The second edition of the authors' well-received 1987 text has been thoroughly revised, updated and modestly reorganized within the same basic framework and under the same title as the earlier edition. It contains a selection of new material and improved treatment of other topics in its later chapters. The book is again divided into three major sections: chapters 1-4 provide an introductory short course on modelling and numerical simulation; chapters 5-10 treat advanced topics in numerical simulation of reactive-flow processes; while chapters 11-13 consider the simulation of complex reactive flows. It is in the choice of topics and their treatment in the last section that significant new material is introduced, including a very useful treatment of recent developments in turbulent combustion, the latter very much welcomed by the reviewer. Both editions use the same form of words in recommending the technical background requisites of readers: `an advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate school understanding of the basic principles of chemistry and fluid dynamics and their potential interactions. Some familiarity with the rudiments of numerical methods is helpful.' The purpose and target readership of the book are identified in both the frontispiece and prologue as: `an indispensable guide/manual on how to construct, use, and interpret numerical simulations of reactive flows.' The frontispiece adds: `It will be welcomed by advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a wide range of researchers and practitioners in engineering, physics and chemistry.' To what extent the new edition succeeds, only time will tell. It ought to do at least as well as the first edition, but the subject area is now so large that a single text, albeit one concentrating on fundamentals, cannot do justice to more than a few applications. As was the case in the first edition, the text is primarily concerned with gas phase flows, with only a small excursion into multiphase systems. Perhaps it is this characteristic that may induce a small degree of disappointment; has an opportunity been lost to provide a little introductory material on condensed phase reacting flows, including a few words on `hydro-codes'? The second edition offers a significantly higher quality product, in terms of organization, presentation, illustrations and layout, than the original text. Norman Pratt


This article seeks to demonstrate that the perverted faculty argument is at the foundation of magisterial teaching in sexual ethics. Yet new natural law (NNL) theorists have consistently condemned this argument for decades despite their claim that they support the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. This situation is incongruous. Current scholarship indicates that NNL theorists do not accept the rationale for magisterial teaching in sexual ethics because, despite their opposition to proportionalism, they still hold in common its most critical error—an error that Pope St. John Paul II was at pains to condemn in Veritatis splendor


Traditionally, instrument command and control systems have been developed specifically for a single instrument. Such solutions are frequently expensive and are inflexible to support the next instrument development effort. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is developing an extensible framework, known as Instrument Remote Control (IRC) that applies to any kind of instrument that can be controlled by a computer. IRC combines the platform independent processing capabilities of Java with the power of the Extensible Markup Language (XML). A key aspect of the architecture is software that is driven by an instrument description, written using the Instrument Markup Language (IML). IML is an XML dialect used to describe graphical user interfaces to control and monitor the instrument, command sets and command formats, data streams, communication mechanisms, and data processing algorithms. The IRC framework provides the ability to communicate to components anywhere on a network using the JXTA protocol for dynamic discovery of distributed components. JXTA (see http://www.jxta.org) is a generalized protocol that allows any devices connected by a network to communicate in a peer-to-peer manner. IRC uses JXTA to advertise a devices IML and discover devices of interest on the network. Devices can join or leave the network and thus join or leave the instrument control environment of IRC. Currently, several astronomical instruments are working with the IRC development team to develop custom components for IRC to control their instruments. These instruments include: High resolution Airborne Wideband Camera (HAWC), a first light instrument for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA); Submillimeter And Far Infrared Experiment (SAFIRE), a Principal Investigator instrument for SOFIA; and Fabry-Perot Interferometer Bolometer Research Experiment (FIBRE), a prototype of the SAFIRE instrument, used at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). Most recently, we have been working with the Submillimetre High


Physiological responses of Agropyron desertorum and Pseudoroegneria spicata, two common cold desert perennial tussock grass species of the North American Great Basin, were evaluated during and after a period of imposed drought in a pot study. The timing and the pattern of response of leaf water potential (Ψ1), stomatal conductance (gs), and root growth were strikingly similar in both species during and after drought. The severity of stress influenced the magnitude of Ψ1 and gs, but had little effect on the timing of these responses. Although drought inhibited total root length in prestressed plants, within 4 days after relief of drought both species showed similar increases in root growth which exceeded those of the control. Despite similarities in their root growth responses to increased soil water availability, the two grasses differed in their capacity to restore N uptake following drought. By 14 days after rewatering, N uptake in the prestressed Agropyron had recovered to levels of control plants, although both root biomass and root lenght were much less than those of the controls. This is attributed to elevated root uptake kinetics. Restoration of N uptake by prestressed Pseudoregneria was much less effective during the same period.


Abstract Basic information, such as population size and density, is needed for conservation and management of many species, especially threatened species. Thus, well-designed population monitoring programs that use appropriate methods for estimating parameters of interest, including density and survival, are needed as well. Mark-recapture and distance-sampling are established methods for estimating density in wildlife surveys. The sand dune lizard (Liolaemus multimaculatus) is an endemic and vulnerable species that inhabits dune habitats in Argentina. At present, however, there are no accurate estimates of density of this species and no established monitoring programs. The objectives of this study were (1) to test the use of mark-recapture and distance-sampling methods and (2) to estimate density of this species in Mar Chiquita Reserve (37° 37′ S–57° 16′ W), an important area for the protection of this species. For distance-sampling surveys, we used a systematic line-transect design; for mark-recapture sampling, we performed exhaustive surveys and captured, marked, and recaptured lizards manually. Based on distance-sampling, populations were estimated at 3.6 and 5.4 individuals per ha in 2007 and 2008, respectively; corresponding estimates based on mark-recapture data were 5.2 and 4.1 individuals per ha in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Detection probabilities were 0.23 in both 2007 and 2008 distance-sampling analyses and capture probabilities were 0.02 and 0.05 in 2007 and 2008 mark-recapture analyses. Based on these estimates, the Mar Chiquita Reserve contains a population of at least 10,000 individuals. Both methods were adequate for estimating populations of sand dune lizards, given the facility with which individuals can be detected and captured. The distance-sampling method requires less effort, but the mark-recapture method allows estimates of survival as well as density. Results of this work provide the baseline for developing a monitoring program for this lizard, and we suggest that the distance-sampling method be used to monitor all populations of sand dune lizard.


Poly(allylamine)-stabilized spherical and rod-shaped copper nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple chemical reaction. The synthesis was performed by the reduction of copper (II) salt with hydrazine in aqueous solution under atmospheric air in the presence of poly(allylamine) (PAAm) capping agent. Besides providing long-term stability to the nanoparticles by preventing particle agglomeration, polymer capping agents such as PAAm make the particles dispersible in aqueous solution. Noteworthy advantages of the synthetic method include its production of water dispersible nanoparticles at room temperature without inert atmosphere, making the synthesis more environmentally friendly. The resulting copper nanoparticles were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The authors found that several factors, including the amount of NaOH solution, concentration of PAAm, and reaction time, affect the composition, size, morphology, and degree of agglomeration of the resulting copper nanoparticles. The amount of NaOH in the reaction is crucial for the synthesis to result in either pure copper or copper oxide-containing copper nanoparticles as well as to produce the highest possible yield of copper nanoparticles. In addition, the reaction time and concentration of PAAm play key roles in controlling the size and shape of the nanoparticles, respectively. The resulting colloidal copper nanoparticles exhibit large surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signals.


Caffeine is considered to be the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world and about 80% of adult individuals use caffeine-containing foods and beverages. Coffee is a powerful stimulant and its popularity results from this quality. Due to its ubiquitous use and presumably magical effects, caffeine has been suggested as an important factor in the development of, and also the protection from, cancer, neurological disorders and gallbladder stones. While its stimulant properties are valued phenomena in an achievement-oriented society, caffeine also has deleterious effects and can cause a wide range of side effects, either due to abuse or due to abrupt discontinuation of its use. This review summarizes the data available concerning the syndrome of intoxication (caffeinism) and considers the clinical importance of the phenomenon.


Due to the single image information and color of the radar scanning image, sawing and fuzzy phenomenon may appear when using the FEOI (Fast Edge-Oriented Interpolation) algorithm to enlarge the display, and it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory visual effect. Therefore, combining with Canny operator to detect the edge of radar scanning image, an improved radar image interpolation algorithm is proposed. Finally, experiments are conducted and compared with the nearest neighbor interpolation algorithm, bilinear interpolation algorithm and FEOI algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to the above algorithms and can effectively reduce aliasing and blurring and obtain the interpolated image with good visual effect. It has great application value for the image interpolation which requires higher real-time.


We review the significant cognitive neuropsychological contributions to our understanding of spoken word production that were made during the period of 1984 to 2004–since the founding of the journal Cognitive Neuropsychology. We then go on to identify and discuss a set of outstanding questions and challenges that face future cognitive neuropsychological researchers in this domain. We conclude that the last 20 years have been a testament to the vitality and productiveness of this approach in the domain of spoken word production and that it is essential that we continue to strive for the broader integration of cognitive neuropsychological evidence into cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience.


INTRODUCTION
Bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafting has been associated with increased long term survival when compared to single IMA, but its benefit on diabetic patients remains controversial.

AIMS
To compare long-term survival following BIMA versus single internal mammary artery (SIMA) grafting between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed all the patients who underwent isolated CABG and received two or more grafts with at least one IMA graft between 2004 and 2013. Mean follow-up was 4 years and maximum 10. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare long-term survival between BIMA and SIMA in both groups (diabetic vs. non-diabetic). Propensity score matching was used to adjust for treatment selection bias.

