ABSTRACT The research is entitled "Kecemasan dan Mekanisme Pertahanan diri Alice Howland dalam Novel Still Alice karya Lisa Genova" . There are fifteen characters in this novel but only the major character and her anxiety with defense mechanism that become the main focus in this  research. The main purpose of this research is to analyze Alice's Anxiety and Defense mechanism that are shown in the novel. In terms of methodology, the combination of two approaches are applied namely the intrinsic and extrinsic ones. The theories by Robert Stanton (2007) and Edgard Robert (1964) are used to analyze the main character's personality. Freud's psychoanalysis is used to analyze the main character's anxiety and defense mechanism, C. George Boeree's book entitled Personality Theory (2006) are used in this research. The research uses descriptive method and the data were collected from the novel with supporting data from some articles on the internet about anxiety and defense mechanism. After analyzing the personality of the major character, the writer finds that Alice Howland has two types of anxiety that are neurotic anxiety and moral anxiety. Alice also has some defense mechanisms: which are projection, displacement, turning against the self, rationalization, denial, compensation, and reaction formation. Keywords; Anxiety, Defense Mechanism, major character, psychoanalysis


To ensure reliable operation of superconducting field windings of a superconducting generator it is necessary to screen the field windings from time-varying magnetic fields. An electrothermal shield is used for this screening in order to protect the superconducting material from quench phenomena. This screening effect is due to the eddy currents in the electrothermal shield. In this paper, these eddy currents in the conducting shell are analyzed numerically by using a 3-dimensional indirect boundary integral equation method (IBIEM).


Myofibrillar myopathies (MFMs) are morphologically distinct but genetically heterogeneous muscular dystrophies in which disintegration of Z disks and then of myofibrils is followed by ectopic accumulation of multiple proteins. Cardiomyopathy, neuropathy, and dominant inheritance are frequent associated features. Mutations in αB‐crystallin, desmin, myotilin, Zasp, or filamin‐C can cause MFMs and were detected in 32 of 85 patients of the Mayo MFM cohort. Bag3, another Z‐disk–associated protein, has antiapoptotic properties, and its targeted deletion in mice causes fulminant myopathy with early lethality. We therefore searched for mutations in BAG3 in 53 unrelated MFM patients.


We describe the filtering and analysis software running in the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) Run II Level-3 trigger, as well as the client- and event-driven data hub system. These systems constitute critical components of the data acquisition system of the CDF detector. The Level-3 trigger is responsible for reconstructing the events and forming the final trigger decision. The consumer-server/logger (CSL) system receives the accepted physics events from multiple connections and writes them to disk in multiple streams, while distributing them to online analysis programs (consumers). Since 2001, the system has been running successfully at high throughput rates: the Level-3 trigger reduces the event rate from 350 Hz to about 100 Hz with an average event size of 150 kB, while the CSL is able to process up to 22 MB/s of constant event logging. We describe these systems in detail and report on their current performance. We briefly outline upgrade plans for the remainder of Tevatron Run II.


The proliferation of air interfaces has created the need for a standard way of switching services supported by a wireless system and downloading new code to systems in the field. Both conventional and software defined systems need this capability. This article describes the work of the SDR Forum in developing such a switcher/downloader standard.


A retrospective review of 48 consecutive morbidly obese patients with urolithiasis who were treated successfully by endoscopic modalities over 3.5 years was performed. Of the 73 endoscopic procedures, 48 were ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (UL), 4 were ureteroscopic basket extraction, and 21 were percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL). The patients' weight ranged from 205 to 385 lbs. (average 286 lbs.). Their abdominal girth ranged from 53 to 65 inches (average 59 inches). Twenty-six patients had one procedure, eight patients had bilateral procedures, eleven patients had two procedures, and three patients had three procedures with utilization of either multiple ureteroscopic treatments or the combination of percutaneous and ureteroscopic techniques. The stone-free rate after one procedure was 77.8% for UL and 60% for PCNL. The stone-free rate after planned repeat procedures was 97% for UL/UL and 89% for PCNL/UL. There were two minor complications. Forty-eight procedures were performed on an outpatient basis, and the remaining 25 procedures necessitated hospital admission (average 3.6 days). Morbidly obese patients with urolithiasis who are unable to have SWL because of their body weight and abdominal girth can be treated successfully with UL, ureteroscopic basket extraction, and PCNL with efficacy comparable to that in patients of normal weight and with minimal morbidity. Many renal calculi were treated with UL alone with a high success rate.


Increased or reduced action of thyroid hormone on certain molecular pathways in the heart and vasculature causes relevant cardiovascular derangements. It is well established that overt hyperthyroidism induces a hyperdynamic cardiovascular state (high cardiac output with low systemic vascular resistance), which is associated with a faster heart rate, enhanced left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, and increased prevalence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias - namely, atrial fibrillation - whereas overt hypothyroidism is characterized by the opposite changes. However, whether changes in cardiac performance associated with overt thyroid dysfunction are due mainly to alterations of myocardial contractility or to loading conditions remains unclear. Extensive evidence indicates that the cardiovascular system responds to the minimal but persistent changes in circulating thyroid hormone levels, which are typical of individuals with subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is associated with increased heart rate, atrial arrhythmias, increased LV mass, impaired ventricular relaxation, reduced exercise performance, and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with impaired LV diastolic function and subtle systolic dysfunction and an enhanced risk for atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Because all cardiovascular abnormalities are reversed by restoration of euthyroidism ("subclinical hypothyroidism") or blunted by beta-blockade and L-thyroxine (L-T4) dose tailoring ("subclinical hyperthyroidism"), timely treatment is advisable in an attempt to avoid adverse cardiovascular effects. Interestingly, some data indicate that patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular disorders and those undergoing cardiac surgery may have altered peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism that, in turn, may contribute to altered cardiac function. Preliminary clinical investigations suggest that administration of thyroid hormone or its analogue 3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid greatly benefits these patients, highlighting the potential role of thyroid hormone treatment in patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular disease.


Dysbiosis has been associated with various diseases and is of major health importance. Dysbiosis leads to microbial translocation, which is the passage of microorganisms, their fragments, or their metabolites from the intestinal lumen into the blood circulation and other sites. The aim of the study was to determine whether microbial translocation occurs in stage II/III-IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The aim was also to evaluate the usefulness of blood PCR for diagnosis of such translocation and correlate the presence of toll-like receptor/vitamin D receptor (TLR/VDR) gene polymorphisms with microbial DNA fragments detected in the blood of CRC patients. Three hundred and ninety-seven CRC patients enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood DNA was analyzed using PCR for the amplification of genomic DNA encoding 16S rRNA, the β-galactosidase gene of Escherichia coli, glutamine synthase gene of Bacteroides fragilis, and 5.8S rRNA of Candida albicans. Significantly higher rates of all microbial fragments, but E. coli, detected were observed in the CRC patients (p < 0.001); such detection of all four microbial fragments was also significantly associated with the metastatic disease (p < 0.001), leading to shorter survival rates (p < 0.001). Tumor location in the right colon also significantly correlated with shorter survival (p = 0.016). Individuals with homozygous mutant alleles of TLR/VDR polymorphisms had significantly higher detection rates of microbial DNA fragments. The detection of microbial DNA fragments in CRC patients highlighted the role of these microbes in cancer development, progression, and patients' survival.


In multicellular organisms, both health and disease are defined by means of communication patterns involving the component cells. Despite the intricate networks of soluble mediators, cells are also programed to exchange complex messages pre-assembled as multimolecular cargo of membranous structures known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). Several biogenetic pathways produce EVs with different properties able to orchestrate neighboring cell reactions or to establish an environment ripe for spreading tumor cells. Such an effect is in fact an extension of similar physiological roles played by exosomes in guiding cell migration under nontumoral tissue remodeling and organogenesis. We start with a biological thought experiment equivalent to Bénard's experiment, involving a fluid layer of EVs adherent to an extracellular matrix, in a haptotactic gradient, then, we build and present the first Lorenz model for EVs migration. Using Galerkin's method of reducing a system of partial differential equations to a system of ordinary differential equations, a biological Lorenz system is developed. Such a physical frame distributing individual molecular or exosomal type cell-guiding cues in the extracellular matrix space could serve as a guide for tissue neoformation of the budding pattern in nontumoral or tumoral instances.


In 1913 Clarence Poe, the editor of the Progressive Farmer, launched his infamous campaign to racially segregate rural North Carolina. Historians of comparative race relations have used Poe's proposal as an example of the intellectual exchanges between South Africa and the US South. This article reinterprets Poe's segregation campaign by placing it in the context of his decade-long engagement with the transnational Country Life Movement that spanned the Atlantic in the years before World War I. While visiting England, Ireland, and Denmark, Poe engaged with prominent romantic agrarian thinkers and encountered scenes of a harmonious, beautiful, and prosperous Anglo-Saxon country life that he longed for the South to emulate. In light of these influences, Poe's fight to remove blacks from the rural South had less to do with imported racial ideas and more with Poe's commitment to recreating the Irish countryside in the South. It was Poe's romantic agrarianism that inspired him to spearhead what was, by all accounts, an economically misguided and morally repugnant policy.


The necessity of preventing physiologic deconditioning of astronauts exposed to long duration space flights is well known. A method under consideration to prevent this deconditioning is the use of periodic exposure to artificial gravity which could be provided by a centrifuge. This paper presents a design study for a human-powered centrifuge which could be used aboard the NASA Space Shuttle with analyses which quantify many of the forces produced. Consideration is given to managing reaction forces to changes in centrifuge angular velocity, centrifuge imbalance effects, the effects of gyroscopic moment on spacecraft orientation changes, and torque and power requirements as a function of centrifuge performance parameters. A design concept for a "human powered" centrifuge which could provide both exercise and artificial gravity exposure is also considered.


