The plant photoreceptor phytochrome plays an important role in the nucleus as a regulator of transcription. Numerous studies imply, however, that phytochromes in both higher and lower plants mediate physiological reactions within the cytoplasm. In particular, the tip cells of moss protonemal filaments use phytochrome to sense light direction, requiring a signaling system that transmits the directional information directly to the microfilaments that direct tip growth. In this work we describe four canonical phytochrome genes in the model moss species Physcomitrella patens, each of which was successfully targeted via homologous recombination and the distinct physiological functions of each gene product thereby identified. One homolog in particular mediates positive phototropism, polarotropism, and chloroplast movement in polarized light. This photoreceptor thus interacts with a cytoplasmic signal/response system. This is our first step in elucidating the cytoplasmic signaling function of phytochrome at the molecular level.


BACKGROUND
Delirium is a common form of vital organ dysfunction in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and is associated with poor outcomes. Adherence to guideline recommendations pertaining to delirium is still suboptimal.

AIMS
We performed a survey aimed at identifying barriers for implementation that should be addressed in a tailored implementation intervention targeted at improved ICU delirium guideline adherence.

DESIGN
The survey was conducted among ICU professionals.

METHODS
An online survey was conducted among 360 ICU health care professionals (nurses, physicians and delirium consultants) from six ICUs in the southwest of the Netherlands as part of a multicentre prospective implementation project [response rate: 64% of 565 invited; 283 (79%) were nurses].

RESULTS
Although the majority (83%) of respondents considered delirium a common and major problem in the ICU, we identified several barriers for implementation of a delirium guideline. The most important barriers were knowledge deficit, low delirium screening rate, lack of trust in the reliability of delirium screening tools, belief that delirium is not preventable, low familiarity with delirium guidelines, low satisfaction with physician-described delirium management, poor collaboration between nurses and physicians, reluctance to change delirium care practices, lack of time, disbelief that patients would receive optimal care when adhering to the guideline and the perception that the delirium guideline is cumbersome or inconvenient in daily practice.

CONCLUSION
Although ICU professionals consider delirium a serious problem, several important barriers to adhere to guidelines on delirium management are still present today.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
Identification of implementation barriers for adherence to guidelines pertaining to delirium is feasible with a survey. Results of this study may help to design-targeted implementation strategies for ICU delirium management.


Genetically encodable calcium ion (Ca2+) indicators (GECIs) based on green fluorescent proteins (GFP) are powerful tools for imaging of cell signaling and neural activity in model organisms. Following almost two decades of steady improvements in the Aequorea victoria GFP (avGFP)-based GCaMP series of GECIs, the performance of the most recent generation (i.e., GCaMP7) may have reached its practical limit due to the inherent properties of GFP. In an effort to sustain the steady progression towards ever-improved GECIs, we undertook the development of a new GECI based on the bright monomeric GFP, mNeonGreen (mNG). The resulting indicator, mNG-GECO1, is 60% brighter than GCaMP6s in vitro and provides comparable performance as demonstrated by imaging Ca2+ dynamics in cultured cells, primary neurons, and in vivo in larval zebrafish. These results suggest that mNG-GECO1 is a promising next-generation GECI that could inherit the mantle of GCaMP and allow the steady improvement of GECIs to continue for generations to come.


The purpose of this paper is to review the use of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS-) structures in other areas than normally thought of. The new applications, which include gas and ion sensing with field effect devices, have been shown a large interest during the last few years. The content of the paper is to a large extent based on our own research on gas sensitive MIS-devices and on charge storage in organic materials. First we deal with the study of organic insulators (and conductors) with C(V)-techniques. Special attention is paid to charge storage in materials like chlorophyll and fatty acids. Furthermore the work on ion sensitive MIS-structures is reviewed. These devices, which are operated in an electrolyte, are MIS-structures in a broad sense since they normally lack gate metal. A theory is developed for the expected threshold voltage change in the presence of titrable groups on the insulator surface. Finally gas sensitive MIS-structures are discussed. They are based on the use of catalytic metals like Pd or Pt as gate metals of MIS-devices. The ability of these metals to dissociate hydrogen and some hydrogen containing molecules and to dissolve hydrogen atoms has led to the development of devices which are sensitive to small amounts of H2, NH3 and H2S for example. The function of these devices and some recent experimental results are discussed.


How to efficiently develop pre-salt oil and gas reservoirs has become a global engineering issue. Thick salt-gypsum formations are widely found in Middle Asia, where KazakhstanKenkyak Oilfield used to be an unconquerable challengein oil industry. Some regions are also well-known for their rich experiences in salt mining and many wells that have been abandoned due to distribution of thick salt domes are still found in old rig sites, hence people are trying to develop those depleted salt caverns to be underground gas (oil) storages.
 Salt-gypsum samples were collected from Kenkyak Oilfield to study their creep behaviors. A finite element model of mechanics was set up to analyze effects of mud density ranges on salt-gypsum borehole sizes with different in-situ stresses, in order to determine the most appropriate mud density to drill salt-gypsum intervals. An investigation was finalized to update information of depleted salt cavern utilization in the world to study relevant accidents in China and abroad. Successful experience of building Jintanunderground gas storages in China was analyzed and the first-order second moment shown performance function that is used to determine the volume convergence failure probability of salt underground storages was established, so that it is easier to reveal the relationship between volume convergence failure probability and internal pressure of gas and time.
 Engineering challenges arising from pre-salt formation development are mainly plastic creep of salt-gypsum intervals, complexity of pressure systems, as well as instant and stable creep. Salt domes that are as thick as 3000m (at the depth of 700m – 3700m) are widely found there, while conventional casing programs that used to be adopted during the former Soviet period greatly increase drilling costs. Based on the analysis of formation profiles and pressure systems, we combined the surface casing interval and the first technical casing interval, reaching the Carboniferous target with near-balance drilling techniques and 3 casing intervals. Some underground gas storages in USA or Europe collapsed or were ever faced by gas seepage, cavern shrinkage, surface subsidence or ecological disasters because of abnormal cavern shapes, interlayer collapse, bottom uplift even pillar destruction, etc. Natural gas is injected with high pressure into the cavern and then stored with constant pressure in it. Gas pressure is released when it is collected from underground but the salt cavern keeps running in low pressure eventually. In long-term constant internal pressure and short-term low pressure operation period, the salt cavern's volume convergence failure probability decreases with an increasing internal pressure. Besides, surrounding rocksare more capable of resisting to deformation and rock displacement if the internal gas pressure is improved.
 Drilling costs are saved due to casing program simplification, while ROP is improved due to cordwood turbo drill tools in Kenkyak Oilfield. As for Jintan underground gas storages, salt creep accelerates when caverns run in constant high pressure, but salt is more sensitive to internal pressure when caverns are operated with constant low pressure. The cavern's creep is also affected by the gas injection / discharge speed.


This paper presents a fast, accurate and reliable modified Horn & Schunck approach for robust boundary preserving estimation of optical flow where only 30 iterations are used. The proposed method is derived from the benchmark algorithm of Horn & Schunck and Simoncelli's matched-pair 5 tap filters, such that it produces robust, fast and exact detection of motion boundaries and it is very simple to implement. Experimental results using synthetic and real optical flows are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in comparison to selected methods.


A software-defined radio (SDR) receiver with improved robustness to out-of-band interference (OBI) is presented. Two main challenges are identified for an OBI-robust SDR receiver: out-of-band nonlinearity and harmonic mixing. Voltage gain at RF is avoided, and instead realized at baseband in combination with low-pass filtering to mitigate blockers and improve out-of-band IIP3. Two alternative ¿iterative¿ harmonic-rejection (HR) techniques are presented to achieve high HR robust to mismatch: a) an analog two-stage polyphase HR concept, which enhances the HR to more than 60 dB; b) a digital adaptive interference cancelling (AIC) technique, which can suppress one dominating harmonic by at least 80 dB. An accurate multiphase clock generator is presented for a mismatch-robust HR. A proof-of-concept receiver is implemented in 65 nm CMOS. Measurements show 34 dB gain, 4 dB NF, and + 3.5 dBm in-band IIP3 while the out-of-band IIP3 is +16 dBm without fine tuning. The measured RF bandwidth is up to 6 GHz and the 8-phase LO works up to 0.9 GHz (master clock up to 7.2 GHz). At 0.8 GHz LO, the analog two-stage polyphase HR achieves a second to sixth order HR > 60 dB over 40 chips, while the digital AIC technique achieves HR > 80 dB for the dominating harmonic. The total power consumption is 50 mA from a 1.2 V supply.


