Introduction
 Mim8 is in clinical development as a novel, next generation FVIII mimetic for subcutaneous prophylactic treatment for people with Hemophilia A (HA) with and without inhibitors. Mim8 is a fully human bispecific antibody bridging FIXa and FX. Mim8 showed approximately 15-fold higher potency compared to a sequence identical analogue (SIA) of the FVIII mimetic emicizumab (Hemlibra®) in thrombin generation assays (TGAs) and in vivo in mouse bleeding models (Kjellev et al., 2019; Ley et al. 2020). Mim8 binds to cynomolgus monkey and human FIX and FX with comparable affinities, and the pharmacological activity of Mim8 in cynomolgus monkeys was demonstrated both in vitro in TGA and in vivo in a cynomolgus bleeding model (Ley et al., 2020). The present study examined the safety and ex vivo pharmacodynamic effects of Mim8 in cynomolgus monkeys after weekly dosing for 26 weeks.
 Material and Methods
 Sexually mature cynomolgus monkeys were dosed subcutaneously (SC) with Mim8 at dose-levels of 0, 0.3, 1 or 3 mg/kg/week (4 males and 4 females at each dose-level) for 26 weeks. These dose-levels were chosen based on a previous 13-week safety study showing histopathological changes consistent with exaggerated pharmacology in a few animals dosed ≥6 mg/kg/week. During the study, the animals were monitored clinically and blood was sampled for measurement of standard clinical pathology, Mim8 exposure, anti-drug antibodies (ADA). The pharmacodynamic activity was assessed by ex vivo TGA in plasma under antibody-induced HA-like conditions and measurement of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). After 26 weeks of exposure, the animals were euthanised, followed by macroscopic and microscopic pathological examination on all major organ systems.
 Results
 Weekly dosing with Mim8 at dose-levels up to 3 mg/kg/week for 26 weeks was well tolerated and the macroscopic and microscopic pathological examinations revealed no thrombi or other signs of excessive coagulation activation. In accordance, no significant changes in platelet counts, fibrinogen concentration or prothrombin time were observed.
 A pharmacodynamic effect was observed in dosed animals as a dose-dependent increase in ex vivo thrombin generation (TG; Figure 1) and shortening of aPTT.
 The steady state exposure increased with increasing dose level in a dose-proportional manner, reaching concentrations at least 10-fold above the expected clinical concentrations. However, as expected when dosing a human antibody to monkeys, ADAs developed in approximately half of the animals at all dose levels, leading to lack of exposure and reversal of the aPTT and TG towards the predose levels.
 Conclusion
 In conclusion, administration of up to 3 mg/kg/week Mim8 to cynomolgus monkeys for 26 weeks showed relevant pharmacodynamic effect and was well tolerated with no observation of thrombi or other signs of excessive coagulation activation, providing a favourable safety ratio to expected clinical exposure levels. Mim8 is currently being evaluated in a clinical Phase 1/2 trial.
 References
 Kjellev SL et al. (2019) Mim8 - a next-generation FVIII mimetic bi-Specific antibody - potently restores the hemostatic capacity in hemophilia a settings in vitro and in vivo. Blood, 134 (Supplement 1): 96.
 Ley CD et al. (2020) Improved effect of Mim8, a next-generation FVIII mimetic, translates from human in vitro to humanized mouse and cynomolgus models. European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders (EAHAD 2020). Haemophilia, 26 (S2), P028.

 Kjalke: Novo Nordisk A/S: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.


The latest materials testing and analysis techniques are examined. Examples of their use illustrate how they can help in the development of new products, solve product and process issues and ensure quality control.


To achieve an efficient preparation of lactoferrin N-lobe, we optimized the fermentation process for a recombinant Bacillus subtilis pMA0911-D60Y/Y92D producing lactoferrin N-lobe. The IOD of the lactoferrin N-lobe reached 68.03% under the optimized cultural conditions, that is using glucose and tryptone as the best carbon and nitrogen source, respectively, and conduct the fermentation under pH 7.0, 28 ℃, for 25.5 h. An optimized fermentation process was obtained through fermentation optimization on a 10 L fermenter. That is, culturing the recombinant strain at 30 ℃, pH 7.5 within 0-7 h, and switching to induction at 28 ℃, pH 7.5 within 7-25 h for production of lactoferrin N-lobe, using an agitation speed of 300 r/min throughout the fermentation. After the fermentation, the cells were collected and disrupted, followed by purification of the lactoferrin N-lobe to homogeneity by using HisTrap HP-affinity and a SuperdexTM 200 (10/300 GL)-affinity chromatography. The purified lactoferrin N-lobe proteins with over 94% purity were obtained. One liter culture of recombinant B. subtilis pMA0911-D60Y/Y92D produced 23.5 mg of pure protein. This study may facilitate the fermentative production of the recombinant lactoferrin N-lobe.


The media has been a major influence on society in recent decades. New forms of media have been invented and continue to influence and impact society. Media also has a major influence on many facets of society and especially perceptions of guilt in sensational cases. The media tends to bias and manipulate how people think and make decisions. Through a review of literature and the theoretical perspective of the social construction of reality, a quantitative analysis of 500 undergraduate students at Texas Tech University was conducted in order to measure perceived levels of guilt in sensationalized media cases and look at factors that could bias and manipulate the decision-making process. This study found that Caucasian females have higher perceptions of guilt. Age also is statistically significant. Texas Tech University, Allison Kozlowski, May 2013


The reliability of the 30-item Modified Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (MRAS) was examined using the test-retest method over a three-week period. The MRAS, which was administered to 103 white middle-class seventh graders, yielded correlations of .74 using the Pearson product and Spearman Brown correlation coefficient. The correlations for males yielded .77 and .72 using the Pearson Product and Spearman Brown techniques, respectively. For females the correlations for both tests were .72. Paired t tests by sex indicated no significant change in MRAS scores between test administrations. These findings add to the existing information on the reliability of the MRAS.


We consider a primary and a cognitive user transmitting over a wireless fading interference channel. A discrete rate link adaptation scheme is proposed to maximize the average spectral efficiency of the cognitive radio, while a minimum average spectral efficiency for the primary user is provisioned. The discrete rate scheme for interfering transmission is devised based on two sets of modulation and coding pairs for the primary and cognitive links. The primary transmitter adapts its rate (modulation and coding) solely based on signal to interference plus noise ratio of its link; however, the cognitive transmitter influences the primary link rate by imposing a proper SINR. The adaptive modulation and coding mode selection and power control at the cognitive transmitter are optimized based on SINR of both links. The problem is then cast as a nonlinear discrete optimization problem for which a fast and efficient suboptimum solution is presented. We also present a scheme with rate adaptive and constant power cognitive radio. An important characteristic of the proposed schemes is that no computation overhead is imposed on primary radio due to cognitive radio activity. Numerical results and comparison with the interweave approach to cognitive radio demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed solutions.


The paper attempts to explore the current situation of English learners' speaking achievements and their speaking anxiety in Chinese higher education. Through reviewing the previous researches, it is possible to find out that: 1) there is a negative relationship between speaking anxiety and speaking performance; 2) most teachers have noticed the negative impact of speaking anxiety on their students, yet they have not adopted efficient strategies to solve the problem; 3) both teachers and students rely more on academic strategies than cognitive or affective strategies. Then, some proposed suggestions are made to English teachers and learners.


Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most frequent indication for spine surgery. The x-ray and MRI are the choice of investigation. Justified use of radiography can be cost effective in the management of lumbar spinal stenosis. Objective was to evaluate and compare the sensitivity and specificity of the plain x-ray and MRI in the diagnosis of the lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods: A multicenter cross sectional analytical study was carried out from July 2021 to August 2022 on 70 patients of both sexes aged more than 25 years with chronic low back pain.  A descriptive analysis was performed for all data.Results: In the MRI, 35 (50.0%) cases had diskogenic spinal canal stenosis and 24 (34.3%) had both diskogenic and non diskogenic spinal canal stenosis. The validity of MRI evaluation for only diskogenic spinal canal stenosis was correlated, where the calculated values of plain x-ray were: sensitivity 80.0%, specificity 60.0%, accuracy 77.5%, positive predictive value 93.3% and negative predictive value 30.0%. The validity of MRI evaluation for both diskogenic and non diskogenic spinal canal stenosis was correlated, where the calculated values of plain x-ray were sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 66.7%, accuracy 80.0%, positive predictive value 90.9% and negative predictive value 50.0%.Conclusions: Plain x-ray is a useful and reliable diagnostic modality for the evaluation, assessment and the subsequent appropriate management of lumbar spinal stenosis.


