates the advantages and the risks of a selective but primarily nonoperative approach to liver trauma in children.


The Uinta Basin is unique among sedimentary basins for the variety of petroleum resources occurring within its geographic borders in Utah and Colorado. The form, quantity, and types of surface and subsurface occurrences make this sedimentary basin of prime interest to the oil industry of the Rocky Mountain province. The surface deposits, such as the bituminous sandstones of the Sunnyside area along the Book Cliffs, contain saturated sandstones with a crude oil recovery of 94 per cent for an estimated reserve of 1.5 billion barrels. Along Asphalt Ridge at the unconformable contact of the Cretaceous and Tertiary are sandstones with a yield of 96 per cent for an estimated recovery of 20.5 million barrels per square mile and a total reserve of 1-3 billion barrels of recoverable crude oil. Solid and semi-fluid hydrocarbons such as the vein and fracture deposits of gilsonite, albertite, wurtzilite, and ozocerite add to the potentiality of the basin. The kerogen shales of the Green River formation, particularly the "Mahogany Marker" unit, constitute one of the world's largest oil-shale deposits. This unit produces an average of 60-70 gallons of kerogen per short ton of shale and contains an estimated 400 billion barrels of reclaimable crude oil. New economic importance can be given the kerogen shales with the recent discovery of reclaiming them with a zinc catalyst. Great advancement can be expected in reclaiming the kerogen deposits of the Green River formation of the Uinta Basin. The subsurface of the Uinta Basin also contributes to the petroleum reserve. Shows of oil and/or gas have been encountered in 95 per cent of the wells drilled within the basin. Daily production is approximately 75,000 barrels, the greater part of which is from Rangely. Rangely field has produced in 10 years approximately 140 million barrels of oil. Gas reserves for the Uinta basin are estimated at 1,001,095,800 Mcf., and oil reserves at 468,000,000 barrels. The general geologic features of the Uinta Basin follow closely those of other Rocky Mountain areas having intermontane basins. The synclinal structure is moderately complex, with the axis trending east-west paralleling the anticlinal axis of the Uinta Mountains and is asymmetrical with the basin trough lying near the Uinta Mountain uplift. The structural form started in late Cretaceous and continued into late Tertiary time. Paleozoic rocks, 4,300 feet thick, represent all systems from Cambrian to Permian with the exception of Silurian. Mesozoic rocks, 10,175 feet thick, of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous age, are present, with basin-filling starting at the close of Cretaceous time. Lacustrine and non-lacustrine deposition continued through the Tertiary to late Miocene time. These continental beds, 11,000 feet thick, contain a vast store of permeable sandstones and hydrocarbons, which constitute large crude-oil reserves. The oil and gas reserves, together with various forms of hydrocarbons and surface accumulation of petroleum, require only further economic development to increase the resources of our nation.


Accessing the past: use of collection specimens as sources of genetic information for the genus Bombus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Colombia. Introduction: The use of museum specimens as a source of genetic information to develop studies that resolve taxonomic, ecological, demographic, and evolutionary questions at various temporal and geographic scales, has recently become relevant. However, genetic material obtained from specimens deposited in biological collections is not used frequently due to the natural deterioration of the DNA preserved in these specimens. Getting quality genetic material is demanding in terms of time and money. Objective: By using museum material, to identify a mini-barcode sequence that can be used in the taxonomic determination and provides information that allows the estimation of phylogenetic relationships of species of the genus Bombus. Methods: the DNA extraction protocol for museum samples was standardized using the mesothoracic right leg and / or a sample of thoracic muscle of 96 specimens deposited in the LABUN collection between 7 and 38 years ago. Different combinations of oligonucleotides allowed to amplify fragments from 152 to 407 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI). Using as a template a group of 31 sequences amplified from recently collected specimens, the fragments obtained from the museum specimens were assembled and analyzed in a phylogenetic framework. Additionally, a haplotype network analysis was performed in order to evaluate in detail the relationships between the resulting mitochondrial haplotypes. Results: The greatest success of DNA extraction was achieved from limb samples deposited since the year 1982 on. Meanwhile, successful amplification of fragments longer than 300 base pairs (bp) was achieved mostly in samples deposited on dates after 1999, which indicates greater integrity of the genetic material recovered from individuals of 19 years of collection and onwards. Although all the fragments evaluated can be used as mini-barcode, only with one primer pair, it was possible to obtain a topology similar to that observed with the complete fragment. A large genetic variation was detected, particularly within the Bombus atratus and B. funebris species, in which a clear phylogeographic structure was revealed. Conclusions: New barcode sequences were obtained through DNA extraction and amplification protocol from museum samples. Furthermore, new information on intraspecific genetic variability was generated, detecting the presence of unique mitochondrial haplotypes that could constitute management units subject of conservation. Such information is of vital importance to formulate conservation strategies for these pollinators in Colombia.


Hyperparathyroidism and malignancy are both causes of hypercalcemia. Breast cancer patients usually have hypercalcemia due to metastases or paraneoplastic syndrome resulting from ectopic PTHrP production. Occasionally, other causes such as primary hyperparathyroidism may co-exist and contribute to the hypercalcemia as well. We present the case of a 61 year old with a history of breast cancer with bony metastasis who presented with a corrected calcium level of 17.9 mg/dl. Bloodwork and imaging was suggestive of primary hyperparathyroidism. This case highlights the rare co-existence of dual etiologies of hypercalcemia and provides an overview of the presentation, diagnostic approach and management in such scenarios.


