In this paper we describes what is micro vertical axis wind turbine and its importance in energy production. This paper describes briefly the design consideration of vertical axis wind turbine with the aim to start or work in very low speed of wind. The model has been develop and fabricated in this project. The aim is to make micro axis wind turbine which can be installed at rural areas where electricity crises is the main problem. The effort has been taken to design the VAWT which can work at very low wind speed of 2 m/s.


Rice panicles with symptoms of bacterial grain rot, i.e. grain abortion, discoloration of the hull and grain, were observed and collected in rice-growing fields of Suncheon-si (Republic of Korea) in September 2015. The lemma and the palea were disassembled from the discolored grains, the insides were rubbed and streaked onto King's medium B agar plates to ob- tain single colonies (Noh et al ., 2012). A PCR-based screening for Burkholderia plantarii was conducted for 66 isolates (Maeda et al ., 2006), and two isolates, GRBB 15061 (KACC 18964) and GRBB 15061-1 (KACC 18965) were selected. To confirm the identity of B . plantarii , 16S rRNA gene and two phylogenetic marker genes, rpoD and gyrB , were sequenced and subjected to a BLASTn analysis (Maeda et al ., 2006; Yamamoto et al ., 2000). The BLASTn results for the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the isolates GRBB 15061 and GRBB 15061-1 (GenBank accession Nos. KX638437 and KX638434, respectively) showed 100% homology with B . plantarii type strain (AB682220.1). The rpoD and gyrB gene sequences of the isolates GRBB 15061 and GRBB 15061-1 (KX638443 and KX638441 for rpoD ; KX638428 and KX638431 for gyrB , respectively) showed 99.8% homology (AB190755.1) and 100% homology (AB190645.1) with B . planta- rii type strain. For pathogenicity tests, each isolate of B . plantarii was inoculated into the stem by syringe at the tillering stage and onto the panicle by spraying at the heading stage separately; the inoculated rice stem developed sheath rot and the inoculated panicle developed grain rot. B . plantarii was re-isolated from the symptoms and re-identified, thus satisfying Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the bacterial grain rot of rice caused by B . plantarii in the Republic of Korea.


Enthalpy-humidity charts for a gas-vapour mixture still provide a fast easy tool for use in process calculations in drying, solvent recovery and related processes. They have to be individually constructed for each new system encountered. the computer graphplotting method provides a fast and reliable way of enthalpy-humidity chart production. Theoretical principles of computerized i-Y chart plotting are provided. Exemplary chart for systems of nitrogen and benzene, n-heptane, and cyclohexane are given.


The ages of globular clusters (GCs) and post-turnoff field stars in the Galactic halo are derived using new stellar evolutionary models that explicitly take into account the observed abundances of the α-elements. Whereas the distances of the field subgiants considered in this study are based on Hipparcos parallax measurements, theoretical zero-age horizontal-branch (ZAHB) loci have been used to set the GC distance scale. (As reported in Paper I, the latter imply RR Lyrae luminosities that are within 0.1-0.15 mag, on the high side, of those found for field variables from Baade-Wesselink, trignometic parallax, and statistical parallax studies.) Both the field and cluster observations indicate that the most metal-deficient stars are ≳14 Gyr old while those with [Fe/H] ≲-1.3 are 2-3 Gyr younger. Unless the O/Fe (or, more generally, the α/Fe) number abundance ratio rises quite steeply with decreasing [Fe/H], it seems unlikely that a significant age-metallicity relation can be avoided. Using what is effectively the ΔV method of determining relative cluster ages, we find that the dispersion in age at any [Fe/H] less than ≈-1.0 is small (≲10%-15%). Even Arp 2 and IC 4499, which had been previously categorized as "young GCs," probably have near-normal ages for their metallicities—though a more definitive conclusion must await improved photometry for these systems. Ruprecht 106 appears no more than 1-1.5 Gyr younger than M3, as opposed to the ∼4 Gyr age difference that others have found. However, Palomar 12 and Terzan 7 are undoubtedly young, and they provide strong evidence that, at [Fe/H] ≳-1.0, the ages of GCs differ by as much as 4 Gyr (or ∼25%). (A much larger sample of metal-rich clusters must be studied to ascertain whether the distribution of ages at higher metallicities is broad or narrow: Pal 12 and Ter 7 could well be atypical and represent the tail of a distribution that is strongly peaked near 12 Gyr.) Importantly, for the best-observed systems, there is no obvious conflict between the relative age estimates based on the ΔV method, on the one hand, and the Δ(B-V)TO,RGB technique, on the other. However, there are some exceptions, like M68, M53, M13, and NGC 288 for which the two approaches give slightly different results, indicating that something in addition to, or besides, age must be playing a role. From isochrone/ZAHB fits to the C-M diagrams (CMDs) of the outer-halo GCs Pal 3, Pal 4, and Eridanus, we conclude that there is no more than a small dependence of age on Galactocentric distance. Pal 4 seems to have very close to the same age as NGC 362, NGC 1261, and NGC 1851, while Eridanus and Pal 3 appear to be ≲1 Gyr younger than most inner-halo systems of the same metallicity. Unless our understanding of the HB phase of evolution is seriously in error, cluster-to-cluster age differences (at a given metallicity) are much too small for age to be the most important of the possible second parameters in determining the morphology of the horizontal branch (the first parameter being [Fe/H]). Finally, we suggest that the GC distance scale as inferred from studies of nearby RR Lyraes is not necessarily in conflict with that based on local subdwarfs. A reconciliation of the two approaches is possible simply by adopting a particular metallicity scale for the globular clusters—one that is much closer to the Zinn-West scale than to that recently proposed by Carretta & Gratton. Indeed, such a simple way of achieving consistency between subdwarf-based distances and those inferred from RR Lyraes seems compelling. If this suggestion is correct, then the "long" distance scale and low estimates of GC ages are not tenable. In fact, the adoption of the "short" distance scale, implying ages ≳15 Gyr for the most metal-poor GCs (and ≲18.30 for the true distance modulus of the Large Magellanic Cloud), leads to much improved agreement between synthetic and observed CMDs in the vicinity of the turnoff. It does cause a mismatch between predicted and observed HB luminosities, in the sense that the models are too bright by ∼0.1-0.15 mag, but this may simply be an indication that current conductive opacities or the assumed chemical abundance parameters (Y, [O/Fe], and/or [α/Fe]) are not quite right.


Determining local magnitude (M_L) in a manner that is uniform and internally consistent for earthquakes throughout California and the vicinity is an important component of the California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN). We present a new local magnitude attenuation function and corresponding station adjustments that are valid throughout California. The new attenuation function is an analytic function of the radial hypocentral distance between 1 and 500 km. Associated station adjustments are also available for 1185 horizontal seismometer and accelerometer channels from five seismic networks operating in California. The new attenuation function and adjustments provide several advantages to CISN. They allow a more robust M_L computation, the M_Ls are more consistent between northern and southern California than they have been in the past, and because adjustments are now available for more station-network-channel-location codes (SNCLs), M_Ls can be computed for small earthquakes in more locations than was previously possible. In addition to describing our method for calibrating the new CISN M_L, we also present a tool for adding adjustments for new or upgraded stations.


1. The inhibitory effect of sufotidine, a new histamine H2-receptor antagonist, on gastric secretion of acid and pepsin was studied in six healthy male volunteers. This was a three-way, cross-over, randomized, double-blind study. On each of 3 study days, the drug in a dose of 600 mg, or placebo, was administered either once or twice daily at 08.00 and 20.00 h. 2. The morning dose of sufotidine maintained intragastric pH above 3 until 18.00 h. Twice daily sufotidine maintained the pH above 3 throughout the 24 h. The median 24 h concentration of acid was significantly reduced from 86.9 mmol l-1 after placebo to 22.8 mmol l-1 and 4.9 mmol l-1 following the morning only or twice daily dose of sufotidine, respectively. Mean night-time output of acid was reduced by 81% after the morning dose of sufotidine and by 97% following treatment with sufotidine twice daily. 3. We conclude that sufotidine, in the doses studied, markedly inhibits gastric secretion and may therefore prove useful in the treatment of peptic ulceration and oesophagitis.


Background
Gastric adenomatous proximal polyposis syndrome (GAPPS) is a recently described, rare, autosomal dominant condition characterized by the extensive involvement of the proximal stomach with hundreds of heterogeneous fundic gland polyps with antral and duodenal sparing. GAPPS is caused by a point mutation of the APC gene promoter 1B and is associated with a risk of malignant transformation, distant metastasis, and death. There are no surveillance, screening, or treatment guidelines for managing GAPPS. The few reported cases have been variably managed with endoscopic surveillance or prophylactic gastrectomy. However, there is no consensus on the optimal management approach.

Summary
In this case series, we review the relevant literature on GAPPS and present two siblings who underwent early prophylactic total gastrectomies with good outcomes.

Conclusion
Due to the poor correlation between the endoscopic findings on sampled polyps and the risk of harboring invasive gastric cancer, patients with GAPPS should be strongly considered for early prophylactic total gastrectomies in the absence of prohibitive comorbidities.


BACKGROUND
Acute myeloid leukemia is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells with a reduced capacity to differentiate into mature cells. CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR4) and its ligand stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) are important players involved in cross-talk between leukemia cells and the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The aim to study the association between the immunohistochemical CXCR4 expression and the clinical outcome of AML in adult Egyptian patients.

