Changes in macroeconomic conditions have an impact towards financial industry, particularly in the banking industry. This research aims to look at the impact of global financial crisis and macreconomic variables towards the total deposits of Islamic banking in Indonesia with the VECM method. The period of this study using monthly data from January 2006 until December 2016. The results showed that the global financial crisis has no effect towards the total deposits of Islamic banking in Indonesia. Then, based on the analysis of Impulse Response Function (IRF), the response of total deposits of Islamic banking in Indonesia towards inflation, equivalent rate and lending rate is positive. While the shocks level of conventional banking interest rate and industrial growth is negatively responded by total deposits in Islamic banking. The Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD) analysis results showed that equivalent rate and interest rate offered by each banking system give most contributed among other variables.


Mice have been essential for distinguishing the role of hepcidin in iron homeostasis. Currently, investigators monitor levels of murine hepatic hepcidin-1 mRNA as a surrogate marker for the bioactive hepcidin protein itself. Here, we describe and validate a competitive, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that quantifies hepcidin-1 in mouse serum and urine. The assay exhibits a biologically relevant lower limit of detection, high precision, and excellent linearity and recovery. We also demonstrate correlation between serum and urine hepcidin-1 values and validate the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by analyzing plasma hepcidin response of mice to physiological challenges, including iron deficiency, iron overload, acute blood loss, and inflammation. Furthermore, we analyze multiple murine genetic models of iron dysregulation, including β-thalassemia intermedia (Hbbth3/+), hereditary hemochromatosis (Hfe−/−, Hjv−/−, and Tfr2Y245X/Y245X), hypotransferrinemia (Trfhpx/hpx), heterozygous transferrin receptor 1 deficiency (Tfrc+/−) and iron refractory iron deficiency anemia (Tmprss6−/− and Tmprss6hem8/hem8). Novel compound iron metabolism mutants were also phenotypically characterized here for the first time. We demonstrate that serum hepcidin concentrations correlate with liver hepcidin mRNA expression, transferrin saturation and non-heme liver iron. In some circumstances, serum hepcidin-1 more accurately predicts iron parameters than hepcidin mRNA, and distinguishes smaller, statistically significant differences between experimental groups.


The paper describes the stock of knowledge of modern national identity identifying various elements such as spontaneous national identity based on categorization, thematizations, typifications and relevances, interpretive structures, attitudes, symbols, values, probabilities and national ideology. All these elements are embedded in the semantic universe created by the name of the nation. Empirical results are presented to demonstrate the varieties of national experience across Europe.


In this paper, we firstly study the security enhancement of three steganographic methods by using a proposed chaotic system. The first method, namely the Enhanced Edge Adaptive Image Steganography Based on LSB Matching Revisited (EEALSBMR), is present in the spatial domain. The two other methods, the Enhanced Discrete Cosine Transform (EDCT) and Enhanced Discrete Wavelet transform (EDWT), are present in the frequency domain. The chaotic system is extremely robust and consists of a strong chaotic generator and a 2-D Cat map. Its main role is to secure the content of a message in case a message is detected. Secondly, three blind steganalysis methods, based on multi-resolution wavelet decomposition, are used to detect whether an embedded message is hidden in the tested image (stego image) or not (cover image). The steganalysis approach is based on the hypothesis that message-embedding schemes leave statistical evidence or structure in images that can be exploited for detection. The simulation results show that the Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier and the Fisher Linear Discriminant (FLD) cannot distinguish between cover and stego images if the message size is smaller than 20% in the EEALSBMR steganographic method and if the message size is smaller than 15% in the EDCT steganographic method. However, SVM and FLD can distinguish between cover and stego images with reasonable accuracy in the EDWT steganographic method, irrespective of the message size.


The complexity and variability of dendritic morphology constitutes a fascinating challenge to the investigation of the structure-activity-function relationship in the nervous system. Computational modelling has recently emerged as a powerful approach for the quantitative anatomical characterization of dendrites. The key idea is to design a stochastic algorithm to generate digital structures that are statistically indistinguishable from those of real neurons of a given morphological class. The set of parameters used by this algorithm would then constitute a complete and accurate description of that morphological class. We review the strengths and weaknesses of the major types of algorithms used to model dendrogram properties, including those based on branch diameter and on distance from the soma. We also describe some approaches to the simulation of dendritic orientation and three-dimensional geometry. Finally, we discuss the environmental influences on dendritic morphology (especially the presence of axons, other neurons, and anatomical boundaries) and thus the need to include models of the tissue volume in the algorithmic description of dendrites.


Mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains unacceptable, approaching 45% in certain high-risk patient populations. Treating fulminant ARDS is currently relegated to supportive care measures only. Thus, the best treatment for ARDS may lie with preventing this syndrome from ever occurring. Clinical studies were examined to determine why ARDS has remained resistant to treatment over the past several decades. In addition, both basic science and clinical studies were examined to determine the impact that early, protective mechanical ventilation may have on preventing the development of ARDS in at-risk patients. Fulminant ARDS is highly resistant to both pharmacologic treatment and methods of mechanical ventilation. However, ARDS is a progressive disease with an early treatment window that can be exploited. In particular, protective mechanical ventilation initiated before the onset of lung injury can prevent the progression to ARDS. Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a novel mechanical ventilation strategy for delivering a protective breath that has been shown to block progressive acute lung injury (ALI) and prevent ALI from progressing to ARDS. ARDS mortality currently remains as high as 45% in some studies. As ARDS is a progressive disease, the key to treatment lies with preventing the disease from ever occurring while it remains subclinical. Early protective mechanical ventilation with APRV appears to offer substantial benefit in this regard and may be the prophylactic treatment of choice for preventing ARDS.


The Lynas Advanced Materials Plant, a facility in Malaysia that produces 10% of the world9s output of rare earth oxides (REOs), may have to close. The Malaysian government has asked Lynas, the Australian company that owns the plant, to ship its radioactive waste back to Australia if it wants to renew its operating license, which expires on 2 September. The company the deadline is "unachievable." The standoff has worried many countries hungry for REOs, which are needed in technologies including mobile phones, hard drives, fiber optic cables, surgical lasers, and cruise missiles. A shutdown would strengthen China9s position as the dominant supplier of REOs, which many countries deem a strategic risk.


Heteroepitaxial growth of SrTiO3 (STO) films with and without buffer layers on Si(100) and (111) substrates has been conducted by a focused electron beam evaporation method. It has been found that thin metallic layers such as Ti and Sr are effective for improving the quality of overgrown STO films, which is probably due to the fact that the metallic layers deoxidize the surface SiO2 layers on Si substrates. It has also been found that a Sr buffer layer is effective for obtaining fairly good epitaxial films on both Si(100) and (111) substrates, while a Ti buffer layer is effective for obtaining good electrical properties of the film and interface.


This report explores education outcomes for Māori and African American children, especially in regard to underachievement by these groups. While the histories and cultures of the two groups are very different, almost every economic and social statistic indicates that they occupy similar social spaces in their respective societies. When educational outcomes of Māori and African American children are compared, a strong and consistent pattern of disadvantage emerges. The authors believe that research and interventionist programmes designed to reduce bias against African American children and adults can be adapted for use in a New Zealand context. In New Zealand a hierarchy has developed. Recent research shows that teachers have highest expectations of Asian students, followed by Pakeha, Pasifika, and finally Maori. To mitigate the impact of these biases, the starting point for change then is for teachers to understand their own biases, and mitigate their impact on decision- making and interactions with students. Key messages from the report include: Deeply held and subconscious biases, based on social groupings and in-group favoritism, determine human behaviour and influence relationships between diverse social groups and ethnicities. The paradim of unconscious bias helps explain patterns of discrimination. Māori children face significant barriers to achievement, which stem from negative stereotypes attached to Māori as a social group. Personal and interpersonal racism – and institutional racism – also work together to perpetuate Māori disadvantage. The "Pygmalion Effect" describes how teachers' expectations determine, to a large part, students' educational outcomes. If Māori children are to achieve, teachers must lift their expectations of students and treat all students as having the same potential for achievement. US literature shows that gaps in achievement between individuals and across socioeconomic and racial groups open up at a very young age, before children start school. The gaps that emerge at a young age strongly affect adult outcomes. Location and neighbourhood have a huge impact on success later in life. Children who move to low-poverty areas below the age of 13 do much better as adults. African American students who do well at school are picked on by their peers for "acting white". External forms of repression also come into play. Unconscious bias is a major factor, manifested in insidious discrimination that affects African Americans in every sphere from getting a job to obtaining medical advice. Recognising how unconscious bias influences teachers' relationships with Māori students is the key to lifting Māori educational achievement. Tools and programmes to address unconscious bias towards Māori should be developed and applied broadly in the full range of education, health and social service sectors. A whole of systems approach is required.


A combustion optimizing model based on fuzzy neural networks is set up, and the optimization of providing coal volume is actualized. At the same time, the simulation model is established by MATLAB. The simulation research is processed. The simulation result indicates: in the stabilization state, if the boiler load, power plant coal character (the distinctness of coal heat glowing volume), combustion supplying air volume or combustion inducing air volume changes, the combustion optimizing model based on fuzzy neural networks can find the optimum value of providing coal volume. This result lays a strong base for optimal control and on-line prediction of the boiler.


