Real-life scenarios often require detection of few target emotional categories under a high mismatch between training and operation conditions. We present results of a study on sadness and anger detection with cross-corpora evaluations using two publically available databases. We demonstrate the influence of the mismatch on the detection accuracy comparing cross-corpora results to a single test corpus cross-validation results. We introduce the methodology of representing the broad complementary category by a number of hidden classes. We show performance improvements in sadness and anger detection by using the hidden-classes approach in both cross-corpora and single-corpus evaluations. We explore feature subset selection achieving further improvement in the cross-corpora settings.


Variations in phenotypic expression of feed efficiency could be associated with differences or inefficiencies in mitochondria function due to its impact on energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to determine hepatic mitochondrial density and function in terms of respiration, gene and protein expression, and enzyme activity of mitochondrial respiratory complex proteins, in steers of divergent residual feed intake (RFI) phenotypes. Hereford steers (n = 111 and n = 122 for year 1 and 2, respectively) were evaluated in postweaning 70 d standard test for RFI. Forty-six steers exhibiting the greatest (n = 9 and 16 for year 1 and 2; high-RFI) and the lowest (n = 9 and 12 for year 1 and 2; low-RFI) RFI values were selected for this study. After the test, steers were managed together until slaughter under grazing conditions until they reached the slaughter body weight. At slaughter, hepatic samples (biopsies) were obtained. Tissue respiration was evaluated using high-resolution respirometry methods. Data were analyzed using a mixed model that included RFI group as fixed effect and slaughter date and year as a random effect using PROC MIXED of SAS. RFI and dry matter intake were different (P < 0.001) between low and high-RFI groups of year 1 and year 2. Basal respiration and maximum respiratory rate were greater (P ≤ 0.04) for low than high-RFI steers when complex II substrates (succinate) were supplied. However, when Complex I substrates (glutamate/malate) were used maximum respiratory capacity tended to be greater (P < 0.09) for low vs. high-RFI steers. Low-RFI steers presented greater mitochondria density markers (greater (P < 0.05) citrate synthase (CS) activity and tended (P ≤ 0.08) to have greater CS mRNA and mtDNA:nDNA ratio) than high-RFI steers. Hepatic expression SDHA, UQCRC1, and CYC1 mRNA was greater (P ≤ 0.02) and expression of NDUFA4, NDUFA13, SDHD, UQCRH, and ATP5E mRNA tended (P ≤ 0.10) to be greater in low than high-RFI steers. Hepatic SDHA protein expression tended (P < 0.08) to be greater while succinate dehydrogenase activity was greater (P = 0.04) and NADH dehydrogenase activity was greater (P = 0.03) for low than high-RFI steers. High-efficiency steers (low-RFI) probably had greater efficiency in hepatic nutrient metabolism, which was strongly associated with greater hepatic mitochondrial density and functioning, mainly of mitochondrial complex II.


The transfer of the human embryo at the blastocyst stage during an in-vitro fertilization procedure is a way of increasing implantation rates. This, in turn, means that significantly fewer embryos are required to be transferred in order to establish a successful pregnancy. The result of this is that high order multiple gestations are eliminated, while maintaining high pregnancy rates, in in-vitro fertilization.


The Schottky-source forward current-voltage characteristics were measured and analyzed in a recently reported AlGaN/GaN metal-2-D-electron-gas tunnel junction field-effect transistor (FET) (TJ-FET) in order to characterize the effective Schottky barrier height (SBH) and its gate bias dependence. The SBHs were extracted and found to be gate bias dependent, varying from 0.57 eV at VGS = -0.5 V to 0.3 eV at VGS = 1 V. This gate-induced Schottky barrier lowering (SBL) effect is explained by the image-charge effect. A 2-D device simulation is carried out to analyze the SBL effect and is shown to be in good agreement with the experiment results. The larger SBH at lower gate voltage enables off -state blocking, while the lower SBH at higher gate voltage leads to high on -state current driving capability in the AlGaN/GaN TJ-FETs.


Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection is among the most common infections found in the human population. It is acquired during childhood and persists whole life if not treated. It is commonly found in the elderly, disadvantaged persons, people in general with poor socio-economic status. H.pylori infection may associate iron deficiency due to defective iron take-over from the diet. The objective of this study, on the causal relationship between H.pylori infection and iron deficiency with/without anaemia, was the evaluation of haematological parameters (haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, sideraemia, ferritin) in patients diagnosed with active H.pylori infection and iron deficiency. Out of 681 patients admitted during a period of 5 years in the Focşani Military Hospital with active H.pylori infection, 9.4% (64 patients) presented iron deficiency with/without anaemia, as a cause of H.pylori infection. Of these, 12 patients (18.75%) have normalized their hematological parameters 3 months after triple therapy. Another 25 patients (39.07%) with iron supplements associated, responded favorably to 6 months, more pronounced than the control group of 27 patients (42.18%) who received only iron preparations without triple therapy. The study highlights the need to investigate H.pylori infection in patients with iron deficiency with/without anemia. In this situation, eradication therapy is required.


Current evaluation methods of exploratory search systems are still incomplete as they are not fully based on a suitable model of the exploratory search process: as such they cannot be used to determine if they effectively support exploratory search behaviors and tasks. Aiming to elaborate evaluation methods based on an appropriate model of exploratory search, we propose in this paper a model of the exploratory search process compliant with the acknowledged exploratory search characteristics, and we present a first evaluation of this model.


Abstract Background Microbiota-based treatments have shown promise to reduce recurrence, morbidity, and mortality for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (rCDI), but consistent and reliable clinical efficacy data are needed to support regulatory approvals that broaden patient access. Here we provide cumulative data from 5 prospective clinical studies evaluating RBX2660—a standardized, microbiota-based investigational live biotherapeutic—for reducing rCDI recurrence. Methods This analysis included three phase 2 (PUNCH CD, PUNCH CD2, PUNCH CD Open Label) and two phase 3 trials (PUNCH CD3, PUNCH CD3-OLS ad hoc analysis). All participants were ≥18 years old with documented rCDI who completed standard-of-care (SOC) oral antibiotic therapy prior to treatment with RBX2660. Depending on the trial, assigned study treatment was 1 or 2 doses of RBX2660 or placebo, with Treatment Success (TS) defined as remaining recurrence-free for 8 weeks after treatment. Treatment responders were monitored for additional recurrence through at least 6 months after receiving the last RBX2660 dose. Treatment non-responders were administered SOC antibiotic treatment and/or additional RBX2660 treatment and monitored for recurrence for 8 weeks after the last received RBX2660 treatment. Results Among the 5 trials with a total of 629 participants, RBX2660 consistently reduced the recurrence of rCDI, with TS rates ranging from 50 to 78.9% (Figure 1). Among primary non-responders, additional RBX2660 treatments further reduced recurrence and overall rates of TS ranged from 75.0% to 84.4% (Figure 2). Among CD, CD3, and CD3-OLS, a majority of primary responders remained CDI-free to 6 and up to 24 months with success rates ranging from 74.4% to 92.1%. Conclusion Among 5 trials with consistent investigational product and clinical endpoints, RBX2660 consistently reduced rCDI recurrence, with a majority of treatment responders remaining CDI-free for at least 6 and up to 24 months. Further, initial lack of response to RBX2660 did not preclude clinical benefit of additional RBX2660 treatment. Collectively, these data demonstrate consistency and reliability of the potential benefit of RBX2660 across an entire clinical program. Disclosures Lindy Bancke, PharmD, Rebiotix, a Ferring Company (Employee) Xin Su, MD, Rebiotix/Ferring (Employee)


We propose a new family of complex -symmetric extensions of the Korteweg-de Vries equation. The deformed equations can be associated with a sequence of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. The first charges related to the conservation of mass, momentum and energy are constructed. We investigate solitary wave solutions of the equation of motion for various boundary conditions.


We present an open-source platform to aid medical dosimetrists in preventing collisions between gantry head and patient or couch during photon or particle beam therapy treatment planning. This generic framework uses the native scripting interface of the particular planning software to import STL files of the treatment machine elements. These are visualized in 3D together with the contoured or scanned patient surface. A graphical dialog with sliders allows the interactive rotation of the gantry and couch, with real-time feedback. To prevent a future replanning, treatment planners can assess in advance and exclude beam angles resulting in a potential risk of collision. The software platform is publicly available on GitHub and has been validated for RayStation with actual patient plans. Furthermore, the incorporation of the complete patient geometry was tested with a 3D surface scan of a full-body phantom performed with a handheld smartphone. With this study, we aim at minimizing the risk of replanning due to collisions and thus of treatment delays and unscheduled consumption of manpower. The clinical workflow can be streamlined at no cost already at the treatment planning stage. By ensuring a real-time verification of the plan feasibility, the script might boost the use of optimal couch angles that a planner might shy away from otherwise.


A rotation speed measurement based on double-beam self-mixing speckle interference is presented. The self-mixing speckle signal is analyzed by a cross-correlation algorithm. The experimental results show that, compared with the Doppler frequency shift method, the proposed method can measure high speed at a low sampling rate.


