Introduction The current accepted standard of care in Barrett's surveillance has involved the routine collection of large numbers of non-targeted biopsies (Seattle protocol). This is time consuming, expensive and can miss significant abnormalities. Acetic acid has been demonstrated to be effective in identifying areas of metaplasia, with an increasing number of endoscopists questioning whether it has a role in the identification of dysplasia. We aim to evaluate the use of acetic acid (AA) chromoendocopy in the assessment of Barrett's neoplasia. Methods We prospectively collected data on patients with Barrett's oesophagus who had undergone chromoendoscopy between July 2004 and November 2009. All procedures were performed by a single experienced endoscopist (PB) using fujinon (EG-590) gastroscopes and EPX 4400 processor. The mucosae was examined with white light (WLI) high-resolution endoscopy (HRE) and visible abnormalities recorded. Acetic acid (2.5%) dye spray was then performed, and all additional visible abnormalities were characterised and targeted biopsies taken. Quadrantic biopsies at 2 cm intervals of the remaining Barretts epithelium were then taken in all patients. The chromoendoscopic diagnosis was compared with the histological diagnosis to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of AA chromoendoscopy. Results We performed a total of 335 procedures on 173 patients. The mean age of the group was 67 years with 75% males. The prevalence of dysplasia or malignancy in this cohort was 46%. The mean length of Barrett's oesophagus was 3.7 cm (range 2–15) Pearson's rank correlation showed a statistically significant correlation between the chromoendoscopic targeted histology and the actual histology (qudrantic+targeted histology) (r=0.9). We applied the Chi2 test to our data and found a significant difference between visible neoplasia seen on WLI vs AA chromoendoscopy (p<0.001) (see Abstract 004). The sensitivity was 93% with a specificity of 80% for all neoplasia Abstract PP-004 Histology (A) WLI (B) Chromoendoscopy (C) Change in diagnosis (C/B) Normal 181 258 153 0.6-fold Dysplasia 113 61 148 2.5-fold Cancer 41 16 34 2.1-fold p<0.001 Conclusion This is the largest world series of acetic acid (AA) chromoendoscopic evaluation of Barrett's oesophagus. It demonstrates that dye spray improves the neoplasia detection rate by 2.4-fold, with an excellent correlation with the overall diagnosis. this questions the validity of current surveillance strategy of multiple random biopsies.


According to related research, energy consumption can be effectively reduced by using energy management information of smart grids. In smart grid architecture, electricity suppliers can monitor, predicate, and control energy generation/consumption in real time. Users can know the current price of electrical energy and obtain energy management information from smart meters. It helps users reduce home's energy use. However, electricity consumptions of users may divulge the privacy information of users. Therefore, privacy of users and communication security of the smart grid become crucial security issues. This paper presents a secure power-usage data aggregation scheme for smart grid. Electricity suppliers can learn about the current power usage of each neighborhood to arrange energy supply and distribution without knowing the individual electricity consumption of each user. This is the first scheme against internal attackers, and it provides secure batch verification. Additionally, the security of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by formal proofs.


This work presents the analysis of the essence and possibilities of protection of the Rainbow post-quantum cryptographic algorithm. The main properties of the Rainbow algorithm and the general essence of cryptographic encryption and electronic signature algorithms based on multivariate quadratic transformations are determined. The main provisions regarding the protocols are given. Analyses are given regarding the ability to protect the algorithm against various attacks. The vulnerability of the algorithm to attack by third-party channels is investigated. The general provisions of the algorithm are considered. The algorithm is presented and considered from a mathematical point of view, as well as the mathematical essence of cryptographic algorithms for encryption and electronic signature based on multivariate quadratic transformations. The application of various methods of cryptanalysis against cryptographic algorithm based on multivariate quadratic Rainbow transformations is studied. The method of decreasing rank against the Rainbow algorithm is analyzed. The method of cryptanalysis by attacking the Oil-Vinegar scheme and the method of cryptanalysis "minranku method" are investigated. The attack is studied using a multilayer structure.


The spectral responsivity of Ge photodiodes and thin-film thermopiles has been measured between 1 µm and 20 µm. These detectors are used as transfer standards for the spectral responsivity measurements made at the Nederlands Meetinstituut-Van Swinden Laboratorium (NMi-VSL) monochromator-based cryogenic radiometer facility. For measurements beyond 2.5 µm we used an Ar maxi-arc as infrared source in combination with a single-grating monochromator. Below 2.5 µm a quartz-tungsten-halogen lamp is used as light source in conjunction with a double-grating monochromator. An optical system based on three mirrors is used to match the f-numbers of the monochromator and cryogenic radiometer with negligible residual astigmatism. In this paper we discuss the design of the facility, the characteristics of the transfer standards used and the estimated uncertainty budget of the infrared measurements.


Abstract. Persistent hypoxic bottom waters have developed in the
Lower St Lawrence Estuary (LSLE) and have impacted fish and benthic species
distributions. Minimum dissolved oxygen concentrations decreased from
∼ 125 µmol L−1 (38 % saturation) in the 1930s to
∼ 65 µmol L−1 (21 % saturation) in 1984.
Minimum dissolved oxygen concentrations remained at hypoxic levels (< 62.5 µM = 2 mg L−1 or 20 % saturation) between 1984 and 2019, but
in 2020, they suddenly decreased to ∼ 35 µmol L−1.
Concurrently, bottom-water temperatures in the LSLE have increased
progressively from ∼ 3 ∘C in the 1930s to nearly
7 ∘C in 2021. The main driver of deoxygenation and warming in the
bottom waters of the Gulf of St Lawrence and St Lawrence Estuary is a change in the
circulation pattern in the western North Atlantic, more specifically a
decrease in the relative contribution of younger, well-oxygenated and cold
Labrador Current Waters to the waters of the Laurentian Channel, a deep
valley that extends from the continental shelf edge, through Cabot Strait,
the gulf and to the head of the LSLE. Hence, the warmer, oxygen-depleted
North Atlantic Central Waters carried by the Gulf Stream now make up nearly
100 % of the waters entering the Laurentian Channel. The areal extent of
the hypoxic zone in the LSLE has varied since 1993 when it was first
estimated at 1300 km2. In 2021, it reached 9400 km2,
extending well into the western Gulf of St Lawrence. Severely hypoxic
waters are now also found at the end of the two deep channels that branch
out from the Laurentian Channel, namely, the Esquiman Channel and Anticosti Channel.


A new report on global ocean science concludes that major ocean programs have had an important impact on ocean science. Furthermore saying that the large-scale global and integrative nature of some of the present scientific challenges will require them in the future, the report has recommended creation of a new interdisciplinary unit in the research section of the National Science Foundation's Ocean Sciences Division (NSF/OCE). The unit would encourage interdisciplinary research and manage a broad spectrum of projects. Whatever approach NSF/OCE follows, the report states that it is important to maintain the flexibility to consider a number of options regarding the design and execution of future programs based on the complexity and nature of the scientific challenges they address, and ensure that work conducted by individual investigators in the core disciplines remains healthy.


Slahung river in Balong sub-district has River Flow Area 56.96 km2. In Ponorogo, especially Balong sub-district, there are often flooding in raining season. One of them caused by Slahung river which in general needed special handling. It caused by the inability of the river to intercept water flow. The concept of the river management was flood control system with longitudinal section construction along the left and right the river.
To find out the flood debt, counted by Nakayasu and rational method with repeating 10 years as the rain fall rate. From the calculation, there found total debt 150,058 m3/det, so it needed a river longitudinal section widen. After analyzing the water profile using standard phase method by dividing 80 poles and the duct wide, planned until finding a fit profile. River dimension in 1:1 slope, planned embankment with sand graving. After controlling the seepage and counting its stability, there found a save longitudinal section. The analysis fulfill the safety condition fit with the safety factor allowed.


For several reasons, children and youth with a disability or chronic health condition are at an increased risk of sexual abuse. Health care providers, along with parents and caregivers, need to maintain a high level of suspicion concerning possible sexual abuse of this population. Physicians especially need to advocate for policies to prevent or detect abuse in hospitals, schools and other institutional settings. Such policies include the thorough screening and monitoring of employees and volunteers; chaperoning physical examinations and treatment procedures; supervising outings; and ensuring an institutional culture that promotes patient privacy. In addition, physicians should promote patient self-awareness and empowerment, and provide early anticipatory guidance concerning sexuality, personal empowerment and abuse risks. The present document replaces the previous Canadian Paediatric Society position statement published in 1997.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, weight gain during pregnancy and small for gestational age (SGA) birth so as to provide evidence for the development of comprehensive prevention programs on SGA birth.

METHODS
Between March, 2012 and July, 2014, 4 754 pregnant women were asked to fill in the questionnaires which were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. Data related to general demographic characteristics, pregnancy and health status of those pregnant women was collected and maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and maternal weight gain were calculated. Subjects were divided into different groups before the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and weight gain during pregnancy on SGA birth were estimated.

RESULTS
The overall incidence of SGA birth was 9.26% (440/4 754). Proportions of SGA birth from pre-pregnant, underweight group, normal weight group, overweight and obese groups were 9.85%, 8.54% and 9.45%, respectively. Results from multi-factor logistic regression analyses showed that after adjusting the confounding factors as age, history on pregnancies etc., women with high pre-pregnancy BMI showed a lower incidence of SGA than those under normal pre-pregnancy BMI (OR = 0.714, 95% CI: 0.535-0.953). Different weight gains during pregnancy were statistically significant (χ(2) = 8.811, P = 0.012). Incidence of SGA birth that was below the recommended range in the 2009 Institute of Medicine Guidelines (12.20%) was higher than those within (9.23%) or beyond (8.45%) the recommended range. Results from the multi-factor logistic regression analyses showed that, after adjusting the confounding factors as age, pregnancy history etc., factor as weight gain below the recommended level could increase the risk of SGA (OR = 1.999, 95% CI: 1.487-2.685). In the underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese groups, with weight gain during pregnancy below the range, the incidence of SGA showed an increase (OR = 2.558, 95% CI: 1.313-4.981, OR = 1.804, 95% CI: 1.258-2.587, OR = 3.108, 95% CI: 1.237-7.811). There was no interaction of addictive or multiplicative models between these two factors under 'interaction analysis'.