A regular internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle's air conditioning system consists a compressor which is driven by the mechanical power of the internal combustion engine. Unlike the regular ICE vehicle, an electric vehicle uses electric motor and battery to propel itself. Hence, unless an electrical motor is used, it cannot utilize the conventional air conditioning system which requires mechanical power to run the compressor and pump. Therefore, a solid-state air conditioning system is proposed to be used as the energy converter to provide cooling effect to the interior air of the electric vehicle. Solid-state air conditioning system is also known as thermoelectric cooling (TEC). It is an air conditioning system which does not contain any moving mechanical parts such as compressor. It uses electrical energy and converts it into thermal energy or vice versa. Peltier device is normally used in thermoelectric cooling. It could be used to cool the internal cabin of an electric vehicle.
With consumption of electrical energy, it can transfer heat from one side to another based on the path of the current. Heat sinks are usually attached to both side of the Peltier device, hence the heat energy from the can be dissipated and the hot side is maintained at room temperature, whereas the cool side can achieve a lower temperature than room temperature.


Abstract In the present study, synergistic effects between the application of near-infrared radiation (NIR) and macroalgal extracts on the germination of soybean seeds were searched for. NIR is captured by special photoreceptors (i.e. phytochromes, cryptochromes and phototropins) and next plants generate a wide range of specific physiological responses through these receptors. For the study, a special system of NIR was applied to irradiate soybean seeds. To our knowledge, this is the first time this kind of radiation was used for the biostimulation of soybean seeds. Previously, the effect of other ranges of light (e.g. green, red, blue) was analysed in terms of photosynthetic activity, growth and yield of different plants, except seeds. NIR for 3 and 5 minutes was also combined with the application of macroalgal extracts used for seeds soaking. They are known as a rich source of biologically active compounds that can stimulate plant growth. These preliminary studies show that the examined factors can stimulate plant's growth and their quality.


Spatially-resolved crystal spectrometers with a high spectral resolution are developed to diagnose K-shell x-ray radiation from Z-pinch plasmas. These diagnostic apparatuses are successfully applied to aluminum wire array Z-pinch experiments on QiangGuang-I facility, a driver with a pulsed current up to about 1.5 MA in 80 ns. Time-integrated experimental results show that the K-shell x-ray emission lines of aluminum Z-pinch plasmas are dominated by line emissions from helium-like ionisation state. Bright spots that might have higher electron temperature or density are produced randomly in location and size along the z-axis during implosions. According to the experimental data, the electron temperature and the ion density are estimated to be between 250 eV and 310 eV, and between 7.0 × 1019 cm−3 and 4.0 × 1019 cm−3 respectively, while the ion temperature is inferred to be about 10.2 keV, which is much higher than the electron temperature.


Cryo-electron tomography allows 3D observation of biological specimens in their native and hydrated state at high spatial resolution (4-5 nanometers). Traditionally cryo-tomograms have very low signal-to-noise ratios and conventional image segmentation methods are limited yet. In this paper, we formulate the segmentation problem of both small tubulin aggregates and microtubules against the background as a two class labeling problem in the Conditional Random Field framework. In our approach, we exploit image patches to take into account spatial contexts and to improve robustness to noise. Because of the contrast anisotropy in the specimen thickness direction, each 2D section of the 3D tomogram is segmented separately with an optional update of reference patches. This method is evaluated on synthetic data and on cryo-electron tomograms of in vitro microtubules.


This paper presents two sequential sampling algorithms for the macromodeling of parameterized system responses in model‐dependent sampling frameworks. The construction of efficient algorithms for the automatic selection of samples for building scalable macromodels of frequency‐domain responses is addressed in this paper. The sequential sampling algorithms proposed here are tailored toward the application of local scalable macromodeling schemes on unstructured design space grids. Two pertinent examples are considered. For the first one, different algorithms are applied, and a comparison is made in terms of the number of samples generated, accuracy and CPU time. As a second example, four design variables are taken into account with one of the proposed algorithms, and the generated model is used in a frequency‐domain optimization. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Resorcarene derivatives, negatively charged even at moderate pH, were synthesized and employed as pseudostationary phases to achieve mobilities exceeding that of the electroosmotic flow. Under these conditions, a discontinuous electrolyte system was developed which allows the separation of four uncharged homologous 4‐hydroxybenzoic esters (parabens) within a zone of resorcarene electrolyte, and the detection of these UV active compounds in a resorcarene‐free zone, free from the high UV background absorbance of the resorcarenes. Resorcarenes, with differently charged functionalities (carboxylate and phosphate groups) to provide the electrophoretic mobility and with alkyl residues of different chain lengths responsible for the chromatographic interactions with the analytes, were tested and compared in terms of mobility and selectivity. Only the resorcarene phosphates exhibited sufficient mobilities at low pH exceeding the mobility of the electroosmotic flow (EOF). Retention factors of the parabens were found to increase with increasing chain length of the alkyl residues attached to the resorcarene. However, maximum selectivity was observed for an intermediate chain length (C8). An equation for the calculation of retention factors in discontinuous electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) is presented.


This paper attempts to delineate a kind of realism, which incorporates some anti-realistic insights regarding the perspective, situated, and historical character of our forms of knowing and being in the world, and which resonates with the basic tenets of Christian theism. The first part of the paper analyzes the challenges anti-realism poses to Christian theism, particularly regarding the role, which the doctrine of creation played in securing the correspondence theory of truth as well as the fundamental experience of God as the foundation of order and meaning. Using Heidegger's hermeneutics in the second part, it is shown that epistemic pluralism can be made compatible with realism. Given that this form of hermeneutic realism still has problems with integrating the transcendence of God, as well as his/ her presence and action in the "world," the notion of continuous co-creation as the basis for a pluralist realism that is amenable to Christian theism is explored in the final part.


In HIV infection, progression of immunodeficiency is associated with increased risk of paucibacillary and disseminated forms of tuberculosis (TB). As a result, the clinical presentation may be atypical and the conventional diagnostic assays often unreliable, resulting in significant treatment delays. Here, we report a case of HIV-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and TB meningitis. Although the smear and molecular assays were negative, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in our patient using the new Determine-lipoarabinomannan (LAM) lateral-flow urine 'dip-stick' assay. This case report illustrates the clinical value of this assay for the diagnosis of TB in a subgroup of HIV-infected patients with advanced immunodeficiency. Also, although two recent studies have evaluated the use of the Determine TB-LAM assay in clinical settings, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of TB diagnosed using this novel assay.


This paper emphasizes the advantage of using carbon polymers while producing and strengthening glulam beams. Due to advanced research carried out in this field, the first application of carbon polymers based products was implemented in Western countries. Structural elements containing carbon polymers, or being reinforced by them, show higher resistance and durability properties, as well as the ability to be produced in various shapes. These features can find best application in architecture so the architects' imagination in design could be realized. Many attractive buildings were constructed over the last decade, each of them showing exceptional safety, resistance to atmospheric influences, durability and cost-efficiency. Beside application of carbon polymers in the construction of new buildings, they are even more important in the field of historic heritage restoration. The original research carried out on ten samples in the laboratory is presented in the second part of the paper. Position of the reinforcement on the samples was chosen as it would be done in practical retrofit cases. Deformations of the samples exposed to pure bending were measured, so their behaviour in the elastic range could be analysed based on the results. Measured results were compared to those calculated by using FEM model, developed with software package AxisVM. Based on performed analysis, the conclusion was made that by strengthening timber glulam beams with FRP strips, the simple and efficient static load bearing capacity upgrade is gained.


A scanned-energy mode photoelectron diffraction study of the surface with adsorbed has provided quantitative determination of key structural parameters previously only predicted from theoretical calculations. The N atoms are found to occupy off-atop sites at a dimerized surface Si atom with an N - Si bondlength of and bond angle relative to the surface normal of . The positions of Si atoms in the dimer to which the adsorbates are bonded are found to indicate that the marked asymmetry of this dimer on the clean surface is lost as a result of the adsorption. The conclusions are discussed in relation to published results from less direct experimental probes and the results of theoretical model calculations.


A case of minimal change nephrotic syndrome associated with acute oliguric renal failure after exercise is reported. Renal function returned to normal after the patient underwent hemodialysis, and the nephrotic state was improved by administration of prednisolone. Adequate supportive management of the renal failure and early administration of corticosteroids for nephrotic syndrome are important therapeutic procedures in such a situation.


Reflective practice is in vogue as a tool in many parts of the educational economy, though the efforts to support its development often lag behind the promotion of the practice itself. Some of the issues relating to the development of this competency, and barriers to the same, are covered in my Teaching and Learning Optional Paper "Teaching and Supporting the Development of Reflective Practice". As momentum builds for the introduction of reflective practice, the educational and management worlds need to look to ways to enhance this capacity quickly, and to do this at an economic price. This paper addresses these twin issues. It achieves that purpose through examining a number of historical case studies, then moves onto a description of a number of contemporary experiments, reflecting upon the lessons learned from these experiments, and the implications of those lessons for future practice.


Influences of phonological awareness and naming speed on the speed and accuracy of Dutch children's word recognition were investigated in a longitudinal study. The speed and accuracy of word recognition at the ends of Grades 1 and 2 were predicted by naming speed from both the beginning and end of Grade 1, after control for autoregressive relations, Kindergarten letter knowledge, and vocabulary knowledge. Phonological awareness at the beginning of Grade 1 predicted only the accuracy of word recognition at the end of Grade 1. No evidence was found for reciprocal influences of word recognition skills on later phonological awareness or naming speed. 3.