RESULTS
1259 out of 3045 eligible patients were diabetic. BIMA was associated with better long-term survival than SIMA on unadjusted analysis in both groups (cumulative survival of 87% vs. 70% in diabetic patients and 89% vs. 79% in non-diabetic patients, respectively). After propensity score matching, BIMA was associated with increased long-term survival in the non-diabetic cohort (n=1042, HR: 0.570 CI95%: 0.342-0.950), but there was no statistically significant difference in the diabetic cohort (n=850, HR: 0.774 CI95% 0.447-1.339). In-hospital mortality and sternal wound infection were low in matching cohorts irrespectively of the number of IMA grafts or diabetes status.

CONCLUSIONS
BIMA grafting appears to be safe for diabetic patients, despite the apparent lack of significant survival advantage.


We report a bottom-up one-step solvothermal synthesis of thin layered carbon nanosheets (CNSs) by dehydrating glycerol with concentrated sulfuric acid in the presence of melamine. In this synthesis, melamine plays a critical role in the formation of the thin-layered CNS. This CNS was found to be a highly effective adsorption material: its adsorption of methylene blue (MB) is considerably faster than GO with a maximum adsorption capacity of MB at 585 mg g−1, comparable to most of the other carbon based nanomaterials.


Surface instability of a swirling liquid sheet emanating from a centrifugal injector in presence of external and internal gas flows is studied in this paper. A three-dimensional flow for the liquid sheet and two-dimensional flows for external and internal gas flows are considered. The set of equations involved in this analysis differs from the earlier analyzes. In previous studies, a cylindrical liquid sheet has been considered to implement the linear theory but in this study, the linear stability theory is implemented on a coneshaped liquid sheet for different cone angles. Actually more over than axial and tangential movements, the radial movements of liquid sheet and gas flows are considered in the present model. Due to complexity of the derived governing equations, semi-analytical and numerical methods were applied to solve them. The case study is oxidizer injector of rocket engines. Implementation of linear stability theory on a hollow cone-shaped liquid sheet better can predict instability phenomenon than the general linear stability analysis for this type of liquid sheets. The results show very close agreement with available experimental data.


This article aims to locate the contemporary critical theory of subjectivity within the realm of classical social philosophy. It also aims to propose ideas for a critical model of social theory inspired by Hegel and Durkheim"s thought.


The goal of this work was to report on a series of preoperative endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) performed for obstructive hydrocephalus due to posterior fossa tumors. Eight patients underwent preoperative ETV prior to tumor biopsy or removal for obstructive hydrocephalus related to posterior fossa tumors. All patients underwent surgery in two steps; ETV followed a week later by tumor resection. Clinical, radiological and outcome data were retrospectively reviewed. Eight patients (6 males, 2 females) aged between 8 and 45 years (mean age 24.62 years) suffering from obstructive hydrocephalus due to posterior fossa tumors had ETV prior to tumor removal or biopsy. Five patients were adults while 3 were under 18 years. All patients complained of headaches, seven presented with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure or visual disturbances and four had vomiting or cerebellar disturbance. Computed tomography scan was done in all patients and magnetic resonance imaging in five. Complete tumor removal was achieved in 4 cases and partial removal or biopsy in the remaining 4. ETV was successful in 7 (87.50%) cases but failed in one. Two patients experienced intraoperative transitory bradycardia. Two postoperative complications occurred (one meningitis and one CSF leak). No death related to procedures occurred. The histological diagnosis were as follows: ependymoma (3), medulloblastoma (3), astrocytoma grade II (1) and pineoblastoma (1). Hospital stay ranged from 9 to 21 days (mean, 12.71 days). Follow up range was 4 months to 78.4 months (0.33 to 6.53 years; mean, 46.11 months (3.84 years); median, 41.2 months (3.43 years).


Abstract The present article discusses selected dialogues between Confucius and Duke Ai of Lu as well as dialogues in which Confucius employs the phrase "I will tell you" (wu yu ru 吾語汝), mainly to address followers. The analysis focuses on two aspects of the Confucius figure: (1) Confucius as a textual function that serves to integrate and validate disparate textual units within a coherent narrative framework; (2) Confucius as authoritative master who enunciates didactic pronouncements in the presence of his disciples. The latter function is ironically appropriated in Zhuangzi 莊子. The article closes with a reflection on possible future directions of research into uses of the Confucius figure.


A novel post‐synthesis route to hierarchical Ti‐beta zeolite and its performance as an efficient catalyst in heterogeneous cyclooctene epoxidation are presented. Catalytically active Ti sites as well as meso‐ and macropores are simultaneously introduced into microporous beta zeolite by hydrothermal treatment by using tetrabutyl orthotitanate as the titanation agent and tetraethylammonium hydroxide as the desilication base. Simultaneous desilication and titanation (SDT) offer the advantages of reduced experimental effort and chemical waste. The possibility to use a commercial zeolite available in high quantity as the starting material is attractive for industrialization. A significant mesopore volume (Vmeso=0.19 cm3 g−1) was introduced in the resulting hierarchical Ti‐beta zeolite without loss of microporosity and crystallinity compared to the purely microporous counterpart. The comparison clearly demonstrates a higher catalytic activity for the hierarchical Ti‐beta in cyclooctene epoxidation and accelerated desorption kinetics associated with the highly interconnected pore system.


This document provides detailed information on the status of Advanced and Novel Accelerators techniques and describes the steps that need to be envisaged for their implementation in future accelerators, in particular for high energy physics applications. It complements the overview prepared for the update of the European Strategy for particle physics, and provides a detailed description of the field. The scientific priorities of the community are described for each technique of acceleration able to achieve accelerating gradient in the GeV range or above. ALEGRO working group leaders have coordinated the preparation of their working group contribution and contributed to editing the documents. The preparation of this document was coordinated by the Advanced LinEar collider study GROup, ALEGRO. The content was defined through discussions at the ALEGRO workshop in Oxford UK, March 2018, and an advanced draft was discussed during a one day meeting prior to the AAC workshop in Breckenridge, CO, USA, August 2018. This document was submitted as an addendum to the ALEGRO submission1 to the European Strategy for Particle Physics.


Open-world software is a new paradigm that stresses the concept of software service as a pillar for building applications. Services are unceasingly deployed elsewhere in the open-world and are used on demand. Consequently, the performance of these open-world applications relies on the performance of definitely unknown third-parties. Another consequence is that performance prediction methods can no longer assume that service times for software activities are well-known all over the time. More feasible solutions defend that they should be inferred from the environment, for example monitoring current services executions. So, there is a need for new performance prediction methods, and it is likely that they have to be applied not only when developing, but also during software execution, so to learn from the environment and to adapt to it. In this paper, we build on a three layer architecture, taken from literature, to present an architectural approach for performance prediction in open-world software. Once the approach is presented, the paper focuses on the intricacies of its more challeging component, i.e., the generator of strategies to meet performance goals by selecting the best available set of services.


Enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are features of cerebral small vessel disease which can be seen in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Given the associations and proposed mechanistic link between PVS and WMH, they are hypothesized to also have topological proximity. However, this and the influence of their spatial proximity on WMH progression are unknown. We analyzed longitudinal MRI data from 29 out of 32 participants (mean age at baseline = 71.9 years) in a longitudinal study of cognitive aging, from three waves of data collection at 3-year intervals, alongside semi-automatic segmentation masks for PVS and WMH, to assess relationships. The majority of deep WMH clusters were found adjacent to or enclosing PVS (waves−1: 77%; 2: 76%; 3: 69%), especially in frontal, parietal, and temporal regions. Of the WMH clusters in the deep white matter that increased between waves, most increased around PVS (waves−1–2: 73%; 2–3: 72%). Formal statistical comparisons of severity of each of these two SVD markers yielded no associations between deep WMH progression and PVS proximity. These findings may suggest some deep WMH clusters may form and grow around PVS, possibly reflecting the consequences of impaired interstitial fluid drainage via PVS. The utility of these relationships as predictors of WMH progression remains unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of low-field magnetic resonance imaging (lfMRI) for detection of meniscal tears in the canine stifle.

STUDY DESIGN
Double-blinded prospective clinical study.

ANIMALS
Forty-two consecutive stifles of dogs (>or=20 kg; n=34) with clinical and radiologic signs suspicious for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) insufficiency.

METHODS
Each stifle had 7 predefined lfMRI sequences using a 0.5 T magnet with a human knee coil. After lfMRI, diagnostic arthroscopy was performed by 1 surgeon unaware of the MRI findings. After completion of the study MRI images were read by 1 investigator, unaware of the intraoperative findings.

RESULTS
At arthroscopy, 22 stifles had meniscal tears requiring subtotal meniscectomy. Of these only 14 were identified by lfMRI. Overall sensitivity and specificity of lfMRI for detection of meniscal tears were 0.64 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]=0.43, 0.80) and 0.90 (95% CI=0.70, 0.97), respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 0.88 (95% CI=0.64, 0.97) and 0.69 (95% CI=0.50, 0.83), respectively. Neither the state of dislocation of vertical longitudinal tears nor the amount of CCL rupture had an influence on lfMRI accuracy (P=1.00).

CONCLUSION
lfMRI was of low diagnostic accuracy in detecting meniscal tears, when compared with arthroscopy. Especially negative lfMRI findings should be interpreted with caution.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
When using lfMRI as a noninvasive preoperative screening tool for the diagnosis of meniscal tears, a high percentage of missed meniscal tears has to be expected.


ABSTRACT Wastewater management in developing countries is a challenge, especially in small towns with rapid population growth. This study aims at assessing the performance and management of five treatment plants (TPs) in rural areas of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Pollutants' concentrations, wastewater flows, hydraulic and organic loads and hydraulic retention times were determined in three small treatment plants (2000–10,000 population equivalent [p.e.]; flow > 432 m3/d) and two very small treatment plants (<2000 p.e.; flow < 432 m3/d). The performance assessment was based on operational parameters, treatment efficiency and effluent quality. Management data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers of local water associations. The results support that the poor performance of the TPs is due to lack of operational expertise and financial resources for adequate operation and maintenance (O&M). Additionally, effective treatment was affected by the type of technology used and whether the plant design included plans for O&M with available resources. This study contributes to a better understanding of actual operating conditions of wastewater TPs in small towns, thus providing needed information regarding technology selection, design, implementation and operation.


