OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1. Determination of the state of nutrition in the examined population of 18-year-old girls. 2. Retrospective determination of the state of nutrition of the same girls when they were 14 years old. 3. The answer to the question whether the examined group exhibits the tendency to consolidate abnormalities in terms of the body weight over time.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
1047 female students of secondary schools, aged 18, were subjected to anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, BMI, BMI-SDS) and took part in a survey questionnaire devoted to their eating habits. The measurement results of the same girls aged 14 were obtained retrospectively.

RESULTS
When the subjects were 14 years old, 79.7% of them had a normal body weight, 14.9% were obese, and 5.4% were underweight. At the age of 18, 76.6% of the subjects had a normal body weight, 17.2% were obese, and 6.2% were underweight. 4.7% of the girls with a normal weight aged 14 reduced their body weight, and 9.2% became obese at 18 the age of 18. None of the underweight subjects demonstrated obesity at the age of 18, and 45.6% maintained their body weight below the normal limits. 66% of the girls who were obese at the age of 14 maintained their obesity at the age of 18.

CONCLUSIONS
1. Most girls in the examined population at 14 and 18 years of age demonstrate a normal nutrition state. Obesity was observed in 15% of the examined females at the age of 14 and in 17% at the age of 18, whereas 5% of girls aged 14 and 6% of girls aged 18 are underweight. 2. From early to late adolescence a tendency to persistent abnormalities of the nutritional status is observed in girls. 3. Obesity in girls aged 14 is a predictor for obesity at the age of 18 and perhaps in the adult life.


Urban Metro rail systems are subject to high and growing demand as the populations of major cities increase. A point may be reached where improving system management using advanced control is more attractive than expanding the network. Control schemes for strengthening system performance and therefore user satisfaction typically involve measuring certain system state variables such as the numbers of passengers aboard trains and waiting at stations. Given the high cost of installing the necessary sensors, an alternative methodology is proposed for online estimation of the two variables using a moving horizon optimization approach. Experiments performed on a dynamic simulator show that the variable values can be inferred by measuring only train dwell times and passengers entering stations, data on which are generally accessible without major investment. The level of accuracy of the estimates generated by the methodology is high enough to enable a model-based controller implemented in a real Metro system to achieve significant performance improvements.


Computing is one of the most demanding applications of integrated circuits (IC). It requires the highest possible speed to process information. Higher speeds imply smaller circuits and, therefore, higher densities of integration. Thus, the most effective way to make faster circuits is by "scaling down", i.e., reducing the device size proportionally. However, under present technology, miniaturization is mainly constrained by the amount of heat dissipated as the number of devices increases per unit area and by the ability of lithographic tools to chisel smaller details on bulk substrates; these are technical constraints. However, there are physical or natural constraints which are practically material independent (speed of light, size of atoms, response of the electron, and Planck constant). Two main scenarios have been proposed for using molecules or small group of atoms (clusters) to build devices able to perform logical operations, bypassing, to some extent, problems undermining miniaturization or scaling-down processes for IC. One approach is the crossbar; a promising technology that uses directed self-assembly to make nanoarrays similar in shape to those already fabricated at larger scales by standard electronics. The other approach is the nanocell, which is a complementary design in the sense that it builds up (bottom-up) from single molecules into precise and complex structures that can be approached by standard lithography. This paper focuses on the description, advances, and possibilities of the nanocell approach, which takes advantage of the great skills developed by chemists to synthesize molecules with precise arrangements of atoms in a molecule. The nanocell concept does not require a deterministic assembly or deposition of molecules and clusters, thanks to the recently discovered programmability feature of molecules. Thus, in this paper, it is shown that the nanocell is a feasible concept for the development of electronics beyond deterministic lithographic approaches presently used in the fabrication of IC. The great importance and advantage of having molecular size computing devices is their ability to interact directly with external agents or molecules producing a sensor device already attached to a nanoprocessor that is able to strongly help in the stand-off detection of chemical and biological agents


Without discourse connectives, classifying implicit discourse relations is a challenging task and a bottleneck for building a practical discourse parser. Previous research usually makes use of one kind of discourse framework such as PDTB or RST to improve the classification performance on discourse relations. Actually, under different discourse annotation frameworks, there exist multiple corpora which have internal connections. To exploit the combination of different discourse corpora, we design related discourse classification tasks specific to a corpus, and propose a novel Convolutional Neural Network embedded multi-task learning system to synthesize these tasks by learning both unique and shared representations for each task. The experimental results on the PDTB implicit discourse relation classification task demonstrate that our model achieves significant gains over baseline systems.


Lumber Puncture (LP) can be performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Failure to perform LP is associated with greater morbidity and mortality due to delayed diagnosis and improper management. This study was conducted to evaluate frequency of LP refusal and its associated factors among parents of children hospitalized with suspected Central Nervous System (CNS) infections. This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to April 2022 at National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, Pakistani. Parents/attendants of all pediatric patients hospitalized with suspected CNS infections and advised LP by the treating physicians were included in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess the perception and attitude of patients' towards the procedure and if they agreed for their child to undergo LP. Parents of 338 children were enrolled, out of which 203(60.1%) consented for LP. Majority refused because of fear of complications followed by those who believed LP was not required (29%). Common misconceptions regarding LP complications were risk of death (13%), epilepsy (11%) and paralysis (7%). Significantly lower refusals were observed when no other course was offered as alternate to LP (p-value <0.001). There was high frequency of LP refusal among parents of pediatric patients presenting with suspected CNS infections, most important cause of refusal was fear of complications.


Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographic activities of the erector spinae muscle of the back and the rectus femoris muscle of the thigh, and to measure the angles of the spinal and knee flexions in order to determine the effect of wearing a back belt. Methods : Fifteen healthy males participated in the study. Surface electromyography was used to measure the level of muscle activities at the two muscle groups. The Simi system, utilizing two-dimensional analysis of movement, was used to examine the range of motion of the back and low extremity. Results : Firstly, the angle of the spinal flexion was significantly less in the back-belt-wearing group than in the control, and that of the knee flexion was significantly increased in the back-belt-wearing group. Secondly, there was no significant change in the electromyographic signals of the erector spinae muscle of the back and the rectus femoris muscle of the thigh. Conclusions : The use of back belts helps workers to correct their posture when lifting boxes. It can therefore protect workers from acute back injuries.


Recent studies have pointed out that Chaotic Pulse Position Modulation (CPPM) is a very promising method for improving privacy and security in chaos-based digital communication. Especially, CPPM provides better performance than other chaotic modulation methods in noise- and distortion-affected environments. In this paper we present our development of a robust method named M-ary CPPM which is based on the combination of the conventional CPPM and multi-symbol modulation in order to improve the transmission bit rate. The M-ary CPPM signal has a pulse train format in which each pulse is a symbol and the chaotically-varied inter-pulse time interval conveys the binary information of k bits (M = 2k). The analysis and development of modulation and demodulation schemes are presented in detail. Theoretical evaluation of Bit-Error-Rate (BER) performance in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and the use of AWGN filtering is also provided. The chaotic behavior of the M-ary CPPM is investigated with the variation of modulation parameters. In order to verify the performance of the proposed schemes, numerical simulations were carried out in Simulink and comparison between simulation and theoretical results is reported.


Introduction: Recently, "low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms" (LAMNs) have been proposed as one subtype of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms, characterized by a villous or flat proliferation of mucinous epithelium with low-grade cytologic atypia. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of LAMN. Methods: In this multi-institutional cohort study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics in appendiceal neoplasms patients who underwent treatment from 2000 to 2017. Results: In total, 922 patients were enrolled, with 279 (30.3%) cases of LAMN, and 93 (10.1%) cases of non-LAMN disease. In comparison with patients with non-LAMN disease, those with LAMN had significantly lower levels of CA19-9 (p = 0.045), a lower frequency of T4 tumors (p < 0.0001), a lower frequency of lymph node metastasis (p < 0.0001), and a lower frequency of distant metastasis (p < 0.0001). Survival analysis revealed that patients with LAMN had a significantly better prognosis than did those with non-LAMN disease (p < 0.001). Among the patients with distant metastasis, those with LAMN had a significantly better prognosis than did those with non-LAMN disease (p = 0.0020), but among the patients without distant metastasis, the difference between the 2 groups was not significant (p = 0.26). However, among patients who underwent complete resection, the difference in prognosis between the 2 groups was not significant (p = 0.10). Conclusions: A multicenter retrospective study revealed that the clinicopathological characteristics of LAMN was different from those of non-LAMN.


The problem of density level and bearing capacity of soil is one of things that really need to considered in the planning and construction work of a civilian building . This is because the land in question serves as a medium that holds the load or the action of a construction that is built on it . Stabilization using sand material is one way to meet the needs of the required strength . Changes in weather and temperature in the field are factors that makes the soil unstable . The type of soil is organic clay stabilized from the Gedong Pasir village, Jabung District, East Lampung District. This research was conducted by using a mixture of sand with variations mixture of 5 %, 10 % and 15 %. After the CBR testing, Density, Atterberg Limits and Specific Gravity for each sample. The more variations of a mixture of sand were added resulting in declining water levels that would make the value of the soil carrying capacity increases, the value of density and plastic limit increased, while the value of the liquid limit and plasticity index decrease. Keywords: sand, organic clay, bearing capacity


On First Amendment issues, today's Supreme Court is arguably the most protective in the institution's history. But the apparent libertarian consensus masks a surprisingly deep disagreement about the manner in which First Amendment decisions should be made. The Court's Republican justices prefer an austere, formal approach in which logical conclusions are pursued to the farthest reach. The Court's Democratic justices, on the other hand, would follow a more complex, contextual approach in which rules and standards are often custom-tailored to narrow factual domains.
This Article models that divide. I demonstrate that the Court's First Amendment case law over the past three decades has conformed to a small set of unspoken rules that I call "the four tenets." These four tenets have defined First Amendment doctrine for nearly thirty years, and they are today so deeply ingrained that we barely notice them. Yet they do not represent a consensus position. Instead, the Court's four Democratic justices stand prepared to break with the four tenets, and President Trump's nominee could well supply the fifth vote. If that occurs, it will mean the end of an era in First Amendment law and the beginning of a new one.