Crab-eating macaques on Angaur are an exotic fauna introduced to the island in the early 1900's. The present population of 480-600 animals reportedly are descendents of a pair of monkeys brought


Nursing students for whom English is a second language (ESL) are now found in greater numbers in nursing schools. Their presence in nursing contributes to the diversity of the profession, but the language difficulties these students experience may influence academic achievement. Nurse educators can assist ESL students in reaching their career goal by being aware of the special language problems the students can encounter in academic settings and by instituting early and appropriate retention interventions.


Hip and knee arthroplasty surgeries have excellent outcomes and notably improve quality of life. However, ethical issues permeate the practice of adult reconstruction, and as economics and technology evolve, these issues have become increasingly important. This article will review the currently published literature on ethical issues including industry influences, implants and instrumentations, surgical innovation, new technology adoptions, and healthcare policy–relevant issues, including patient cost sharing and bundled care programs. In addition, the direct marketing of implants from the manufacturer to the general public may falsely raise patient expectations concerning the long-term clinical outcome and performance of newer devices in the absence of long-term studies. This article will also focus on relevant contemporary ethical issues that do not necessarily have preexisting published literature or guidelines but, nonetheless, are crucial for adult reconstruction surgeons to address. These issues include access to care and challenges with orthopaedic resident and fellow education. Surgeons must understand the ethical issues that can arise in their clinical practice and how those issues affect patients. Clinicians are tasked with making the best-reasoned judgment possible to optimize their patients' outcomes. Still, the ability to standardize treatment while optimizing individual outcomes for unique patients remains a challenge.


Background : Myocardial Infarction (MI) is the most common cause of death in developed and developing countries. Based on World Health Organization prediction, MI will be the leading cause of death in the world up to 2020. The main goal of acute myocardial infarction therapy is reperfusion which is performed by two treatment approaches, although these two methods use for unique complication treatment but they are different in treatment cost and quality; Since the costs of health care is growing, this study aimed at identifying affected differentiated costs among patients with acute MI with the purpose of providing a framework to compare two treatment methods . Materials and Methods : In presented model in current study, with the purpose of select affecting cost attributes utilized hybrid of Genetic algorithm and decision tree approach as a new method and compare its result using random method . Results : Study result presented classifies error reduction up to 0.2 compare with random method error. Then, based on selected attributes, presented a framework comparing two treatment methods. Also, in the majority of direct cost and total cost, Primary Angioplasty was cost effective more than Thrombolytic Therapy, but in indirect cost, we achieved some results dissimilar to physicians' expected results such as kidney failure . Conclusion : Suggested approach in this research can be a guidance to physicians and insurances institutes in acute myocardial infarction treatment policies .


The internal leakage has a great effect on the performance of a rotary compressor. In this paper a leakage model as a part of a complete simulation model is developed. The leakage model analyzes the oil/refrigerant mixture leakage flow through the roller radial clearance caused by the motion of roller relative to cylinder wall and the pressure difference and considers the effect of the motion of roller and vane on the leakage from oil sump and the solubility of refrigerant to oil. The variations of the leakage loss and the roller radial clearance with the rotating speed are shown. The influence of the tolerance of roller face clearance on the range of performance of compressors mass-produced is discussed.


We present a set of new data allowing elucidation of the energetic, conformational and vibrational features of cysteine (Cys) and methionine (Met), i.e. two natural amino acids (AAs) containing a sulfur atom in their side chains. Special attention has been paid to cysteine, for which vibrational features were analysed in a wide pH range (6-to-12), where its backbone can switch from a zwitterionic to an anionic form, and its side chain SH group can be deprotonated. Through a detailed discussion on the relative acidity of the three protonation sites of this AA, as well as on the vibrational markers arising from zwitterionic and anionic backbones, we could assign the spectra recorded at pH 6, 9.2 and 12 to three species, referred to as Cys(0), Cys(1-)(a) and Cys(2-), where the superscripts designate their global net charges. To bring clarification to the structural and vibrational features, quantum mechanical calculations based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) were carried out, allowing (i) a quasi exhaustive energetic and side chain conformational analysis through 804 clusters of explicitly hydrated AAs; (ii) simulation of the observed aqueous solution vibrational spectra of Cys(0), Cys(-2) and Met by means of the theoretical data obtained from their conformationally distinct lowest energy clusters.


Subclavian steal syndrome (SSS), also known as subclavian-vertebral artery steal syndrome, is a phenomenon causing retrograde flow in an ipsilateral vertebral artery due to stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian artery, proximal to the origin of the vertebral artery. Subclavian steal is asymptomatic in most patients and does not warrant invasive evaluation or treatment. It can manifest in some patients with symptoms of arterial insufficiency affecting the brain or the upper extremity, supplied by the subclavian artery.


The vibrational density of states of both crystalline (trigonal) and amorphous samples of Se96.85Te3.15, Se93.6Te6.4, Se86.6Te13.4, Se79Te21 and of crystalline Se have been determined by inelastic neutron scattering. In each case the spectrum was found to be divided into three bands which for the amorphous specimens are at 5.6, 14 and 30.5 meV and for the crystalline specimens are at 6.5, 14 and 28.5 meV. At the lowest energies the amorphous samples, in common with other amorphous materials, show an omega 2-dependence which then increases over a short range to a higher power of the energy. The crystalline specimens have an omega 1.5-dependence at low energies. The temperature dependence of the specific heat of crystalline Se calculated from these data is in good agreement with that quoted in the literature. S(Q) for the amorphous samples was also measured and this shows that the first- and second-neighbour distances are similar to those for crystalline Se. This study suggests that crystalline SeTe resembles a chain polymer of helical chains with weak inter-chain bonding. In the amorphous samples the structure is similar but with inter-chain entanglements.


Background— Studies from the balloon angioplasty and bare metal stent eras have demonstrated that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is cost-effective compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients undergoing multivessel coronary revascularization—particularly among patients with complex coronary artery disease or diabetes mellitus. Whether these results apply in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era is unknown. Methods and Results— Between 2005 and 2010, 1900 patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel coronary artery disease were randomized to PCI with DES (DES-PCI; n=953) or CABG (n=947). Costs were assessed from the perspective of the U.S. health care system. Health state utilities were assessed using the EuroQOL 5 dimension 3 level questionnaire. A patient-level microsimulation model based on U.S. life-tables and in-trial results was used to estimate lifetime cost-effectiveness. Although initial procedural costs were lower for CABG, total costs for the index hospitalization were $8622 higher per patient. Over the next 5 years, follow-up costs were higher with PCI, owing to more frequent repeat revascularization and higher outpatient medication costs. Nonetheless, cumulative 5-year costs remained $3641 higher per patient with CABG. Although there were only modest gains in survival with CABG during the trial period, when the in-trial results were extended to a lifetime horizon, CABG was projected to be economically attractive relative to DES-PCI, with substantial gains in both life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios <$10 000 per life-year or quality-adjusted life-year gained across a broad range of assumptions regarding the effect of CABG on post-trial survival and costs. Conclusions— Despite higher initial costs, CABG is a highly cost-effective revascularization strategy compared with DES-PCI for patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel coronary artery disease. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinical-trials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00086450.


We have performed quantum Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the superfluid behavior of one- and two-dimensional interfaces separating checkerboard solid domains. The system is described by the hard-core Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian with nearest-neighbor interaction. In accordance with Burovski et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 165301 (2005)] we find that (i) the interface remains superfluid in a wide range of interaction strength before it undergoes a superfluid-insulator transition; (ii) in one dimension, the transition is of the Kosterlitz-Thouless type and is accompanied by the roughening transition, driven by proliferation of charge-1/2 quasiparticles; (iii) in two dimensions, the transition belongs to the three-dimensional U(1) universality class and the interface remains smooth. Similar phenomena are expected for domain walls in quantum antiferromagnets.


Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) evolution is a multistep process in which cells evolve from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) that acquire genetic anomalies, such as chromosomal rearrangements and mutations, which define distinct subgroups. Mutations in Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), which occur in ~30% patients, are the most frequent subgroup-defining mutations in AML and appear to be a late driver event in this disease. Bulk RNA-sequencing studies have identified differentially expressed genes between AML subgroups, but they are uninformative of the composition of cell types populating each sample. Large scale Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies now enable a detailed characterization of intra tumoral heterogeneity, and could help to better understand the stepwise evolution from normal to malignant cells.
 Methods: Twelve primary human AML specimens from MSKCC and Quebec Leukemia Cell Bank, including 8 with NPM1 mutations, were included in this cohort. Cells were subjected to scRNA-seq using 10X Genomics Chromium Single Cell 3' protocols and libraries were sequenced on Illumina HiSeq or NovaSeq platforms. FASTQ files were processed using SEQC pipeline (Azizi E et al, Cell 2018), resulting in a carefully filtered count matrix of > 100,000 single cells (4877 to 11532 cells per sample).
 Results: Using euclidean distance metrics and t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) visualization, we explored the phenotypic overlap between samples and showed that leukemia cells from different patients were mostly dissimilar, suggesting inter-sample heterogeneity. However, samples with similar morphology and similar NPM1 mutational status were phenotypically closer (Fig A), as anticipated from bulk RNA-sequencing data (TCGA, NEJM 2013). We partitioned cells into distinct clusters using Phenograph (Levine J et al, Cell 2015) (Fig B) and measured the diversity of samples per cluster using Shannon's entropy metric, revealing that mature cell types (B/plasma cells, T/NK and erythroid cells, Fig C), presumably excluded from the tumor bulk, are transcriptionally similar across samples. Most notably, the next most diverse cluster (C36), comprising 438 cells from 11/12 samples, contains cells with a HSPC-like phenotype, as suggested by i) highest correlation of the centroid of this cluster with HSC1 (lin-/CD133+/CD34dim) population from sorted bulk RNA-sequencing data (Novershtern N et al, Cell 2011), and ii) marked GSEA enrichment for stem cell signatures (top enrichment: Jaatinen_hematopoeitic_stem_cell_up, NES = 9.04, FDR q-val = 0).
 To study the extent to which NPM1 or other mutations drive heterogeneity in leukemia populations, we interrogated 3'-derived single-cell sequences for all recurrent mutations in AML and found that NPM1 gene has unique features (e.g. relatively high single-cell expression and 3' localization) that allow specific identification of mutations in 5 to 34% of cells per mutated sample. To control for the high frequency of false negatives caused by dropouts in scRNA-seq data, we normalized the abundance of mutated vs wild-type cells to provide an estimation of mutation frequency in different cell types (Fig D). As expected, NPM1 mutations were rare in B and T/NK lymphoid cells (also observed using RT-qPCR in sorted populations by Dvorakova D et al, Leuk Lymphoma 2013) and were found in the majority of leukemia and myeloid cells. Interestingly, these mutations were detected at various frequencies in erythroid cells, suggesting that NPM1 mutations are acquired in cells with different lineage commitment in different patients. Most notably, the HSPC-like cluster C36 also contained a subpopulation of cells that have acquired NPM1 mutations and are transcriptionally different from wild-type cells.
 Conclusion: This study presents a first comprehensive single-cell map of primary AML, and the first 3'-based interrogation of mutations in single cells. It led to the identification phenotypically distinct cells presenting a HSPC-like expression profile which were sub-clonally harboring NPM1 mutations, providing the means to identify deregulated genes in these important leukemia subpopulations.
 Figure Figure.

 Levine: Epizyme: Patents & Royalties; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Isoplexis: Equity Ownership; C4 Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Prelude: Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria; Imago: Equity Ownership; Novartis: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Loxo: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Qiagen: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


We present a stylized model to explore the interaction between household debt, functional income distribution, and technological change. We assume that weak labor bargaining power allows firms to set their mark-ups in order to meet a target profit rate. At a low wage share, workers' households are assumed to have limited flexibility in meeting financial goals, so household indebtedness tends to rise as the wage share falls. Rising indebtedness further lowers labor's bargaining power, a phenomenon that was observed in the wave of financialization that began in the late twentieth century. Thus, rising debt levels allow firms even greater freedom to raise their target profit rate. We find that the dynamics can be either stable or unstable, with the potential for a self-reinforcing pattern of rising household indebtedness and falling wage share, consistent with trends in the US from the 1980s onward. The unstable cycle can be triggered by increased willingness by workers to incur debt and rising influence of household indebtedness on labor's bargaining strength and income distribution. The model can shed some light on widely observed trends over recent decades regarding household indebtedness, inequality, and technological changes in the US, and potentially in other OECD countries.


ABSTRACT Psychiatric disorders represent common comorbidities in epileptic patients. Sometimes anxiety is part of the ictal semiology, especially during seizures arising from/involving frontal or temporal lobes. We describe a patient with focal epilepsy and recurrent hyperkinetic seizures who also presented prolonged episodes characterized by massive anxiety, alarm and fear. A Video-Electroencephalographic monitoring performed during one of these attacks revealed a continuous epileptiform activity over the right frontal regions, consistent with a focal non-convulsive status epilepticus accounting for the patient's psychiatric symptoms. Our case confirms the complex relationship between epilepsy and anxiety. A review of the literature is also included.


A novel aminoacylase was purified to homogeneity from culture broth of Streptomyces mobaraensis, as evidenced by SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The enzyme was a monomer with an approximate molecular mass of 100 kDa. The purified enzyme was inhibited by the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline and activated by the addition of Co2+. It was stable at temperatures of up to 60 °C for 1 h at pH 7.2. It showed broad substrate specificity to N-acetylated L-amino acids. It catalyzed the hydrolysis of the amide bonds of various N-acetylated L-amino acids, except for Nε-acetyl-L-lysine and N-acetyl-L-proline. Hydrolysis of N-acetyl-L-methionine and N-acetyl-L-histidine followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics with K m values of 1.3±0.1 mM and 2.7±0.1 mM respectively. The enzyme also catalyzed the deacetylation of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) and cephalosporin C. Moreover, feruloylamino acids and L-lysine derivatives of ferulic acid derivatives were synthesized in an aqueous buffer using the enzyme.


Objectives: To examine patient characteristics and outcomes among opioid use disorder patients enrolled in low-threshold buprenorphine treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This paper describes the adaptation of the Project Connections (PC) program, a low-threshold buprenorphine program in Baltimore, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines patient characteristics and initial outcomes of patients served during a rapid protocol shift to telehealth that allowed buprenorphine initiation without an in-person encounter following a state-mandated stay-at-home order. Patient characteristics were compared to a subsample of patients enrolled in the program before the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In March 2020, there was a sharp increase in new enrollments to the PC program. A total of 143 patients completed an intake assessment between March and May 2020 and 140 began treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone. Those who completed an intake assessment were primarily male (68.5%), Black (83.2%), had a mean age of 43.2 years (SD = 11.7), and reported a mean of 17.0 years of opioid use (SD = 12.9). The majority of patients were unemployed (72.7%) and reported previous criminal justice involvement (69.2%). Of those who completed an intake assessment, 96.5% returned for a second visit. Among those for whom 30-day retention data was available (n = 113), 63.7% were engaged for 30 days or longer. Conclusions: The PC program illustrates that offering on-demand, flexible treatment is an opportunity to increase opioid use disorder treatment access, even during a public health emergency that disrupted access to services. Relaxation of buprenorphine telehealth regulations allowed for flexibility in treatment and benefits vulnerable populations.


Abstract Coconut palms are highly susceptible to diseases caused by different pathogens, and replanting with resistant varieties is the best way to manage them. Obtaining a collection of resistance gene analogues (RGAs) is an effective strategy to identify genomic regions linked to disease resistance. We have successfully used a comparative genomics approach to amplify putative RGAs from the coconut root (wilt) disease resistant cultivar Chowghat Green Dwarf (CGD) by using primers designed based on conserved motifs of the NBS-LRR domain of the date palm. The amplified sequences were cloned, sequenced and characterized. The coconut RGAs had high identity to monocot NBS-LRRs. A complete structural analysis and 3-D modeling of the NBS domain of coconut RGA was also undertaken. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the isolated coconut NBS-LRR class RGAs was expressed more in root (wilt) disease resistant genotypes than in susceptible ones. This study would provide a base for future efforts to map disease resistant traits in coconut.


This study aimed to determine the location of stomata, stomata type, number of stomata, stomata density and stomata index. This study was conducted in December 2013 - February 2014, in the laboratory of Biological Science FMIPA UNIMED. The using is longitudinal slices and samples were observed under a microscope. The results showed that both species were stomata lies in the lower epidermis cells and different types stomata of Bouea macrophylla types stomata is siklositik while Bouea oppositifolia type stomata is Anisositik. Lowest number of stomata by 10 and 22 the highest, the lowest stomata density of 0,87 mm2 on Bouea oppositifolia in location pekan baru and the highest 5,73 mm2 of Bouea macrophylla in location batu sangkar, and most low stomata index 7,8% on Bouea macrophylla in location batu sangkar and the highest 14,10% of Bouea oppositifolia in location pekan baru.


A 39-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital complaining of left chest pain and rash on the hands and feet. Plain thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple nodular shadows in the left lower lobe of the lung. A diagnosis of secondary syphilis was made based on the appearance of the rash and positive serologic tests for syphilis. The patient was started on amoxicillin but was switched to minocycline due to amoxicillin-induced rash on both forearms. Thoracic CT after five months of treatment revealed that the multiple lung nodular shadows had contracted, and secondary syphilis with pulmonary involvement was diagnosed.


This article describes the methodology and characteristics of Zad al-masir fi 'ilm al-tafsir. This is one the finest work of Allama Ibn al-Jawzī, a 6th century prominent Interpreter. Several editions of this Tafsir have been published. However, the edition of dar al-kitab al-'arbi, Beirut published in four volumes is selected for this study. This exegesis is based on conventional narrations, authentic quotations from the Islamic Scholars and lingual & grammatical discussions. As a witness, causes of verses (asbab al-Nuz┴l), Makki and Madani Surah's (chapters), the abrogating and abrogated verses (al-nasikh wal-mans┴kh) and Islamic jurisprudence have been discussed in it where needed. The quality of this translation which is admirable is that mostly authentic Ahadith from original sources, and references to well known basic books in relevant discussions have been described.