Stroking and filling are the two basic rendering operations on paths in vector graphics. The theory of filling a path is well-understood in terms of contour integrals and winding numbers, but when path rendering standards specify stroking, they resort to the analogy of painting pixels with a brush that traces the outline of the path. This means important standards such as PDF, SVG, and PostScript lack a rigorous way to say what samples are inside or outside a stroked path. Our work fills this gap with a principled theory of stroking. Guided by our theory, we develop a novel polar stroking method to render stroked paths robustly with an intuitive way to bound the tessellation error without needing recursion. Because polar stroking guarantees small uniform steps in tangent angle, it provides an efficient way to accumulate arc length along a path for texturing or dashing. While this paper focuses on developing the theory of our polar stroking method, we have successfully implemented our methods on modern programmable GPUs.


Abstract A colorimetric analysis and design method for cameras is presented which enables a camera to be used as an imaging colorimeter, capable of capturing an accurate record of the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) coordinates of the imaged objects. The spectral response characteristics of some of the component observers in the 1964 CIE Standard Observer average are first analysed and compared. CIE colour coordinates are calculated using both the Standard Observer average and individual observer CMFs for each of 32 test colours. The personal coordinates for each observer are then linked to differences in their visual response CMFs at the spectral level. A colorimetric testing and optimization method for cameras is then reported, which allows the colour capture properties of imaging systems to be analysed, controlled and modified. The method is based on imaging spectrally defined colour charts and is used to demonstrate that even minor differences in the chosen RGB filter/sensor characteristics substantially affect the numeric accuracy of the colour-defining information in images. Colour imaging error is quantified and minimized, first by establishing the camera RGB to CIE XYZ relationship, and then by adjusting the spectral response of the sensors. Under controlled lighting and exposure conditions, the design method enables output pixel-colour definitions that are a close analogue of the measured CIE XYZ tristimulus values for the imaged surface colours.


The temperature dependent density of Al and Ga droplets deposited on AlGaAs with molecular beam epitaxy is studied theoretically. Such droplets are important for applications in quantum information technology and can be functionalized e.g., by droplet epitaxy or droplet etching for the self-assembled generation of quantum emitters. After an estimation based on a scaling analysis, the droplet densities are simulated using first a mean-field rate model and second a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation basing on an atomistic representation of the mobile adatoms. The modeling of droplet nucleation with a very high surface activity of the adatoms and ultra-low droplet densities down to 5 × 106 cm−2 is highly demanding in particular for the KMC simulation. Both models consider two material related model parameters, the energy barrier ES for surface diffusion of free adatoms and the energy barrier EE for escape of atoms from droplets. The rate model quantitatively reproduces the droplet densities with ES = 0.19 eV, EE = 1.71 eV for Al droplets and ES = 0.115 eV for Ga droplets. For Ga, the values of EE are temperature dependent indicating the relevance of additional processes. Interestingly, the critical nucleus size depends on deposition time, which conflicts with the assumptions of the scaling model. Using a multiscale KMC algorithm to substantially shorten the computation times, Al droplets up to 460 °C on a 7500 × 7500 simulation field and Ga droplets up to 550 °C are simulated. The results show a very good agreement with the experiments using ES = 0.19 eV, EE = 1.44 eV for Al, and ES = 0.115 eV, EE = 1.24 eV (T≤ 300 °C) or EE = 1.24 + 0.06 (T[°C] − 300)/100 eV (T>300 °C) for Ga. The deviating EE is attributed to a re-nucleation effect that is not considered in the mean-field assumption of the rate model.


For decades procurement performance has been attracting great attention from practitioners, academicians and researchers due to poor performance resulting from non-adherence to proper processes and procedures. Literature suggests that procurement performance is an issue that needs to be highly addressed more so when it affects the public sphere. This research sought to determine how resources allocation planning influences public procurement in Kenya. Using a case study of public financial institutions, purposive sampling was used to select 12 firms involved in financial services provision. The public procurement Acts (2005) and Regulations (2006) and revised (2010) were used as a guide on the resource allocation procedure as employed in public institutions. Results show that (i) resources allocated to public financial sector were not enough (ii) Resource allocation affected procurement performance. It is recommended that public entities try and balance resource allocation and even allocate more funds to departments in charge of procurement since cost cutting and efficiency measures implemented at the procurement level will affect all the other departments in the organization.


INTRODUCTION :
A prevalence study of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in India showed a
crude incidence rate of 4 per 100,000 population per year. Lupus nephritis occurs in
about half of SLE patients (range: 35%-73%) in India. Most patients with SLE do not
present initially with renal disease; only 25% of patients have this as their initial
presenting feature. In 5% of these cases, usually in men older than 40 years, it can be
several years before other lupus criteria or serological abnormalities develop.
Although the survival of SLE patients have improved in the west with modern
treatment to the tune of 80% at 10 years after diagnosis, among Indians the figures are
not so good (50%-60% survival at 10 years) as shown by Murali et al in a study of 98
patients between 1981 and 1993. Renal involvement in SLE is a therapeutic
challenge for all involved in the care of SLE, since early intervention can dramatically
change the disease course. Thirty or more years ago, few patients with severe grade IV
nephritis survived more than a year or two, and half of those with less severe form
of nephritis used to die within 5 years. After the introduction of Cyclophosphamide
into the therapeutic armamentarium of lupus nephritis 20 years later, renal involvement
no longer affects the survival rates of these patients. However, long-term treatment with
cyclophosphamide for patients with proliferative lupus nephritis is associated with
adverse effects, including an increased risk of infection (10–18% per year). Cumulative
doses of cyclophosphamide over 9 g, particularly in women over the age of 32 years, are
associated with ovarian failure. The aim of treatment therefore, is to induce and
maintain remission of active nephritis with minimum toxicity. A major advance in
achieving the goal of identifying new therapies for the treatment of severe lupus nephritis
occurred in 2000, with the report by Chan [et al.] of the first prospective controlled study
comparing the efficacy and toxicity of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) to oral
Cyclophosphamide in patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. Also for
maintenance therapy in lupus nephritis MMF seems to be a good alternative to azathioprine.
AIM :
To evaluate the Outcomes of Exposure-controlled Mycophenolic Acid as Induction and
Maintenance therapy in Class III and IV Lupus Nephritis.
OBJECTIVES :
1. To study the effect of Exposure-controlled Mycophenolic Acid on Inducing and Maintaining
remission in Class III and Class IV Lupus Nephritis patients.
2. To study the side effect profile and complications of Mycophenolic Acid therapy in Lupus
Nephritis.
CONCLUSIONS :
1. Mycophenolate Mofetil is beneficial as both induction an maintenance therapy
in lupus nephritis.
2. With an empiric dosing schedule of 30mg/kg/day of Mycopheolate Mofetil
(MMF), 55.8% of patients had 6 hour MPA AUC below the therapeutic range of
30-60mg.h/L and 5.8% of patients had 6 hour MPA AUC above the therapeutic
range.
3. After dose adjustment, the average dose of MMF required to attain therapeutic
range was 35mg/kg/day in our study population.
4. 57.6% had complete remission at 12 months in exposure controlled Mycophenolic
Acid cohort and 50% had partial remission by 3 months. The complete remission
rates improved through the maintenance phase to 88% at the end of two years.
Partial remission was seen in 50% of the patients at three months. Cumulative
remission which is the sum of complete and partial remission was seen in 94% at
3 months. This is comparable to studies on Cyclophosphamide as induction
therapy and Azathioprine as maintenance therapy.
5. GFR was the earliest to improve with a median time of 2.6±0.85 months.
6. Proteinuria improved next at a median time of 3±1.3 months followed by Anti
dsDNA at 4±0.3 months.C3 was the last to remit among the lab parameters at a
median time of 12±2.4months.
7. There were four flares with majority being mild nephritic flares that did not
require any modification of immunosuppression.
8. Infectious episodes were present 17.3% in the cohort.


Prodiginines are a group of naturally occurring pyrrole alkaloids produced by various microorganisms and known for their broad biological activities. The production of nature‐inspired cyclic prodiginines was enabled by combining organic synthesis with a mutasynthesis approach based on the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) certified host strain Pseudomonas putida KT2440. The newly prepared prodiginines exerted antimicrobial effects against relevant alternative biotechnological microbial hosts whereas P. putida itself exhibited remarkable tolerance against all tested prodiginines, thus corroborating the bacterium's exceptional suitability as a mutasynthesis host for the production of these cytotoxic secondary metabolites. Moreover, the produced cyclic prodiginines proved to be autophagy modulators in human breast cancer cells. One promising cyclic prodiginine derivative stood out, being twice as potent as prodigiosin, the most prominent member of the prodiginine family, and its synthetic derivative obatoclax mesylate.