CONCLUSION
Women with high pre-pregnancy BMI presented a lower incidence of SGA than those within the normal range. Insufficient weight gain during pregnancy could increase the risk of SGA delivery. These findings called for attention to be paid to the gestational weight gain, in order to decrease the risk of SGA.


A cellulosic component was extracted from low-value palm tree wastes, empty fruit bunches, and functionalized through grafting with acrylic acid in a previous study. The as-synthesized poly(acrylic acid)/cellulose graft copolymer was applied in the current study as an adsorbent for the removal of the cationic dye methylene blue and the heavy metal lead from industrial wastewater. Factors and parameters that govern the adsorption process were studied during the experimental portion of this study. These factors included the effect of agitation duration, adsorbate medium pH, adsorbent dose, adsorbent graft yield, and initial adsorbate concentration on the efficiency of the said adsorption processes. The data obtained from the adsorption of either methylene blue or lead ions onto the graft copolymer were well fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models.


Northeastern Pacific populations of the intertidal marine clam Lasaea are exclusively composed of polyploid asexual clones that lack pelagic larval development. We investigated the phylogeographic structure of this clonal assemblage by assaying genetic divergence in 4 populations along 2000 km of the west coast of North America. In each population a 462-nt portion of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase III gene was amplified and sequenced for 30 individuals. A total of 21 haplotypes were detected and phylogenetic analyses resolved this variation into 5 main branches that differ in sequence composition by 8.9-14.5%. Two of the branches each encompass a single haplotype, the other 3 terminate in clades containing 3-11 lineages and within clade divergence ranges from 0.4 to 2.3%. Obvious geographic structuring was evident in that 19 of the 21 lineages were restricted in their distributions to single populations and 3 of the main phylogenetic branches were limited to specific marine biogeographic provinces. Two of the clades were encountered in multiple, geographically distant populations; however, the absence of shared haplotypes indicates that long distance gene flow is rare among these direct-developing populations. Northeastern Pacific Lasaea clones form a robust monophyletic grouping relative to other studied populations of the cosmopolitan genus. We estimate divergence times among northeastern Pacific clones to range from 3 to 6 myr. If the latest common ancestor of these exclusively asexual, genetically diverse, regionally monophyletic Lasaea lineages was also asexual, this represents a minimal age estimate for asexuality in the genus. The most plausible alternate hypothesis requires that at least 5 northeastern Pacific sexual parental species have recently become extinct.


ABSTRACT This study employed eye-tracking as a direct measure of visual attention to examine 1) the potential distraction effects of sexual appeals and 2) whether product involvement moderates the effect of sexual appeals on attention and recall of advertisements. Results indicated the distraction effects of sexual imagery only occurred in low product involvement conditions because the presence of sexualized images negatively interfered with the processing of low product involvement advertisements by increasing visual attention to the sexualized model and reducing visual attention to non-sexual message execution elements. In high product involvement conditions, sexual appeals increased visual attention to image of the product but not copy or headline.


While the majority of patients benefit from front-line therapies for diabetes and dyslipidemia, others present with diminished responses. These differences in drug efficacy appear to be due, in large part, to genetic polymorphisms affecting pharmacokinetics and drug-target interactions. Many studies have been conducted in an attempt to elucidate the pharmacogenetic relationship between a wide range of polymorphisms and their effects on responsiveness to statins, hypoglycemics, insulin sensitizers, antihypertensives and antioxidants. Regarding most polymorphisms, the results of association studies have not been validated consistently across different population groups. This review will present some of these pharmacogenetic relationships, focusing on the haptoglobin polymorphism and the responsiveness to vitamin E supplementation.


Abstract Concentration of plutonium and other nuclides in sea spray could have important consequences where low-level waste is discharged to sea. Laboratory experiments show that plutonium is concentrated at the sea surface and in sea spray. In the spray the concentration of plutonium was enriched by one or two orders of magnitude relative to sodium.


Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We examined the in vitro and in vivo effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a FDA-approved histone deacetylase inhibitor, on EBV lytic cycle induction in NPC and investigated the cellular consequences. Micromolar concentrations of SAHA potently induced EBV lytic cycle with replication of EBV DNA, expression of immediate early (Zta and Rta), early (BMRF1) and late (gp350) lytic proteins and production of infectious viral particles in culture supernatants in three of four EBV-positive NPC cell lines. One NPC cell line had abortive EBV lytic cycle (no EBV DNA replication or late lytic protein expression) induction. Same concentrations of SAHA effected enhanced killing of EBV-positive NPC cells in comparison with EBV-negative counterparts, as measured by MTT assay. Increased percentages of annexin V-positive and TUNEL-positive cells and proteolytic cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-3, -7 and -9 in EBV-positive versus EBV-negative NPC were also observed. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry showed that the majority of NPC cells (>85%) expressing Zta, BMRF1 or gp350 lytic protein co-expressed cleaved caspase-3. Tracking of expression of EBV lytic protein and cleaved caspase-3 showed that proportion of NPC cells co-expressing EBV lytic protein and cleaved caspase-3 increased over time. Furthermore, knockdown of Zta expression by short-hairpin RNA significantly decreased proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3 in SAHA-treated EBV-positive NPC cells whilst overexpression of Zta induced apoptosis of EBV-positive NPC cells, confirming that lytic cycle induction programmed NPC cells to apoptosis. Interestingly, inhibition of EBV DNA replication and late lytic protein expression by phosphonoformic acid did not impact on SAHA9s induced cell death in NPC, suggesting that early rather than late phase of EBV lytic cycle contributed to the apoptotic effect. In vivo effects of SAHA on EBV lytic cycle induction and tumor growth suppression were observed in NPC xenografts established in nude mice. Taken together, our data indicated that activation of lytic cycle from latent cycle of EBV by SAHA effects apoptosis and tumor growth suppression of NPC thereby providing experimental evidence for virus-targeted therapy against EBV-positive cancer. This project is funded by NPC Area of Excellence (AoE/M 06/08 Center for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research) and Epstein-Barr virus research (# 20004525) grants of AKSC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4715. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4715


Abstract. In the context of building renovation, energy audits of buildings are performed in order to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Infrared cameras allow analyzing precisely the energetic performances and the thermal comfort of a building and the analysis of thermal images of buildings represents a key step on the way to the reduction of energy consumption. In the last few years, the combination of thermal and metric information has been increasingly studied. The geometry provides the exact location of defects and enables accurate energy analysis. This paper focuses on the automatic analysis of facades point clouds with thermal attributes. The aim of our work is to extract windows and thermal bridges by considering both geometric and thermal features. The extraction of objects or zones of interest in thermal data consists in the detection of significant temperature variations. The developed approach, mainly based on the automatic analysis of histograms, is applied to a point cloud acquired by a Mobile Mapping Unit.


A review has been made of the development of the neon flash tube, from its introduction by Conversi in 1955, up to the present day. Particular attention is paid to the problems which arose from attempts to use flash tube arrays on accelerator experiments, namely the long sensitive and recovery times of the tubes, and the loss of efficiency at high event rates, caused by internal clearing fields. The problems arising from attempts to describe analytically the flash tube discharge mechanism are also discussed. An investigation of the decay mechanisn of the internal clearing fields has been made, which indicated that the effect may be overcome by decreasing the surface resistance of the outer wall of the flash tube. A description of a gamma ray detector, utilising flash tubes as the detecting elements, interspersed with lead absorber, is included. The energy and spatial resolutions are found to compare favourably with those of more complex and expensive detectors. The problems arising from the use of this detector in the e(^+) test beam at the Daresbury Laboratory are discussed.


The spectrum of the two-particle spin-singlet (ΔSz = 0,±1) excitations of a weakly coupled antiferromagnetic spin-1/2 alternating (J1±δ) chain is calculated using a mean-field approximation for the interchain exchange (J2) by the quantum Monte Carlo method. The bandwidth change of these excitations, the mass gaps in the singlet-singlet excitation spectrum, the top boundaries of the bands and the velocities of these excitations are estimated as functions of the alternating bond δ. The temperatures at which the singlet gaps close are determined.


The phenomenon of DNA phosphorothioation (DNA sulfur modification) is widespread among prokaryotes and may serve as a mechanism to restrict gene transfer among bacteria. DndE is one of five essential proteins that are required for the DNA phosphorothioation process. However, its exact biochemical role in sulfur modification of DNA remains unclear. In this study, the DndE protein homologue from Salmonella enterica serovar Cerro 87 was overexpressed, purified and crystallized. The crystals of the DndE protein diffracted to 2.7 Å resolution and belonged to space group P3(1)21. These results will facilitate detailed structural analysis of DndE and further elucidation of its biochemical function.


Two-phase capillary loops are being extensively studied as heat collection and rejection systems for space applications as they appear to satisfy several requirements like low weight, low volume, temperature control under variable heat loads and/or heat sink, operation on ground and 0-g, simple mounting and heat transfer through tortuous paths. A Deployable Radiator with Loop Heat Pipe (LHP) with a heat transport capability of 1500 W has been defined and conceived by Alenia, and developed by Lavochkin Association under Alenia contract. In this paper a detailed description of the Deployable Radiator (and of its 1000 W LHP precursor) is presented, with emphasis on the areas that required research activities to improve performances. First test results are presented and discussed.


AIMS
We describe the set-up of a population-based study focussed on respiratory conditions, and describe a pilot study - the PULmons SAns Illes Balears (PULSAIB) study - aimed at investigating the natural history of COPD, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and other common chronic diseases.

METHODS
A cross-sectional study was designed to survey two fieldwork areas, one rural and one urban, in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Tests conducted included a questionnaire, spirometry with post-bronchodilator (PBD) test, and portable respiratory polygraphy.