Titanium dioxide coatings and zirconium dioxide were deposited on SiO2 underlayers by sol-gel method on stainless steel plates. The samples were treated at two different temperatures (500 and 700oC) in air. The morphology was examined by means of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the phase composition by X-ray diffraction analyses. The corrosion resistance of the coatings were examined by evaluation of the weight loss in NaCl medium. The TiO2/SiO2 coatings possess relatively smooth surface with some crystallites on the surface, while ZrO2/SiO2 coatings are not so smooth. After treatment at higher temperature the ZrO2/SiO2 coatings become rougher. The weight loss measurement have proved that the TiO2/SiO2 coatings exhibit higher corrosion resistance in comparison to ZrO2/SiO2 coatings. The TiO2/SiO2 coatings, treated at 500oC after the corrosion test retain their characteristic grain structure without any cracks and other defects. Similar is the structure of these coatings, treated at 700oC. The better protective properties of TiO2/SiO2 could be attributed to their amorphous dense structure.


Background The main aim of this study was to develop a nomogram prediction model for poor functional prognosis after patellar fracture surgery in the elderly based on the hospital for special surgery (HSS) knee score. Methods A retrospective analysis of 168 elderly patients with patellar fractures was performed to collect demographic data, knee imaging, and functional prognosis preoperatively and during the 6-month postoperative follow-up period. Good functional prognosis of knee joint was defined as the percentage of HSS knee scores on the injured side relative to the uninjured side ≥ 80% at six-month postoperative review. Multifactorial linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were then used to identify risk factors of functional prognosis and develop the nomogram prediction model. Furthermore, the validity and accuracy of the prediction model were evaluated using C-index, area under the curve (AUC), and decision curve analyses. Results The final screening from the 12 potential risk factors yielded three high-risk factors which were included in the nomogram prediction model: advanced age (OR 0.28 (95% CI 0.11-0.67), P = 0.005), sarcopenia (OR 0.11 (95% CI 0.05-0.26), P < 0.001), and low albumin level (OR 1.14 (95% CI 1.02-1.29), P = 0.025). The model had a good predictive ability with an AUC of 0.857 (95% CI (0.783-0.929)) for the training group and a C-index of 0.836 for the overall sample. In addition, the decision analysis curve indicated that the model had good clinical applicability. Conclusion Our predictive model is effective in predicting the risk of poor functional prognosis after patellar fracture surgery in the elderly by assessing high-risk factors such as advanced age, sarcopenia, and serum albumin levels. This prediction model can help clinicians to make individualized risk prediction, early identification of patients at high risk for poor functional outcome, and appropriate interventions.


Presence of 2 large herbivores in the same rangeland makes assessment of proper stocking rates and management practices rather complex. This study evaluated composition and overlap of red deer and cattle diets in a semiarid, temperate rangeland of La Pampa province, Argentina. Deer and cattle diets were estimated by microhistological analysis of feces. Fifteen samples were collected for cattle and deer during fall, winter, spring, and summer of 1994/95 (Period 1) and the same seasons of 1996/97 (Period 2). Red deer and cattle diets were different (P < 0.01) within each sampling season. Diets were also different (P < 0.01) among sampling seasons within each animal species. Red deer were better shrub users than cattle. Deer consumed more than 4 times the amount of shrubs than cattle during all seasons. Shrubs accounted for 28 to 50% of deer diets in most seasons, and from 6 to 12% in cattle diets. Forbs were a variable component of diets. However, red deer harvested more forbs than cattle in most sampling seasons (P < 0.05). Cattle were better grass users than red deer. Cows consumed more (P < 0.05) perennial graminoids in all seasons, and based their diet on cool-season perennial grasses. A trend for red deer to behave as an interme diate feeder, compared with cattle could be suggested. In the environment of our study, deer and cattle diet overlap varied greatly depending on availability of palatable fractions of forbs, shrubs, and grasses. Forb and shrub regrowth would reduce the diet overlap.


The practical aspects of nitric acid passivation are reviewed and new data on the effect of passivation variables on subsequent corrosion resistance are reported. Solution composition and temperature, passivation time, and double acid and alkaline treatments were investigated. Commercial heats of 12Cr (0.5 and 2 percent varieties) and 18Cr-9Ni resulfurized stainless were tested at 95°F (35°C) in either 95 percent humidity or 5 percent salt spray after receiving the various passivation treatments. The variables having the most significant effect were (1) the manganese content of the steel, (2) whether a cross or a long section of a bar was being investigated, and (3) an alkaline post passivation treatment. Without passivation, the low manganese 12Cr alloy has superior corrosion resistance to the high manganese grade. After passivation, the low manganese alloys lost some of their corrosion resistance, whereas the high manganese materials sometimes showed improved resistance. The loss of resistance after passivation is attributed to the retention of acid in partially removed sulfides and it can be minimized with the alkaline treatment. It is also noted that highly oxidizing passivation solutions are required to avoid attack during the passivation treatment itself and that these solutions do not dissolve tool steels, particles of which might be embedded in the stainless surface during machining.


The age-related decline in immune function may predispose individuals to increased infection risk. Nutrition is an important determinant of immunocompetence, but vitamin supplementation in relation to infection has not been evaluated extensively in well-nourished populations. We evaluated the associations between intakes of antioxidants and B vitamins and risk of community-acquired pneumonia in well-nourished, middle-aged and older men. This was a prospective study conducted between 1990 and 2000 among 38,378 male, U.S. health professionals, aged 44 to 79 y in 1990. Participants answered a detailed 131-item FFQ to assess diet and also provided information on vitamin supplement use. We included those who at the onset had no history of pneumonia, myocardial infarction, stroke, other heart disease, arterial surgery, cancer or asthma, and also had complete dietary data. There were 446 new cases of nonfatal community-acquired pneumonia during 145,878 person-years of follow-up. After adjustment for age, smoking, BMI, alcohol use, physical activity, diabetes and total energy intake, there were no associations between total intakes of antioxidants or B vitamins and pneumonia risk. After excluding men who took vitamin E supplements, vitamin E intake from food sources only was inversely associated with pneumonia risk (multivariate relative risk comparing extreme quintiles = 0.58, 95% CI, 0.39-0.86, P-value test for trend = 0.01). Vitamin supplements are unlikely to reduce pneumonia risk in well-nourished, middle-aged and older men.


Single-particle levels of unknown superheavy and extremely superheavy nuclei are studied using a modified Woods–Saxon potential, which are smooth functions of the number of nucleons. This extrapolation gives that neutron shell closure remains for \(N=308\), and a proton shell has a gap at \(Z=164\), which is weaker than that of a neutron shell. Seven unknown doubly magic spherical nuclei beyond 208Pb are found: 256U164, 298Fl184, 310[126]184, 342Fl228, 366[138]228, 462[154]308, and 472[164]308. Of these, the 298Fl184 and 472[164]308 are beta-stable nuclei. The nucleus 472[164]308 seems to be the heaviest nuclei based on the analysis of neutron and proton drip lines and the fissility line.


General pseudospectral method is extended to the special Euclidean group SE(3) by virtue of equivariant map for rigid-body dynamics of the aircraft. On SE(3), a complete left invariant rigid-body dynamics model of the aircraft in body-fixed frame is established, including configuration model and velocity model. For the left invariance of the configuration model, equivalent Lie algebra equation corresponding to the configuration equation is derived based on the left-trivialized tangent of local coordinate map, and the top eight orders truncated Magnus series expansion with its coefficients of the solution of the equivalent Lie algebra equation are given. A numerical method called geometric pseudospectral method is developed, which, respectively, computes configurations and velocities at the collocation points and the endpoint based on two different collocation strategies. Through numerical tests on a free-floating rigid-body dynamics compared with several same order classical methods in Euclidean space and Lie group, it is found that the proposed method has higher accuracy, satisfying computational efficiency, stable Lie group structural conservativeness. Finally, how to apply the previous discretization scheme to rigid-body dynamics simulation and control of the aircraft is illustrated.


The expansion of the Rome Statute system is a clear indication of the judicialisation of international law, a normative trend that has accelerated in the past few decades. However, the current state of judicialisation cannot be regarded as "a linear story of success." According to a critical analysis of Asian States' overall engagement with the Rome Statute process, the International Criminal Court (ICC)-centered judicialisation has been stagnant in Asia. The author seeks to examine why Asian representation and participation in the ICC system have been consistently and significantly lower than in any other region. Just as the recent shift in Africa's engagement with the ICC has attracted much scholarly attention for (re)assessing the relationship between African States and the Court, Asia's continued silence in this field of law must also be raised as an important issue. This paper finds three types of common experiences shared by the overwhelming majority of Asian countries. It investigates ways in which the presence of one or a combination of these common contexts have affected Asian States' ability and willingness to participate in the Rome Statute system.


One of the main goals of sensor networks is to provide accurate information about a sensing field for an extended period of time. This requires collecting measurements from as many sensors as possible to have a better view of the sensor surroundings. However, due to energy limitations and to prolong the network lifetime, the number of active sensors should be kept to a minimum. To resolve this conflict of interest, sensor selection schemes are used. In this paper, we survey different schemes that are used to select sensors. Based on the purpose of selection, we classify the schemes into (1) coverage schemes, (2) target tracking and localization schemes, (3) single mission assignment schemes and (4) multiple missions assignment schemes. We also look at solutions to relevant problems from other areas and consider their applicability to sensor networks. Finally, we take a look at the open research problems in this field.


The importance of Marginal adaptation of fixed Prosthodontics is to assess the smallest number of gap measurements on margins of single crowns to get relevant results for gap analysis. The most critical factors affecting Marginal adaptation of fixed Prosthodontics includes the material used, the type of finish line and other factors that include the finish line and the durability of the copings like the function of the firing procedures. The results of this study concluded that a perfect marginal is one of the most important technical factors for the long-term success of any restoration. As a sizeable marginal opening concedes more plaque accumulation, gingival sulcular fluid flow, and bone loss, following in microleakage, recurrent caries, periodontal disease and a decrease in the longevity of the prosthetics restorations. This problem might complicate by fixed partial restorations with vital abutments.