METHODS
Fifty-eight patients suffering from AML were recruited for this study, with an age range from 18 to 60 years and presenting from January 2013 to March 2017. All patients were subjected to complete blood count, BM aspiration, immunophenotyping, BM trephine biopsy, immunohistochemical staining with CXCR4 McAb and cytogenetics when feasible.

RESULTS
CXCR4 was widely expressed (55.2%) among the studied patients. There was a significant relationship between CXCR4 and patients' outcomes. Fifteen (71.4%) patients who died were CXCR4 positive. The estimated mean time until death among CXCR4 negative cases was 37.6 ± 4.04 months which was longer than that of CXCR4 positive cases who had mean of 20.04 ± 4.9 months p = 0.016. The risk for death among CXCR4 positive cases was higher than CXCR4 negative cases with hazard ratio (HR) = 2.147 (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that CXCR4 was expressed in a subset of AML patients and was associated with poor prognosis. CXCR4 expression appears to be an independent prognostic factor for survival in a heterogeneous group of AML patients.


Over the years the electric power system has seen an exponential growth in terms of size and technology. A similar growth and development has taken place in the terms of probabilistic applications used to analyze the power systems. A literature survey was done to analyze the existing widely used test systems; IEEE RTS and RBTS [5]. Conclusions were drawn towards how these test systems could be updated or modified to be sufficient with respect to the modern power systems "Smart Grid". Extensions to Bus-2 distribution system of RBTS have been proposed to include the integration of Electric Vehicles into the distribution system. A sample study investigating the effect of Vehicle to Grid supply on the Energy Not Supplied in the system has been carried out; the results for the same have been presented. The aim of the work is to be able to provide a test system with electric vehicles for probabilistic reliability applications.


IntroductionMore than 20 years have passed since the signing of the Geneva Agreed Framework between the U.S. and the DPRK. Since the October 1994 agreement, the U.S.- DPRK relationship has at times seemed to improve and at other times rapidly deteriorated. The international community is no closer today to resolving the nuclear issue than it was during the early 1990s, and many observers believe North Korea will never completely abandon its nuclear ambitions.1Yet two decades ago, in the face of overwhelming odds, an incongruous marriage was formed between the U.S. and the DPRK. The Agreed Framework itself is remarkable, given the long-standing mutual enmity and distrust between the U.S. and the DPRK. The Korean nuclear crisis situation in the early 1990s could have developed into a military conflict on the Korean peninsula.2 However, the Agreed Framework provided a diplomatic solution, which temporarily diffused the tension between the U.S. and the DPRK and averted further escalation of the North Korean nuclear crisis. The U.S. elected to implement positive economic sanctions-a package of goods- in exchange for a promise by the DPRK to end its nuclear program. This controversial U.S. decision contradicted the prevailing U.S. foreign policy preference, which favored negative economic sanctions and/or military action when dealing with the nuclear weapons ambitions of rogue nations.Since the Agreed Framework, many scholars have tried to explain the North Korean nuclear issue.3 While many articles describe the agreement's technical aspects and procedures, most of them have not provided a theoretical basis that explains why and how the agreement was reached.4 While a few studies even define North Korea as an irrational state and its nuclear program as terror and coercive diplomacies, North Korea's pursuit of its nuclear program was a rational choice given its domestic and international conditions.5 To understand why and how the U.S. and the DPRK first reached the agreement and then failed to maintain it, research should focus on the DPRK's rational decisions given its domestic and environmental conditions.This paper attempts to provide a theoretical basis for not only the initial success, but also the ultimate failure of the Agreed Framework. The U.S. and the DPRK were bargaining during a conflict situation in the early 1990s. In a bilateral bargaining situation, the ability of one participant to achieve its goals depends, in large part, on the decisions of the other participant.6 Negotiators also had limited choices given their expectations of the other's reaction. While the U.S. could enforce economic sanctions or militarily attack North Korea, these choices could be less beneficial given the United States' expectation of North Korea's reaction. While the DPRK could ignore U.S. demands and continue its nuclear development, the choice could be less favorable given the DPRK's expectation of the United States' reaction. While the Agreed Framework was less than perfect, the agreement was beneficial to both nations as long as neither defected from the agreement.Given the long adversarial relationship between the U.S. and DPRK, it was uncertain whether both countries would continuously and credibly commit to the agreement. To make the commitment "credible," in terms of transaction cost economics, both nations imposed direct and indirect "self-enforcing" restrictions to the agreement-a set of rules and conditions-that could devise "mutual reliance relations" and thus protect the agreement from potential expropriation by the other party.7 By making these credible commitments, the U.S. and the DPRK reached the mutually beneficial Geneva Agreed Framework in 1994.Still, the Agreed Framework failed to achieve its ultimate goal of mutual dependence because of major delays in implementation and lack of negative enforcement mechanisms (against defection from the agreement). Despite its ultimate failure, the Geneva Agreed Framework was the first agreement between the U. …


Immunohistochemical localization of tyrosinase was examined with a monoclonal antibody (MoAb MAT-1) against human tyrosinase on routine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of 3 normal skin specimens, 15 melanocytic tumors (6 pigmented nevi, 3 juvenile melanomas and 6 malignant melanomas) and 3 non-melanocytic tumors. In the melanotic melanomas, almost all tumor cells were clearly stained with the antibody. In the nevocytic nevi, the nevus cells in lower epidermis and upper dermis were positive for MoAb MAT-1, but negative in middle and lower dermis. All three juvenile melanomas, one amelanotic melanoma, and three non-melanocytic tumors were entirely negative for MoAb MAT-1. Thus, MoAb MAT-1 could recognize the cells with melanogenic activity on routine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. However, the staining quality was not adequate for normal epidermal melanocytes, indicating that small technical innovations in the immunostaining process such as formalin fixation after PBS washing are required. Nevertheless, MoAb MAT-1 can be expected to be very useful for identifying melanogenic cells on paraffin-embedded sections, because we have to date no other antibody available for it.


The theme of the work described in this thesis is the generation and application of liquid microenvironments in chemistry and bioscience using microfluidic devices. First, a computer controlled multi-stage dilution system to generate time-dependent chemical waves was developed, and its application was demonstrated on model biomembranes. Thereafter the focus was shifted towards spatial control of chemistry. Using a hydrodynamic flow confinement concept in an open liquid volume, we created a device coined "Multifunctional Pipette". It features localized liquid handling at the single-cell size scale together with fast solution exchange. The technology has been refined and optimized to provide a feature-rich tool for biologists working with cells and tissues in microscopy experiments. Application examples include cell zeiosis, single-cell dose-response determination and ion-channel stimulation. Subsequent studies cover modifications and applications of this device, such as on-chip electrodes and electroporation, as well as uses in cell cultures, on tissue slices, and as an optofluidic thermometer. Finally, localized liquid handling has been applied to assemble 2-dimensional fluidic networks consisting of directly written supported lipid bilayers. This "Lab on a Membrane" toolbox allows rapid prototyping of 2D-fluidic circuits, to modify their chemistry and connectivity on-demand and to apply them in studies of molecular interactions.


Chinese herbal medicines containing extracts from Aristolochia plants might be responsible for the high incidence of urinary tract cancer in Taiwan, a study has suggested.

It adds to growing evidence that herbal preparations using Aristolochia (now banned in Europe) are extremely dangerous and, given the lifelong persistence of the DNA damage they cause, have created "an international public health problem of considerable magnitude," say the authors of the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (doi/10.1073/pnas.1119920109).

In Taiwan there is a remarkably high incidence of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUC), a condition diagnosed four times more often than it was in the early 1980s. Incidence, at nearly four cases per 10 000 people by 2007, is four times higher than in the US, where …