RESULTS
We assessed all processes and tools to be used, and piloted them in 175 participants from Bunyola (rural) and 130 participants from the Son Pizà area (urban). Within this first cross-sectional assessment of the Balearic population aged 30 to 80 years, we report the prevalence of airflow limitation defined as a PBD FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7 and the prevalence of OSA defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) >10/hour.

CONCLUSION
A cohort study in the Balearic population to investigate the natural history of COPD and OSA is feasible.


Contrast agents are commonly applied to tissue in vitro and in vivo to aid in the extraction of diagnostically useful information from the sample. For example, staining techniques are commonly used to highlight cellular structures when using light microscopy to examine tissue samples. On a more gross level, sensitive differentiation between normal tissue and neoplasia in various tissue sites has been recently demonstrated through the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid induced protoporphyrin IX fluorescence [1].


Guanylin 99-115 is a small human peptide hormone with two disulfide bonds. The four cysteinyl residues in this peptide allow the formation of two disulfide bridges in three different ways but only the 1-3/2-4 combination is able to bind to the receptor and cause an increase of intracellular cGMP, while the other isomers are biologically inactive. Using guanylin 99-115 as a model peptide, the aim of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to distinguish the differently bridged isomers directly by tandem mass spectrometry. Guanylin isomers were generated by performing an air oxidation of fully reduced guanylin 1-3/2-4 obtained by chemical synthesis. The reaction product is a mixture of guanylin 1-4/2-3 and guanylin 1-2/3-4 in a ratio of 3:1, but there is virtually no guanylin 1-3/2-4. The two biologically inactive peptides were separated by reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using low-energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry, it was possible to distinguish unambiguously between the three guanylin isomers. This was possible due to the identification of a large number of fragments with intact disulfide bonds. Accordingly, this strategy of a direct and sensitive analysis should work as well for other peptides, with the potential to determine an undefined disulfide bond pattern.


Sepsis is characterized by multiple organ dysfunction, tissue damage and hyper-inflammation. Peganum harmala (PH) is a plant considered for its antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogen and antiinflammatory properties. This study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of PH extract on tissues and cytokines in sepsis induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) in rats. Forty rats were divided into five groups. Groups were sham-operated (control), CLP, 90 mg/kg PH-treated CLP, 180 mg/kg PH-treated CLP and 180 mg/kg PH-treated control healthy. Animals were sacrificed at the 16th h of the study. Biochemical and histopathological analyses were performed in lung, kidney and blood samples. Both 90 mg/kg and 180 mg/kg doses of PH decreased the level of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), and high dose of PH reduced the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the serum compared to CLP group. The PH also increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total levels of glutathione (GSH) in the lung and kidney tissues of septic rats. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the lung and kidney tissues was reduced in both PH treated CLP groups. The histopathological results were in accordance with the biochemical results. The CLP + 180 mg/kg PH group had the lowest inflammation score in the lung. In conclusion, the administration of PH has prevented the oxidative stress, the cytokine response and the inflammation in CLP-induced septic rats.


This report makes several policy conclusions related to urban poverty and development in Uruguay and potentially the rest of Latin America. First, policies which prioritize improvements in access to quality basic services, particularly education, health, transportation, social assistance, more flexible land use policies, as well as public information for those in marginal areas could help to provide an important link to jobs and human capital development, and reduce some of the facets of social exclusion. New community based programs designed and implemented by neighborhood members based on specific needs, or expansion of existing community programs, could also help to reverse the marginalization process. Second are policies related to housing. Policies that foster the maintenance of traditional integrated neighborhoods, or minimize the concentration of the poor in marginal neighborhoods, may mitigate the exclusion process. Such policies, while politically popular, should be investigated. Finally, the aggregate numbers on inequality appear to mask what is happening at a more disaggregated level such as the neighborhood. While income inequality for the country as a whole only shifted slightly during the 1989-1996 period, the within and between area changes were significant. The results of the analysis also show that polarization is not symmetric - poor individuals are clustering more, but higher income areas still have a higher income variance and more inequality.


Cushing's syndrome in childhood is generally recognized by classical features such as truncal obesity, striae, easy bruising, moon facies, hypertension and growth retardation. Exceptionally, Cushing's syndrome has been reported to present as growth failure alone. We diagnosed transient hypercortisolism in 6 children who had poor growth as their only presenting abnormality. The 6 children all had integrated concentrations of cortisols (IC-F) (14.1 +/- 1.7 micrograms/dl; mean +/- 1 SD) which exceeded the IC-F in healthy children and adults (5.7 +/- 1.5 micrograms/dl; P less than 0.001). The IC-F of these 6 index cases overlapped the range of IC-F in patients with pathologically proven Cushing's syndrome (20.2 +/- 4.7 micrograms/dl). Four of the 6 patients were treated with human growth hormone for 8 months and showed a marked improvement in their growth rates. Four patients have entered puberty and are growing at normal rates. Three of the 6 children had normal repeat IC-Fs, subsequently, at a time they had normal growth rates. In 1-1/2 to 3 years of follow-up, none of the patients developed any other stigmata of Cushing's syndrome. We conclude that transient hypercortisolism, documented by the IC-F, may cause growth failure without other symptoms of Cushing's syndrome. Growth hormone therapy may improve the growth rate of these children at the time of their poor growth.


At the beginning of this article, there is a brief outline of the nature of the curriculum and models. This leads into a discussion of curriculum models in which 'product' and 'process' models are set out and discussed. The strengths and weaknesses of both approaches to the curriculum are outlined and issues relating to the choice of model are advanced. When we reflect on the curriculum, we ought to keep a number of things in our thoughts. There are the needs of individual patients and how these might best be met, and there are the needs of the students. Beyond the individual, there are societal needs; the need for an efficient and a humane service. Coupled with this is the need for skilled manpower to provide this service. There are also vocational aspects. Vocational is taken here to mean fitted for the task. To be fitted for the task means having a store of relevant know/edge, supported by a foundation of science and a motive of service, and the ability to apply this knowledge in a variety of circumstances. It means using this knowledge in an ethically acceptable way which embodies respect for persons. And it also means an understanding of the ethics, morals and values; in other words it means going through a process of socialization.


Understanding effects of spring N rates and application timing on seed yield and yield components of cool-season grass seed crops will help improve N fertilization management. We tested effects of 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 kg N ha -1 , applied at the double-ridge (DR) stage of development on seed yield and yield components of Chewing's fescue [Festuca rubra L. subsp.fallax (Thuill.) Nyman; syn. F. rubra var. commutata Gaudin], tall fescue (F. arundinacea Schreb.), and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) in 1985 and 1986. In a second study, effects of 120 kg N ha -1 , applied either at DR, at spikelet initiation (SI), or equally split between the two stages, were tested. Soil type for both experiments was fine-silty, mixed, mesic Aquultic Argixerolls. Chewing's fescue seed yield was not affected by N rates in 1985 and was the greatest at 90 kg N ha 1 in 1986. Averaged across years, orchardgrass seed yield was the greatest at 120 kg N ha -1 . Nitrogen rates did not affect seed yield of tall fescue. Seed yield of all species was most closely correlated with the number of seeds produced per unit area. Seed number per unit area was primarily correlated with the number of seeds produced per panicle in all species; in orchardgrass, the number of panicles per unit area also contributed to total number of seeds produced. Seed yields of all three species were the greatest when N was applied at DR. Split application was not better than application of all N at DR or SI. We concluded that in western Oregon spring application of 90 kg N ha -1 for Chewing's fescue and tall fescue and 120 kg N ha -1 for orchardgrass should be adequate for seed production. For all species, spring N should be applied in one application at DR.


Abstract This essay places Diderot's materialist philosophy articulated in Paradox of the Actor in the late nineteenth century, alongside emerging thinking from neurobiology. Taking Diderot's pursuit for the recognition acting as an art as a point of departure, it reflects on the labour of the actor as awareness within multiple cognitions: impulse, sensation and action. The discussion maps various examples including Stanislavsky in the early 1900s through to contemporary more regulated techniques like Susana Bloch's Alba Emoting method and Phillip Zarrilli's psychophysical approach. It considers the language of neuroscience in explicating the nuances of technique in acting and proposes that good acting requires a mastery of self at a neural level.


The tempo and change in bone growth during puberty in relation to physical growth is described in a cohort of 56 boys and 52 girls. Distal forearm bone width, mineral content and volumetric density, anthropometry and pubertal status were measured at ages 11, 13, 15 and 17 y, and bone age at 17 y. Bone width and mineral content increased independently with age for each pubertal stage. Volumetric density fell during early puberty and then increased rapidly. Maximal increase of all bone variables occurred earlier in girls than in boys and earliest for bone width, then mineral content, then density. In girls most change occurred in the 12 mo before and after menarche. The degree of tracking was similar to that for height. Bone growth followed physical growth but at a slower tempo. By age 17 y boys had attained 86% of the reference adult bone mineral content and volumetric density; girls had attained 93% of the reference adult bone mineral content and 94% of volumetric density. Those skeletally mature at 17 y had greater mineral content and volumetric density. To maximize peak bone mass, modifiable environmental factors should be optimized before the onset of puberty and be maintained throughout this period of rapid growth and beyond attainment of sexual maturity.


Children's Hospital of Philadelphia The tear-out pages of the HANDBOOK have been a popular feature of CLINICAL PEDIATRICS for several years. In 1972 Handbook II began with the January issue. You may obtain loose-leaf binders for HANDBOOK II at a cost of $1.50. HANDBOOK I is still available and consists of 308 pages. The price is $7.75 including binder and postage. Write to Mr. James W. Bradley, Circulation Manager,


As unemployment rises across the European Union (EU), it is important to understand the extent to which the incomes of the new unemployed are protected by tax–benefit systems and to assess the cost pressures on the social protection systems of this increase in unemployment. This chapter uses the EU tax–benefit model EUROMOD to explore these issues, comparing effects in five EU countries. It provides evidence on the differing degrees of resilience of the household incomes of the newly unemployed due to the variations in the protection offered by the tax–benefit systems, according to whether unemployment benefit is payable, the household situation of the unemployed person and across countries.