The common method to understand and improve classification rules is to prove bounds on the generalization error. Here we provide localized data-based PAC-bounds for the difference between the risk of any two randomized estimators. We derive from these bounds two types of algorithms: the first one uses combinatorial technics and is related to compression schemes whereas the second one involves Gibbs estimators. We also recover some of the results of the Vapnik-Chervonenkis theory and improve them by taking into account the variance term measured by the pseudo-distance (f1, f2) 7→ [f1(X) 6= f2(X)]. Finally, we present different ways of localizing the results in order to improve the bounds and make them less dependent on the choice of the prior. For some classes of functions (such as VC-classes), this will lead to gain a logN factor (without using the chaining technique (see [1] for more details)).


Abstract : It has been well established from current causulty data of our military operations in the Middle East that the ratio of serious injuries to fatal casualties far exceeds that of previous conflicts. Among these serious injuries, war wound infection and osteomyelitis (OM) appear to be of greatest concern. Most alarming is the incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter species. This comes as a major surprise since this pathogen has been reported in less than 2% of nosocomial infections within the United States, but has emerged in over 30% of admitted deployed soldiers. An additional problem is that while there are some effective antibiotics against Acinetobacter (i.e. Colistin and Imipenem), they are not available in bone void fillers that are primarily used to treat OM caused by Staphylococcus. To address this urgent need we propose a collaboration that will take advantage of the first quantitative animal model of implant-associated OM developed for Staphylococcus, and clinical isolates of MDR Acinetobacter obtained from our soldiers. To achieve these goals we will test the hypotheses that: 1) prophylatic chemotherapy with Acinetobacter-specific antibiotics can prevent the establishment of Acinetobacter OM; 2) incorporation of Acinetobacter-specific antibiotics into polymethylmethacrylate bone void filler prevents OM in a contaminated wound; and 3) specific antibodies are raised against common immuno-dominant antigens during the establishment of Acinetobacter OM.


Diagnostic cordocentesis is indicated in situations that require fetal vascular access. These include detection of intrauterine TORCH infections, estimation of the extent of fetal anemia before initiating therapy for isoimmunization and determination of fetal hematocrit for appropriate timing of subsequent transfusions. It may also be applied to evaluate fetal acid-base status and rapid karyotyping in fetuses with structural anomalies, intrauterine growth retardation, or oligohydramnios. More recently, it has been used to assist in the diagnosis of intrauterine starvation. Therapeutic applications of cordocentesis include intrauterine transfusion and the administration of medications directly to the fetus. Complications inherent to this procedure include cord hematoma and placental abruption.


In rabbit lung membranes known to contain both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors it was studied whether changes in incubation temperature may affect binding characteristics and/or selectivity of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor drugs. For this purpose inhibition of binding of the highly specific beta-adrenoceptor radioligand (+/-)-125iodocyanopindolol (ICYP) by beta 1-and beta 2-selective as well as non-selective drugs was determined at incubation temperatures of 37 degrees C and 18 degrees C and analyzed by Hofstee-plots. 1. The density of beta-adrenoceptors in rabbit lung membranes was identical independently of the incubation temperature. 2. At both incubation temperatures beta 1- and beta 2-selective drugs showed biphasic displacement curves and non-linear Hofstee-plots, while inhibition of binding by the non-selective drugs resulted in monophasic displacement curves with linear Hofstee-plots. With decreasing temperature affinity of antagonists to beta-adrenoceptors increased only slightly, while affinity of agonists increased markedly. 3. For all beta 1- and beta 2-selective drugs the same ratio beta 1/beta 2-adrenoceptors was calculated from the Hofstee-plots independently of the incubation temperature: It amounted to about 80% beta 1- and 20% beta 2-adrenoceptors in rabbit lung. 4. At an incubation temperature of 37 degrees C the displacement curve of the agonist isoprenaline was biphasic in the absence of GTP with a non-linear Hofstee-plot indicating that at 37 degrees C isoprenaline binds to high and low affinity states of the beta-adrenoceptors in rabbit lung. At 18 degrees C, however, beta-adrenoceptors do not form the high affinity GTP-sensitive complex with agonists, since GTP had no influence on isoprenaline displacement curves. 5. It is concluded that a decrease in the incubation temperature of ICYP binding assay from 37 degrees C to 18 degrees C does neither alter the relative amount of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors in rabbit lung membranes nor the selectivity of beta 1- and beta 2-selective adrenoceptor drugs.


STUDY QUESTION
Are there phase-specific changes in the early secretory (ES) phase human tubal lavage proteome that can inform and potentially optimize IVF culture media?

SUMMARY ANSWER
The human tubal lavage proteome during the ES phase relative to the menstrual phase reveals substantial differential protein abundance in pathways such as glycolysis, redox homeostasis and activation of 14-3-3 zeta-mediated signaling.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
The Fallopian tube is uniquely suited to the development of the preimplantation embryo as it transits the tube during the ES phase of the menstrual cycle. Euploid cleavage-stage embryo arrest may reflect incomplete recapitulation of in-vivo conditions by current media formulations.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Proteome-wide analysis of distal tubal lavage specimens collected from 26 healthy women undergoing open microtubal anastomosis surgery from January 2013 to January 2018 was performed. Specimens were grouped by menstrual cycle phase in order to analyze phase-specific differences in protein abundance. For the murine embryo assay, single-cell embryos (N = 482) were collected from superovulated wild type C57BL/6 female mice and cultured in microdrops over 5 days for the assessment of blastocyst development.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Human tubal lavage specimens were processed for label-free mass spectrometry. Reported menstrual cycle day was confirmed by measuring serum hormones. Key protein targets in the ES phase were validated via immunoblot. The ES phase-specific increase in 14-3-3 zeta protein was confirmed via ELISA of conditioned media obtained from primary human Fallopian tube epithelial cell culture. A murine embryo assay was performed to investigate the impact of graduated concentrations of 14-3-3 zeta on the blastocyst development rate.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Comparison of the ES and menstrual phase human tubal lavage proteomes revealed 74 differentially expressed proteins with enrichment of pathways and biological processes involved in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress and cell survival. The adapter-regulator protein 14-3-3 zeta was among the most significantly increased in the ES phase. Supplementation of embryo culture media with 14-3-3 zeta at concentrations tested did not significantly improve the murine blastocyst development.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
Although select associations were recapitulated in the conditioned media from sex steroid exposed primary human tubal epithelial cells, cell culture represents an in-vitro approximation. Changes to embryo culture media, such as protein supplementation, must undergo rigorous preclinical safety testing prior to adoption for human use.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
This study represents the first description of the human Fallopian tube lavage proteome across the menstrual cycle, revealing a unique proteomic signature during the ES phase. Although supplementation of culture media with 14-3-3 zeta at appropriate concentrations showed no significant impact on the murine blastocyst development rate, other biologically plausible candidate proteins for individual or high throughput testing strategies are identified.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This work was funded in part by an Army Medical Department Advanced Medical Technology Initiative grant from the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center. There are no competing interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A.


Author(s): Izvanariu, Pamela A | Abstract: A recent innovation, the ride-share sector, is the fastest growing sector of the sharingeconomy. These companies provide drivers with a mobile-based platform to find a fare and take a cut of the same, discouraging cash tipping. As advertisements for the companies suggest that these drivers can make anywhere between $20-$40 per hour, it's no surprise that the companies are welcoming throngs of workers suffering in a sluggish economy and searching for a way to make ends meet, advertising themselves a potential vehicle for micro-entrepreneurial opportunity that allows workers to have more control and flexibility at work.This paper provides a brief examination of the relevant legal framework as concerns the misclassification of rideshare drivers; recent misclassification decisions in Oregon, Florida, and California; and the recent Uber and Lyft settlements. This analysis considers the way ridesharedrivers are impacted by the fact that no one determinative test concerning misclassification exists, and looks at the ways in which different jurisdictions have come to different conclusions regardingthe same set of workers. The article focuses on key similarities between the major misclassification tests and the essentially uniform company policies and practices applicable to each individual company's workforce, to provide a meaningful review of the relevant facts which can guide the decision-making processes of courts, policymakers, and other stakeholders, as well as research that concerns worker classification in the ridesharing sector. This analysis reveals that upon close examination, ride share drivers are indeed misclassified as independent contractors, when in fact they are employees.


Embedded systems often include a traditional processor capable of executing sequential code, but both control and data-dominated tasks are often more naturally expressed using one of the many domain-specific concurrent specification languages. This article surveys a variety of techniques for translating these concurrent specifications into sequential code. The techniques address compiling a wide variety of languages, ranging from dataflow to Petri nets. Each uses a different method, to some degree chosen to match the semantics of concurrent language. Each technique is considered to consist of a partial evaluator operating on an interpreter. This combination provides a clearer picture of how parts of each technique could be used in a different setting.


This paper studies recursive exchange economies with short sales. Agents maximize discounted expected utility. The asset structure is general and includes real securities, infinite-lived stocks, options, and other derivatives. The main result shows the existence of a competitive equilibrium process that is stationary and has an invariant ergodic measure. Ergodicity is required in finance for time series analysis of structural asset pricing models. This equilibrium property is difficult to obtain when heterogeneous agents can accumulate debt over time. Bounded marginal utility is shown to be a key condition for ergodicity in this setting.