The air and water flow distribution are experimentally studied for a heat exchanger composed of round headers and 10 flat tubes. The effects of tube protrusion depth as well as mass flux, and quality are investigated, and the results are compared with the previous 30 channel results. The flow at the header inlet is annular. For the downward flow configuration, the water flow distribution is significantly affected by the tube protrusion depth. For flush-mounted geometry, significant portion of the water flows through frontal part of the header. As the protrusion depth increases, more water is forced to the rear part of the header. The effect of mass flux or quality is qualitatively the same as that of the protrusion depth. Increase of the mass flux or quality forces the water to rear part of the header. For the upward flow configuration, different from the downward configuration, significant portion of the water flows through the rear part of the header. The effect of the protrusion depth is the same as that of the downward flow. As the protrusion depth increases, more water is forced to the rear part of the header. However, the effect of mass flux or quality is opposite to the downward flow case. As the mass flux or quality increases, more water flows through the frontal part of the header. Compared with the previous thirty channel configuration, the present ten channel configuration yields better flow distribution. Possible explanation is provided from the flow visualization results.


The different milling characteristics of Amaranthus cruentus, a domestic variety prevailing in Mexico, selected as representative sample, are herein discussed. This was subjected to proximate analysis, which confirmed its good quality. Milling trials were carried out for the preparation of whole flour by means of conventional mills and by combining some of these with the Raymond and Alpine separators for air classification. Results were then compared to those obtained with a Strong-Scott pearler. Grits and bran contained the highest protein concentration. After comparing overall results, it may be concluded that the best operating conditions are the following: a) seed pearling using five passes, in a pearler, with variable yields of approximately 22% containing 36% protein, and b) combining the Miag mill and Raymond air separator, with variable yields of approximately 32% and a protein content of 30-36%. Proximate analysis of the fractions as well as farinographic and amylographic characteristics--different from those of whole wheat and amaranth flours--suggest their use in the preparation of nutritionally-enriched food products.


Maintenance of spontaneous effort during mechanical ventilation has long been recognized to improve oxygenation. Such effort has been considered beneficial because oxygenation is a key management aim. However, accumulating evidence indicates that spontaneous effort during mechanical ventilation may cause or worsen acute lung injury. Recently, effort-dependent lung injury has been termed as patient-self inflicted lung injury (P-SILI). This paper describes pathophysiological changes of ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI) induced by mechanical ventilation and spontaneous breathing, and the role of spontaneous breathing during mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Studies have shown that spontaneous breathing is a double-edged sword, depending on the intensity of spontaneous breathing activity and the severity of lung injury. Future studies are needed to determine ventilator strategies minimizing injury.


The participation of social organizations in the process of public policy can make up for the limitations of the existing system, effectively safeguard the social interests at the core of the public interests and promote the sustainable development of the diversified society. However, in the process of participating in public policy, the social organizations of our country still face some factors such as unclear legal status of participation, insufficient operating funds, lack of professional talents and imperfect supervision system. We should take strategies and measures from the aspects of law, system and the self construction of non-governmental organizations, expand the scope and level of social organizations to participate in public policies, and promote the democratization and scientization of public administration in China.


Lysosomal myopathies are hereditary myopathies characterized morphologically by the presence of autophagic vacuoles. In mammals, autophagy plays an important role for the turnover of cellular components, particularly in response to starvation or glucagons. In normal muscle, autolysosomes or autophagosomes are typically inconspicuous. In distinct neuromuscular disorders, however, lysosomes become structurally abnormal and functionally impaired, leading to the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles in myofibers. In some instances, the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles can be a prominent feature, implicating autophagy as a contributor to disease pathomechanism and/or progression. At present, there are two disorders in the muscle that are associated with a primary defect in lysosomal proteins, namely Pompe disease and Danon disease. This review will give a brief discussion on these disorders, highlighting the role of autophagy in disease progression.


Abstract This paper aims to present some conceptual insights into the research paradigm of complexity that deals with such problems like sustainability, education, and, more specifically – sustainability education. The transdisciplinary perspective and cognitive approaches of a hermeneutical cycle and semantic waves used in argumentation assist in grasping the essence of complexity and the main principles of complex dynamic systems. The comparison of simple, complicated and complex systems in a field of sustainability education provides an example of using complexity thinking with social systems. Then the complexity in an epistemological context, as the research paradigm, could be used for dealing with the challenging problems of sustainability, education and sustainability education from the point of view of post-normal science. The concept of transdisciplinarity has been developed as a research framework starting from the general approaches to its application for sustainability, education and sustainability education. The specific types of collaboration in educational research for sustainability and the modes of knowledge produced by transdisciplinary research in this field will be described, ending with reflections and suggestions for further analysis.


To evaluate the amount of energy deposited in radiosensitive organs and tissues of the human body, when an anthropomorphic phantom is irradiated, researchers in numerical dosimetry use the so-called exposure computational models (ECMs). One can imagine an ECM as a virtual scene composed of a phantom in a mathematically defined position in relation to a radioactive source. The source in these ECMs produces the initial state of the simulation:  the position, direction, and energy with which each particle enters the phantom are essential variables. For subsequent states of a particle history, robust Monte Carlo (MC) codes are used. For the subsequent states of a particle's history, robust Monte Carlo (MC) codes are used, which simulate the average free path that the particle performs without interacting, its interaction with the atoms in the medium and the amount of energy deposited per interaction. MC codes also evaluate normalization quantities, so the results are printed in text files in the form of conversion coefficients between the absorbed dose and the selected normalization quantity. From the 2000s, the authors have published ECMs where a voxel phantom is irradiated by photons in the environment of the MC code EGSnrc (EGS = Electron Gamma Shower; nrc = National Research Council Canada). The production of articles, dissertations and theses required the use of specific computational tools, such as the FANTOMAS, DIP (Digital Image Processing) and Monte Carlo applications, for the various steps of numerical dosimetry, which ranges from the preparation of input files to the execution from the ECM to the organization and graphical and numerical analysis of the results. This article reviews computational phantoms for dosimetry mainly those produced in DEN-UFPE dissertations and thesis.


The creation of listening communities is an urgent task for youth ministry in the post-modern era. People engaged in the quest for faithful living in a world of competing truths desperately need trusted listeners with whom to unfold their inner longings. This article proposes that such listening communities, created during research into the faith-lives of teens, might well be replicated through the intentional use of interviews as constructive sites for the production of self knowledge in the practice youth ministry.


BACKGROUND/AIMS
KRAS mutation is an important prognostic factor for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. However, the influence of KRAS mutation on the response to mFOLFOX6 ± bevacizumab remains unclear.

METHODOLOGY
We retrospectively analyzed 49 patients who received modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) ± bevacizumab as first-line therapy. Genetic analysis showed that 30 patients had wild-type (WT) KRAS and 19 patients hadKRAS mutations (MT). These two groups were compared with regard to the response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS
The RR was not significantly different between the WT and MT groups, but PFS and OS were significantly better in the WT group than the MT group (PFS: 11.8 months vs. 8.7 months, p<0.01; OS: 37.8 months vs. 29.3 months, p<0.0385). A similar analysis of 27 patients who were treated with mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab showed a better prognosis for WT patients. Multivariate analysis also revealed that KRAS mutation was an independent factor with a significant relation to PFS.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that KRAS mutation may be a useful prognostic marker for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving mFOLFOX6 ± bevacizumab therapy, especially for patients treated with mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab.


Abstract Research in second language (L2) learning often considers one modality only during task completion. It is unclear if L2 performance is as accurate whatever the modality. L2 learning at school is characterized by a predominance of written materials. One might expect written L2 word recognition to be more accurate than spoken one. This modality effect could also depend on L2 proficiency and the presence of cognate items, closer orthographically than phonologically for most language pairs. Two experiments were conducted with 50 intermediate proficiency French–English bilinguals. Experiment 1 highlighted this modality effect on accuracy and a session effect reflecting a benefit from oral to written modality on latency. In Experiment 2, which included both cognate and non-cognate words, modality effect was even stronger for cognate words and cognate effect depended on modality. In both experiments, these effects depend on L2 proficiency. These findings are discussed according to bilingual word recognition models.


In 2017, Congress adopted the Opportunity Zone, an unheralded yet powerful place-based economic development tool, as part of tax re-form. Place-based economic development tools and strategies provide incentives to attract jobs and capital to areas where jobs and capital have fled. Investors in state-designated Opportunity Zone districts are able to (1) defer capital gains on qualified investments, and (2) reduce their tax bills when selling qualifying real estate or business property. Proponents of the bipartisan Opportunity Zone argue that tax incentives are an efficient way to direct investment dollars to poor areas. Critics, however, point out that such government interventions in the economy are stricken by corruption, abuse, and waste.

This Article analyzes and critiques the Opportunity Zone, and argues that compared to other place-based economic development tools implemented through law it is an extreme and potentially frightening approach. I identify three key aspects—use, transparency, and participation—which focus my analysis on the extent to which Opportunity Zones may in fact harm the areas they are supposed to benefit. There are prudent reasons to be skeptical of the benefits of the Opportunity Zone, especially considering their potential to widen and increase wealth and in-come inequality.

I argue that place-based economic development strategies are not necessarily to blame. Rather, it is the Opportunity Zone, a tool to benefit investors and existing landowners, that needs reform, or elimination. I explore proposals to restructure the Opportunity Zone that limit the uses of invested funds, improve transparency to assess meaningful outcomes, and involve stakeholder groups through participation.