Existing model-free approaches to determine cerebral blood flow by external residue detection show a marked dependence of flow estimates on tracer arrival delays and dispersion. In theory, this dependence can be circumvented by applying a specific model of vascular transport and tissue flow heterogeneity. The authors present a method to determine flow heterogeneity by magnetic resonance residue detection of a plasma marker. Probability density functions of relative flows measured in six healthy volunteers were similar among tissue types and volunteers, and were in qualitative agreement with literature measurements of capillary red blood cell and plasma velocities. Combining the measured flow distribution with a model of vascular transport yielded excellent model fits to experimental residue data. Fitted gray-to-white flow-rate ratios were in good agreement with PET literature values, as well as a model-free singular value decomposition (SVD) method in the same subjects. The vascular model was found somewhat sensitive to data noise, but showed far less dependence on vascular delay and dispersion than the model-free SVD approach.


RL5, a gene coding for a novel polyphenol oxidase, was identified through activity screening of a metagenome expression library from bovine rumen microflora. Characterization of the recombinant protein produced in Escherichia coli revealed a multipotent capacity to oxidize a wide range of substrates (syringaldazine > 2,6-dimethoxyphenol > veratryl alcohol > guaiacol > tetramethylbenzidine > 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol > 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) >> phenol red) over an unusually broad range of pH from 3.5 to 9.0. Apparent Km and kcat values for ABTS, syringaldazine, and 2,6-dimetoxyphenol obtained from steady-state kinetic measurements performed at 40 °C, pH 4.5, yielded values of 26, 0.43, and 0.45 μm and 18, 660, and 1175 s-1, respectively. The Km values for syringaldazine and 2,6-dimetoxyphenol are up to 5 times lower, and the kcat values up to 40 times higher, than values previously reported for this class of enzyme. RL5 is a 4-copper oxidase with oxidation potential values of 745, 400, and 500 mV versus normal hydrogen electrode for the T1, T2, and T3 copper sites. A three-dimensional model of RL5 and site-directed mutants were generated to identify the copper ligands. Bioinformatic analysis of the gene sequence and the sequences and contexts of neighboring genes suggested a tentative phylogenetic assignment to the genus Bacteroides. Kinetic, electrochemical, and EPR analyses provide unequivocal evidence that the hypothetical proteins from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and from E. coli, which are closely related to the deduced protein encoded by the RL5 gene, are also multicopper proteins with polyphenol oxidase activity. The present study shows that these three newly characterized enzymes form a new family of functional multicopper oxidases with laccase activity related to conserved hypothetical proteins harboring the domain of unknown function DUF152 and suggests that some other of these proteins may also be laccases.


Since 2010, researchers have inhabited indigenous settlements, conducting field studies on the ways of preserving indigenous peoples' unique economic, environmental and cultural practices. The processes of new industrial reclamation of the Siberian Arctic have a direct effect on the area's indigenous populations living in the Arctic zone, including the Turukhan Area and Taymyr's Dolgano-Nenets Municipal District within the Krasnoyarsk Krai. In this area, traditional economic activities are practiced by the Nenets, the Evenks, the Evens, the Nganasans, the Dolgans, and the Selkups. The majority of experts believe that creating traditional nature management areas with a proper legal underpinning will enable a shift from the policy of state paternalism to the policy of strategic partnership between indigenous peoples and large financial and industrial groups, with state and local authorities assuming the role of mediators and guarantors. The Krasnoyarsk Krai is currently in the process of building a legal foundation for the creation of traditional nature management areas locally, which may make it possible to implement the ethnocultural standards of improving the quality of living for the Siberian Arctic's indigenous minorities. Keywords: Siberian Arctic, traditional economics, regional development JEL Classifications: R1, R5, Z1


Immunity development known as one of effective ways in avoiding infection. Antibacterial agent product isolated from Lactobacillus acidophillus has been  reported can activate T lymphocyte as part of adaptive immunity. This experimental study aimed at investigation of lactic acid and bacteriocins filtrate from L. acidophillus in modulating phagocytosis activity of human macrophages infected by enteropathogenic Esch e richia coli (EPEC). Each of human macrophages culture was supplemented with lactic acid and bacteriocins filtrate at concentration of 3.125, 6.25, and 12.5 µg mL -1 as well as control without filtrate addition and incubated for 24 h. Macrophages culture was then infected with EPEC for 30 minutes and was microscopically observed after being stained by Giemsa. Percentage of phagocytosis activity was gained from active macrophages in 100 observed cells. Macrophages cultures supplemented with bacteriocins filtrate showed augmented phagocytosis activity while cultures supplemented with lactic acid filtrate showed decreased phagocytosis activity. ANOVA analysis showed significant difference in phagocytosis activity of macrophage cultures supplemented with lactic acid (p=0,038) and bacteriocins (p=0,016 and 0,023). Tukey HSD analysis for phagocytosis activity of macrophage cultures supplemented by bacteriocins, each group of treatment showed significant difference againts control. In conclusion, lactic acid from L.acidophillus has no effect in modulation of macrophages phagocytosis activity while bacteriocins can improve phagocytic activity. Bacteriocins from L. acidophillus then can be suggested to have a role as immunomodulator.


Since 2014, the U.S. Geological Survey has been working in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, Mono County, Ormat Technologies, Inc., and the Mammoth Community Water District to design and implement a groundwater-monitoring program for the proposed Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Power Project in Long Valley Caldera, California, to characterize baseline groundwater-level, watertemperature, and water-chemistry conditions at dedicated monitoring wells and municipal supply wells. The publicly available data and the analyses provided here represent quality-assured and peer-reviewed information to help with the management of the thermal and non-thermal water resources beneath and in the vicinity of the town of Mammoth Lakes, California. The methods of data collection for continuous water levels and quarterly water-temperature profiles for two 600-foot-deep monitoring wells during 2016 through 2017 are discussed. Also discussed are the methods of water-sample collection and characterizations of the water chemistry in numerous wells in the multilayered aquifer system beneath Mammoth Lakes. Additionally, the methodology used to develop digital (mathematical) filters to remove or reduce the effects of barometric pressure and solid Earth tides on the continuous water-level records is discussed. Digitally filtered water levels for a 2017 flow test of a deep geothermal production well are described, and various aquifer responses observed during the flow test are discussed. These are further considered in a companion evaluation of potential physical and chemical influences on the water-level data collected during the flow test. The digitally filtered water-level data indicated that some hydraulic communication exists between the deep geothermal aquifer and shallow groundwater aquifer at the location of the flow test, northeast of Mammoth Lakes. Groundwaterchemistry data from three wells indicated that shallow groundwater naturally mixes with a small component of geothermal water along the northern periphery of the shallow aquifer system at Mammoth Lakes.


Objective To identify factors associated with massive postpartum bleeding in pregnancies complicated by incomplete placenta previa located on the posterior uterine wall. Methods A retrospective case-control study was performed. We identified 210 healthy singleton pregnancies with incomplete placenta previa located on the posterior uterine wall, who underwent elective or emergency cesarean section after 24 weeks of gestation between January 2006 and April 2016. The cases with intraoperative blood loss (≥2,000 mL) or transfusion of packed red blood cells (≥4) or uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy were defined as massive bleeding. Results Twenty-three women experienced postpartum profuse bleeding (11.0%). After multivariable analysis, 4 variables were associated with massive postpartum hemorrhage (PPH): experience of 2 or more prior uterine curettage (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29 to 15.48; P=0.018), short cervical length before delivery (<2.0 cm) (aOR, 7.13; 95% CI, 1.01 to 50.25; P=0.049), fetal non-cephalic presentation (aOR, 12.48; 95% CI, 1.29 to 121.24; P=0.030), and uteroplacental hypervascularity (aOR, 6.23; 95% CI, 2.30 to 8.83; P=0.001). Conclusion This is the first study of cases with incomplete placenta previa located on the posterior uterine wall, which were complicated by massive PPH. Our findings might be helpful to guide obstetric management and provide useful information for prediction of massive PPH in pregnancies with incomplete placenta previa located on the posterior uterine wall.


: Seagrasses provide a multitude of ecosystem services and serve as important organic carbon stores. However, seagrass habitats are declining worldwide, threatened by global climate change and regional shifts in water quality. Acoustical methods have been applied to assess changes in oxygen production of seagrass meadows since sound propagation is sensitive to the presence of bubbles, which exist both within the plant tissue and freely floating the water as byproducts of photosynthesis. This work applies acoustic remote sensing techniques to characterize two different regions of a seagrass meadow: a densely vegetated meadow of Thalassia testudinum and a sandy region sparsely populated by isolated stands of T. testudinum . A Bayesian approach is applied to estimate the posterior probability distributions of the unknown model parameters. The sensitivity of sound to the void fraction of gas present in the seagrass meadow was established by the narrow marginal probability distributions that provided distinct estimates of the void fraction between the two sites. The absolute values of the estimated void fractions are biased by limitations in the forward model, which does not capture the full complexity of the seagrass environment. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate the potential use of acoustical methods to remotely sense seagrass health and density.