Various testing-the-limits procedures were employed in administering the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices test to 108 subjects with learning difficulties (age range 8.4 to 12.9 years). Both the picture and the puzzle forms of the test were employed in a repeated-measures format. Results revealed significant improvement in performance due to testing condition, test version, and repeated testing. Testing conditions involving verbalization and feedback were most salient. Performance on the second testing was higher than on the first testing. Localization of these effects was made to subgroupings of items on the test. The results were discussed in theoretical and practical terms.


This paper examines thermal mass quality of building envelope as passive preventive phenomena for future energy consumption. It questions how much and what type of thermal mass is required for decreasing energy consumption according to future climate change. Summer energy performance of adobe house in Konya, Turkey is studied in terms of thermal mass characteristic by using dynamic simulation software. Measured and predicted microclimate data for 2017 and 2050s are used to compare passive impact of wall material choices, i.e. adobe, limestone, vertical hollow brick and volume of wall without night-time ventilation. In conclusion, the study reveals that thermal mass with lower density and thinner materials show higher energy performance for summers. Energy consumption is minimum with vertical hollow brick wall in 50 cm for 2017 and 30 cm for 2050s. It is deduced that thermal conductivity will still have higher impact than thermal mass on energy consumption.


The paper presents the proposal of an CACSD (computer aided control system design) environment integrated with an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, aimed at the study, design and optimization of controllers for the most varied shop floor plants, from mechatronics systems to industrial processes. More specific optimization, control and supervision methods in the the company are very important and necessary at the shop floor level; at this level, the motivation to integrate machines and production cells to the higher hierarchical levels of the company appears in a most expressive way. The VIEnCoD (virtual instrumentation based integrated environment for controller design) assists such objectives by giving integral support to the whole control system development cycle, from the phase of identification and modelling of the plant to controller synthesis.


Although the role of frugivores in seed dispersal has attracted scientific attention, it remains unclear whether granivorous rodents can act as frugivores to interact mutualistically with fruit-producing plants, especially those bearing green fruits inconspicuous to avian frugivores. In this study, we tracked fruit removal of the tara vine (Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. Ex Miq.) and variegated kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim.) in a temperate forest and presented fruits to the granivorous rodents Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus (Laxmann, 1769)), Korean field mouse (Apodemus peninsulae (Thomas, 1907)), and gray red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus (Sundevall, 1846) = Myodes rufocanus (Sundevall, 1846)) in the laboratory to answer this question. Seeds were collected from rodent feces to see the effects of gut passage on seed germination to determine the role of granivorous rodents in endozoochory of A. arguta and A. kolomikta. We presented clear evidence of endozoochory by granivorous rodents in seed dispersal of the two Actinidia species. Rodents appeared to play an alternative role in dispersing plants bearing green fruits. Moreover, we observed increased germination rates after gut ingestion by the granivorous rodents. Our study evidenced endozoochory of granivorous rodents and provided new insight into the mutualist interactions between rodents and plant species bearing fleshy fruits containing tiny seeds. We suggest future studies pay more attention to endozoochory of rodents and establish their mutualistic relationship with fruit-bearing plants in temperate forests.


This paper is in response to the question 'ASIC Design the nm era - dead or alive' from an ASIC library architecture and library flow point of view. The authors believe it is certainly significantly harder to design in the nm era but ASIC design is not dead. ASIC Design is much more challenging in the nanometer era. This paper will present some of the main effects that have become significant in terms of library architecture and library creation flow. Some full chip level effects will be discussed. Example solutions to some of these dramatic trends will also be presented. This is presented in a 'stories from the trenches' format - from the team that architects and delivers TI ASIC libraries. The majority of the data presented comes from development of TI ASIC 130, 90 and 65nm libraries.


The rapid development of global economy has leaded to climate change issues. The greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide have driven the issues of climate change and become one of the concerns confronting human society. An offshore survey project that carried out by a service provider company in oil and gas industry was chosen for the carbon footprint estimation during the project's operation in this study. The major objective of this study is to calculate the carbon footprint of the above-mentioned project in terms of CO2, eq and use it as a benchmark or reference for the company, as well as to create an Excel Tool that can be used as a carbon footprint calculator. Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodology is to generate the framework for the project in this study. There have three unavoidable sources: fuel combustion by survey vessel, transportation involved and water consumption during the operation of the project. The emission factors approach is used in this study to quantify the emission of GHGs from the project. Emission factor values will be obtained from the published report that revised by Federal Register of Legislation in 2020. The carbon footprint of the project was calculated to be 130.44 tons of CO2, eq. Scope 1 accounted for 96.05% of the carbon footprint, which comprised fuel combusted by survey vessel.


There is insufficient understanding of the relationship between the severity of physiologic illness and the transitions in cognitive and functional health states of patients during the course of an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. To this end, the fundamental aim of this project was centered on developing a predictive model for state transitions during ICU admission in order to determine the relevance of indices of illness severity and other potentially modifiable risk factors that may inform clinical decision-making. The motivating data for this work was derived from the BRAIN-ICU (Bringing to Light the Risk Factors and Incidence of Neuropsychological Dysfunction in ICU Survivors) study. Five health transition states (normal, delirium, coma, death, and discharge) were considered in the parent study, as were clinical indices of illness severity such as the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) scores. The transition states constitute multiple end points laden with scientific information that can be elucidated by sophisticated modeling approaches now afforded by the advent of advanced statistical computing. Since the current state of a patient may be related to his/her previous states, the BRAIN-ICU data was analyzed with accommodation for multiple outcome categories (the transition states) by relating state-transition probabilities to patient covariates and past states via a polytomous regression with Markov structure. This analysis strategy addressed competing risk explicitly by assessing the effect of previous states while evaluating the motivating question of the impact of severity of illness.