In this study, implementation of Tier 1 methodology of 2006 IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Guidelines in paddy cultivation and livestock farming has been applied to estimate methane emissions in Sarawak, Malaysia within the years from 1998 to 2009. Methane emission inventory has been developed in this study, based on volume 4, 2006 IPCC Guidelines. Based on cultivation area and livestock population data as input to Tier 1 methodology, variations in paddy cultivation area and amount of livestock has been identified as the main contributor to emissions of methane. Methane emissions increased from 1.61 to 1.72 Gg CH4/year during 1998 to 1999. Based on results obtained, the outcomes show that there would be a significant drop of methane emission from buffalo and sheep. Although there are gain and loss in emissions from enteric fermentation, drastic reduction is observed from 0.65 Gg CH4/year in 1998 to 0.44 Gg CH4/year in 2009 as well as 0.05 Gg CH4/year to 0.02 Gg CH4/year for buffalo and sheep respectively. Simultaneously, methane emissions from manure management of buffalo has decreased from 0.024 Gg CH4/year in 1998 to 0.016 Gg CH4/year in 2009 while for sheep, its emission from manure management dropped from 0.002 Gg CH4/year in 1998 to 0.0007 Gg CH4/year in 2009. Overall emission from paddy cultivation can be considered in upward trend due to gain from 1998 at 1.61 Gg CH4/year to 1.67 Gg CH4/year in 2009. As an addition, significant rise in methane emission by 0.24 Gg CH4/year from 2000 to 2006 as well as 0.1 Gg CH4/year from 2007 to 2009 show momentum gaining in enteric fermentation of cattle. It also indicates future increment in methane emission from cattle which coherently affects the state's emission level. As for emissions from manure management, emissions from cattle, goat and deer are gaining momentum in Sarawak. ∗ Corresponding author: firstname.lastname@example.com DOI: 10.1051/ , 05007 (2017) 71030 MATEC Web of Conferences matecconf/201 103


Carbon monoxide is an important constituent of comet comae, of icy surfaces of planetary bodies, and of interstellar grains. We present new laboratory studies of sputtering of frozen CO by hydrogen ions for energies below 10 keV. The sputtering yield turned out to depend critically on the energy and the electronic stopping power, (dE/dx) e , for the ions. The yield for a 9 keV H + incident on solid CO was ∼34 CO/H + . For proton bombardment the yield is proportional to (dE/dx) 1,3 e , similar to the behavior of the sputtering yield for water ice. It means that the particle ejection occasionally requires species from two ionization/excitation events. For molecular ions the yield for CO ice increases with the square of the stopping power (dE/dx) e . The distribution of the sputtered CO molecules exhibits a maximum at 13 meV and falls off strongly with ejection energy E 1 . A complicating feature is the formation of a residue, possibly CO 2 ice, during bombardment of solid CO. The sputtering yield depends slightly on the initial residue, similar to the case of sputtering by keV electrons. The sputtering yield and the chemical efficiency are high compared to similar properties of solid N 2 , which means that mixtures of these solids are preferentially depleted of CO.


The rational addiction (RA) model of Becker and Murphy (Becker GS, Murphy KM. A theory of rational addiction. J Pol Econ 1988; 96(4): 675-700) has rapidly become one of the standard models in the literature on addictive behaviour. This paper reviews some theoretical issues surrounding its use, and indicates areas in which caution should be used in applying this model.


Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the etiologic agent of enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) for the bovine host. In this study to examine gene expression changes in the manifestation of the EBL malignancy, four pooled RNA samples (three RNAs in each sample) were applied for transcriptome sequencing using RNA-seq technique. Differential expression analysis was done to compare the infected bovine group with the healthy bovine group using DESeq2 package in R software. Furthermore, functional gene ontology (GO) term and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were stablished using the DAVID online database to identify involved GO terms and pathways in the host response to BLV infection. Our results suggested that 371 upand 72 downregulated genes were involved in EBL with statistically significant threshold log2foldchange (LFC) = 1 and false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05 that were enriched in 74 biological processes and 20 KEGG pathways. Most of identified genes were associated with cancer, especially B-cell malignancies. The glycolysis/glycogenesis metabolic process is activated in B cells that confers growth and survival advantages in tumor and dysregulated CXCL10, IL17R, BTK, CDK4 and SYK genes known as valid biomarkers to increase the proliferation of malignant cell. The outcomes can provide a list of involved genes in the malignancy and help to screen candidate genes for cancer therapy in the future.


Digitalisation is changing how food is produced, distributed and consumed (Carolan, 2017; Lupton, forthcoming; Schneider et al., 2018). In this presentation, we consider how STS can contribute to studying emerging food consumption practices that we describe as 'digital eating', i.e., eating practices enabled and maintained through mobile, sensor-based and digital technologies. Examples include tracking food consumption through mobile apps, adopting a new diet through following blogs and vlogs, connecting with communities of like-minded eaters through social media and video-sharing sites. An investigation of digital eating is particularly timely as digital sources increasingly mediate how consumers seek, share and interpret food-related information. In the digital media landscape, boundaries between experts and laypeople are blurred, with consumers becoming vocal and influential contributors of information about food. Through digital platforms, then, both programmers and users/consumers/citizens are key mediators of the advice and mandate of official governing actors, such as states and international regulating agencies. Thus, the interactions between digital platforms and users hold the potential to reshape patterns of food consumption on a population-wide scale, with public health and food policy implications. To study emerging practices of digital eating, we turn to STS and the related fields of digital anthropology, sociology and Internet studies, for a critical review of how food-related digital engagements have been theorised and analysed. Based on this review, we identify promising approaches and methodologies, and develop a new conceptual framework for examining which kinds of food engagements digital eating makes possible, and for whom.


Although oxidative stress‐related diseases mostly affect neonates with extremely low birthweight, healthy preterm and term newborns may also be at risk of oxidative damage. There have been studies concerning factors that affect the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in term and preterm neonates, but there has not been a study of the reference values of oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy newborns having no risk factors. The aim of the present study was to clarify this issue.


ABSTRACT We report the complete genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum W11 (LMG P-21586) isolated from the intestinal microbiota of a healthy man. The analysis of the sequence may provide insights into the microbiological characteristics and the functional activity of this probiotic strain.


NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) plays an important role in detoxification of numerous endogenous and foreign compounds. This gene has a single nucleotide polymorphism at site of codon 187 (CCT TCT). Recently, it has been demonstrated that individuals with T allele may exhibit resistance to quinone based anticancer drugs such as mitomycin C. In the present study, a simple and feasible method was developed for detection of NQO1 genotype. In this modified procedure, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and Triton X-100 were eliminated, also, PCR cycling conditions were modified to improve the PCR products from blood and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing analysis carried out on a limited number of blood and archival samples. It is suggested that this procedure convenient for NQO1 genotyping.


The authors present a characterization methodology using per-die test structures to address the need for accurate and reliable product-process models for mixed-signal IC designs. These product-process relationships are critical in generating guardbands and forecasting production yields based on predicted product performance across process variations. Guardband generation, the per-die test structures, and the product-process transformation for analog and digital circuits are discussed.<<ETX>>


After a brief introduction dealing with critical opinions of some economists on the European austerity policy, the authors point out that austerity as a means of achieving fiscal consolidation and financial stability is applied when the fiscal domain is weak. After analyzing the effects of the 2009 crisis on some indicators and austerity measures taken by almost all EU countries, the study presents the content and the role of the EU fiscal compact and methodology used to support the fiscal consolidation measures. Most of the study consists in the analysis of the outcome of this methodology (through indicators, key-equations, graphs) revealing the relationships between indicators: effective GDP and potential GDP, production variation, effective, cyclical and structural deficits as well as the deficit in the balance of payments. The paper reveals some shortcomings of the new mechanism which affect the development of some major segments of the real economy, such as public investments, and further the economic potential growth on medium and long terms.


The study, based on the examination of 70 published and unpublished pollen profiles from Poland and supplementary data from the surrounding regions, shows that an abrupt, episodic Alnus population decline at the end of the first millennium CE was a much more widespread event than has been previously reported, spanning large areas of the temperate and boreal zones in Europe. The data from Poland suggest that the decline was roughly synchronous and most likely occurred between the 9th and 10th centuries, with strong indications for the 10th century. The pollen data indicate that human impacts were not a major factor in the event. Instead, we hypothesize that one or a series of abrupt climatic shifts that caused floods and droughts at the end of the first millennium CE could have initiated this ecological disturbance, leading to a higher vulnerability of the alder trees to a pathogen outbreak. Following current observations of the decline of alder stands in Europe due to a Phytophthora outbreak, we suggest that a similar process may have occurred in the past. This study provides insight into long-term alder (mainly Alnus glutinosa) dynamics in a condition of climate change and illustrates its great resilience, enabling the natural, successful regeneration of alder stands after critical diebacks if environmental conditions improve. Our finding that the Alnus pollen decline reflects a roughly synchronous event indicates that the decline could be used as an over-regional chronostratigraphic marker for 800–1000 CE in pollen diagrams from a large part of the European Lowland.


Lithium thiophosphates (Li3PS4, LPS) are promising solid electrolytes for safe, energy dense solid-state batteries. However, chemo-mechanical transformations within the bulk solid electrolyte and at solidjsolid interfaces can lead to lithium filament formation and fracture-induced failure. The interdependent role of kinetically stable interphases and electrolyte microstructures on the onset and propagation of fracture is not clearly understood. Here, we investigate the effect of interphase chemistry and microstructure on the chemo-mechanical performance of LPS electrolytes. Kinetically metastable interphases are engineered with iodine doping and microstructural control is achieved using milling and annealing processing techniques. In situ transmission electron microscopy reveals how iodine diffuses to the interphase and upon electrochemical cycling pores are formed in the interphase region. Pores/voids formed in the interphase are chemo-mechanically driven via directed ion transport. In situ synchrotron tomography reveals that interphase pore formation drives edge fracture events which are the origin of through-plane fracture failure. Active Li metal has a tendency to fill the fracture region. Cycling lithium in fracture sites leads to localized stress within the solid electrolyte which accumulates and ultimately leads to catastrophic failure. Fractures in thiophosphate electrolytes actively grow toward regions of higher porosity and are impacted by heterogenity in solid electrolyte microstructure (e.g. porosity factor).