We discuss our radio (Australia Telescope Compact Array and Australian Long Baseline Array) and X-ray (XMM-Newton) monitoring observations of the unusual ultraluminous supernova SN 1978K in NGC 1313 at ~25 yr after the explosion. SN 1978K is a rare example of a Type IIn supernova that has remained bright enough to have long-term X-ray and radio observations. The observations probe the dense medium that was ejected by the progenitor star prior to its explosion; the star might have been a luminous blue variable. The radio imaging shows that the source remains compact, but it may be marginally resolved. The radio monitoring shows deviations from a smooth decay, suggesting that inhomogeneities are present in the radio-emitting region. It appears that a major change occurred in the mass-loss rate of the progenitor star shortly before the supernova event. The X-ray emission between 2000 and 2006 is consistent with the radiation coming from two shocks. All the X-ray data can be fit using the same model (with no systematic evolution or short-term variability), but this has a surprising requirement: the X-ray-emitting regions have a very large abundance of helium. This would be consistent with the X-ray-emitting shocks being located in a helium-rich layer that was ejected by the progenitor star, or helium-rich material was ejected in the supernova explosion. The unusual properties of the supernova motivated a search for an associated gamma-ray burst (GRB). We show that SN 1978K was inside the ~4 σ error box of GRB 771029. If this association is correct, the GRB was exceptionally underluminous. However, the quality of the gamma-ray burst locations at that time was poor, and this is likely just a chance alignment.


Small wind turbine has great role in rural and remote areas in which the electric accesses from the grid is difficult. In this paper, horizontal axis wind turbine blade which has capacity of 5 kW was designed and verified with the help of the blade element momentum theory. Using this theory, the twist angle and chord length for each section the mid radius and the local tip speed ratio blade were calculated. Lift force is the main force for operating the wind turbine to produce useful power. Thus, Maximum lift-to-drag ratio is criterion for choosing the air foil family. Here SG air foil family were selected because they specifically designed for small wind turbine.


In July 2020, in the midst of the COVID crisis, the Kenyan mobile operator Safaricom announced that the intellectual property rights (IPR) for mobile money service M-Pesa were "moving back into African control". This paper tracks how the IPR originally came to be held outside Kenya, and the implications for understanding M-Pesa as an inclusive innovation. Through reflection of this analysis of IPR and innovation, the paper contributes to discussions on structural aspects of digital innovation in the global south. By focussing on IPR, it unpacks some of the processes by which global intellectual property regimes and cross-border IPR practices shape uneven outcomes and power.


The influence of aging and temperature cycling effects on thin epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7-x films on (100) SrTiO2 has been investigated over a period of 15 months using measurements of the spatial magnetic field distribution. Two of the four investigated samples have an amorphous YBaCuO cover layer which appears to protect the samples against degrading.


Environmental variability is a key feature of arid and semiarid rangelands worldwide. Drought is one of the main sources of variation in most extensive livestock production systems in arid environments, with biophysical and socioeconomic implications. The effect of non-climatic disturbance factors, such as volcanic eruption and ash deposits, has been less documented in arid environments. The aim was to assess the magnitude of impact of volcanic ash deposits on Merino wool production and quality that took place in the context of a drought, by making a comparison along a gradient of ash deposition before and after a volcanic eruption. It was found that volcanic ash deposits in the context of a regional drought significantly affected Merino wool production and fibre quality traits in farms from North-western Patagonia, Argentina. The magnitude of the impacts differed among wool traits. It is argued that further research is needed on the impact of ash deposits on wool weights and quality, and that measures of livestock production should be included in environmental monitoring systems at regional and farm levels.


A large diameter sampler was developed to take undisturbed samples from not only soft ground but also sandy and weathered ground. The large diameter sampler which was developed in Korea Institute of Construction Technology(KICT-type large diameter sampler) was manufactured based on the principle of triple core barrel sampling. A specially designed cutting device was used to cut and contain various kinds of samples in the sampler during a sampling and retrieval procedure. By adjusting the stiffness of the spring located at the top of the sampler, the distance between the cutting shoe and auger can be controlled in accordance with the ground condition. In order to investigate the applicability of the developed sampler and compare the quality of the samples taken by the sampler with that by the traditional thin-walled tube sampler, samples were taken at various sites according to the ground condition. And a series of laboratory tests such as the unconfined compression test, triaxial compression test, large diameter test, large diameter Rowe cell consolidation test (D: 150 mm) were performed. The test results showed that the samples by the KICT-type large diameter sampler show higher quality than the samples by the thin-walled tube sampler. And the validity and applicability of the developed KICT-type large diameter sampler was confirmed accordingly.


Machine-assisted design of integrated photonic devices (e.g. through optimization and inverse design methods) is opening the possibility of exploring very large design spaces, novel functionalities and non-intuitive geometries. These methods are generally used to optimize performance figures-of-merit. On the other hand, the effect of manufacturing variability remains a fundamental challenge since small fabrication errors can have a significant impact on light propagation, especially in high-index-contrast platforms. Brute-force analysis of these variabilities during the main optimization process can become prohibitive, since a large number of simulations would be required. To this purpose, efficient stochastic techniques integrated in the design cycle allow to quickly assess the performance robustness and the expected fabrication yield of each tentative device generated by the optimization. In this invited talk we present an overview of the recent advances in the implementation of stochastic techniques in photonics, focusing in particular on stochastic spectral methods that have been regarded as a promising alternative to the classical Monte Carlo method. Polynomial chaos expansion techniques generate so called surrogate models by means of an orthogonal set of polynomials to efficiently represent the dependence of a function to statistical variabilities. They achieve a considerable reduction of the simulation time compared to Monte Carlo, at least for mid-scale problems, making feasible the incorporation of tolerance analysis and yield optimization within the photonic design flow.


Others have sought to examine Aids as a cultural phenomenon, a medically defined condition with the capacity to affect and reflect popular fears and anxieties about disease, sex and death. It is this latter approach that is the subject of this collection of essays which analyse cultural images, systems of socialisation and control, systems of care, rights, responsibilities and reciprocities. Many of the chapters in this intriguing book were first published


A single-stage thermoelectric refrigerator will lose its effectiveness with increase in the temperature ratio of heat source and heat sink is large (>70 K). Thus, various ways of improving the coefficient of performance (COP) of the thermoelectric refrigeration system are to be found out.The most efficient way for improving the co-efficient of performance is to dissipate the heat at the sink effectivelyby application various methods such as use of phase change materials, two- or multi-stage combined thermoelectric refrigerator is an important method of improving performance of thermoelectric refrigerators.


Joining of polymers are usually carried out using adhesives that has a deteriorating quality at elevated working conditions thus limiting its application areas. Friction stir welding (FSW) is a growing solid-state welding technology, with applications including the welding of lightweight materials. FSW was recently introduced for joining thermoplastics materials and found successful. This study attempts in employing FSW to join polylactic acid (PLA)-based 3D printed engineering components and assess the effect of FSW process parameters (tool rotational speed and traverse speed) on the weld property. The present work uses the FSW process to butt weld 5 mm thick 3D printed PLA sheets with taper cylindrical profiled tool. For the experimentation, three different combinations of feed rates and pin rotational speeds are considered. Based on joint efficiency evaluation, it is found that tool rotational speed of 1400 rpm combined with 10 mm/min transverse speed produces the weld with high joint efficiency of 40%.


In this paper, we propose a type of joint feature with geometric parameters and color moments to represent the speaking-mouth frames for image-based visual speech synthesis systems. Based on FDP around the mouth area, the geometric feature is obtained by computing Euclidean distances to describe the width of the speaking mouth, the height of the outer and inner lips and the distances between them. The color moment component in the joint feature is obtained by calculating the texture between the upper and lower inner lips to describe the visibility state of the teeth. Through analyzing the accordance between the teeth visibility and the components of RGB and HSV color space based on the samples separately, we discovered that green and blue components are good at describing the change of teeth visibility. The experiments show that the proposed joint feature can effectively provide the basis for categorizing the different speaking states especially at the sense of lip shapes and tooth visibility. The evaluation of clustering results is done by analyzing the derived parameters of the silhouette function.  The analyzing results prove that comparing with the geometric only and PCA, our proposed feature together with the shape and the local inner lip texture clues has better performance in improving the similarity between samples within the clusters. In the future, more expressive features with the shape and local texture information should be explored to increase the proportion of similar samples within the clusters to improve the descriptive ability of speaking mouths. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i2.2047


Ultrasonic velocity (U), density (ρ) and viscosity (η) values of the mixture of pyridine with 1-propanol have been measured at 303K, 313K and 323K temperatures. From these data, acoustical parameters such as adiabatic compressibility (β), free length (Lf), free volume (Vf) and internal pressure (π i) have been estimated using the standard relations. The excess parameters such as βE, Lf E, Vf E and π i E are also determined from the experimental data. The results are interpreted in terms of molecular interaction between the components of the mixture. The ultrasonic velocity decreases with the mole fraction of 1-propanol in the binary mixture at all temperatures. The adiabatic compressibility (β) shows an inverse behaviour as compared to ultrasonic velocity at all temperatures.