This paper extends previous research on Computer Integrated Transportation (CIT) to commercial vehicle operations (CVO), specifically to examine how government can work with trucking companies within a CIT framework. The research entailed a review of how government currently interacts with trucking companies, interviews with trucking terminal managers, and case-studies on terminal operations at five of the nation's largest motor carriers. Opportunities are identified in the area of unifying interaction between government and industry and in the area of in- vehicle devices for automated record keeping.


Advancements in computational techniques used to simulate human impact injury response, coupled with those in computer hardware, bring the idea of detailed injury assessment closer to reality. Consequently, next-generation (G2) injury assessment processes are being explored to potentially augment or replace methods using dummy-based, empirically-derived, gross injury risk relationships. These processes use computational models that give more detailed injury response resulting from dummy-measured loading. This paper discusses the development of an initial version of such a next-generation injury assessment tool called SiMon: A Simulated Injury Monitor, as it is applied to the assessment of brain injury.


In order to keep focus on the important agenda of sustainability which has lately become an issue of priority, the maritime industry must implement technologies on existing vessels and on those under construction so as to reduce their emissions into the environment. This study examines three potential sources of emission and also identifies a set of emission control measures that are available and could, if fully applied, reduce emission by 19.058%. With the waste heat recovery system, about 2500 kW of energy are saved, thereby increasing the efficiency to 59.11% having about 10.13% gain compared to engines without a waste heat recovery system. It is therefore recommended that the use of waste heat recovery systems should be encouraged on marine vessels to reduce the impact of noxious gasses into the atmosphere.


The concentration of cytosolic free calcium, [Ca2+]i, was measured in J774 mouse macrophages by use of the fluorescent indicator quin-2. Resting [Ca2+]i was 87 nM. Addition of a number of specific ligands to the immunoglobulin gamma 2b/gamma 1 Fc receptor resulted in a transient increase in [Ca2+]i, the magnitude of which depended on the extent of receptor aggregation. Monovalent ligands gave only a small Ca2+ signal but blocked cell response to subsequent addition of multivalent ligands. Incubation with antibody-coated erythrocytes raised macrophage [Ca2+]i to micromolar levels. [Ca2+]i changes were only partially inhibited by the absence of external Ca2+, suggesting the release of Ca2+ from internal stores in addition to an influx of external Ca2+. These internal stores were not limited to mitochondria. An optimal range of [Ca2+]i was required for phagocytosis. Buffering [Ca2+]i with quin-2 and treating cells with quinine in the absence of external Ca2+ resulted in inhibition of phagocytosis. Increasing [Ca2+]i to micromolar levels with the calcium ionophore A23187 also resulted in similar inhibitory effects. We suggest the involvement of localized cytosolic Ca2+ gradients in generating the signals necessary for phagocytosis.


This paper aims at comparing through simulations the network lifetime of a wireless sensor network using Bluetooth-enabled or IEEE 802.15.4 compliant devices. The evaluation is performed under a common reference framework, namely the EMORANS scenario for wireless sensor networks. Since the two enabling technologies rely on different MAC paradigms, suitable definition of the performance metrics is needed, in order to make the comparison meaningful. Thus, the paper has also a methodological objective. In particular, three different definitions of network lifetime are introduced, and a comparison of performance obtained by applying the different definitions is provided. Then, the comparison between the two standards is introduced: it is shown that there are no orders of magnitude of difference in network lifetime when the two technologies are used and the choice of the technology depends on the application requirements.


This paper uses the complexity of non-competitive behaviour to provide a new justification for competitive equilibrium in the context of extensive-form market games with a finite number of agents. This paper demonstrates that if rational agents have (at least at the margin) an aversion for complex behaviours then their maximizing behaviour will result in simple behavioural rules and thereby in a perfectly competitive outcome. In particular, we consider sequential market games with heterogeneous sets of buyers and sellers and show that if the complexity costs of implementing strategies enter players' preferences, together with the standard payoff in the game, then every equilibrium strategy profile induces a competitive outcome. This is done for sequential deterministic matching/bargaining models in which at any date either the identities of the matched players are determined exogenously or one player is exogenously selected to choose his partner and make a price proposal.


The electrochemical properties of the spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material are influenced by the synthesis processes, which determines the impurity phase and the distribution of Ni and Mn in the spinel structure. Taking advantage of neutron's high sensitivity to Ni and Mn, in situ neutron diffraction has been employed to quantify the phase formation/structural evolution process under continuous heating/cooling and isothermal annealing conditions. The results show that the subtle Ni and Mn ordering process occurs slowly at 700 °C and the degree of ordering can be controlled by the annealing time. At temperatures above 750 °C, the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinel phase starts to decompose into the rock-salt impurity phase accompanied by the release of O2. The rock-salt phase reverts back to the spinel phase upon cooling along with the oxygen uptake. The dynamic process of structural evolution of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 that was unraveled by in situ neutron diffraction is valuable for guiding the synthesis of cathode materials with desirable properties.


Orientation: Research into the effectiveness of loyalty programmes is fragmented and paradoxical. Some authors showed that loyalty programmes are effective, while others demonstrated the contrary.Motivation for the study: This study draws on two previous studies and argues that theories compiled in developed economies are not applicable in emerging economies and that the success of loyalty programmes is a multidimensional topic.Research purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of grocery loyalty programmes within an emerging economy and investigate various areas to get a customer-centric perspective on this marketing tool.Research design, approach and method: This study used a qualitative methodology with an abductive mindset and proposed several hunches that arose from the findings. Ten online interviews were conducted with customers of grocery loyalty programmes, and issues were probed such as the customers' purchase frequency, their price sensitivity, their advocacy of loyalty programmes and the quality and length of their relationship. The interview were transcribed and the content was analysed inductively.Main findings: Findings suggest that the customers of grocery loyalty programmes are generally uncertain about the benefits of loyalty programmes and a sense of disengagement is observed.Managerial/practical implications: Several suggestions are made to improve the practicality of loyalty programmes. These suggestions focus on ways to get the customers more engaged.Contribution of study: This study contributes to the academic knowledge within an emerging economy and provides some practical managerial suggestions for effective implementation. This study proposes that the effectiveness of loyalty programmes is not a simple issue and requires input from several disciplines, such as psychology.


Insect biodiversity reveals much about ecosystem health and function; however, field studies of insect community composition and diversity are often unintentionally biased by the sampling methods deployed in the study area. Pan traps, particularly yellow pan traps, are a common method for passive community assessment across a variety of taxonomic levels. Our study finds that the diversity, richness, and abundance of hymenopterans in pan trapping projects are significantly impacted by the color of the pan trap deployed. Additionally, we find that individual species display significant preferences for not only yellow pan traps but also for white, fluorescent yellow, blue, and fluorescent blue pans. Our data support recent studies that suggest yellow traps alone may be insufficient for sampling the true diversity of certain hymenopteran groups in a region.


We have studied a variety of switch architectures for use in the multistage interconnection network of a shared memory multiprocessor. In this paper, we investigate two techniques for improving network performance in the presence of contention: the use of multiple handshaking signals and the use of message combining. Simulation results are provided for implementation alternatives using switches of varying capabilities, in order to compare the effectiveness of different methods. We show that a practical combining switch design, the two-and-a-half-way combining switch, provides performance equivalent to that of other more expensive designs for systems with up to 1024 PEs.<<ETX>>


The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of
banana, Musa spp., (Zingiberales) has worldwide distribution. This study was conducted to detect aphid
species in the banana production regions of Adana, Antalya, and Mersin in Turkey. Aphid samples have
been collected in total of thirty-seven locations. All the samples were identified as P. nigronervosa. Later
on, molecular characterization has been done based on COI and it was recognized that the Turkish
population was close to Florida and some Hawaiian genotypes. Pentalonia nigronervosa was recorded
for the first time in Turkey in this study. Sustainable nature-friendly management tactics for controlling P.
nigronervosa which poses less health threat to human should be developed.


In Sri Lanka the median age, which was 25 in year 1991, is expected to rise to 45 by the year 2041 and half of the population will be over 45 years and vulnerable to osteoporosis. We describe 2 large epidemiological studies done in Sri Lanka. The first one, Galle Prospective Osteoporosis Survey, in its initial phase recruited 350 women randomly from the current voters registers. 42.4% of women in the entire sample and 61.5% in women over 50 years were found to have osteoporosis. The second study was to assess the prevalence of stiffness index with heel ultrasound and calcium intake in a suburban population close to Colombo. We randomised 1250 from electoral register numbers and 986 people consented to participate. Stiffness index start decreasing after the age of 50, which is the average age of age of menopause. In men stiffness decreases after age of 70.