BACKGROUND: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a symptom that deviates from the normal menstrual cycle. AUB is characterized by changes in the frequency, volume, and duration of the menstrual flow. The etiology of AUB, which varies with age, may be attributed to both structural and non-structural causes. OBJECTIVES: Determine the histopathological pattern of endometrial biopsies in patients with AUB across different age and parity groups who have undergone dilation and curettage (D&C), along with the discrepancy between D&C and histopathological findings after hysterectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected data on all patients diagnosed with AUB between January 2015 and December 2020. Histopathological findings of all D&C endometrial biopsy samples were examined after being categorized by age and parity groups. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and NPV were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of D&C. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Histopathological pattern of D&C endometrial biopsies by age and parity groups. SAMPLE SIZE: 3233 patients. RESULTS: Most patients were in the 18-39 year age group, with normal cyclical findings being the most common histopathological finding. Malignant lesions were observed in 42 patients with a majority being older than 50 years. In 13.3% (42/316) of patients, D&C failed to detect intrauterine disorder that was found on hysterectomy. The overall accuracy of D&C in determining the existence of normal versus pathological findings was 75.60%, the sensitivity was 72.90%, the specificity was 77.90%, the positive predictive value was 73.86% and the NPV was 77.05% in our patients. CONCLUSION: Normal cyclic changes account for the highest proportion of histopathological findings. However, hyperplasia and malignancies are important causes of perimenopausal and postmenopausal bleeding. While the use of D&C as a sampling tool for AUB cases remains questionable, the use of D&C in diagnosing premalignant and malignant cases is highly effective. LIMITATIONS: Single-center, retrospective design, incomplete medical records, and inter-rater reliability could not be determined. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.


Human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis (RLP) is a chronic debilitating disease often encountered among children of poor socio-economic South African groups. There are a few studies and limited evidence as to what extent nutrition may contribute to this disease. To our knowledge this is the first study that gives an account of dietary FA and micronutrient intakes in RLP patients, according to food frequency questionnaires. The dietary FA profile revealed an excessive linoleic acid (LA) intake syndrome and is also marked by high palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OA) and SFA intakes. Research revealed that enhanced LA and PA drive, respectively, mitogenic stimuli and apoptotic resistance during tumorigenesis, whist SFAs are associated with lipid rafts, the Th1 immune response and immunosuppression. Low folate intake, a risk for HPV-infection, and low Zn intake, detrimental for lipid metabolism and immunocompetence, occurred in, respectively, 70% and 20% RLP patients. The poor correlations that were found in RLP patients between essential fatty acids (EFAs) and micronutrients, namely, Mg, Zn and Se, involved in lipid metabolism and immune responses, need proper clarification. Overall, it is plausible that the diet (poor nutrition), a shift in lipid metabolism caused by HPV- infection, environmental smoke and oxidative stress, as well as extra-esophageal acid reflux with secondary inflammation in the larynx are co-factors in the etiology of laryngeal papillomatosis, and that immunocompromised patients are subjected to recurrence. It is imperative to ensure that children with RLP receive proper nutrition and follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent disease recurrence after treatment.


Men in sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience health disparities that are exacerbated by low employment. This study qualitatively assessed men's perceptions of the economic and health-care-seeking effects of participation in an integrated microfinance and peer health leadership intervention on violence and HIV risk reduction in Tanzania. Three focus group discussions with 27 men, aged 20 to 44 years, examined the perceived effects on income generation, employability, mental health, and uptake of HIV and related health services. All discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding methods. Men reported that the benefits of the intervention included increased employability and income-earning activities due to greater access to entrepreneurial training, low-interest microfinancing, and male-oriented group supports to start or strengthen their businesses. Increased wages through business or other forms of employment were also attributed to men's lower anxiety and distress as financial providers for their families. However, men indicated that apart from the uptake of free HIV testing services, there was limited change in overall health-care-seeking behavior given the high clinic fees and lost time to earn income when attending routine health visits. Men recommended that future microfinance and health promotion interventions provide larger loan amounts, less frequent repayment intervals, and access to health and social insurance. Microfinance and peer health leadership interventions may help to address economic and health disparities in poor, urban men. Efforts are needed to assist lower income men in accessing financial tools as well as fee-based preventive and health-care services.


Many real-world systems consist of several types of entities, and hetero- geneous networks are required to represent such systems. However, the current statistical toolbox for network data can only deal with homogeneous networks, where all nodes are supposed to be of the same type. This article introduces a statistical framework for community detection in heterogeneous networks. For modeling heterogeneous networks, we propose heterogeneous versions of both the classical stochastic blockmodel and the degree-corrected blockmodel. For commu- nity detection, we formulate heterogeneous versions of standard spectral clustering and regularized spectral clustering. We also demonstrate the theoretical accuracy of the proposed heterogeneous methods for networks generated from the proposed heterogeneous models. Our simulations establish the superiority of proposed het- erogeneous methods over existing homogeneous methods in nite networks gener- ated from the models. An analysis of the DBLP four-area data demonstrates the improved accuracy of the heterogeneous method over the homogeneous method in identifying research areas for authors.


Over the last several years, end-to-end neural conversational agents have vastly improved in their ability to carry a chit-chat conversation with humans. However, these models are often trained on large datasets from the internet, and as a result, may learn undesirable behaviors from this data, such as toxic or otherwise harmful language. Researchers must thus wrestle with the issue of how and when to release these models. In this paper, we survey the problem landscape for safety for end-to-end conversational AI and discuss recent and related work. We highlight tensions between values, potential positive impact and potential harms, and provide a framework for making decisions about whether and how to release these models, following the tenets of value-sensitive design. We additionally provide a suite of tools to enable researchers to make better-informed decisions about training and releasing end-to-end conversational AI models.


Background Ultrasound (US) assessment was shown to be a sensitive tool for the evaluation of joint activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synovial effusion and synovial hypertrophy can be evaluated by gray scale (GS), while hypervascularisation, as a marker of inflammation, can be measured using power Doppler signals (PD). Both types of signals are highly sensitive, and may persist even in clinical inactivity, i.e. when swelling or tenderness are absent. It is conceivable that such subclinical US signals may resolve if clinical inactivity is sustained, but this has not yet been shown during long-term follow-up. Objectives To investigate the persistence of subclinical US signals in previously clinically active joints in relation to prolonged clinical inactivity. Methods We performed US imaging including GS and PD, each graded on a four point scale (0=no, 1=mild, 2=moderate and 3=marked) of 22 joints of the hands of RA patients. We then selected all joints with no clinical activity at the time of the US examination. Based on a routine clinic database with 3-monthly joint assessments, the last time point of clinical joint activity (swelling, tenderness or both) was identified. The time between the last clinical joint activity and the current sonographic assessment in that joint was determined and persistence of subclinical US activity was estimated for all patients and all joints. Results We assessed a total of 1980 joints in 90 RA patients. 1329 (67.1%) joints were positive on GS and 410 (20.7%) showed PD signals. The median (IQR) time between the last visit exhibiting swollen or tender joint(s) and the US assessment showing PD/GS-signals in the same now clinically inactive joint(s) was 3.6 (1.2; 6.3) and 3.5 (1.3; 5.6) years, respectively. We found that the time between last clinical activity (swelling and/or tenderness) and positive sonographic assessment was significantly shorter in joints showing GS signals ≥2 than in joints with GS=1 (median [IQR] 2.6 [0.6; 2.6] vs. 3.9 [1.9; 6.6]; p<0.001), for PD signals there was also a trend towards shorter periods of clinical remission in highly active joints (median [IQR] of 2.4 [0.5; 5.3] for PD≥2 vs. 4.3 [1.0; 6.2] for PD=1; p=0.066). In joints showing highly positive GS and PD signals (both ≥2), the time to the last clinical activity was even shorter, with a median of 1.4 years. (Figure 1) Figure 1. Kaplan Meier curve for subclinical sonographic activity in joints showing GS ≥2 and PD signals. GS, grey scale; PD, power Doppler. Conclusions We conclude that subclinical joint activity is long lasting in RA joints in clinical remission, but resolves over time. The latter is indicated by a shorter period from last clinical activity for strong signals (PD ≥2, GS ≥2) as compared to weak signals (PD ≤1, GS ≤1). Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3247


Summary
Females use multiple cues from different sensory modalities to choose males of high phenotypic or genetic quality to mate with. Fish may use visual and acoustic communication during mating, but few studies have associated multimodal signals with male quality and reproductive success.
We examined whether visual and acoustic courtship signals reflect male quality and influence mating success in the painted goby (Pomatoschistus pictus), a highly visual and vocal fish species with paternal care. Painted gobies make conspicuous courtship visual displays such as body quivering and eight-shaped swimming patterns and two types of sounds: drums that are composed of a sequence of low-frequency pulses and a thump-like non-pulsed sound. We predicted that both sensory modalities would advertise male size and condition and influence mating success.
We found that larger number of pulses in a drum, lower fatigue (where fatigue is the increase in pulse period during drum production) and higher drum absolute amplitude levels were good predictors of larger male size. Males with high condition factor (Fulton's K) showed high drumming activity and low thumping and visual courtship levels. Drumming activity was a good predictor of male fat reserves.
Males that succeeded to mate emitted sounds with higher number of pulses and longer pulse periods and showed higher drumming but lower thumping activity than unsuccessful males. All traits (except pulse period) reflected higher male Fulton's K or fat reserves, suggesting that females are selecting for male condition. Neither male size nor visual courtship was apparently used in mate selection.
Contrary to our expectations, females did not seem to prefer larger or vigorous visually displaying males but chose mates in better condition using multiple cues of drumming sounds. We suggest that preference for high mate condition is related to preference for increased parental ability and hatching success in species with paternal care. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that addresses the relative role of signals from different sensory modalities including acoustics, in advertising male quality and in contributing to reproductive success in fish.