Highway design criteria are considering roadway safety and smooth driving maneuver. However, a certain highway alignment within design criteria often leads drivers to undesirable situation due to the differences between the original intention of design criteria and the unintended result of drivers' cognition. The differences between them often result in traffic accidents. In order to reduce accident process, highway safety facilities are installed on those roadway sections. However, the relationship between highway environments and human factors has not been deeply studied in Korea. In this study. vertical roadway sections are constructed with 3-D graphical tools. This vertical roadway sections are simulated on a driving simulator in order to identify the differences of drivers' cognition on different roadway environments. Based upon the collected data from the driving simulator, canonical correlation analysis and canonical discriminant analysis of quantification theory II have been performed in order to figure out impacting factors on the degree of roadway safety. Also, based upon quantification theory I. the relationship between roadway safety facilities and the degree of safety has been analyzed.


Hyperspectral imaging is not only a very special type of imaging, but also a special type of spectroscopy. What is more, there are many different architectures of hyperspectral imagers. While this paper concentrates on push-broom architecture only, there are still several parameters for which a hyperspectral camera may be optimized in design. This optimization means that the best fitting use cases are in fact chosen simultaneously with the design decisions. It is not always self-evident how hyperspectral camera parameters affect the measured data and its interpretation. Hyperspectral cameras consist essentially of two separate optical parts and a camera. Each of those parts processes the information originating from the target. The selection of the optimization parameters is based on camera design principles, which may differ significantly from one manufacturer to another, or one instrument to another. Comparing these instruments is not easy, but it is often also unnecessary as not all the parameters are equally important in every practical use case. When a user chooses a hyperspectral camera, they should study the specifications of the performance parameters with the intended application in mind. Highlighting one of the parameters in the design results in a loss of performance in another. These parameter pairs include spectral sampling vs. light collection efficiency, number of pixels vs. frame rate, and optical sharpness vs. sampling artifacts in the image.


There is a growing need for cost-effective tools for quantitative assessment of marine resources in support of better future resource management. Video is one such tool being used by Australian researchers at CSIRO Marine Research (CMR) to enhance their understanding of benthic habitats and community dynamics. This paper discusses the challenge of obtaining accurate measurements from video images. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has been developing quantitative video technology through its program of scientific remotely operated vehicle (ROV) development for a number of years-in particular, the use of laser-referenced imagery and associated software, named "Laser Measure@". Lasers located in a known configuration around the camera and projected into the field-of-view and onto a plane enable the image to be scaled. Recent collaboration between MBARI and CMR has enabled the developer of the "Laser Measure(C)" technology and CMR users to test the methodology and apply it to seafloor images from shelf to mid-slope depths off southeastern Australia, and also to apply aspects of the methodology to existing non-laser referenced imagery obtained in northern Australia. They use both fixed-mount referencing lasers and paired cameras, on a variety of platforms, to determine measurement scale in imagery.


The present study assessed the in vivo effects of fatty acids on inflammation and carcinogenesis in mice. Fifteen fatty acids were examined for their effects on the inhibitory effect of caffeine on 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear oedema in mice. Furthermore, linoleic acid was studied for its effects on the inhibitory effect of caffeine on carcinogenesis in mouse skin initiated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene (DMBA) and promoted by TPA. Among fatty acids, linoleic, I³-linolenic and oleic acids most strongly blocked the inhibitory effect of caffeine on TPA-induced ear oedema. Furthermore, linoleic acid also markedly blocked the inhibitory effect of caffeine on the tumour-promoting activity of TPA. This is the first report to suggest that fatty acids, such as linoleic, I³-linolenic and oleic acids, block the anti-inflammatory activity of caffeine on TPA-induced inflammation in mice. Linoleic acid blocked the inhibitory effect of caffeine on tumour promotion by TPA in the two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis model. These results suggest that intake of linoleic acid requires attention.


Over the last few decades, unprecedented advances in communications technology have collapsed vast spatial and temporal differences, and made it possible for people to form connections in a manner not thought possible before. Centred chiefly on information, this revolution has transformed the way in which people around the world think, work, share, and communicate. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) promise a future of a highly interconnected world, wherein action is not limited by physical boundaries, and constrained physical space is replaced by a virtual 'cyberspace' not subject to traditional hierarchies and power relations. But is the promise of ICTs chimerical? To tackle these issues, central to the global policy debate over the potential development contributions of Information and Communication Technologies, and to examine whether and the extent to which disparities in access to ICTs exist, this book chapter provides a demonstration of the ways in which ICTs may be used as tools to further global economic, social, and political advancement, to shape actor behaviour, and to enhance institutional functioning; particularly in the Third World.


Obesity and diabetes epidemics are affecting about a third and tenth of US population, respectively, capturing the attention of the nation and its institutions. Social media provides an open forum for communication between individuals and health organizations, a forum which is easily joined by parties seeking to gain profit from it. In this paper we examine 1.5 million tweets mentioning obesity and diabetes in order to assess (1) the quality of information circulating in this conversation, as well as (2) the behavior and information needs of the users engaged in it. The analysis of top cited domains shows a strong presence of health information sources which are not affiliated with a governmental or academic institution at 41% in obesity and 50% diabetes samples, and that tweets containing these domains are retweeted more than those containing domains of reputable sources. On the user side, we estimate over a quarter of non-informational obesity discourse to contain fat-shaming -- a practice of humiliating and criticizing overweight individuals -- with some self-directed toward the writers themselves. We also find a great diversity in questions asked in these datasets, spanning definition of obesity as a disease, social norms, and governmental policies. Our results indicate a need for addressing the quality control of health information on social media, as well as a need to engage in a topically diverse, psychologically charged discourse around these diseases.


The viscosity coefficient of Castor oil is various under different temperature.Under internationally recognized standard,there are only a few values,which is not propitious for application.This paper shows a new method to fit viscosity coefficient of Castor oil with various temperature by Origin.


Ciprofloxacin concentrations in serum and in bronchial secretions were studied after single and multiple intravenous administrations for two days in ten patients. The dose given was either 0.75 or 1.5 mg/kg. With the lower dose, the peak concentrations in the bronchial secretions were (mean +/- S.D.) 0.40 +/- 0.29 mg/l after the first injection and 0.35 +/- 0.25 mg/l after the fourth injection. With the higher dose, the corresponding mean peak bronchial concentrations were 0.84 +/- 0.58 and 1.16 +/- 0.86 mg/l respectively. The half-lives of the drug in bronchial secretions ranged from 2.13 to 3.72 h. The penetration of ciprofloxacin into bronchial secretions was excellent as demonstrated by the high ratios of the areas under the concentration curves obtained in the serum and in bronchial secretions which ranged from 0.79 to 1.11.


There were defined and evaluated new atomic and local hybrid indices in retrospective study. Inspired in the Refractotopological State Index for Atoms, the new indices are theoretically supported by graph theory principles. The local indices are obtained from the sum of the atomic values of the atoms in the selected group. The meta classifier Bagging-Reptreewas used for SAR studies, with more than 92% accurate prediction. These indices show a low mutual correlation coefficient.


In this paper, we present an online communication-driven decision support system to align terms from a dataset with terms of another dataset (standardized controlled vocabulary or not). Heterotoki differs from existing proposals in that it takes place at the interface with humans,inviting the experts to commit on their definitions, so as to either agree to validate the mapping or to propose some enrichment to the terminologies. More precisely, differently to most of existing proposals that support terminology alignment, Heterotokisustains the negotiation of meaning thanks to semantic coordination support within its interface design. This negotiation involves domain experts having produced multiple datasets.


In order to minimize the cross sensitivity of resistive gas sensors we suggest the use of a new micromachined silicon substrate which offers various measurement possibilities. Pairs of interdigitated electrodes with different spacings at the chip surface and an additional pair of interdigitated electrodes above the sensing layer are integrated and allow the variation of both longitudinal and transversal electric fields in the sensing layer. The comparison of the resistive signal of the upper and the lower electrode can give further information regarding bulk and surface effects or gas diffusion effects. As a further possibility, we suggest the application of a transverse electric field to the sensing layer by using the upper interdigitated electrode as a gate electrode and the heating element as a counter electrode. This additional electric field can influence the effective signal values caused by desorption and adsorption of gas specimens thus enhancing the selectivity of resistive gas sensors.


We report an experimental study of the 1.064 μm transition dipoles in neodymium doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd-YAG) by measuring the coupling constant between two orthogonal modes of a laser cavity for different cuts of the YAG gain crystal. We propose a theoretical model in which the transition dipoles, slightly elliptic, are oriented along the crystallographic axes. Our experimental measurements show a very good quantitative agreement with this model, and predict a dipole ellipticity between 2% and 3%. This work provides an experimental evidence for the simple description in which transition dipoles and crystallographic axes are collinear in Nd-YAG (with an accuracy better than 1 deg), a point that has been discussed for years.