In "Power in the Balance: Presidents, Parties, and Legislatures in Peru and Beyond," Barry S. Levitt answers urgent questions about executive power in new democracies. He examines in rich detail the case of Peru, from President Alan Garcia s first term (1985 1990), to the erosion of democracy under President Alberto Fujimori (1990 2000), through the interim government of Valentin Paniagua (2000 2001) and the remarkable, if rocky, renewal of democracy culminating in Alejandro Toledo's 2001 2006 presidency. This turbulent experience with democracy brings into clear focus the functioning of formal political institutions constitutions and electoral laws, presidents and legislatures, political parties and leaders while also exposing the informal side of Peru s national politics over the course of two decades.Levitt's study of politics in Peru also provides a test case for his regional analysis of cross-national differences and change over time in presidential power across eighteen Latin American countries. In Peru and throughout Latin America, Levitt shows, the rule of law itself and the organizational forms of political parties have a stronger impact on legislative-executive relations than do most of the institutional traits and constitutional powers that configure the formal "rules of the game" for high politics. His findings, and their implications for improving the quality of new democracies everywhere, will surprise promoters, practitioners, and scholars of democratic politics alike."Barry S. Levitt has delivered an important and original analysis of presidential power, legislative-executive relations, party politics, and rule of law in Peru from 1985 through 2006, advancing a fresh perspective on the strengths and limitations of institutionalist analyses in the fragile new democracies of Latin America. His book will be of great significance to scholars and students studying democratization and legislative-executive relations in the region." Scott P. Mainwaring, Eugene and Helen Conley Professor of Political Science and Director of the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame"


Multiphase dc-dc converters are widely used in modern power electronics applications due to their advantages over single-phase converters. Such advantages include reduced current stress in both the switching devices and passive elements, reduced output current ripple, and so on. Although the output current ripple of a converter can be significantly reduced by virtue of the interleaving effect, the inductor current ripple cannot be reduced even with the interleaving PWM method. One way to solve this problem is to use a coupled inductor. However, care must be taken in designing the coupled inductor to maximize its performances. In this paper, a detailed analysis of a coupled inductor is conducted and the effect of a coupled inductor on current ripple reduction is investigated extensively. From this analysis, a UU core based coupled inductor structure is proposed to maximize the performance of the coupled inductor.


SMEs are the growth engine of the many countries economy and currently two thirds of the workforce work in this sector. They are also a good source of job creation, with positive hiring intentions. Intensive and supportive of SMEs and policy development remains the priority of the world's economics. Development of SMEs plays an important role in economic growth while reducing poverty and unemployment. In addition, SME development contributes to a reduction in inequitable income distribution, support social stability, and private sector development. Today, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are middle-class societies, which are the basis of sustainable economic development of many countries. In developed countries 70-90 percent of the total industries account for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The present study sought to investigate the recruitment and selection practices of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Mongolia. The research contributes to indicate that an understanding and adoption of formal and context specific aspects of recruitment and selection practices by owner/managers will help position the SME's at the forefront of socio-economic development. A major limitation of the study was a lack of current data on the addresses and locations of SMEs' as well as inadequate information to enhance easy classification and access. The present research contributes to knowledge by bringing to the fore specific and contextual issues that may influence recruitment and selection practices of SMEs.


High penetration of photovoltaic (PV) inverters in low voltage (LV) distribution network challenges the voltage stability due to interaction between multiple inverters and grid. As the main objective is to provide more power injection from VSC-based PV inverters, grid stability, reliability and power quality must be maintained or improved by adding cooperative control features to the grid-connected inverters. This paper first gives an overview of bilateral impacts between multiple distributed generations (DG) and grid. Regarding of these impacts, recent advances in static grid voltage support functionalities to increase penetration level are compared considering voltage rise limitation. Steady-state simulation study is realized in PSCAD/EMTDC and the results are discussed in terms of total generation efficiency.


A novel compression algorithm suitable for remote sensing applications is proposed. Exploiting the high density of edge points, textured regions are identified and removed from the encoding process. The rest of the image is encoded in the wavelet domain. Experimental results show significant improvements compared to standard coding approaches.


Restoration of aquatic ecosystems is a high priority regionally and globally, yet only recently have such efforts adopted holistic approaches that include the restoration of streams and rivers flowing to coastal areas. As the largest estuary in the US, the Chesapeake Bay has been the focus of one of the most high-profile restoration programs ever undertaken in North America. While the primary emphasis has been on tidal waters, freshwater tributary clean-up strategies have recently been developed. We have compiled the first comprehensive database of over 4700 existing river and stream restoration projects in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW) to examine where dollars are being spent, what issues motivate restoration, and what approaches are used. By conservative estimates, in excess of $400 million has been invested in restoration projects since 1990. The majority of projects were implemented to restore forest vegetation in riparian areas and improve water quality. Although the CBW has an extremely high density of restoration activities relative to other regions of the US, only 5.4% of the project records indicated that related monitoring of project performance has occurred. To provide cost-effective management solutions, we recommend that a centralized tracking system be developed that includes restoration projects associated with both tidal and non-tidal waterways, along with a substantial increase in investment in the comprehensive monitoring of individual projects following implementation.


BACKGROUND
Identification of individual factors associated with high defibrillation threshold (DFT) seems to be of high clinical importance. Impedance cardiography (ICG) may be used for non-invasive evaluation of the haemodynamic status. Whether ICG parameters may improve identification of patients with high DFT has not yet been examined.

AIM
To evaluate clinical risk factors of high DFT including ICG parameters.

METHODS
The study group included 69 patients with heart failure (aged 62.7 ± 9.5 years, NYHA class: I-III) selected for implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Clinical assessment included physical examination, echocardiography and ICG monitoring before and after defibrillation.

RESULTS
Initial defibrillation was unsuccessful in 17 (36.6%) patients. High DFT group was characterised by higher left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD ≥ 5.6 cm: 100.0% vs 70.2%; p = 0.01), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF < 30%: 76.5% vs 44.7%; p = 0.024), higher baseline thoracic fluid content (one of ICG parameters) (TFC ≥ 35 1/kOhm: 29.4% vs 6.4%; p = 0.014) and more frequent amiodarone treatment (41.2% vs 14.9%; p = 0.025). A proposed algorithm based on predefined values of TFC, LVEF and LVEDD was shown to be effective in predicting high DFT (area under curve: 0.771).

CONCLUSIONS
Risk factors of high DFT include left ventricular enlargement, low LVEF, high TFC and amiodarone treatment. An algorithm including TFC measurement by ICG increases the efficacy of identification of patients with high DFT.


We report the results of temporal and spectral analysis performed on the X-ray pulsar 4U 1538[52 observed by BeppoSAX. We obtained a new estimate of the spin period of the neutron star P\ 528.24^ 0.01 s (corrected for the orbital motion of the X-ray source) : the source is still in the spin-up state, as it has been since 1988. The pulse proÐle is double peaked, although signiÐcant variations of the relative intensity of the peaks with energy are present. The broadband (0.12È100 keV) out-ofeclipse spectrum is well described by an absorbed power law modiÐed by a high-energy cuto† at D16 keV (e-folding energy D10 keV) plus an iron emission line at D6.4 keV. A cyclotron line at D21 keV is present. The width of the line is consistent with thermal Doppler broadening at the temperature of the exponential cuto†. We searched for the presence of the second harmonic, previously reported for this source. We found no evidence of lines at D42 keV, although an absorption feature at 51 keV seems to be present (at 99% conÐdence level). A soft excess, modeled by a blackbody with a temperature of D0.08 keV could be present, probably emitted by the matter at the magnetosphere. We also performed a spectral analysis during the X-ray eclipse. The spectral evolution during the eclipse can be well described by a progressive covering of the primary Comptonization spectrum that is scattered into the line of sight. During the deep eclipse this spectrum also softens, suggesting that the dust-scattered component becomes important. An alternative, more complex model, with an emission iron line and scattered components (as the one that has been used to Ðt the eclipse of Cen X-3), also gives a good Ðt of the deepeclipse data. Subject headings : pulsars : general È stars : individual (4U 1538[52) È stars : neutron È X-rays : stars


Of uttermost importance is the fact that forecasting macroeconomic variables provides a clear picture of what the state of the economy will be in future (Sultana et al, 2013). Nothing is more important to the conduct of monetary policy than understanding and predicting inflation (Kohn, 2005). Inflation is the scourge of the modern economy and is feared by central bankers globally and forces the execution of unpopular monetary policies. Inflation usually makes some people unfairly rich and impoverishes others and therefore it is an economic pathology that stands in the way of any sustainable economic growth and development. Models that make use of GARCH, as highlighted by Ruzgar & Kale (2007); vary from predicting the spread of toxic gases in the atmosphere to simulating neural activity but Financial Econometrics remains the leading discipline and apparently dominates the research on GARCH. The main objective of this study is to model monthly inflation rate volatility in Zimbabwe over the period July 2009 to July 2018. Our diagnostic tests indicate that our sample has the characteristics of financial time series and therefore, we can employ a GARCH – type model to model and forecast conditional volatility. The results of the study indicate that the estimated model, the AR (1) – GARCH (1, 1) model; is indeed an AR (1) – IGARCH (1, 1) process and is not only appropriate but also the best. Since the study provides evidence of volatility persistence for Zimbabwe's monthly inflation data; monetary authorities ought to take into cognisance the IGARCH behavioral phenomenon of monthly inflation rates in order to design an appropriate monetary policy.


A 5 year old girl hailing from Keraniganj, presented with the complaints of fever, periumbilical pain and vomiting. In vomitus, Fasciolopsis buski worm in adult form was identified by naked eye examination. In stool, ova of Fasciolopsis buski were also observed under microscope. Clinically she was pale and had hepatomegaly. Microcytic hypochromic anaemia with normal liver function test was found on lab investigation. She was diagnosed as a case of Fasciolopsiasis and treated with Praziquantel and on follow up visit she was found to be free of symptom.