This study compared regional and global left ventricular function of a population of patients with a stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and a control population in a prospective 18 months protocol. The 25 patients in the LAD group, 21 men and 4 women (55 +/- 9 years), had a pure and isolated stenosis of the LAD artery (70 +/- 8%) without infarction with normal global systolic function. The 12 patients in the control group strictly no cardiovascular disease after extensive investigation. Cardiac catheterisation was carried out in the conventional manner under the same conditions in both groups, after withdrawal of all medication. Regional wall motion was studied on 30 degrees right anterior oblique selective left ventriculography by a technique derived from Ingel's method using every frame of a cycle in terms of amplitude, velocity and time of segmental shortening and lengthening. The patients in the LAD group had normal cardiac function and no hypo or akinesia. The principal characteristic was the finding of anterior wall asynergy which was significantly different from the uneven contraction common in control subjects. This asynergy is observed from the end of systole to early diastole and features: early termination of anterior wall contraction (normalised contraction time: 86 +/- 13% vs 97 +/- 4% in the control group; p less than 0.02; and 90% in the inferior zone, NS, compared with the control group and p less than 0.05 compared with the anterior wall); dephased velocities of segmental shortening at the end of ejection (positive velocities in the inferior zones 0.17 +/- 1.7 circ/sec and negative velocities in the anterior zones, -0.34 +/- 2.2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1. A powerful hydrogen bonding agent such as urea may affect staining in several ways: ( a ) by competing for hydrogen bonding sites in the tissue or on the dye particle, it may inhibit staining in which the dye-substrate link is a hydrogen bond; ( b ) because it is a dipole, urea may have some affinity for charged sites in the tissue, and thus tend to reduce electrostatic staining; ( c ) urea may in some cases decrease staining by increasing the solubility of the dye; ( d ) by inhibiting association of dye particles in solution, where this is due to hydrogen bonding, urea may sometimes facilitate penetration and staining of dense substrates. 2. Sodium chloride may inhibit staining due to electrostatic forces by ionic competition, but may also decrease staining in some cases by aggregating and precipitating the dye. 3. Prolonged exposure to hot acidic methanol may not only block acidic groups, but also block or destroy non-acidic groups, including the 1,2-glycol group. 4. Urea inhibits the staining of all substrates by Best9s carmine. The staining of glycogen is inhibited also by methylation and by periodic acid, but not by deamination or sodium chloride. Staining of mucin and nuclei is inhibited by methylation and deamination, while that of mucin is also inhibited by periodic acid and sodium chloride. It is suggested that the staining of glycogen and mucin by Best9s carmine is by hydrogen bonding on to 1, 2-glycol groups, the attachment requiring in the case of mucin stabilization by an ionic linkage with some strongly basic group. The staining of nuclei may also be by hydrogen bonding, on to an unknown group. 5. The staining of elastic fibres by aldehyde-fuchsin, resorcin-fuchsin, orcein, chlorazol black E, and luxol fast blue is inhibited by urea. This is consistent with the role of hydrogen bonding in elastic staining suggested by previous workers. 6. The staining of mast-cell granules and cartilage capsules by aldehyde-fuchsin is inhibited by salt, while that of elastic fibres and interstitial matrix is inhibited by urea. It is suggested that aldehyde-fuchsin contains: ( a ) large dye cations which selectively stain negatively charged substrates of high permeability, such as mast-cell granules and cartilage capsules, and ( b ) smaller dye particles which stain elastic fibres and the dense interstitial cartilage matrix, by hydrogen bonding. 7. Sodium chloride inhibits the staining of mast-cell granules and cartilage matrix by orcein, but not that of nuclei or elastic fibres. In the presence of urea, dilute orcein stains nuclei selectively, apparently by electrostatic attraction reinforced by a linkage of unknown nature. 8. Urea and phthalate both decrease the staining of mucin by a number of basic dyes, but increase the staining of certain substrates, especially by alcian blue. It is suggested that both substances inhibit staining in which hydrogen bonding is important, and increase the staining of dense substrates by large-particled dyes by inhibiting aggregation of the dye particles and thus facilitating penetration.


MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have drawn enormous attention owing to their significant roles in various biological processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of human diseases. Therefore, predicting miRNA–disease associations is a pivotal task for the early diagnosis and better understanding of disease pathogenesis. To date, numerous computational frameworks have been proposed to identify potential miRNA–disease associations without escalating the costs and time required for clinical experiments. In this regard, I propose a novel computational framework (MDMF) for identifying potential miRNA–disease associations using matrix factorization with a disease similarity constraint. To evaluate the performance of MDMF, I calculated the area under the ROC curve (AUCs) in the framework of global and local leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). In conclusion, MDMF achieved reliable AUC values of 0.9147 and 0.8905 for global and local LOOCV, respectively, which was a significant improvement upon the previous methods. Additionally, case studies were conducted on two major human cancers (breast cancer and lung cancer) to validate the effectiveness of MDMF. Comprehensive experimental results demonstrate that MDMF not only discovers miRNA–disease associations efficiently but also deciphers the underlying roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of diseases at a system level.


Introduction: The effect of once-weekly (OW) subcutaneous semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog for the treatment of T2D, has been examined in GLP-1-naive patients only. Here, we examined glycemic control and weight management in GLP-1-experienced patients switching from another GLP-1 to semaglutide in a real-world setting, using U.S. prescription data. Methods: Adults (≥18 years old) with T2D were identified in the Explorys (IBM Watson Health) U.S. electronic medical records database (data cut-off 12/5/19). Included patients had ≥1 prescription for semaglutide (index/switch date), a prescription for any other GLP-1 (baseline) in the previous year, and separate HbA1c/weight measurements at 6 or 12 months post-index and in the 90-day pre-index period. Results: Patients with valid HbA1c (N=365) and weight (N=480) data had similar baseline characteristics. Both the full 6-month cohorts and subgroups with 12-month data had significant HbA1c and weight reductions (Figure). Significant HbA1c improvement at 6 months was sustained at 12 months, whereas weight loss was more pronounced with longer follow-up. HbA1c and weight changes were independent of previous GLP-1 used (p>0.05 between GLP-1s). Conclusions: Switching to OW semaglutide from another GLP-1 was associated with significant HbA1c and weight reductions in routine clinical practice, independent of previous GLP-1 used. Disclosure I. Lingvay: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Intarcia Therapeutics, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MannKind Corporation, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi, TARGET PharmaSolutions, Valeritas, Inc. Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. A. Kirk: Employee; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. S. Lophaven: Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. M.L. Wolden: Employee; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. J.H. Shubrook: Advisory Panel; Self; Bayer U.S., Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi US. Funding Novo Nordisk A/S


In the world of business, new ideas and energy are needed constantly—in many ways and at varying times—to ensure success. This book contains 100 insightful and useful business ideas that will help you succeed. Written in a stimulating and flexible way, 100 Great Business Ideas contains ideas with proven power and potency that actually work. The ideas are varied, interesting, and thought-provoking, and some of the best ideas used in business. Some are simple—sometimes almost embarrassingly so—while others are based on detailed research and brilliant intellect. If you have a restless desire and the energy to do well and stay ahead of the competition and a willingness to experiment and take a risk, this book will inspire you to find out more or develop your thinking along new, creative lines, generating brilliant ideas for the future.


Robotic walking aids can provide significant support for elderly users with mobility constraints. Automatic guidance systems help to lead a user to a specific target safely. In order to ensure good support for the user, the robotic walker should adapt to the motion of the user while at the same time not losing the target out of sight. Even though some of the existing active robotic walkers are able to guide their user to a target, during guidance, the input of the user is not considered sufficiently. Therefore, a new guidance system for robotic walkers has been developed. It is able to lead the walking aid user to a given target but at the same time considers his inputs and adapts the path respectively. The guidance system has been implemented and tested on the mobile robot assistant Care-O-bot II. A field test was done in an old people's residence proving the correct function and usefulness of the guidance system.


Urban re-orientation on feeding the city in a city-region context has encouraged local policies to spur urban agriculture by stimulating bottom-up citizen participation in urban food production. However, in real life, tensions occur between policies and practices. The misalignment of policy goals with planning instruments and the needs of practitioners in urban agriculture hampers the development of substantial urban food production. This paper introduces Oosterwold, a new peri-urban area of the Dutch city of Almere that pivots urban agriculture. Oosterwold is a unique experiment in which a top-down policy goal – producing 10% of the future urban food needs – is handed over to the self-organisation of new residents, who are bound by the rule to allocate 51% of their plot to urban agriculture. This study deploys a social practice theory–informed analysis to appraise the performance in urban agriculture. Novel in our methodology – combining an online survey ( n=111) with an analysis of aerial photos ( n=199) – we unpack the unruly nature in which urban policy and planning are shaping up through bottom-up citizen participation. Our study demonstrates that (i) it takes time for residents to adopt urban agriculture as a substantial practice in their heterogeneous lifestyle and (ii) that a focus on bottom-up approaches, such as Oosterwold residents' self-organisation, does not imply laissez faire from planning and policy. It is inferred that a balance in policy goals, planning instruments, and the needs of the practitioners requires a shared vision and builds on supportive conditions.


A new method is proposed for checking the equivalence of two irredundant logic implementations of a combinational Boolean function. The procedure consists of generation of complete checkpoint fault test sets for both circuits. The two test sets are concatenated and both circuits are simulated to obtain the response to the combined test set. If the responses of the two circuits match for all vectors, then they are declared to be equivalent. We examine a case where this heuristic fails. In such cases, the use of fault simulation is shown to discover non-equivalence even when the two circuits produce the same output. We prove that if the two circuits were different, then some faults on the primary inputs of a composite equivalence checking circuit must be detectable. Using the simulation of single stuck-at faults at the primary inputs of that circuit, the new heuristic recommends the use of a vector set in which the Hamming distance between any two vectors does not exceed 3.


Abstract The heating and cooling of buildings with large-scale ceiling systems nowadays is widely used in traditional as well as in new, low-energy buildings. This type of system is being employed in a building of the Civil Engineering Faculty (FCE), Slovak Technical University, in Bratislava. The building's refurbishment in 2010 included the complete replacement of the building's envelope. The replacement is a lightweight facade with a high percentage of transparent construction. Due to the differences between the type of envelope and the heating system, the operation of the heating system frequently causes thermal discomfort, especially during warm spring or autumn days. The aim of the measurements was to evaluate the control of the operation of the heating output, the appropriateness of the location of sensors measuring the outdoor temperature and possible improvement of the current control system to improve the heating system's quality.


Abstract In the clinical/microbiological laboratory there are currently several ways of separating specific cells from a fluid suspension. Conventionally cells can be separated based on size, density, electrical charge, light-scattering properties, and antigenic surface properties. Separating cells using these parameters can require complex technologies and specialist equipment. This paper proposes new Bio-MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) filtration chips manufactured using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) technology that, when used in conjunction with an optical microscope and a syringe, can filter and grade cells for size without the requirement for additional expensive equipment. These chips also offer great versatility in terms of design and their low cost allows them to be disposable, eliminating sample contamination. The pumping mechanism, unlike many other current filtration techniques, leaves samples mechanically and chemically undamaged. In this paper the principles behind harnessing passive pumping are explored, modelled, and validated against empirical data, and their integration into a microfluidic device to separate cells from a mixed population suspension is described. The design, means of manufacture, and results from preliminary tests are also presented.