Visualizations are a common means to perform analyses of business processes. In a collaborating environment these visualizations are based on an underlying organizationspecific information model reflecting the most important entities and their interrelationships. For dynamic business processes with changing participants existing solutions apply ontologies to create an integrated information model at runtime. However, these solutions do not provide any guidance with regards to the generation of cross-organizational process visualizations originating from a dynamically integrated information model. To overcome this challenge, this paper applies pattern matching techniques between the integrated information model and abstract view models which capture the information demands for generating a specific visualization. After having motivated the topic, a conceptual model enabling the generation of ad-hoc inter-enterprise visualizations is presented. By means of an example, we further show how a pattern matching approach can be applied to create visualizations which are based on integrated arbitrary information models.


Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) are a hypocholesterolemic and affect phospholipid and fatty acid metabolism in rats. In this study, the effects of 2% shiitake in the diet on fatty acid and molecular species profiles of liver microsomal and plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) were investigated in rats fed diets containing different levels (1-20%) of corn oil, a linoleic-acid-rich fat. The proportion of 18:2n-6 in PC increased depending on the parcent corn oil, and L. edodes further increased the proportion at all corn oil levels. The proportion of 20:4n-6 was lower in rats fed L. edodes than in rats fed control diets irrespective of the parcent corn oil. L. edodes selectively increased the proportion of 16:0-18:2 molecular species and decreased the proportion of 18:0-20:4 molecular species in PC. These results indicate that the effects of L. edodes on fatty acid and molecular species profiles of PC are stronger than that of the dietary corn oil level.


Abstract Studies have suggested that people voting for Brexit were motivated by anti-globalization, anti-multiculturalism and anti-elite sentiments. However, little is known about how these factors are related and whether citizens in other member states share similar reasons for wanting to exit the EU. Methodologically, this question is addressed by utilizing path models on data from the European Social Survey, with respondents in 17 countries. Empirically, this article reveals considerable cross-country variation, which implies that motivations for voting Leave should be assessed on a country-by-country basis. Yet, two main pathways are identified. First, lower education is related to more negative attitudes towards multiculturalism, which increases the probability of voting Leave. Second, lower income decreases the level of trust in the political establishment, which again increases the probability of voting Leave. Theoretically, this implies that the anti-globalization model is subsumed by the anti-multiculturalism and anti-elite models, giving rise to two new mechanisms.


Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were measure in normal Merino ewes and in Merino ewes with lowered fertility which had resulted from prolonged grazing of Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Dinninup. During the anoestrous season, LH was measured at frequent intervals before and following administration of oestradiol-17 beta or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), and around the time of spontaneous oestrus. All ewes responded to GnRH treatment and there were no differences between the two groups in terms of the amount of LH released or the time to reach maximal plasma hormone concentration. Comparable proportions of ewes from both groups responded to oestradiol-17 beta treatment with LH levels showing initially a negative feedback response (i.e. suppression to approximately 80% of pretreatment levels) followed by positive feedback response. During the positive feedback phase, the quantity of LH which was released was comparable in both groups; however, the time interval over which this hormone was secreted was significantly shorter for clover-infertile ewes (P less than 0.05). During the anoestrous season the mean LH level was lower in normal ewes than in clover-infertile ewes [0.45 +/- 0.41 (n = 32) versus 0.82 +/- 0.73 (n = 48 ng/ml, P less than 0.01]. In the oestrous season the mean LH level for normal ewes rose to 1.23 +/- 0.65 ng/ml (n = 76) but there was no change for the clover-infertile ewes (0.77 +/- 0.59 ng/ml, n = 73). These experiments indicate that in the clover-infertile ewe LH concentration remains static throughout the breeding and non-breeding seasons but the results suggest that this altered endocrine status in not due to any differing level of sensitivity to negative feedback effects of oestradiol-17 beta as compared with normal ewes.


The mechanical performance of papillary muscle and of trabeculae carneae from cat ventricle were compared in physiologic salt solutions using two different buffers, bicarbonate and HEPES. The results show that there are no significant differences between the muscle types and that, under the conditions of these studies, HEPES may be used interchangeably with bicarbonate.


A group of very similar greyish to ochreous brown species of Nemophora Hoffmannsegg with raised scales on frons, narrow pale forewing fascia and epiphysis absent, is revised. Four species of this group, all distributed in South-Eastern Asia, are recognized: N. aritai sp. n. from Taiwan, N. marisella sp. n. from Amami Is., Japan, N. hoeneella (Caradja & Meyrick) comb. n. from continental China, and N. issikii sp. n. from Taiwan. The type series of N. hoeneella is discussed. The monophyly of the species-group is demonstrated and the tentative relationships of its species are discussed. A key to species based on external characters and male gcnitalia is provided; adults and male genitalia are described and illustrated.


Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects between 350 and 400 million people globally. Interferon-alpha, lamivudine and adefovir (Hepsera) are approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B; however, the use of interferon-alpha is limited. Lamivudine and adefovir have excellent antiviral activity and oral bioavailability, although viral rebound after cessation of therapy and development of resistance after long-term therapy with lamivudine are major clinical limitations. Adefovir has proven to be effective against lamivudine-resistant strains in vitro and in vivo. The various steps of HBV replication provide opportunities for new antiviral drugs to interact with the virus. Recent developments, including new antivirals that interfere with viral DNA replication, hold promise for the future. Sustained reduction in viral load and improved treatment of chronic HBV infection could, in future, be achieved by the development of new drugs with different mechanisms of action and resistance profiles, and with combination therapy involving two or more nucleosides with or without immunomodulators.