The microstructure approach provides valuable insights into high-frequent exchange rate dynamics. Recent studies, including this book, evidence the prominence of information asymmetries for asset pricing as well as order flow's important role during information aggregation processes via trading. However, results indicate that dealers quote prices in contrast to predictions of standard theory of asset pricing under asymmetric information. By analysing a unique data set of EUR/USD transactions at a German bank, this work investigates whether this pricing behaviour is due to dealers' strategic dealing considerations or traders' relative market power. The study concludes that it is market power rather than strategic dealing that determines dealers' pricing strategy.


The degradation of exogenous gene EPSPS during the milling, cooking, blending, homogenizing, sterilizing and spray drying manufacturing process of tofu, soymilk and soybean flour was investigated using a sensitive polymerase chain reaction detection system. The system used specific amplification of Roundup Ready (RR) soybean exogenous gene EPSPS. The results showed that the exogenous gene EPSPS was degraded during each step of manufacturing process of the RR soybean products, with 1512bp and 807bp fragments being detected in the raw material. After milling, cooking and homogenizing, we can only detect a 407bp fragment. Finally, after sterilizing and spray drying, only a 190bp fragment can be detected in these three genetically modified soybean foods.


This article seeks to address the joint Israeli and Palestinian activism that has developed in response to the building of the separation barrier or what I will term the 'Separation Wall' and to argue that the tactics of resistance witnessed are informed by the networks of power bound up in and represented by the physical structure of the Wall. It will aim to draw connections between physical realities and the hidden relations they represent and the act of resistance by suggesting that the Separation Wall offers not only a site of resistance in a world of increasingly invisible and multi-factorial power, but that the networks of power it represents calls for specific forms of resistance. These specific forms focus on direct action over more traditional modes of claim-making undertaken by state-based social movements premised on a liberal understanding of representative politics.


Objectives: To identify important characteristics of quality improvement applications for population health and healthcare settings and to explore the use of quality improvement as a model for implementing and disseminating evidence-based or best practices. Methods: A meta-synthesis was used to examine published quality improvement case studies. A total of 10 published studies that were conducted in Florida and Georgia were examined and synthesized using meta-synthesis (a qualitative research methodology) for meaningful insights and lessons learned using defined meta-synthesis inclusion criteria. The primary focus of the analysis and synthesis were the reported processes and findings that included responses to structured questioning in addition to emergent results from direct observation and semi-structured open-ended interviewing. Results: The key insights for the use of quality improvement in public health and healthcare settings included (1) the essential importance of data monitoring, analysis, and data-based decision making; (2) the need to focus on internal mutable factors within organizations; (3) the critical role of quality improvement team group dynamics; (4) the value of using a quality improvement collaborative or multi-clinic quality council/committee for sharing and comparing performance on key metrics; and (5) the need to identify a quality improvement approach and methods for clarification as a structured quality improvement intervention. Conclusion: In addition to the advantages of using quality improvement to enhance or improve healthcare and public health services, there is also potential for quality improvement to serve as a model for enhancing the adoption of evidence-based practices within the context of dissemination and implementation research.


We describe the development of a new type of DNA array chip that utilizes electrochemical reactions and a novel method of simultaneously identifying multiple genetic mutations on an array chip. The electrochemical array (ECA) uses a threading intercalator specific to double-stranded nucleotides, ferrocenylnaphthalene diimide (FND), as the indicator. ECA does not require target labeling, and the equipment is simple, durable and less expensive. The simultaneous multiple mutation detection (SMMD) system using an ECA chip and FND utilizes an enzyme to simultaneously distinguish several genetic mutations such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), insertion, deletion, translocation and short tandem repeat. We examined this SMMD system using an ECA chip, by detecting seven different mutations on the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene for 50 patients in a blind test. It turned out that all the results obtained were concordant with the sequencing results, demonstrating that this system is a powerful tool for clinical applications.


We will review transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) and discuss this evolving cutting edge procedure in terms of types (valve in valve, valve in ring and valve in mitral annular calcification MAC), clinical indications, pre-procedural planning and value of pre-procedural imaging including computed tomography role, technical challenges encountered in these procedures, potential complications for each type of TMVR, and potential strategies to mitigate and avoid such complications, We will review the currently available devices dedicated for mitral valve replacement, with a summary of their preliminary data and early outcome results. We will also discuss knowledge gaps and ideas for future research.


Introduction Ex vivo organ cultures (EVOC) were recently optimized to sustain cancer tissue for 5 days with its complete microenvironment. We examined the ability of an EVOC platform to predict patient response to cancer therapy. Methods A multicenter, prospective, single-arm observational trial. Samples were obtained from patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor and from core needle biopsies of patients with metastatic cancer. The tumors were cut into 250 μM slices and cultured within 24 h, then incubated for 96 h with vehicle or intended to treat drug. The cultures were then fixed and stained to analyze their morphology and cell viability. Each EVOC was given a score based on cell viability, level of damage, and Ki67 proliferation, and the scores were correlated with the patients' clinical response assessed by pathology or Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Results The cancer tissue and microenvironment, including endothelial and immune cells, were preserved at high viability with continued cell division for 5 days, demonstrating active cell signaling dynamics. A total of 34 cancer samples were tested by the platform and were correlated with clinical results. A higher EVOC score was correlated with better clinical response. The EVOC system showed a predictive specificity of 77.7% (7/9, 95% CI 0.4–0.97) and a sensitivity of 96% (24/25, 95% CI 0.80–0.99). Conclusion EVOC cultured for 5 days showed high sensitivity and specificity for predicting clinical response to therapy among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and other solid tumors.


The first part of this paper develops a geometric setting for differential-difference equations that resolves an open question about the extent to which continuous symmetries can depend on discrete independent variables. For general mappings, differentiation and differencing fail to commute. We prove that there is no such failure for structure-preserving mappings, and identify a class of equations that allow greater freedom than is typical. For variational symmetries, the above results lead to a simple proof of the differential-difference version of Noether's theorem. We state and prove the differential-difference version of Noether's second theorem, together with a Noether-type theorem that spans the gap between the analogues of Noether's two theorems. These results are applied to various equations from physics.


Abstract Orange red is a food and cosmetic coloring agent made by the amalgamation of two azo dyes carmoisine and sunset yellow. The current study demonstrates the effect of different concentrations of orange red on antioxidant status, inflammatory biomarkers (TNFα, IFNγ, IL1β, IL6, COX-2, iNOS, and NFκB/p65), biochemical enzymes, and liver histology. In totality, 25 male Wistar rats were procured and arbitrarily alienated into 5 different groups each with 5 animals. Group I was taken as the control. Groups II–V were designated as treatment groups. Groups II and III were administered with (5 and 25 mg/kg b.wt.) and groups IV and V with (150 and 300 mg/kg b.wt.) of orange red via oral gavage for 30 days. It was observed that both low and high concentrations of orange red (25, 150, and 300 mg/kg) remarkably augmented the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IFNγ, IL1β, and IL6) and the protein and gene expression of COX-2, iNOS, and NFκB/p65. A significant decrease in glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxidase dismutase, and catalase activity was observed with increasing concentration of orange red. Furthermore, an increase in the level of several vital biochemical parameters and damage severity to hepatic tissue was also found dose dependent.


Abstract The most commonly used methods for solving classical (historical) ciphers are based on global optimization (meta-heuristic methods). Despite the fact that global optimization is a well-studied problem, in the case of classical ciphers, there are still many open questions such as the construction of fitness functions or efficient transformation of the cryptanalysis (breaking attempt) to an optimization problem. Therefore the transformation of a cryptanalytical task to an optimization problem and the choice of a suitable fitness function form an important part of the topic. In this paper, we focus on the simple columnar transposition in depth. Our main contribution is a detailed analysis and comparison of different fitness functions, fitness landscape analysis and solving experiments.


Cyclic AMP increases in liver during exercise, the magnitude of the increase being dependent on duration and intensity of the exercise. Within limits, the increase in cAMP is closely correlated with the rate of glycogenolysis and with the exercise intensity. It is unlikely that epinephrine is involved in determining cAMP concentration in liver during exercise. Adrenodemedullated rats show no impairment in exercise-induced liver glycogenolysis or in the increase in cAMP. When epinephrine is infused at different rates into exercising rats, liver cAMP appears to be unrelated to plasma epinephrine. The rise in plasma glucagon is likely responsible for the increase in hepatic cAMP during exercise. The increase in cAMP is apparently necessary for maintaining low levels of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (the activator of PFK-1 and inhibitor of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate) in liver. The low fructose-2,6-bisphosphate concentration would be expected to result in an increase rate of gluconeogenesis during exercise.


Arthro-osteitis is an uncommon condition which can be associated with palmoplantar pustulosis. It forms part of a group of conditions which include the synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis syndrome (SAPHO) and sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis. We report four cases illustrating the clinical spectrum of this condition which occurred in the absence of concomitant skin lesions. One patient had extensive aortic calcification a feature not previously reported in this condition, which may represent a low grade inflammatory aortitis.