Random skin flaps are often used in plastic surgery, but the complications of marginal flap ischemia and necrosis often limit their wider clinical application. Apigenin (Api) is a flavonoid found in various fruits and vegetables. Api has been shown to promote angiogenesis, as well as reduce oxidative stress, membrane damage, and inflammation. In this study, we assessed the effects of Api treatment on random skin flap survival. Dorsal McFarlane skin flaps were transplanted into rats, which were randomly divided into three groups: control (normal saline), low-dose Api (20 mg/kg), and high-dose Api (50 mg/kg). Seven days after the surgery, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Histological analyses were performed to determine flap survival and tissue edema. H&E staining was performed to assess the histopathological changes in skin flaps, and the levels of microvascular density (MVD) were determined. Laser doppler flowmetry was used to assess microcirculation blood flow. Flap angiography was performed by injection of lead oxide/gelatin. The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interlukin-1β (IL-lβ) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Rats in the high-dose Api group exhibited higher average flap survival area, microcirculatory flow, increased SOD activity, and higher VEGF expression levels compared with the other two groups. Furthermore, the levels of MDA and pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased in rats treated with high-dose Api. Our findings suggest the potential usefulness of Api in preventing skin flap tissue necrosis.


Fictitious play (FP) is one of the most fundamental game-theoretical learning frameworks for computing Nash equilibrium in n-player games, which builds the foundation for modern multi-agent learning algorithms. Although FP has provable convergence guarantees on zero-sum games and potential games, many real-world problems are often a mixture of both and the convergence property of FP has not been fully studied yet. In this paper, we extend the convergence results of FP to the combinations of such games and beyond. Specifically, we derive new conditions for FP to converge by leveraging game decomposition techniques. We further develop a linear relationship unifying cooperation and competition in the sense that these two classes of games are mutually transferable. Finally, we analyse a non-convergent example of FP, the Shapley game, and develop sufficient conditions for FP to converge.


Asian urbanization is entering a new phase that differs significantly from the patterns of city growth experienced in other developing countries and in the developed world. According to a recent hypothesis, zones of intensive economic interaction between rural and urban activities are emerging. The zones appear to be a new form of socioeconomic organization that is neither rural nor urban, but preserves essential ingredients of each. The landscapes in these extended metropolitan zones have changed little over decades. Most people live in villages, and almost all of the land is under cultivation. However, most income now comes from non-agricultural sources. Village and small-town industries provide employment for some family members, who help out in the fields only at planting or harvesting time. Others commute to jobs in the central cities. Still others live in the cities and their satellites, remitting portions of their salaries to the family. This study elaborates on this hypothesis through studies of urban areas in China, India, Indonesia and Japan. Contributors offer different perspectives from a variety of disciplines including geography, regional planning, sociology, economics and public administration. All seek to determine how rapidly, under what circumstances, and on what scale the extended metropolis is emerging.


We describe the effects of confinement on the structure, hydration, and the internal dynamics of ubiquitin encapsulated in reverse micelles (RM). We performed molecular dynamics simulations of the encapsulation of ubiquitin into self-assembled protein/surfactant reverse micelles to study the positioning and interactions of the protein with the RM and found that ubiquitin binds to the RM interface at low salt concentrations. The same hydrophobic patch that is recognized by ubiquitin binding domains in vivo is found to make direct contact with the surfactant head groups, hydrophobic tails, and the iso-octane solvent. The fast backbone N-H relaxation dynamics show that the fluctuations of the protein encapsulated in the RM are reduced when compared to the protein in bulk. This reduction in fluctuations can be explained by the direct interactions of ubiquitin with the surfactant and by the reduced hydration environment within the RM. At high concentrations of excess salt, the protein does not bind strongly to the RM interface and the fast backbone dynamics are similar to that of the protein in bulk. Our simulations demonstrate that the confinement of protein can result in altered protein dynamics due to the interactions between the protein and the surfactant.


The skin is an extremely extended organ of the body and, due to this large surface, it is continuously exposed to microorganisms. Skin damage can easily lead to infections in the dermis which can, in turn, result in the dissemination of pathogens into the bloodstream. Understanding how the immune system fights infections at the very early stage and how the host can eliminate the pathogens is an important step to set the base for future therapeutic interventions. Here we describe a model of Candida albicans infection that can visualize the processes that occur early during an infection, including when the pathogen has passed the epithelial barrier, as well as the immune response elicited by the C. albicans invasion. We used this infection model to perform histological analyses that show the immune cells that infiltrate the skin as well as the presence and localization of the pathogen. Samples collected after the infection can be processed for RNA extraction.


According to Robert Fogelin, deep disagreements are disagreements about fundamental principles. He argues that deep disagreements cannot be rationally resolved. In this paper I argue against this thesis. A key part of the response depends upon the claim that disagreements can be rationally resolved not only by one participant rationally coming around to the other's point of view, but also by both of them rationally suspending judgment about the disputed proposition. I also claim that suspension of judgment may be the rational response in the examples Fogelin characterizes as deep disagreements. I deny that this result has any troubling implications for critical thinking.


The issues related to gerontology are more and more significant both in medical and social terms, which results from the growing percentage of the elderly population. It is estimated that the number of people over 70 years of age in industrialised countries will soon reach 45-50% of the population. Presently, the aim is to limit the frequency of age-related diseases and, above all, ensure the elserly have a decent quality of life. One of the major factors which can contribute to reaching these aims is exer- cise - physical activity. The aim of the paper is to show the role physical activity may have in the maintenance of good health, fitness and mental capacity in senility.


Methods of tuberculosis control, in large part dependent on the ability to recognize latent and early clinical tuberculosis, have been modified greatly by a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease and by new and more accurate diagnostic aids. Use of the terms consumption and phthisis to designate pulmonary tuberculosis is very suggestive of the advanced stage in which the disease was generally diagnosed three or four decades ago. The differentiation from other chronic respiratory diseases was not made until marked deterioration of health with emaciation, weakness and dyspnea had occurred, while the hopeless outlook and the stigma attached to the disease made the physician hesitate to make the diagnosis so long as any excuse existed for failure to make it. Since that time educational campaigns by public health agencies have resulted in recognition of tuberculosis as a contagious disease which can frequently be controlled in the individual case


Many domain-specific languages, that try to bring feasible alternatives for existing solutions while simplifying programming work, have come up in recent years. Although, these little languages seem to be easy to use, there is an open issue whether they bring advantages in comparison to the application libraries, which are the most commonly used implementation approach. In this work, we present an experiment, which was carried out to compare such a domain-specific language with a comparable application library. The experiment was conducted with 36 programmers, who have answered a questionnaire on both implementation approaches. The questionnaire is more than 100 pages long. For a domain-specific language and the application library, the same problem domain has been used - construction of graphical user interfaces. In terms of a domain-specific language, XAML has been used and C# Forms for the application library. A cognitive dimension framework has been used for a comparison between XAML and C# Forms.


Soft errors in memory devices that caused by radiation are the main threat from a reliability point of view. This threat can be commonly overcome with the combination of SEC (Single-Error Correction) codes and scrubbing technique. The interleaving architecture can give memory devices the ability of tolerating these soft errors, especially against multiple-bit soft errors. And the interleaving distance plays a key role in building the tolerance against multiple-bit soft errors. This paper proposes a reliability model of an interleaved memory device which suffers from multiple-bit soft errors and are protected by a combination of SEC code and scrubbing. The proposed model shows how the interleaving distance works to improve the reliability and can be used to make a decision in determining optimal scrubbing technique to meet the demands in reliability.


A telephone survey of municipalities throughout South Africa undertaken in May 2010 by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) produced a baseline of the status quo with regard to local government responses to gender equality and women's empowerment across six key municipal indicators: capacity, policy, strategies or plans, integrated development plans (IDPs), service delivery and budget implementation plans (SDBIPs) and performance management (PM). The article poses three key questions relating to the findings:
Against the backdrop of developmental local government, what is the mandate of local government as far as gender equality and women's empowerment are concerned?
Taking into account the survey results, what does a rights-based approach to local government mean?
If local government does not, at present, adequately address the gender equality concerns of women as a group, what do we need to do differently to see different results?


Software configuration management (SCM) is a key element of the software development process. A number of new configuration management techniques in commercial SCM tools and environments with SCM capabilities have been observed. This report illustrates some of the advances in SCM concepts by example of a particular commercial system: the Sun Network Software Environment (NSE). NSE embodies a transaction model of configuration management. In order to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of the transaction model, NSE is applied to three problem areas for configuration management: adaptation for parallel development and team support, development and maintenance in software families and development in a distributed and heterogeneous network.


SUMMARY In New Zealand, time history analysis is either the required or preferred method of assessing seismic demands for torsionally sensitive and other important structures, but the criteria adopted for the selection of ground motion records and their scaling to generate the seismic demand remains a contentious and debatable issue. In this paper, the scaling method based on the least squares fit of response spectra between 0.4-1.3 times the structure's first mode period as stipulated in the New Zealand Standard for Structural Design Actions: Earthquake Actions (NZS1170.5) [1] is compared with the scaling methods in which ground motion records are scaled to match the peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration response at the natural period of the structure corresponding to the first mode with 5% of critical damping; i.e. Sa(T1, 5%). Incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is used to measure the record-torecord randomness of structural response, which is also a measure of the efficiency of the intensity measure (IM) used. Comparison of the dispersions of IDA curves with the three different IMs; namely PGA, Sa(T1, 5%) and NZS1170.5 based IM, shows that the NZS1170.5 scaling method is the most effective for a large suite of ground motions. Nevertheless, the use of only three randomly chosen ground motions as presently permitted by NZS1170.5 is found to give significantly low confidence in the predicted seismic demand. It is thus demonstrated that more records should be used to provide a robust estimate of likely seismic demands.