In recent years, IT application scenarios have evolved in very innovative ways. Highly distributed networks have now become a common platform for large-scale distributed programming, high bandwidth communications are inexpensive and widespread, and most of our work tools are equipped with processors enabling us to perform a multitude of tasks. In addition, mobile computing (referring specifically to wireless devices and, more broadly, to dynamically configured systems) has made it possible to exploit interaction in novel ways. To harness the flexibility and power of these rapidly evolving, interactive systems, there is need of radically new foundational ideas and principles; there is need to develop the theoretical foundations required to design these systems and to cope with the many complex issues involved in their construction; and there is need to develop effective principles for building and analyzing such systems. Reflecting the diverse and wide spectrum of topics and interests within the theoretical computer science community, "Exploring New Frontiers of Theoretical Informatics", is presented in two distinct, but interrelated tracks: Algorithms, Complexity and Models of Computation, and Logic, Semantics, Specification and Verification. "Exploring New Frontiers of Theoretical Informatics" contains 46 original and significant contributions addressing these foundational questions, as well as 4 papers by outstanding invited speakers. These papers were presented at the 3rd IFIP International Conference on Theoretical Computer Science (TCS 2004), which was held in conjunction with the 18th World Computer Congress in Toulouse, France in August 2004 and sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP).


In this paper, we show the experimental result of feature extraction method for digital traditional Japanese crafting system to provide a user with the desired presentation space. The quantitative feature values are extracted by using visual pattern image coding (VPIC). These values include the total number, the frequency, the dispersion rate and the deviation rate for different edges. The quantitative feature values for traditional Japanese crafting objects are registered in the multimedia database and the relation between Kansei words and the sensitive feature of traditional Japanese crafting objects are analyzed by using the questionnaire. Then, the sensitive features are compared with the quantitative feature values. Through the above process, we can find the relation between the design pattern components and edge types using VPIC. We extract quantitative feature value by the VPIC system and evaluate its performance by test patterns and traditional fitting objects. The experimental results show that by finding the relation between the design pattern components and the edge types using the VPIC, the KRM can be realized.


This article investigates the sacred and profane in Islamic Cordoba in the ninth and tenth centuries of the Common Era to develop a distinct perspective on Muslim communal identity in al-Andalus (Islamic Spain and Portugal), and as an inquiry into how the definition of the sacred and profane in an Islamic city may be informed by, or speak to, the context of a multi-confessional society. The study approaches the sacred as a social construct with social meaning, and thus directs our view to the mundane dimensions of the sacred.


ISSUE ADDRESSED
A website was designed to form the core of a multimedia strategy surrounding the Man Up documentary - a three-part documentary that aimed to address the problem of male suicide in Australia. Together these formed a media-based, public health intervention that explored the link between masculinity and suicide and promoted help-seeking. This is of great importance given the demonstrated link between masculine norms, men's reduced help-seeking and suicidal thinking. This study assesses the website's effectiveness in facilitating help-seeking and fostering conversations about suicide, mental health and help-seeking. Help-seeking indicators included website clicks to helping organisations, downloads of health information from the website and request for help received via emails.

METHODS
Google Analytics data, emails to the Man Up team received through the website and open-ended responses to an online survey were analysed.

RESULTS
The website reached 43 140 users. Indictors of help-seeking activity on the website included 307 outbound clicks to helping organisations and 802 downloads of health information. Qualitative analysis of emails received and responses to the survey demonstrated that Man Up's messages resonated with viewers and provided further evidence of help-seeking.

CONCLUSION
The findings demonstrate that the website provided an important opportunity for people to engage with Man Up and seek help. SO WHAT?: Media-based public health interventions offer enormous potential to provide suicide prevention interventions and promote help-seeking. The website evaluation findings provide insight into the ways in which websites can be used as part of a multimedia strategy to address the problem of male suicide.


Background : Natural killer (NK) cells are a major player in innate immune response. Two distinct NK cell subsets with different functions as the strongest cytotoxic activity (CD56dimCD16+) or cytokine production (CD56brightCD16+/-) have been known. In this study, we evaluated the phenotypic and functional difference of NK cells in peripheral blood (pB) from the patients who had advanced triple negative (TN) breast cancer compared to healthy controls. Methods : We enrolled advanced triple negative (TN) breast cancer patients treated at the National Cancer Center, Korea between March 2012 and March 2014. Healthy controls who visited for health screening were recruited at the same time period and peripheral blood (pB) samples were collected. In patient groups, pB was sampled either prior to the initiation or during the courses of chemotherapy. Then, patients were retrospectively classified into two groups as follows; non-responders (the group A) and responders (the group B) to the treatment. NK cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and analyzed based on their expression of CD56 and CD16. We looked at cytotoxic activity of pB NK cells against K562 cell line and measured CD107a expression as a parameter of NK cell activation. Results : The absolute numbers of lymphocytes and NK cells per cubic millimeter of pB were similar among healthy controls (N=24), the group A (N=16), and the group B (N=21). There was no significant difference in the proportion of pB NK cell subsets among three groups except CD56brightCD16+/- subset which was significantly higher in the group B compared to healthy controls (P=0.0014). Even in the presence of similar proportions of NK subsets, the activities of CD56dimCD16+ NK cells measured by CD107a expression were significantly lower both in the group A (P=0.0023) and in the group B (P=0.0127) compared with those of control group. The activities of CD56dimCD16+ NK cells were not different between group A and B. In the case of CD56brightCD16+/- NK cells, CD107a positivity was significantly lower in the group A compared with controls (P=0.0068) and group B (P=0.0465). Conclusions : Our data suggested that cytolytic functions of NK cells were significantly decreased in advanced TN breast cancer patients compared with those of healthy controls despite a similar proportion of NK cell subsets in pB. Citation Format: In Hae Park, Sun-Young Kong, Joo Hyun Kang, Hye Jin Mo, Tae Sik Kim, Keun Seok Lee, Jungsil Ro. Decreased functions of natural killer cells in peripheral blood of advanced triple negative breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-04-14.


The ocean off south-central Chile is subject to seasonal upwelling whose intensity is mainly controlled by the latitudinal migration of the southeast Pacific subtropical anticyclone. During austral spring and summer, the mean flow is equatorward favoring coastal upwelling, but periods of strong southerly winds are intermixed with periods of relaxed southerlies or weak northerly winds (downwelling favorable). This sub-seasonal, high-frequency variability of the coastal winds results in pronounced changes in oceanographic conditions and air-sea heat and gas exchanges, whose quantitative description has been limited by the lack of in-situ monitoring. In this study, high frequency fluctuations of meteorological, oceanographic and biogeochemical near surface variables were analyzed during two consecutive upwelling seasons (2016–17 and 2017–18) using observations from a coastal buoy located in the continental shelf off south-central Chile (36.4°S, 73°W), ∼10 km off the coast. The radiative-driven diel cycle is noticeable in meteorological variables but less pronounced for oceanographic and biogeochemical variables [ocean temperature, nitrate (NO3−), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2sea), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO)]. Fluorescence, as a proxy of chlorophyll-a, showed diel variations more controlled by biological processes. In the synoptic scale, 23 active upwelling events (strong southerlies, lasting between 2 and 15 days, 6 days in average) were identified, alternated with periods of relaxed southerlies of shorter duration (4.5 days in average). Upwelling events were related to the development of an atmospheric low-level coastal jet in response to an intense along-shore pressure gradient. Physical and biogeochemical surface seawater properties responded to upwelling favorable wind stress with approximately a 12-h lag. During upwelling events, SST, DO and pH decrease, while NO3−, pCO2sea, and air-sea fluxes increases. During the relaxed southerly wind periods, opposite tendencies were observed. The fluorescence response to wind variations is complex and diverse, but in many cases there was a reduction in the phytoplankton biomass during the upwelling events followed by higher values during wind relaxations. The sub-seasonal variability of the coastal ocean characterized here is important for biogeochemical and productivity studies.


The accuracy of mass estimates by gravitational lensing using the thin-lens approximation applied to Navarro-Frenk-White mass models with a soft truncation mechanism recently proposed by Baltz, Marshall and Oguri is studied. The gravitational lens scenario considered is the case of the inference of lens mass from the observation of Einstein rings (strong lensing). It is found that the mass error incurred by the simplifying assumption of thin lenses is below 0.5%. As a byproduct, the optimal tidal radius of the soft truncation mechanism is found to be at most 10 times the virial radius of the mass model.