Abstract Objectives: Most research on hospital falls has focused on predictors of falling, whereas less is known about predictors of serious fall-related injury. Our objectives were to characterize inpatients who fall and to determine predictors of serious fall-related injury. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of 1,082 patients who fell (1,235 falls) during January 2001 to June 2002 at an urban academic hospital. Multivariate analysis of potential risk factors for serious fall-related injury (vs no or minor injury) included in the hospital's adverse event reporting database was conducted with logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI95). Results: The median age of patients who fell was 62 years (interquartile range, 49-77 years), 50% were women, and 20% were confused. The hospital fall rate was 3.1 falls per 1,000 patient-days, which varied by service from 0.86 (women and infants) to 6.36 (oncology). Some (6.1%) of the falls resulted in serious injury, ranging by service from 3.1% (women and infants) to 10.9% (psychiatry). The most common serious fall-related injuries were bleeding or laceration (53.6%), fracture or dislocation (15.9%), and hematoma or contusion (13%). Patients 75 years or older (aOR, 3.2; CI95, 1.3-8.1) and those on the geriatric psychiatry floor (aOR, 2.8; CI95,1.3-6.0) were more likely to sustain serious fall-related injuries. Conclusions: There is considerable variation in fall rates and fall-related injury percentages by service. More detailed studies should be conducted by floor or service to identify predictors of serious fall-related injury so that targeted interventions can be developed to reduce them.


PURPOSE
Infants with urinary tract infections (UTI) and no abnormality on radiological evaluation are usually discharged from urological followup but the natural history of these children is unknown. We evaluate the rate of and potential risk factors for UTI recurrence in this specific population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed retrospectively charts of children evaluated for first UTI before age 6 months between January 1996 and February 2001. Only patients with a normal ultrasound and voiding cystourethrogram were included in this study. A telephone questionnaire was administered to the parents, which inquired about the UTI, duration of breast-feeding, type of formula, family history of UTI, neurological problems, history of constipation or recurrent fevers, as well as social status. Chi-square test was performed for statistical analysis.

RESULTS
We identified 264 children with UTIs, of whom 119 (45%) had a negative ultrasound and voiding cystourethrogram. Followup was available on 68 girls (81%) and 16 boys (19%) of the 119 children (71%). Of the 84 children 16 (19%) had recurrent UTI. Mean followup was 4.4 years (range 1.9 to 7.0). No factors had a statistically significant correlation for UTI recurrence. The p value for gender and history of undiagnosed fevers was 0.077 and 0.082, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
About 20% of children will have recurrent UTIs despite negative radiological evaluation. Although not statistically significant, there was a trend for an increased risk in girls and those with recurrent febrile illnesses. History of daytime dryness and/or constipation was not predictive of recurrent UTIs in our series.


The vibrational and rotational analysis of the absorption spectrum of the C2H2, C2D2, 13C2H2 and C2HD molecules, photographied at high resolution in the region of 1250-1050 Å has been performed. It brings new information on the Rydberg states of the acetylene molecule. The presence of three Rydberg series leading to the first ionisation potential is confirmed and tentative assignements are given for a fourth expected series. The rotational analysis of several bands involving states belonging to two different series (nR and nR'') definitely establishes that these states imply a linear geometry and have 1Πu symmetry. Some properties of the X̃2Πu state of the acetylene ion are extrapolated from the present results.


This chronological guide to the developmental stages, and corresponding literary needs and preferences, of early childhood is hte unique result of combinging the expertise of educational professionals with that of a children's librarian. Each chapter describes a developmental stage of childhood and presents appropriate books for that reading level, providing expert guidance in today's crowded children's book market.


Fluorescent pseudomonads are gamma-proteobacteria known for their capacity to colonize various ecological niches. This adaptability is reflected by their sophisticated and diverse iron uptake systems. The majority of fluorescent pseudomonads produce complex peptidic siderophores called pyoverdines or pseudobactins, which are very efficient iron scavengers. A tremendous variety of pyoverdines has been observed, each species producing a different pyoverdine. This variety can be used as an interesting tool to study the diversity and taxonomy of fluorescent pseudomonads. Other siderophores, including newly described ones, are also produced by pseudomonads, sometimes endowed with interesting properties in addition to iron scavenging, such as formation of complexes with other metals or antimicrobial activity. Factors other than iron limitation, and different regulatory proteins also seem to influence the production of siderophores in pseudomonads and are reviewed here as well. Another peculiarity of pseudomonads is their ability to use a large number of heterologous siderophores via different TonB-dependent receptors. A first genomic analysis of receptors in four different fluorescent pseudomonads suggests that their siderophore ligand repertoire is likely to overlap, and that not all receptors recognize siderophores as ligands.


The characteristics of heat transfer are investigated experimentally for the vertical falling film evaporation of binary refrigerant mixture HFC134a/HCFC123 in a rectangular minichannels consisting of offset strip fins. The refrigerant liquid is uniformly supplied to the channel through a distributor. The liquid flowing down vertically is heated electrically from the rear wall of the channel and evaporated. To observe the flow patterns during the evaporation process directly, the small circular window is set at the center of every section on the front wall. The experimental parameters are as follows: the mass velocity G = 28∼70 kg/(m2s), the heat flux q = 30∼50 kW/m2 and the pressure P ≈ 100∼260 kPa. In the case of large mass velocity G ≥ 55 kg/(m2s), the value of heat transfer coefficient becomes lower with increase of mass fraction of low-boiling component HFC134a wb in the region of x ≥ 0.3. The main reason for this inclination of α is considered that shearing force acts on the liquid-vapor interface becomes smaller because of vapor velocity suppressed by higher pressure in the test evaporator in the case of larger mass fraction of low-boiling component. Additionally, mass diffusion resistances formed on each side of vapor and liquid phase along the liquid-vapor interface are considered as a possible cause of reduction in the heat transfer coefficient α with increase of mass fraction wb. In the region of x ≥ 0.8, α descend rapidly despite the difference in the value of wb. It can be attributed to dry-out state of heat transfer area.Heat transfer coefficient derived from experiments is compared with that calculated from empirical correlation equation for heat transfer coefficient of pure refrigerant in a vertical falling film plate-fin evaporator.Copyright © 2014 by ASME


Background Although the nucleophilic difluoromethylation of aldehydes, ketones, and imines has been realized with PhSO2CF2H and related reagents, there are still no reports on the enantioselective nucleophilic reactions. Results With a chiral quaternary ammonium salt as the catalyst and KOH as the base, we describe the first enantioselective difluoromethylation of aromatic aldehydes with PhSO2CF2H or Me3SiCF2SO2Ph. The enantioselectivity is substrate-dependent and for 2-chlorinated benzaldehyde an ee up to 64% was obtained. Conclusion These results provide some insights into the enantioselective nucleophilic difluoromethylation chemistry, which will stimulate further progress in this field.


I Salenius P. Ontogenesis of the human gastric epithelial cells. Acta Anatomica 1962; 50: suppl 46: 1-76. 2 Kirk RM. Could chronic pcptic ulcers be localised areas of acid susceptibility generated by autoimmunity'? Lancet 1986; i: 772-4. 3 Kirk RM. Factors determining the site of chronic gastroduodenal ulcers. Hepatogastroenterol 1982; 29: 75-85. 4 Naik KS, Lagopoulos M, Primrose JN, Johnston D. The 'acid antrum' as a possible cause of recurrent ulceration after highly selective vagotomy (HSV): a histological study [Abstract]. Gut 1987; 28: A 1411. 5 Kirk RM. Are gastric and duodenal ulcers separate diseases or do they form a continuum? Dig Dis Sci 1981; 26: 149-54.


It is well known that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury in a traffic accident. We report a case of traumatic cervical internal carotid artery dissection due to compression by the strap of a helmet after a motorcycle accident. A 21 year-old man fell off his motorcycle and his head was struck at the right parietal region. His helmet prevented head injury, but the helmet strap which was fixed around his neck compressed his cervical internal carotid artery. He lost consciousness and developed left hemiparesis two hours after being admitted to an emergency department. Cerebral angiography revealed dissection of he right cervical internal carotid artery. This lesion was treated successfully by stent placement two months after the accident. The cause of carotid dissection was thought to be compression of his neck by the helmet strap. If the strap of a helmet is fixed around the neck, it can cause carotid artery injury during an accident, so it can be concluded that the strap of a helmet should be fixed firmly at the chin.


We report five experiments showing that the activation of the end-terms of a syllogism is determined by their position in the composite model of the premises. We show that it is not determined by the position of the terms in the rule being applied (Ford, 1994), by the syntactic role of the terms in the premises (Polk & Newell, 1995; Wetherick & Gilhooly, 1990), by the type of conclusion (Chater & Oaksford, 1999), or by the terms from the source premise (Stenning & Yule, 1997). In our first experiment we found that after reading a categorical premise, the most active term is the last term in the premise. In Experiments 2, 3, and 4 we demonstrated that this pattern of activity is due to the position of the concepts in the model of the premises, regardless of the delay after reading the premises (150 or 2000 msec) or the quantity of the quantifiers (universal or existential). The fifth experiment showed that the pattern switches around after participants evaluate a conclusion. We propose that the last element in the model maintains a higher level of activity during the comprehension process because it is generally used to attach the incoming information. After this process, the first term becomes more active because it is the concept to which the whole representation is referred. These results are predicted by the mental model theory (Johnson-Laird & Byrne, 1991), but not by the verbal reasoning theory (Polk & Newell, 1995), the graphical methods theory (Yule & Stenning, 1992), the attachment-heuristic theory (Chater & Oaksford, 1999), or the mental rules theory (Ford, 1994).