We study a class of extended quintessence cosmologies where the scalar field playing the role of the dark energy is exponentially coupled to the Ricci scalar. We find that the dynamics induced by the effective gravitational potential in the Klein–Gordon equation dominates the motion of the field in the early universe. The resulting 'R-boost' trajectory is characterized by a kinetic dark energy density, given by [3ρmnr0(1+z)]2[32ρr0ωJBD0]−1, where ωJBD0, ρr0 and ρmnr0 are calculated at present, and represent the Jordan–Brans–Dicke parameter, the density of relativistic matter and of those species which are non-relativistic at redshift z, respectively. We show that such a trajectory represents an attractor, equivalent to a tracking solution with equation of state w = −1/3, providing a large basin of attraction for the initial dark energy density regardless of the properties of the potential energy yielding acceleration today. We derive the up to date constraints from big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) on the present scenario, and we show that they are largely satisfied for interesting trajectories of the dark energy scalar field in the early universe. We compute the cosmological perturbation spectra in these cosmologies. For a fixed value of ωJBD 0, the projection and integrated Sachs–Wolfe effects on the cosmic microwave background anisotropy are considerably larger in the exponential case with respect to a quadratic non-minimal coupling, reflecting the fact that the effective gravitational constant depends exponentially on the dynamics of the field.


This article responds to recent calls for conceptual and methodological refinement, issued by uses-and-gratifications scholars (Rubin, 2009; Ruggiero, 2000), for studying emergent media. Noting that studies on the uses of the Internet have generated a list of gratifications that are remarkably similar to those obtained from older media, it identifies two measurement artifacts—(1) measures designed for older media are used to capture gratifications from newer media; and (2) gratifications are conceptualized and operationalized too broadly (e.g., information-seeking), thus missing the nuanced gratifications obtained from newer media. It challenges the notion that all gratifications are borne out of innate needs, and proposes that affordances of media technology can shape user needs, giving rise to new and distinctive gratifications. A sample of new gratifications and potential measures for those are provided.


Bence Jones proteins are typically found in patients with monoclonal plasma cell or related B-cell immunoproliferative disorders. Because of their monoclonal origin and resulting chemical homogeneity much of the fundamental information on immunoglobulin structure came initially from their analysis. Amino acid analyses of these components revealed an N-terminal variable (V) and C-terminal constant (C) domain as well as the existence within the V domain of hypervariable segments that account for the specificity and diversity of antibodies. Over the past three decades, the primary structures of hundreds of light chains (complete and partial), from human and other sources, have been determined, aligned, and archived. Bence Jones proteins and V{sub L} dimers were the crystallizable homogeneous proteins which provided much of the early three-dimensional conformational data that helped explain the structural basis of antibody function. Remarkably, a single Bence Jones protein in two solvent systems (low and high ionic strength) exhibited significant differences in the interactions of the two monomeric subunits comprising the dimer, resulting in substantial variation in the structure of the antigen combining site under the two solution conditions. This observation led to a prediction that heterogeneity of domain interactions may contribute to antibody-antigen interactions. Experimental support for this hypothesis has come from comparisons of the detailed structures of antibody-antigen complexes. The interactions at the interface of the V{sub L} dimer are a function of primary structure and solution conditions. Study of these interactions has led to new information on the relationship between protein structure and function and, as discussed below, can account for specific pathophysiological properties associated with Bence Jones proteins.


A 69-year-old woman with a history of multiple hospital attendances for cardiac and neurological symptoms, presented with multifocal cerebral infarcts due to embolisation from retained guide wires and was referred for retrieval of two wires. One was intracardiac and the other had migrated through major vascular structures, breeching anatomical boundaries. Just before surgery, she half-expectorated a 35 cm wire that was removed with a video laryngoscope. Three days later, the second wire had traversed the right ventricular myocardium in an attempt to exteriorise, and a 7 cm wire was removed by emergency left anterior mini-thoracotomy. Her recovery was uneventful.


One of the key issues in obstetric practice remains the lack or incompleteness of information on the teratogenicity of most drugs used by pregnant women. Uncertainty regarding teratogenic risks significantly affect the quality of information on drugs; nevertheless, counseling patients allows arriving at a more balanced solution regarding their risk in pregnancy. Determination of the most commonly taken drugs (prescription or OTC) in the first trimester of gestation and increase of knowledge on their embryofetal risks optimizes pharmacotherapy during pregnancy. Characteristics and epidemiological analysis of possible factors, including drugs, associated with the occurrence of congenital anomalies, are crucial for the development of prevention activities that have an impact on the incidence of defects.


With the development of spacecraft, the brittle materials like ceramics and glass have been used for significant components especially in optical and thermal systems. However, they are vulnerable to damage by hypervelocity impact of space debris and micrometeoroids. Against a backdrop of increasing number of space debris, impact-damage evaluation on brittle materials become a growing concern. In this study, a series of hypervelocity impact experiments has been conducted to evaluate internal damage propagation mechanism in a fused-silica-glass plate target by impacting a stainless steel projectile with 1-mm diameter in the velocity range around 2 km/s. Damage propagation behavior was observed from two directions simultaneously by means of in-situ shadowgraph coupled with an ultra-high-speed video camera. The observation concentrates on propagation behavior of lateral cracks and that of internal failure. The former is revealed to a mass of small cracks which were generated by passing of the surface stress wave. The latter propagation is affected by the longitudinal and transversal waves, the reflection of the spherical stress waves on the back surface of target. The failure propagates rapidly two times by the reflected waves: first rapid propagation was caused by tensile stress induced by the reflected longitudinal wave, the secondary rapid propagation was caused by shear-compression mixture stress induced by the reflected transversal wave, which was generated by mode conversion of the longitudinal wave.


The present work aimed to study the composition and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of Helichrysum ibityense leaves (HIEO). HIEO was extracted by hydrodistillation from fresh leaves with a yield of 1.9%. It had a relative density of 0.9247 at 20℃, a refractive index of 1.4706, an optical rotation of -0°33, an acid index of 2.10 and an ester index of 54. Gas chromatography analysis/flame ionisation detection of HIEO had identified 17 components, representing more than 99.54% of the overall composition of the HIEO including 1.8-cineole (69.46%) the major component, α-terpinene (4.62%), β-caryophyllene (4.39%), α-pinene (4.13%), β-pinene (2.96%), p-cymene (2.39%) and γ-terpinene (2.16%). The HIEO antimicrobial activity was tested against nine pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Candida albicans using the Disc diffusion and the Microdilution assays. HIEO exhibited broad activity spectrum and high microbial activity with inhibition zones (IZ) ranging from 12 to 35 mm. On Bacillus cereus, the most sensitive bacterium, its Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were 9.37 mg/ml and 13.22 mg/ml respectively. With an MBC/MIC ratio of 1.41, HIEO exerted a bactericidal action on Bacillus cereus. When administered orally to mice at 1000 mg/kg body weight, HIEO caused symptoms of intoxication which disappeared after 24 h. These preliminary results revealed HIEO could be used to treat different infectious diseases if its safety will be confirmed.


We use telephone survey data on charter boat anglers to estimate demand models to value snapper-grouper and king mackerel bag limits in the North Carolina for-hire fishery. The telephone survey presents respondents with hypothetical situations about higher charter fees and lower snapper-grouper and king mackerel bag limits and asks about the number of trips they would take in each situation. Stated preference trip responses are used in a jointly estimated revealed and stated preference demand model. We find that reduction in the snapper-grouper bag limit from 15 to 7 fish would reduce the annual aggregate value of charter boat fishing by 29% due to quality effects. The reduction in the snapper-grouper bag limit would reduce the number of charter boat fishing trips by 25%. JEL Classification Code: Q22, Q26, Q51


Percutaneous absorption studies were conducted with three single‐ring, radiolabeled aromatic solvents (benzene derivatives) using a recently described direct method for studying volatile chemicals in hairless mice. Total absorption, determined from the sums of radioactivity found in the excreta, expired breath and carcass, was 2.1%, 3.4% and 4.7% of the nominal dose for toluene, ethylbenzene and aniline, respectively. Breath decay curves indicated that absorption of toluene and ethylbenzene was complete by 15 min after application and that by this time the excretion rate of aniline exceeded the absorption rate. Evaporation rates were used to derive estimated contact times, and these in turn were used in conjunction with the absorbed doses to estimate percutaneous absorption rates. Equivalent dermal exposures (cm2 · min) that would yield body burdens equivalent to those expected following 8‐h inhalations at existing US permissible exposure limits during light work were calculated. The data indicate that dermal absorption of these compounds could approach or exceed that from inhalation under some work conditions. Correlations between absorption and various physical properties were evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficients. The physical properties evaluated included volatility, solubility, octanol/water partition coefficients and melting points. For this limited series of benzene derivatives, two measures of volatility, i.e. vapor pressure and boiling point, were the only physical properties significantly correlated with percutaneous absorption.


General Principles Intravenous fluid administration direct into the venae cavae is a useful refinement of more orthodox methods involving the use of peripheral veins and is now a well-tried procedure which has been shown to be both safe and reliable. The underlying principle on which the success of the technique depends is that of instant dilution of the infused fluid as it enters the vena cava. This ensures minimal intimal reaction at the site of delivery of the fluid and enables solutions of high concentration to be given which, if delivered into a peripheral vein, would cause a brisk chemical inflammatory response and rapid thrombosis of the vein. This same underlying principle, as might be expected, facilitates prolonged administration of standard strength solutions and, in fact, vena caval infusions can be maintained for long periods with no ill effects, a fact appreciated equally by the patient and the house surgeon, who are both spared the consequences of repeated thrombosis of recipient superficial veins. Using this technique, the patient's activity is scarcely restricted and, beyond the supervision needed for any intravenous infusion, it in no way increases the nursing problems and often makes them easier. It is possible, using suitable veins of entry, to introduce a polythene cannula into the superior or inferior vena cava. In our experience the superior is preferable to the inferior vena caval route, as the incidence of complications in the former is appreciably less.