The subsidiary bodies of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change met in Geneva from 9-18 December 1996. The fifth session of theAd HocGroup on the Berlin Mandate (AGBM-5) met from 9-13 December, the fourth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA-4) and the third session of the Ad HocGroup on Article 13 (AG13-3) met from 16-18 December 1996. The fourth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI-4) met from 10-11 December 1996. Informal roundtables were convened on 9 December, to discuss proposals from Parties, and on 17 December, to discuss Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ). AGBM-5 considered proposals from 14 Parties or groups of Parties regarding the strengthening the commitments in Articles 4.2(a) and (b), advancing the implementation of Article 4.1 and possible elements of a protocol or other legal instrument. Delegates expressed a wide range of views on polices and measures (P&Ms) and quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives (QELROS) and on the form and scope of a possible protocol. AGBM-5 adopted conclusions requesting the Secretariat to produce a "framework compilation" of proposals for further consideration. SBSTA-4 discussed a number of issues including: cooperation with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); the longer-term programme of work; possible revisions to guidelines for non-Annex I countries' communications; national communications from Annex I Parties; activities implemented jointly (AIJ); and technology transfer. Discussions were complex and often difficult, but SBSTA-4 confirmed future cooperation with the IPCC, agreed to apply the revised IPCC 1996 guidelines for national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and agreed to further work on revisions to the Uniform Reporting Format and methodogical issues pertaining to AIJ. SBI-4 finalized agreement on the Annex to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Conference of the Parties (COP) and the Council of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). AG13-3 considered responses to a questionnaire relating to a multilateral consultative process (MCP). While delegates did not agree to any conclusions, they further elaborated their positions on a possible MCP and agreed to continue consideration at their next meeting in February.


Insulin and adrenaline were both found to stimulate the glucose utilization of Tetrahymena, although somewhat differently. With exogenous sugar added, adrenaline always drops the glucose level in all regions of the unicellular, while the effect of insulin was less unequivocal.


Data Structures courses commonly introduce topics involving high levels of abstraction and complexity, requiring significant effort from instructors and apprentices to achieve positive outcomes from the teaching-learning process. Despite the multiple studies that have occurred within the Computer Science Education (CSE) community to understand the experiences novice programmers may have when learning how to program, there is still a lack of exploration and research on understanding these experiences in scenarios different from first-year Computer Science (CS) courses. Looking further from CS introductory courses, this paper presents the results of a pilot study that evaluated the interaction of a group of CS Colombian students with DStBlocks, which is a scaffolded block-based instructional technology, designed and developed to ease linear data structures understanding. The findings and results of this pilot study are favorable, corresponding to tests centered on user experience and learning impact.


Many large molecular complexes are limited in thin film applications by their insufficient thermal stability, which excludes deposition via commonly used vapour phase deposition methods. Here we demonstrate an alternative way of monolayer formation of large molecules by a simple spray coating method under ambient conditions. This technique has been successfully applied on C60 dissolved in toluene and carbon disulfide. Monolayer thick C60 films have been formed on graphite and gold surfaces at particular deposition parameters, as confirmed by atomic force and scanning tunnelling microscopies. Structural and electronic properties of spray coated C60 films on Au(111) have been found comparable to thermally evaporated C60. We attribute the monolayer formation in spray coating to a crystallization process mediated by an ultrathin solution film on a sample surface.


Liver diseases remain unexplained in up to 30% of adult patients; genetic analysis could help establish the correct diagnosis. In six adult patients with cryptogenic liver disease, we performed whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and evaluated the individual predisposition to progressive fatty liver disease by polygenic risk scores (PRS). In one patient, WES was allowed to diagnose the Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome. In the other two patients, genetic variants in LDLRAP1/MSH6 and ALDOB genes were identified, contributing to explaining the clinical presentation and disease pathogenesis (50% diagnostic uptake). In the other three patients, rare variants with a high likelihood of disrupting protein function in APOB, ATP7B, ABCB4 and ATP8B1 were identified. One patient who developed hepatocellular carcinoma during the follow‐up had a high PRS value. The study supports the role of WES, combined with risk stratification by PRS and accurate clinical assessment in improving the diagnosis and informed management in patients with cryptogenic liver disease, a positive family history or severe fatty liver not fully accounted for by environmental triggers.


Objectives: Far cortical locking (FCL) constructs have been shown to increase axial interfragmentary displacement while limiting shear and have been specifically recommended in the treatment of distal femur fractures. However, there is no available data regarding their mechanical behavior within the range of bridge spans typically used for comminuted distal femur fractures. This biomechanical study of distal femur locked plate fixation assessed 4 methods of diaphyseal fixation for associated axial and shear displacement at bridge spans typically used in clinical practice. Methods: Distal femur locking plates were used to bridge simulated fractures in femur surrogates with 4 different methods of diaphyseal fixation (bicortical locking, bicortical nonlocking, near cortical locking, and FCL). Axial and shear displacement were assessed at 5 different bridge spans for each fixation method. Results: Diaphyseal fixation type was associated with the amount of shear (P = 0.04), but not the amount of axial displacement (P = 0.39). Specifically, FCL constructs demonstrated greater shear than bicortical locking (median 4.57 vs. 2.94 mm, P = 0.02) and bicortical nonlocking (median 4.57 vs. 3.41 mm, P = 0.02) constructs. Conclusions: Unexpectedly, FCL constructs demonstrated greater shear than bicortical locking and nonlocking constructs and similar axial displacement for all fixation methods. Bridge span had a dominant effect on displacement that interacted negatively with more flexible FCL diaphyseal fixation. Potentially interactive construct features are best studied in concert. Given the complexity of these relationships, computational modeling will likely play an integral role in future mechanotransduction research.


Purpose
Responding to calls to examine trust beyond the scope of the objectivist paradigm, the purpose of this paper is to qualitatively examine the trust relationship between leaders and followers in virtual work settings. Based on results, trust was operationalized based on extant theory (e.g. ability, honesty, integrity, benevolence; Mayer et al., 1995). Given the high degree of technology mediated communication prevalent in the workplace today, it was interesting that the authors also found evidence for followers' perceptions of a leader's level of media savvy (adeptness at using appropriate media dependent on the message being sent) as a salient phenomenon that appears to influence followers' trust of their leaders in a virtual work environment. Other variables that influenced leader–follower trust relationships also emerged, including leader and follower personal characteristics, depth of relationship and time. These variables and their relationships are discussed in consideration of the existing trust literature with specific consideration of the context of virtual interactions. Implications and future directions are also discussed.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper opted for an exploratory study using the open-ended approach of grounded theory, utilizing open-ended survey data from 137 working professionals (after data cleaning and eliminating incomplete responses). This study was an inductive, theory-building effort focused on analyzing participants' views of their own experiences in interacting with their leaders in a virtual work environment. The authors utilize methods of grounded theory research that guide a researcher to recognize the theory that emerges from the data (Locke, 2002; Strauss and Corbin, 1998), which included microanalysis and open coding, followed by axial and select coding.

Findings
The authors found evidence for followers' perceptions of a leader's level of media savvy as a salient phenomenon that appears to influence followers' trust of their leaders in a virtual work environment. Other variables that influenced leader–follower trust relationships also emerged, including leader and follower personal characteristics, depth of relationship and time.

Research limitations/implications
With any qualitative study, there are limitations to the generalizability of the sample to other populations. Although the authors developed considerable evidence to support the proposed relationships offered here, the authors are working with what is still a new and unexplored context: the virtual world. Perhaps the leader's media communication skills moderate or otherwise impact the relationships found here and as supported by Mayer et al. (1995) and Mayer and Gavin (2005). Therefore, it would be of interest to examine possible differences in trust of the leaders by manipulating the media through which leaders communicate with their followers.

Practical implications
Given the findings, the authors believe the leader can communicate positively on follower development in a virtual setting, subsequently enhancing follower trust levels. The implications are also apparent on a much smaller scale: the relationships between leaders and followers. One common theme was that leaders should not completely eliminate face-to-face interaction in order to first develop and then maintain trust in a virtual work environment. This indicates the necessity for managers to not only develop a technical competence with computer technologies, but also the ability to render an appropriateness judgment in terms of what messages are most appropriate for what medium.

Social implications
Given the popularity of virtual settings, much interpersonal communication is now electronically mediated. However, even with the expansion of the virtual context, the authors still know little about how various forms of technology mediated communication by affect leader–follower relationships. Therefore, it is of interest to researchers and practitioners to examine the impact of virtual settings on interactions and relationships, specifically between the leader and follower.

Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study leadership in varied contexts, in this case the virtual workplace. Relatively few research papers have examined this context, thus creating originality and value.


The upper abdominal surgeries such as cholecystectomy, tend to evolve postoperatively with restrictive ventilatory disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of inspiratory muscle strength after training the respiratory muscles through the use of linear load device with pressure in patients undergoing conventional cholecystectomy. We studied 10 female patients with indication for cholecystectomy who underwent assessment of inspiratory muscle strength by means of the Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP). Of these, six were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively (G1 - group 1) and conducted Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT) using the Theshold ® (twice a day on the 1st and 2nd postoperative day using 40% MIP) and four patients were observed in the post-surgery as a control group (G2 - group 2). The results indicate that despite the decrease in MIP postoperatively, there was recovery of inspiratory muscle strength on the first day of RMT, from 36.7 ± 13.7 cmH2O to 48.0 ± 13.7 cmH2O, and this increase was statistically significant (p <0.05), which did not occur in the control group. We conclude that there is a reduction in respiratory muscle strength after cholecystectomy and that the RMT was considered satisfactory in the improvement of the respiratory muscle strength


An image segmentation scheme that utilizes image-based flow fields in a curve evolution framework is presented. Geometric curve evolution methods require an edge function and a vector field with certain characteristics that are obtained from the image itself. A vector field borrowed from the edgeflow segmentation (Ma and Manjunath 2000) method is utilized both to obtain an edge function and to guide the curve evolution towards the object boundaries. This vector field is computed from the image using intensity, texture and color features. The proposed method integrates well-tested image features with the well-studied curve evolution methods thus achieving better segmentation results.


Big data is a buzzword, or catch-phrase, used to describe a massive volume of both structured and unstructured data that is so large that it's difficult to process using traditional database and software techniques. While the term may seem to reference the volume of data, that isn't always the case. The term big data especially when used by vendors --may refer to the technology that an organization requires to handle the large amounts of data and storage facilities. This paper discusses the characteristics, utilities and opportunities and some of the challenges of big data.


Osteopontin (OPN) is a RGD‐containing glycoprotein with cytokine‐like, chemotactic, and pro‐adhesive properties. During wound healing, OPN is abundantly expressed by infiltrating macrophages and has been implicated in posttraumatic tissue repair. To delineate a role in the regenerative response to axotomy we examined the expression of OPN in Wallerian degeneration of the sciatic nerve in rats. Unexpectedly, we found high constitutive expression of OPN by myelinating Schwann cells (SCs) in uninjured control nerves. OPN mRNA expression was confirmed in primary cultures of rat SCs. Upon axotomy, SC‐expressed OPN in the degenerating distal nerve stump transiently increased during the first days after injury, but was continuously downregulated thereafter, reaching its minimum at Day 14. Macrophages invading axotomized nerves were OPN‐negative. During late stages after axotomy, SC‐OPN was reexpressed in regenerating but not permanently transected nerves. We also found OPN expression by myelinating SCs in human sural nerves with a dramatic reduction in severe axonal polyneuropathies. Taken together, our study identifies OPN as a novel Schwann cell gene regulated by axon‐derived signals. The lack of OPN induction in infiltrating macrophages indicates fundamental differences in tissue repair between axonal injury in the peripheral nervous system and structural lesions in other organ systems. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Arthritis is the swelling or tenderness of the joints, and one in four adults within the United States have been diagnosed with some type of it. Arthritis can happen because of genetics and aging, but other factors, such as diet and lifestyle, may contribute to it. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department describes the modifiable factors contributing to arthritis and tips to reduce risk for arthritis. It also includes some relevant recipe ideas. Written by Sarah Curl, Jodi Fitzgerald, Danielle Nelson, and Jeanette Andrade.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs398


Background: Despite the aggressiveness of multimodal treatment, glioblastoma (GBM) is still a challenge for neurosurgeons, neurooncologists, and radiotherapists. A surgical approach is still a cornerstone in GBM therapeutic management, as the extent of resection is strongly related both to overall survival and progression-free survival. From this perspective, the use of photodynamic molecules could represent an interesting tool to achieve maximal and safe resection. Being able to trace the lesion's edges, indeed, could allow to improve the extent of resection and to minimize residual tumor while sparing normal tissue. The use of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) as a photodynamic tracer is well established due to its strict correlation both with cellularity and metabolic activity of the GBM cell clones. Objective: Our study aims to define whether a different molecular asset of GBM (especially investigating IDH 1/2 mutation, proliferation index, and MGMT promoter methylation) results in different fluorescence expression, possibly because of differences in metabolic pathways due to different genotypes. Methods: Patients undergoing surgery for GBM removal at our Institute (Dep. Of Neurosurgery, Ospedale Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Italy) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with histological diagnosis confirmation and to whom 5-ALA was given before surgery were included. The whole surgical procedure was recorded and then analyzed by three different people (a medical student, a resident, and a senior surgeon with an interest in neurooncology and experience in using 5-ALA) and a score was assigned to the different degrees of intraoperative fluorescence. The degree of fluorescence was then matched with the genotype. Results: A trend of grade 2 fluorescence (i.e., "strong") was observed in the IDH 1/2 wild-type (WT) genotype, suggesting a more intense metabolic activity in this particular subgroup, while, no or weak fluorescence was observed more often in the IDH 1/2 mutated tumors, suggesting a lower metabolic activity. No relations were found between fluorescence grade and MGMT promoter methylation or, interestingly, cellularity. As a secondary analysis, more epileptogenicity of the IDH 1/2 mutated GBM was noticed, similarly to other recent literature. Conclusion: Our results do not support the use of 5-ALA as a diagnostic tool, or a way to substitute the molecular profiling, but confirm 5-ALA as a powerful metabolic tracer, able to easily detect the pathological cells, especially in the IDH WT genotype, and in this perspective, further studies will be necessary to better describe the metabolic activity of GBM cells.


Aim To examine whether intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction by latanoprost correlates with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the prostaglandin F2α (FP) receptor gene in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH). Methods The genotype of nine SNPs in the FP receptor gene was determined by direct DNA sequencing, or other techniques, in 82 patients with glaucoma or OH who were treated with latanoprost monotherapy in one eye. The IOP reduction was evaluated by the percent IOP reduction (%ΔIOP), estimated by subtracting IOP fluctuations in the untreated fellow eye. Subjects were classified by %ΔIOP into low responders (%ΔIOP<10%) and others (%ΔIOP ≥10%). The correlation between %ΔIOP and SNPs in the FP receptor gene was analysed. Results Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the rs12093097 was the only significant factor that correlated with %ΔIOP (p=0.039). Among estimated haplotypes, one haplotype that contained the minor allele only in rs3753380, was significantly correlated with low responders even after correction for multiple test (permutation test, p=0.037). Conclusions An association was found between SNPs of the FP receptor gene and the response to latanoprost in patients with glaucoma or OH. The FP receptor genetic polymorphism may influence the degree of IOP reduction by latanoprost in these patients.


The [C ii] deficit, which describes the observed decrease in the ratio of [C ii] 158 μm emission to continuum infrared emission in galaxies with high star formation surface densities, places a significant challenge to the interpretation of [C ii] detections from across the observable universe. In an attempt to further decode the cause of the [C ii] deficit, the [C ii] and dust continuum emission from 18 Local Volume galaxies has been split based on conditions within the interstellar medium where it originated. This is completed using the Key Insights in Nearby Galaxies: a Far-Infrared Survey with Herschel (KINGFISH) and Beyond the Peak (BtP) surveys and the wide-range of wavelength information, from UV to far-infrared emission lines, available for a selection of star-forming regions within these samples. By comparing these subdivided [C ii] emissions to isolated infrared emission and other properties, we find that the thermalization (collisional de-excitation) of the [C ii] line in H ii regions plays a significant role in the deficit observed in our sample.


Deep neural network representations play an important role in computer vision, speech, computational linguistics, robotics, reinforcement learning and many other data-rich domains. In this talk I will show that learning-to-learn and compositionality are key ingredients for dealing with knowledge transfer so as to solve a wide range of tasks, for dealing with small-data regimes, and for continual learning. I will demonstrate this with several examples from my research team: learning to learn by gradient descent by gradient descent, neural programmers and interpreters, and learning communication.