The in vitro effect of testosterone on human neutrophil function was investigated. Blood neutrophils from healthy male subjects were isolated and treated with 10 nM, 0.1 and 10 µM testosterone for 24 h. As compared with untreated cells, the testosterone treatment produced a significant decrease of superoxide production as indicated by the measurement of extra‐ and intracellular superoxide content. An increment in the production of nitric oxide was observed at 0.1 and 10 µM testosterone concentrations, whereas no effect was found for 10 nM. Intracellular calcium mobilization was significantly increased at 10 nM, whereas it was reduced at 10 µM testosterone. There was an increase in phagocytic capacity at 10 nM and a decrease of microbicidal activity in neutrophils treated with testosterone at 10 µM. Glutathione reductase activity was increased by testosterone treatment, whereas no effect was observed in other antioxidant enzyme activities. An increase in the content of thiol groups was observed at all testosterone concentrations. Lipid peroxidation in neutrophils evaluated by levels of TBARS was decreased at 10 nM and 0.1 µM testosterone. These results indicate the antioxidant properties of testosterone in neutrophils as suggested by reduction of superoxide anion production, and lipid peroxidation, and by the increase in nitric oxide production, glutathione reductase activity and the content of thiol groups. Therefore, the plasma levels of testosterone are important regulators of neutrophil function and so of the inflammatory response. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Data is most important in today's globe as it helps organizations as well as persons to take out information and use it to make various decisions. Data generally stocked in database so that retrieving and maintaining it becomes easy and manageable. All the operations of data handling and maintenance are done using Database Management System. Data management is much monotonous task in growing data environment. Partitioning is possible solution which is partly accepted. Partitioning provides user-friendliness, maintenance and impulsive query performance to the database users. In this paper, brief review of methods of partitioning and helps to reduce the wait in response time. Paper shows the positive result with partitioning methods. Keywords— Database partitioning; Dbms Redefinition; Range Partitioning; Hash Partitioning; List Partitioning


In plants and animals, nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats (NLR)-containing proteins play pivotal roles in innate immunity. Despite their similar biological functions and protein architecture, comparative genome-wide analyses of NLRs and genes encoding NLR-like proteins suggest that plant and animal NLRs have independently arisen in evolution. Furthermore, the demonstration of interfamily transfer of plant NLR functions from their original species to phylogenetically distant species implies evolutionary conservation of the underlying immune principle across plant taxonomy. In this review we discuss plant NLR evolution and summarize recent insights into plant NLR-signaling mechanisms, which might constitute evolutionarily conserved NLR-mediated immune mechanisms.


Preparation of microparticles labeled with 99m-technetium (Tc') involves treating microparticles, in a suspension medium, with a solution of a Tc' salt; mixing; then removing both the suspension medium and the solvent. An Independent claim is also included for Tc'-labeled microparticles produced by the above method.


Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is known to be associated with various autoimmune diseases, as well as infection and/or malignancy. Here we review the features of autoimmune-associated HPS and describe the possible role of autoantibodies, especially antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), in HPS based on data obtained from our own patients.


The past decade was witness to the rapid economic growth of countries whose political systems deviate from conventional democratic philosophy. Countries such as Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea, among others, have become big economies rivaling major players like the United States and the United Kingdom. On the other hand, democratic, low-income countries have experienced relatively sluggish growth. In this paper, we explore the influence of democracy and political freedom on economic growth, utilizing poverty reduction as its indicator. We will focus on identifying the requisites of a functioning democracy within the context of developing nations that will enable it to effectively reduce poverty. Utilizing the 2-stage least squares method of estimation, our findings suggest that democracy, in general, has a negative influence on poverty reduction for developing countries. However, when complemented with trade openness, primary education, regulatory quality, effective governance, and voice and accountability, the outcome becomes positive.


Climate change poses an immediate threat to the security, well-being and economic activities of all countries. Particularly vulnerable are the 32 small states and 25 small island developing states of the Commonwealth. This Discussion Paper examines the important role that local governments can have in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. It argues that given their proximity to the community, local governments are in a unique position to tackle the cause and effects of climate change. The paper provides examples and gives advice on what local government can do to respond to the issue.


For the last years we have witnessed and increasing awareness of the part of doctors and teachers who by means of the education for the health (EpS) promote the acquisition of healthy habits among students at schools. One of those educational contents is the smoking prevention. The participation of pneumologists in those activities is still rather limited. Doctors and teachers should reach a better understanding and doctors should get more involved helping the school boards and the teaching staff to outline these aspects regarding health in the educational project of each school. Their collaboration is essential in the training on health topics made by the teaching staff and their later development. Smoking prevention among young people can't be viewed from a detached perspective and comprehensive health policies, with a legislative development including all aspects, become absolutely necessary. In order to provide such activities, western governments have developed a various non-smoking legislation for the last years. Knowing the legislation which holds the achievement proves to be interesting for the teachers responsible of the carrying-out as well as for the doctors willing to participate in their project. The most important Spanish legislation about smoking is the Royal Order 192/1988 of the Ministry of Health. The legislation of the Ministry of Education concerning the educational contents for compulsory education in nursery, primary and secondary schools includes the EpS and shapes a legislative framework which enables to develop those preventing activities at schools.


Natural law theory should be of interest to scholars in a number of distinct disciplines, such as law, philosophy, and political science. If the reader has any doubts on that score, a perusal of Natural Law and Modern Moral Philosophy, which is a collection of nine essays dealing with various aspects of natural law theory, will clarify the interdisciplinary relevance of natural law theory. In this review, I am going to concentrate on one of the nine essays in this fine book, namely Michael Moore's Law as Justice, which critiques (what the author calls) the functionalist argument for law's binding force, advanced by a number of natural lawyers through the years. Moore's central claim is that the functionalist argument for law's binding force (to be explained below), is too weak to guarantee the binding force of law assumed by natural lawyers. Instead, Moore suggests that the binding force of law may be established by a non-functionalist argument: law will hold our practical interest only if it obligates. While not exactly concise, Moore's analysis is well worth the reader's while. As for the central claims and arguments of Moore's essay, I agree that the functionalist argument is too weak to guarantee the binding force of law assumed by natural lawyers. I also find the non-functionalist argument adduced by Moore – that law will hold our practical interest only if it obligates – appealing. I do not, however, find it as compelling as Moore does. For while there are indeed reasons to conceive of law and morality as conceptually connected, as natural lawyers do, there are also reasons to conceive of them as conceptually distinct, as legal positivists do. Since Moore does not consider any of the latter arguments, I would like to conclude this review by pointing to a few of them.


Euripides' play the Suppliant Women was long neglected as an inferior tragic piece. The situation changed when Murray and, especially, Zuntz evaluated its qualities. Nowadays it is firmly established as a true political play with a very complex structure. There are many terms, images, symbols and concepts in Euripides ̓ Suppliant Women which betray a reflection of both more ancient and contemporary political and social theorising and at the same time there are elements of contemporary public patriotic celebration and state ideology. Therefore, this paper focuses on two apparent political levels which are interwoven into the text itself: 1. the Athenian self-image and ideology and 2. political theory.


Abstract Motacilla cinerea is a species of small- and medium-sized songbird in the Family Motacillidae, which is widely distributed. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome of M. cinerea. The result showed that the total length of the mitogenome was 16 825 bp and contained two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and one control region. All the genes in M. cinerea were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which are encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using Bayesian analysis methods, and containing two clades: Motacilla and Anthus. The first lineage is Motacilla including M. cinerea and other nine species. The genus Anthus makes up the second group, which containing 17 species.


The formation of a hemostatic thrombus during blood vessel injury is a highly regulated event which ensures that a blood clot is sufficiently stable but not overly robust to cause thrombus propagation and vessel occlusion. We have previously identified two anti-adhesive processes operating on the surface of fibrin clots that prevent excessive accumulation of blood cells such as platelets and leukocytes. In particular, binding of fibrinogen and plasminogen to fibrin creates a mechanically unstable surface through non-proteolytic and proteolytic mechanisms, respectively, which limits integrin-mediated cell adhesion. The proteolytic process depends on activation of plasminogen, which accumulates in a thin superficial layer of fibrin clots, by the plasminogen activation system assembled on transiently adherent blood cells. This is followed by plasmin generation and decomposition of the fibrin surface resulting in cell detachment under flow. We have further demonstrated that plasminogen activators tPA or uPA pre-bound to platelets can activate fibrin-bound plasminogen through the interfacial mechanism, i.e. when the components of the plasminogen activation system are assembled on different surfaces. Furthermore, plasminogen activators pre-bound to one population of platelets are able to activate plasminogen pre-bound to a separate pool of platelets. These data indicate that platelets activate both platelet- or fibrin-bound plasminogen and, potentially, could use their fibrinolytic potential during adhesion to fibrin clots. However, platelets are known also to contain high concentrations of PAI-1 which is secreted during clot formation. Therefore, it is uncertain whether the proteolytic anti-adhesive mechanism is functional when platelets encounter platelet-rich fibrin clots. To begin to address this question, we have compared fibrinolytic activity of tPA- or uPA-treated platelets placed on the surface of plasminogen-coated fibrin clots with that of platelets incorporated inside the gels prepared by mixing of fibrinogen with thrombin in the presence of uPA. The fibrinolytic activity was determined by detecting the release of 125Iodine-labeled fibrin degradation products or measuring plasmin amidolytic activity. While fibrinolysis by platelets inside the gel was completely inhibited, platelets adherent to the surface of fibrin clots retained their ability to activate plasminogen and degrade fibrin. Also, when both platelets and monocytic U937 cells, a cell line expressing endogenous uPA, were included in fibrin clots, platelets completely suppressed fibrinolytic activity of U937 cells. At the same time, proteolytic activity of U937 cells added on the top of platelet-rich gels was not affected. Confocal microscopy and Western blot analyses showed that by contrast with platelets incorporated in the gel which released substantial amounts of PAI-1, no PAI-1 was secreted from platelets adherent to the surface of the gel. These data may explain the well-known but hitherto unexplained capacity of platelets to either promote or inhibit fibrinolysis by introducing the idea that two different functions of platelets are relevant to different regions of the thrombus. Thus, platelets inside the clot, via the release of PAI-1, block fibrinolysis aiding in thrombus integrity. However, platelets transiently contacting fibrin are profibrinolytic enabling the anti-adhesive mechanism which prevents their excessive accumulation and, consequently, thrombus propagation.