Phosphine, palladacycle, and N‐heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes are highly active homogeneous catalysts that can promote a wide range of CC and CN cross‐coupling reactions. An evolution from homogeneous catalysis has been to anchor these complexes in a platform in such a way that the catalytic reaction still occurs in homogeneous phase, but the palladium complex can be recovered at the end of the reaction and reused to promote consecutive reactions. In the present review we describe those strategies to develop palladium complexes anchored to soluble polymers and ionic liquids showing the advantages and limitations of this approach to develop recyclable palladium catalysts.


The paper deals with the long-term dynamics of taxonomic composition of diatom periphyton in the Chornobyl nuclear power plant cooling pond (ChNPP cooling pond) at different stages of its operation: before the accident, after the accident and during the present period. The dominant complex of diatoms was marked by the highest diversity in the period after the accident, due to water temperature decreasing and new habitats appearing. The large-scale water-level drawdown in the present period caused the water table to reduce, and the habitats became less diverse. Owing to this, the number of dominant species decreased. Studying the present-day taxonomic composition of periphytic algae in the ChNPP cooling pond by way of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy made it possible to identify 141 diatom species, represented by 143 infraspecific taxa, from 45 genera, 20 families, 12 orders and 3 classes. 14 species and infraspecific taxa of diatoms from genera Amphora, Cocconeis, Gomphonema, Hippodonta, Karayevia, Navicula, Placoneis, Planothidium, Psammothidium, Sellaphora are new for Ukrainian flora. High contamination of the ChNPP cooling pond with man-made radionuclides 90Sr, 137Cs and the large-scale water-level drawdown did not cause a significant degradation of diatom periphyton, which, in new ecological conditions, is distinguished by high taxonomic diversity and spatial heterogeneity.


This paper investigates networked control of a collection of battery‐powered systems with seriously limited communication capacity and power resources. We aim to stabilize the systems by effectively assigning the communication channels and appropriately allocating the transmission powers so that the energy consumption is within an energy budget. The role of channel assignment is to guarantee network access for all plants when needed; the mission of power allocation is to ensure a desired rate of successful packet transmission for each channel. These two aspects are achieved by a scheduling policy and a power allocation method, respectively, each of which is derived based on stability and schedulability requirements. An interesting co‐design framework is derived for communication scheduling, transmission power allocation and stabilizing control. The presented methodology can guarantee a desired decay rate and a given energy consumption for each plant. The effectiveness of the results is demonstrated by numerical simulations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The commenters point out that with the definition of the norm of a code as originally given in the above-titled paper (see ibid., vol.IT 31, p.385-401, May 1985), certain results do not hold. However, with the corrected definition given by G.D. Cohen et al. (see ibid., vol.IT 32, p.680-94, Sept. 1986), they do hold. they also point out that the hypotheses of Lemma 27 of the above-titled paper need modification, which they provide. The authors' reply that they were aware of the problems with the definition of norm and thank the commenters for their correction to Lemma 27. >


Perfluorooctanyl compounds with active functional groups have been shown to disrupt mitochondrial bioenergetics by three distinct mechanisms: protonophoric uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration, induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), or a nonselective increase in membrane permeability. The purpose of this investigation was to identify the initial target and specific sequence of events associated with the N-acetyl substituted perfluorooctanesulfonamides induced MPT. N-acetyl-perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSAA), N-ethyl-N-acetyl-perfluorooctanesulfonamide (N-Et FOSAA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), and N-ethyl-N-(2-ethoxy)-perfluorooctanesulfonamide (N-Et FOSE) were added individually to liver mitochondria freshly isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. Mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release were recorded spectrophotometrically, oxygen uptake was monitored with a Clark-type oxygen electrode, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were monitored by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCFDA) fluorescence. FOSAA (45 microM) and N-Et FOSAA (7.5 microM) induced calcium-dependent mitochondrial swelling, the release of cytochrome c, inhibition of uncoupled mitochondrial respiration, and ROS generation, all of which were inhibited by cyclosporin-A (CsA). PFOA (200 microM) displayed slight CsA sensitive activity, but neither PFOS (10 microM) nor N-Et FOSE (70 microM) induced the MPT. Results of this investigation demonstrate two important findings: (1) MPT induction is specific to the N-acetyl substituted perfluorooctanesulfonamides and, (2) the sequence of events is initiated by induction of the MPT, which causes the release of cytochrome c as well as other cofactors leading to inhibition of respiration and ROS generation. The toxicity of N-acetyl perfluorooctanyl compounds may therefore reflect the mitochondrial dysfunction, which is compounded by the ensuing oxidative injury.


We present a high resolution (λ/Δλ = 80) Soft X-ray spectrum (44-95 Å) of the magnetic white dwarf binary AM Her obtained with the Objective Grating Spectrometer on board the Einstein observatory. Black body fits to the continuum strongly limits the range of allowable parameters and indicate a "color" temperature in the soft X-ray range between 40 and 55 eV (90% confidence limits). After egress from the eclipse the spectrum hardens and indicates a black body temperature increase from 38 eV to 52 eV. This is interpreted as a limb darkening effect of a layer with negative outward temperature gradient. Assuming the radiative flux to be constant, both the soft X-ray spectrum and the UV spectrum are consistent with a plane parallel layer in radiative equilibrium with an effective temperature of 20 eV. The color temperature in the soft X-ray range is insensitive to the effective temperature in such layers. A variable heating source at large optical depth associated with a variable accretion rate, changes the soft X-ray intensity but does not change the soft X-ray nor the UV spectral shape.