In this paper, a method is developed for detecting image forgery including removal, insertion, and replacement of objects. SVM classifier is used which have similar functional form to neural networks. Image, texture and pixel value based features are extracted and analyzed from the images. Then hash values are calculated for these features. The process consists of two phases which are training phase and a testing phase. SVM classifier is trained with a set of images. SVM classifiers are used to classify the images as genuine or forged. For the secure use, RSA algorithm can be applied so that only authorized person can run the application to check whether the given query image is genuine or forged.


In this article the pedagogical models analyzed from a psychological dimension, making a brief description of the pedagogical model behavior (Skinner), the constructivist teaching model (Piaget) and historical-sociocultural (Vygotsky) theory as a pedagogical model. However, there are several proposed teaching holistic and ecological derived from new epistemologies. In this sense we conclude that from the model bio-pedagogical Maturana proposed a biology of love as ontological and epistemological basis of the pedagogy of love, which provides holistic alternatives, systemic and configurational understand learning human, very different from the behaviorist, constructivist and historical conceptions cultural.


Myxosporean emaciation disease of cultured red sea bream Pagrus major and spotted knifejaw Oplegnathus punctatus has recently occurred in Japan. Morphological features and molecular analysis of SSU rDNA indicated that myxozoans from the intestine of affected fishes were identified as Enteromyxum leei, one of the causative organisms of the emaciation disease of tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes. A one-year periodic examination of E. leei infection in cultured red sea bream revealed that cumulative mortalities reached about 10% during the first summer, but surviving fish were not infected in the following year. Experimental transmission of E. leei from infected tiger puffer to naive red sea bream was achieved by both cohabitation with infected fish and exposure to effluent from a tank containing infected fish. This study suggests that fish-to-fish transmission occurs among different fish species in culture fields.


Research on generalized optimism has been primarily correlational in nature. The authors attempted to experimentally manipulate optimism separately from several related constructs (i.e., mood and self-esteem). They examined 2 different optimism manipulations. For the 1st one, participants generated thoughts about positive future events to induce an optimistic orientation. For the 2nd one, the authors exposed participants to an optimism-priming task. Both manipulations produced modest increases on a dispositional optimism measure and a situational optimism measure, compared with a control group. The momentary increases appeared particular to the optimism construct because the authors did not find similar increases on measures of mood and self-esteem. The authors provide preliminary evidence that generalized optimism can be validly and discriminantly manipulated.


Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL

Background : The cytologic differentiation between benign and malignant effusions can be difficult. Because promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is a frequent epigenetic event in many human cancers, it could serve as a marker for the diagnosis of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of promoter hypermethylation as a diagnostic tool for the differentiation between malignant and benign effusions in liquid-based cytology samples. Methods : A multiplex, nested, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to examine promoter methylation of 4 genes (RAR-β, APC, Twist and HIN-1) in malignant (n=85) and benign (n=31) liquid-based cytology samples. Results : The frequencies of hypermethylation of RAR-β, APC, Twist and HIN-1 were significantly higher in malignant effusions than in benign effusions (p<0.001 for each). In receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) for APC was the highest. The AUC for the best two-gene combination (APC/HIN-1) was not statistically different from the best individual tumor suppressor gene (APC). Conclusions : This study suggests that promoter methylation analysis on residual liquid-based effusion samples may be a feasible approach to detect malignant effusions, and that APC is the best marker for differentiating malignant and benign effusions.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4810. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4810


We consider a joint information extraction (IE) model, solving named entity recognition, coreference resolution and relation extraction jointly over the whole document. In particular, we study how to inject information from a knowledge base (KB) in such IE model, based on unsupervised entity linking. The used KB entity representations are learned from either (i) hyperlinked text documents (Wikipedia), or (ii) a knowledge graph (Wikidata), and appear complementary in raising IE performance. Representations of corresponding entity linking (EL) candidates are added to text span representations of the input document, and we experiment with (i) taking a weighted average of the EL candidate representations based on their prior (in Wikipedia), and (ii) using an attention scheme over the EL candidate list. Results demonstrate an increase of up to 5% F1-score for the evaluated IE tasks on two datasets. Despite a strong performance of the prior-based model, our quantitative and qualitative analysis reveals the advantage of using the attention-based approach.


This article studies the formation of the European Union as a technological discourse. It traces the technological narrative from the origins of the Community until the current debates around the internet and the future of the Union. In search of a renewed telos, the European rhetoric of an open internet could express the commitment of the EU to re-link its popular legitimacy away from liberal abstractions and closer to the concrete, subjective experience of individuals, actively sharing a peaceful, dense and diverse democratic life.


Few-layer V(2)O(5) nanosheets with a thickness of 2.1-3.8 nm have been successfully synthesized in this work via a simple and scalable liquid exfoliation technique. The unique nanostructure allows the high-rate transportation of lithium ions and electrons due to very short diffusion paths provided by this ultrathin thickness, resulting in Li-ion cathodes with remarkable energy and power densities.


The growing energy demand and means to fulfill it has contributed a lot to ever-increasing carbon emission in the atmosphere.The energy sector in India is facing constant challenges to produce clean energy,and with growing energy demand, this sector has already faced a lot of stress to deal with current situation. To mitigate this challenge all the sectors which are using energy needs to optimize their energy use and to find renewables means to generate energy to fulfill their needs. The building industry is accountable for 40 percent of the total energy consumption and thus needs to improve their energy use through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy use. Energy efficiency in educational buildings is rarely addressed when talked about buildings in general, although, educational buildings can act as a living laboratory for energy efficient building design and can act as role model for surrounding community for transferring knowledge. The library building is one of the most important buildings in the educational campuses,and the most happening place presents a challenge for achieving energy efficiency due to its variable occupancy rates during operational hours. Case study approach is used for this paper for finding out the renewable energy (solar photovoltaic) generational potential of the library building located on the educational campus. For this study, PVsyst software was used for simulating the library building for finding the possibility of implementing solar photovoltaic panels and thus making building self-sufficient on the guidelines of net-zero energy building. Some variable that affects the sizing of the photovoltaic panel for the buildings were taken up includes the area of the roof, shading factors, inverter size, etc. It was found that the with proper integration of solar photovoltaic system and reducing the energy use can be useful in making library building low carbon buildings and with improvement in technology in the field of solar PV systems it may be possible to make library buildings net-zero energy buildings in the near future.


This study uses Leader–Member Exchange (LMX) theory to test the associations between the supervisor–subordinate relationship, psychological empowerment and affective commitment amongst 1283 nurses working in Australian public and private hospitals. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, analysed and presented. The findings show that the quality of LMX is more important in public sector nursing contexts than in the private sector with regard to the relationship between empowerment and affective commitment. Furthermore, the relationship between empowerment and affective commitment is stronger for nurses in public sector organisations with low-quality LMX than for nurses in public sector organisations with high-quality LMX. As empowerment and affective commitment are both predictors of staff retention, the findings can assist in developing targeted current and future retention strategies for healthcare management.


A method is presented for estimating the thickness of the monoclinic layer formed by hydrothermal degradation of zirconia doped with 3 mol% of yttria (3Y-TZP) by means of X-ray diffraction at different incidence angles. The method is based on: a) determining the monoclinic concentration in the degraded layer by X-ray diffraction at angles for which the beam penetration depth is smaller than the layer thickness; b) calculating and using the ratio between intensities of the same main tetragonal peak in the degraded and in the as sintered specimens at angles for which the contribution of the same tetragonal peak from the layer and from the underneath non-degraded material are significant. In order to compare with experimental results, 3Y-TZP has been subjected to degradation in an autoclave at temperatures of 131 °C in water vapour at a pressure of 0.2 MPa. The method may be useful when the thickness of the degraded layer is in the range between a few hundred nanometres and a few microns.


This paper proposes a satellite communication system configuration suitable for multimedia communication and discusses the requirements for the network system. In the proposed system, multi-speed digital data is multiplexed and distributed to users by satellites. The distribution data is received not only at users' homes directly but also at the head-ends of CATV systems. Users can get desired information from multiplexed data by using a multimedia adapter consisting of a receiver and a decoder. Each user can send requirements to the information providers (IPs) via individual low bit-rate lines and the IPs can manage and maintain the user orders through those lines. The satellite network will exist not as a stand-alone system but as a virtual network in B-ISDN, which will be combined with terrestrial optical fiber links, radio links, and satellite links. As the first step in achieving a multimedia service network, a high bit-rate satellite system and a medium bit-rate satellite system are developed. In the former system, a high bit-rate transmission capability of 156 Mbps is attained. In the latter system, a very small transportable earth station of 1.2-m phi antenna is actualized. To clarify the effectiveness of using satellite communication systems for multimedia services, a demonstration using transportable earth stations of the medium bit-rate satellite system is now being carried out. >


Enteric human adenoviruses (HAdVs; serotypes 40 and 41) have been identified as an emerging cause of drinking water contamination. Due to their fastidious characteristics, HAdVs are difficult to cultivate and therefore not detected easily by standard mammalian cell cultivation methods. Here we found that human embryonic kidney 293 cells, transformed transiently with Ras, enhanced HAdV replication by more than threefold. We also constructed a stable cell line overexpressing the Ras protein, 293-Ras, in which the replication of three HAdV strains of serotypes 40 and 41 was increased markedly. However, only HAdV replication was enhanced; infection of 293 and 293-Ras cells with human rhinivorus-6 showed no significant differences in replication rate. Infected 293-Ras cells exhibited an increased level and phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK). In addition, the Ras-mediated increase in HAdV replication was impaired by the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK1) inhibitor U0126, suggesting direct involvement of the MEK1/ERK pathway in enhanced HAdV replication. Based on these results, we suggest that the 293-Ras cell line be used for the efficient detection and cultivation of HAdV strains in both clinical and environmental specimens.