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Hemibiotrophs, such as Phytophthora infestans, exhibit distinct phases of their life cycle: an early asymptomatic biotrophic phase and a late necrotrophic stage that is characterized by tissue degradation and disease symptoms. To date, little is known of the molecular mechanisms that promote each distinct phase, nor those that mediate the transition between the two. We hypothesized that these phytopathogens might secrete distinct classes of effector proteins that first suppress plant defense responses and associated programmed cell death (PCD), and later induce large scale necrosis. To this end, we have identified proteins that are secreted by P. infestans early or late in the infection cycle. Recently we described the characterization of SNE1, which is specifically expressed during early biotrophic growth in the host plant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We found that SNE1 suppresses the action of necrosis-inducing effectors (Nep1-like proteins), including PiNPP1.1 and PsojNIP, which are secreted by Phytophthora during necrotrophic growth, as well as PCD mediated by a broad spectrum of Avr-R protein interactions. This suggests that SNE1 and PiNPP1.1 act antagonistically, thereby providing a highly regulated means to control the transition from biotrophy to necrotrophy.


Differences in replacement patterns and frequencies of treefalls were investigated for subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) and Englemann spruce (Picea engelmannii) in the Colorado Front Range. In seven old—growth unlogged stands, data were collected on age and size of trees, frequencies of fallen trees, growth rates of trees, and sizes and abundances of occupants of treefall gaps. Subalpine fir accounted for 74.5% of the potential successors in the 125 treefall gaps sampled. The much greater abundance of subcanopy trees of subalpine fir implies more frequent recruitment into the canopy. However, its greater recruitment rate into the canopy is approximately balanced by its greater loss from the canopy; even though subalpine fir accounted for only 37% of the canopy trees it accounted for 76% of the fallen trees. The consistently lower frequency of Engelmann spruce as treefalls and its great longevity compared to subalpine fir imply a lower adult mortality rate for the spruce. Consequently, the greater proportion of young subalpine fir does not imply that it will gradually replace Engelmann spruce in old—growth stands unaffected by large—scale exogenous disturbance. The results of this study provide empirical support for the coexistence of ecologically similar species by means of different life history strategies.


Ten microsatellite markers were developed for the fungus Kirramyces gauchensis, which causes an important stem canker disease of Eucalyptus trees in plantations. Primers for 21 microsatellite regions were designed from cloned fragments. Fourteen of the primer pairs provided single amplicons and 10 of these were polymorphic for K. gauchensis. Allelic diversity ranged from 0.21 to 0.76 with a total of 30 alleles. None of the markers was able to amplify in the phylogenetically distinct but morphologically similar species Kirramyces zuluensis. The 10 characterized polymorphic microsatellite regions will be studied to determine the population structure of K. gauchensis in plantations of different countries.


Methyldopa has been shown to be an effective hypotensive agent both in animals and in man (Oates et al., 1960), and valuable in the treatment of hypertension, particularly in the management of mild or moderately severe cases (Dollery and Harington, 1962; Bayliss and Harvey-Smith, 1962). Pharmacological activity resides entirely in the L-isomer (Gillespie et al., 1962). The mechanism of the anti-hypertensive action of methyldopa is not fully understood. Although known to be an inhibitor of decarboxylase (Sourkes, 1954), and thus potentially capable of reducing the biosynthesis of noradrenaline and other pressor amines, there is evidence that the cardiovascular effects of the drug are independent of this mechanism, and more closely related to depletion of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve endings (Hess et al., 1961). The present paper reports certain further observations on the clinical pharmacology of methyldopa, in particular measurements of the cardiac output before and after treatment, and the effect of the drug on the response to pressor amines.


Existing deepfake-detection methods focus on passive detection, i.e., they detect fake face images via exploiting the artifacts produced during deepfake manipulation. A key limitation of passive detection is that it cannot detect fake faces that are generated by new deepfake generation methods. In this work, we propose FaceGuard, a proactive deepfake-detection framework. FaceGuard embeds a watermark into a real face image before it is published on social media. Given a face image that claims to be an individual (e.g., Nicolas Cage), FaceGuard extracts a watermark from it and predicts the face image to be fake if the extracted watermark does not match well with the individual's ground truth one. A key component of FaceGuard is a new deep-learning-based watermarking method, which is 1) robust to normal image post-processing such as JPEG compression, Gaussian blurring, cropping, and resizing, but 2) fragile to deepfake manipulation. Our evaluation on multiple datasets shows that FaceGuard can detect deepfakes accurately and outperforms existing methods.


Absence of patients without leave is common in psychiatric hospitals, and causes anxiety to staff, relatives, and the lay public. Such incidents are difficult to predict. This study attempted to identify the characteristics of patients absconding from a UK hospital over one year. Numbers were small, as those patients discharged against advice and failing to return from leave were excluded. Absconders were predominantly male, young, compulsorily admitted, and discharged with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. They tended to be single, had many previous admissions, and a longer total length of stay, and the police were more often involved in their admission. Reasons for absconding and the implications for management of newly admitted psychiatric patients are discussed.


Non-human primates (NHP) share a close relationship with humans due to a genetic homology of 75–98.5%. NHP and humans have highly similar tissue structures, immunity, physiology, and metabolism and thus often can act as hosts to the same pathogens. Agriculture, meat consumption habits, tourism development, religious beliefs, and biological research have led to more extensive and frequent contact between NHPs and humans. Deadly viruses, such as rabies virus, herpes B virus, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and monkeypox virus can be transferred from NHP to humans. Similarly, herpes simplex virus, influenza virus, and yellow fever virus can be transmitted to NHP from humans. Infectious pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, can affect the health of both primates and humans. A vast number of NHP-carrying pathogens exhibit a risk of transmission to humans. Therefore, zoonotic infectious diseases should be evaluated in future research. This article reviews the research evidence, diagnostic methods, prevention, and treatment measures that may be useful in limiting the spread of several common viral pathogens via NHP and providing ideas for preventing zoonotic diseases with epidemic potential.


In this work we propose a decomposition approach to solve the quay crane scheduling problem. This is an important maritime transportation problem faced in container terminals where quay cranes are used to handle cargo. The objective is to determine a sequence of loading and unloading operations for each crane in order to minimize the completion time. We solve a mixed integer programming formulation for the quay crane scheduling problem, decomposing it into a vehicle routing problem and a corresponding scheduling problem. The routing sub-problem is solved by minimizing the longest crane completion time without taking crane interference into account. This solution provides a lower bound for the makespan of the whole problem and is sent to the scheduling sub-problem, where a completion time for each task and the makespan are determined. This scheme resembles Benders' decomposition and, in particular, the scheme underlying combinatorial Benders' cuts. We evaluate the proposed approach by solving instances from the literature and comparing the results with other available methods.


1-Methyl-2-phenyl-3-nitrosoindole and N,N-dimethyl-p-nitrosoaniline react with benzoyl chloride to form salts behaving like iminium and nitrenium ions respectively. The structure of the ion formed in the case of the nitrosoindole was elucidated by X-ray analysis. The charge density distribution of both ions was calculated on the basis of the structure parameters and by AM1 calculations and their reactivity was interpreted on the basis of structural parameters and the calculated distribution of their positive charge.


This article describes the program of psychological and pedagogical support for preteens with a high level of video game addiction. The authors have determined tasks and principles of this study, revealed the structure of the above-mentioned prevention program for preteens and described its stages and conditions, which allows reducing the negative effects of the existing video game addiction and the risk of its aggravation.


Among all cancers, the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is quite high in the endemic regions. NPC is a head and neck cancer with poor survival rate, and is rare throughout most of the world but common in certain geographic areas, like southern Asia and some regions of North East India (Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram). A clear understanding of its etiology is still lacking, but NPC is widely suspected to be the result of both genetic susceptibility and exposure to environmental factors or Epstein–Barr virus infection. Diagnosis in the early stages needs a high index of clinical acumen, and, although most cross-sectional imaging investigations show the tumor with precision, confirmation is dependent on histology. This article reviews all related research reports on NPC histopathological classifications worldwide that have been published within the past 20 years. Genome-wide association studies suggested that there might be common disease mechanisms between that disease and NPC. Personalized management rules, quality assessment of life in patients, and an understanding of the essential mechanisms of recurrence could be directed toward research into recurrent NPC. Hence, this literature would offer otolaryngologists a deeper insight into the etiological and management aspects of NPC.