The emerging field of plasma biotechology studies the applications of the plasma phase of matter to biological systems. Ambient-condition plasmas created at or near room temperature and atmospheric pressure are especially promising for biomedical applications because of their convenience, safety to patients, and compatibility with existing medical technology. Plasmas can be created from many different gases; plasma made from air contains a number of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, or RONS, involved in various biological processes, including immune activity, signaling, and gene expression. Therefore, ambient-condition air plasma is of particular interest for biological applications. To understand and predict the effects of treating biological systems with ambient-air plasma, it is necessary to characterize and measure the chemical species that these plasmas produce. Understanding both gaseous chemistry and the chemistry in plasma-treated aqueous solution is important because many biological systems exist in aqueous media. Existing literature about ambient-air plasma hypothesizes the critical role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species; a major aim of this dissertation is to better quantify RONS by produced ambient-air plasma and understand how RONS chemistry changes in response to different plasma processing conditions. Measurements imply that both gaseous and aqueous chemistry are highly sensitive to operating conditions. In particular, chemical species in air treated by plasma exist in either a low-power ozone-dominated mode or a high-power nitrogen oxide-dominated mode, with an unstable transition region at intermediate discharge power and treatment time. Ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2, or NOx) are mutually exclusive in this system and that the transition region corresponds to the transition from ozone- to nitrogen oxides-mode. Aqueous chemistry agrees well with to air plasma chemistry, and a similar transition in liquid-phase composition from ozone mode to nitrogen oxides mode occurs as the discharge power increases. One prominent example of plasma biotechnology is the use of plasma-derived reactive species as a novel disinfectant. Ambient-air plasma is an attractive means of disinfection because it is non-thermal, expends a small amount of power, and requires only air and electricity to operate. Both solid surfaces and liquid volumes can be effectively and efficiently decontaminated by the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that plasma generates. Dry surfaces are decontaminated most effectively by the plasma operating in NOx mode and less effectively in ozone mode, with the weakest antibacterial effects in the transition region, and neutral reactive species are more influential in surface disinfection than charged particles. Aqueous bacterial inactivation correlates well with ozone concentration, suggesting that ozone is the dominant species for bacterial inactivation under the condition of a low-power discharge. Alternatively, air plasma operating in the higher-power, nitrogen oxides-rich mode can create a persistently antibacterial solution. Finally, when near-UV (UVA) treatment follows plasma treatment of bacterial suspension, the antimicrobial effect exceeds the effect predicted from the two treatments alone, and addition of nitrite to aqueous solution, followed by photolysis of nitrite by UVA photons, is hypothesized as the primary mechanism of synergy. The results presented in this dissertation underscore the dynamic nature of air plasma chemistry and the importance of careful chemical characterization of plasma devices intended for biological applications. The complexity of atmospheric pressure plasma devices, and their sensitivity to subtle differences in design and operation, can lead to different results with different mechanisms.


Analogs of 4'O-demethylepipodophyllotoxin are considered as potential anticancer agents. We have applied comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and a novel CoMFA/q2-GRS technique recently developed in our group to identify the essential structural requirements for increasing the ability of these compounds to form cellular protein-DNA complex. In addition, a new method to incorporate different types of probe atoms as part of q2-GRS routine has been developed. The best final model with 101 compounds using a combination of four different sets of probe atoms and charges [C (sp3, +1), C (sp3, 0), H (+1), and O (sp3, -1)] yielded a q 2 of 0.584 and the standard error of prediction of 0.660 at 5 principal components. The steric and electrostatic contour plots of the final model were compared with the DNA phosphate backbone environment of the DNA-4'O-demethylepipodophylltoxin analog complex, which was generated using the X-ray structure of the DNA-nogalamycin complex. The comparison reveals that the CoMFA steric and electrostatic fields are compatible with stereochemical properties of the DNA backbone. The results obtained from this study shall guide our future synthetic efforts.


Women Healing Earth: Third World Women on Ecology, Feminism and Religion Edited by Rosemary Radford Ruether Maryknoll. NY: Orbis Books 1996, vi, 186 pp .. paper, $17.00 Reviewed by Margaret Eletta Guider, OSF This volume offers an expansive view of eco-feminist theology as seen through the lens of women contributors from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. As a collection of critical essays and thought-provoking reflections, the book readily engages readers intent on grasping more fully the interrelatedness of ecological concerns and the struggle for human liberation. As a prominent North American theologian, Rosemary Radford Reuther is recognized for her unrelenting commitment to making known the claims and concerns of women from diverse regions of the world. In compiling this anthology of writings by noteworthy theologians, scientists, sociologists, health care professionals, political activists, and pastoral agents, Ruether demonstrates the relevance of women's perspectives on the environmental crisis for theologians and ministers alike. Those who value Ruether's contribution to the field of religion and society will appreciate her selection of articles as well as her editorial insights. Women Healing Earth focuses on environmental issues that are matters of life and death. Regardless of where readers locate themselves on the missionary continuum of dialogue and disputation, they will find in this book a clear articulation of urgent and unsettling questions that world Christianity must grapple with in the twenty-first century. These questions arise from communities of faith and communities of resistance. They emerge from the Mapuche, the Igorot, the Shona, and the Chewa. They emerge from Brazil, El Salvador, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, Korea, and South Africa. As the authors give voice to women's Book Reviews 355


The DES analysis of strong compressibility flow, LES mode is intentionally performed in boundary layer with the conventional empirical constant value of 0.65. In this study, an expression is suggested to determine the value dynamically by using a distribution function of the ratio of turbulence length scale and wall distance which is used in S-A DDES model for RANS mode protection. The application of the dynamic presents better prediction than previous results those used constant but different values.


Multiple strategies including the use of bioactive peptides and other nutraceuticals are being adopted to maintain bone health. This study provides an improved and deeper understanding of the pharmacological effects that a bioactive peptide IRW (Ile-Arg-Trp) extends on bone health. Our results showed that IRW treatment protects osteoblasts against Ang II induced decline in cell proliferation and restores protein levels of collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in MC3T3-E1 cells (p < 0.05). Apart from augmentation of these mineralization factors, the angiotensin II (Ang II) induced apoptotic stress in osteoblasts was mitigated by IRW as well. At the molecular level, IRW abolished the cytochrome-c release via modulation of pro-and anti-apoptotic genes in MC3T3-E1 cells (p < 0.05). Interestingly, IRW also increased cellular levels of cytoprotective local RAAS factors such as MasR, Ang (1–7), ACE2, and AT2R, and lowered the levels of Ang II effector receptor (AT1R). Further, our results indicated a lower content of inflammation and osteoclastogenesis biomarkers such as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) following IRW treatment in MC3T3-E1 cells (p < 0.05). The use of an antagonist-guided cell study indicated that IRW contributed to the process of cytoprotection and proliferation of osteoblasts via Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in face of Ang II stress in an AT2R dependent manner. The key findings of our study showed that IRW could potentially have a therapeutic role in the treatment and/or prevention of bone disorders.


In the Kumaun Himalaya, a portion of the Kosi River valley of ~90 km in length is chosen to study the fluvial morphology that provides first‐order information about the dynamic response of bedrock channels to tectonic impulse. The Kosi River flows across/along major tectonic boundaries such as the South Almora Thrust, Ramgarh Thrust, Main Boundary Thrust, and the Himalayan Frontal Thrust, and local transverse and longitudinal faults. Varied fluvial landforms correspond to different tectonic settings, lithologies, bedrock channels, hillslopes, large landslides, terraces, and fans. The longitudinal valleys are also the sites for thick aggradational landforms. Some portion of these valleys fall in the areas of active extensional tectonics and is characterized by one of the widest valley floor sections in the Lesser Himalaya. In contrast, the transverse valley sections are incised by deep‐cut v‐shaped valleys and the narrowest valley section. Swerving of the Kosi River is observed in the Ramgarh Thrust and Amel Fault zones and also in the Main Boundary Thrust zone. Recent tectonic activity is evident from the presence of the faulted Quaternary deposits, linear fault scarps, abandoned channels, incised meandering, and multiple levels of terraces/strath terraces. Field observations and the computed ratio of valley floor width to valley height (Vf) corroborate each other. Valleys developed parallel to the strike of faults and bedrocks have relatively broader valleys with higher Vf values whereas in contrast, the valleys developed across the bedrock strike are narrow with smaller Vf values. The results of computed stream length gradient (SL) and steepness (Ks) indices show considerable correlations between the obtained SL and Ks data and the field evidences; high values of SL and Ks are characterized by the presence of knick points observed at the prominent thrusts and faults.


The issues of nuclear disarmament, WMD non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy seem to be modestly coming back to the international agenda. Indeed, the UN institutions that have been somewhat neglected for more than a decade, at least when we speak about issues listed above, tend to reappear as appropriate forums for it. The new us administration shows a significant change in attitude towards a number of important issues on the international agenda, which may be opening new windows of opportunity for broader compromises and general progress in the field of international security and global nuclear regime in particular. In that sense, an unanimous adoption of the USsponsored UNSC Resolution 1887 in September 2009 may be a good signal and a significant step forward. However, sensitivity of the issue, burdened with long lasting stalemate in the post-Cold War period, coupled with noticeable problems that still have to be tackled, may represent a reason for concern and scepticism and make the outcome of this initiative difficult to predict. This is the reason why this article will modestly try to analyse the substance and potentials of the resolution, offering an assessment of the environment in which it has been developed and trying to foresee its perspectives in the future, hopefully contributing to general understanding of these very interesting issues of global relevance.