ABSTRACTIn this research, we demonstrate magnetically tunable transmittance for the magnetorheological elastomer films comprised of polydimethylsiloxane and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The films bearing anisotropic and isotropic microtexture were prepared with and without magnetic field, respectively. The usage of toluene as diluent during the film preparation process leads to the increased tunable range of the magnetically induced transparency in comparison with our previous results. For the anisotropic film containing 1 wt% Fe3O4 nanoparticles, an increase of 23.01% in film transparency was observed at the wavelength of 600 nm with a magnetic field of B = ~ 80 mT applied, which is 2.67 times greater than the maximum change achieved in our previous research. The variation in transparency caused by the external magnetic field has been tentatively assigned to magnetostrictive effect. And the film microtexture might have a great influence upon the way an external magnetic field alters film transmittance.


Ad hoc networks present special issues that need to be investigate with more attention in comparison with standard data networks. We introduce a new methodology to carry out the study of communication protocols for ad hoc networks, in which measures provided by simulative tools are further elaborated through the Discrete Fourier Transform. The evaluation of results in the frequency domain allows to point out occasional misbehaviors in the network and the occurrence of events which take place only under particular conditions. In fact information on such events generally are lost whenever simulation measures are averaged. By using our methodology information on occasional events are gathered and evaluated according to the frequency of their occurrences.


The SARBAU project is a study on a highly self configuring building automation and control network using IP as field level protocol. UPnP is used for device operation and control. The SARBAU concept covers the use cases initial setup, commissioning, operation, and retrofit. Group address agents are employed to reduce load on the devices and control points for collaborative commands. For evaluation of the system, an experimental 500 kBps two wire IP fieldbus PHY layer has been developed, which also supplies power to the devices. ldquoPetrdquo automation devices operating on this fieldbus are used for testing the system.


This research is devoted to study the effect of addition of different weight percent from SiCp ( 2, 4, 6, 8 ) to Al– 4 Cu alloy which have been fabricated by liquid metallurgy method on the dry sliding wear behavior and mechanical properties. Wear characteristics of Al–SiC composites have been investigated under dry sliding conditions and compared with base alloy. Dry sliding wear tests have been carried out using pin-on-disk wear test under normal applied loads 5, 10, 15 and 20 N and at different sliding velocity of (2.7, 3.7, 4.7) m/sec. It was also observed that the wear rate varies linearly with increases normal applied load but lower in composites as compared to the base material. The wear mechanism appears to be oxidative for both Al – Cu alloy and composites under the given conditions of load and sliding velocity as indicated by optical microscopic of the worn surfaces. Further, it was found from the experimentation that the wear rate decreases linearly with increasing weight percent of silicon carbide. The best results have been obtained at 8 % wt SiC . We also observed that the yield strength, tensile strength increases with increasing wt% of SiC , but the ductility decreases.


The human ERCC3 gene, which corrects specifically the nucleotide excision repair defect in human xeroderma pigmentosum group B and cross-complements the repair deficiency in rodent UV-sensitive mutants of group 3, encodes a presumed DNA helicase that is identical to the p89 subunit of the general transcription factor TFIIH/BTF2. To examine the significance of the postulated functional domains in ERCC3, we have introduced mutations in the ERCC3 cDNA by means of site-specific mutagenesis and have determined the repair capacity of each mutant to complement the UV-sensitive phenotype of rodent group 3 cells. A conservative substitution of arginine for the invariant lysine residue in the ATPase motif (helicase domain I), six deletion mutations in the other helicase domains, and a deletion in the potential helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif fail to complement the ERCC3 excision repair defect of rodent group 3 mutants, which implies that the helicase domains as well as the potential DNA-binding motif are required for the repair function of ERCC3. Analysis of carboxy-terminal deletions suggests that the carboxy-terminal exon may comprise a distinct determinant for the DNA repair function. In addition, we show that a functional epitope-tagged version of ERCC3 accumulates in the nucleus. Deletion of the putative nuclear location signal impairs neither the nuclear location nor the repair function, indicating that other sequences may (also) be involved in translocation of ERCC3 to the nucleus.


Molecular motors are proteins or protein complexes which function as transporting engines in biological cells. This paper models the tether between motor and its cargo as a symmetric linear potential. Different from Elston and Peskin's work for which performance of the system was discussed only in some limiting cases, this study produces analytic solutions of the problem for general cases by simplifying the transport system into two physical states, which makes it possible to discuss the dynamics of the motor–cargo system in detail. It turns out that the tether strength between motor and cargo should be greater than a threshold or the motor will fail to transport the cargo, which was not discussed by former researchers yet. Value of the threshold depends on the diffusion coefficients of cargo and motor and also on the strength of the Brownian ratchets dragging the system. The threshold approaches a finite constant when the strength of the ratchet tends to infinity.


Objective : To describe the marginal cost and survival of patients treated with tocilizumab in a university hospital under real-life conditions and to evaluate factors that could influence costs and health outcomes will be evaluated. Methods : Observational, single-center, retrospective study of a cohort of adult patients infected with SARS-COV2 treated with tocilizumab. The 1 year restricted mean survival time was analyzed in life-years gained (LYG). The influence of sex, age and severity on patient survival was evaluated. The marginal cost/LYG and marginal cost/survivor ratios were calculated. Results : 508 patients (66±13 years; 32% women) were included. Seventeen percent were admitted to the ICU. Overall survival was 77%. Age older than 71.5 years (HR=1.08; 95%CI 1.07-1.10; p<0.001) and ICU admission at initiation of treatment (HR=2.01; 95%CI 1.30-3.09; p=0.002) were identified as risk factors. The total budgetary impact of tocilizumab in the period analyzed was 206,466 euros. The patients with the highest cost per unit of health outcome were those admitted to the ICU and those over 71.5 years, with a marginal cost/LYG of €966 and a marginal cost/survivor of €1,136. Conclusion : The efficiency of treatment with tocilizumab is associated with the age and severity of the patients. The figures are lower in all subgroups than the thresholds usually used in cost-effectiveness evaluations. The results of the present study suggest that early first dose of tocilizumab is an efficient strategy.


To verify the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing (KPC-producing) Klebsiella pneumoniae in Greece, we asked 40 Greek hospitals participating in the Greek System for the Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (GSSAR) to apply a combination of the modified Hodge test plus EDTA synergy test on all K. pneumoniae clinical isolates obtained from February 2008 which displayed reduced susceptibility to carbapenems (MIC of imipenem > or = 1 mg/L). The presence of the blaKPC gene was confirmed by PCR and sequencing. This procedure revealed the presence of KPC-2 in isolates from 173 patients in 18 hospitals during a period of 11 months. Of these, 166 isolates belonged to a single pulsotype a fact consistent with possible epidemic spread, whereas the remaining seven isolates were further classified into four different pulsotypes. BlaKPC-2 gene was found to be transferable by conjugation in the four pulsotypes other than the prevailing one. The emergence of a new carbapenemase gene in Greece, where high resistance rates to carbapenems in K. pneumoniae due to the spread of the VIM type metalloenzyme have been observed, emphasises the urgent need for the implementation of public health measures in the field of infection control and antibiotic consumption. It also underlines the need to supplement surveillance systems based on susceptibility data with the surveillance of resistance mechanisms.


Melioidosis is a tropical infectious disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is endemic in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, and has a mortality rate of about 45%. We report a case of localized nonfatal cutaneous melioidosis presenting as a persistent ulcer in an otherwise healthy young woman.


ABSTRACT This paper examines the convergence of public expenditure and its major components using sub-national data from India. By employing the panel club convergence test, the paper finds convergence in per capita public expenditure across Indian states implying that distribution policies of public expenditure are effective and fair across the states. Subsequently, the convergence of per capita total social sector expenditure and its major components are studied. The results support the evidence of convergence for total social sector expenditures and in the case of its components, we find that six of the nine components display regional convergence. Three components, namely, per capita education, sports, art and culture expenditure; per capita social security and welfare expenditure; and per capita rural development expenditure display the evidence of divergence and the presence of multiple transition paths. From the policy perspective, these three components of social expenditures need greater attention by the state governments as these expenditures are important for social cohesion, sustainable development, and achieving millennium development goals.


Synchronous behavior in networks of coupled oscillators is a commonly observed phenomenon attracting a growing interest in physics, biology, communication, and other fields of science and technology. Besides global synchronization, one can also observe splitting of the full network into several clusters of mutually synchronized oscillators. In this paper, we study the conditions for such cluster partitioning into ensembles for the case of identical chaotic systems. We focus mainly on the existence and the stability of unique unconditional clusters whose rise does not depend on the origin of the other clusters. Also, conditional clusters in arrays of globally nonsymmetrically coupled identical chaotic oscillators are investigated. The design problem of organizing clusters into a given configuration is discussed.