In coupled reservoir simulations a model of a reservoir and the production system are joined together to obtain realistic responses. One way of performing production optimization is to make use of a gas oil ratio (GOR) estimate when calculating the optimal flow rates. Today this estimate is either not accurate enough or calculating it is a time consuming process. The thesis tries on an alternative online approach for estimating the GOR. It makes use of basis functions in the form of polynomials and normalized radial basis functions together with a recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm. This yields a simple and effective optimization strategy. When using a second order polynomial together with the fast convergent recursive least squares algorithm one achieves a suitable fit to the estimated production data. The algorithm has not yet been tested together with a production optimization tool and it has not been compared to the existing methods for estimating the GOR. Still it seems to have a lot of potential and the RLS is fast, convergent and proper for the objective of this thesis.


Although many previous studies have been carried on the enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover after pretreatment with dilute sulfuric acid, this paper emphasizes the use of different conditions to attain the highest yields of two sugars, xylose and glucose, from both stages. The pretreatment was performed at a range of sulfuric acid concentrations of 2, 4 and 6 % at 80, 100 and 120 °C. Up to 77 % xylose yield was obtained while the glucose yield was only 8.4 %. The corresponding solid phase was hydrolyzed by cellulase and the influences of five factors and their interactions on enzyme hydrolysis were evaluated by response surface methodology based on one-factor-at-a-time experiments. The optimal levels for each variable to obtain the highest reducing sugar yield were as follows: enzyme concentration of 22 FPU/g substrate, substrate concentration of 77 g/L, temperature of 49°C, pH 4.8 and reaction time of 38 h. A reducing sugar yield of 42.11 g/100 g substrate was achieved, which was consistent with the predicted value of 42.13 g/ 100 g substrate. Compared with the one-factor-at-a-time experiments, there was a 9.4% increase in reducing sugar yield when the enzyme concentration was decreased to 3 FPU/g substrate, the substrate concentration increased to 17 g/L and the reaction time dropped to 22 h. The total sugar released from the two stages was 62.81 g/100 g substrate.


SBA-16 is a mesoporous nanostructure with high surface area and cubic symmetry which make them an ideal carrier to carry different nanoparticles. Zinc peroxide (ZnO₂) is a novel nanoparticle that inhibits the growth of microorganisms due to its antiseptic property. Thin film of SBA-16 and SBA-16/ZnO₂ was deposited on glass slide by spin coating method. Anti-biofilm property of the thin films was examined against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. Structural property was found out by wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) was used to confirmation the presence of ZnO₂ in Nano-composite and AFM utilized for surface topography of thin films. Fluorescent microscope image clearly revealed that SBA-16/ZnO₂ nanocomposite thin film significantly inhibit the biofilm formation against both E. coli (gram negative bacteria) as well as S. aureus (gram positive bacteria) in comparision to SBA-16. The antimicrobial behavior of ZnO nanoparticle is due to formation of H₂O₂ as reactive oxygen species (ROS) to which the bacterial cells are permeable. H₂O₂ is a powerful oxidizing agents that oxidized the mycobacterial elements like DNA and proteins which results into the toxicity of the bacteria cell.


Background: In the developing mouse embryo, the bHLH transcription factor Neurog2 is transiently expressed by retinal progenitor cells and required for the initial wave of neurogenesis. Remarkably, another bHLH factor, Ascl1, normally not present in the embryonic Neurog2 retinal lineage, can rescue the temporal phenotypes of Neurog2 mutants. Results: Here we show that Neurog2 simultaneously promotes terminal cell cycle exit and retinal ganglion cell differentiation, using mitotic window labeling and integrating these results with retinal marker quantifications. We also analyzed the transcriptomes of E12.5 GFP‐expressing cells from Neurog2GFP/+, Neurog2GFP/GFP, and Neurog2Ascl1KI/GFP eyes, and validated the most significantly affected genes using qPCR assays. Conclusions: Our data support the hypothesis that Neurog2 acts at the top of a retinal bHLH transcription factor hierarchy. The combined expression levels of these downstream factors are sufficiently induced by ectopic Ascl1 to restore RGC genesis, highlighting the robustness of this gene network during retinal ganglion cell neurogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 247:965‐975, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


This article examines some recent philosophical attempts to make sense of "identity" in light of the intersecting categories of race, ethnicity, and culture. It addresses a perennial issue brought up recently with regard to Filipino Chinese: Who counts as "Filipino?" Behind this question are assumptions that I scrutinize philosophically: that there is a "Filipino" and it is possible to identify who counts as such and who does not. I begin with a survey of existing paradigms of identity which I then apply to a critical analysis of recent public discourse spawned by anti-Chinese statements made by a prominent Filipino novelist. I conclude with ethical prescriptions for conceptualizing Filipino identity in light of the complex fissures revealed by the aforementioned issue.


Purpose of review This review gives an overview of the current knowledge and research on the use of arginine vasopressin in cardiac arrest and severe shock states. Recent findings Animal models have revealed the effectiveness of arginine vasopressin in increasing vital organ perfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A multicentre trial compared arginine vasopressin and epinephrine in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and documented a significant improvement in hospital discharge rates in arginine vasopressin-treated (up to 2 × 40 IU) patients with asystole, and a significant benefit of the combined administration of arginine vasopressin and epinephrine on hospital discharge, irrespective of the underlying electrocardiographic rhythm. The stabilization of advanced shock states unresponsive to conventional therapy can be achieved by supplementary arginine vasopressin (1–4 IU/h). A randomized, controlled trial found that the combined infusion of arginine vasopressin and norepinephrine was superior to norepinephrine alone in reversing advanced vasodilatory shock. Furthermore, the successful employment of arginine vasopressin in uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock and other shock states, such as anaphylaxis, hypotension during spinal/epidural anaesthesia, postcardiotomy shock, acute brain injury, brain-dead organ donors, perioperative hypotension in patients chronically treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, shock after pheochromocytoma surgery, and carcinoid crisis have been reported. Summary Whereas arginine vasopressin in combination with epinephrine can significantly increase hospital discharge in cardiac arrest, arginine vasopressin combined with catecholamines improved haemodynamics in vasodilatory and haemorrhagic shock, but effects on outcome remain unknown. Nonetheless, in the perioperative setting, arginine vasopressin may already be considered as a potent adjunct vasopressor agent in advanced shock states unresponsive to conventional therapy.


Using the 3-m radio telescope of KOSMA, we mapped 12CO (J = 3-2) lines for three molecular clouds, B35, S146 and TMC-2A. High-velocity molecular outflows are found in all these regions. The physical and dynamical parameters of the outflows are derived, and their shapes and driving sources are analyzed. Contour maps of center velocities show that the large scale systematic gradients exist in the three clouds. These observed motions are best explained by rotation after excluding the cause of outflows. Furthermore, in the core region of TMC-2A there is a velocity gradient in opposite direction from that of the large scale. It may be caused by magnetic braking. Finally, angular velocities of the clouds are calculated, and the effects of rotation against gravity and lowering the star-formation rate are also analyzed.


Conventional ESPIRiT reconstruction requires accurate estimation of ESPIRiT maps from autocalibration samples or signals but acquiring such autocalibration signals takes time and may not be straightforward in some situations. This study aims to deploy deep learning to directly estimate ESPIRiT maps from uniformly undersampled multi-channel 2D MR data that contain no autocalibration signals. Results show that the estimated ESPIRiT maps could be reliably obtained and they could be used for ESPIRiT and SENSE reconstruction with high acceleration.


A numerical model for multiple reflection effects of a polarized beam on laser grooving has been developed. The surface of the treated material is assumed to reflect laser irradiation in a fully specular fashion. Combining electromagnetic wave theory with Fresnel's relation, the reflective behavior of a groove surface can be obtained as well as the change of the polarization status in the reflected wave field. The material surface is divided into a number of rectangular patches using a bicubic surface representation method. The net radiative flux far these patch elements is obtained by standard ray tracing methods. The changing state of polarization of the electric field after reflection was included in the ray tracing method. The resulting radiative flux is combined with a set of three-dimensional conduction equations governing conduction losses into the medium, and the resulting groove shape and depth are found through iterative procedures. It is observed that reflections of a polarized beam play an important role not only in increasing the material removal rate but also in forming different final groove shapes. Comparison with available experimental results for silicon nitride shows good agreement for the qualitative trends of the dependence of groove shapes on the electric field vector orientation.


The paper is about Newton Raphson Method which is all-inclusive to solve the non-square and non-linear problems. The study also aims to comparing the rate of performance, rate of convergence of Bisection method, root findings of the Newton meted and Secant method. It also represents a new approach of calculation using nonlinear equation and this will be similar to Newton Raphson simple method and inverse Jacobian matrix will be used for the iteration process and this will be further used for distributed power load flow calculation and will also be helpful in some of the applications. The paper also discusses the difference between the use of built in derivative function and self-derivative function in solving non-linear equation in scientific calculator. The derivation Newton Raphson formula, algorithm, use and drawbacks of Newton Raphson Method have also been discussed. Index Terms – Homotopy method, complex methods, bracketing method, convergence method, iteration method, self-derivation, algorithm complexity, square root of 2, computational.