A novel SOI device structure that suppresses self-heating effects is proposed. Since it provides effective thermal paths from source to substrate and from drain to substrate, it successfully suppresses the lattice temperature rise throughout the whole device. Since the buried insulator is SiO/sub 2/, it is almost free from the fabrication issues and performance issues in use of high-k material such as high internal charge density, high interface trap density, and drain-induced barrier lowering; the proposed device structure will be easy to fabricate using current trench isolation techniques.


Orientation: Employees need mental toughness to perform in crisis and increasingly competitive environments. Mental toughness is a psychological construct that arguably motivates individual to perform well and confidently.Research purpose: This study aims to investigate the impacts of self-esteem and perceived inclusion on mental toughness, the impact of mental toughness on competitive performance and the role of coaching in moderating the impacts of self-esteem and perceived inclusion on mental toughness.Motivation for the study: Mental toughness from the human resource management (HRM) perspective remains understudied. This study is expected to contribute to the literature on individuals' positive behaviours in organisations.Research approach/design and method: This study is an explanatory research with 174 supervisors of Indonesian hotels as the respondents selected using a judgemental sampling technique. The data are analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling with the SmartPLS 3.0 programme.Main findings: The findings show significant effects of self-esteem and perceived inclusion on mental toughness. Further, mental toughness affects supervisors' competitive performance. This study also finds that coaching moderates the association between perceived inclusion and mental toughness. However, coaching cannot moderate the effect of self-esteem on mental toughness.Practical/managerial implications: Organisations can develop their employees' mental toughness by bolstering their self-esteem, promoting an organisational culture that embraces inclusion and implementing regular and continuous coaching for employees.Contribution/value-add: This study analyses mental toughness from the HRM perspective. Accordingly, the implementation of the findings in organisations arguably contributes to individuals' workplace positive behaviours.


A recently completed national study, conducted jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Washington State University considers a variety of transportation policy issues as part of a comprehensive evaluation and examination of transportation and agriculture movements. One aspect of this study concentrates on the importance of freight transportation to U.S. agriculture and is the principal focus of this paper. America's transportation system carries the food from our farms to our tables and to a hungry world. That system is based on four principal modes of transportation—trucks, trains, barges, and ocean vessels—that make up a seamless network. They cooperate and compete with one another to make a balanced and flexible system that moves our food and farm products efficiently and economically. The transportation system is more heavily used by agriculture than any other business sector; in 2007, 31 percent of all ton-miles carried were agricultural products or inputs. Many of these products are bound for export. During the past 5 years, half of the U.S. wheat crop, 36 percent of the soybean crop, and 19 percent of the corn crop moved from farms to ports for export on a seamless transportation network. The importance of transportation in making agriculture successful is noteworthy especially because of the role of agriculture in the U.S. economy. The U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) has been $13 to $14 trillion in recent years. Of this, $125 billion (1 percent) has been contributed directly by agriculture, and $540 billion (4.5 percent) by agriculture and its related industries. Looking at the U.S. balance of payments, the importance of agricultural trade is even more substantial. USDA reports that total agricultural exports averaged $82.2 billion from 2005 to 2008, reaching $115.5 billion in 2008. Agriculture's net contribution to the balance of payments that year was $36.1 billion. If any of these international—and often highly competitive—markets are lost due to inefficient transportation or failures in the supply chain, jobs are lost and farmers and ranchers receive lower prices. Inefficient or costly transportation can hurt agriculture in both international and domestic markets, and affect the balance of payments and the U.S. economy. Adequate, efficient transportation is especially critical to successful marketing of U.S. agricultural products, which depends on transportation to deliver goods. This paper reviews agriculture's use of transportation within the overall context of the entire freight transportation system, including major transportation corridors. We also examine the characteristics of agricultural supply and demand that make transportation so critical to successful marketing, and analyze the market characteristics of several agricultural commodities for transportation implications.


Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to design develop and characterize the tramadol hydrochloride loaded transethosomal gel formulation for effective pain management. Materials and Methods: The transethosomes were prepared by simple cold method. Total 12 formulations were prepared using different concentrations of phospholipid (Soya lecithin and L-α Phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk) and edge activator (Span 20 and Cremophor EL 35).The developed transethosomes were characterized for FTIR, drug content, EE, particle size, zeta potential, TEM, in vitro drug release and release kinetics. The optimised formulation was selected for preparation of transethosomal gel. The formulated gel was estimated for viscosity, drug content, EE and stability study for 28 days. Results and Discussion: The zeta potential of best formulation was -22mV, the particle size was at the range of 149.34 nm to 278 nm. Span 20 formulations exhibit a faster drug release (91.91to 95.7%) than the Cremophor formulations, whose release exhibits an extended pattern (78.96% to 79.34%) at the end of 8th hr. Optimised formulation follows first order kinetics and its R2 value is 0.991. Conclusion: The study supports the development of optimised transethosome formulation into a topical gel using carbopol 934 as gelling agent. The viscosity of the gel formulation was 30168 cps. The drug content and EE was found to be 91.52% and 79.37% respectively. Stability studies prove that there is very less change in the EE, hence the formulation was found to be stable.


Prediction Intervals are pairs of lower and upper bounds on point forecasts and are useful to take into account the uncertainty on predictions. This article studies the influence of using measured solar power, available at prediction time, on the quality of prediction intervals. While previous studies have suggested that using measured variables can improve point forecasts, not much research has been done on the usefulness of that additional information, so that prediction intervals with less uncertainty can be obtained. With this aim, a multi-objective particle swarm optimization method was used to train neural networks whose outputs are the interval bounds. The inputs to the network used measured solar power in addition to hourly meteorological forecasts. This study was carried out on data from three different locations and for five forecast horizons, from 1 to 5 h. The results were compared with two benchmark methods (quantile regression and quantile regression forests). The Wilcoxon test was used to assess statistical significance. The results show that using measured power reduces the uncertainty associated to the prediction intervals, but mainly for the short forecasting horizons.


Agile approach and its practices are becoming more and more critical to many organisations in the face of accelerating global competitive pressure and customers' growing demands. While agility promises to bring values to business, organisations are facing a range of challenges in their agile transformation journey. This article aims to examine the principles and practices of Agile techniques in automotive product operations. The results find that Agile implementation helps automotive organisations increase customer satisfaction due to the more emphasis on customer preferences and frequent value delivery. Also, Agile promotes feedback loops, and continuous improvement across multi-layers within the organisation resulted in higher-quality automotive products. The implementation of Agile practices leading to higher productivity and efficiency in automotive operations is another finding. Agile approach and practices transform multifaceted aspects within the automotive organisation in terms of strategy, organizational structure, management methodology, processes, people, and technology, which resulted in the sweeping changes across the agile-based company. The final finding is that existing automotive organisations may face a wide range of challenges in their agile transformation journey. By contrast, it is easier for start-up companies as they begin with the blank page and do not need to obliterate anything.


| Flooding is the biggest and severest natural disaster faced by humanity year after year worldwide. In spite of advances in technology, data availability and computing power, the loss of life and property from flooding continues unabated. To add to this is the new challenge of climate change, a challenge that forces us to ask whether existing norms and approaches for estimating the design flood still apply in this warming world. This paper reflects on the issue of design flood estimation in a warming world, addressing questions such as—why is it that floods are changing—and what is it we need to do to estimate the changed values to both secure existing and plan new water infrastructure with. The paper poses a lot of questions, and lays down some thoughts on what could be done to prepare us better to reduce miscalculated risks in our designed infrastructure as we head deeper into this new century.


Analytical and experimental investigations into active control of sound fields within a 3D enclosure are presented for tonal and bandlimited disturbances. Lead Zirconate Titanate patches mounted on the flexible wall of the enclosure are used as distributed actuators, and polyvinylidene fluoride film mounted on the flexible wall and condenser microphones are used as sensors. The sensors and actuators are used in a digital, adaptive feedforward control scheme to realize `local' noise and vibration control. For tonal disturbances, the developed analytical model is found to yield results that are in good agreement with the experimental observations. Different cases of bandlimited disturbances are considered in the experiments. These cases include multiple panel and/or enclosure resonances. For bandlimited disturbances, the control scheme is found to be effective in identifying the dominant resonances and realizing significant noise reductions at the dominant modes. However, the local noise reductions realized for bandlimited disturbances are not as high as those realized for tonal disturbances. Issues such as performance functions are also explored in the investigations.


We propose a method to try to model fashionable dresses in this paper. We first discover common visual patterns that appear in dress images using a human-in-the-loop, active clustering approach. A fashionable dress is expected to contain certain visual patterns which make it fashionable. An approach is proposed to jointly identify fashionable visual patterns and learn a discriminative fashion classifier. The results show that interesting fashionable patterns can be discovered on a newly collected dress dataset. Furthermore, our model can also achieve high accuracy on distinguishing fashionable and unfashionable dresses.


A simple method to calculate the static electric polarization of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) is obtained within the second-order perturbation approximation. The results are in agreement with the previous calculation within the random-phase approximation. We also find that the low energy electronic band structure of SWNT can be affected by an external electric field perpendicular to the axis of the tube. The field-induced energy gap shows strong dependence on the electric field and the size of the tubes, and a metal-insulator transition is predicted for all $(n, n)$ tubes. Universal scaling is found for the gap as function of the electric field and the radius of SWNTs. The fact that the external field required to induce a 0.1 ${\rm eV}$ gap in SWNTs can be reached under the currently available experimental conditions indicates a possibility of further applying nanotubes to electric signal-controlled nanoscale switching devices.