Knowledge of the role of individual associations has provided an insightful understanding of the structures of animal societies, especially in highly social mammals such as primates. Yet, this is unbalanced towards marine mammals, particularly to beaked whales, due to their elusive nature. In addition, information on the fundamental drivers of the social structure of these deep-diving animals is still scarce. Here, the hypothesis of female defence polygyny was tested in Blainville's beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) and discussed within the context of marine and terrestrial organisms displaying similar patterns, by (i) estimating residency times to obtain information on the movements into and out of the area, (ii) analysing social networks to assess individual association metrics, (iii) measuring the strength of the associations to assess the existence of preferred or avoided relationships among individuals, and (iv) modelling different social structures to address temporal patterns in social relationships. Using a 9-year photographic dataset derived from the pelagic habitat, individual associations were inferred based on likelihood techniques. This approach allowed to infer on the species' social structure in relation to age class, sex, residency status, and spatio-temporal patterns, which can be a good practice to be applied for other taxa. Heterogeneity in capture probability and residency times was observed between age-sex classes, with adult females exhibiting long-term site fidelity. This suggests different habitat roles and spatial structuring within this social organisation. Strong and long dyadic associations occurred between adult females and immatures, contrarily to between males, and the best-fitting models of the temporal patterns suggested long-lasting and temporary associations. The present findings unravel a complex social structure stratified by age-sex class and influenced by female philopatry and defence polygyny, like an unimale group mating system, which varies from other beaked whales but is similar to some birds, pinnipeds, or non-human primates.


ABSTRACT Nineteen Listeria monocytogenes strains were characterized by automated ribotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and plasmid profiling to determine the relationship between genotype and sanitizer resistance. Isolates within a ribogroup had a consistent sensitivity or resistance phenotype except for ribogroup C isolates. All isolates with resistance phenotypes harbored two plasmids. The sensitivity of L. monocytogenes strains to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) was correlated with sensitivity to sanitizers and antibiotics with other modes of action. All isolates tested contained the mdrL gene, which encodes an efflux pump that confers resistance to QACs and is both chromosome and plasmid borne.


This study involving six first year´s Medialogy undergraduate students seeks to provide insights of the students' perspectives of learning in a collaborative group context, learning impact and reflection associated with the participations in a Problem Based Learning (PBL) learning environment.The first semester of the undergraduate studies in Aalborg University is devoted to prepare students to acquaint with PBL learning environment, especially in working collaboratively on a group project. After collecting data through interviews (at the beginning  and the end of the semester) and process analysis report, the interview audio were fully transcribed to identify emerging themes and the group process analysis reports were analyzed using content analysis techniques. The results indicated that group learning process started with brainstorming ideas the tasks is divided based on both voting strategy and group member´s capability strategy. Reflecting on their learning process, students identified aspects that they need to improve including planning the timetable, enhance rapport among group members and emphasize on the quality of the discussions. In terms of the impact of PBL on student learning, students realized that they obtained skills, developed habits of peer learning and more organized learning. Keywords: Aalborg PBL Model, collaborative learning, group learning strategies, impact of PBL learning, problem-based learning, students´ reflection.


Road curb detection is very important and necessary for autonomous driving because it can improve the safety and robustness of robot navigation in the outdoor environment. In this paper, a novel road curb detection method based on tensor voting is presented. The proposed method processes the dense point cloud acquired using a 3D LiDAR. Firstly, we utilize a sparse tensor voting approach to extract the line and surface features. Then, we use an adaptive height threshold and a surface vector to extract the point clouds of the road curbs. Finally, we utilize the height threshold to segment different obstacles from the occupancy grid map. This also provides an effective way of generating high-definition maps. The experimental results illustrate that our proposed algorithm can detect road curbs with near real-time performance.


The sovereign debt crisis in Greece turned into a generalized crisis, with particularly serious development, structural, social and institutional effects, apart from the effects of the financial and government sectors of the economy. After 2009, the country entered a prolonged recession, which caused divestiture destruction of invested capital, weltered loss, unemployment, dismantling of labor institutions, financial breakdown, breakdown of social cohesion etc. It is undeniable fact that the vicious circles of the recession are over seven years in development, which no safe way out of them. Until now they have applied three (3) structural policy programs through three Memorandums which largely imposed by the country's creditors, but without positive results. The main objectives of the adaptation program are not achieved. Instead, the country still has a high public debt, insufficient primary surpluses, economic stagnation, low extroversion, high unemployment, continued reduction of social spending, institutional instability and political uncertainty, and has virtually stopped financing of the economy.
The causes of the Greek drama are multiple. These are relate to the size of the accumulated problems, the chronic weakness of international competitiveness, the introversion of the economy, the counterproductive role of the state in the economy, the resistance of Greek society in adjustment etc. Due, however, the erroneous economic policy Memorandum, which, inter alia, contained no counter-cyclical intervention for breaking the recessionary process. Also important is the responsibility of the domestic political system who failed to promote the necessary changes and reforms to improve the investment environment and the competitiveness of the Greek economy.
For the country's exit from the crisis and the achievement of sustainable development, the key condition to mitigate the costs of adjustment, is the development and promotion of a new production model for the Greek economy towards the production of quality-oriented products and services of the international markets and the attracting investment. But this requires political and social consensus, and consistent implementation of a broad set of reforms to modernize the public administration and the establishment of a competitive economy.