Purpose of review Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare disease, for which few studies have been conducted so far. Therefore, most treatment recommendations have been extrapolated from trials in colorectal cancer. In this review, we revise available data that could improve the management of SBA, with a particular focus on systemic therapy. Recent findings For advanced/irresectable disease, first-line doublet chemotherapy remains standard of care. It is uncertain whether extending treatment to triplet chemotherapy brings added benefit. Pembrolizumab is an accepted treatment modality for mismatch repair-deficient tumors, yet might also be active in microsatellite stable tumors. More trials with immunotherapy are underway. Although there is no place for anti-EGFR monotherapy, the addition of cetuximab to chemotherapy should be investigated further. Two trials suggest an added value of bevacizumab to chemotherapy, yet larger trials are needed to confirm these data. For localized disease, the role of (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy is under investigation. Summary For decades, patients with SBA have probably been treated suboptimal by basing treatment recommendations on data from colorectal cancer. An effort for SBA-specific trials and/or inclusion of SBA patients in basket trials is of utmost importance in order to improve outcome for these patients.


Abstract This paper examines a number of proverbs in English and Persian to shed light on certain pragmatic issues involved in translation. By analyzing three sets of data within the pragmatic framework, we found that the translatability of proverbs should be characterized as a continuum, rather a clear-cut dichotomy. Depending on the universality or culture-specificity of background cultural information associated with proverbs, three main categories, namely translatables, semi-translatables, and untranslatables are proposed. These categories fall along different points on a postulated continuum of translatability. Our study also shows that implicatures and presuppositions, when applicable to translatability, influence it in an incontrovertible manner. On top of this, the indubitable role of metaphor in the conceptualization of proverbs, and as a result, on the translatability of them is acknowledged.


Abstract : The female captivity narrative is one subset of the American war story tradition. The captivity narrative became so popular that it has been repeated many times over in popular fiction and today's television and movie productions. An examination of such narratives, drawn from the entire chronology of American history, from the colonial period to the present, reveals that such stories are remarkably similar. Indeed, one could claim that captivity narratives are fundamentally the same story, one narrative varied only by details of the historical period and the identity of the captors. The issue of captivity concerning today's American female soldiers brings about another question. That is, are women warriors now incorporated into American war stories, or are they placed into a revised female captivity narrative? The female prisoner of war stories appear to fit the latter narrative. This study will argue that this common narrative has revolved around three recurrent and basic elements that together constitute the American female captivity narrative repeated continuously for three and a half centuries. The first common element is the captive is usually a white female of European descent. The captive's whiteness is punctuated by the fact her captor is a person of color; American Indians, Japanese soldiers, and Iraqi guards. The second element portrays the captive as both hero and victim, creating a conflict in expected behaviors of American women based on cultural norms. The final element focuses on the captives and American cultural perceptions of the other; the stories are often used as a means of propaganda which promotes the ideology of good versus evil, Christianity versus non-Christianity, or America versus the other. American women's continued exposure to war has made them susceptible to capture and the continuation of the narrative in American culture.


Objectives To correlate interosseous membrane (IOM) tears of the ankle to the height of fibular fractures in operative ankle fractures. Design Prospective clinical trial. Setting University Level 1 trauma center. Patients All patients admitted with a closed operative ankle fracture were included. Of 93 patients originally evaluated, 73 patients had adequate MRI for evaluation. Intervention Open reduction and internal fixation of each ankle fracture was performed after preoperative MRI evaluation of the IOM. Transsyndesmotic screw fixation was performed when evidence of syndesmotic instability was shown by intraoperative stress testing. Main Outcome Measurements Radiographs were analyzed for fracture classification and prediction of ligamentous injuries about the ankle. MRI evaluated the IOM integrity, correlating it to the height of the fibular fracture. Results Of the 73 ankle fractures with adequate MRI evaluation, 30 had identifiable complete IOM tears on MRI. Ten of the 30 IOM tears did not correlate with the level of the fractured fibula. Seven cases had IOM tears proximal to the fibular fracture as detected by MRI. Five of these cases were Weber B type fractures, and two were Weber C type fracture patterns. Conversely, three cases of Weber C type fractures had IOM tears that remained distal to the level of the fibular fracture. Conclusions The level of the fibular fracture does not correlate reliably with the integrity or extent of the interosseous membrane tears identified on MRI in operative ankle fractures. One cannot consistently estimate the integrity of the IOM and subsequent need for transsyndesmotic fixation based solely on the level of the fibular fracture. An intraoperative syndesmotic stress test is recommended to establish the presence or absence of syndesmotic instability.


Purpose: Effects of bone density, bone turnover and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on femoral strength (FS) are still unclear in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aims to assess and predict femoral strength and its influencing factors in elderly men with T2DM. Methods: T2DM patients (n = 10, mean age, 66.98 years) and age-matched controls (n = 8, mean age, 60.38 years) were recruited. Femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and serum biochemical indices of all subjects were measured. FS was evaluated through finite element analysis based on quantitative computed tomography. Multiple linear regression was performed to obtain the best predictive models of FS and to analyze the ability of predictors of FS in both groups. Results: FS (p = 0.034), HbA1c (p = 0.000) and fasting blood glucose (p = 0.000) levels of T2DM group were significantly higher than those of control group; however, the P1NP level (p = 0.034) was significantly lower. FS was positively correlated with femoral neck T score (FNTS) (r = 0.794, p < 0.01; r = 0.881, p < 0.01) in both groups. FS was correlated with age (r = -0.750, p < 0.05) and pentosidine (r = -0.673, p < 0.05) in T2DM group. According to multiple linear regression, FNTS and P1NP both contributed to FS in two groups. P1NP significantly improved the prediction of FS in both groups, but significant effect of FNTS on predicting FS was only presented in control group. Furthermore, pentosidine, age and HbA1c all played significant roles in predicting FS of T2DM. Conclusion: Femoral strength was higher in elderly men with T2DM, which might be caused by higher BMD and lower bone turnover rate. Moreover, besides BMD and bone formation level, AGEs, blood glucose and age might significantly impact the prediction of femoral strength in T2DM.


In this paper we contrast different perspectives to the measurement of multidimensional poverty. Using data from 38 Demographic and Health Surveys around the developing world, we have compared the performance of two broad approaches: multidimensional poverty indices and first order dominance techniques (FOD). Our empirical findings suggest that the FOD approach might be a reasonable cost-effective alternative to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)'s flagship poverty indicator: the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). To the extent that the FOD approach is able to uncover the socio-economic gradient that exists between countries, it can be proposed as a viable alternative to the MPI with the advantage of not having to rely on the somewhat arbitrary and normatively binding assumptions that underpin the construction of UNDP's index.


I. Introduction. Though an interval of nearly eleven years separated the Leicester earthquakes of August 4th, 1893, and June 21st, 1904, the two shocks were so closely related in their origin that it is convenient to regard them as members of a single series. The earthquake of 1893 is the subject of a former paper, but the more recent investigation of twin-earthquakes has rendered that account incomplete. I have therefore re-examined the evidence, and, in the earlier part of the present paper, have briefly described the phenomena, in so far as the twin character of the earthquake and its connection with the earthquake of 1904 are concerned. II. Earthquake of August 4th, 1893. Time of occurrence, 6.41 P.M.; intensity, 5; centre of isoseismal 5, in lat. 52° 44·6′ N., long. 1° 13·8′ W. Number of records, 391, from 298 places, and 103 negative records from 97 places (Pl. I). The curves on the map (Pl. I ) represent isoseismal lines of intensities 5, 4, and 3. Of these, the first is 18 miles long, miles wide, and 161 square miles, in area. Its longer axis runs from W. 30° N. to E. 30° S., and its centre is situated at a point 2 miles S. 20° W. of Loughborough. The isoseismal 4 is 46 miles long, 32 miles wide, and contains 1170 square miles. Its longer axis is directed from W. 40° N. to E. 40° S., and its distances from the isoseismal 5 are 8 miles on the


Teacher-student dialogue plays a central role in facilitating the ongoing growth of those engaged in education, particularly dialogue that invites student reflection on the instruction being given and the teacher herself. Dialogue should aid students in articulating self-awareness (conscious or unconscious) regarding their behaviour and learning habits and the learning process and its results at the same time as assessing their quality and the ways in which they may be improved. One of the reasons behind our increasing inability to break down the inherent barrier between teachers and students is due to a lack of engagement in ongoing dialogical reflection as a means of advancing the teaching-learning process within the school. This article summarizes the philosophical concepts of a ten years of teacher education program which was designed according to the principals of Philosophy with Children. The program fostered creativity and self-reflective thinking in schools and in teacher education and offered dialogical methods. It is based also on six dimensions that are the basis of Philosophy with Children: learning from a place of questions, community of learning that resists the educational hierarchy that boasts of omniscience, coordinator as a participant in the learning process, learning in the real present, legitimization of improvisation as a way of learning , learning as liberating the learner from disciplinary boundaries. All six dimensions view Philosophy with Children as a pedagogy of searching at whose center lies the pursuit of meaning that facilitates personal development—and thus self-direction and capability.


In this research we used 180 noncarious teeth, 15 from each kind, in which we cut the anatomic crown. After that we weighted the roots, each group separately, before and after the root canal obturation with the technique of lateral condensation of gutta percha and Grossman's sealer. The difference of the two weights represent the overload of the tooth after obturation. Then using mathematical rules we configured out the mean volume of the root canal of each group and the mean value of the diameter of the orifice of the canal of each group of teeth.


This research paper proposes the simulation method of linear creep parameters of laminated composites when the composite is loaded along the joint of the layers. The developed method is based on the numerical integra-tion of the second kind Volterra integral equation taking out the stress mean before the integral. Having compared the creep deformations calculated by the known exact ana-lytical solution and by the proposed method it has been determined that the proposed method allows to calculate creep deformation of composite materials fairly close to the exact value. It has been determined that in some cases the specific creep of a composite may be higher than the specific creep of each layer of the composite material Also, in some cases for a certain short period of loading time the creep function of a composite may be higher than the creep functions of each layer of the composite material.