Introduction Endovenous microwave ablation (EMA) is a relatively novel thermal ablation treatment for great saphenous vein (GSV) varicosis, and its efficacy and safety are rarely reported. This study aims to explore whether EMA can be comparable to endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), which is a widely used thermal ablation treatment in clinical practice. Methods and analysis This is a multicentre, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial to compare the efficacy and safety of EMA and EVLA in patients with GSV varicosis. We will recruit 180 patients in 6 centres and randomly assign them into treatment group (EMA group) and control group (EVLA group) in a 1:1 ratio. The patients will return to the hospitals at 7 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, and will be called at 1 month after the treatment for follow-up visits. The primary outcome is the occlusion rate of GSV immediately, at 6 months, and at 12 months after the treatment. The secondary outcomes are Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) Score, operation time and instrument performance evaluation. Ethics and dissemination This protocol has been approved by the Clinical Trial Ethics Committee of Beijing Hospital (2020BJYYEC-126–02), Peking Union Medical College Hospital (KS2020393), Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital (No.20279-2-02), Beijing Luhe Hospital.Capital Medical University (2020-LHYW-030–01), the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University (No.2020249), and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU1AF2021LSY-12). The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number NCT04726124.


Introduction: Augmented reality (AR) has demonstrated a potentially wide range of benefits and educational applications in the virtual health ecosystem. The concept of real-time data acquisition, machine learning-aided processing, and visualization is a foreseen ambition to leverage AR applications in the healthcare sector. This breakthrough with immersive technologies like AR, mixed reality, virtual reality, or extended reality will hopefully initiate a new surgical era: that of the use of the so-called surgical metaverse. Methods: This paper focuses on the future use of AR in breast surgery education describing two potential applications (surgical remote telementoring and impalpable breast cancer localization using AR), along with the technical needs to make it possible. Conclusion: Surgical telementoring and impalpable tumors noninvasive localization are two examples that can have success in the future provided the improvements in both data transformation and infrastructures are capable to overcome the current challenges and limitations.


51 years old lady admitted to local DGH with 3 months history of vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, pr gressive unsteadiness and worsening cognitive function. Past medical history included type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism and cholecystectomy. She was smoking 20 cigarettes per day and didn't drink alcohol. Her CT TAP showed fatty pancreas, MRI head and spine was normal, PET scan was negative. During hospital stay patient's neurological symptoms deteriorated so was referred to tertiary centre. On examination was severely confused, had widespread amyotrophy and muscles weakness but no fasciculations, profound sensory loss to all modalities, marked pseudoathetosis and sensory ataxia. All reflexes were absent, plantar reflexes were flexor. Blood tests showed abnormal LFTs: GGT 654, ALP 45, ALP 191, bilirubin and amylase was normal. CSF protein was 0.7, cells were normal. NCS and EMG showed absent upper limbs sensory potentials with reduced but present sural responses in keeping with ganglionopathy. Nutritional screen showed low vitamin E 1.1 [9.5–41.5] and A 0.57 [0.99–3.35]. Faecal elastase1 was low suggestive of pancreatic insufficiency. Patient was treated with Creon and high dose vitamin E. After 8 weeks of treatment patient's cognitive function returned to normal, power and sensation improved, body weight increased


We present a method for localization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which is meant to replace an onboard GPS system in the event of a noisy or unreliable GPS signal. Our method requires only a downward-facing monocular RGB camera on the UAV, and pre-existing satellite imagery of the flight location to which the UAV imagery is compared and aligned. To overcome differences in the image capturing conditions between the satellite and UAV, such as seasonal and perspective changes, we propose the use of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) representations trained on readily available satellite data. To increase localization accuracy, we also develop an optimization which jointly minimizes the error between adjacent UAV frames as well as the satellite map. We demonstrate how our method improves on recent systems from literature by achieving greater performance in flight environments with very few landmarks. For a GPS-denied flight at 0.2km altitude, over a flight distance of 0.85km, we achieve average localization error of less than 8 meters. We make our source code and datasets available to encourage further work on this emerging topic11Authors are with The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University,2.2https://github.com/hmgoforth/gps-denied-uav-localization


We report here the detection of circular polarization in the Galactic center black hole candidate, Sagittarius A*. The detection was made at 4.8 and 8.4 GHz with the Very Large Array. We find that the fractional circular polarization at 4.8 GHz is mc = -0.36 ± 0.05% and that the spectral index of the circular polarization is α = -0.6 ± 0.3 (mc ∝ να). The systematic error in mc is less than 0.04% at both frequencies. In light of our recent lower limits on the linear polarization in Sgr A*, this detection is difficult to interpret with standard models. We consider briefly whether scattering mechanisms could produce the observed polarization. Detailed modeling of the source and the scattering medium is necessary. We propose a simple model in which low-energy electrons reduce linear polarization through Faraday depolarization and convert linear polarization into circular polarization. Circular polarization may represent a significant new parameter for studying the obscured centimeter wavelength radio source in Sgr A*.


Size-based policies have been known to successfully balance load and improve performance in homogeneous cluster environments where a dispatcher assigns a job to a server strictly based on the job size. We first examine how size-based policies can provide service differentiation and complement admission control and/or priority scheduling policies. We find that under auto correlated arrivals the effectiveness of size-based policies quickly deteriorates. We propose a two-step resource allocation policy that makes resource assignment decisions based on the following principles. First, instead of equally dispatching the work among all servers in the cluster, the new policy biases load balancing by an effort to reduce performance loss due to autocorrelation in the streams of jobs that are directed to each server. As a second step, an additional, per-class bias guides resource allocation according to different class priorities. As a result, not all servers are equally utilized (i.e., the load in the system becomes unbalanced) but performance benefits are significant and service differentiation is achieved as shown by detailed trace-driven simulations


Based on data which are representative of the Australian population in 2002, this paper first analyses the demand for and cost of formal and informal childcare for couple and sole-parent families, shedding light on factors which affect the demand for childcare. The predicted demand of formal childcare and the predicted costs of informal childcare arising from these models are then used to impute total childcare costs at different levels of labour supply. Finally, the predicted total costs are incorporated in the estimation procedure of structural labour supply models for couple and sole parent families. By making several extensions to the methodology adopted in Doiron and Kalb (2005a), who estimated similar models based on 1996 Australian data and which this paper largely replicates in terms of methodology, it is found that the average elasticities of labour supply with regard to the cost of childcare are quite similar to the earlier estimates. The elasticities remain at the lower end of the range found in the international literature with the exception of the elasticities for sole parents with preschool children and/or on relatively low wages.


This paper presents an efficient 5-axis roughing method for centrifugal impeller. The efficient roughing is minimization of cutting time through minimizing tool tilting & rotating motions. Roughing tool path plan consists of the three steps. First, machining areas are divided into sub cutting regions using ruling lines. The biggest tool diameter is, then, determined for each region. Finally, tool paths are generated after fixing the tilting and rotating axis of 5-axis machine. Experimental results showed that the proposed roughing plan considering the divided machining regions is more efficient than the conventional methods.


Interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic agents has recently increased. In addition to psilocybin, a wide variety of agents with psychedelic properties have been proposed and partially tested. However, the challenges of obtaining approval to market a restricted psychotomimetic agent are formidable.


This paper considers the problem of non-intrusive forensic analysis of the individual components in visual sensors and its implementation. As a new addition to the emerging area of forensic engineering, we present a framework for analyzing technologies employed inside digital cameras based on output images, and develop a set of forensic signal processing algorithms for visual sensors based on color array sensor and interpolation methods. We show through simulations that the proposed method is robust against compression and noise, and can help identify various processing components inside the camera. Such a non-intrusive forensic framework would provide useful evidence for analyzing technology infringement and evolution for visual sensors


Infective/bacterial endocarditis is a rare but life-threatening disease with a hospital mortality rate of 22.7% and a 1-year mortality rate of 40%. Therefore, continued research efforts to develop efficient anti-infective implant materials are of the utmost importance. Equally important is the development of test systems that allow the performance of new materials to be comprehensively evaluated. In this study, a novel antibacterial coating based on dalbavancin was tested in comparison to rifampicin/minocycline, and the suitability of a recently developed mouse tail vein model for testing the implant coatings was validated. Small polymeric stent grafts coated with a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) layer and incorporated antibiotics were colonized with Staphylococcus (S.) aureus before implantation into the tail vein of mice. The main assessment criteria were the hematogenous spread of the bacteria and the local tissue reaction to the contaminated implant. For this purpose, colony-forming units (CFU) in the blood, spleen and kidneys were determined. Tail cross sections were prepared for histological analysis, and plasma cytokine levels and expression values of inflammation-associated genes were examined. Both antibiotic coatings performed excellently, preventing the onset of infection. The present study expands the range of available methods for testing the anti-infectivity of cardiovascular implants, and the spectrum of agents for effective surface coating.