Interference alignment is a promising technique to handle the interference in wireless networks. For a time-invariant channel, interference alignment for a scenario consisting of several pairs of nodes can be achieved using a number of single antenna relays. In the present work, a two time-slot transmission scheme which can be considered as a virtual MIMO interference channel is introduced. At the first time slot, every relay stores the received signal. During the second time-slot, it retransmits the received signal after a proper adjustment on both the amplitude and the phase of the signal. For a priori known transmit and receive filters, a closed form solution for the relays' scaling factors is obtained. The required number of relays can be reduced by adapting the transmit and receive filters to the channel. Also the transmit energies of the relays are analyzed. The performance of the proposed scheme is investigated using numerical simulations. The results show that the proposed schemes outperform the conventional schemes, e.g., in terms of the achieved sum rates at high SNRs.


Is the design and construction of four (4) lane highways still a viable option for those living in an urbanized environment; only for the State Departments of Transportation to return years later to construct additional lanes (e.g., the Baltimore-Washington Parkway) and create even more extensive commuter/travel delays? With vehicles only getting larger and with more and more families moving farther away from the Central Business District (CBD), it may be time to discontinue the design and construction of the four lane highway in lieu of the six/eight lane highway(s) as the standard. This paper does not see the continued use of four lane highways as a viable option for an urbanized environment and hypothesizes that state Departments of Transportation use the design and construction of six and eight lane highways as the recommended standard. Several case studies are presented from Maryland and Virginia in support of the hypothesis.


A related site of interest is the reconstruction of the TemplePalace of Ramses III at Medinet Habu, 1175 B.C., by Mohammed Motliband Matiu Carr. And a Color Tour of Egypt is offered by the University of Memphis.Princeton Architectural Press's Reprint Series was established in 1981 to make rare volumes on architecture available to a wider audience. The books' beautiful reproductions and finest quality printing and binding match those of the originals, while their 9-by-12-inch format makes them accessible and affordable. New introductions bring a modern voice to these classic texts, updating them to become invaluable contemporary resources. These critically acclaimed books are an essential addition to any library.


Competencies are a key factor in the professional development of teachers. Additionally, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in education are becoming increasingly important due to their potential in the field of education. The combination of both makes it easier to perform a comprehensive assessment of the level of competences of students in the Teacher Degree. The design of tasks and activities in order to promote their assessment enable classroom intervention. Indeed, this paper presents how ICTs have been used in university teaching. In order to respond to the evolution of training needs, we present a valid and reliable evaluation tool for professional competencies and learning results for prospective teachers (Pre-School and Primary Education). We applied for students from the Teacher Degree in their practicum period. Indeed, different learning and assessment tasks have been designed, some related to "correct" or "incorrect" teaching practices. This implies that the students have not only to do their tasks but to identify and to differentiate what is correct in their professional development. Finally, the instrument enables the assessment of the level of professional competencies acquired by prospective teachers during their training period.


Abstract Context Employment rates in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are approximately 35%, which is considerably lower than that of the general population. In order to improve employment outcomes a clear understanding of what factors influence employment outcomes is needed. Objective To systematically review factors that are consistently and independently associated with employment outcomes in individuals with SCI, and to understand the magnitude of their influence. Methods Through an electronic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Social Science Abstracts and Social Work databases, we identified studies published between 1952–2014 that investigated factors associated with employment outcomes following SCI. Exclusion criteria included: (1) reviews (2) studies not published in English (3) studies not controlling for potential confounders through a regression analysis, or (4) studies not providing an effect measure in the form of OR, RR, or HR. Data were categorized based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework, with each domain sub-categorized by modifiability. First author, year of publication, sample size, explanatory and outcome variables, and effect measures were extracted. Results Thirty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty modifiable and twelve non-modifiable factors have been investigated in the context of employment following SCI. Education, vocational rehabilitation, functional independence, social support, and financial disincentives were modifiable factors that have been consistently and independently associated with employment outcomes. Conclusion A number of key modifiable factors have been identified and can inform interventions aimed at improving employment outcomes for individuals with SCI. Future research should focus on determining which factors have the greatest effect on employment outcomes, in addition to developing and evaluating interventions targeted at these factors.


Tornroosite, ideally Pd11As2Te2, is a new mineral species discovered in a heavy-mineral concentrate from the Miessijoki River, Lemmenjoki area, Inari Commune, Finnish Lapland, Finland. It is cubic, space group Fd 3 m (#227), by analogy with isomertieite, a 12.3530(4) A, V 1885.03 (1) A3, Z = 8. The strongest six lines of the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [ d in A (I) hkl ] are: 2.182(100)440, 2.376(90)511, 333, 1.544(15)800, 1.862(13)622, 1.2606(13)844, and 1.608(11)731, 553. The associated minerals include sperrylite, Pt–Fe alloy, cooperite, braggite, native Os–Ir–Ru alloy, irarsite, laurite, isomertieite, mertieite II, native Pt, native gold–silver alloy, atokite, Pt–Cu alloy, Cu–Pt–Pd alloy, Cu–Pd–Pt–Au alloy, Pd–Au alloy, along with magnetite, ilmenite, chromite, hematite, columbite–tantalite, tapiolite, garnet, monazite, zircon, pyrite, rutile, uraninite–thorianite, galena, and a mineral of the wolframite series. Tornroosite is black, opaque with a metallic luster, with a silvery black streak. The mineral is isotropic with a yellowish white color in comparison with sperrylite. The reflectance values in air for the standard COM wavelengths are: 45.4 (470 nm), 51.0 (546 nm), 54.1 (589 nm) and 57.45% (650 nm). The calculated density is 11.205(1) g/cm3 (for the empirical formula and unit-cell parameter refined from powder data). The electron-microprobe analyses gave, on average, Pd 72.04, Pt 1.75, Sn 2.13, Sb 0.85, As 8.77, Te 13.15 and Bi 0.79, total 99.48 wt.%, which corresponds to (Pd10.85 Pt0.14)∑10.99(As1.88Sb0.11)∑1.99(Te1.65Sn0.29Bi0.06)∑2.00, based on a total of 15 atoms per formula unit. The average micro-indentation hardness (VHN25) is 519 ( n = 4), corresponding to a Mohs hardness of 5. The mineral is named after Professor Ragnar Tornroos, University of Helsinki, Finland.


In the modern era of commercialized, mediated, and global football, there is a decline in the importance of the local aspect of sports fandom. Nowadays, through television broadcasts, the Internet, and especially social networks, a fan continuously follows elite football clubs from around the world, which provide an alternative to local clubs. This has created a growing trend of football fan communities known as "transnational fans"—fans of sports clubs from other countries. Contrary to traditional definitions of fandom, the transnational fans are not close to the home stadium and therefore do not take part in the ceremonial ritual of actively supporting the club from the stands. Because of this, they are not seen as part of the club's traditional fans. This means that transnational fans are forced to redefine the image of the football fan and to place special emphasis on an active community and loyalty to the team as markers of devotion. Contributing to the study of the psychology of fandom, this article discusses the characteristics of those fans' communities in Israel and seeks to present an analysis of the construction of their members' social and personal identity. To this end, an anthropological approach was adopted, which involved attending community gatherings throughout an entire gaming season and also included a series of in-depth interviews with community members. The findings of the study illustrate two main premises: the use of personal and community resources for self-determination, and the community and its place in the modern fan typology. Each theme attempts to redefine the individual's role in the social setting and present a dynamic image of football fandom as it will take shape in coming decades.


Some herbicides are suspected of promoting teratogenic, carcinogenic and mutagenic events. Detection of induced mitotic crossing-over has proven to be an indirect way of testing the carcinogenic properties of suspicious substances, because mitotic crossing-over is involved in the multistep process of carcinogenesis. We examined mitotic crossing-over induced by two commercial herbicides (diuron and trifluralin) in diploid strains of Aspergillus nidulans based on the homozygotization index. Low doses (2.5 microg/mL) of diuron were sufficient to increase the mean homozygotization index in 2.1 and 11.3 times for UT448//UT196 and Dp II-I//UT196, respectively, whereas the same dose of trifluralin increased this mean only 1.2 (UT448//UT196) and 3.5 (Dp II-I//UT196) times, respectively. The lower homozygotization index value found for trifluralin could be due to its interference with mitotic crossing-over in eukaryotic cells. We concluded that the diploid Dp II-I//UT196 of A. nidulans is more sensitive to organic compounds than UT448//UT196; these compounds cause recombinational events at a greater frequency in the latter diploid. This system holds promise as an initial test for carcinogenicity of organic compounds, including herbicides.


A theory is developed for jointly minimizing the bit error rate (BER) between the desired and decoded signals with respect to the coefficients of transmitter and receiver finite impulse response (FIR) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) filters. The original signal is assumed to be a vector time-series with equally likely memoryless Bernoulli vector components. The channel model constitutes of a known FIR MIMO transfer function and Gaussian additive noise independent of the original signal. The channel input signal is assumed to be power constrained. Based on the formulas obtained, an iterative numerical optimization algorithm is proposed. When compared with other design methods available in the literature, the proposed method yields better results due to the generality of the model considered and the joint optimization of the transmitter-receiver pair.