We synthesized c-axis-oriented Nd–Ba–Cu–O bulk superconductors to investigate the effect of densification on the trapped fields. We found that the employment of the pre-sintering process in pure oxygen prior to melt-processing was effective in increasing the density of the grown crystal and also in depressing the deformation and liquid loss that enhanced misorientation angles between grains and the inhomogeneity of superconducting properties. This led to the enhancement of the trapped field.


Superdispersive iron, cobalt and copper nanocrystalline powders were synthesized in a water–ethanol medium by the reduction method using sodium borohydride as a reducing agent and carboxymethyl cellulose as a stabilizer (for Fe and Co nanoparticles). Transmission electron microscopy micrographs and x-ray diffraction analyses of the freshly prepared nanocrystalline powders indicated that they were in a zerovalent state with particle sizes ranging from 20 to 60 nm. The soybean seeds were treated with an extra low nanocrystalline dose (not more than 300 mg of each metal per hectare) and then sowed on an experimental landfill plot consisting of a farming area of 180 m2. This pre-sowing treatment of soybean seeds, which does not exert any adverse effect on the soil environment, reliably changed the biological indices of the plant growth and development. In particular, in laboratory experiments, the germination rates of soybean seeds treated with zerovalent Cu, Co and Fe were 65, 80 and 80%, respectively, whereas 55% germination was observed in the control sample; in the field experiment, for all of the nanoscale metals studied, the chlorophyll index increased by 7–15% and the number of nodules by 20–49% compared to the control sample, and the soybean crop yield increased up to 16% in comparison with the control sample.


Background: Recent studies indicate that p53-dependent apoptosis may be critical for the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. The downstream mediators of this apoptotic pathway, however, have not yet been identified. Earlier we showed that the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Puma represents an essential component of the apoptotic machinery in isolated cardiac myocytes in vitro . In the current study we investigated the role of Puma in apoptosis during dilated cardiomyopathy in vivo . Methods: We applied two mouse models of dilated cardiomyopathy to analyze the downstream targets of p53 in apoptosis. The first model was the transverse aortic constriction (TAC), which causes adaptive hypertrophy 1 week after operation and leads to left ventricular dilation 4 weeks later. We compared the response of puma +/+ (wild-type) and puma −/− (mutant) mice to TAC. The second model was a heart-specific mdm4 (an inhibitor of p53) knockout mouse line, which spontaneously develops dilated cardiomyopathy from 3 months of age. These mdm4 −/− mice were crossed with puma −/− mice and the mdm4 −/− / puma +/+ animals were compared with mdm4 −/− / puma −/− counterparts from the same litters. Results: In both mouse models knocking out puma attenuated the signs of dilated cardiomyopathy. The endpoints of the study included heart weight/body weight ratio, hypertrophy, apoptosis, fibrosis and fractional shortening. In the first model in the presence of Puma, 4 weeks after TAC we observed a significant increase of apoptosis and fibrosis with concomitant elevation of Puma, p53 and Mdm4 expression. Interestingly, in the absence of Puma the elevated expression of p53 and Mdm4 was retained, however, less apoptosis, fibrosis and smaller functional changes were observed. In the second model, knocking out puma in mdm4 −/− mice significantly slowed down the development of dilated cardiomyopathy, having the first signs of apoptosis only after 6 months. Conclusions: Puma appears to be a critical component of the p53-dependent apoptosis pathway in cardiomyocytes in vivo , therefore, inhibition of Puma may be a suitable therapeutic approach in heart diseases based on dilated cardiomyopathy. Our present studies provide the proof of concept to develop Puma inhibitors to target cardiac apoptosis.


Chromatic distortion represents a limit parameter for many optical systems. For telescope objectives low chromatic aberration is especially important. The choice of appropriate materials is therefore crucial for the production of optical elements. The S-FPL-53 glass produced by Ohara Corporation is a readily available material with low dispersion. Its high Abbe number indicates low achromatism, therefore it is used in all the above-mentioned designs to achieve good correction. On the other hand, this fluorite glass is quite soft and has a high thermal expansion coefficient, so it is really difficult to polish. In this paper possible solutions to problems related to polishing aspherical lenses applying CNC technology and to polishing spherical lenses applying classical technology are discussed. By combining various conditions it is possible to achieve required roughness and shape of the lens surface.


The application of agri-environmental policies (reg. EEC 2078/92 and reg. EU 1257/99) has produced a wide literature about the best policy design options. The data arising from the first ex post evaluation exercises have contributed only partially to the discussion about how such measures should be implemented. This paper simulates the results of different policy design options under adverse selection and moral hazard using data obtained from the monitoring of regulation 2078/92 in Emilia-Romagna (Italy). The results show the interplay between policy instruments, monitoring costs and payments. As a consequence a more consistent design of such policy parameters is required.


As the title indicates, this is an atlas of the ultrastructure of the digestive system. All illustrations are electron photomicrographs, including a few of the surface microanatomy obtained by the scanning electron microscope. Descriptions and physiological correlations are directed to the cellular level, rather than to the function of an entire organ. There are five chapters. They cover, respectively, esophagus and stomach, intestine, other cell types of the intestine, accessory digestive organs, and nonepithelial components of the gastrointestinal tract. The most interesting sections are those describing the stomach and the small bowel. This is apparently the areas of the authors' own interest, but admittedly, they are also the most intrinsically active areas (as well as popular for clinical investigation and research). Some of the accessory organs are less completely described. There is equal space commitment to the salivary glands as to the liver! This book is essentially a discussion of


AIMS
This study is to assess cognitive function in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia types 1, 2 and 3 (SCA1, SCA2 and SCA3).

METHODS
We performed neuropsychological examinations on 8 SCA1 patients, 2 SCA2 patients, and 8 SCA3 patients, as well as 32 healthy subjects matching these patients in age, gender, nationality, and years of education. The neuropsychological examinations were focused on testing executive functions, visuo-spatial perception and verbal memory, attention, immediate and delayed recall, logical thinking function and orientation function.

RESULTS
SCA1 patients had significantly impaired executive function, visuo-spatial perception, and attention compared to healthy subjects. Cognitive disorders such as immediate and delayed recall, executive function and verbal memory were observed in SCA2 and SCA3 patients, while attention and visuo-spatial function were not affected. The severity of motor impairment was determined using the international cooperative ataxia rating scale, the scores of which ranged from 11 to 78. The number of patients with mild ataxia, moderate ataxia and severe ataxia was 3, 11, and 3, respectively, with the most severe ataxia occurring on a patient with SCA1. The scores of activities of daily living scale ranged from 20 to 66.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results showed that mild executive dysfunction occurred in patients with SCA1, SCA2 and SCA3, and verbal fluency and word memory dysfunctions were detected in patients with SCA2 and SCA3. In addition, we found that the decreased logical thinking function and orientation function were observed in patients with SCA1, SCA2 and SCA3. The cognitive status was correlated with the clinical severity of ataxia symptoms rather than age, age of onset, years of education and the duration of disease.


Construction materials are, by the very nature of building something, an investment in the future. Every project highlights the possibilities of the building or structure, but when a catastrophic event renders it useless, the landfills grow, and the resources' potential is lost. The end of a building does not need to mean the end of those materials in it. As part of the growing momentum behind sustainability metrics sought out by investment and construction firms alike, the potential for returns on investment already exists. The United States has the National Response Framework and international commitments like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction that signify the appetite to embrace the latest innovations in response techniques and technologies. This literature review will focus on how the construction and demolition industry can lead as the primary ameliorators and enablers of remedying this shortfall in innovative adoption uptake by engaging and applying the growing practice of the circular economy to their own debris management regimens.


The aim of the present study was to evaluate by means of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning microscopy the thin ground sections of blade implants retrieved after 7 to 20 years of clinical function. Microscopic examination revealed that most of the implant surface had an intimate contact with compact lamellar bone tissue. Higher magnifications revealed the presence of a gap (1 to 5 mu) interposed between bone and implant. Many osteocytes were near the implant surface and, in many instances, osteocyte canaliculi, running from the lacunae towards the implant surface, were seen. Structures similar to bone reversal lines were observed at the edge of the bone side of the interface. The bone-titanium region is probably an area of dynamic biological activity.


The article is dedicated to the case Lautsi and Others v. Italy concerning the right for parents to have their children educated in accordance with their religious and other views, set forth in article 2 of Protocol I to the European Convention on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms 1950, the final judgment on which was issued by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) March 18, 2011. The study is devoted to analysis of the case, including legal, moral and ethical implications of the argument of the Italian Government and the ECHR's decision for the whole European community, including Russia.