Color has been a defining feature of paintings throughout art history. Despite the great diversity in the use of color between epochs, there are some surprisingly stable and unifying features in chromatic properties across visual artworks. For example, artists' palettes seem to be biased toward the yellow-red range of the spectrum. Here, we assess the impact of a holistic color manipulation (i.e., rotating the color gamut) on aesthetic liking and perceived colorfulness of abstract paintings. We presented 6 versions each of 100 abstract artworks that differed only in the rotational degree of their color gamut within the CIELAB space. Results indicated a very stable preference for the original color compositions-both on a participant level and on an item level. Furthermore, participants perceived original color compositions as more colorful than rotated versions. This effect remained robust even when the exact number of different colors-among other chromatic features-was taken into account in covariate analyses. Thus, it seems that original color compositions are inherently special. Specifically, it seems that the aesthetic appeal of original artworks arises from nontrivial color features, which are characterized by their distribution within the visible spectrum. We assume that the rotation manipulation may change the perception of some colors more strongly than others due to differences in sensitivity of our visual system to these hues. We discuss these findings with respect to category-specific color perception, which may be a potential contender for a neurobiological foundation of the observed effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).


This paper presents modern single switch dc to dc converter modelling and control of a grid connected renewable energy. The system consists of a Photo voltaic cells, a SEPIC DC-DC converter used for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), a three-phase grid converter. A nonlinear control performance of a three-phase inverter is proposed to recompense unstable load currents. It permits whole control of DC bus voltage, while calculating power flow from the PV cells to the system and guarantying objective sinusoidal grid currents at unity Power factor under varying solar irradiation. Moreover, a sliding mode control system for a SEPIC DC-DC converter is used to extract the MPPT. The proposed control techniques have exposed good performance. The system is validated using the "Power system Block set" simulator under different values of the solar irradiation.


Outdoor mobile robotised vehicles currently hold the attention of many researchers because they can bring solutions to many applications related to transport of passengers in urban environments. An example of robotised vehicle is the CyCab (Bom et al., 2005). Transport applications which can combine mono or multi vehicle operating mode are most efficient. For autonomous navigation application, the vehicle needs to know its position accurately (Dissanayake et al. 2001); (Thrun et al. 2001) and if possible on the road network. In this work, we propose to use the digital road map database for the geo-localization of the vehicle. The localization of a vehicle using or in respect to or on a road map is treated by several ways in the last ten years. This relatively recent research theme is known also as the map-matching or road-matching problem. It can be interesting to localize a vehicle using a road map because it can useful to recover the attributes associated with these data bases. Examples of attributes are the width of the road, the presence of landmarks for accurate localization, authorized maximum speed for advanced driver assistance system application etc. Unfortunately, the use of the road map to improve the localization is not a simple task. There are always errors on the estimate of the position and because the map can represents a deformed sight of the world. Outdoor positioning systems often rely on GPS, because of its affordability and convenience. However, GPS suffers from satellite masks occurring in urban environments, under bridges, tunnels or in forests. GPS appears then as an intermittently-available positioning system that needs to be backed up by a dead-reckoning system (Zhao, 1997); (Abbott & Powell, 1999); (EL Najjar & Bonnifait, 2003). In this work, the proposed method of multi-sensors fusion for mono-vehicle localization is based on the use of encoders positioned at the rear wheel of the vehicle. We use these sensors to measure elementary rotations of the wheels and to estimate the displacement of the vehicle. Thus, a deadreckoned estimated pose is obtained by integrating the elementary rotations of the wheels using a differential odometric model. The multisensor fusion of GPS and odometry is performed by a Bayesian Network (BN). Afterwards, we extend the multi-sensor fusion method proposed in this work for monovehicle localization to be used for the localization of several vehicles moving in the same environment. We suppose in this extension that the vehicles evolve in a train configuration. In the literature, we found two ways to make moving a train of vehicles. The first one


Crude protein extracts were subjected to disk electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. The pattern obtained showed a fast and slow series of bands. In the fast series, the eight species of wheat of the Emmer group gave virtually identical eight-band patterns, and the four species of the Timopheevi group gave nearly identical six- or seven-band patterns. The groups consistently differed with respect to four bands. Two of these differences were attributable to the A genome.


Proniosomes gel is semisolid liquid crystal products of nonionic surfactants, which converted into niosomes upon hydration. A proniosome based transdermal drug delivery system of granisetron hydrochloride (GRA HCL) developed by coacervation phase separation method. Formulation optimized by use of 32 full factorial design. Span 60 and cholesterol selected as independent variables, while entrapment efficiency (EE) and flux selected as dependent variables. Proniosomes evaluated for EE, in vitro permeation study, stability study, microscopial examination by photomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis. F5 batch containing 90 mg span 60, and 10 mg cholesterol show maximum entrapment (66.57 ± 0.20%) and flux (7.94 ± 0390 μg/cm2/h). Comparative in vitro drug release study of plain drug solution and drug in proniosomal gel form was carried out for 48 h on guinea pig skin. It was found that cumulative release and flux of proniosomal gel was nearly two times more than drug solution containing same drug concentration.The study demonstrated the effectiveness of proniosomal transdermal patch containing GRA HCL for effective management of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Key words: Factorial design, industry feasible, niosomes, proniosomes, stability, transdermal drug delivery


Functional performance of an electronic system is proportional to the functional throughput rate, which is defined as the product of the function density (gates/cm/sup 2/) and the clock rate. Various chip-to-module assembly methods for high-density substrates can provide a functional throughput rate approaching that of the integrated circuit (IC). Results of a comparative study for the performance of simultaneously switching off-chip drivers in various multichip module (MCM) scenarios are reported for CMOS and emitter-coupled-logic (ECL) technologies. Flip-chip technology can provide up to twelvefold improvement in performance over tab automated bonding (TAB) for a CMOS system, and about sevenfold improvement for an ECL system. However, when the delay in the critical path is dominated by on-chip circuits, speed improvement by MCM becomes negligible. Electrical parasitics of the chip-to-substrate interconnections also create undershoot in the switching signal, which reduces the noise margin. It is concluded that the advantages of high-density multichip packaging, in decreasing order of importance, are density of integration, reduction in the switching noise, shorter off-chip delays, and reduction in power dissipation. >


Background: As delivering care is an inherent part of becoming parents, providing high level care to the child with health problems might be a burden for the caregivers by affecting their physical and mental health. The best way to understand the negative effects of caring process of the children with a chronic disease like asthma is to inquire caregiver burden.
Aim: This review aimed to analyze the effects of caregiver burden of parents who are primarily responsible for the caring of children with asthma.
Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Ovid, Cochrane Library and the Web of Science databases were searched for the studies published between 2000-2015. Key search terms used were "caregiver", "caregiving", "burden", "pediatric asthma", "parent". The quality evaluation of the studies were performed by independent reviewer utilizing Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists'.
Results: Twenty two studies in total were scanned for this reviewed and 81.0% of them had a descriptive design. In 82.3% of them quality of life were measured in order to assess the caregiver burden outcomes. Other measurements to assess the caregiver burden were loss of work day, stress level and asthma management practices.
Conclusion: It is absolutely crucial to determine caregiver burden risks and protective factors since wellness level of caregivers affect the asthma management practices. This review is to emphasise the lack of interventional study results about negative effects of caregiver burden and the factors influencing the burden at childhood asthma even if some studies on caregiver burden and related factors exist. For future studies, researchers should focus on testing some interventions lessening the burden of caregivers and increasing their life-qualities.


OBJECTIVES
To determine the prevalence of proximal contact loss between posterior implant-supported prostheses and the adjacent anterior natural tooth and to identify potential contributing factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty-five consecutive patients, who had received either implant-supported fixed partial denture (FPD) or implant-supported single crown (SC) in the posterior region and were under regular review, were recruited. Interproximal space was assessed by the number of matrix bands that could be placed, and tooth mobility was assessed by Periotest®. A self-reported questionnaire was administered. Effects of various patient and prosthesis parameters on interproximal space were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test or Mann-Whitney U test. Correlations were tested by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Differences were considered significant if P < 0.05.

RESULTS
Forty-three of 66 (65%) prostheses showed proximal contact loss. Frequent food packing was reported in 40% of the prostheses. The mean interproximal space was 167 (SD = 125) μm, and it was positively correlated with patients' age (P = 0.031) and time since prostheses delivery (P = 0.002). The interproximal space in the FPD group was significantly larger than the SC group (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION
Proximal contact loss is not uncommon in posterior implant-supported prostheses. In this study, age of the patient, prosthesis type and time since delivery of prosthesis were found to be contributing factors.


This study carried on 30 cases with alveolitis. The patients were divided into 3 different treatment groups each consisting of 10 individuals. The pre-and post-treatment clinical (pain, mouth odor and lymphadenopathy) microbiologic and histopathologic findings were statistically compared in 3 groups. As a result of our findings we concluded that the quickest and most efficient method in alveolitis treatment is irrigation with rivanol solution following curettage of the inflamed area and oral antibiotic (ornidazol) therapy.


Porous β-TCP/HA biphasic bioceramics were sintered by a microwave processing system to improve both the mechanical strength and the bioactivity. Through the optimization of sintering conditions, such as the sintering temperature, the holding time and the heating speed, porous bioceramics with average crystal size of 400 nm, porosity of 48%, and tensile strength of 1.10MPa were prepared. To achieve similar linear shrinkage and tensile strength, the microwave sintering temperature reduced about 100℃. The comparison between conventional sintered specimens and microwave sintered specimens showed that the latter exhibit smaller grain size and higher tensile strength. After immersion in simulated body fluid, the amount of bone-like apatite formed on the specimens sintered by microwave processing system was more than that of specimens sintered by conventional furnace. The results indicate that it is possible to improve both the mechanical strength and bioactivity of Ca-P bioceramics by microwave sintering.