Hyaluronate-hydroxyethyl acrylate blend gel (HA-PHEA) were prepared to modify the brittleness of hyaluronate gel (HA) and the characteristics of HA-PHEA gel were compared with those of HA and polyhydroxyethyl acrylate (PHEA) gels. These gels were high in water content and transparent. HA-PHEA gel was improved in viscoelastic properties due to the elasticity and the high affinity with water of PHEA, and the drying-swelling cycles became reversible. The effective charge densities theta of the gels estimated from membrane potentials were -0.002, -0.008 and 0 mol dm(-3) for HA-PHEA, HA and PHEA gels. Effects of electro- static and nonelectrostatic interactions on absorptions and releases were studied using sodium benzoate (NaBA) as an anionic solute, and methylene blue (MB), chlorpromazine (CPHCl) and benzethonium chloride (BZTCl) as cationic solutes, in which CPHCl and BZTCl are cationic amphiphilic solutes. The releases of MB, CPHCl and BZTCl from HA-PHEA and HA gels were suppressed comparing with those of NaBA. By adding salts, the releases of MB and CPHCl were enhanced but those of BZTCl were suppressed due to enhancement of the intra- and intermicelle formation. In the releases of the cationic solutes from HA-PHEA gel, electrostatic and nonelectrostatic interactions with HA were found to play important roles. Behaviors of the releases from HA-PHEA gel were found to possess the features of HA gel.


Summary A second occurrence of the mineral bolivarite has been found in the Kobokobo pegmatite, Kivu, Republic of Congo (Kinshasa). This amorphous mineral was previously considered to be evansite. Its physical properties are: weak birefringence; biaxial to uniaxial positive; n = 1·50–1·51; specific gravity 1·97–2·05; hardness 3 to 3½. Three chemical analyses have been performed on the Congolese material. The general formula of the mineral is Al2(PO4)(OH)3.4–5 H2O. Both known bolivarites from Spain and Congo contain abnormal amounts of U. The bright green UV fluorescence is due to the presence of U. The DTA curve of the Congolese bolivarite is given. Its genesis is discussed. This uranium-bearing mineral may be an indicator of uranium mineralization in Spain.


This research paper identifies different variables that affect customer satisfaction in the restaurants of Hyderabad. This study identified 16 indicators of 3 variables, price, quality and service, for customer satisfaction. The research is based on quantitative methods and data was collected from 4 major restaurants, BAR-B-Q Tonight, Lamosh, Royal Taj and Mirchi 360. Questionnaires were designed to collect data from sample size of 80. By using random sampling method 20 samples were selected from each restaurant. The data was analyzed through correlation, ANOVA, and R square interpretations.


Zoledronic acid (Zometa), a third-generation amino-bisphosphonate, has been approved in the US, the EU and many other countries worldwide for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases of malignancy. In several well designed trials, zoledronic acid 4 mg administered as a 15-minute infusion every 3-4 weeks was effective in reducing the occurrence of skeletal complications in patients with bone metastases secondary to multiple myeloma, breast cancer or prostate cancer. Zoledronic acid was as effective as pamidronic acid in reducing the occurrence of skeletal complications in patients with multiple myeloma or breast cancer. In patients with solid tumours other than breast or prostate cancer, zoledronic acid did not show significant clinical benefit over placebo in terms of the primary endpoint; however, some benefit of therapy in terms of secondary endpoints was observed with zoledronic acid relative to placebo. Its efficacy in a broad range of tumours and short infusion time (15 minutes) are an advantage over other available bisphosphonates. Modelled pharmacoeconomic analyses in patients with breast cancer suggested that zoledronic acid therapy is cost effective relative to no therapy with regard to the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained; however, results were mixed when zoledronic acid was compared with other commonly used bisphosphonates. Zoledronic acid is generally well tolerated; the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw may be minimized by adhering to recommendations regarding dental therapy. Additional efficacy and economic data are required to definitively position zoledronic acid with respect to other bisphosphonates. Nevertheless, available clinical data indicate that zoledronic acid is an effective treatment option for the management of bone metastases of malignancy.


Abstract. As part of the ChArMEx-ADRIMED campaign (summer 2013), ground-based in situ observations were conducted at the Ersa site (northern tip of Corsica; 533 m a.s.l.) to characterise the optical, physical and chemical properties of aerosols. During the observation period, a major influence of primary marine aerosols was detected (22–26 June), with a mass concentration reaching up to 6.5 µg m−3 and representing more than 40 % of the total PM10 mass concentration. Its relatively low ratio of chloride to sodium (average of 0.57) indicates a fairly aged sea salt aerosol at Ersa. In this work, an original data set, obtained from online real-time instruments (ATOFMS, PILS-IC) has been used to characterise the ageing of primary marine aerosols (PMAs). During this PMA period, the mixing of fresh and aged PMAs was found to originate from both local and regional (Gulf of Lion) emissions, according to local wind measurements and FLEXPART back trajectories. Two different aerosol regimes have been identified: a dust outbreak (dust) originating from Algeria/Tunisia, and a pollution period with aerosols originating from eastern Europe, which includes anthropogenic and biomass burning sources (BBP). The optical, physical and chemical properties of the observed aerosols, as well as their local shortwave (SW) direct radiative effect (DRE) in clear-sky conditions, are compared for these three periods in order to assess the importance of the direct radiative impact of PMAs compared to other sources above the western Mediterranean Basin. As expected, AERONET retrievals indicate a relatively low local SW DRF during the PMA period with mean values of −11 ± 4 at the surface and −8 ± 3 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). In comparison, our results indicate that the dust outbreak observed at our site during the campaign, although of moderate intensity (AOD of 0.3–0.4 at 440 nm and column-integrated SSA of 0.90–0.95), induced a local instantaneous SW DRF that is nearly 3 times the effect calculated during the PMA period, with maximum values up to −40 W m−2 at the surface. A similar range of values were found for the BBP period to those during the dust period (SW DRF at the surface and TOA of −23 ± 6 and −15 ± 4 W m−2 respectively). The multiple sources of measurements at Ersa allowed the detection of a PMA-dominant period and their characterisation in terms of ageing, origin, transport, optical and physical properties and direct climatic impact.


Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL

Progression of tumor size greater than 2-5mm in size requires induction of angiogenesis to supply the tumor with oxygen and nutrients. Angiogenesis occurs due to intra-tumoral cell release of endothelial mitogenic factors in response to hypoxia or genetic mutation. There are currently numerous endogenous proteins in clinical development as therapeutic anti-angiogenesis targets e.g. VEGF and PlGF. Herein, we have investigated a novel anti-angiogenic agent API 31510 currently subject of late stage clinical trials in skin cancers and a Phase I for solid tumors. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) fate decisions that modulate the angiogenic phenotype were examined in the presence of 100 µM or 1500 µM 31510 or excipient and compared to untreated control cells. Endothelial cell fate assays for apoptosis, proliferation, migration and 3-D tube formation within matrigel were performed. Morphological & flow cytometric analysis of annexin V/propidium iodide positive cells revealed an increase in HUVEC apoptosis in the presence of 1500 µM 31510, compared to excipient or control cells. Concomitant with increased cell death due to 31510, HUVEC cell counts were significantly decreased in the presence of 1500 µM 31510. To assess the potential effects of 31510 on endothelial migration, we examined HUVEC migration 5 hours post-wound generation, in an endothelial scratch assay. Both 31510 and excipient significantly impaired HUVEC migration at both 100 and 1500 µM concentration, demonstrating anti-migratory activity of both the excipient and 31510. In order to determine if the 31510 anti-tumor activity is due to effects on endothelial sprouting angiogenesis, we examined endothelial tube formation in 3-D matrigel cultures over time. Addition of 1500 µM excipient in both the gel and overlying media impaired tube formation compared to control. Moreover, addition of 1500 µM 31510 further impaired HUVEC tube formation compared to both excipient and control untreated cells. These effects were noted as early as 24 hours after seeding and up to 96 hours in culture. Moreover, histological analyses from excised tumors from pre-clinical animal models in melanoma, SCC, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer confirm a hallmark downregulation in angiogenic signaling and infrastructure. Anti-tumor activity of 31510 is likely due, at least is part, to inhibition of tumor recruitment of local blood supply for neo-vessel formation. Taken together, these studies reveal that 31510 alters endothelial migration, proliferation, apoptosis and tube formation. These studies strongly support a role for API 31510 as a novel anti-angiogenic agent that limits the angiogenic capacity of endothelial cells while modulating tumor angiogenesis.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2335. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2335


The goal of dynamic hashing is to design a function and a file structure that allow the address space allocated to the file to be increased and reduced without reorganizing the whole file. We propose a new scheme for dynamic hashing in which the growth of a file occurs at a rate of n+k/n per full expansion, where n is the number of pages of the file and k is a given integer constant which is smaller than n, as compared to a rate of two in linear hashing. Like linear hashing, the proposed scheme (called linear spiral hashing) requires no index; however, the proposed scheme may or may not add one more physical page, instead of always adding one more page in linear hashing, when a split occurs. Therefore, linear spiral hashing can maintain a more stable performance through the file expansions and have much better storage utilization than linear hashing. From our performance analysis, linear spiral hashing can achieve nearly 97 percent storage utilization as compared to 78 percent storage utilization by using linear hashing, which is also verified by a simulation study.


The vanishing bronchus intermedius syndrome is a type of peripheral bronchial stenosis that develops in lung recipients within two to nine months after transplantation. Lack of timely diagnosis and effective treatment leads to increased mortality and poor quality of life. The clinical case presented demonstrates the successful long-term treatment of vanishing bronchus intermedius syndrome in a lung recipient using interventional bronchoscopy.


A study is presented of 235 patients with viral hepatitis and 35 patients with other diseases of the liver. The method of antigen-specific indirect rosette formation was used. Sensibilization of immunocytes to superficial B hepatitis virus antigen was revealed in 84% of patients with viral B hepatitis. The author established a dependence of the clinical course of viral B hepatitis on the character and time appearance of the specific reaction of immunocytes. The determination of specific sensibilization of immunocytes improves the diagnosis and possibilities of viral B hepatitis prognosis.


Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can use data from non-invasive electroencephalogram (EEG) to transform different brain signals into binary code, often aiming to gain control utility of an end-effector (e.g mouse cursor). In the past several years, advances in wearable and immersive technologies have made it possible to integrate EEG with virtual reality (VR) headsets. These advances have enabled a new generation of user studies that help researchers improve understanding of various issues in current VR design (e.g. cybersickness and locomotion). The main challenge for integrating EEG-based BCIs into VR environments is to develop communication architectures that deliver robust, reliable and lossless data flows. Furthermore, user comfort and near real-time interactivity create additional challenges. We conducted two experiments in which a consumer-grade EEG headband (Muse2) was utilized to assess the feasibility of an EEG-based BCI in virtual environments. We first conducted a pilot experiment that consisted of a simple task of object re-scaling inside the VR space using focus values generated from the user's EEG. The subsequent study experiment consisted of two groups (control and experimental) performing two tasks: telekinesis and teleportation. Our user research study shows the viability of EEG for real-time interactions in non-serious applications such as games. We further suggest that a simplified way of calculating the mean EEG values is adequate for this type of use. We , in addition, discuss the findings to help improve the design of user research studies that deploy similar EEG-based BCIs in VR environments.


With the increase in the number of thefts, robberies and encroaching in the world, the existing security system is not sufficient. Hence to circumvent this problem the demand of biometric systems is increased, as they provide more dependable and effective means of identity confirmation. One such biometric security that has seen uproar in the recent years is the gait identification. Gait recognition targets fundamentally to address this problem by recognizing people based on the way they walk. First of all, silhouette of the persons is extracted. Moreover, step size of the person is considered as a unique feature for representing gait and effectively classifies the person based on gait. Finally, features are feed to neural network for classification


This paper explores the possibility of using gas adsorption for particle-shape control in supported metal catalysis. Calculations are done to identify the kinds of shape changes which are possible due to treatment in an appropriate adgas. Experiments are done to try to verify the concepts. The results show that gas adsorption can be used for particle shape control in supported metal catalysis.


The Q-factor and peak frequency of resonant phenomena give useful information about the propagation and storage of energy in an electronic system and therefore its electromagnetic compatibility performance. However, the calculation of Q by linear interpolation of a discrete frequency response to obtain the half-power bandwidth can give inaccurate results, particularly if the data are noisy or the frequency resolution is low. We describe a more accurate method that makes use of the Lorentzian shape of the resonant peaks and involves fitting a second-order polynomial to the reciprocal power plotted against angular frequency. We demonstrate that this new method requires less than one quarter the number of frequency points as the linear method to give comparable accuracy in Q. The new method also gives comparable accuracy for signal-to-noise ratios that are approximately 8 dB greater. It is also more accurate for determination of peak frequency. Examples are given both from measured frequency responses and from simulated data obtained by the transmission line matrix method.


Multistable perception occurs when a single but ambiguous stimulus drives perceptual alternations. Understanding its mechanisms has a direct impact on perceptual inference and decision making. A model proposed by Shpiro and colleagues explains the dynamics of bistable perception through neural adaptation and driving noise. Eye movement data from an experiment, in which participants observed a moving Necker cube in a continuous viewing paradigm, revealed that micropursuit-like fixational eye movements (FEM) can occur; a type of movements not accounted for in current FEM models. Our analysis also suggested that FEM can have an influence on adaptation and noise (Parisot et al., ECEM'17, Hicheur et al., JOV'13). Therefore, we propose a model that could help predict and explain away interactions between FEM and multistablity dynamics. It is based on gravity potential fields where their distortion by attractors allows the generation of multistability for the position of the gaze w.r.t. the different attractors. Adaptation and noise can be used as mechanisms to simulate the impact of stimulus motion and the task on FEM. Perceptual memory and/or anticipation of stimulus motion can be taken into account through potential field distortion. The model is able to generate drift, tremor, microsaccades, and micropursuits, showing that stimulus motion can influence the trajectories of drifts and microsaccades. Using attractors provides a link between models of multistable perception and FEM based on the mechanisms of noise and adaptation; making it possible to find correlations between perceptual and oculomotor dynamics.


Abstract : The European Union (EU) published its first Counter-Terrorism Strategy in December of 2005. After four years of reacting to the major terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001, Madrid in 2004, and London in 2005, the EU has enacted a substantial body of counterterrorism measures across multiple functional areas. The implementation of these actions, however, has not always been consistent or timely, due to a number of issues, including public threat perception, concern over social tensions, and competing national priorities. These roadblocks to a successful counterterrorism policy were often discovered upon new terrorist attacks and a renewed evaluation of EU counterterrorist activity. After the London bombings, the United Kingdom held the EU Presidency and immediately set to work on a strategy to counter terrorism, both similar and subordinate to the 2003 European Security Strategy, which specifically listed terrorism and weapons of mass destruction among the top five threats to the EU. The new strategy of 2005 outlines EU efforts over the long term and provides a tool for public information. Despite the EU's embrace of its new strategy, the document has many shortcomings. Evaluation of this strategy against a series of counterterrorism best practices accumulated from the work of functional and scholarly experts shows several areas in which the effectiveness of this strategy to successfully affect terrorism is severely limited. In all, the European Union Counter-Terrorism Strategy serves limited use as a strategy document, but does serve to guide the EU's efforts in fighting terrorism, as well as deepen EU integration in security affairs and in justice and law enforcement.


Piezoelectricity has proved effective in capturing changes in structures caused by various damage mechanisms. In one approach, piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) are mounted on the surface of the host structure and utilized as both actuators and sensors to interrogate the structure and monitor its health. This is achieved by subjecting the PWAS to a transient electric pulse and reading the resulting voltage. Changes in the stiffness of the substrate due to structural damage affect the response of the PWAS, which could be correlated to integrity of the structure. Applying this technique to fibrous composite laminates encounters particular challenges due to the presence of multiple damage mechanisms in one or more plies. Simulation of the procedure using advanced computational techniques and material models helps in understanding the reliability of PWAS in sensing damage in fibrous laminates. This paper combines the finite element method and micromechanical modeling of composites to simulate damage detection using surface mounted PWAS. The finite element solution is obtained by the ABAQUS code with user defined material properties, which reflect the underlying damage modes. The latter are obtained in a preprocessing exercise in which the composite laminate is first subjected to a given mechanical load level and the damage mechanisms in the plies are identified using transformation field analysis, TFA (BaheiEl-Din el al., 2010). In the present work, the Mori-Tanaka averaging model is utilized within the TFA and local failure modes, which are a function of the matrix average stresses were specified. Material properties of the individual plies, which correspond to the damage mechanisms introduced at the given load level are then determined numerically in terms of the overall moduli and utilized in the finite element solution of the laminate using ABAQUS. The methodology is applied to a quasi-isotropic, symmetric laminated beam subjected to bending. In the finite element simulation, each fibrous composite ply of the laminated beam is modelled using shell elements while the surface mounted PWAS are modeled with 3D solid elements. The bending moment is applied to the beam intermittently to allow interrogation of the laminate by applying a transient electric pulse to the PWAS and allowing the beam to vibrate for a very short period of time, which is followed by reading the voltage response. The voltage readings are correlated to the damage mechanisms in the plies.


Many novel multimedia, home entertainment, visual surveillance and health applications use multiple audio-visual sensors and actuators. In this paper we present a novel approach for position and pose calibration of visual sensors and actuators, i.e. cameras and displays, in a distributed network of general purpose computing devices. It complements our work on position calibration of audio sensors and actuators in a distributed computing platform [14]. The approach is suitable for a wide range of possible - even mobile - setups since (a) synchronization is not required, (b) it works automatically, (c) only weak restrictions are imposed on the positions of the cameras and displays, and (d) no upper limit on the number of cameras and displays under calibration is imposed. Corresponding points across different camera images are established automatically and found with subpixel accuracy. Cameras do not have to share one common view. Only a reasonable overlap between camera subgroups is necessary. The method has been sucessfully tested in numerous multi-camera environments with a varying number of cameras and displays and has proven itself to work extremely accurate.


Libraries should develop a new model for providing information resources and
 analytical tools for the use of scholars working in the current multidisciplinary
 research environment. This model, A New Synthesis, based on today's research experience
 should replace the present concept of the "collection budget." Sources are proliferating
 and traditional scholarly resources are no longer at the core. Research itself has
 changed. Previously, finding information was primary, but now information is plentiful
 and today's challenges are to understand, analyze, and extract insight from these vast
 resources. To address this challenge, newly designed libraries are appearing that are
 radically different, reconceptualizing learning spaces, technological infrastructure,
 and research labs for scholars and students. Yet, the concept of the collection budget
 is little changed. We must embrace a paradigm that allows us to envision holistically
 the development and investment necessary to support current research. To enable expanded
 capacity for supporting today's Grand Challenge research and to ensure the critical
 relevancy of academic libraries in this endeavor, we must employ a new synthesis.
 Sources can no longer be viewed independently from the tools needed to analyze them.
 Critical elements include: redeploying funds to an array of open platforms; shifting the
 focus from access to knowledge creation; and investing in spaces, technology, and people
 that will help researchers solve problems in new ways. We are at a moment when building
 these services and placing them at the heart of libraries requires fundamental
 organizational and financial change. Reconceiving current spending on collections is
 essential to this change.