My right hon. Friend makes some really important points about the first 1,000 days of life, but equally there are similar arguments relating to the end of life. For example, too many people who need social care end up in a much more expensive place at the end of their life—in a hospital setting, where they do not want to be—for the want of the right investment in social care. Does he agree that we should apply the principle of investing to save across the whole of life?..............


Inspired by some recent works of Tippett–Tsang and Mallary–Khanna–Price, we present a new spacetime model containing closed timelike curves (CTCs). This model is obtained postulating an ad hoc Lorentzian metric on , which differs from the Minkowski metric only inside a spacetime region bounded by two concentric tori. The resulting spacetime is topologically trivial, free of curvature singularities and is both time and space orientable; besides, the inner region enclosed by the smaller torus is flat and displays geodesic CTCs. Our model shares some similarities with the time machine of Ori and Soen but it has the advantage of a higher symmetry in the metric, allowing for the explicit computation of a class of geodesics. The most remarkable feature emerging from this computation is the presence of future-oriented timelike geodesics starting from a point in the outer Minkowskian region, moving to the inner spacetime region with CTCs, and then returning to the initial spatial position at an earlier time; this means that time travel to the past can be performed by free fall across our time machine. The amount of time travelled into the past is determined quantitatively; this amount can be made arbitrarily large keeping non-large the proper duration of the travel. An important drawback of the model is the violation of the classical energy conditions, a common feature of many time machines. Other problems emerge from our computations of the required (negative) energy densities and of the tidal accelerations; these are small only if the time machine is gigantic.


Background Primary and secondary resistance is a major hurdle in cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in immunotherapy resistance is of pivotal importance to improve therapy outcome. Method Here, two mouse models with resistance against therapeutic vaccine-induced tumor regression were studied. Exploration of the tumor microenvironment by high dimensional flow cytometry in combination with therapeutic in vivo settings allowed for the identification of immunological factors driving immunotherapy resistance. Results Comparison of the tumor immune infiltrate during early and late regression revealed a change from tumor-rejecting toward tumor-promoting macrophages. In concert, a rapid exhaustion of tumor-infiltrating T cells was observed. Perturbation studies identified a small but discernible CD163hi macrophage population, with high expression of several tumor-promoting macrophage markers and a functional anti-inflammatory transcriptome profile, but not other macrophages, to be responsible. In-depth analyses revealed that they localize at the tumor invasive margins and are more resistant to Csf1r inhibition when compared with other macrophages. In vivo studies validated the activity of heme oxygenase-1 as an underlying mechanism of immunotherapy resistance. The transcriptomic profile of CD163hi macrophages is highly similar to a human monocyte/macrophage population, indicating that they represent a target to improve immunotherapy efficacy. Conclusions In this study, a small population of CD163hi tissue-resident macrophages is identified to be responsible for primary and secondary resistance against T-cell-based immunotherapies. While these CD163hi M2 macrophages are resistant to Csf1r-targeted therapies, in-depth characterization and identification of the underlying mechanisms driving immunotherapy resistance allows the specific targeting of this subset of macrophages, thereby creating new opportunities for therapeutic intervention with the aim to overcome immunotherapy resistance.


In this interview Schmidt provides some glimpses of his private life, from the time he decided to study chemistry until his career at the University of Dortmund and then, after retirement, at the University of Karlstad, Sweden, as guest professor. As an undergraduate in Heidelberg he worked under the supervision of the Nobel Laureate Georg Wittig in organometallic chemistry (he gives some personal memories about this outstanding man). After graduating he continued his research work in the field of rubber synthesis in industry. Prof. Schmidt also discusses the importance of the results of educational research for teaching; he explains the success of the Dortmund Summer Symposia and suggests some relevant qualities for being good teachers. He provides a personal perspective on the impact of new technologies in education and discusses the results of his research work on stoichiometric calculations. He sheds some light on some of the results of his many studies on students' misconceptions and explains why students develop some misconceptions in chemistry. [Chem. Educ. Res. Pract.: 2003, 4, 11-17]


Antimicrobial contamination and antimicrobial resistance have become global environmental and health problems. A large number of antimicrobials are used in medical and animal husbandry, leading to the continuous release of residual antimicrobials into the environment. It not only causes ecological harm, but also promotes the occurrence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. The role of environmental factors in antimicrobial contamination and the spread of antimicrobial resistance is often overlooked. There are a large number of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes in human beings, which increases the likelihood that pathogenic bacteria acquire resistance, and also adds opportunities for human contact with antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. In this paper, we review the fate of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance in the environment, including the occurrence, spread, and impact on ecological and human health. More importantly, this review emphasizes a number of environmental factors that can exacerbate antimicrobial contamination and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. In the future, the timely removal of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance genes in the environment will be more effective in alleviating antimicrobial contamination and antimicrobial resistance.


We report measurements of hard diffractive processes performed by the CDF collaboration in proton-antiproton collisions at the Fermilab Tevatron collider at $\sqrt{s}$=1960 GeV. The characteristics of the diffractive structure function from diffractive dijet production studies are presented. The results of exclusive dijet production in double pomeron exchange are discussed in the context of exclusive Higgs production at the LHC.