Advances in the neuropathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) have contributed greatly to our understanding of the mechanisms of tissue injury in the condition. Particular interest has focussed on the active MS lesion, defined by macrophage activity in the presence of partially demyelinated axons. This has led to the prevailing consensus that a T-cell dependent, macrophage-mediated, autoimmune attack on constituents in the normal myelin sheath underlies the disease. This hypothesis, which has been largely supported by comparisons with the animal model, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, has recently been questioned by an analysis of the pathological events preceding myelin phagocytosis in nascent MS lesions. The prephagocytic changes in evolving lesions examined shortly after the onset of an MS relapse raise the possibility that oligodendrocyte cell death and associated changes within the myelin sheath initiate local macrophage scavenger activity, with subsequent amplification of the inflammatory response. The presence of such lesions in patients with a spectrum of pathological changes in nearby or distant active phagocytic plaques suggests that pathological heterogeneity in MS is largely due to evolution of lesional pathology, rather than pathogenic heterogeneity.


The approach of water resource management and development in holistic, integrated
manner is referred to as Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). It was introduced
in the early twentieth century in Spain, France and Italy to cater for hydrographical
management through public participation.
Nigeria was among those that accepted to implement IWRM process in its water resource
management and development. This research investigated the status of Water Resource
Management Approach in Kano River catchment Area Kano State Nigeria. Water supply
situation in the Kano State remains very poor, despite the efforts of governments for several
years. Five million people of the state do not have access to safe, reliable and affordable
potable water supplies. The situation led the vulnerable group of the society to get water from
alternative sources which are usually very costly, with high labour of fetching water and the
water quality may be poor.
To address these situations, the State government needs to adopt the IWRM approach in
its Water Resource Management and Development. The specific objectives of the study
among others were: to identify the status of water resource management approach, identify
and determine the strength and weakness of the approach and to recommend to the Kano state
government to improve the IWRM process in its water resource management.
In an effort to achieve the purpose of the research it employed various methods such as:
Documentation of the baseline data of hydrology and meteorology, soil characteristics and
water qualities were investigated to enhance the findings of water resources management
approach. The questionnaires were used to investigate the aspect of water resource
management of the study area. It was validated by logic, experts' consultation and statistics. 70 respondents from water line ministries and 312 from local communities/ NGO's through
purposive sampling technique. The software of statistical programme of social science, simple
statistics was used to analyse the responses received from the key informants. The near end
findings validation was conducted with a team of professional water actors in the state.
The survey major highlights includes: Majority of respondents, recommends IWRM
implementation and it is in the process of development. The State conducts assessment of its
water resources. Good coordination exists between water institutions of the State, there is also
existence of institutions for conflict resolutions and good rapport exist between local
communities with the transboundary and national organisation of water management among
others. The shortcoming for IWRM implementation on the other hand includes: The drafted
water bill was not sign into law it is awaiting Kano State House of Assembly endorsement,
non existence of catchment/ basin water resource management committees, poor stakeholders
involvement in the decision making, planning and implementation of water resource
development and management, poor dissemination of information to the public on water
issues of the State among others. In conclusions it was recommended that the Kano State government to facilitate with
immediate effect the water sector bill to be pass into law and its implementation.
Subsequently adopts and establish basin/ catchment management committees with
membership to be drawn from the local communities, local government authorities and the
private sector, as well as non-governmental organisations and women associations.
Additionally, model of water resource management was suggested to be entitled, The
Participatory Approach of Kano River Water Resource Management. In this model the Kano
state was suggest to be demarcated into two river catchment areas: Kano River and Jakara
River catchments.


This letter proposes a method for 3-D semiautomatic road extraction from a single image by dynamic programming (DP), which requires a form of relief representation such as digital terrain model. Unlike traditional DP methodologies, this method relies on the DP algorithm to carry out the optimization process in the object space rather than in the image space. Road features are traced in the object space, implying the need for a rigorous mathematical model between image- and object-space points. The operator must measure a few seed points in the image space to coarsely describe the roads, which are then transformed into object space to initialize the DP optimization process. The results showed that the method usually works properly, even in the presence of anomalies along roads.


In hatchery, an adequate supply of live food for first feeding fish larvae is essential and nutritional quality of live food organisms can be improved through nutrient enrichment. The use of live food organisms, especially at first feeding, is a requisite for most marine fish larvae. In ocean, freshwater fish larvae primarily feed on Moina sp., but the production protocols for Moina sp that are able to tolerate with brackish environment together with an appropriate feed types are still underdeveloped in hatchery. As the food ingestion and the digestive system of cladocerans are different from other live food organisms (e.g., rotifers), the nutrition enrichment procedures with emulsion oil used in rotifers is not effective on cladocerans. This review focuses on the potential of producing a salt tolerate zooplankton species of Moina sp. and the importance of feeding types in Moina sp. production. Specifically, we discuss the relationship between the salinity and food availability in Moina sp. The review links nutrient supply to Moina sp. and the change of nutrition in Moina sp. and suggests ways to improve cladocerans nutrition in hatcheries.


The traditional vision of genocide is exogenous. In this framework, ethnies have a real sense. The economic approach of conflicts has expressed slight differences in the relation between ethnies and conflicts. However it does not reject this explanation. Here we propose an alternative approach, an endogenous vision of genocide. Genocide appears in society where social capital plays a major role in solidarities. But social capi- tal is a weak asset in the individual portfolio. Economic and social shocks may have im- pacts on the assets structure and may produce conflicts such as genocide. In this new framework, policy makers may have to adopt prudential rules.


The photobiological effect of low‐output laser irradiation on the maturation and regeneration of immature olfactory bipolar receptor cells of the rat was studied. The maturation and regeneration of the receptor cells of rat fetuses were quantified in neuroepithelial explants with morphometric analysis. The number of explants with outgrowth and the number and length of neuritic outgrowths were determined on a regular basis for 12 days. Explants in the experimental group were irradiated with a helium‐neon laser using different incident energy densities (IED). Explants in the fluorescent light control group were exposed to fluorescent light for the same periods of time as those in the experimental group were exposed to laser irradiation. Explants in another control group were not exposed to laser or fluorescent light irradiation. The IED of 0.5 J/cm2 laser irradiation has been found to increase significantly the number of explants with outgrowth and the number and length of the outgrowths. Other laser IEDs or fluorescent light irradiation did not influence maturation or regeneration.


The thermoelectric effect of pyrite from copper deposits in Japan is mainly discussed. Prof. Smith measured the thermoelectric potential of pyrite specimens from many localities and as a result, and deduced that there are some qualitative relations between the thermoelectric potential and the temperature at which they are formed. A.D. Mutch reported that the value for the temperature of formation obtained by the pyrite geothermometer, appears to be reasonable and in relations to geological problem, to vary in the right sense. The writer measured the thermopotential of pyrite from many localities in Japan by Smith's method and discussed. The conclusion is reached that these results differ somewhat from those mentioned by F.G. Smith and it seems to be difficult to expect qualitative difference in thermoelectric potential for indication of the temperature of ore deposition.


PURPOSE
Rod, cone, cone-rod, and macular dystrophies eventually bring about the death of cone photoreceptor cells. The present study explores means of inhibiting apoptosis in addition to inducing a specific apoptotic pathway within a photoreceptor-derived cell line.

METHODS
Retinal cell culture of murine 661W photoreceptor-derived cells was used to assess the effect of both a synthetic peptide inhibitor of caspases (benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-DL-Asp-[Ome] fluoromethylketone [Z-VAD.FMK]) and a natural inhibitor, baculoviral p35. In addition, the effect of transfection of Fas-associated death domain (FADD), a cellular protein implicated in receptor-induced apoptosis, was assessed. Assays were performed by transient transfection of cell cultures, and results were recorded by cell counting, Western blot, and spectrophotometry.

RESULTS
Western blot analysis and chromogenic caspase substrate cleavage analysis confirmed the activation of caspases within 661W cells. At a concentration of 80 micro M, Z-VAD.FMK, 72.36% +/- 0.93% of 661W cells survived cytotoxic insult compared with 6.99% +/- 1.35% of control cells. Transient transfection of 1200 ng baculoviral p35 conferred a protection of 75.30% +/- 4.23%, compared with 19.61% +/-1.84% of control cells, and it was additionally observed that as little as 50 ng transfection of FADD was capable of inducing the death of 53.21% +/- 1.33% of cells in 661W cultures.

CONCLUSIONS
Apoptotic cell death in 661W cells is caspase dependent and may be inhibited with both a synthetic and natural inhibitor of caspase function. Furthermore, 661W cells are highly sensitive to the FADD protein, which may suggest a number of novel therapeutic approaches to halt photoreceptor cell apoptosis.


While the benefits of preferential trade agreements granted by the European Communities to the ACP countries have been lauded, the efficiency of such preferences in achieving the underpinning objectives of the preferences has also been contested in some quarters. Whenever multilateral trade negotiations move towards reducing most-favoured-nation tariffs, countries benefiting from trade preferences are concerned over the impact the reductions will have on such preferences. The debates over the value of preferences seem recently to have intensified due to a number of complaints brought before the WTO dispute settlement system that challenge the legality of the preferences or other measures linked to the preferences. Though it places some emphasis on the Appellate Body rulings in the case EC - Tariff Preferences, this article examines primarily, in light of the relevant GATT/WTO provisions and the EC's sugar reform proposals, the implications the Dispute Settlement Body's (DSB's) report in European Communities - Export Subsidies on Sugar will have for the EC/ACP sugar preferences.