This paper is an extract from a study of public perceptions on restitution of crime victims in Nigeria with special reference to Enugu state. The study examined the sociological factors/variables that seem to influence public perceptions on restitution with respect to violent crimes such as armed robbery, rape, assault and murder. Two urban and four rural local governments in Enugu state were covered in the study. The questionnaire and focus group discussions constituted the major instruments for data collection. The results of the study have shown that majority of the respondents are in support of restitution of crime victims in Nigeria. The findings have also shown that the variables that influence the opinions of the public on the issue of restitution of crime victims in Nigeria include: age, education, public awareness and place of residence of respondents. A major sociological contribution of the study is the need to consider restitution as a conflict resolution mechanism in contemporary Nigeria. JORIND Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 98-105


The influence was studied of the asymmetric reflection from a perfect crystal on the coherence of x-rays produced by a synchrotron source of radiation. An analysis of single- and double-crystal set-ups is presented along with experimental measurements. The experiments were performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility beamlines, namely Optics Beamline BM5 situated on a bending magnet, and ID22 using undulator radiation. A virtual source created by an asymmetric crystal was probed using an interferometry technique based on boron fibre. It is shown that an asymmetrically cut single crystal spoils coherence because of the spectral dispersion. The conditions required to preserve coherence in a double-crystal set-up are obtained theoretically, and proved experimentally. In the case of symmetrical reflection the requirements on an allowable miscut between the crystal surface and the lattice planes are derived.


Background Chest computed tomography (CT) is a critical tool in the diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis as approximately 30% of normal immunity individuals may not exhibit any significant symptoms or laboratory findings. Pulmonary cryptococcosis granuloma and lung adenocarcinoma can appear similar on noncontrast chest CT. This study evaluates the use of an integrated model that was developed based on radiomic features combined with demographic and radiological features to differentiate pulmonary cryptococcosis nodules from lung adenocarcinomas. Methods Preoperative chest CT images for 215 patients with solid pulmonary nodules with histopathologically confirmed lung adenocarcinoma and cryptococcosis infection were collected from two clinical centers (108 cases in the training set and 107 cases in the test set divided by the different hospitals). Radiomics models were constructed based on nodular lesion volume (LV), 5-mm extended lesion volume (ELV), and perilesion volume (PLV). A demoradiological model was constructed using logistic regression based on demographic information (age, sex) and 12 radiological features (location, number, shape and specific imaging signs). Both models were used to build an integrated model, the performance of which was assessed using the test set. A junior and a senior radiologist evaluated the nodules. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted, and areas under the curve (AUCs), sensitivity (SEN), and specificity (SPE) of the models were calculated and compared. Results Among the radiomics models, AUCs of the LV, ELV, and PLV were 0.558, 0.757, and 0.470, respectively. Age, lesion number, and lobular sign were identified as independent discriminative features providing an AUC of 0.77 in the demoradiological model (SEN 0.815, SPE 0.642). The integrated model achieved the highest AUC of 0.801 (SEN 0.759, SPE 0.755), which was significantly higher than that obtained by a junior radiologist (AUC =0.689, P=0.024) but showed no significant difference from that of the senior radiologist (AUC =0.784, P=0.388). Conclusions An integrated model with radiomics and demoradiological features improves discrimination of cryptococcosis granulomas from solid adenocarcinomas on noncontrast CT. This model may be an effective strategy for machine complementation to discrimination by radiologists, and whole-lung automated recognition methods might dominate in the future.


Purpose To study the expression and distribution of transcription factor Sox9 and type IIA procollagen in the developing and aging eyes of normal and transgenic Del1 mice carrying proa1(II) collagen transgenes with a short deletion mutation, which cause ocular abnormalities in this mouse line. Methods The eyes of Del1 mice were studied on embryonic days E14.5, E16.5 and E18.5, and at the ages of 4 and nine months, using their nontransgenic littermates as controls. Sox9 and proa1(IIA) collagen were detected by RNase protection assay and immunohistochemistry. Results RNase protection assay revealed Sox9 transcripts in the eyes of Del1 and control mice during development and aging. The mRNA for type IIA procollagen had a similar temporal expression pattern. On embryonic days E14.5, E16.5 and E18.5, Sox9 was located by immunohistochemistry in the nuclei and type IIA procollagen in the extracellular space of the developing retina. During growth and aging, the ocular expression of Sox9 mRNA and the immunohistochemical reaction for Sox9 antibody diminished, concomitant with the reduction in type II procollagen mRNA. However, at the age of nine months, levels of Sox9 and type IIA procollagen mRNAs were higher in the degenerating eyes of Del1 and control mice. Conclusions The similarities in the temporo-spatial distribution of Sox9 and type IIA procollagen suggest that this transcription factor is involved in the activation of type II collagen expression in the eye, as has been demonstrated in prechondrogenic mesenchyme and immature cartilage. The increased production of Sox9 and type IIA procollagen in the aging retina and vitreous is analogous to degenerating articular cartilage where attempted tissue repair has also been observed.


Despite flash flooding being one of the most deadly and costly weather-related natural hazards worldwide, individual datasets to characterize them in the United States are hampered by limited documentation and can be difficult to access. This study is the first of its kind to assemble, reprocess, describe, and disseminate a georeferenced U.S. database providing a long-term, detailed characterization of flash flooding in terms of spatiotemporal behavior and specificity of impacts. The database is composed of three primary sources: 1) the entire archive of automated discharge observations from the U.S. Geological Survey that has been reprocessed to describe individual flooding events, 2) flash-flooding reports collected by the National Weather Service from 2006 to the present, and 3) witness reports obtained directly from the public in the Severe Hazards Analysis and Verification Experiment during the summers 2008–10. Each observational data source has limitations; a major asset of the unified flash flood d...


Molecular phenotyping and tissue microarray (TMA) studies have identified distinct invasive breast carcinoma subtypes: Luminal A, luminal B, enriched with overexpressed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) and triple-negative, i.e., negative for HER-2, as well as for estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PR, respectively) expression. These subtypes are useful in clinical management, since they bear distinct prognoses and predictive responses to targeted therapy. However, although molecular profiling provides important prognostic indicators, breast cancer risk stratification remains a challenge in triple-negative cases. What is referred to as claudin-low subtype was identified as a triple-negative subset that is associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and worse prognosis. However, the immunohistochemical expression of claudins has not yet been standardized. Our objective was to verify whether the immunoexpression of claudins 4 and 7 (the main claudins specifically expressed in human breast tissue) in TMA is associated with survival and prognosis in luminal A, HER-2 and triple-negative molecular subtypes. In this diagnostic study, we investigated ER/PR receptor status, HER-2, claudin 4 and 7 expression and stem cell CD44/24 profiles, and verified the association with prognosis and survival outcomes in 803 invasive breast carcinoma cases arranged in four TMAs. Among these, 503 (62.6%) were positive for claudin 4 and 369 (46.0%) for claudin 7. Claudin 4 exhibited the lowest expression in luminal A and triple-negative subtypes, and the highest frequency of expression in HER-2-enriched subtypes, whereas claudin 7 staining was not associated with any subtype. The stem cell phenotype was not associated with subgroups or claudins 4 and 7. Claudin immunoexpression profile was not able to distinguish between patients with better or worse prognosis, and it was not correlated to triple-negative cases. Therefore, it may be concluded that the immunoexpression of claudins 4 and 7, individually or within the usual immunohistochemical context (ER, PR and HER-2), does not provide additional prognostic information on breast cancer subtypes.


We consider the task of discriminating speech and non-speech in noisy environments. Previously, Mesgarani et. al [1] achieved state-of-the-art performance using a cortical representation of sound in conjunction with a feature reduction algorithm and a nonlinear support vector machine classifier. In the present work, we show that we can achieve the same or better accuracy by using a linear regularized least squares classifier directly on the highdimensional cortical representation; the new system is substantially simpler conceptually and computationally. We select the regularization constant automatically, yielding a parameter-free learning system. Intriguingly, we find that optimal classifiers for noisy data can be trained on clean data using heavy regularization.


Abstract : Breast cancer presumabl& originates in an estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), estrogen (E2)-responsive epithelial cell within organized human breast tissue. Paradoxically there is an exceedingly low level of, and few cells expressing, ER in normal breast tissue, and human breast epithelial (HBE) cell lines lack ER and do not respond to E2. Our hypothesis is that human breast parenchymal epithelial cell-cell interactions and epithelial stromal interactions are critical in vitro determinants of ER expression and biochemical differentiation. Our prior progress reported failure to demonstrate ER expression using established HBE cell lines organized into three- dimensional structures, conglomerates, resembling in vivo organization, and success developing and characterizing breast stromal cell resources, part of a submitted manuscript. We now report progress establishing and characterizing epithelial cells from reduction mammoplasty, benign and tumor breast tissues. Some, including cells from a tissue with demonstrable epithelial cell ER expression, failed to express ER under traditional culture conditions and in conglomerates and to exhibit responsiveness to estrogen growth. Importantly, epithelial cells from one reduction mammoplasty specimen do express ER under traditional culture conditions and in conglomerates. The latter provides evidence of significant progress towards our goal of endogenous ER expression in reduction mammoplasty-derived human breast epithelial cells.


Background MicroRNAs (miRNA, miR) have an undeniable physiological and pathophysiological significance and act as promising novel biomarkers. The aim of the study was to investigate blood-derived miRNAs and their association with long-term all-cause mortality in patients with multivessel disease (MVD) suffering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Materials and Methods This study was an observational prospective study, which included 90 patients with MVD and ACS. Expression of miR-125a, miR-125b, and miR-223 was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients were followed-up for a median of 7.5 years. All-cause mortality was considered as the primary endpoint. Adjusted Cox-regression analysis was performed for prediction of events. Results Elevated expression of miR-125b (>4.6) at the time-point of ACS was associated with increased long-term all-cause mortality (adjusted [adj.] hazard ratio [HR] = 11.26, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.15–110.38; p = 0.038). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed a satisfactory c-statistics for miR-125b for the prediction of long-term all-cause mortality (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61–0.91; p = 0.034; the negative predictive value of 98%). Kaplan–Meier time to event analysis confirmed an early separation of the survival curves between patients with high vs low expression of miR-125b (p = 0.003). An increased expression of miR-125a and miR-223 was found in patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) as compared to those with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (p = 0.043 and p = 0.049, respectively) with no difference in the expression of miR-125b between the type of ACS. Conclusion In this hypothesis generating study, lower values of miR-125b were related to improved long-term survival in patients with ACS and MVD. Larger studies are needed to investigate whether miR-125b can be used as a suitable predictor for long-term all-cause mortality.