The paper examines the fundraising success and failure of closed-end real estate private equity (REPE) funds over the time period 2004 to 2014. The paper aims (a) to identify some key drivers of success or failure and (b) to clarify whether fundraising metrics can serve as an a priori indicator for a fund's later performance. Our findings may be of significant value for investment decision makers and fund managers considering to launch a new REPE fund.To the best of our knowledge, we are the first in (real estate) private equity research to include information of canceled fundraising drives. This information is retrieved from a proprietary dataset provided by Preqin Ltd. Abandoned funds are those for which the fundraising process started but never completed, with the consequence that the fund never closed and no investment of funds ever took place. Since abandoned funds were not launched, they never entered common databases. We merge this 'fundraising loser' dataset with a global dataset of launched REPE funds, define several stages of fundraising success, and identify drivers for fundraising success.Our results are can be summarized in four points.First, although being higher for first time managers, the likelihood of an unsuccessful fundraising does not depend on the issuing manager's experience; there appears no significant relation between cancelations and fund serial numbers. Also, cancelling a fundraising does not drive a manager out of business. Many successfully raise subsequent funds. However, abandoning a fund sends a strong signal to the market, as the chances to close a fund following a canceled fundraising drive decrease by some 20 percent and the funds that are being closed turn out to be significantly smaller than those of managers that did not cancel a previous fundraising drive.Second, the reduced ability of collecting equity commitments seems to be anticipated by the fund managers, as they do not collect a lower percentage of the target fund size, which suggests that managers become more careful and set lower fundraising targets after they had to abandon a fund.Third, on average, a REPE manager's fundraising success is closely related to the ability to invest the equity committed to previous funds, to reputation, and to the performance of the predecessor fund. Fourth, oversubscribed funds are associated with lower equity multiples delivered to the investor and funds with a shorter fundraising time are likely to outperform their peers, which suggests that a fund's fundraising metrics may be able to forecast its later performance.


Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerases (PARP) inhibitors work as catalytic inhibitors as well as PARP poisons by trapping PARP-DNA complexes (Murai et al., Cancer Res. 2012: 72:5588-99), and talazoparib is the most potent PARP inhibitor to date in terms of cytotoxicity and PARP trapping (Murai et al., Mol. Cancer Ther. 2014:13:433-43). Nevertheless, mining the NCI60 data shows that half of the 60 cell lines are tolerant to talazoparib. To elucidate the mechanisms of such tolerance, we searched for genes with expression levels correlated to talazoparib sensitivity using CellMiner (http://discover.nci.nih.gov/cellminer/). Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) turned out to be one of the most positively correlated genes whose expression is correlated with cellular sensitivity to talazoparib. Using genetically altered cells, we established that SLFN11 inactivation confers high resistance to talazoparib, revealing that SLFN11 inactivation, which is common in cancer cells (Zoppoli et al. PNAS 2014: 109:15030-5), is a novel mechanism of resistance for PARP inhibitors. Based on genetically engineered CRISPR/casp9 SLFN11-knockout cell lines and cell cycle analyses, we found that the parent SLFN11-proficient cells arrest in S phase without DNA replication, while SLFN11-knock out cells maintain their replication until entering G2 phase in the presence of talazoparib. Although ATR is the key regulator of intra-S phase check point, the addition of the ATR inhibitor (VE-821) (Josse et al., Cancer Res. 2014) does not rescue the replication arrest in SLFN11-proficient cells, suggesting the existence of a SLFN11-dependent replication arrest mechanism independently of ATR. On the other hand, the addition of the ATR inhibitor in SLFN11-knock out cells alters the arresting point from G2 to S phase, and eventually increases dead cells. This is probably because the prolonged replication block leads to the collapse of replication forks, resulting in DNA double-strand breaks. Consistent to these findings, the combination of the ATR inhibitor with talazoparib synergistically sensitizes SLFN11-knock out cells more efficiently than the parent SLFN11-proficient cells. Together, these results demonstrate that the combination of the ATR inhibitor with talazoparib can overcome the resistance of SLFN11-deficient cells to talazoparib. Citation Format: Junko Murai, Yves Pommier. The combination of the PARP inhibitor talazoparib (BMN 673) with the ATR inhibitor VE-821 overcomes the drug resistance of Schlafen 11-deficient cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2849. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2849


Cognitive deficits are undesirable effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This article reviews the cognitive impairments associated with ECT, with an emphasis on linguistic information processing and memory dysfunction. Factors that may have an impact on the cognitive effects of ECT are discussed, along with recommendations for clinical interventions to aid in the treatment of these effects.


In order to better understand the ossification processes in anurans our study was carried out on tadpoles and adults of Lithobates catesbeianus. In this sense, we characterized the kinetic properties of alkaline phosphatase with p-nitrophenylphosphatase (pNPP) and pyrophosphate (PPi) and evaluated the activities of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and acid phosphatase. The enzyme extracts were obtained from tadpoles and adult femurs, which were divided into epiphysis and diaphysis. After homogenization, the samples were submitted to differential centrifugation to obtain cell membranes and, further, to phospholipase C (PIPLC) treatment, to remove membrane-bound proteins anchored by phosphatidylinositol. The average of specific activity for pNPP hydrolysis (at pH 10.5) by alkaline phosphatase released by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) from Bacillus cereus among different bone regions at different animal ages was 1,142.57 U.mg-1, while for PPi hydrolysis (at pH 8.0), it was 1,433.82 U.mg-1. Among the compounds tested for enzymatic activity, the one that influenced the most was EDTA, with approximately 67% of inhibition for pNPPase activity and 77% for PPase activity. In the case of kinetic parameters, the enzyme showed a "Michaelian" behavior for pNPP and PPi hydrolysis. The Km value was around 0.6mM for pNPPase activity and ranged from 0.01 to 0.11mM for PPase activity, indicating that the enzyme has a higher affinity for this substrate. The study of pNPP and PPi hydrolysis by the enzyme revealed that the optimum pH of actuation for pNPP was 10.5, while for PPi, which is considered the true substrate of alkaline phosphatase, was 8.0, close to the physiological value. The results show that regardless of the ossification type that occurs, the same enzyme or isoenzymes act on the different bone regions and different life stages of anurans. The similarity of the results of studies with other vertebrates shows that anurans can be considered excellent animal models for the study of biological calcification.


Factors that influence proximity and the number and duration of contacts among individuals can influence parasite transmission among hosts, and thus parasite prevalence and species richness are expected to increase with increasing host density. To examine this prediction we took advantage of a unique situation. Following the clearing of a forest fragment that supported red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles) and black‐and‐white colobus (Colobus guereza), the animals moved into a neighboring fragment that we had been monitoring for a number of years and for which we had described the primate parasite community. After the animals immigrated into the fragment, the colobus populations more than doubled and colobus density became almost twice that found in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Despite this increase in host density, the richness of the parasite community did not increase. However, in both colobus species the prevalence of Trichuris sp., the only commonly occurring gastrointestinal parasite, increased. Over the next 5 years the prevalence and intensity of infection of Trichuris sp. in red colobus declined and their population numbers slowly increased. In contrast, the prevalence and intensity of infection of Trichuris sp. increased in black‐and‐white colobus and remained high following the immigration, and their population size declined. While Trichuris sp. infections are typically asymptomatic, we consider it a possibility that they contributed to the decline of the black‐and‐white colobus, and that the red colobus may be serving as a reservoir for Trichuris, thereby increasing the infection risk for black‐and‐white colobus. Am. J. Primatol. 67:259–266, 2005. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Objective To investigate current Down syndrome live birth and death rates, and childhood hospitalisations, compared with peers. Setting General community. Participants All live births with Down syndrome, 1990–2015, identified via Scottish regional cytogenetic laboratories, each age–sex–neighbourhood deprivation matched with five non-Down syndrome controls. Record linkage to Scotland's hospital admissions and death data. Primary outcome HRs comparing risk of first hospitalisation (any and emergency), readmission for children with Down syndrome and matched controls were calculated using stratified Cox proportional hazards (PH) model, and length of hospital stay was calculated using a conditional log-linear regression model. Results 689/1479 (46.6%) female and 769/1479 (51.9%) male children/young people with Down syndrome were identified (1.0/1000 births, with no reduction over time); 1235 were matched. 92/1235 (7.4%) died during the period, 18.5 times more than controls. More of the Down syndrome group had at least one admission (incidence rate ratio(IRR) 72.89 (68.72–77.32) vs 40.51 (39.15–41.92); adjusted HR=1.84 (1.68, 2.01)) and readmissions (IRR 54.85 (51.46–58.46) vs 15.06 (14.36–15.80); adjusted HR=2.56 (2.08, 3.14)). More of their admissions were emergencies (IRR 56.78 (53.13–60.72) vs 28.88 (27.73–30.07); first emergency admission adjusted HR=2.87 (2.61, 3.15)). Children with Down syndrome had 28% longer first admission after birth. Admission rate increased from 1990–2003 to 2004–2014 for the Down syndrome group (from 90.7% to 92.2%) and decreased for controls (from 63.3% to 44.8%). Conclusions We provide contemporaneous statistics on the live birth rate of babies with Down syndrome, and their childhood death rate. They require more hospital admissions, readmissions emergency admissions and longer lengths of stays than their peers, which has received scant research attention in the past. This demonstrates the importance of statutory planning as well as informal support to families to avoid added problems in child development and family bonding over and above that brought by the intellectual disabilities associated with Down syndrome.


Both of these flow (Jabariyah and Qadarites), has a different ideology against human freedom though equally based on the proposition of the Qur'an, but there is a meeting point between the flow Jabariyah and Qadarites that humans actually have free will and therefore he will be held responsibility for the decision, though the decision is basically a fulfillment of destiny (provision) that have been determined. In other words, human free will cannot be achieved without the intervention of Allah SWT. In addition, Jabariyah teaching actually based on strong faith in Allah SWT Iradat qudrat and, coupled with the nature of His wahdaniat. For Qadarites man is the perpetrator goodness and evil, faith and kufr. This flow includes Jabariyah its reasons and arguments and opinions so that with a view to avoid the mistakes that plunged into error adherents of religion and the glory and holiness of Allah SWT


The analysis of coccolith species and percentage for the past 380 ka from Site KX97321-2 of the central West Pacific Warm Pool has been carried out.The results show that the relative abundance of Florisphaera profunda increased in the last 380 ka,indicating the decline of nutricline depth and the decrease in primary productivity.The relative abundance of Gephyrocapsa spp.however,dropped in the last 380 ka.Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica was the most abundant species in the Mid-Brunhes interval as the result of the adaptive evolution to the Mid-Brunhes peculiar environment.Based on the spectrum analysis of primary productivity converted from F.profunda,100 ka and 30 ka cycles were discovered during the last 380 ka.20 ka cycle was found obvious in the 0~80 ka and 320~380 ka,and 40 ka cycle in the 80~320 ka.