Purpose This study investigates the interrelationships between the components of perceived organisational commitment (affective, continuance and normative commitment) and knowledge sharing (KS) intentions, attitudes and contributions amongst academics. It was hypothesised that organisational commitment has a positive mediating role in KS behaviours.Design/methodology/approach To reveal the interrelationships between the components of perceived organisational commitment and KS, a correlational research design through path analysis was employed.Findings There were significant correlations between organisational commitment components and KS. Participants with higher perceived affective commitment had higher levels of KS intentions. Similarly, participants with higher perceived normative commitment had higher levels of attitudes towards KS. However, higher levels of perceived continuance commitment were related to lower levels of expected contributions to KS.Research limitations/implications The study was limited to participants working for a state university in Turkey. In Turkish state universities, continuance and normative commitment may be regarded differently due to unique working conditions.Practical implications The results revealed that commitment to an organisation facilitates KS in higher education institutions, which suggests that administrators and practitioners should increase organisational commitment to create a working environment with more KS.Originality/value Although organisational commitment and KS have been investigated in educational settings previously, this study contributes to the literature by discovering the specific interrelationships between these factors, offering a more complete picture that could be beneficial for practice.


Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers might be valuable tools to monitor disease progression and response to therapy in Huntington's disease (HD). CSF flow and blood/CSF-barrier function, both of which can influence CSF biomarker levels, can be measured as CSF-to-serum albumin ratio (QAlb). Methods We analyzed the CSF of 43 mutant Huntingtin gene carriers (HD) and 73 matched controls. In the HD group, five were pre-symptomatic, 18 had early (TFC 11–13), nine moderate (TFC 7–10), 11 advanced HD (TFC 1–6). Results The HD group and controls did not differ in age and gender distribution, CSF cell count and lactate. However, the QAlb was significantly higher in the HD group (HD: 6.1±2.0×10–3, Ctrls: 4.8±1.5×10–3, p=0.0006), even when normalized to the age-dependent upper limit (QAlb/Qlim, HD: 0.84±0.29, Ctrls: 0.67±0.20, p=0.0018). Whereas the QAlb significantly correlated with age in controls (Pearson r=0.36), such a correlation was not observed in the HD group (r=0.15), neither did the QAlb correlate with the disease burden score (r=−0.02). QIgG, QIgA and QIgM corrected for QAlb were unchanged in the HD group. A significant positive correlation of CSF neurofilament light chain (NFL) and soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) levels with QAlb in controls were observed (NFL: r=0.5, sTREM2: r=0.46, p<00001). Correcting NFL for QAlb, improved the performance of NFL, which became significantly upregulated even in presymptomatic HD gene carriers (Ctrl: 542±216 ng/ml, HD: 3445±3387 ng/ml, p<0.01). CSF sTREM2 levels were significantly elevated in the HD group (2.5±1.5 ng/ml vs. 1.6±1.5 ng/ml, HD vs. Ctrls, p=0.0043). This difference disappeared when correcting sTREM2 for QAlb (HD vs. Ctrl., 1.8±1.3 ng/ml vs. 1.6±1.1 ng/ml). Paired CSF/serum measurement of sTREM2 showed 1.6-fold higher levels in serum compared to CSF (n=12). Conclusion In HD CSF, there is an early increase in QAlb that does not increase further with disease progression. Putative CSF biomarkers correlate with QAlb in control subjects. In the case of NFL, decreased CSF flow might lead to a paralleled increase of QAlb and NFL CSF levels. In case of sTREM2, a 17 kDA fragment of TREM2, both the increase in QAlb and sTREM2 might indicate low level inflammation in HD as it seems unlikely that the very low serum levels influence CSF sTREM2.


ABSTRACT A description is given of the response of phytoplankton composition to eutrophication caused by an increase in fresh water flux in four Empordà salt marsh basins. Cyanobacteria and mixotrophic phytoplankters (especially haptophytes and dinoflagellates) are the most abundant organisms in these basins. Under stable conditions, cyanobacteria take competitive advantage of the lack of inorganic nitrogen caused by confinement. Mixotrophs dominate coinciding with water inputs. The importance of the allochthonous supply probably favours mixotrophs, which may also take nitrogen heterotrophically. The phytoplankton-invertebrate biomass ratio (P/I) and the chlorophyll-phytoplankton biovolume ratio (Chl/BV) respond differently to stabilisation of freshwater input, depending on the degree of eutrophy of the basins. Thus, in more eutrophic basins flux regulation causes an increase in P/I and a decrease in Chl/BV, indicating higher density of mixotrophs and lesser density of invertebrates. Less eutrophic basins respond in the opposite fashion.


The concept of development is under immense scrutiny. By questioning what is development and development for whom?' a re-thinking of these practices is underway throughout the world. Critical development practitioners are seriously evaluating development' to better understand the divided views between the North and South from a richly interdisciplinary perspective. In my thesis, I present findings of a recent research project in which I sought the perspectives of eight Indigenous Maya leaders of El Quiche, Guatemala. Based on interviews conducted in September 2010 in the Guatemalan highland city of Santa Cruz del Quiche and surrounding area, I attempt to better understand the meaning(s) of the word development from an Indigenous perspective, and how a self-determined vision of life best suits local communities. Based on their lived experiences, the Indigenous Maya interviewees asserted that development' practices prescribed by the local government and country's elites, as well as outside non-government organizations and multinational corporations, are not in the best interests of the Indigenous population. I attempt to highlight how the imposition of the development' itself has become, to these leaders, synonymous with forms of racism, inequality, exclusion, oppression and a loss of Indigenous identity and culture. Rather, Maya leaders in El Quiche stress the right to self-determined development, cultural preservation and a more holistic vision of life for individuals and communities. --P. ii.


Tantalum nitride (TaN) thin films are achieved on Si(111) and SS317L substrates by cathodic vacuum arc technique, which is rarely reported in the literature. The crystal structure, composition and surface morphology of the films are characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), auger electron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The influence of substrate negative bias on crystal structure, composition, surface morphology of the TaN films is systematically studied. At the substrate bias of 0 V and -50 V, the amorphous TaN film is obtained. As the bias increases to -100 V, cubic TaN phase can be found. Stoichiometric TaN with hexagonal lattice preferred (300) orientation is prepared at a bias of -200 V. Combine the XRD and XPS results, the binding energy value of 23.6 eV of Ta 4f7/2 is contributed to hexagonal TaN. Compared to other techniques, TaN thin films fabricated by cathodic vacuum arc at various substrate biases show different microstructures.


In recent years Miller (8) and fulton (6) among other authors have produced valuable reviews of the question of cerebellar function. Of primary importance in investigating cerebellar activity by stimulation of its cortex is the fundamental observation of Sherrington (12) that faradisation of the rostral surface produces ipsilateral inhibition of inhibition of decerebrate rigidity. Latterly this observation has been confirmed and amplified by Bremer (1) and by Miller and Banting (7) among others. Electrical stimulation of the anterior lobe inhibits posture in ipsilateral antigravity muscles augments lobe produces spasticity of antigravity muscles on one or both sides. In the pigeon, Which lacks a pyramidal tract, Bremer and Ley (2) Have obtained similar results by excision of, or by stimulation of, the cerebellar cortes. Pollock and Davis (10) have produced similar results in cats by rendering anaemic the anterior part of the cerebellum at the same time as the precollicular neuraxis. Rademaker's animals, from which the entire cerebellum had been ablated, were observed for many months(11) and throughout that time hypertonicity of antigravity muscles was a prominent feature of their symptoms. More recently, Miller and Laughton (9) have described the result of stimulating, not the cerebellar cortex, but the nuclei themselves, which were exposed by ablation of overlying nerve tissue. We proposed therefore to extend these observations by use of a dead-beat recording mechanism, namely, the Sherrington myograph.


Computed tomography (CT) is a powerful imaging technique widely used. In Libya, the performed CT examinations are increasing, and the high doses associated with those CT examinations must be controlled. The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of several CT scanners image quality used in different medical clinics in Tripoli.Philips CT phantom (Serial Number: 4535-671-35962) was used to acquire images, under the same imaging parameters (120 kVp, 200 mAs, image size of (512 x 512) by implementing the IAEA standards for image quality control (QC). Images were obtained in the DICOM format from each CT.Results showed that there was no major difference in uniformity between the selected regions of interest ROIs in X and Y- directions within all obtained scans, with the coefficient of variation %CV varying between 0.330 and 0.528. The linearity test of all scans exhibited the same trend as it was provided by the phantom manual; the lowest mean pixel intensity value was 956.678 for polyethylene and the highest mean pixel intensity value was for Teflon 1945.347. The contrast C and CNR, between the water layer and Teflon was the highest value varied between 172.913 and 262.199, and the lowest value, varied between 0.844 to 19.015.