Field research conducted over 3 yr evaluated the utility of preemergence (PRE), soil-applied herbicides at half- and full-label rates in glyphosate-resistant soybean. Soil-applied herbicide treatments at full-label rates included pendimethalin plus imazaquin (0.84 + 0.14 kg ai/ha), pendimethalin (1.12 kg/ha), metolachlor (1.68 kg ai/ha), dimethenamid plus imazaquin (1.0 + 0.14 kg ai/ha), sulfentrazone plus chlorimuron (0.22 + 0.04 kg ai/ha), and metribuzin plus chlorimuron (0.36 + 0.06 kg ai/ha). Weed density and growth were reduced when PRE herbicides were used, and in many cases for broadleaf weeds, half-label rates were as effective as full rates. None of the herbicides provided complete control of all weeds. Sulfentrazone plus chlorimuron reduced ivyleaf morningglory density an average of 90%. For hemp sesbania, metribuzin plus chlorimuron reduced weed emergence over 3 yr at least 95%. The initial glyphosate application was made when the largest weeds, barnyardgrass or hemp sesbania, reached 10 cm. In 1998 all soil-applied herbicide treatments extended the time period of glyphosate application by 3 to 5 d when compared with the nontreated control. In 1999 the full rate of metribuzin plus chlorimuron delayed the application of glyphosate by 6 d, and an extension of 7 d was noted for the full rates of sulfentrazone or metribuzin plus chlorimuron in 2000. When soil-applied herbicides were used each year, only a single application of glyphosate was needed. A second glyphosate application was needed in only 1 yr when soil-applied herbicides were not used. Even though differences in weed control were observed among the herbicide treatments, soybean yield was the same. Nomenclature: Chlorimuron; dimethenamid; glyphosate; imazaquin; metolachlor; metribuzin; pendimethalin; sulfentrazone; barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. #3 ECHCG; hemp sesbania, Sesbania exaltata (Raf.) Rydb. ex A. W. Hill # SEBEX; ivyleaf morningglory, Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. # IPOHE; prickly sida, Sida spinosa L. # SIDSP; redweed, Melochia corchorifolia L. # MEOCO; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. 'Asgrow 5901 RR'. Additional index words: Application window, reduced rates, weed emergence, weed growth. Abbreviations: POST, postemergence; PRE, preemergence.


We present two sets of tunings that are broadly applicable to conformer searches of isolated molecules using a genetic algorithm (GA). In order to find the most efficient tunings for the GA, a second GA--a meta-genetic algorithm--was used to tune the first genetic algorithm to reliably find the already known a priori correct answer with minimum computational resources. It is shown that these tunings are appropriate for a variety of molecules with different characteristics, and most importantly that the tunings are independent of the underlying model chemistry but that the tunings for rigid and relaxed surfaces differ slightly. It is shown that for the problem of molecular conformational search, the most efficient GA actually reduces to an evolutionary algorithm.


Standard particle swarm optimization cannot guarantee convergence to the global optimum in multi-modal search spaces, so multiple swarms can be useful. The multiple swarms all need initial positions and initial velocities for their particles. Several simple strategies to select initial positions and initial velocities are presented. A series of experiments isolates the effects of these selected initial positions and velocities compared to random initial positions and velocities. A first set of experiments shows how locust swarms benefit from "scouting" for initial positions and the use of initial velocities that "launch away" from the previous optimum. A second set of experiments show that the performance of WoSP (Waves of Swarm Particles) can be improved by using new search strategies to select the initial positions and initial velocities for the particles in its sub-swarms.


root of (Slog. I do not feel altogether convinced by this etymology, but rather than discuss it here, I should prefer to call attention to a point made by Heubeck in this same paper (p. 235): 'that, as a consequence of the nearly complete loss of craftsmanship caused by the violent end of the Mycenaean palaces and settlements, the special meanings of terms employed by Mycenaean artisans were lost or forgotten, unless the terms . . . wholly faded'. I hope to tackle this whole problem elsewhere, but one may add here that this line of investigation can also be pursued when studying the names of the various occupations and specialised crafts, which abound in Mycenaean texts. In the case of ivory, to which qe-qi-no-me-no refers, archaeologists seem to agree in assuming that the tradition was interrupted altogether in the Dark Age and that the various techniques had painfully to be learnt again in the first Millennium. No wonder then that we find it difficult to identify the Mycenaean words with words of alphabetic Greek. Words and craft must have been lost at the same time, even though the knowledge of the basic material and of its name (elefpat;) was preserved. In the same section Jones and Lejeune deal with some problematic aspects of the Etablets of Pylos, while Ilievski concentrates on the Es series. Mabel Lang discusses 'Cn Flocks', L. R. Palmer argues some points of language and interpretation in typical Palmerian style, and Professor Marinatos suggests that the epic nohidixpiov means 'abounding in Dipsioi—daemons' (cf. Myc. di-pi-si-jo-i). Finally L. J, D. Richardson offers some new suggestions about the origin of the labyrinth shape.


The purpose of this research is to analyse the model of the relationship of intellectual capital to the knowledge management system (KMS) of the Visual Communication Design (VCD) business in achieving sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). This research is quantitative research, analyses the relationship of intellectual capital on the KMS and SCA, then analyses the role of mediating KMS on the influence of intellectual capital on SCA. This research used a cross sectional cohort study. The population in this research consisted of the owners, managers, and creative designers in the VCD business in Riau Province, Indonesia. The sampling method is probability and using cluster sampling as a technique sampling. This research used 202 respondents. Data were collected by using the questionnaire and analysed by using AMOS SEM. The results of this research are intellectual capital influence the VCD business to achieve SCA both directly and indirectly through KMS mediation. Although the effect of the direct relationship is greater than indirect. This means that without KMS mediation, VCD business can achieve SCA. This research suggests that VCD businesses need to empower human capital, relational capital, and organizational capital to enhance SCA. Establish procedures for knowledge acquisition, knowledge conversion, knowledge application, and knowledge protection can also be applied, with the aim of being able to maintain knowledge and adapt to changes that occur dynamically.