It is accepted that ventilator‐associated pneumonia is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care patients. This study describes the physicochemical properties of novel surfactant coatings of the endotracheal tube and the resistance to microbial adherence of surfactant coated endotracheal tube polyvinylchloride (PVC). Organic solutions of surfactants containing a range of ratios of cholesterol and lecithin (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, dissolved in dichloromethane) were prepared and coated onto endotracheal tube PVC using a multiple dip‐coating process. Using modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry it was confirmed that the binary surfactant systems existed as physical mixtures. The surface properties of both surfactant‐coated and uncoated PVC., following treatment with either pooled human saliva or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), were characterised using dynamic contact angle analysis. Following treatment with saliva, the contact angles of PVC decreased; however, those of the coated biomaterials were unaffected, indicating different rates and extents of macromolecular adsorption from saliva onto the coated and uncoated PVC. The advancing and receding contact angles of the surfactant‐coated PVC were unaffected by sonication, thereby providing evidence of the durability of the coatings. The cell surface hydrophobicity and zeta potentials of isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, following treatment with either saliva or PBS, and their adherence to uncoated and surfactant‐coated PVC (that had been pre‐treated with saliva) were examined. Adherence of S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa to surfactant‐coated PVC at each successive time period (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 h) was significantly lower than to uncoated PVC., the extent of the reduction frequently exceeding 90 %. Interestingly, the microbial anti‐adherent properties of the coatings were dependent on the lecithin content. Based on the impressive microbial anti‐adherence properties and durability of the surfactant coating on PVC following dip coatings, it is proposed that these systems may usefully reduce the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia when employed as luminal coatings of the endotracheal tube.


Spent Coffee Ground (SCG) comprises a range of functional components with high
antioxidant potential and health benefits. Although SCG has many advantages, antioxidant
values obtained using enzymes is still scarce. Several studies reported that the use of
enzyme-assisted extraction techniques could improve the detection of antioxidant
compounds in samples of by-products. In this study, SCG was extracted using enzymeassisted techniques for different periods (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mins). The total
antioxidant capacity was measured using Peroxidase, Catalase, Ferric reducing antioxidant
power (FRAP), Superoxide radical scavenging assay (SRSA) and 2,2-diphenyl-2-
picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) analysis. 60 mins extraction was found to exhibit antioxidant
activity in DPPH, SRSA, Catalase and Peroxidase of 84.18±7.01%, 32.83±6.75%,
76.65±5.52% and 75.01±7.67%, respectively. Besides that, the extraction also gave a high
amount of content with 267.17±26.69 mg TAE/mL and 58.30±2.36 mg QE/g in total
phenolic content and total flavonoid content respectively. Flavonoids such as quercetin,
kaempferol, rutin, gallic acid, catechin, epigallocatechin, p-Coumaric acid and myricetin
were found to be present in SCG extract. A high amount of catechin was found in all
periods of extraction, whereby 60 mins had the highest concentration of 1741.65 mg/L,
while 40 mins had the lowest concentration which was 389.85 mg/L. In conclusion, 60
mins extraction using a pectinase-assisted method was the best extraction period.
Additionally, the individual flavonoid catechin in SCG showed that it has potential as an
antioxidant. Finally, there is a strong correlation between antioxidative activity and both
phenolic and flavonoid content


The first cases of COVID-19 in France were detected on January 24, 2020. The number of screening tests carried out and the methodology used to target the patients tested do not allow for a direct computation of the real number of cases and the mortality rate.In this report, we develop a 'mechanistic-statistical' approach coupling a SIR ODE model describing the unobserved epidemiological dynamics, a probabilistic model describing the data acquisition process and a statistical inference method. The objective of this model is not to make forecasts but to estimate the real number of people infected with COVID-19 during the observation window in France and to deduce the mortality rate associated with the epidemic.Main results. The actual number of infected cases in France is probably much higher than the observations: we find here a factor x 15 (95%-CI: 4-33), which leads to a 5.2/1000 mortality rate (95%-CI: 1.5 / 1000-11.7/ 1000) at the end of the observation period. We find a R0 of 4.8, a high value which may be linked to the long viral shedding period of 20 days.


SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious and pathogenic virus that first appeared in late December 2019 and caused a global pandemic in a short period. The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Coronaviridae family. Numerous treatments have been developed and tested in response to the pandemic, particularly antiviral drugs. Among them, GS441524 (GS441), a nucleoside antiviral drug, has demonstrated promising results in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, the limited oral bioavailability of GS441 restricts its application to patients with the virus. In this study, a novel prodrug of GS441 (NGP-1) with an isobutyl ester and cyclic carbonate structure was designed and synthesized. Its purity and the stability in different artificial digestive juices of NGP-1 was determined with HPLC-DAD methods. The pharmacokinetics of NGP-1 and GS441 were studied in rats via gavage administration. A new LC-MS/MS method was developed to quantitatively analyze GS441 in plasma samples. The results showed that the ka, Cmax, and MRT of converted GS441 from NGP-1 were 5.9, 3, and 2.5 times greater than those of GS441 alone. The Frel of NGP-1 was approximately four-fold that of GS441, with an AUC0–∞ of 9716.3 h·ng mL−1. As a prodrug of GS441, NGP-1 increased its lipophilicity, absorption, and bioavailability, indicating that it holds promise in improving the clinical efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 medications.


Industries produces large amount of marble and granite waste powder. These wastes are of two types, one of them is wet form which is impure form because it mixes with soil. And the other one is in powder form which is the pure form of marble waste and granite waste. These wastes are dumped in to the open land which cause serious environmental issues such as land problem, water problem and other deterioration. We can use these wastes to overcome environmental issues. Moreover, we can use these wastes in concrete to reduce construction economy. Waste marble powder, when we use in concrete, gives us good result in mechanical and durability characteristic of concrete. We used marble powder and granite powder with limited replacement of cement at 0%, 5%, 10% to check the performance of concrete in its mechanical and durability characteristics. This thesis describes a detailed experimental study on concrete's tensile strength and compressive strength and concrete water absorption. Better outcomes were obtained at 5-10% replacement of cement with these wastes. Concrete's durability and mechanical characteristics were improved by increasing waste granite with limited replacing of cement up to 10%. Determined Results show that a little content of marble dust and waste granite powder with limited replacement of cement will lower construction economy, reduce the cement quantity and gives better results in compressive strength


Summer-to-autumn flowering chrysanthemums (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev. cv.) are grown outdoors in containers and are characterised by a uniform ball-shaped growth habit. Development of new cultivars expanded the production of marketable plants from end of July until end of October. During the first weeks of the production cycle plants were pinched regular to increase branching but also to prevent development of precocious initiated flowers. This pinching treatment however increases Labour costs and is therefore more and more abandoned. The effectiveness of ethephon for terminal bud destruction was evaluated for three cultivars 'Draga', 'Tardero' and 'Veria Dark'. PLants were sprayed with 0-240-480-1200-2400 mg a.i./l. Ethephon spraying resulted in growth arrest and apical bud necrosis and higher doses resulted in more pronounced reactions. The highest dose (2400 mg a.i./l) resulted in phytotoxicity one week after application; phytotoxicity was more severe in 'Veria Dark' than 'Draga' and 'Tardero'. Ethephon treatments significantly delayed flowering and have potential to be used in commercial production schemes of summer-to-autumn flowering chrysanthemum in outdoor conditions.


Thermo Fisher Scientific and Hart's E&P hosted a webinar together on December 10th, "Bringing Core Analysis into the Digital Age". The webinar discusses the advantages and applications of digital rock modeling and simulation technology to improve reservoir performance predictability – Insight and Properties using high-resolution microscopy imaging of core samples.


An effective method based on the regularization technique to solve the problem of the high-frequency electromagnetic field coupling to an overhead transmission line is presented. The integral-differential equation describing the field-induced current into a line of finite length, is solved by expressing the unknown by means of the Fourier series. The Landweber iterative method is then used to determine the series coefficients. The proposed method is tested taking as reference numerical results obtained using the numerical electromagnetics code (NEC). The obtained results using the proposed approach are found to be in excellent agreement with those obtained using NEC.


INTRODUCTION
Digital simulation technologies have become widespread in healthcare education, especially in dentistry; these technologies include digital X-ray images, digital microscopes, virtual pathology slides and other types of simulation. This study aimed to assess students' attitudes towards digital simulation technologies at a large, top-ranked dental school in China, as well as find out how students compare the digital technologies with traditional training methods.

METHODS
In April 2015, a custom-designed questionnaire was distributed to a total of 389 students who had received digital technology and simulation-based training in West China Dental School during 2012-2014.

RESULTS
Results of a cross-sectional survey show that most students accept digital simulation technology; they report that the technology is stimulating and facilitates self-directed and self-paced learning.

CONCLUSION
These findings, together with the objective advantages of digital technology, suggest that digital simulation training offers significant potential for dental education, highlighting the need for further research and more widespread implementation.


Article history: Received 17 March 2018 Received in revised form 21 July 2018 Accepted 14 August 2018 Available online 16 August 2018 The effect of number of baffles on flow and pressure drop on a shell side of shell-andtube heat exchangers was studied. In the present study, a set of CFD simulations using FLUENT version 17.0 from ANSYS were used to analyze the flow in the single shell and single tube pass heat exchangers consists of 20 mm diameter of tubes in staggered configuration with a variable number of baffles. The simulations were undertaken to inform on how the fluid flowed within the shell side of shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The results show that the variable number of baffles and baffle spacing in a heat exchanger strongly affect the flow pattern and pressure drop. This is consistent with other published data.