The relative questions to the impacts of human activities in the environment are becoming increasingly present inworld population's life, by receiving great attention from various segments of society in recent years. All industrialsectors are pressured to achieveits activities in harmony with the environment. The gasstations, exercising potentially polluting activities, because ofstored and sold products, as well as effluents, emissions and generated residues, must conduct its activities according to standards and laws to ensure the minimization of risks to the environment, safety and health of employees and neighboring community. In this sense, the focus of this paper is to present, based on a case study, what the environmental management measures adopted at a gas station located in the Sao Paulo State, Brazilto control environmental impacts generated by its activities, as well as adapt to environmental regulations. It was chosen only a single case study because of the possibility of obtaining more detailed information of the subject and studied organization.


If we conceive of language as social practice, and language change as natural and continuous (Aitchison, 2001), we also need to consider how best to teach a language such as English, used locally and globally for lingua franca purposes. An ELF perspective on pedagogy necessitates a better understanding by teachers and learners of inherent language variability and diversity (Jenkins et al., 2011). This suggests a greater focus on process than product, involving central roles for accommodation strategies, intercultural and pragmatic competence, flexibility and tolerance of variation. These conceptions should be reflected within ELT teacher education programmes, moving beyond the 'native'/'non-native' distinction, traditional notions of speech community, proficiency and method towards a model based on principles of multilingualism and "meta-cultural competence" (Sharifian, 2009), reflecting these new sociolinguistic and pedagogical realities.
Redefinition of "effective pedagogy" (James and Pollard, 2011) and the 'ideal' language teacher embraces multicompetence (V. Cook, 2002) and an understanding of 'ELF-aware teaching' relevant for a 'post-native' era. Therefore, the education of such teachers must also be reimagined, as a seed bed for future change in practice. If preparing their students to be ELF users in a wide range of fluid communicative contexts (Alptekin, 2010), how should teachers themselves be prepared? This chapter reviews these issues and presents proposals for change, drawing on a recent study of teachers who have taught and received part of their professional training in the UK. These individuals have 'crossed borders', and represent many aspects of a redefined paradigm for ELT, though they also express paradoxes and uncertainties in their own positions regarding linguistic and pedagogical goals. They are successful L2 users, role models for learners, and form the next generation of practitioners and teacher educators. The long-term future of 'effective ELF pedagogy' rests with them, and it is the responsibility of current teacher educators and researchers to inspire them and this evolution in attitudes and practice.


This study was designed to examine Ghanaian teachers' knowledge and usage of the flipped classroom instructional strategy. A survey of 109 teachers who pursued a master's degree in education during the 2018/2019 academic year was used for the study. The instrument used for collecting data was a structured questionnaire. The result of the study was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages) and inferential statistics (T-test). The results established that majority of the teachers acknowledged the importance of student-centred instructional strategy like the flipped classroom approach, however, majority of these teachers were of the view that they have not experienced or been introduced to this instructional strategy. It was, therefore, not surprising that most of the teachers attested to the fact that they are not using the flipped classroom instructional strategy. The results from the study also revealed that there was no significant difference between school type (public and private) and teachers' knowledge and usage of the flipped classroom instructional strategy. The results from the study attest to the fact that the flipped classroom instructional strategy has not been conceptualised into the Ghanaian classroom. The researchers, therefore, recommend that there is the need for professional development training for teachers on the use of the flipped classroom instructional strategy and sensitisation workshop for students on the use of the flipped classroom instructional strategy and its relevance.


This paper is concerned with the speed tracking control problem for a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) in the presence of an unknown load torque disturbance. After a brief review of the mathematical model of the PMSM, a speed tracking control law using the exact linearization methodology is introduced. The tracking control algorithm is completed by adding an extended observer which provides, on the one hand, the motor speed and acceleration and, on the other hand, estimates the unknown load torque. The stability of the closed-loop system composed of a nonlinear speed tracking controller and an observer is studied by the way of Lyapunov theory. Furthermore, the decoupling of the state observer and the load torque observer is discussed. Finally, a real-time implementation and the experimental results of the proposed control strategy are presented.


The objective of this study is to implement accent reduction software in English pronunciation teaching. This study employed an experimental approach. There were forty students recruited from the English and Arabic departments. The students were split into two classes, with one class being treated as an experimental class and another class as a controlled class. Each class consisted of twenty students, ten English department students, and the other ten Arabic department students. We administered an experimental class with twelve meeting treatments using the Elsa accent reduction software to teach English pronunciation. Meanwhile, the controlled class was not given any treatments.  The results show that there was a significant difference between the result of the pre-test and post-test of the students' pronunciations that were taught with the accent reduction software. It was found that the mean score of the experimental class was significantly improved from 53.12 to 85.44 after they were given the treatment. Meanwhile, the control group's mean score was also improved, but it was not significant from 49.33 to 59.11. Our study highlighted that the use of accent reduction software in teaching English pronunciations could help students to improve their English pronunciations. The students were able to imitate an English sound from the software. The limitation of this study is that we did not compare the results of English and Arabic students' ability in pronunciations after the use of the software. Future studies are recommended to compare pronunciations between English and Arabic students through the use of the software to understand language background might affect the treatment.


ABSTRACT Corruption is a social disease and parasite that harms a nation's life aspects when it is practiced continuously in a big scale. Nowadays corruption can be classified into two points of view. First view states that corruption is from the individual of the corruptor. Second view, according to some experts, states that corruption is a social practice within a system. Since corruption cases in Indonesia are getting more massive, it is necessary to study the factors which cause corruption within the criminal psychological perspective. Corruption eradication can be carried out by the policy of the Penal Law; namely Penal and Non-penal policies. The objective of the research is to find out the legal administration, the factors which lead to corruption and penal law policy. The research applies judicial normative method which is grounded on library research to obtain materials related to the research problems. The instruments used to collect the data are library study and interview. Based on the results, the formulation of the Law on corruption has evolved substantially. The changes are seen from how the law makers put the regulations into a particular form of regulation. The Law on Corruption/ 1999 has set criminal weighing such as death penalty, particular minimum criminal sanction, higher fine, and more actions classified into corruption. Viewed from the criminal psychological perspective, the factors which cause corruption are derived from within the corruptor's self; they are greedy and rapacious, and caused by basic human values such as hedonism, achievement as well as conformity. The strategy to eradicate corruption is by establishing Penal and Non penal policies. Penal policy is carried out by means of law enforcement i.e. involve the accused/defendant of corruption to reveal a case. Their participation is known as the Justice Collaborator and Whistle Blower. It is stipulated in the Circular Letter of the Supreme Court No.4/2011. Then, it can also be carried out by impoverishing the corruptor which has been enabled by the prevailing regulations; namely, the Article 18 of the Law on Corruption. Next, non-penal policy can be made by empowering the moral integrity of the law enforcers to enforce the law on corruption, namely empowering the welfare system or establishing political and economic risk system, and disseminate the understanding of corruption to the bureaucrats in either executive or legislative institutions, the law enforcers and all levels of the society. Keywords: Corruption, Psychology, Criminology.


In this paper we derive a stage-structured model for a single species on a finite one-dimensional lattice. There is no migration into or from the lattice. The resulting system of equations, to be solved for the total adult population on each patch, is a system of delay equations involving the maturation delay for the species, and the delay term is nonlocal involving the population on all patches. We prove that the model has a positivity preserving property. The main theorems of the paper are comparison principles for the cases when the birth function is increasing and when the birth function is a nonmonotone function. Using these theorems we prove results on the global stability of a positive equilibrium.


Neurology® recognizes the contributions of neurologists and neuroscientists who have contributed to the field. However, individuals from outside our profession sometimes make immense and enduring contributions. These individuals can be activists or actors, patients or philanthropists, or in this case, a microbiologist and a member of Congress.


The city of Santiago (Chile) shows signifi cant differences in the distribution of air temperatures within the city due to a set of explanatory factors, such as increased proportions of impermeable surfaces and a reduction in vegetation. This has in turn generated heat islands, which are accentuated and generalized in the summer nights, creating a complex and heterogeneous mosaic of urban landscapes that affect the environment and quality of life of its inhabitants. Based on networks of urban-climate information that link data from fi xed stations, mobile transects and thermal satellite imagery, we estimate signifi cant spatial relationships that have allowed us to construct maps that help to explain the temporal and spatial variability of atmospheric temperatures, and thus to suggest measures for mitigating and adapting to the phenomena at both the macro- and meso-scale.


A review on the new development of chemiluminescence (CL) detection for liquid chromatography (LC) is presented. It covers CL detection systems (including luminol, peroxyoxalates, and other chemiluminescence reactions) combined with LC, the design of CL detectors, analytical methods for many kinds of inorganic, organic and biologic samples, applications and the trends of LC-CL in environmental, biomedical, life science and pharmaceutical analysis.


We study the semi-holographic idea in the context of decaying dark components. The energy flow between dark energy and the compensating dark matter is thermodynamically generalized to involve a particle number variable dark component with non-zero chemical potential. It is found that, unlike the original semi-holographic model, no cosmological constant is needed for a dynamical evolution of the universe. A transient phantom phase appears while a non-trivial dark energy-dark matter scaling solution stays at a later time, which evades the big-rip and helps to resolve the coincidence problem. For reasonable parameters, the deceleration parameter is well consistent with current observations. The original semi-holographic model is extended and it also suggests that the concordance model may be reconstructed from the semi-holographic idea.