In this manuscript, we generalize, improve, and enrich recent results established by Budhia et al. [L. Budhia, H. Aydi, A.H. Ansari, D. Gopal, Some new fixed point results in rectangular metric spaces with application to fractional-order functional differential equations, Nonlinear Anal. Model. Control, 25(4):580–597, 2020]. This paper aims to provide much simpler and shorter proofs of some results in rectangular metric spaces. According to one of our recent lemmas, we show that the given contractive condition yields Cauchyness of the corresponding Picard sequence. The obtained results improve well-known comparable results in the literature. Using our new approach, we prove that a Picard sequence is Cauchy in the framework of rectangular metric spaces. Our obtained results complement and enrich several methods in the existing state-ofart. Endorsing the materiality of the presented results, we also propound an application to dynamic programming associated with the multistage process.


Taiwan is one of the great paradoxes of the international order. A place with its own flag, currency, government and military, but which most of the world does not recognize as a sovereign country. An island that China regards as a "rebellious province," but which has managed to survive defiantly for decades as an independent nation. However, with China now a major power on the world stage and with its ally United States looking increasingly inward, Taiwan's position has never been more precarious. Kerry Brown and Kalley Wu Tzu Hu reveal how the island's shifting fortunes have been shaped by centuries of conquest and by a cast of dynamic characters, by Cold War intrigue and the rise of its neighbor as a global power, explaining how this tiny island, caught between the agendas of two superpowers, is attempting to find its place in a rapidly changing world order. The Trouble with Taiwan relates the story of a fascinating nation and culture, and how its disputed status speaks to a wider, global story about Chinese control and waning US influence.


The study of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) has become one of the hotspots of electromagnetics because of their peculiar properties and broad application prospects. Compared with linear polarized (LP) waves, which can be efficiently coupled into single (TE or TM) mode SSPPs by phase gradient metasurfaces (PGMs), circular polarized (CP) waves are difficult for SSPPs devices to use. Although Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phase manipulating metasurfaces can successfully couple CP waves into hybrid (TE and TM) modes SSPPs, arbitrary pure mode SSPPs are still unavailable under CP incidence. In this study, a new scheme of PGMs coupler was designed to solve the above problem. The multi-layered PGMs consist of V-shaped structure and patch structure, which play the roles of achieving circular-to-linear polarization conversion and providing phase gradient respectively. A plasmonic metasurface placed 10 mm below the PGMs can support the propagation of TE and TM modes SSPPs. As a result, arbitrary single mode SSPPs can be excited and propagate under CP incidence at 12 GHz, which means that we can convert CP waves into either TE or TM mode SSPPs we want through this PGMs coupler. Both simulations and measurements demonstrated novel ideas, and the calculated coupling efficiencies are all higher than 62.0%. The PGMs coupler we designed will break the limitation of incident waves on coupled SSPPs and provide a new method for the control and utilization of CP waves in engineering.


Chili leaf curl virus (ChiLCV), a member of the Geminiviridae family (Genus: Begomovirus), is one of the most destructive plant viruses. Micro (mi) RNAs (miRNAs) are the endogenous non-coding small RNAs that play significant roles in plant growth and stress resistance by degrading targeted mRNA or repressing mRNA translation. Computational methods have identified numerous miRNAs in many plant species, whereas there is no report of chili miRNAs targeting essential genes of the ChiLCV genome and associated satellites. In this study, we have predicted chili-encoded miRNAs that could be used for silencing against chili leaf curl virus (Accession no. MF737343) infection. We predicted several potential mir-miRNAs, exhibited high complementarities with V1 coat protein and C1 (Rep) genes of ChiLCV. Other overlapping genes, such as V2, C2, and C3 were also targeted by mir-miRNAs.


We report an analysis of the spatially modulated phase of an Ising model with competing interactions. The mean‐field phase diagram, as calculated numerically, includes a large, possibly infinite, number of transitions between commensurate phases. The main features can be understood in terms of a domain wall, or ''soliton'' picture. Near the transitions, the solitons form a regular lattice. The elementary excitations in this lattice are the phasons. The effects of fluctuations which have been ignored in the mean field theory can be estimated by calculating the phason entropy. Only two commensurate phases, with periodicities 4 and 6 lattice units, respectively, survive at finite temperature. The remaining part of the phase diagram is a floating incommensurate phase.


Background. Acceptability of routine immunization with vaccine to meningococcus serogroups A, C, W, Y in Russian children have not been studied earlier. Objective. The aim of the study was to understand the safety of polyvalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine administration in two years old children in actual clinical practice. Methods. The vaccination of two years old children against meningococcal disease has been performing in Sakhalin region since April 2018. All children who received single 4-valent meningococcal conjugate vaccine to A, C, W, Y serogroups in the period from April to November 2018 were included into the research. The vaccine safety in general group was estimated by local pediatricians visiting due to general and local adverse effects on vaccine injection in one month period. Safety study for children vaccinated in the period from September to October 2018 was carried out by questioning parents. Results. 1250 children were vaccinated during this research. Local paediatricians has recorded 11 (0.9%) appointments due to adverse effects within 1 month after vaccination. All of them were mild: infiltrates in the vaccine injection site (4 cases), high temperature up to 38°C (7 cases). Survey of 100 parents has shown that at least one adverse effect in 4 weeks period was noted only in 23 children: local reactions (induration, redness at the injection site) in 14 cases, general reactions (temperature increase up to 38.7°C) in 9 cases. No adverse effects needed medical intervention. Conclusion. Adverse effects were recorded in less than 1% of all cases according to local paediatricians appointments and in every 4th case according to parents questioning among all two years old children who undergone immunization with 4-valent meningococcal conjugate vaccine to A, C, W, Y serogroups.


Background The study aims to conduct a review of the surgical management of carotid body tumor. Methods Consecutive patients with CBT who received surgical interventions from January 1994 to January 2014 at our institution were reviewed. Clinical, operative, pathological and follow up information were reported. Results Twenty patients (four males; median age was 36) with 21 CBT operations were recorded during the period. One patient undertook sequential operations for bilateral CBTs. Patients had 19 neck mass, 1 incidental finding and 1 facial nerve palsy. Six CBTs (28.6%) were Shamblin class I, ten (47.6%) were class II and five (23.8%) were class III. Nine CBTs had preoperative conjunctive embolization. Two operations required internal carotid artery resection and reconstruction. Four patients received subtotal resections, while 17 achieved complete resection. Complications included two major strokes, three hoarse voice and two Horner's syndrome. Shamblin class was significant predictor of operative time, blood loss, and whether complete resection accomplished, but could not predict postoperative complication. With median follow up period of 94 months, there was no tumor recurrence found in those had complete resection. Conclusions This small cohort showed that Shamblin class was significant in predicting technical difficulties but could not predict occurrence of complications.


There is increasing evidence that major depression impacts the course of HIV infection, yet few studies have explored demographic and clinical predictors of depression in people who with HIV/AIDS. This study investigated predictors of depression (e.g., demographic and clinical variables, negative life events, and coping response) among outpatients with recently diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa. One hundred forty-nine recently diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients (44 males and 105 females; mean time since diagnosis = 5.8, standard deviation [SD] 4.1) were evaluated. Subjects were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), the Carver Brief COPE coping scale, and the Sheehan Disability Scale. In addition, previous exposures to trauma and past risk behaviors were assessed. Three variables: gender (odd ratio [OR] = 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56, 1.93), impact of negative life events (OR = 1.13; CI, 1.03, 1.23), and disability (OR = 1.51, CI, 1.28, 1.80) predicted current major depression. It is well known from non-HIV populations that female gender and increased negative life events predict depression. These data also emphasize the importance of these links in HIV.


Adsorption, as an easy and effective technique, is widely used to remove a large number of dyes from aqueous solutions. Activated carbon is the most desirable adsorbent, but due to its high cost, its use is limited. Proving the possibility of adsorption and its efficiency performed on cheap adsorbents is a great challenge and interest of many researchers in the past few decades. In this paper, unmodified (P) and modified sawdust obtained in two ways (HCl treatment and NaOH treatment), labeled as PHCl and PNaOH, are used for the removal of the methylene blue dye. Adsorption experiments showed that the optimal time for adsorption is different, for the sample PNaOH – 30 min, for the sample P – 45 min, and for the sample PHCl – 60 min. By applying nonlinear kinetic models to the experimentally obtained data, it was found that the best model that describes this adsorption is pseudo-second-order model. By examining the effect of pH values on adsorption, different results were obtained (for samples P and PHCl the optimal pH value is pH=11, the PNaOH sample is effective in a wider range of pH values). The analysis of the effect adsorbent dose on adsorption process showed that the efficiency of dye removal decreases with increasing mass of adsorbents. The obtained values of the coefficient of determination in Freundlich's model for samples of unmodified (P) and modified sawdust (PNaOH) indicate that the adsorption of the methylene blue dye is multilayer type adsorption. For the PHCl sample, neither the Langmuir nor Freundlich model adequately described MB dye adsorption.


Laser scanning technology makes it easy to obtain high accuracy and speed of the surface of the part model information. The amount of data generated is enormous, and therefore need to be streamlined. Based on the reverse engineering point cloud data pretreatment, analyzes the existing data streamline method, this paper puts forward a kind of insufficient based on spatial octree non-uniform grid and combining the neighborhood search algorithm. By octree record division process, thus make neighborhood search method are confined to sampling the bounding box and around where the bounding box. A large number of real data results show that: the algorithm can improve the quality of search neighboring points, and ultimately achieve the good effect of the streamlining.