PURPOSE
In clinical pencil-beam-scanned (PBS) proton therapy, the advantage of the characteristic sharp dose fall-off after the Bragg Peak (BP) becomes a disadvantage if the BP positions of a plan's constituent pencil beams are shifted, eg.due to anatomical changes. Thus, for fractionated PBS proton therapy, accurate knowledge of the water equivalent path length (WEPL) of the traversed anatomy is critical. In this work we investigate the feasibility of using 2D proton range maps (proton radiography, PR) with the active-scanning gantry at PSI.

METHODS
We simulated our approach using Monte Carlo methods (MC) to simulate proton beam interactions in patients using clinical imaging data. We selected six head and neck cases having significant anatomical changes detected in per-treatment CTs.PRs (two at 0°/90°) were generated from MC simulations of low-dose pencil beams at 230MeV. Each beam's residual depth-dose was propagated through the patient geometry (from CT) and detected on exiting the patient anatomy in an ideal depth-resolved detector (eg. range telescope). Firstly, to validate the technique, proton radiographs were compared to the ground truth, which was the WEPL from ray-tracing in the patient CT at the pencil beam location. Secondly, WEPL difference maps (per-treatment - planning imaging timepoints) were then generated to locate the anatomical changes, both in the CT (ground truth) and in the PRs. Binomial classification was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the technique relative to CT.

RESULTS
Over the projections simulated over all six patients, 70%, 79% and 95% of the grid points agreed with the ground truth proton range to within ±0.5%, ±1%, and ±3% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, precision and accuracy were high (mean±1σ, 83±8%, 87±13%, 95±10%, 83±7% respectively).

CONCLUSION
We show that proton-based radiographic images can accurately monitor patient positioning and in vivo range verification, while providing equivalent WEPL information to a CT scan, with the advantage of a much lower imaging dose.


Careful neutron diffraction measurements on deuterated low density amorphous (LDA) ice confirm that at 120 K it can be considered a fully 'annealed' structure, as no significant changes are observed in the amorphous spectra until crystallization occurred over time at 130 K. On this basis, the measurement of structural differences between the hydrogenated and deuterated forms of LDA ice at 120 K, have been carried out using 98 keV electromagnetic radiation diffraction techniques. The maximum observed isotope effect in LDA ice is ~ 3.4% at 40 K when compared to the magnitude of the first peak in the electronic structure factor at Q = 1.70 A−1. This compares to a maximum effect of ~ 1.6% previously measured in liquid water at room temperature (Tomberli et al 2000 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter. 12 2597). The isotope effect is shown to be similar to a temperature shift in the structure of light LDA ice. However, the existence of a first sharp diffraction peak at Q = 1.0 A−1 in the isotopic difference function is not reproduced in the temperature difference and suggests that additional longer-range correlations are present in the more ordered deuterated form.


BACKGROUND AND AIM
The determination of sex from human remains has a crucial role in forensic anthropology. It has been known that the mandible has several useful traits for sex determination. The gonial angle, which is one of them, has been evaluated by forensic practitioners to identify sexual dimorphism with morphologic and metrical analyses. However, there are opposing approaches on the sexual dimorphism of the gonial angle in the literature, which contradict each other. There are also some other studies asserting that it cannot be employed in sex determination. The purpose of this study is first to figure out the reason for this dilemma and then establish the significance of the gonial angle in sex determination in a white sample.

METHODS
Computed tomography scans were obtained from 300 adults (150 males and 150 females), which were divided into 3 age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-80 years). The gonial angle, which is formed by 2 lines: (1) between the most posterior point of the mandibular condyle and the gonion and (2) between the most inferior point of the mandibular symphysis and gonion, was measured on computed tomography scans. In order to observe differences among the 3 age groups, the collected data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by a least significant difference post hoc test. Two-way analysis of variance was used to compare sex differences in each age group.

DISCUSSION
It is suggested that the probable reason of this dilemma is the unsubtle samples of the researches. Categorizing the sample into age groups with statistically sufficient number makes the data more valuable in terms of examining the differences related to sexual dimorphism. This study also reported that males showed slightly smaller gonial angle values than those of females in all age groups. No statistically significant difference was observed in the gonial anthropometric values for middle age groups (20-39 and 40-59 years), whereas it shows statistically sexual dimorphism for senior adult group (60-80 years). However, the results revealed that the gonial angle is not a particularly good indicator to identify the sex from the cranium and should not be used as a sole criterion.


In this paper, a new method for measuring the thickness of transparent specimens using chromatic confocal microscopy (CCM) is presented. The conventional CCM thickness measurement model relies on capturing the focal points on the upper and lower surfaces of a transparent specimen. This model has strict specimen placement tolerance and a limited measurement range. In order to overcome these limitations, a new thickness measurement model was developed by adding an auxiliary reflector below the specimen. The thickness of the specimen can be determined by comparing the wavelengths of light focused on the auxiliary reflector before and after placing the measurement specimen. Theoretical analysis and simulation showed that the proposed method has twice the measurement range of the conventional model. In order to verify the proposed CCM measurement model, a laboratory thickness measurement system was developed by the authors' team. A commercial laser scanning confocal microscope (Carl Zeiss LSM780) was used as the reference system. A set of quartz glasses was measured using both the proposed system and the reference system. Experimental comparison showed that the proposed method was able to achieve a measurement accuracy of 0.25 μm. In addition, repeated measurements conducted at different heights showed negligible variation. Thus, it can be concluded that the specimen placement tolerance was improved significantly compared with the conventional model.


Sulfolobus turreted icosahedral virus (STIV) is a model archaeal virus and member of the PRD1-adenovirus lineage. Although STIV employs pyramidal lysis structures to exit the host, knowledge of the viral entry process is lacking. We therefore initiated studies on STIV attachment and entry. Negative stain and cryoelectron micrographs showed virion attachment to pili-like structures emanating from the Sulfolobus host. Tomographic reconstruction and sub-tomogram averaging revealed pili recognition by the STIV C381 turret protein. Specifically, the triple jelly roll structure of C381 determined by X-ray crystallography shows that pilus recognition is mediated by conserved surface residues in the second and third domains. In addition, the STIV petal protein (C557), when present, occludes the pili binding site, suggesting that it functions as a maturation protein. Combined, these results demonstrate a role for the namesake STIV turrets in initial cellular attachment and provide the first molecular model for viral attachment in the archaeal domain of life.


Disparity is a measure of the range or significance of morphology in a given sample of organisms, as opposed to diversity, which is expressed in terms of the number (and sometimes ranking) of taxa. At present there is no agreed definition of disparity, much less any consensus on how to measure it. Two possible categories of metric are considered here, one independent of any hypothesis of relationship (phenetics), the other constrained within an evolutionary framework (cladistics). The Early Cambrian radiation was clearly a period of significant morphologic and taxonomic diversification. However, we question the interpretation of its first generation products as numerous body plans at the highest level. Four phenetic and two cladistic measures have been used to compare disparity among Cambrian arthropods with that in the living fauna. Phenetic methods assessing character-state variability and the amount of morphological attribute space occupied yield similar results for Cambrian and Recent arthropods. Assessments of disparity within a taxonomic framework rely on the identification of particular characters that delineate higher level body plans. This requires a phylogenetic interpretation, a cladistic investigation of hierarchical structure in the data. Both sets of arthropods fall within the same major clades, and within this cladistic framework the amount of character-state evolution in the two groups is comparable. None of these methods identifies markedly greater disparity among the Cambrian compared with the Recent taxa. Although measures of disparity are applied here to a consideration of the Cambrian radiation, the metrics clearly have a much wider potential for estimating macroevolutionary trends independently from existing taxonomic frameworks. Geometric morphometry is ideal for measuring morphological variety at lower taxonomic levels, but it requires the recognition of homologous landmarks in all the forms under comparison, or the identification of entire homologous structures. Conventional phenetics has much wider application as it can operate on data coded as discrete homologous character states (this facility is also a requirement of cladistics), which are a more appropriate basis for comparing disparity in markedly dissimilar forms.


Dengue is endemic in Singapore, and the most recent epidemic occurred in 2013. The mean of weekly number of dengue cases over a five-year period provides an indication of the baseline level. In view of increased laboratory testing for dengue in 2013, an adjustment was made to the computation of the baseline level for 2014. The assumption for our approach in incorporating an adjustment factor was that the proportion of hospitalizations among laboratory-confirmed cases remained constant between 2012 and 2013. This adjustment has helped to provide a more accurate indication of the baseline level of dengue for 2014.


Efficient authentication in the vehicular networks has been studied by several researchers in the past. However, there are still several issues to be addressed like high communication/ computation overhead, security problems, etc. In this paper, we propose an Efficient Authentication Protocol (EAP) for secure vehicular communication. This protocol employs smart cards based on users(vehicles)' passwords and identities to provide strong user authentication, and uses dynamic login identities to provide the anonymity of authentication. Performance analysis shows that this protocol does not only provide high efficient authentication, but also can resist attacks like offline password guessing attack, smart card loss attack, impersonation attack and so on.


The article presents the research of antioxidant activity hawthorn leaves of blood-red, leaves of schizandra chinensis and their mixture. Antioxidant activity was determined by 2 methods. The first method is spectrophotometry. Antioxidant properties were determined by their ability to inhibit the autooxidation reaction of adrenaline. The second method is chemiluminescence. It is based on the ability to reduce the intensity of luminescence. In the experiment the leaves of the hawthorn blood-red, leaves of schizandra chinensis and their mixtures reduced the rate of formation of reactive oxygen species and reduced the rate of lipid peroxidation.