Foreword Preface 1 Introduction PART I OVERVIEW OF FINANCE, MACROECONOMICS, AND RISK CONCEPTS 2 A Brief History of Macroeconomics, and Why the Theory of Asset Pricing and Contingent Claims Should Shape its Future 2.1 A brief history of macroeconomics 2.2 How uncertainty is incorporated into macroeconomic models 2.3 Missing components in macro models: balance sheets with risk, default and (nonlinear) risk exposures 2.4 Asset pricing theory, financial derivatives pricing and contingent claims analysis 2.5 Autoregression in economics vs. random walks in finance. 2.6 Asset price process related to a threshold or barrier 2.7 Relating finance models and risk analytics to macroeconomic models 2.8 Toward macrofinancial engineering 2.9 Summary References 3 Macroeconomic Models 3.1 The Hicks-Hansen IS-LM model of a closed economy 3.2 The Mundell-Fleming model of an open economy 3.3 A dynamic, stochastic, five-equation small open economy macro model 3.4 Summary References 4 Stochastic Processes, Asset Pricing, and Option Pricing 4.1 Stochastic processes 4.2 Ito's lemma 4.3 Asset pricing: Arrow-Debreu securities and the replicating portfolio 4.4 Put and call option values 4.5 Pricing the options using the Black-Scholes-Merton formula 4.6 Market price of risk 4.7 Implications of incomplete markets for pricing 4.8 Summary Appendix 4A Primer on relationship of put, call, and exchange options Appendix 4B Physics, Feynman, and finance References 5 Balance Sheets, Implicit Options, and Contingent Claims Analysis 5.1 Uncertain assets and probability of distress or default on debt 5.2 Probability of distress or default 5.3 Debt and equity as contingent claims 5.4 Payoff diagrams for contingent claims 5.5 Understanding why an implicit put option equals expected loss 5.6 Using the Merton model and Black-Scholes-Merton formula to value contingent claims 5.7 Measuring asset values and volatilities 5.8 Estimating implied asset value and asset volatility from equity or junior claims 5.9 Risk measures 5.10 Summary References 6 Further Extensions and Applications of Contingent Claims Analysis 6.1 Extensions of the Merton model 6.2 Applications of CCA with different types of distress barriers and liability structures 6.3 Risk adjusted and actual probabilities using the market price of risk, Sharpe ratios, and recovery rates 6.4 Moody's-KMV's approach 6.5 CCA using skewed asset distributions modeled with a mixture of lognormals 6.6 Maximum likelihood methods 6.7 Incorporating stochastic interest rates and interest rate term structures into structural CCA balance sheet models 6.8 Other structural models with stochastic interest rates 6.9 Summary Appendix 6A Calculating parameters in the Vasicek model References PART II THE MACROFINANCE MODELING FRAMEWORK 7 The Macrofinance Modeling Framework: Interlinked Sector Balance Sheets 7.1 Contingent claim balance sheets for sectors 7.2 Measuring asset values and volatilities 7.3 Measuring risk exposures 7.4 Linkages in a simple four-sector framework 7.5 Integrated value and risk transmission between sectors 7.6 Policy effectiveness parameters in implicit options 7.7 Advantages of an integrated balance sheet eiskapproach 7.8 Summary References 8 The Macrofinance Modeling Framework: A Closer Look at the Sovereign CCA Balance Sheet 8.1 CCA balance sheet for the government and monetary authorities 8.2 Sovereign distress 8.3 Calculating implied sovereign assets and implied sovereign asset volatility using CCA for the public sector balance sheet 8.4 Applications of the macrofinancial risk framework to sovereigns 8.5 Sovereign risk-neutral and estimated actual default probabilities on foreign-currency-denominated debt 8.6 Spreads on sovereign foreign currency and local currency debt 8.7 Breaking down sovereign assets into key components 8.8 Risk-based scenario and policy analysis using calibrated sovereign CCA related to spreads on foreign currency debt 8.9 Short-term and long-term government CCA balance sheets with monetary authority 8.10 Summary Appendix 8A Value and volatility of local currency liabilities and base money References 9 The Macrofinance Modeling Framework: Linking Interest Rate Models in Finance and Macroeconomics 9.1 Overview of interest rate term structure models in finance 9.2 Two early theories: liquidity preference and the market for loanable funds 9.3 Monetary policy, Taylor rules, and interest rates 9.4 Reconciling different perspectives on interest rate behavior 9.5 What to do when the monetary authority is linked closely to the government balance sheet 9.6 Summary References 10 Macrofinance Modeling Framework: Financial Sector Risk and Stability Analysis 10.1 Calculating risk indicators for individual banks or financial institutions 10.2 Time series of financial system risk indicators 10.3 Snapshot of system risk 10.4 Expected loss as a portfolio of implicit put options 10.5 Using a structural Merton model with stochastic interest rates for capital adequacy estimates 10.6 Factor model to assess key drivers of system risk and for scenario analysis 10.7 Multifactor risk analysis using copulas 10.8 Household balance sheet risk 10.9 Linking banking sector loans to corporate, household, and other borrowers 10.10 Foreign-currency-denominated loans and the impact of the presence of foreign banks on banking system risk 10.11 Financial stability indicators for links to macro models 10.12 Summary Appendix 10A CCA model for banks and borrowers with foreign-currency-denominated debt and lending spreads based on credit risk References 11 Macrofinancial Modeling Framework: Extensions to Different Exchange Rate Regimes 11.1 Floating exchange rate regimes, interest rates, and the sovereign balance sheet 11.2 Fixed exchange rate regimes, interest rates, and the sovereign balance sheet 11.3 The impact of capital flows on the CCA sovereign balance sheet 11.4 Role of quasi-public entities in exchange rate management 11.5 Summary References PART III LINKING MACROFINANCIAL AND MACROECONOMIC FRAMEWORKS 12 Sovereign Reserve, Debt, and Wealth Management from a Macrofinancial Risk Perspective 12.1 Reserves adequacy and asset allocation: moving from simple rules to a national framework 12.2 CCA for a firm with a subsidiary and its wealth management 12.3 Constructing contingent claim balance sheets for the national economy 12.4 Macro risk and wealth management 12.5 Summary References 13 Macrofinancial Modeling Framework: Relationship to Accounting Balance Sheets and the Flow of Funds 13.1 Economy-wide macro contingent claim balance sheets and risk exposures 13.2 Recovering traditional macroeconomic budget constraints and flow identities from CCA valuation equations when volatility is zero 13.3 Inter-linkages between CCA balance sheets, flows, and risk premiums 13.4 Using the production function to link corporate and household assets 13.5 Macrofinance, macroeconomic flows, and the business cycle 13.6 Summary Appendix 13A Cross-holding by households and financial sectors of contingent claims in other sectors Appendix 13B Contingent claim values and returns of different sectors References 14 Macrofinancial Risk Framework Linked to Macroeconomic Models 14.1 Adding risk analytics to the spectrum of macroeconomic models 14.2 The Mundell-Fleming model and default risk 14.3 Linking macrofinance outputs to DSGE models 14.4 Linking macrofinance outputs to dynamic, stochastic macroeconomic 14.5 Linking macrofinance outputs to macroeconometric VAR models 14.6 An integrated policy framework 14.7 Summary References PART IV CRISIS AND DISTRESS IN ECONOMIES 15 Macroeconomic Models vs. Crisis Models: Why Nonlinearity Matters 15.1 Recent financial crises and crisis models 15.2 Summary References 16 Sensitivity Analysis, Destabilization Mechanisms, and Financial Crises 16.1 Sensitivity analysis, the "Greeks", and the valuation multiplier effect 16.2 The volatility leverage effect 16.3 Feedback between the forward rate and domestic interest rates on local currency debt 16.4 Feedback between local currency debt issuance and local currency spreads in the presence of contingent liability constraints 16.5 Summary References 17 The Case of Thailand 1996-1999 17.1 Background 17.2 A macrofinance analysis of the Thai crisis 17.3 Scenario analysis 17.4 Summary Appendix 17.A Banking and corporate sector risk analysis with scenarios References 18 The Brazil Crisis of 2002 - 2003 18.1 Background 18.2 A macrofinance analysis of the Brazil crisis 18.3 Summary References PART V MACROFINANCIAL MODEL APPLICATIONS AND ANALYTICAL ISSUES 19 International Shocks, Risk Transmission, and Crisis Prevention 19.1 Changing global environment and global risk 19.2 Types of global shocks and the interaction with macrofinancial risk models 19.3 The international financial system and crisis prevention 19.4 Structuring an effective risk management hierarchy from the international level down to the country authorities 19.5 Summary References 20 Macro Risk Management: Ways to Mitigate, Control, and Transfer Risk in the Economy 20.1 Overview of ways to manage risk 20.2 Direct change in financial structure 20.3 Risk transfer 20.4 Management of guarantees 20.5 Longer term risk management via institutional and policy change 20.6 Summary References 21 Integrated Framework for Corporate and Sovereign Relative Value and Capital Structure Arbitrage 21.1 Capital structure arbitrage for firms and financial institutions 21.2 Credit and equity cycles 21.3 Sovereign capital structure relative value 21.4 Summary References 22 Conclusion and New Directions for Macrofinance 22.1 Summary of conceptual issues 22.2 The roadmap for an integrated contingent claims analysis-macroeconomic model Appendix A The Mundell-Fleming Model with Default Risk A.1 The market for loanable funds A.2 Some properties of the IS-LM-BP-RP model A.3 Monetary and fiscal policy A.4 Effect of changes in mu and sigma on equilibrium Index


The goal of this research is to improve students aritmatic ability by
applying contextual approach for student in first grade of Puhgogor 01 Elementary
School, Bendosari Sukoharjo in 2010.
Variable of the research is aritmatic ability and application of contextual
approach. The approach form are qualitative descriptive and class action
approach. This research pass through four steps, namely: planning, action,
observation and reflecting and they are done repeatedly. Tehnique for collecting
data include: observation, interview and test. Observation is used as basis on
further research. It's about student's activities in learning. Interview is used to
collect, to reveal student's learning motivations, purpose andexplanation of
respondent. Test is done to measure student's result learning. Data analysis
technique pass through work hypothesis, data reduction, categorizing, synthesize
and making conclusion.
Based on the result of the research above it can conclude that application
of contextual approach in learning process can improve student's aritmatic ability
in first grade of Puhgogor 01 Elementary School, Bendosari Sukoharjo. It's
proven by the result of pretest before the class action, first cycle, second cycle and
third cycle. They show the average: 49,65 to 65,86 to 69,65 to 78,62. There are
significant improvement in percentage of student's achievement in learning from
pretest, first cycle, second cycle and third cycle, namely: 37,93% to 65,51% to
79,31% and 93,10%.

Key words : contextual approach, aritmatic ability.


Coumarin compounds have a variety of biological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-coagulation, anti-HIV, anti-fungal, and insecticidal. Amide and sulfonamide compounds have been used as fungicides for half a century, and dozens of varieties have been developed so far. This study focused on the introduction of carboxamide and sulfonamide moieties in a coumarin core to discover novel derivatives. Based on this strategy, we synthesized two series of novel carboxamide and sulfonamide substituted coumarin derivatives, and their fungicidal activity was also investigated. Some designed compounds possessed potential activities against six phytopathogenic fungi in the primary assays, highlighted by compound 6r. Compound 6r exhibited stronger fungicidal activity against Botrytis cinerea (EC50 = 20.52 µg/mL) and will be the lead structure for further study.