Atlantic herring are among the most harvested marine fish species globally and are of extraordinary ecological and economic importance. Within the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy management zone (NAFO Division 4WX), herring support one of the largest fisheries in Canada, yet the conservation status of the stock is currently unclear. We use field observations, stock assessments, and published studies to evaluate the long-term (1965–2016) status, or health, of 4WX Atlantic herring based on 33 indicators that serve as proxies for the ecological dynamics across the larval, juvenile, and adult stages. Sixteen indicators that showed evidence of significant and synchronous temporal changes were integrated to produce a standardized series of herring population health. This multivariate index exhibited a gradual, long-term decline punctuated by a more rapid decline between 1980 and 2005. Following normalization, future trajectories of herring spawning stock biomass (SSB) over this period were best forecast by the average weight of herring (r2 = 0.63; lag = 6 years) and indicated that SSB would remain low over the next 6 years. Our study suggests that integrating factors related to population health can provide deeper insight in situations where individual series are uncertain and can complement existing assessment approaches.


This article argues that the spirit of Bandung's relevance in a time of resurgent fascist mobilization is in the new logic of movement that the 1955 Afro-Asian conference in Bandung, Indonesia espoused. The critiques of liberal humanism and its relation to fascism by Ernst Bloch, Takeuchi Yoshimi, and Aimé Césaire reveal that an underlying problem of coloniality and movement remain in current paradigm of liberalism. The article situates conceptual reworkings of colonial-fascist movement by the thinkers Takeuchi Yoshimi, Frantz Fanon, and Ch'oe In-Hun within the trajectory of the spirit of Bandung. Through this engagement, the article argues that the spirit of Bandung has called for revolutionary movement beyond the grids of colonial mobility in the transpacific.


The cryogenic carbon capture (CCC) process is a promising post-combustion CO2 removal method. This method is very novel compared with conventional and well-developed methods. However, cryogenic carbon capture is not yet commercially available despite its techno-economic benefits. Thus, a model-based design approach for this process can provide valuable information. This paper will first introduce the cryogenic carbon capture process. Then, a comprehensive literature overview that focuses on different methods for modeling the process at the component level will be given. The modelling methods which are deemed most effective are presented more in depth for each of the key system components. These methods are compared with each other in terms of complexity and accuracy and the simplest methods with an acceptable level of precision for modelling a specific component in the CCC process are recommended. Furthermore, potential research areas in modeling and simulation of the CCC process are also highlighted.


It has been reported that canine scent tests offer the possibility to screen for cancer. Assuming that breath samples can be collected with carrier materials, we tested the practicability of different carrier materials to be presented to dogs, and validated and compared results with an eNose. Moreover, we hypothesised that cancer detection ability of dogs differs according to their working experience.In a methodological approach two dog teams participated, one using experienced working dogs and the other ordinary household dogs to find discover which dogs were better qualified and the best training method. To find best carrier material for breath sampling we compared charcoal containing glass tubes with fleece masks. In a second validating part, experienced working dogs were trained with improved training strategies. For breath sampling two different, previously successfully tested fleece-based carrier materials were used: one was used with the dog team and both materials were compared with eNose.In the first part of the study it was shown overall that experienced working dogs performed better to family dogs and the dogs achieved a sensitivity of 45–59% and a specificity of 45–69%. Charcoal based breath sample carrier materials did not qualify for detection of VOC by dogs. In the second part of the study, the dogs achieved a specificity of 83% and a sensitivity of 56%, but with considerable differences between individual dogs. The eNose provided a specificity of 97% for both fleece based carrier materials and a sensitivity of 89% for fleece filled glass tubes and 100% for earloop masks. Measurements of breath samples collected directly in respiratory bags as reference measurements achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 100%.Our data confirmed that diagnostic accuracy of dogs depended on the type of dog training and on the carrier materials. A comparison of breath samples analysis with an eNose achieved better results for both, sensitivity and specificity, than for dogs. The use of fleece masks or fleeces in glass tubes as a sampling material can be recommended as successful VOC carriers, encouraging their use for clinical screenings.W. Biehl: None. H. Schmetzer: None. R. Koczulla: None. A. Hattesohl: None. R. Jörres: None. T. Duell: None. U. Althöhn: None.


We present a novel method for automated learning of features from unlabeled image patches for classification of tumor architecture. In contrast to manually designed feature detectors (e.g., Gabor basis function), the proposed method utilizes independent subspace analysis to reconstruct a natural representation. Learning is described as a two-layer network with non-linear responses, where the second layer represents subspace structures. The technique is applied to tissue sections for characterizing necrosis, apoptotic, and viable regions of Glioblastoma Multifrome (GBM) from TCGA dataset. We show that the performance of this method is better than expert designed representation, therefore, promising a wider application of self-learning strategies for tissue characterization.


The question of properly metering electrical energy when it is used in the form of high values of direct current is one that can profitably be discussed at this meeting. The following brief paper is intended as a summary, for the purpose of discussion, of various methods now being used, with suggestions for the development of apparatus that would eliminate certain disadvantages and errors now encountered.


Electrical stimulation is a promising method to modulate gastrointestinal disorders. However, conventional stimulators need invasive implantation and removal surgeries associated with risks of infection and secondary injuries. Here, we report a battery-free and deformable electronic esophageal stent for wireless stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter in a noninvasive fashion. The stent consists of an elastic receiver antenna infilled with liquid metal (eutectic gallium-indium), a superelastic nitinol stent skeleton, and a stretchable pulse generator that jointly enables 150% axial elongation and 50% radial compression for transoral delivery through the narrow esophagus. The compliant stent adaptive to the dynamic environment of the esophagus can wirelessly harvest energy through deep tissue. Continuous electrical stimulations delivered by the stent in vivo using pig models significantly increase the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter. The electronic stent provides a noninvasive platform for bioelectronic therapies in the gastrointestinal tract without the need for open surgery.


We present a case report of a 60-year-old Malay man who was undergoing an urgent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation when a well encapsulated thymoma-like tumor was found incidentally. Total thymectomy was performed together with the CABG. Histopathological report of the tumor, however, confirmed a rare thymic carcinoid. The clinical features, management, and outcome of surgery are discussed.


A parallel hybrid model is a partially implemented design, where some lcomponents exist as simulation models and others as, operational subsystems, which executes on a parallel' architecture. It supports an evolutionary design approach for complex, distributed systems such that an initial simulation model of the proposed design is iteratively refined and elaborated into an implemented system. It also supports hybrid simulation of physical modules and simulation models to facilitate rapid prototyping of complex, distributed systems. The paper describes the use of parallel hybrid models in system design, and discusses their execution issues including cyclic dependency, event carnality, and real-time constraints.


INTRODUCTION
RLB (Reverse Line Blot Hybridization) is a molecular biology technique that might be used for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) DNA detection with genospecies specification. Among B. burgdorferi sl genospecies at least 7 are regarded as pathogenic in Europe.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of different Borrelia genospecies DNA detection in Ixodes ricinus ticks in the endemic area of North-Eastern Poland by using RLB.

MATERIALS AND METHOD
Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected in May - June, from 6 different sites in North-Eastern Poland (Jakubin, Kolno, Grajewo, Suwałki, Siemiatycze, Białowieża) by flagging. Extracted DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the intergenic spacer 5S 23S of B. burgdorferi sl. PCR products were hybridised to 15 different oligonucleotide probes for 9 different Borrelia genospecies (B. burgdorferi sl, B. burgdorferi ss, B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana, B. lusitaniae, B. spielmanii, B. bissettii and B. relapsing fever-like spirochetes (B. myamotoi)) by RLB.

RESULTS
Borrelia genospecies DNA was detected in 205 Ixodes ricinus ticks. Among 14 infected with Borrelia ticks, 4 were identified as B. garinii and 10 as B. afzelii. Higher numbers of infected ticks were noticed in the eastern part of the research area, where large forest complexes dominate. Nymphs appeared to be the most frequently infected tick stage, which has an epidemiological meaning in the incidence of Lyme borreliosis.

CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that RLB might be easily used in Borrelia DNA detection with genospecies-identification, and indicated the domination of B. afzelii and B. garinii in ticks from North-Eastern Poland.


This one-day studio revolves around the exploration of expressive movement qualities in shape-change by means of physical sketching and prototyping. It is a hands-on studio where participants first explore expressive movement qualities and interaction scenarios with a generic shape-changing platform and then abstract the explored movement qualities to model them in detail using cardboard modeling techniques combined with an Arduino controlled actuator (the advanced cardboard modeling platform). We recognize and want to zoom in on the potential of the expressiveness of shape-change in the context of human-product interaction as an emerging field in HCI research. In this studio we aim to both acquaint participants with new, low threshold platforms for exploration and give them insight in and a vocabulary of expressive movement qualities in shape-change.