The POEMS syndrome is a multisystem disorder characterised by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, plasma cell dyscrasia and skin changes. A coincidence with angiofollicular lymphoid hyperplasia (Castleman's disease) exists in about 60% of all cases. The POEMS syndrome may be associated with macroangiopathy and acute vascular obliterations. Most case reports refer to involvement of the coronary and lower limb arteries. There are only few reports dealing with cerebral strokes and POEMS syndrome. We report on a 32-year-old female with an incomplete form of POEMS syndrome with Castleman's disease and associated cerebral vasculitis. After sufficient treatment of the plasma cell dyscrasia, recurrent cerebral ischemias occurred. A stable state was finally reached after primary treatment of the vasculitis with cyclophosphamide.


Has the maximum human lifespan been reached? The current record stands at 122 years, 164 days and has held for over 20 years and is more than four and three quarter years higher than the previous record. The value and persistence of this record have surprised some researchers, with some even questioning its veracity. There have been previous attempts in the literature to answer questions about how long this record might stand and whether it is truly exceptional but the focus has been mainly on the record ages, using ad hoc tools. This article contributes in two new ways. First we study lifespan records via the (inter-) record times and second we make use of specific tools from statistical Records Theory. We find that the occurrence of the present record was not surprising. We estimate around a 25% chance that the record would have survived until now and around a one in five chance that it will survive until 2050, demonstrating remarkable persistence.


Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (!GR) saturates the academic study and practice of public administration. The two are combined into a structure of government (federalism) and the flow of information and instructions within that structure (!GR). Forming a single and complex theoretical approach to public administration, they offer definition and clarification to the nature of American government. However, the approach is inherently biased as currently offered. Deliberate or not, it stresses the supremacy of each level of government over lesser units a clear hierarchical structure. A pyramid is often described with individual citizens as the foundation and national government leadership at the apex. This thesis offers another viewpoint and rebuffs the current trend. States are complex entities. Although they often act for the federal government, either as bureaucratic intermediaries or allies; states retain the capability and capacity to act independently. The thesis offers three frameworks to assess state operations. Two are familiar; the third is the basis of the thesis. Resting upon the nature of 'autonomy' and 'intrusion,' the three help define relationships between the federal and state government. The first framework describes the state as a bureaucratic entity. States administer federal programs on behalf of, and under the oversight and review of, the national government. The second refers to the state as a federal government ally. The state has some autonomy to address its own concerns yet remains junior to the federal government. The federal government still retains some authority over the state. The third framework goes beyond the focus upon the federal government. Rather, it sees the state as an autonomous actor pursuing its own interest. The federal government does not possess authority over the state and does not directly or indirectly influence state operations (e.g., financial aid). States establish, fund, operate, and oversee programs and projects without federal interference. Such state operations do exist. This thesis demonstrates the applicability of the third framework using the case study approach. The Division of Safety Inspection and Education (DSIE) of the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is used to define and clarify the proposed framework. The federal counterpart is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the US Department of Labor enacted under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. DSIE operates under the third framework. It is an autonomous operation free of federal interference, intrusion, and oversight. DSIE is maintained and funded solely from state revenue. Although largely forgotten in the rush to focus upon the national government; states remain a critical level of government when meeting the needs and concerns of their constituents. States will take action alone and without federal involvement or assistance. States are still the first bastions for change and will continue to serve this function well into the future, a function they never lost.


The initial immune response to HIV is critical in determining transmission. However, due to technical limitations we still do not have a comparative map of early mucosal transmission events. We combined RNAscope, cyclic-immunofluorescence and novel image analysis tools to quantify HIV transmission dynamics in intact human colorectal tissue. We mapped HIV enrichment to mucosal dendritic cells (DC) and submucosal macrophages, but not CD4+ T-cells, the primary targets of downstream infection. DCs appeared to funnel virus to lymphoid aggregates which acted as early sanctuaries of high viral titres whilst facilitating HIV passage to the submucosa. Finally, HIV entry induced rapid recruitment and clustering of target cells, facilitating DC and macrophage mediated HIV transfer and enhanced infection of CD4+ T-cells. These data demonstrate a rapid response to HIV structured to maximise the likelihood of mucosal infection, and provide a framework for in situ studies of host pathogen interactions and immune mediated pathologies. Highlights - in situ quantification of host cellular microenvironment response to pathogen invasion in human colorectal tissue. - HIV first localises to mucosal DCs and submucosal macrophages, but not CD4+ T cells. - Viral enrichment first occurs in lymphoid aggregates which is associated with passage into the submucosa. - Early localisation of HIV to CD4+ T cells is associated with interactions with DCs and macrophages. Graphical Abstract


Viral attacks on natural populations of herbaceous forage legumes might have adverse effect on seed and herbage production, hence this study was carried out to investigate the type and incidence of viruses occurring on these plants in Nigeria. Protein A-sandwich (PAS) and antigen-coated plate (ACP) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to detect ten legume viruses from 100 leaf samples collected from eight species of forage legumes planted in the derived savannah zone (DSZ) and northern guinea savannah zone (NGSZ) of Nigeria. The viruses include Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) genus Potyvirus, 'blackeye strain', Cowpea Moroccan aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) genus Potyvirus, Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), genus Potyvirus, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), genus Cucumovirus and Cowpea mottle virus (CPMoV), genus Carmovirus. Others include Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV), genus Sobemovirus, Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), genus Comovirus, Cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV), genus Comovirus, Bean pod mosaic virus, (BPMV), genus Comovirus and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), genus Tobamovirus. Infection rate ranged from 50.0% in the DSZ to 15.0% in the NGSZ. Most prevalent virus in the DSZ was CPSMV, detected in 30.0% of the samples tested, while in the NGSZ, BYMV was most prevalent (7.5%). CPSMV was detected in Aeschynomene histrix, Chamaecrista rotundifolia, Mucuna pruriens and Mucuna sp. Seed transmission of viruses is a serious problem.


Jean-Claude Juncker's Commission entered European political arena with a style that wasn't seen in Brussels since the times of Jacques Delors. It introduced a fresh way of communicating with citizens and stakeholders, as well as it presented a new way of structuring Europe's executive body. Its emphasis on holistic approach to policy making in many aspects resembles the way of work we know from Delors Commission. Moreover, the Juncker Commission aims to pursue grand bold initiatives that have a potential to change our continent in a similar way Delors did. This thesis wants to explore the source of the current Commission's confidence. The author explores both the institutional aspects that can lead to development of a powerful institution, as well as the personality of the President of the European Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker. The author also evaluates the importance of both tiers and attempts to present conditions of President's success. The author does so through academic literature, newspaper articles and a several discussions with experienced personalities that have a hands on experience with European politics.


Metal grid lines are a vital element in multijunction solar cells in order to take out from the cell the generated photocurrent. Nevertheless all this implies certain shadowing factor and thus certain reflectivity on cells surface that lowers its light absorption. This reflectivity produces a loss in electrical efficiency and thus a loss in global energy production for CPV systems. We present here an optical design for recovering this portion of reflected light, and thus leading to a system efficiency increase. This new design is based on an external confinement cavity, an optical element able to redirect the light reflected by the cell towards its surface again. It has been possible thanks to the recent invention of the advanced Köhler concentrators by LPI, likely to integrate one of these cavities easily. We have proven the excellent performance of these cavities integrated in this kind of CPV modules offering outstanding results: 33.2% module electrical efficiency @Tcell=25ºC and relative efficiency and Isc gains of over 6%.


Study Design Skeletons of ancient Canadian Eskimos subjected to arctic weathering presented an unusual opportunity for direct observation of all stages of spondylolysis. Objective To explore early stages of incomplete lysis, a phenomenon difficult to observe radiographically. Summary of Background Data Although lumbar spondylolysis most often appears to be a stress fracture that may proceed to complete separation, its early stages have been difficult to visualize. Methods Vertebrae were examined for even minute lytic defects in the general region of pars interarticularis and the results were correlated with age at death. Results Spondylolysis was found in 51 individuals, with 110 separate sites (sides) affected. At 34 of these sites, all but two in adolescents or young adults, the lysis was incomplete, Incomplete lysis effected the superior margin of the neural arch more often than the inferior margin, and the right side more often than the left. Conclusion Spondylolysis first became recognizable as incomplete stress fractures during adolescence, with most progressing to complete lysis in young adulthood. New fractures continued to develop in young adults, but most healed by middle adulthood. After 45 years of age, the overall frequency of spondylolysis declined, indicating that even complete defects occasionally healed.