Dempster-Shafer evidence theory is wildly applied in multi-sensor data fusion. However, lots of uncertainty and interference exist in practical situation, especially in the battle field. It is still an open issue to model the reliability of sensor reports. Many methods are proposed based on the relationship among collected data. In this letter, we proposed a quantum mechanical approach to evaluate the reliability of sensor reports, which is based on the properties of a sensor itself. The proposed method is used to modify the combining of evidences.


SNARE (Soluble N-ethyl-maleimide sensitive factor Attachment protein Receptor) proteins assemble in tight core complexes, which promote fusion of carrier vesicles with target compartments. Members of this class of proteins are expressed in all eukaryotic cells and are distributed in distinct subcellular compartments. The molecular mechanisms underlying sorting of SNAREs to their physiological sites of action are still poorly understood. Here have we analyzed the transport of syntaxin1A in epithelial cells. In line with previous data we found that syntaxin1A is not transported to the plasma membrane, but rather is retained intracellularly when overexpressed in MDCK and Caco-2 cells. Its delivery to the cell surface is recovered after munc-18-1 cotransfection. Furthermore, overexpression of the ubiquitous isoform of munc-18, munc-18-2, is also capable of rescuing the transport of the t-SNARE. The interaction between syntaxin 1A and munc-18 occurs in the biosynthetic pathway and is required to promote the exit of the t-SNARE from the Golgi complex. This enabled us to investigate the targeting of syntaxin1A in polarized cells. Confocal analysis of polarized monolayers demonstrates that syntaxin1A is delivered to both the apical and basolateral domains independently of the munc-18 proteins used in the cotranfection experiments. In search of the mechanisms underlying syntaxin 1A sorting to the cell surface, we found that a portion of the protein is included in non-ionic detergent insoluble complexes. Our results indicate that the munc-18 proteins represent limiting but essential factors in the transport of syntaxin1A from the Golgi complex to the epithelial cell surface. They also suggest the presence of codominant apical and basolateral sorting signals in the syntaxin1A sequence.


Aims:  Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder manifesting with heterogeneous symptom clusters and clinical presentations. The deficit syndrome is the condition defined by the existence of primarily negative symptoms, and patients with the deficit syndrome differ from non‐deficit patients on measures of brain structure and function. In the current study, by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we investigated the frontotemporal connectivity that is hypothesized to differ between deficit and non‐deficit schizophrenia.


The acid phosphatase reaction, applied to light and electron microscopy, was studied in the chicken pineal gland from the moment of hatching until 2 months of age. From the moment of hatching there is a great amount of acid phosphatase, which is mainly found in the vicinity of the lumen of both the recess and large follicles. Acid phosphatase is poor in the parafollicular layer. From day 30 onwards, there is an obvious fragmentation of the recess and of large follicles. Also, the parafollicular layer differentiates to form new follicles. The dense polymorphous bodies of the B pinealocytes are ultrastructurally identified as lysosomes.


Background: COVID-19 test positivity rate (TPR) is essential to estimate and control SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a population at a specific time, yet the TPR trends at a provincial level in Indonesia are unclear. This study aimed to determine the COVID-19 TPR dynamics of the Indonesian West Sumatra province in the first year of documented cases.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using secondary data of the COVID-19 quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR) test in West Sumatra Province from April 2020 to March 2021. To examine trends, we estimated TPR(s) on an annual, quarterly, and monthly basis in the province, its regions (cities/ regencies), and districts.Results: From a total of 410,424 individuals taking the COVID-19 q-RT-PCR examination during one year, the provincial TPR was 8.11%. The third quarter (October 2020 – December 2020, 12.18%) and October 2020 (15.62%) had the highest TPR quarterly and monthly, respectively. The TPR of cities was almost certainly twice that of regencies. Annual TPR varied significantly (p<0.001) across regions, districts, and periods.Conclusion: The COVID-19 TPR trends in West Sumatra at the first year of the pandemic were generally higher than the global recommendation. Further study on population density, public mobility, and implementation of health protocol in the province should be valuable to understand TPR dynamics.


The causal dependences between the dynamics of three different coupled ocean-atmosphere basins, The North Atlantic, the North Pacific and the Tropical Pacific region, NINO3.4, have been explored using data from three reanalyses datasets, namely the ORA-20C, the ORAS4 and the ERA-20C. The approach is based on the Convergent Cross Mapping (CCM) developed by Sugihara et al (2012) that allows for evaluating the dependences between variables beyond the classical teleconnection 5 patterns based on correlations. The use of CCM on these data mostly reveals that (i) the Tropical Pacific (NINO3.4 region) only influences the dynamics of the North Atlantic region through its annual climatological cycle; (ii) the atmosphere over the North Pacific is dynamically forcing the North Atlantic on a monthly basis; (iii) on longer time scales (interannual), the dynamics of the North Pacific and the North Atlantic are influencing each other through the ocean dynamics, suggesting a connection through the thermohaline 10 circulation. These findings shed a new light on the coupling between these three different important regions of the globe. In particular they call for a deep reassessment of the way teleconnections are interpreted, and for a more rigorous way to evaluate causality and dependences between the different components of the climate system. Copyright statement. TEXT 15


We investigated the effects of pectin, a soluble dietary fiber, on functional and morphological parameters of the small intestine in rats. A control group and a pectin-fed group were given a fiber-free elemental liquid diet and an elemental liquid diet containing 2.5% (w/w) pectin, respectively, for 2 weeks. The ileal mucosal specific activities of maltase, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly in the pectin-fed group. Maltose absorption of the ileum, studied in vitro by the method of everted sacs and disaccharide-dependent potential difference, increased significantly in the pectin-fed group. The length of the small intestine as well as the villus height and crypt depth of both the jejunum and the ileum were significantly greater in the pectin-fed group. The crypt cell production rate of the jejunum and the ileum was also significantly greater in the pectin-fed group. Plasma enteroglucagon, but not gastrin, increased significantly in the pectin-fed group. These data suggest that pectin feeding results in hyperplasia of the small-intestinal mucosa and a significant increase in the enzyme activities of the brush border membrane of the ileum.


Abstract Various pathophysiological situations of negative energy balance involve the intense depletion of the body's energy reserves. White adipose tissue is a central place to store energy and a major endocrine organ. As a model of choice to better understand how the white adipose tissue dynamically responds to changes in substrate availability, we used the prolonged fasting paradigm, which is characterized by successive periods of stimulated (phase 2) and then reduced (phase 3) lipid mobilization/utilization. Using omics analyses, we report a regulatory transcriptional program in rat epididymal (EPI) adipose tissue favoring lipolysis during phase 2 and repressing it during phase 3. Changes in gene expression levels of lipases, lipid droplet-associated factors, and the proteins involved in cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent regulation of lipolysis are highlighted. The mRNA and circulating levels of adipose-secreted factors were consistent with the repression of insulin signaling during prolonged fasting. Other molecular responses are discussed, including the regulation of leptin and adiponectin levels, the specific changes reflecting an increased fibrinolysis and a possible protein catabolism-related energy saving mechanism in late fasting. Finally, some differences between internal and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissues are also reported. These data provide a comprehensive molecular basis of adipose tissue responses when facing a major energetic challenge.


We are going to apply AGB stars to find star formation history for IC\,1613 galaxy, this a new and simple method that works well for nearby galaxies. IC\,1613 is a Local Group dwarf irregular galaxy that is located at distance of 750 kpc, a gas rich and isolated dwarf galaxy that has a low foreground extinction. We use the long period variable stars (LPVs) that represent the very final stage of evolution of stars with low and intermediate mass at the AGB phase and are very luminous and cool so that they emit maximum brightness in near--infrared bands. Thus near--infrared photometry with using stellar evolutionary models help us to convert brightness to birth mass and age and from this drive star formation history of the galaxy. We will use the luminosity distribution of the LPVs to reconstruct the star formation history--a method we have successfully applied in other Local Group galaxies. Our analysis shows that the IC 1613 has had a nearly constant star formation rate, without any dominant star formation episode.


Food-choices and eating-habits directly contribute to our long-term health. This makes the food recommender system a potential tool to address the global crisis of obesity and malnutrition. Over the past decade, artificial-intelligence and medical researchers became more invested in researching tools that can guide and help people make healthy and thoughtful decisions around food and diet. In many typical (Recommender System) RS domains, smart nudges have been proven effective in shaping users' consumption patterns. In recent years, knowledgeable nudging and incentifying choices started getting attention in the food domain as well. To develop smart nudging for promoting healthier food choices, we combined Machine Learning and RS technology with food-healthiness guidelines from recognized health organizations, such as the World Health Organization, Food Standards Agency, and the National Health Service United Kingdom. In this paper, we discuss our research on, persuasive visualization for making users aware of the healthiness of the recommended recipes. Here, we propose three novel nudging technology, the WHO-BubbleSlider, the FSA-ColorCoading, and the DRCI-MLCP, that encourage users to choose healthier recipes. We also propose a Topic Modeling based portion-size recommendation algorithm. To evaluate our proposed smart-nudges, we conducted an online user study with 96 participants and 92250 recipes. Results showed that, during the food decision-making process, appropriate healthiness cues make users more likely to click, browse, and choose healthier recipes over less healthy ones.