A three-dimensional variable-density groundwater flow model, the SEAWAT model, was used to assess the influence of subsurface drain spacing, evapotranspiration and irrigation water quality on salt concentration at the base of the root zone, leaching and drainage in salt affected irrigated land. The study was carried out on a conceptual uniform homogenous irrigated field of shallowwatertable depth of 0.5m and aquifer salt concentration of 7200 mg/l with an impermeable layer at 10 m depth and impermeable field boundaries. The model was run for 10 years with an irrigation rate (applied recharge) of 8 mm/d and salt concentration of 1,500 mg/l, over a range of drain spacings. During the 10-year drainage period, the simulated concentrations at the base of the root zone and the discharge rates were the same at all the spacing when evapotranspiration was not included. However, upon inclusion of evapotranspiration, the simulated concentration at the base of the root zone ranged from about 5,200 to about 6200 mg/l, the discharge rate ranged from 2.3 to 1.9 mm/d. When the applied recharge concentration was changed to 1,000 mg/l and 700mg/l, but with all the other parametersmaintained, the simulated concentration at the base of the root zone ranged from 3,700 to 4,400 mg/l, and from 2,800 to 3200 mg/l for the different spacing, respectively.


Debi Faris founded Garden of Angels so that innocent babies left to die on roadways and in trash bins are treated with value and dignity. She gives them a proper burial service, celebrating their brief lives, and provides a final resting place to honor their memories. Debi Faris is active in the legislative and educational process and is instrumental in passing new laws that save the lives of newborns.


This study presents a design for a solar photovoltaic powered, small-scale desalination system suitable for implementation in remote or water starved areas where a grid connection is not possible or feasible. The desalination method and solar array of the system is modelled using Simulink to predict the performance of the system. The design is not intended as a guide for building the specified desalination system; rather, it presents the major components of the system and models them to determine the performance.


Abijata-Shalla Park was established as one of Ethiopia's national parks to safeguard wetlands and ecosystem services (ESs). Some of the ESs that are offered by the wetlands are currently depleting and disappearing rather than being protected. Understanding the drivers behind these changes can help individuals and policymakers design mitigation measures. The objective of this case was to assess ESs and the drivers of change with highlighting on the Abijata wetland. In addition to a household survey and group discussion, personal interviews and field observation were employed to collect data. Using these data, the various ESs were assessed and ranked from 1-10 according to local perception. Grading scales such as very high (−2), high (−1), neutral (0), low (+1), and very low (+2) were employed to analyse the drivers of ESs change. Analyses of the study revealed that some of the ESs, including fish, papyrus, water reeds, hunting and spiritual services, existed before 1991, but have since disappeared from the site. Twenty ESs are available; 11 services pertain to provisioning, followed by 4 regulating, 3 cultural and 2 supporting services. Wetland for cultivation ranked highest, followed by domestic water supply and pasture. All services, with the exception of arable land and pasture, are on the decline. Water abstraction is the primary driver of ESs change, followed by population growth and deforestation. The park existed as a "paper park." Water withdrawals from the Ziway-Shalla sub-basin should be restricted. Instead, focus on water conservation strategies to make better use of abstracted water.


Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have revolutionized the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, nearly 30% of all GERD patients are still symptomatic despite standard dose PPI treatment. Consequently, better treatment options are needed particularly in nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), which provides the largest number of patients that fail PPI. Transient lower esophageal relaxation (TLESR) is the underlying mechanism for most acid reflux events. Therefore, reducing the rate of TLESRs pharmacologically is an attractive therapeutic approach. Some compounds that were evaluated include: anticholinergics, opioids, cholecystokinin antagonists, nitric oxide antagonists, somatostatin, and GABA-B agonists. Currently, the GABA-B agonist baclofen generated the most promising results. Although data regarding GERD is lacking, visceral pain modulation, either pharmacologically or via mind-body interventions, was found to be efficacious in a variety of functional bowel disorders, including functional chest pain of presumed esophageal origin. Finally, intensive research is currently undergoing to develop newer acid suppressive agents. The acid pump inhibitors are reversible competitive inhibitors of the proton pump. These agents are potent suppressors of gastric acid secretion, and their effect is unrelated to food intake. Moreover, they demonstrate a faster onset of action and a predictable dose response effect as compared to the current PPIs. Although some of the preliminary clinical data is promising, thus far none of these agents is commercially available.


Entanglement is a key resource of quantum science for tasks that require it to be shared among participants. Within atomic, condensed matter and photonic many-body systems the distribution and sharing of entanglement is of particular importance for information processing by progressively larger and larger quantum networks. Here we report a singly-bipartitioned qubit entanglement inequality that applies to any N-party qubit pure state and is completely tight. It provides the first prescription for a direct calculation of the amount of entanglement sharing that is possible among N qubit parties. A geometric representation of the measure is easily visualized via polytopes within entanglement hypercubes.


The assessment of dam safety and risk relies on a sophisticated monitoring and assessment of various parameters such as movement, pressure, temperature, water level, percolation etc. Our focus is the integration of such data in a state-of-the-art framework for data acquisition and storage, primary and secondary data validation procedures as well as alarming. Main objective of its implementation is to adapt the dam operator's business processes and to enable a clear, efficient and safe execution of the monitoring activities. The primary validation layer aims at the individual validation of scalar time series by checking the data range, rate-of-change, persistent readings, among others. In a second step, the inner consistency of the data is addressed by the application of the well-established Hydrostatic-Season-Time (HST) Model. In this model-based validation, we fit the model into a moving window of historical data by a parameter identification. The deviation between simulated and observed parameters enables the detection of anomalies of the dam behaviour, which are the basis for the downstream alarming. We present the application of the framework to a reservoir system of 12 dams of various types of Enerjisa, a joint venture of Sabanci and E.On. The company distributes and supplies electricity serving 9 million accounts and with about 2.6 GW of installed generating capacity, of which 50% are renewables. The new dam monitoring solution is designed as modern information environment for office and field. It supplies all required information in dashboard style screens and easy to use field applications with fully automated background processes for data import and validation. This led to an optimization of Enerjisa's business processes saving time and providing up-to-date information for the decision support.


Training would be more meaningful to a trainee and its organization if it is successfully transferred during the process of training. Training transfer could enable those trained to employ the knowledge and skills that they received from the training, hence, applying it continuously in their daily duties at workplace. This article identifies the factors that contribute and hinder the training transfer to accomplish. Specifically, this article focuses on the training transfer issues among teachers that attended the Bestari training by looking at the role of school administration. In other words, this article concerns on how far the school leadership able to ensure that the Bestari training received by the teachers could be fully and continuously interpreted in learning and teaching at school. The result shows that the culture of the organization and working environment should be the main agenda for an organization to ensure the training transfer went positively. Continuous leadership support also played an important role towards transfer of training process. Key words: Training Transfer, Transfer Model, School Leadership


Beeswax-based oleogels with different types of vegetable oil, including camellia oil (CO), soybean oil (SO), sunflower oil (SFO), or flaxseed oil (FO), were prepared and their structure and thermal properties were evaluated. The critical concentration of oleogel obtained from each of CO, SO, and SFO at 25 °C was 3% (w/w), and that from FO was 4%. Thermal measurements revealed similar thermodynamic curves for oleogels in different lipid phases. X-Ray diffraction showed orthorhombic perpendicular subcell packing and characteristic peaks of the β' form. Furthermore, a morphology analysis of the crystals showed that they were needle shaped. Fourier transform-infrared spectra revealed that beeswax-based oleogels were formed via non-covalent bonds and may be stabilized with physical entanglements. The oleogels showed oil type-dependent oxidative abilities, but they were all stable and showed no obvious changes in peroxide value during 90 days of storage at 5 °C.


The work has involved a search for insights into the "detail" of the path-dependant nature of a country's movement away from oil. Three main strands of work have been involved. Firstly, an examination of the implications of a recent Swedish policy announcement that the country will pursue independence from fossil fuels – with particular focus on oil replacement and flow on effects to the bioenergy sector. Secondly, a cross case country comparative analysis of related policy initiatives on breaking dependence on fossil fuels in the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden was addressed. This part of the work examines the indicative strategies of the countries, the importance of path dependency factors, and the relative significance of the support measures for bioenergy (or other alternatives to oil and fossil fuels). Thirdly, a number of underlying "systemic components" for oil independence and bioenergy systems were examined – this work has significant focus on Swedish parameters but also includes and compares items from other countries (Poland, the UK, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands). (Less)


In this article, we evaluate the performance effects of I/O bound workloads on a specific virtual machine, an important component of an enterprise cloud computing infrastructure. In particular, we demonstrate that (1) the I/O workload of one guest system may adversely affect the I/O performance of another for the XEN hypervisor and (2) the general I/O performance is degraded due to various overheads. Next, we have devised a light‐weight, complementary, backwards‐compatible alternative to hypervisor‐based virtualization techniques called BONSAI. Our software provides low‐overhead I/O performance isolation by transparently applying traffic shaping to system calls in a cost‐effective manner. Using this system, I/O resource consumption can be controlled at a very fine granularity. Furthermore, using video streaming experiments, where we limit the I/O bandwidth available to each service, we show that we are able to achieve the required level of resource isolation on a per process basis with only a negligible CPU overhead and without reducing the I/O performance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


OBJECTIVES
The possibility was investigated that exposure to welding fumes causes an acute decrease in pulmonary function.

METHODS
Changes in the pulmonary function of 62 current welders and 75 nonwelders at the same sites and the relationship with work-related symptoms were recorded.