It is often a problem to find a place to lay a slide when staining or drying it in a laboratory which is not provided with special staining vessels with slide rests or holders. Becoming tired of having my slides fall from improvised rests while staining them, or having to stand them against reagent bottles to dry, I was finally reduced to constructing a staining rack for my own use. It has proved so satisfactory that I deem the idea worth sharing with others. All the materials necessary are three pieces of glass tubing of the same length, and a piece of fairly stiff wire. The wire is run through the front lower piece of tubing, as shown in the accompanying illustration, and about 8 or 9 inches is allowed to project out at each end. These ends are bent at right angles to the tubing in the same direction.


New demand for electric vehicles are rare earths the bottleneck in the supply chain? Can recycling and substitution make a dent in the demand for REE in the near future? Is it economically feasible for advanced nations to mine for REE but process them elsewhere to allay environmental concerns at home? Rare earths are critical components to many technologies that drive the modern world. Though rare earths are present in most parts of the world, they are produced mostly in China because of a confluence of several factors. This paper reviews various aspects of rare earths including extraction, geopolitics, and challenges. Rare-earth elements (REEs) not only replace each other in the mineral structure but also occur within different mineral structures in the same deposit. Separation of one REE from another is therefore difficult, environmentally challenging, and expensive. Less than 1% of REEs is recycled due to many challenges of collecting various end products and separating the REE from other metals/contaminants. Recycling investments have primarily focused on applications such as magnets, where economies of scale have allowed it. Substitution for the REE is difficult for most applications, though the automotive and wind energy industries are making good advances with motors and generators. The rare earth market is small and, thus, easily disrupted. Factors that can impact the market are increased production from existing mines, development of mine prospects advanced during price spikes, research and development efforts focused on improving REE recoveries, recycling, substitution, alternate sources of REEs, and governmental policies.


We herein report the results of superselective intraarteial CDDP infusion therapy with an implantable reservoir system combined with radiotherapy for 10 patients with head and neck carcinomas. Two tumors originated from the external and middle ear, 4 from the maxillary sinus, 3 from the mesopharynx and 1 from the larynx. At first, we implanted an IVH reservoir system for administration of the neutralizing agent (sodium thiosulfate) to cisplatin (CDDP). After identification of the main arterial supply by the Seldinger technique and the first intraarterial infusion, we implanted an intraarterial reservoir system, using the facial, superficial temporal and superior thyroid arteries. CDDP infusion was performed from 3 to 7 times (average 4.8). The complete and partial response rates were 50% and 40%, respectively. Occlusion of the catheter and the artery occured in 2 and 1 patient, respectively. We conclude that the implantable resorvoir system for both CDDP and STS administration is an easy, low-invasive method for intraarterial infusion therapy.


A numerical simulation of the thermal and fluid-dynamic behaviour of hermetic reciprocating compressors has been developed by solving the one-dimensional and transient governing equations of the flow (continuity, momentum and energy) in the whole compressor domain. The governing equations are discretized using an implicit control-volume formulation. A SIMPLE-like algorithm, extended to compressible flows, has been used for velocity-pressure coupling, and a staggered grid is employed to compute the velocity field. This formulation requires empirical correlations for the gas-solid surface interaction (friction and heat transfer). The objective of this work is to present a parametric study of a conunercial hermetic reciprocating compressor based on the above numerical simulation. The influence of the following aspects on the volumetric efficiency, compression work and the coefficient of performance (COP) has been studied: i) valve geometry (valve stop, valve diameter) of both suction and discharge valves; ii) resonator influence iii) heat transfer phenomena between fluid flow and the motor-compressor unit; iv) angular velocity variations in a periodical cycle; v) characterization parameters of suction valve (damping coefficient, stiffness, mass).


Currently, distance learning is increasing its application in Mexican Universities; despite that it is not enough to satisfy the demand of higher education in Mexico. This paper presents a comparative analysis of undergraduate student performance in two systems: faceto-face and On-Line education. This analysis was realized with two different courses: Local area network and Interconnectivity. These two courses are part of the Computer Engineering curricula. The results show two important issues: the students are more participative and the team work is improved in the on-line class. The original idea of this work was to quantitatively evaluate face to face and On-line educational systems applied in computer networks. Finally they could not be compared in that manner. Both systems are options that the student s have, and according to their profile they can choose the most convenient alternative. Finally, the Internet is a tool, it does not give better or worse education by itself, it has some advantages/disadvantages that should be taken into account when an On-Line course is designed.


This paper presents an approach to the construction of multiple-rate quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. Parity-check matrices of the proposed codes consist of q X q square submatrices. The block rows and block columns of the parity-check matrix correspond to the hyperplanes (μ-flats) and points in Euclidean geometries, respectively. By decomposing the μ -flats, we obtain LDPC codes of different code rates and a constant code length. The code performance is investigated in term of the bit error rate and compared with those of LDPC codes given in IEEE standards. Simulation results show that our codes perform very well and have low error floors over the additive white Gaussian noise channel.


Banking activity strongly influences economic activity through the diversion of funds from banks to firms and consumers. This relationship is mutual, since the repayment of the bank loans requires a healthy economic activity. The above relationship appeared intensely during the last financial crisis (2008), which turned into an economic recession which in turn worsened the situation of banks and made necessary for the taxpayers to carry a heavy tax burden. In Greece, the banking crisis expanded rapidly, bringing the banks one step closer to failure. This resulted in an acute shortage of liquidity for the firms and caused the collapse of many of those as well as the shrinking of activity for many others. Thereby, the credit risk took a heavy toll on banks and led them to unprecedented losses. The governments responded with the process of recapitalization for the banks, which took place in two instalments in 2013 and 2014, in order to ensure equilibrium. All the above developments confirm that the banking and economic activity are interwoven and therefore mutual reliant.


One of America's most influential social critics, Thorstein Veblen authored works deeply rooted in evolutionary biology and American philosophical naturalism - both of which help explain his institutional economics and radical sociology. Now Rick Tilman ranges widely over the man's writings to show how evolutionary naturalism underlies his social theory and criticism, shapes his satire, and binds his work together. Tilman's study focuses on the intersections of social theory and social psychology, political economy and political theory, and modern philosophy and intellectual history in Veblen's thinking. It links evolutionary naturalism for the first time to Veblen's aesthetics, secular humanism, sociology of control, sociobiology, and sociology of knowledge, and it makes groundbreaking observations regarding the relationship of Veblen's own life to his thinking; his place as a cultural lag theorist; and his analysis of sports, gambling, and religion. Drawing on textual exegesis of Veblen's work. unpublished correspondence, and selected archives, Tilman argues that only evolutionary naturalism could provide the philosophical foundations of Veblen's thought. He also emphasizes Veblen's role in the enhancement and embellishment of the social sciences and cultural studies, as well as his insights into the processes of change in the sociopolitical order.


ABSTRACT Introduction: The Tie-2/Angiopoietin pathway is a therapeutic target for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Activation of Tie-2 receptor via Ang-1 maintains vascular stability to limit exudation. Ang-2, a competitive antagonist to Ang-1, and VE-PTP, an endothelial-specific phosphatase, interfere with the Tie-2-Ang-1 axis, resulting in vascular leakage. Areas covered: Faricimab, a bispecific antibody that inhibits VEGF-A and Ang-2, is in phase 3 trials for nAMD and DME. Nesvacumab is an Ang-2 inhibitor; when coformulated with aflibercept, it failed to show benefit over aflibercept monotherapy in achieving visual gains in phase 2 studies of nAMD and DME. ARP-1536 is an intravitreally administered VE-PTP inhibitor undergoing preclinical studies. AKB-9778 is a subcutaneously administered VE-PTP inhibitor that, when combined with monthly ranibizumab, reduced DME more effectively than ranibizumab monotherapy in a phase 2 study. AKB-9778 monotherapy did not reduce diabetic retinopathy severity score compared to placebo. AXT107, currently in the preclinical phase, promotes conversion of Ang-2 into a Tie-2 agonist and blocks signaling through VEGFR2 and other receptor tyrosine-kinases. Expert opinion: Tie-2/Angiopoietin pathway modulators show promise to reduce treatment burden and improve visual outcomes in nAMD and DME, with potential to treat cases refractory to current treatment modalities.


We describe Machine-Aided Script Curator (MASC), a system for human-machine collaborative script authoring. Scripts produced with MASC include (1) English descriptions of sub-events that comprise a larger, complex event; (2) event types for each of those events; (3) a record of entities expected to participate in multiple sub-events; and (4) temporal sequencing between the sub-events. MASC automates portions of the script creation process with suggestions for event types, links to Wikidata, and sub-events that may have been forgotten. We illustrate how these automations are useful to the script writer with a few case-study scripts.