The solar corona is the source both of energetic quanta and of the solar wind. Being maintained at a temperature of ≥ 1 MK by the energy of progressive waves emitted by the top layers of the hydrogen convective zone or the adjacent transition region, it converts a fraction of the heat flow, which in the case of the Sun is quite small, into the energy of radiation in the XUV range and of particles with one kiloelectronvolt per nucleon by an order of magnitude. The question which other stars possess similar coronae, is clearly of considerable interest for our understanding of the structure of the outer layers of such stars and of their evolution, in view also of the connected processes of the loss of mass and of angular momentum of rotation. It might furthermore be of some interest in connexion with the question of the density of ionizing radiation in the soft X-ray range in interstellar space. Though indirect conclusions can be reached from the known properties of stellar chromospheres and, in some cases, of stellar winds, the only observational approach to this problem known so far is to measure the emission of such stellar coronae in the soft X-ray range. This paper attempts to provide order of magnitude estimates of the fluxes of quanta to be expected, on the basis of the solar data for stars of similar spectral type and luminosity and of theoretical inferences concerning the coronae of stars of other spectral and luminosity classes. The limited transparency of interstellar space makes it necessary to discuss also the value of the interstellar density between clouds, which is at present rather uncertain and may be as low as 1 hydrogen atom per 10 cm3 and the influence of the interstellar helium, which on the basis of new measurements seems to be less important than was thought until recently. Finally, the observability of stellar flares will be discussed briefly, because such events would contribute quanta of higher energy than that of the quanta ordinarily to be expected from stellar coronae.


Given a branching random walk on a set $X$, we study its extinction probability vectors $\mathbf q(\cdot,A)$. Their components are the probability that the process goes extinct in a fixed $A\subseteq X$, when starting from a vertex $x\in X$. The set of extinction probability vectors (obtained letting $A$ vary among all subsets of $X$) is a subset of the set of the fixed points of the generating function of the branching random walk. In particular here we are interested in the cardinality of the set of extinction probability vectors. We prove results which allow to understand whether the probability of extinction in a set $A$ is different from the one of extinction in another set $B$. In many cases there are only two possible extinction probability vectors and so far, in more complicated examples, only a finite number of distinct extinction probability vectors had been explicitly found. Whether a branching random walk could have an infinite number of distinct extinction probability vectors was not known. We apply our results to construct examples of branching random walks with uncountably many distinct extinction probability vectors.


In this paper, the authors present an experimental setup of a fuzzy-logic controller of an inverted pendulum that uses vision feedback. The experimental testbed is used at Oregon State University, USA, in senior and first-year graduate courses on automatic control systems to illustrate the usefulness and limitations of this approach. The results that are obtained support the claim, within certain limits, that it is possible to control an inverted pendulum using fuzzy-logic control and vision feedback.


Over the last few years, electronic vehicle guidance systems have become increasingly more popular. However, despite their ubiquity, performance will always be subject to the availability of detailed digital road maps. Most current digital maps are still inadequate for advanced applications in unstructured environments. Lack of up-to-date information and insufficient refinement of the road geometry are among the most important shortcomings. The massive use of inexpensive GPS receivers, combined with the rapidly increasing availability of wireless communication infrastructure, suggests that large amounts of data combining both modalities will be available in a near future. The approach presented here draws on machine learning techniques and processes logs of position traces to consistently build a detailed and fine-grained representation of the road network by extracting the principal paths followed by the vehicles. Although this work addresses the road building problem in very dynamic environments such as open-pit mines, it is also applicable to urban environments. New contributions include a fully unsupervised segmentation method for sampling roads and inferring the network topology, a general technique for extracting detailed information about road splits, merges and intersections, and a robust algorithm that articulates these two. Experimental results with data from large mining operations are presented to validate the new algorithm. Digital road maps, data mining, machine learning, GPS, road safety.


NFKB target genes are very diverse. This transcription factor regulates expression of the genes which are involved in immunity and inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as genes that encode negative regulators of NFkappaB. Detected in the cytoplasm of almost all cell types, NFkappaB is activated in response to several external stimuli, including interleukins, growth factors, viral and bacterial infections, and physical factors (e.g. UV light). Constitutively activated NFkappaB has been associated with many aspects of tumour development, including promoting cancer cell proliferation, preventing apoptosis, and increasing a tumour's angiogenic and metastatic potential. The inhibition of NFkappaB activity, in turn, may affect the induction of genes that are required for immunity. Dimeric NFkappaB proteins, show high specificity and selectivity. This is why not all NFkappaB-dependent genes are expressed in every cell. In this review, specificity and selectivity of the NFkappaB response are presented as a result of a combination of many regulatory mechanisms.


In this study the proponents presented the implementation of License Plate Extraction Application for detecting Over-Speeding Vehicles with the combined use of Sobel Edge Detection Method and Binarization Algorithm. The purpose of this study was to identify easily the speed violators by extracting the vehicle's license plate. The process on how the system will acquire the license plate of a vehicle and determines if it commits over-speeding may vary when a vehicle passes from the first camera and will be applied Sobel Edge Detection Method to identify the vehicle and a Binarization algorithm to extract its license plate; and will be stored to the temporary memory. Another extraction of plate number of a vehicle will happen after passing the second camera. This time, the extracted license plate from the second camera will look for a match to the stored data from the temporary memory. If match is found, then the speed of a vehicle will be determined through computing the distance between two cameras and the time that vehicle takes to pass the camera. In addition, the system prototype will need a digital camera with a frame speed of 30 frames per second which will be used in recording the simulation of running vehicles and the proponents will use Visual C++ and OpenCV applications in developing the system.


Local law of Gytheion in Laconia concerning celebrations and ceremonies related to the imperial cult under Tiberius Typology (Honorific / Funerary / etc.): Local law Original Location/Place: Near the Theatre of Gytheion (Greece) Actual Location (Collection/Museum): Unknown Date: 15 CE Physical Characteristics: The stele is broken on top and damaged on the right side. The cutting of the letters is slightly irregular but was clearly readable to Kougeas when he made the first edition. These letters are larger on the upper side and get smaller at the bottom Material: Local grey stone Measurements: 70 centimetres in height, between 60 and 64 centimetres in width, and 15 centimetres thick


Neural networks have become increasingly important in areas such as medical diagnosis, bio-informatics, intrusion detection, and homeland security. In most of these applications, one major issue is preserving privacy of individualpsilas private information and sensitive data. In this paper, we propose two secure protocols for perceptron learning algorithm when input data is horizontally and vertically partitioned among the parties. These protocols can be applied in both linearly separable and non-separable datasets, while not only data belonging to each party remains private, but the final learning model is also securely shared among those parties. Parties then can jointly and securely apply the constructed model to predict the output corresponding to their target data. Also, these protocols can be used incrementally, i.e. they process new coming data, adjusting the previously constructed network.


We present new developments on the cosmic-ray driven, galactic dynamo, modeled by means of direct, resistive CR–MHD simulations, performed with ZEUS and PIERNIK codes. The dynamo action, leading to the amplification of large–scale galactic magnetic-fields on galactic rotation timescales, appears as a result of galactic differential rotation, buoyancy of the cosmic-ray component and resistive dissipation of small–scale turbulent magnetic-fields. Our new results include demonstration of the global–galactic dynamo action driven by cosmic-rays supplied in supernova remnants. An essential outcome of the new series of global galactic dynamo models is the equipartition of the gas turbulent energy with magnetic-field energy and cosmic-ray energy, in saturated states of the dynamo on large galactic scales.


Density functional theory uses the electron density n(r), instead of the electronic wavefunction. We side-step the kinetic energy functional by constructing a thermodynamically equivalent classical map (CM). A classical Coulomb fluid whose zeroth-order pair-distribution function (PDF) g0(r) that agrees with the quantum g0, and interacting via a "Pauli exclusion potential" reproduces the thermodynamics of the electron fluid, when the classical-fluid temperature Tcf is chosen optimally. This Tcf is chosen so that the correlation energy of the classical fluid is the Kohn–Sham correlation energy. Then, the PDFs of the classical fluid closely agree with the PDFs of the two-dimensional (2D) and 3D uniform electron systems. Can we calculate sensitive Fermi-liquid properties (e.g., quasiparticle mass m*, Lande g-factor) of interacting electrons via this CM? Given the wide interest in the effective mass m* of electrons in 2D layers, we chose the 2D system for this study. Analytical and numerical results are used to define a partially regularized m* valid to logarithmic accuracy in the sense of Landau for the Hartree–Fock (H–F) approximation. The resulting H–F m* decreases linearly with the electron-disk radius rs. The m* including correlation is calculated via a physically transparent formula. This uses the CM of the 2D PDF and its finite-T exchange-correlation free energy Fxc(T). Our results for m* fall well within the results from recent quantum Monte-Carlo simulations at T = 0, and other theoretical and experimental results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


It is not the first time that the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has had to determine whether fraud committed by one actor in a supply chain may affect the VAT rights of other actors in that same chain. In Vetsch (DE: CJEU 14 February 2019, Case C-531/17, Vetsch Int. Transporte GmbH v. Zollamt Feldkirch Wolfurt, ECLI:EU:C:2019:114.), the Court had to decide to what extent fraud committed by purchasers of goods could prevent their fiscal representative from making use of a specific VAT exemption, thus making the representative liable for paying the VAT due.