RESULTS
Work-related cough was reported by 22.6% of the current welders and 6.7% of the nonwelders [odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5-11.5], and the respective figures for at least 1 work-related symptom were 30.7% and 16.0% (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.2). The groups' preshift lung function did not differ. The mean percentage change from the base-line value of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0) after 15 minutes of work was -2.8% (range -29.3% to +20.9%) for the current welders and +1.0% (range -20.7% to +22.6%) for the nonwelders (P = 0.01). A multivariate analysis identified current welding as the most significant risk factor for a decrease of at least 5% in FEV1.0 after 15 minutes, the risk being greater for those with no local exhaust ventilation (OR 22.4, 95% CI 4.5-113.4) than for those with personal protection only (OR 16.0, 95% CI 2.1-122.9) and those with local exhaust ventilation (OR 2.8, 95% CI 0.2-41.2) or passive exposure only (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.5-8.8).

CONCLUSIONS
An acute decrease in FEV1.0 in relation to work is more prevalent among welders than among nonwelders, and is more common among welders without local exhaust ventilation than among those with it.


In this article, attention is given to the historical context in which the relationship between the "religious" and "educational" arms of the Seventh-Day Adventist church was forged; the commitment of Adventism to higher learning in the U.S. is explored; strategies for maintaining a distinctive purpose in Adventist educational institutions are assessed; and a select number of challenges currently facing Adventist institutions in North America are addressed.


The article presents several research related to diabetes from American Diabetes Association Topics discussed include association of diabetes with increased odds of in-hospital death with COVID-19;concern over racial disparities in health after sustained growth in telehealth and telemedicine due to COVID-19 pandemic;and role of Sotagliflozin to reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes


Current environmental challenges often require regular and wide-area monitoring, which in theory Earth observation (EO) can provide. Commonly, these challenges do not focus on individual point targets, as represented by image pixels, but require consideration of whole landscapes and assessment of features in broader spatial contexts. Object-based approaches, which operate at the scale of real-world objects rather than pixels, offer a means of analysing EO data in a realistic context and integrating associated ancillary information to support real-world applications. The development of object-based image analysis has accelerated over the past decade and can now be considered mainstream, with commercially available software and a wide user community. For full and rigorous consideration of the implementation of object-based analysis in environmental applications, we propose an extension of the discussion to object-based 'landscape' analysis. This article serves as an introduction to a Special Issue on this theme, drawing on a technical meeting held in 2009 at The University of Nottingham, UK. The meeting's aim was to bring together practitioners in remote sensing, geographic information science (GIScience) and environmental science to identify best practice in the development and application of object-based landscape analysis techniques. The papers presented outline new opportunities for object-based landscape analysis, showing the expansion of object-centred classification studies beyond routine use of image data, engaging with fundamental GIScience concepts such as spatial accuracy and scale and demonstrating the wider and growing relevance for the EO, GIScience, landscape ecology and broader environmental science communities.


We have collected a sample of 70 BL Lacs (33 radio-selected BL Lacs and 37 X-ray selected BL Lacs) with multi-waveband data for investigating the classifying criteria of BL Lacertae Objects. For each source, we estimate its luminosities in radio, optical and X-ray, the broad-band spectral index from radio to X-ray and the peak frequency of the synchrotron emission, and make a statistical analysis of the data obtained. Our main results are as follows: (1) The broad-band spectral index and the peak frequency have no correlation with the redshift, while they are inversely correlated with each other and they could be regarded as equivalent classifying criteria of BL Lac objects. (2) There are significant effects of the luminosity/redshift relation on the observed luminosity distribution in our sample, hence, if the radio luminosity is to be used as a classifying criterion of BL Lac objects, it should not be regarded as equivalent to the broad-band spectral index or the peak frequency. (3) Our results supply a specific piece of evidence for the suggestion that the use of luminosities always introduces a redshift bias to the data and show that the location of the peak frequency is not always linked to the luminosity of any wave band.


Action-labelled transition systems (LTSs) have proved to be a fundamental model for describing and proving properties of concurrent systems. In this paper we introduce Multiple-Labelled Transition Systems (MLTSs) as generalisations of LTSs that enable us to deal with system features that are becoming increasingly important when considering languages and models for network-aware programming. MLTSs enable us to describe not only the actions that systems can perform but also their usage of resources and their handling (creation, revelation . . .) of names; these are essential for modelling changing evaluation environments. We also introduce MoMo, which is a logic inspired by Hennessy–Milner Logic and the μ-calculus, that enables us to consider state properties in a distributed environment and the impact of actions and movements over the different sites. MoMo operators are interpreted over MLTSs and both MLTSs and MoMo are used to provide a semantic framework to describe two basic calculi for mobile computing, namely μKlaim and the asynchronous π-calculus.


Despite eminent progress in recent years, various challenges associated with object tracking algorithms such as scale variations, partial or full occlusions, background clutters, illumination variations are still required to be resolved with improved estimation for real-time applications. This paper proposes a robust and fast algorithm for object tracking based on spatio-temporal context (STC). A pyramid representation-based scale correlation filter is incorporated to overcome the STC's inability on the rapid change of scale of target. It learns appearance induced by variations in the target scale sampled at a different set of scales. During occlusion, most correlation filter trackers start drifting due to the wrong update of samples. To prevent the target model from drift, an occlusion detection and handling mechanism are incorporated. Occlusion is detected from the peak correlation score of the response map. It continuously predicts target location during occlusion and passes it to the STC tracking model. After the successful detection of occlusion, an extended Kalman filter is used for occlusion handling. This decreases the chance of tracking failure as the Kalman filter continuously updates itself and the tracking model. Further improvement to the model is provided by fusion with average peak to correlation energy (APCE) criteria, which automatically update the target model to deal with environmental changes. Extensive calculations on the benchmark datasets indicate the efficacy of the proposed tracking method with state of the art in terms of performance analysis.


Cancer biomarker has increased tremendously providing great opportunities for improving the management of cancer patients by enhancing the efficiency of detection and efficacy of treatment. Every cell type has a unique molecular signature, referred to as biomarkers, which are identifiable characteristics such as levels or activities of a numerous of genes, proteins or other molecular features. Biomarkers are therefore, an objective measure or assessment of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. In cancer Biomarker refers to a substance that is indicative of the presence of cancer in the body. Telomerase activity is readily detected in most cancer biopsies, but not in premalignant lesion or in normal tissue samples with a few exceptions that include germ cells and hemopoietic stem cells. Telomere activity may therefore be a useful biomarker for diagnosis of malignancies and a target for inactivation in chemotherapy and gene therapy. The present review provides a brief account on telomerase as a biomarker for diagnosis of cancer.


MONDian dark matter (MDM) is a new form of dark matter quantum that naturally accounts for Milgrom's scaling, usually associated with modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND), and theoretically behaves like cold dark matter (CDM) at cluster and cosmic scales. In this paper, we provide the first observational test of MDM by fitting rotation curves to a sample of 30 local spiral galaxies (z ≈ 0.003). For comparison, we also fit the galactic rotation curves using MOND and CDM. We find that all three models fit the data well. The rotation curves predicted by MDM and MOND are virtually indistinguishable over the range of observed radii (∼1 to 30 kpc). The best-fit MDM and CDM density profiles are compared. We also compare with MDM the dark matter density profiles arising from MOND if Milgrom's formula is interpreted as Newtonian gravity with an extra source term instead of as a modification of inertia. We find that discrepancies between MDM and MOND will occur near the center of a typical spiral galaxy. In these regions, instead of continuing to rise sharply, the MDM mass density turns over and drops as we approach the center of the galaxy. Our results show that MDM, which restricts the nature of the dark matter quantum by accounting for Milgrom's scaling, accurately reproduces observed rotation curves.


This paper presents the investigation of millimeter-wave Fabry-Perot resonator antennas, which are composed of a dielectric slab, a PEC ground and a feed antenna. He substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) 2×2 slot antennas are utilized to excite the antennas. The full-wave 3D electromagnetic software is used to carry out the investigation. Two SIW slot antennas, which show narrow and wide bandwidths respectively, are first designed. Then they are applied to the Fabry-Perot resonator antennas. Simulations show that the SIW slot antenna is an ideal feed antenna in constructing millimeter-wave Fabry-Perot resonator antennas.


Simple strike-slip fault zones mark the third stage of faulting in granitic plutons in the Mount Abbot quadrangle of the Sierra Nevada of California. Deformation began with the opening of nearly vertical subparallel joints. These joints were filled mostly with epidote and chlorite, are up to a few tens of meters long, and typically are less than 1 cm wide. Next, some of these joints slipped left-laterally and became small faults. Small faults accommodated up to ∼2 m of displacement and are characterized by mylonitic fabrics and ductilely deformed quartz. Oblique fractures commonly developed near the ends of small faults and in many cases linked faults end-to-end. Simple fault zones developed as abundant oblique fractures linked small faults side-to-side. These fractures opened and were filled with chlorite, epidote, and quartz. Such fractures are scarce outside the two faults that mark the boundaries of a zone. Simple fault zones typically are 0.5-3 m wide, hundreds of meters long, and laterally displace dikes up to ∼10 m. Displacement is concentrated along the boundary faults, which are characterized by cataclastic textures and brittlely deformed quartz. The fault zones consist of noncoplanar segments a few tens of meters long that join at steps or bends. The segmentation reflects the initial joint pattern and indicates that fault zones grew in length as noncoplanar faults linked end-to-end. Away from bends, the most prominent internal fractures have straight traces and strike 20°-60° counterclockwise from the boundaries, whereas near bends they have gentle S-shaped traces and are nearly perpendicular to the boundaries. We suggest that as some faults linked to form longer structures, a "shear stress shadow" was cast over adjacent smaller faults, causing slip on them essentially to cease. In this manner, displacement progressively became localized on the longer faults and fault zones. If the regional shear strain rate remained constant during this process, then the shear strain rate across the still active faults must have increased. This may have caused cataclastic textures to develop in the boundary faults.