In a series of two papers, we investigate the mechanisms by which complex oscillations are generated in a class of nonlinear dynamical systems with resets modeling the voltage and adaptation of neurons. This first paper presents mathematical analysis showing that the system can support bursts of any period as a function of model parameters, and that these are organized in a period-incrementing structure. In continuous dynamical systems with resets, such structures are complex to analyze. In the present context, we use the fact that bursting patterns correspond to periodic orbits of the adaptation map that governs the sequence of values of the adaptation variable at the resets. Using a slow-fast approach, we show that this map converges towards a piecewise linear discontinuous map whose orbits are exactly characterized. That map shows a period-incrementing structure with instantaneous transitions. We show that the period-incrementing structure persists for the full system with non-constant adaptation, but the transitions are more complex. We investigate the presence of chaos at the transitions.


Distributed systems potentially provide high reliability owing to the program and data-file redundancy possible. In many applications, high reliability is the major consideration for system design. Previous work has shown that the distribution of programs and data-files can affect the system reliability appreciably, and that redundancy in resources such as computers, programs, and data-files can improve the reliability of a distributed system. This work formulates a practical application for a reliability-oriented distributed task assignment problem which is NP-hard. Then, to cope with this challenging problem, a greedy algorithm is proposed, based on some heuristics, to find an approximate solution. The simulation shows that, in most cases tested, the algorithm finds suboptimal solutions efficiently; therefore, it is a desirable approach to solve these problems. >


OBJECTIVE
Fractures of the capitellum and trochlea constitute less than 1% of all elbow fractures and a shear fracture involving the capitellum and extending medially into most of the trochlea is rarely reported. Type IV capitellum fracture is still controversial in regard to its radiographic appearance, surgical approach and osteosynthesis. We report 10 cases of type IV capitellum fracture with a view to elucidating its clinical features and treatment outcome.

METHODS
We treated 10 patients of type IV capitellum fracture with a mean age of 32 years. A uniform surgical approach and postoperative rehabilitation were followed.

RESULTS
Nine patients presented to us after a mean of 4 days of injury and one patient was nonunion after 6 months of injury who had been treated conservatively by a bone setter. Double arc sign was absent in 6 cases. Intraoperatively 6 capitellotrochlear fragments were devoid of soft tissue attachments. By Mayo Elbow Performance Score evaluation, 7 patients got excellent, 2 good and 1 fair results. One patient with associated elbow dislocation developed heterotopic ossification. There was no case of avascular necrosis, osteoarthrosis or fixation failures.

CONCLUSIONS
Type IV capitellum fractures are rare and belong to complex articular injuries. A good functional outcome can only be achieved with open reduction and stable internal fixation followed by early mobilization. Preoperative radiographic assessment and computed tomography help surgeons in choosing the right surgical approach and implants. Good surgical technique and stable internal fixation are the keys to early mobilization and good functional outcome.


This article questions the notion that the proliferation of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should be regarded as the vanguard of a new global civil society. It begins by suggesting that the definition of global civil society is confused, at best, and offers competing and largely incompatible understandings of it alongside a retrospective on the political thought of Hannah Arendt, David Chandler, and Ernest Gellner, and the English School of International Relations. This illustrates the ways by which the undemocratic structure of NGOs lead to internal conflicts that often cause them to splinter, with losers leaving to form their own organization. The result is that NGOs are actually contributing a diverse set of mores, rather than a new set of global norms. This growth then can be better understood as atomization, and as much of a hindrance as a help to the formation of a more civil world. It takes the growing criticism of the democratic deficit in Global NGOs a step further from a question of legitimacy to a problem of functionality.


In July 1988, the first of three units at the Imaichi pumped-storage powerplant in Japan began operation. The development and design features of the pump-turbines and generator-motors are described here


Abstract This study aimed to analyse the impact of high and low flexibility levels of hamstring and quadriceps muscles on physical fitness and neuromuscular properties in professional soccer players. 62 male professional soccer players participated in this study and performed 2 instrumented flexibility tests (passive straight leg raise [PSLR] and quadriceps flexibility [QF]). Anaerobic performance was assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ), Abalakov vertical jump, 20-m sprint, and Balsom agility test. A k-means cluster analysis was performed to identify a cut-off value of hamstring and quadriceps flexibility and classify players as high hamstring flexibility (HHF) and low hamstring flexibility (LHF) or high quadriceps flexibility (HQF) and low quadriceps flexibility (LQF), respectively, according to the PSLR and QF performances. The LQF players performed better than HQF on CMJ (p=0.042, ES: 0.64) and Balsom agility test (p=0.029, ES: 0.68). In addition, LQF showed higher muscular stiffness than HQF players (p=0.002, ES: 0.88). There were no significant differences between HHF and LHF groups. When pooling the HQF and LQF players' data, the Pearson's correlation showed significant moderate positive association between muscular stiffness and QF (r=0.516, p<0.001). These results support the rationale that baseline stiffness is likely to influence athletic performance rather than flexibility level in soccer players.