Sliced kebab meat is produced by roasting raw kebab meat to make it easier to distribute at cold temperature. However, its quality could be damaged if it is distributed for long period, so preservative is needed. The study consisted of two phases. The first phase determined the type and concentration of preservatives consisting of potassium sorbate at concentrations of 750, 1000, 1250 ppm, and sodium nitrite at concentrations of 30, 50, and 100 ppm used a completely randomized design. The second phase was carried out to study the stability of sliced kebab meat with the addition of selected preservatives during refrigeration storage (5°C). The results showed that the best treatment was the use of potassium sorbate at 1250 ppm which resulted in the lowest mean total plate count (TPC), mold yeast values, and the highest scores of sensory attributes. The stability could be maintained at refrigeration storage for up to 14 days. On the 14th day, the sliced kebab meat had a pH value of 6.59, aw of 0.70, total acidity of 0.55%, TPC of 2.81 logs CFU/g, the color score of 3.8 (slightly brownish red), the aroma of 4 (typical meaty smell), the taste of 3.8 (slightly the savory), the texture of 3.5 (neutral) and overall of 3.5 (rate as liked).


The endothelium is a thin monolayer of specialized cells that lines the luminal wall of blood vessels and constitutes the critical innermost portion of the physical barrier between the blood and the brain termed the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Aberrant changes in the endothelium occur in many neuropathological states, including those with high morbidity and mortality that lack targeted therapeutic interventions, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). Utilizing ligands of surface determinants expressed on brain endothelium to target and combat injury mechanisms at damaged endothelium offers a new approach to the study of TBI and new avenues for clinical advancement. Many factors influence the targets that are expressed on endothelium. Therefore, the optimization of binding sites and ideal design features of nanocarriers are controllable factors that permit the engineering of nanotherapeutic agents with applicability that is specific to a known disease state. Following TBI, damaged endothelial cells upregulate cell adhesion molecules, including ICAM-1, and are key sites of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, including hydrogen peroxide. Reactive oxygen species along with pro-inflammatory mediators are known to contribute to endothelial damage and loss of BBB integrity. The use of targeted endothelial nanomedicine, with conjugates of the antioxidant enzyme catalase linked to anti-ICAM-1 antibodies, has recently been demonstrated to minimize oxidative stress at the BBB and reduce neuropathological outcomes following TBI. Here, we discuss targeted endothelial nanomedicine and its potential to provide benefits in TBI outcomes and future directions of this approach.


Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) is a non-contact and a non-destructive optical technique used in characterization of thin films. It is widely used to determine optical constants, thickness in multilayer stacks and microstructure (voids, alloy fraction, or mixed phase composition). This paper reports on a systematic investigation of the optical properties of two different kinds of silane compounds: 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxy-silane (GPS) as well as for immunoglobulin G (IgG) attached to these modified samples using vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopic ellipsometry (VUV-SE). VUV-SE is a newly developed technique and used to evaluate the strength and energy of the interband electronic excitations/transitions in these biofilms. The shorter wavelengths of VUV-SE increase sensitivity for detection of extremely thin adsorbed films at an interface (<10 nm) and accurately determine optical properties of biological interac-tions/moieties on the surface. A Cauchy dispersion model was used to determine layer thicknesses in multilayer stacks and adsorption was accounted by including Gaussian shaped oscillators in the optical model. No measurable optical anisotropy is found for these films. The dielectric properties of the adsorbed films are reported in the 0.73–9.43 eV optical range.


BACKGROUND
This study examines the backscattered ultrasound (US) and back-propagating photoacoustic (PA) signals from trabecular bones, and their variations with reduction in bone minerals and collagen content. While the collagen status is directly related to the strength of the bone, diagnosis of its condition using US remains a challenge.

METHODS
For both PA and US methods, coded-excitation signals and matched filtering were utilized to provide high sensitivity of the detected signal. The optical source was a 805-nm CW laser and signals were detected employing a 2.2-MHz ultrasonic transducer. Bone decalcification and decollagenization were induced with mild ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite solutions, respectively.

RESULTS
The PA and US signals were measured on cattle bones, and apparent integrated backscatter/back-propagating (AIB) parameters were compared before and after demineralization and decollagenization.

CONCLUSIONS
The results show that both PA and US are sensitive to mineral changes. In addition, PA is also sensitive to changes in the collagen content of the bone, but US is not significantly sensitive to these changes.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of performing the C(1-2) transarticular screw fixation (Magerl's technique) for patients whose C(1-2) dislocation could not be reduced completely.

METHODS
Nineteen consecutive patients (from 2001 Feb. to 2003 Jan.) underwent bilateral C(1-2) transarticular screw fixation, 8 of which had an incompletely-reduced atlantoaxial dislocation. The patients' clinical outcomes within- and after-operation were evaluated, and the screws position and fixation conditions were studied by postoperative CT.

RESULTS
All the patients' symptoms had some improvement, no severe complications, such as injury of nerve or blood vessels, especially the vertebral arteries, were encountered. The screws were placed precisely, and purchased enough bone substance. Firm fixation obtained, no vertebral artery lesion occurred.

CONCLUSION
For the patients who have atlantoaxial dislocation that could not be reduced completely, if there is enough bone to contain the screw, performing bilateral transarticular screw fixation (Magerl technique) is still feasible and safe.


Yoiking is a vocal singing tradition of the Sami and involves many sacred and profane symbols. Its scope of application goes far beyond the usual connotations of folk songs or ritual songs. It has numerous functions: it is a means of communication; an expression of identity; an instrument of entertainment; it is, furthermore, a system to classify and identify the society and the environment of the Sami; it is a sort of summary of the experience and knowledge acquired of the world that reflects and expresses their worldview. The primary means of sacred communication was also the yoik. This practice is the one most often referred to by observers. Medieval and early modern sources (usually authored by travelers and missionaries) all mention the yoik without exception as a symbol of paganism, as a magical, diabolical song constituting part of the shaman's ritual ceremony. Visitors could not tell the difference between the ritual songs of the shamans and the common 'folk songs'. The stereotyping (external) label of 'shamanism' was easily applied to any yoik, regardless of it having anything to do with shamanism or not. Thereby one of the external categories, the stigmatizing concept of "pagan" became firmly embedded in the notion of yoiking over the course of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These negative undertones regarding the Sami were accentuated by a new (political and scientific) discourse unfolding at the beginning of the twentieth century (as an offshoot of evolutionism and racial theory), separated from religious institutions, in which yoiking was described as an inferior, despicable and shameful custom along with any other phenomena associated with the traditional lifestyle of the Sami. Although the fear of punishment was very successful in repressing the practice of the yoik, the sermons of the much-respected and popular Laestadius, and the Christian Awakening movement that he had launched resulted in an even stronger repression of this vocal tradition. After that it was not out of fear that many Sami did not yoik, but because they were convinced that it was a sin and an instrument for 'conjuring the Devil'. Most of the Laestadians rejected the yoik also nowadays, but many among the Christian Sami youth desire to reconnect with their culture's music, while rejecting the pagan interpretation of yoik. Some of them not only try to relieve the yoik of its pagan connotations, but they specifically invest it with new, Christian meanings. The positive reception and the feasibility of this initiative have been thus far demonstrated by certain settlements or dioceses (mostly in Sweden). In some places, the yoik has already become part of the liturgy in spite of the reluctance of conservative Christians.


Predation by feeding-current foraging medusae can have detrimental effects on prey populations. Understanding the mechanics that control prey selection and ingestion rates with different types of prey enables us to better predict the predatory impact of these medusae. We quantified the outcomes of each post-entrainment stage of the feeding process in multiple scyphozoan jellyfish species to understand how post-entrainment feeding events influence feeding patterns. Using 3-dimensional video, we observed and quantified the fate of both passive and actively swimming prey that were entrained in the feeding current of 5 different scyphomedusan species belonging to the orders Semaeostomeae and Rhizostomeae. Less than 65% of entrained prey contacted the capture surfaces (termed contact efficiency) of the semaeostome medusae, while the rhizostome medusae came into contact with less than 35% of the prey entrained in the feeding current. However, when contacted, prey were very likely to be ingested (>90%) by all species examined. These results suggest that prey capture by oblate medusae appears to be largely limited by the probability that prey entrained in the feeding current will contact a capture surface. As a passive process, this contact stage of the feeding process is directly affected by the morpho logy of the contact surfaces. The importance of the contact stage of the feeding process suggests that differences in prey selection patterns observed among oblate medusan taxa are likely dominated by the morphology of contact surfaces as opposed to traits which influence the other stages of the feeding process, i.e. bell shape and nematocysts.


ABSTRACT Self-touch serves for regulation of both hyper- and hypoarousal. It remains unclear if different forms of self-touch occur in different contexts, and if the regulatory mechanisms are learned or innate. The authors describe forms and context of self-touch, and explore age differences in stress processing. They analyzed hand movements of 10 pre- and 10 postadolescent girls in low-stress and high-stress settings and found 3 forms of self-touch. In postadolescent participants, self-touch 2 (irregular structure, rhythmical, medium intensity) and 3 (phasic structure, single accent, medium intensity) were used for self-regulation, whereas self-touch 1 (irregular structure, single accent, low intensity) had conversational reasons. Increasing immobility might represent the inward focus of stressed participants that tried to focus on the task. No differences were found for preadolescent participants. Differences between pre- and postadolescent participants might be due to brain development during adolescence.