With support from the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) MCHIP conducted a review of malaria in pregnancy related policies guidelines training and supervision materials in five PMI focus countries (Kenya Mali Mozambique Tanzania and Uganda). The review aimed to: Understand what is included in national-level reproductive health (RH) and malaria documents which are disseminated to health workers in these five countries on prevention and treatment of MIP; Ascertain whether these documents are consistent with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance; and Determine how each country's documents are harmonized between their respective RH and malaria control divisions. The review resulted in a report on findings and recommendations that are country-specific as well as common discordant guidance from across countries and overall recommendations that can be applied beyond the countries whose documents were reviewed. MCHIP is collaborating with PMI and the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Malaria in Pregnancy Working Group to disseminate the findings and recommendations of this review which are expected to be particularly useful for assisting countries with the process of revising and adapting their policies guidelines and resources for consistency with current WHO guidance; especially as malaria endemic countries in Africa are considering the implications of the April 2013 WHO policy briefing for the implementation of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP).


Terminal acetals were selectively synthesized from various unbiased aliphatic terminal alkenes and 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-diols using a PdCl2(MeCN)2/CuCl catalyst system in the presence of p-toluquinone under 1 atm of O2 and mild reaction conditions. The slow addition of terminal alkenes suppressed the isomerization to internal alkenes successfully. Electron-deficient cyclic alkenes, such as p-toluquinone, were key additives to enhance the catalytic activity and the anti-Markovnikov selectivity. The halogen groups in the alkenes were found to operate as directing groups, suppressing isomerization and increasing the selectivity efficiently.


In recent years, research has shown the networking layer's significant influence on the scalability, security, and privacy of blockchain systems. Such large-scale networks however exhibit a degree of complexity that demands model-based simulations as real-world experiments are often not possible. In this work, we methodically characterize blockchain networks by reference to the paradigmatic Bitcoin peer-to-peer network, explore the state-of-the-art protocols, and emphasize this key design space. To this end, we conducted a longitudinal measurement study on the Bitcoin network, from which we extract a comprehensive network model and implement it as part of the bns network simulation framework. We validate the model in comparison to real-world measurements as well as to results from related work. Moreover, we experimentally show how network utilization and miners' geographical location impact the block propagation characteristics.


Classification of Visual Object Classes represents one of the most elaborated areas of interest in Computer Vision. It is always challenging to get one specific detector, descriptor or classifier that provides the expected object classification result. Consequently, it critical to compare the different detection, descriptor and classifier methods available and chose a single or combination of two or three to get an optimal result. In this paper, we have presented a comparative survey of different feature descriptors and classifiers. From feature descriptors, SIFT (Sparse & Dense) and HeuSIFT combination colour descriptors; From classification techniques, Support Vector Classifier, K-Nearest Neighbor, ADABOOST, and fisher are covered in comparative practical implementation survey.


Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a benign viral infection, which may have florid manifestations in immunosuppressed patients. Moreover, the treatment is often unsatisfactory in these patients and it maybe recalcitrant. We hereby report the use of intralesional vitamin D immunotherapy in two immunosuppressed patients with persistent widespread MC lesions.


This study involves e-learning skills via educational software, compared to instruction via educational software with the mediation of an instructor. In the last two decades, the role of the teacher-lecturer has changed, from teaching to guidance and instruction. The technological tools have changed the nature of the learning space and the manner in which the teacher interacts with his students. Educational software is a collection of digital pages, packaged as a learning unit, and is a common tool for delivering self-instruction in academia on a range of issues. This is despite the fact that the effectiveness of this tool in academia has not yet been tested. In addition, the educational software is a technological tool but it is not being updated regularly, therefore the development of the topics in educational software is low. The key motif of technological advancement is to enable constant updates, and therefore, the effectiveness of this learning tool, which has the potential of countering the need for the dynamics of content transfer with its static nature, must be examined. The current study aims to examine the use of this tool in teaching and instruction, and to examine the ways to bridge over this gap of a "static" tool and a "dynamic" learning world. The study focuses on a case study in the Israeli Air Force and integrates instruction with technologies means. We have looked into the skills of e-learning through educational software, as well as the contribution of the instructor to the teaching process. The study's literature reveals that e-learning focuses on the cognitive aspect of learning and on the knowledge of the instruction field. Yet there are studies that engage in reinforcing the in-person communication, meaning, the significance of a "face-to-face" encounter between the student and his instructor. We examined the probability and the extent of the added value of the teacher/instructor in e-learning through educational software. An examination of e-learning through educational software is conducted by a test that consists of questions broken down into levels according to the STEM Model. The findings of the study demonstrate the contribution of educational software as a means of instruction, when it is combined with an in-person encounters between the students and their instructor. We found that combining the in-person meetings with the educational software practice has vastly improved the motivation of the technicians in training, their learning experience and the learner's ability to understand the learning material.The results of our study shed a spotlight on the instruction, which are a major part of the teaching process in general, as well as the use of educational software as a relevant and applicable mean in the training process in particular. The case study, conducted in the Israeli Air Force, which guides the training processes that are held in the army, is the first case study of its kind, which tracks the use of educational software as a means of instructional work. Our assumption is that training work using educational software has a high influence in the context of teaching and training in different and diverse institutions and organizations, such as in academia.


This volume addresses the key question of the intersection of sociology and politics, and asks what a non-Marxist cultural perspective can offer the Left. Written by leading scholars, it develops new conceptions of social critique, new techniques of interpretive analysis, and new concepts for the sociology of democratic practice. It is a volume for the twenty-first-century, where global and local meet, when critical theory must examine its most fundamental presuppositions.


OBJECTIVE
The object of this study was to evaluate surgical outcomes and prognosis factors in patients with drug-resistant posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) who had undergone resective surgery.

METHODS
The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with drug-resistant PTE who had undergone resective surgery at Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, in the period from January 2008 to December 2016. All patients had a follow-up period of at least 2 years. Seizure outcomes were evaluated according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification. Patients in ILAE classes 1 and 2 during the last 2 years of follow-up were classified as having a favorable outcome; patients in all other classes were considered to have an unfavorable outcome. Univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model in a backward fashion were used to identify the potential predictors of seizure outcomes.

RESULTS
Among 90 patients with a follow-up of 2-10 years (mean ± standard deviation, 5.79 ± 2.84 years), 70% (63 patients) were seizure free, of whom 68.9% (62 patients) had an ILAE class 1 outcome and 1.1% (1 patient) had an ILAE class 2 outcome. Permanent neurological deficits were observed in 10 patients (11.1%). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that only the duration of seizures ≤ 8 years was an independent predictor of a favorable seizure outcome (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS
Resective surgery is an effective treatment for patients with drug-resistant PTE with an acceptable incidence of complications. The information on prognosis factors suggests that early surgery may offer more benefits to patients with drug-resistant PTE.


EEG (Electroencephalograph) is a technique for identifying neurological disorders. There are various neurological disorders like Epilepsy, brain cancer, etc. Epilepsy is one of the common neurological disorders. In this paper we propose a technique of detecting epilepsy disorder using discrete wavelet transform using MATLAB. The back propagation algorithm is also used in the classification network. This paper also provides a technique of detecting epilepsy disorder with great accuracy.


This paper was presented at International Society for New Institutional Economics 11th Annual Conference. June 21-23, 2007. Reykjavik, Iceland. Panel 8.3. Comparative Institutional Analysis.


Magnetization relaxation in superconductors is under the study from the very beginning of superconductivity. Now the knowledge about the nature of flux creep is suggested and confirmed by many experiments, but mainly by macromeasurement of average magnetization. Studying the relaxation in finite size superconductors, melt textured and single crystals YBCO, we have found the relaxation is determined not only by material properties, pinning center sizes, dimensionality and distribution, but sample size and shape as well as magnetic flux distribution. Magneto-optic technique, used to visualize the spatial magnetic flux distribution and redistribution in superconductors during relaxation, allowed us to understand the origin of these effects.


Objectives There has been no comprehensive injury report of elite-level amateur boxers in competition and training. We reviewed injuries in training and competition in the Great Britain (GB) amateur boxing squad between 2005 and 2009. Methods Longitudinal, prospective injury surveillance over 5 years of the GB boxing squad from 2005 to 2009. 66 boxers passed through the squad. The location, region affected, description, and the duration of each injury were recorded by the team doctor and team physiotherapist. We recorded whether the injury occurred during competition or training, and also whether it was a new or a recurrent injury. The injury rate during competition was calculated as the number of injuries per 1000 h. Results More injuries affected the hand than any other body location. This was the case overall, in training and competition individually, and for both new and recurrent injuries. More injuries occurred during training than during competition, and most injuries were new rather than recurrent. Total injury rate during competition was 828 per 1000 h and hand injury rate in competition was 302 injuries per 1000 h. Hand injury rate in competition was significantly higher than at the other locations. The incidence of concussion is comparatively low. Conclusions Injury prevention should aim to protect the hands and wrists of elite amateur boxers.