This study aims to examine the influence of students' perceived quality of national movie and the reference group toward the intention of students to watch national movie by considering the ethnocentrism as a moderating variable. The data was obtained through online questionnaires and filled by sample of students who have watched national films within the last 6 months. The model was tested using multiple group analysis in SEM. The results of this study indicate that students' perception whether they have low or high ethnocentrism has a significant influence on the formation of of their intentions in watching national movie. As well the reference group as a reference to watch movie, both in students with low and high ethnocentrism, has a significant influence. We also find that also there are significant differences in the research model (measurement model and structural model) between research model on students with low ethnocentrism and on students with high ethnocentrism, which shows that the effect of the perception of quality as well as the reference group was greater in students with low ethnocentrism. Keywords: Purchase Intention, Perceived Quality Products, Reference Group, Consumer ethnocentrism


Amaurotic familial idiocy, a well defined clinical and pathologic entity, is considered by most observers to be a disease resulting from a disturbance in the phospholipoid metabolism. In contrast, however, to Niemann-Pick's disease, in which there is a generalized lipoid histiocytosis, striking visceral changes have not been demonstrated in amaurotic familial idiocy. In the case to be described, though the condition was characteristic in all respects of the infantile type of amaurotic familial idiocy, the patient showed, in addition to the typical changes of the central nervous system deposits of lipoid in the visceral organs. REPORT OF CASE S. N., a Jewish boy aged 19 months, was admitted to the pediatric service of Dr. J. Sobel of the Hospital for Joint Diseases on Dec. 24, 1931, because of apathy, weakness and blindness. The baby had developed normally for the first five months of his life. He then became torpid and


The 1980s' debt crisis is a landmark in developing economies' growth and stabilization. According to the most quoted empirical articles, external shocks and vicissitudes gave rise to crisis just because of delays in stabilization policies, engendered by internal conflicts and institutional immaturity. I review some of these papers, and find out some problems — in the measurement of shocks and foreign indebtedness, namely whose corrections lead to opposite results: external shocks and foreign indebtedness explain that crisis regardless of domestic policies. At the same time, the strong correlation of income distribution to terms of trade changes and foreign indebtedness suggest that inequality may have contributed differently to that crisis: either through an economic channel, or through a political channel based on delays in reforms. Key-words: External Shocks; Indebtedness; Debt Crisis; Stabilization Policies; Trade Protection; Political Economy. JEL Classification: F34; F42; E61; 011; 057


Speech signals are often contaminated with acoustic noise, which is present in a variety of listening environments. This problem is of critical importance because background noise is particularly damaging to speech intelligibility for people with hearing loss and hearing aids users. A pre-processing step in modern digital hearing aids is denoising to estimate the signal in the band of interest from the available noisy signals without altering it. Advances in digital signal processing have allowed adding vital features to improve the performance of assistive listening devices like speech enhancement and noise reduction. Furthermore, the progress in field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) technology,especially for miniaturized system applications facilitated the implementation of small, portable and high performance devices. In this paper a signal processing core based on stationary wavelet packets is designed forspeech enhancement and denoising in hearing aids. The developed core is implemented on FPGA and interconnected with embedded microprocessors and related peripherals to form a complete system on a programmable chip. The embedded software processor is Micro Blaze soft core processor. The chip used is Diligent XUP II Virtex-II Pro system FPGA containing audio codec LM4550. The features of the proposed design are intelligibility, small area and low cost.


This study identified nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) recovered from bovine pyogenic affections obtained at necropsy using the molecular target 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer region. Postmortem inspection of cattle was conducted at South Darfur State abattoirs and Alsabalouga Slaughterhouse at Omdurman area during 2007-2009. Specimens were examined for the presence of acid fast bacteria (AFB) using microscopic and standard culturing techniques. AFB were identified phenotypically and confirmed by 16S-23S rDNA ITS. Fifty nine NTM were recovered and confirmed as acid fast filaments out of 165 positive AFB specimens, of which 52 isolates were identified as bovine farcy causative agents, while 7 cultures were excluded due to drying. 16S-23S rDNA ITS of NTM revealed three different amplicons 500 bp. (32) isolates, 550 bp. (2) isolates and 600 bp. (14) isolates. Four isolates were contaminated.


Two patients were admitted to the dental clinic to evaluate two right mandibular first molars (both FDI no. 46). In Case 1, there was an accidental instrument separation, which was thought to have been bypassed; however, the instrument was located beyond the apical foramen, in the alveolar bone. The 1-week follow-up revealed that the fragment was close to the inferior alveolar nerve, thus allowing surgical removal to be performed. In Case 2, two separated instruments located in the apical third of the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals were removed using the HBW ultrasonic ring coupled to ISO 10 and 15 hand instruments. The 3-month and 1-year follow-ups (Case 1), and the 2-year and 3-year follow-ups (Case 2) showed a favourable evolution in both cases. It can be concluded that both the surgical approach and the HBW ultrasonic ring are viable options for the removal of separated instruments in unfavourable locations.


Non melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most frequent malignancies in humans (Geller & Annas, 2003). It comprises many different types of tumors, such as Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), which are the main ones among the NMSCs. There are 100.000 new cases of these neoplasms per year in the UK (Aitken et al., 2007) and about a millon in the US (Kuchide, 2003). NMSC incidence is estimated to increase in a 10% by 2060 -taking into account the Copenhagen Amendments scenario for protection of ozone layer(Slaper et al., 1996). The development of both SCC and BCC implies a malignant transformation of keratinocytes, the most abundant cells in the epidermis. In addition to genetic factors, there are a variety of stimulus that can induce this transformation, like viral or bacterial infections and chemical agents (such as 7,12-dimethyl benzanthracene -DMBAor Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8diol-9,10-epoxide -B[a]PDE-), (Aubin et al., 2003; Bouwes Bavinck et al., 2001; Madan et al., 2006). However, the most important carcinogen of the skin is the solar ultraviolet radiation (UVr), mainly the UVB component (280-310 nm), which is able to reach the earth surface (Armstrong & Kricker, 2001). All of those carcinogens promote molecular and cellular changes, modifying different functions like cell cycle control or apoptotic cell death. In this way, the affected cells lose their capacity to regulate their proliferation properly and have the potential to generate an uncontrolled linage of cells, which may ultimately lead to tumor formation and growth. There are many gene products that have been found to be involved in skin cancer development. Some of them are related to cell cycle -like cyclin D1(Liang et al., 2000), apoptosis -like Bax, Bcl-2, and othersor in both processes -like p53 and p21(Coultas & Strasser, 2003; Murphy et al., 2002). Additionally, skin UVB irradiation has been proven to induce an increment in the levels of a significant number of immune system mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-┙ (TNF-┙), interleukins 6 (IL-6), 10 (IL-10), 8 (IL-8), 4 (IL-4), prostaglandins (PGs), nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),


Phytochemicals have significant biological effects. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant and inhibitory activities of methanol (MeOH) extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Onosma microcarpum DC. and O. nana DC. on enzymes that play a critical role in digestive and cholinergic systems and melanogenesis process. The chemical compositions of the extracts were determined by using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. The biological activities of the extracts were determined by using antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory test systems. According to spectrophotometric analysis, both phenolic and flavonoid concentrations of O. nana were found higher than O. microcarpum (44.63 mg GAEs/g and 27.86 mg QEs/g, respectively). Chromatographic analysis shows that O. nana contains a high amount of hesperidin (53412.37 µg/g). In comparison, O. microcarpum has rosmarinic acid (13181.91 µg/g), apigenin 7-glucoside (11693.97 µg/g), luteolin 7 -glucoside (8632.03 µg/g) and pinoresinol (1014.26 µg/g) as the main compounds. In the ferrous ion chelating activity test, extracts exhibited almost similar activities. In contrast, radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), and phosphomolybdenum tests resulted in the superiority of O. nana (229.98, 243.58, 327.46, 189.69, and 783.14, mg TEs/g, respectively). In the α-amylase inhibitory activity test, O. microcarpum showed higher activity (406.31 mg ACEs/g). In comparison, α-glucosidase (958.23 mg ACEs/g) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (2.80 mg GALAEs/g), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (2.59 mg GALAEs/g), and tyrosinase (200.43 mg KAEs/g) inhibitory activity of O. nana was found to be stronger than the other sample. (4) Conclusions: The chemical compositions and biological activities of the mentioned Onosma species were brought to the literature for the first time with this study. It is thought that O. nana can be an alternative source of phytochemicals in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries due to its biological activity potential.


The research sets out to identify the learning processes adopted by older workers in the hospitality and visitor attraction industry in Scotland, with a view to determining how employers may better support their education and training within enterprises. The study was undertaken as part of the ESRC project on 'Sustaining the employability of older workers in the hospitality sector: personal learning strategies and cultures of learning'. The data collection period was from 2008–2010 and focused on six case studies; three in hospitality and three visitor attraction centres. The conceptual framework of the research is based upon the simple yet important notion of experience and how this enhances the learning lives of older employees. It will be argued that the learning processes used by older employees are primarily recognisable as social practices, based upon the utilisation of existing knowledge and skills. The analysis suggests that organisations should be encouraged to avoid using a 'one size fits all' approach to education and training and, in the case of older workers, to make more use of their past work and life experiences in order to facilitate their own and others' learning.


An improved dilated Benes (IDB) network and a generally improved dilated Benes (GIDB) network are introduced to improve the crosstalk characteristic of the dilated Benes (DB) network. The signal-to-noise ratio characteristic of the IDB network and the GIDB network is compared with the DB network. Bit error rate produced by crosstalk is experimentally investigated and compared. Results show that the GIDB network is a low crosstalk photonic switching network that can be used in large capacity optical cross-connect nodes.