Background: The autoantibody in the patient's serum can be used as a marker for the diagnosis of cancer, and the differences of autoantibodies are closely related to the changes of their target proteins. The human proteome microarray platform can be used for the screening of autoantibodies.Methods: In this study, 16 renal cancer (RC) patients were taken as a disease group, and the same number of healthy people was selected as a healthy control (HC) group. The protein microarray containing 16,152 proteins was used to detect the possible differences of autoantibodies IgG and IgM in the sera between the RC group and HC group. The screening criteria for autoantibodies and their target proteins are: fold change > 1.2, p-value < 0.05, positive ratio of RC > 30% and positive ratio of HC < 10%. Then the screened target proteins were used for cluster analysis of functions and pathways by PANTHER, DAVID and STRING. Results: Through the comparative analysis of the microarray results, there were 139 types of IgG and 43 types of IgM autoantibody significantly higher in RC than in the HC, and the highly responsive autoantibodies can be candidate biomarkers, such as anti-BCAS4-IgG and anti-RCN1-IgM. There were 159 IgG and 261 IgM autoantibodies that were significantly changed between the RC and the HC. The target proteins BCAS4 and RCN1 may be RC-related antigen and proteins such as GAP43 and CCT8 may be RC-related or RC-specific antigen. The functional clustering results showed those target proteins were mainly directed against the MAPK signaling pathway, Antigen processing: ubiquitination & proteasome degradation, Cargo recognition for clathrin-mediated endocytosis, etc. Conclustions: The high-content human proteome microarray platform can effectively screen autoantibodies in serum as candidate markers for renal cancer, and their corresponding target proteins can lay the foundation for the study of renal cancer.


Red blood cell metabolism was studied in male patients with polycythemia rubra vera (Vaquez disease) and compared to a reference sample of 74 healthy adults. A total of seventeen enzyme activities and seventeen metabolite concentrations were determined. In addition to the modifications of the hematological parameters among the polycytemic patients significant variations were detected: a decreased content of hemoglobin in the cells; significantly decreased levels of ATP, ADP and AMP associated to an accelerated turn over of these metabolites; an acceleration of the glycolytic pathway associated with an increase of the energetic charge and levels of 2-3BPG and G1-6BP. In polycythemia rubra vera patients, the modifications of the hematological and biochemical parameters were compared to previous results obtained in high altitude residents (adaptative hypoxia) and in red cells belonging to new borns.


In this paper, optimal tuning the parameters of a power system stabilizer (PSS) controller for the power system transient stability enhancement is introduced. The design problem of the proposed PSS is converted to an optimization problem with the time-domain based objective function which is solved by using particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique with a robust ability in order to find the most promising results. The dynamic performance PSS controller is evaluated on the basis of a multi-machine power system exposed to the diverse disturbances by comparison with the genetic algorithm-based damping controller. By virtue of the nonlinear time-domain simulation and some performance indices studies, the performance of the proposed PSS controller is tested and observed.   The results show that the tuned PSO based PSS damping controller by the proposed fitness function has an excellent capability in damping power system low frequency oscillations, as well as it significantly improves the dynamic stability of the power systems. In addition, the results reveal that the performance of the designed controller is better than the genetic algorithm based stabilizer.


Thrombospondin (TSP) 2 and 4 are multidomain calcium-binding extracellular glycoproteins which play a role in platelet aggregation and inflammatory response. TSP-2 has chemotactic and mitogenic activities for vascular smooth muscle cells while TSP-4 mRNA is expressed by endothelial and smooth muscle cells in vascular wall, and brain endothelial cells produce the protein both in vivo and in cell culture, localization consistent with its pro-atherogenic effects. These common functions may be central to the roles of the thrombospondins in coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction (MI). In the present study, the association of the TSP-2 (3949 TG, rs8089) and TSP-4 (Ala387Pro 1186 GC, rs1866389) gene variations and MI among Egyptian patients living in Ismailia city has been examined. Both rs8089 and rs1866389 were studied in 50 acute MI patients and 50 controls using Real-Time polymerase chain reaction. The prevalence of TSP-2 and TSP-4 alleles was not different in MI patients compared to controls (P> 0.05). Although the minor allele homozygotes (GG) of TSP-2 seems to confer reduced risk of MI (OR: 0.42 95% CI=0.095-1.89) this was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). The distribution of different TSP-4 genotypes did not differ between MI patients and controls (P>0.05).Total cholesterol was statistically significantly higher (P=0.02) in carriers of minor allele (C) of TSP4 (GC+CC). Although, both polymorphisms showed no statistically significant difference in MI patients regarding all other measured conventional risk factors. However, the frequency of TTGC haplotype is statistically significantly higher in MI  patients (24%) than in controls (6%) [P value=0.0226]. Our data suggests that although association analysis with MI did not reach significance, an at-risk haplotype of common variants located in THBS2 and THBS4 may be part of the genetic determinants for MI in the Egyptian population living in Ismailia city. Keywords: Myocardial infarction, Thrombospondins


In this work, it is aimed to examine the concepts of artists in the periods of Ancient Greek Culture, Enlightenment and Fin de Siécle. This study, which has the character of making an answer from the historical point of view, is trying to shed light on the artist problematic on the basis of the definitions within the periods. The Word 'Artist', which is still widely used today, also differs in terms of the persons it describes and is handled according to the artistic fields of these persons. This word of qualification, which is sometimes used for a craftsman and sometimes for a writer, has been shaped by a number of criteria in the past. In this work, which reflects the diversity of these changes, primarily the similarities and differences between the artist and the craftsman will be examined. Later, with the indication of the transpiring boundaries by the Enlightenment, the influence of the Fin de Siécle period, which expresses the end of the nineteenth century treated by the features of the present age as a collapse, with regard to artist concept will be examined.


We simulated the asymmetrical growth of cube-shaped nanoparticles by applying the Monte Carlo method. The influence of the specific mechanisms on the crystal growth of nanoparticles has been phenomenologically described by efficient growth possibilities along different directions (or crystal faces). The roles of the thermodynamic and kinetic factors have been evaluated in three phenomenological models. The simulation results would benefit the understanding about the cause and manner of the asymmetrical growth of nanoparticles.


Thank you very much for downloading measurement error and research design. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look numerous times for their favorite novels like this measurement error and research design, but end up in infectious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they are facing with some malicious bugs inside their laptop. measurement error and research design is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our digital library spans in multiple locations, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Kindly say, the measurement error and research design is universally compatible with any devices to read.


Aim: To Improve the treatment of patients with partial edentia and chronic generalized periodontitis by including dental implantation to the complex of therapeutic measures. Materials and methods : There have been presented the results of 240 patients with varying severity degrees of generalized periodontitis who underwent surgery on periodontal tissues with dental implantation. The research was conducted at the OCH of Ivano-Frankivsk 2007–2017.To improve the efficiency for dental implants and periodontal surgical intervention is necessary to determine the quality of bone remodeling, identifying markers of bone tissue metabolism. Results : It was established that in 40,81 % patients the results of research showed markers of bone remodeling indicating a high rate of bone formation (25,12±2,23 ng / ml) and a slight increase in rate of resorption marker, which results in low rates of bone resorption (8,54±1,23 nmol/L). These patients were not prescribed with osteotropic drugs. 50,83 % of patients with osteopenia were noticed to manifest the formation of bone possible raise of bone resorption (10.82±1.34n/mole), which was the indication for antiresorptive medication prescription. In 8,36 % of patients with osteoporosis was observed inhibition of bone formation processes (18,05±2,08 ng / ml) and increased resorption indices (15,34±1,87 nmol/L). Medications that stimulate osteogenesis and prevent bone resorption were prescribed. Conclusions : When planning dental implants and periodontal surgical intervention it is necessary to identify markers of bone remodeling to assess the structural and functional state of bone tissue and prescribe osteotrophic drugs that promote positive postoperative period.


ABSTRACT: The inner bark or less tender sheath generated from industrial manufacture of canned babassu palm (Attalea speciosa) heart is inadequate for human consumption, often being discarded inappropriately and giving rise to environmental pollution. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to assess the intake and digestibility in sheep fed on silage of the agro-industrial co-product of babassu palm (ICBP)enriched with different additives, or on sugarcane silage. Fifteen Santa Inês sheep were distributed in a completely randomized design, consisting of five treatments and three replicates. The treatments comprised babassu palm silage enriched with broken maize (BM), broken rice (BR), cassava scrapings (CS), coffee husk combined with maize kernel (CC), and sugarcane silage (SC), all supplemented with concentrate, at a voluminous:concentrate ratio of 65:35. Silages based on ICBP and SC had similar intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC). Increasing the additive fraction in ICBP silages favored the digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NFC, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN). Our results indicated that silage based on additive-enriched ICBP can be used in the diet of ruminants, especially those based on broken maize and cassava scrapings that provide superior nutritional quality compared to the other silages assessed.


The performance of software systems such as speed, memory usage, correct identification rate, tends to be an evermore important concern, often nowadays on par with functional correctness for critical systems. Systematically testing these performance concerns is however extremely difficult, in particular because there exists no theory underpinning the evaluation of a performance test suite, i.e., to tell the software developer whether such a test suite is "good enough" or even whether a test suite is better than another one. This paper proposes to apply Multimorphic testing and empirically assess the effectiveness of performance test suites of software systems coming from various domains. By analogy with mutation testing, our core idea is to leverage the typical configurability of these systems, and to check whether it makes any difference in the outcome of the tests: i.e., are some tests able to "kill" underperforming system configurations? More precisely, we propose a framework for defining and evaluating the coverage of a test suite with respect to a quantitative property of interest. Such properties can be the execution time, the memory usage or the success rate in tasks performed by a software system. This framework can be used to assess whether a new test case is worth adding to a test suite or to select an optimal test suite with respect to a property of interest. We evaluate several aspects of our proposal through 3 empirical studies carried out in different fields: object tracking in videos, object recognition in images, and code generators.