We report a pseudo-paper microfluidic chip based on patterned photonic nitrocellulose. The photonic nitrocellulose is fabricated using self-assembled monodisperse SiO2 nanoparticles as template. The SiO2 nanoparticles form a photonic crystal having a close-packed hexagonal structure in the microchannels, so the resulting nitrocellulose has a complementary inverse-opal structure. After lamination, a hollow channel is obtained that is partially filled with the photonic nitrocellulose. Owing to the highly ordered photonic structure of the pseudo-paper chip, the flow profile of aqueous solution wicking through the channel is more uniform than conventional paper microfluidic chip. It is also found that the wicking rate of aqueous solution can be easily manipulated by changing the diameter of the self-assembled monodisperse SiO2 nanoparticles, which determines the pore size of the photonic nitrocellulose. The fluorescent enhancement property of the photonic nitrocellulose is used to increase the fluorescent intensity for multiplex detection of two cancer biomarkers. Label-free detection of human immunoglobin G based on the structure color of the photonic nitrocellulose is also demonstrated.


T cell immunotherapy is effective in some, but not all cancers, and targeting the immunosuppressive, innate immune tumor microenvironment is one key to further advancement. During efferocytosis, activation of MERTK tyrosine kinase receptor in innate immune cells suppresses proinflammatory cytokines, stimulates immunosuppressive cytokines and upregulates co-inhibitory ligands. MERTK has also been validated as a therapeutic target in the tumor microenvironment in solid tumor models. To investigate immunoregulatory roles for MERTK in leukemia, we utilized pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of MERTK in a MERTK-negative syngeneic murine model of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Treatment with MRX-2843, a potent, orally bioavailable, small molecule MERTK inhibitor, significantly reduced leukemic burden and prolonged median survival in wildtype mice (38 days post-treatment vs. 24 days in vehicle-treated mice, p>0.01). Similarly, overall survival was increased more than four-fold in Mertk−/− mice transplanted with leukemia (>80 days vs. 21 days in wild-type mice, p>0.0001), suggesting that the observed therapeutic activity is immune-mediated. Indeed, treatment with MRX-2843 abrogated expression of the immune co-inhibitory ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 on CD11b+ monocytes/macrophages in the ALL microenvironment. Although T cells do not express MERTK, expression of the cognate PD-1 receptor was also reduced on CD8+ T cells and the frequency of FOXP3+CD4+ regulatory T cells was decreased in the leukemia microenvironment following MRX-2843 treatment. These data demonstrate several mechanisms by which MERTK can suppress anti-leukemia immunity and validate MERTK as a novel immunotherapeutic target in ALL.


Human knowledge, we realized is growing exponentially, and so too, by implication is the development of the various sphere of socio – natural activities that encompassed and encapsulate reality in its totality. Reality from historical perspective is a complex conceptual phenomenon that has posed serious difficulties for humanity to grasp and interpret with a mono-epistemic approach. Hence, reality has been approached through diverse epistemological activities ranging from religion, Voodoo, witchcraft, science and technology. In this paper, a systematic effort will be made to philosophically examine these five basic human epistemological activities towards establishing the foundation that these constitute the five pillars of human development. Our approach will be analytical.


When an aqueous L-asparagine solution was mixed with a dilute ethanolic ninhydrin solution and incubated at temperatures lower than 37 degrees C, the resulting mixture exhibited an ultraviolet (uv)-visible absorption spectrum with the maximum absorption at 340-350 nm. In contrast, the mixtures of several other amino acids with ninhydrin yielded Ruhemann purple (S. Ruhemann, 1910, J. Chem. Soc. 97, 1438-1449, 1910; S. Ruhemann, 1910, J. Chem. Soc. 97, 2025-2031) and the corresponding uv-visible spectra had absorption maxima at 405 and 570 nm. The effects of several factors including the reaction temperature, the ninhydrin concentration, and pH on the asparagine-ninhydrin reaction were investigated to optimize the specificity and sensitivity. As a result, a simple and specific colorimetric asparagine assay was developed. Using the assay protocol, the absorption of the asparagine-ninhydrin mixtures at 340 nm had a linear relationship with the asparagine concentration in the range of 50 microM to 50 mM, even in the presence of a high background of other amino acids. The application of this assay could be easily extended to more complex enzymatic reaction systems. When the enzyme activities of L-asparagine synthetases from different species and commercial L-asparaginase were measured with both the ninhydrin colorimetric procedure and the HPLC amino acid analysis, comparable results were obtained. While the chemistry of this novel asparagine-ninhydrin reaction is not fully understood, the colorimetric asparagine assay reported herein is of great practical value because it is specific, sensitive, simple, and extremely inexpensive.


The scattering center model represents the scattering characteristics of radar targets at high frequencies by a set of point scatterers. Such a model is useful in scattering analysis, data compression and target recognition. We propose a methodology to extract the scattering center model from wideband measurements at sparsely distributed aspect angles. It exploits the regular variation in the ID projective location and the slow variation in the scattering coefficient of stable scattering centers at adjacent aspects, and greatly cuts down the original data amount compared to other methods. The extracted model contains the stable scattering centers of the target and is effective in a large angular extent. It can be used to reconstruct the target signatures such as RCS data and radar images at any aspect in this angular extent and at any frequency in or near the original measuring band. Examples using both simple and complex targets demonstrate the validity of this technique.


ABSTRACT Bullying is on the rise, and bullied targets often face consequences when they do not effectively manage their victimization. This study investigates bullied bloggers' use and evaluations of coping strategies and support sources. Informed by Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) appraisal theory, Tenenbaum, Varjas, Meyers, and Parris's (2011) model of bullied students' coping, and social support literature, bullied students' narratives (N = 100) from five bullying blogs (Pacer's, I'm Getting Bullied, ReachOut, BullyVille, No Place 4 Hate) are examined. The findings reveal similar negative outcomes with particular coping strategies and support sources for bullied male and female bloggers. These results reinforce coping strategies that many bullying organizations promote in their programs and websites (i.e., do not avoid disclosure, confront bullies, or retaliate), and promote future research about how to improve parents' and teachers' supportive communication with bullied youth.


The toxicity of Melissa officinalis L. essential oil and its formulation (Melissacide) were evaluated against eggs and females of two predatory phytoseiid mites, Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias Henriot) and Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), using direct spray. Results indicate that both tested materials were potent on predatory females than egg stage. Typhlodromips swirskii was proved to be more sensitive to the oil and formulation than N. barkeri. Females mortality were (62-100%) in T. swirskii, and (46-69%) in N. barkeri, when both predatory mites were sprayed with LC50 and LC90 of the oil and Melissacide reported on Tetranychus urticae Koch. Females of both predators were suffered from reduction in food consumption when sprayed with two sublethal concentrations of Melissacide, while insignificant differences reported in daily number of eggs deposited by females of T. swirskii, when sprayed with its LC25 value of Melissacide and control.


The trend of using accurate models such as physics-based FET models, coupled with the demand for yield optimization results in a computationally challenging task. This paper presents a new approach to microwave circuit optimization and statistical design featuring neural network models at either device or circuit levels. At the device level, the neural network represents a physics-oriented FET model yet without the need to solve device physics equations repeatedly during optimization. At the circuit level, the neural network speeds up optimization by replacing repeated circuit simulations. This method is faster than direct optimization of original device and circuit models. Compared to existing polynomial or table look-up models used in analysis and optimization, the proposed approach has the capability to handle high-dimensional and highly nonlinear problems. >


In recent years, the urban areas of Elgin, Nairn and Forres have been threatened by severe river flooding events leading to the expenditure of millons of pounds on the design and installation of new flood prevention measures. The most severe catastrophic flood in modern British history occurred on August 3rd 1829, along the course of the River Findhorn, which reaches the coast near Forres. Reconstructions suggest that more than 100mm of rain fell in 24 hours and peak flows exceeded 1,400 cubic metres per second in parts of the catchment. BGS studies around Forres, commissioned by Moray Council, indicate that groundwater has a significant impact on flooding particularly in the lower reaches of this 'flashy'catchment. Targeted work has now been completed, that included detailed Quaternary mapping and geotechnical testing to supplement ground water measurements from boreholes and trial pits, to establish the permeability of the shallow geology of the catchment around Forres. A GSI3D model has been constructed of the shallow geology that has 43 separate layers. This will be demonstrated during the workshop. The model has also been reattributed with permeability values and this is now being linked to a ZOOM ground water model to produce the most detailed evaluation of shallow groundwater movements in any part of Scotland.


Abstract— A new locality of in situ massive impact‐melt rock was discovered on the south‐southwestern rim of the Roter Kamm impact structure. While the sub‐samples from this new locality are relatively homogeneous at the hand specimen scale, and despite being from a nearby location, they do not have the same composition of the only previously analyzed impact‐melt rock sample from Roter Kamm. Both Roter Kamm impact‐melt rock samples analyzed to date, as well as several suevite samples, exhibit a granitic‐granodioritic precursor composition. Micro‐chemical analyses of glassy matrix and Al‐rich orthopyroxene microphenocrysts demonstrate rapid cooling and chemical disequilibrium at small scales. Platinum‐group element abundances and ratios indicate an ordinary chondritic composition for the Roter Kamm impactor. Laser argon dating of two sub‐samples did not reproduce the previously obtained age of 3.7 ± 0.3 (1s̀) for this impact event, based on 40Ar/39Ar dating of a single vesicular impact‐melt rock. Instead, we obtained ages between 3.9 and 6.3 Ma, with an inverse isochron age of 4.7 ± 0.3 Ma for one analyzed sub‐sample and 5.1 ± 0.4 Ma for the other. Clearly a post‐5 Ma impact at Roter Kamm remains indicated, but further analytical work is required to better constrain the currently best estimate of 4–5 Ma. Both impactor and age constraints are clearly obstructed by the inherent microscopic heterogeneity and disequilibrium melting and cooling processes demonstrated in the present study.