Ancient Documents and their Contexts contains the proceedings of the First North American Congress of Greek and Latin Epigraphy(San Antonio, Texas, 4-5 January 2011). It gathers seventeen papers presented at this conference, ranging from technical discussions of epigraphic formulae and palaeography to broad consideration of inscriptions as social documents and visual records.


In the present study, we analyzed the proliferation and apoptosis of trophoblasts and human decidual cells in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion and the related cellular pathway mechanism. Thirty-four patients with recurrent abortion and 30 healthy pregnant women undergoing planned artificial abortion were selected. The trophoblast and decidual cells were collected by negative pressure aspiration technique. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis rate. Immunohistochemical method was used for detection of TP53 protein. Quantitative real-time PCR was used for detection of the relative expression level of CDKN1A and Bax mRNA. It was found that the cell apoptosis rate in the recurrent miscarriage group was significantly increased and the expression levels of TP53 protein, CDKN1A and Bax mRNA were also significantly increased (p<0.05). In conclusion, the trophoblast and decidual cells of patients with recurrent abortion were obviously apoptotic, which was probably related to abnormal expression of the CDKN1A and Bax genes mediated by TP53 protein through cellular pathways.


Using capture-recapture analysis we estimate the effective size of the active Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) population that a typical laboratory can access to be about 7,300 workers. We also estimate that the time taken for half of the workers to leave the MTurk pool and be replaced is about 7 months. Each laboratory has its own population pool which overlaps, often extensively, with the hundreds of other laboratories using MTurk. Our estimate is based on a sample of 114,460 completed sessions from 33,408 unique participants and 689 sessions across seven laboratories in the US, Europe, and Australia from January 2012 to March 2015.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand whether firms evolve towards more comprehensive postures of CSR and what strategic factors drive the change. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is deductive-inductive research based on six critical case studies and supported by extensive review of related literature. The paper provides historical analysis of six firms leaders in their industry (Nike, Shell, General Electric, 3M, CEMEX and IBM) combining primary and secondary data. Findings – Firms evolve over time towards more complex CSR postures. This evolution is driven by some key strategic factors. The article sets out a three-stage framework connecting CSR evolution and the strategic change factors. Practical implications – The paper provides managers with a framework to promote strategic CSR change in their organizations. Originality/value – The paper is a joint research study on the evolution of CSR and strategic drivers of change.


This article reviews the current knowledge of the early onset of the monoaminergic innervation in the developing cerebral cortex in humans and of changes in the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in different neuronal populations of the developing telencephalon. The early genesis of the central monoaminergic neurons in mammals has led to postulations of a trophic role of monoamines in brain morphogenesis—especially in the cerebral cortex. The developmental effects of amines can be linked to the transient expression of different molecules linked to dopamine or serotonin neurotransmission. We present novel data on the immunocytochemistry of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) and of the high‐affinity serotonin transporter (SERT) in human fetuses. SERT is a marker of the serotoninergic axons and allows visualization of the serotonin afferents of the raphe in the human telencephalon. In addition, during a restricted time period corresponding to 12–14 postovulatory weeks, we found SERT‐immunolabeled fibers in the rostral and caudal limbs of the internal capsule that do not correspond to serotoninergic fibers, but do coincide with the calbindin D28k‐labeled thalamocortical fiber tracts. The present observations are correlated with findings in rodents, in which a transient expression of SERT is visible in the thalamocortical axons during early postnatal life. The function of this transporter has been shown to be important for the fine‐tuning of cortical sensory maps during the critical period of development of these maps. Although the present observation does not allow ascertainment of which neurons transiently express SERT, it lends support to the notion that serotonin and serotonin uptake could have important developmental roles, during the formation of brain connections in humans, as they have in rodents. Anat Rec 267:87–93, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Feminist economists identify reciprocity as a motivation for both paid and unpaid caring work. In general, reciprocity describes people responding to each other in similar ways, either benevolently or harmfully. The quality of care is potentially increased when care relationships are motivated by positive and generalized forms of reciprocity and decreased with negative forms of reciprocity. This study draws on nursing literature and two qualitative studies in Australian residential aged care facilities, conducted in 2002–3 and 2009, to identify a new form called "professional reciprocity." This form of reciprocity involves deliberate and skilled relational work by nurses to facilitate mutual and interdependent exchanges with care recipients that are beneficial to both care recipients and nurses. This study argues that professional reciprocity, as a skill that can be taught, is important for achieving quality care and workers' job satisfaction.


alpha(1)-Antitrypsin deficiency is usually suspected clinically in young adults with irreversible airflow obstruction that is out of proportion to their smoking history. Many patients with alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency receive an initial diagnosis of asthma or chronic bronchitis. Measurement of the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) has been recommended as a way to help distinguish emphysema from asthma and chronic bronchitis. In this article, we describe four patients with severe alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency, each of whom had a repeatedly normal DLCO despite having a significant component of fixed airway obstruction and prominent panacinar emphysema on high-resolution CT scan (HRCT). Each patient also demonstrated significant bronchodilator responsiveness, and two patients received an initial diagnosis of asthma. Potential explanations for these findings are discussed. We report these findings to illustrate the limitations of DLCO in this setting. alpha(1)-Antitrypsin deficiency should be considered in patients with fixed airway obstruction that is out of proportion to their age and smoking history, regardless of their diffusing capacity and response to bronchodilators.


At the request of the U.S. Evnironmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council Committee on Hearing, Bioacoustics, and Biomechanics (CHABA) has developed and recently published guidelines for preparing environmental impact statements (EIS) on noise. The document contains guidance on the assessment of general audible noise and criteria to describe the environmental impact of vibration, infrasound, and high-energy type impulses. The yearly average day-night sound level outdoors is the recommended measure for the general audible noise environment. One of the key concepts introduced is the single number quantification of the overall noise impact. This single number is approximately proportional to the total number of persons that would report to be highly annoyed due to the residential yearly day-night average sound levels. The implications of such a single number descriptor, as well as other key features of the guidelines, are discussed.


The space-based gravitational-wave detector eLISA has been selected as the ESA L3 mission, and the mission design will be finalized by the end of this decade. To prepare for mission formulation over the next few years, several outstanding and urgent questions in data analysis will be addressed using mock data challenges, informed by instrument measurements from the LISA Pathfinder satellite launching at the end of 2015. These data challenges will require accurate and computationally affordable waveform models for anticipated sources such as the extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) of stellar-mass compact objects into massive black holes. Previous data challenges have made use of the well-known analytic EMRI waveforms of Barack and Cutler, which are extremely quick to generate but dephase relative to more accurate waveforms within hours, due to their mismatched radial, polar and azimuthal frequencies. In this paper, we describe an augmented Barack–Cutler model that uses a frequency map to the correct Kerr frequencies, along with updated evolution equations and a simple fit to a more accurate model. The augmented waveforms stay in phase for months and may be generated with virtually no additional computational cost.


People can have difficulty intuiting what others think about them at least partly because people evaluate themselves in more fine-grained detail than observers do. This mismatch in the level of detail at which people construe themselves versus others diminishes accuracy in social judgment. Being a more accurate mind reader requires thinking of oneself at a higher level of construal that matches the observer's construal (Experiments 1 and 2), and this strategy is more effective in this context than perspective taking (Experiments 3a and 3b). Accurately intuiting how others evaluate themselves requires the opposite strategy—thinking about others in a lower level of construal that matches the way people evaluate themselves (Experiment 4). Accurately reading other minds to know how one is evaluated by others—or how others evaluate themselves—requires focusing one's evaluative lens at the right level of detail.


Some of the experimental and theoretical results discussed at the Fifth International Workshop on Deep Inelastic Scattering and QCD are reviewed.


Las Vegas -- The practice of dermatology is artistic, and no aspect of the field is a greater testament to this than the injection of Botox. According to Richard Glogau, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, Botox treatments are not a "one size fits all" deal, and dermatologists who individualize and treat with "finesse" will have the best outcomes and the most satisfied patients, he said at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference.


We investigated possible inhibitory effects of five synthetic Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD)‐containing peptides on osteoclastic resorption in three distinct in vitro resorption assays (17‐day‐old fetal mouse bone organ cultures) that differ in stages of osteoclast differentiation. RGD peptides, which can bind the adhesion receptors called integrins, inhibited osteoclastic resorption (45Ca release) in fetal mouse bone explants in which osteoclast precursors have yet to adhere to the mineralized matrix and develop into mature osteoclasts (metacarpals and coculture system). Treatment of metacarpals with RGD peptides inhibited the formation of multinucleated TRAP+ osteoclasts in the mineralized matrix because their mononuclear TRAP+ osteoclast precursors remained localized in the periosteum. In particular, echistatin, a viper venom protein with known affinity for αvβ3 integrin, and GdRGDSP inhibited osteoclastic resorption dose dependently in these systems (ED50 10−9 and 10−4 M, respectively) but did not alter the activity of mature resorbing osteoclasts in radii. In addition, 45Ca release was significantly inhibited by the cyclic peptide GPenGRGDSPCA, which has a relatively higher affinity for the vitronectin than fibronectin receptor(s). In contrast, GRDGdSP, which has a much higher affinity for the fibronectin receptor (than the vitronectin receptors), had no effect on resorption at similar concentrations in any resorption system used. In summary, the data presented in this paper show that peptides with RGD motifs are capable of inhibiting osteoclastic resorption in bone organ cultures. Our studies not only support the hypothesis concerning the importance of αvβ3 in osteoclastic resorption but also suggest an important role of integrin(s) in events preceding the actual resorption of calcified matrix by osteoclasts.