Objective: As part of the expansive overhaul of the mental health system, many states have passed laws that allow, under certain conditions, voluntary and involuntarily committed patients to refuse medication. While some predicted the consequences of these laws would be dire, the effect on violent behavior remains untested. This study measures the effect of various right to refuse medication laws on homicides.Method: Using a sample of the homicide rate of every US state between 1972 and 2001 (N=1,479), I compare the difference in homicide rates before and after a law change to that same difference in a set of control states to estimate the effect of laws aimed at extending the right to refuse medication to both voluntary and involuntarily committed mental health patients. Results: Laws designed to allow voluntarily committed patients to refuse medication are associated with a 0.8 increase in the homicide rate, and while point estimates suggest that allowing for review of requests to refuse medication are associated with a decrease in the homicide rate, the estimates are imprecise and statistically insignificant.Conclusion: Allowing voluntarily committed patients to refuse medication may entice some to enter in-patient facilities, but the brief and optional exposure to medication and their side effects may actually discourage treatment and increase violence.


Of all French functional elements, the form _de_ has without question the widest variety of uses, and presents the greatest challenge for linguistic description and analysis. Historically a preposition, it still has a number of prepositional uses in modern French, but in many contexts it calls for an altogether different treatment. We begin by outlining a general distinction between "oblique" and "non-oblique" uses of _de_. We then develop a detailed account of constructions where _de_ combines with an N'. We provide a unitary analysis of _de_ in three constructions (quantifier extraction, "quantification at a distance", and negative contexts) which have been not been considered to be related in previous accounts.


An integrated geophysical exploration was executed in the Momotombo geothermal resource area under ORMAT administration as part of a power output recovery program. The geophysical surveys and studies included Self-Potential, gravimetry, aeromagnetics, microearthquake monitoring, analysis and integration of an existing resistivity survey, and remote sensing study including aerial photo. The purpose of the geophysical program was to define the production drilling target areas and specific drilling targets within the ORMAT Momotombo Exploration Concession. The program resulted in the identification of several production drilling target areas. Deep drilling took place in Momotombo between 2000 and 2002; four deep wells were drilled based on the proposed drilling target areas succeeding on one of the wells. Deep production drilling targets were not reached due to drilling difficulties. The identified reservoir features by geology and geophysics are the bases for proposing an updated conceptual model of the Momotombo geothermal system.


We describe a rare case of epidermoid cyst arising in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen that presented as a cystic mass in the tail of the pancreas, and for which laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed successfully. A 36-year-old woman with a cystic mass in the tail of the pancreas, which had been discovered incidentally at a medical checkup, was referred to our department for further examination. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasonography and positron emission tomography demonstrated a multilocular cyst in the tail of the pancreas without any evidence of malignancy, although differential diagnosis was extremely difficult because of the neoplasm-like appearance of the lesion. Therefore, we performed laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy under a preoperative diagnosis of mucinous cystic neoplasm. Postoperative pathologic examination demonstrated an epidermoid cyst arising from a heterotopic spleen within the pancreas. This is the first report of successful laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for an epidermoid cyst arising in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen. One virtually has no chance to diagnose an epidermoid cyst in an accessory spleen on the basis of preoperative diagnostic workup, and consequently the type of surgical resection (open vs. laparoscopic) would be conditioned by factors other than the clinical entity suspected at the preoperative period.


The problems of designing large software systems were studied through interviewing personnel from 17 large projects. A layered behavioral model is used to analyze how three of these problems—the thin spread of application domain knowledge, fluctuating and conflicting requirements, and communication bottlenecks and breakdowns—affected software productivity and quality through their impact on cognitive, social, and organizational processes.


This paper demonstrates a new Petri net model, the prioritized Petri net (P-net). The modeling power and properties of P-nets are analyzed. This model is developed from the object composition Petri net (OCPN) and the extended OCPN (XOCPN). The P-net model is applied to the distributed multimedia synchronization: the distributed object composition Petri net (DOCPN) model. Using the DOCPN model, we can coordinate operations among distributed computer sites.


Introduction—Health system (HS) health organizations are complex and are in constant dynamic interaction with multiple elements, including political, environmental, societal, legal, and organizational factors, along with human components, such as human resources, patients, and other stakeholders. Objective—This research aimed to study three HS organizations, identifying and characterizing the elements of health organizations and the factors related to professionals, determining their influence on economic and financial performance results, as well as results related to the professionals and to the patients comprising the institutions. Method—A quantitative study was conducted in which data were collected through questionnaires from various sources to better understand and characterize the factors related to organizations, professionals, and patients (470 health professionals and 768 patients). To test the integrated evaluation model for health organizations, path analysis was used. Results—The results reveal that the organizational culture (OC) presents a positive relationship between the professional's quality of life (QL) and the performance management (PM) of the professionals, along with a negative relationship with the psychosocial work risks (PWR). There is also a relationship between the OC and patient satisfaction (PS), professional job satisfaction (PJS), and economic and financial results (EFR). In the relationship between the processes and the results, there are significant relationships between PM and PJS and PWR and PJS. In terms of the results, there is a significant relationship between the EFR and the PS. Conclusions—This study contributes to a deeper knowledge of the factors that influence the quality of health organizations and their results and produces recommendations for health organizations to address the current challenges.


We used femtosecond laser irradiation of titanium metal in an oxidizing environment to form a highly stable surface layer of nanostructured amorphous titanium dioxide (TiO2). We studied the influence of atmospheric composition on these surface structures and found that gas composition and pressure affect the chemical composition of the surface layer but not the surface morphology. Incorporation of nitrogen is only possible when no oxygen is present in the surrounding atmosphere. VC 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4752276]


TPS (Think-Pair-Share) is a cooperative learning strategy where students think about their responses for a problem given by instructor then discuss their individual solutions in pairs and share those solutions with the class. Think-Pair Free-Open-Source-Software -Share (TP FOSS S) is a modified activity of TPS in which free open source software can be used in TPS activity. How these two activities can be used in teaching the engineering courses is explained in this paper. Here, the case study of Theory of Computation which is the core course of Computer Science and Engineering and the base for many other courses like System Programming, Compiler Construction, etc. is considered. These TPS and TP FOSS S activities are employed for the Theory of Computation course to improve students' conceptual understanding. In this paper, one group Pre-Test Post-Test model is considered. Experimental results, students' perception about these activities and effectiveness of these activities are also presented in the study.


This paper presents an account of two developments: the effect of EU Natura 2000 biodiversity policy on local planning and implementation processes, and a shift towards a 'Building' or 'Working' with Nature approach when designing water infrastructure projects. The account is based on a longitudinal case study of the 35‐year chronology of a flood defence project which has been implemented along the River Scheldt in Flanders. The case study data have been analysed using a chronological time series analysis. The paper concludes that 'Building' or 'Working' with Nature is resorted to both at the EU and local level, because it works to balance previously conflicting interests and is acceptable to most actors who take part in project implementation. By placing ecological goals at the start of the planning process, the authorities elsewhere in the EU could avoid conflicts of interest and speed up project implementation in Natura 2000 estuaries.


The authors present a dataset that contains the positions of 231 political parties across 28 countries on 30 policy issues that were considered salient for the 2014 elections to the European Parliament. The party position estimates were originally used in a voter information tool which compared the policy preferences of citizens to those of political parties. The paper discusses the estimation method in the context of the literature on estimating party positions, outlines the coding methodology, and introduces the value of the dataset for third-party users interested in studying political participation and representation.


The problem of the COVID-19 disease has determined that about 219 million people have contracted it, of which 4.55 million died. This importance has led to the implementation of security protocols to prevent the spread of this disease. One of the main protocols is to use protective masks that properly cover the nose and mouth. The objective of this paper was to classify images of faces using protective masks of COVID-19, in the classes identified as correct mask, incorrect mask, and no mask, with a Hybrid model of Quantum Transfer Learning. To do this, the method used has made it possible to gather a data set of 660 people of both sexes (man and woman), with ages ranging from 18 to 86 years old. The classic transfer learning model chosen was ResNet-18;the variational layers of the proposed model were built with the Basic Entangler Layers template for four qubits, and the optimization of the training was carried out with the Stochastic Gradient Descent with Nesterov Momentum. The main finding was the 99.05% accuracy in classifying the correct Protective Masks using the Pennylane quantum simulator in the tests performed. The conclusion reached is that the proposed hybrid model is an excellent option to detect the correct position of the protective mask for COVID-19.


As a neurosurgeon with a large clinical sports medicine practice, I am called on to evaluate athletes who have postconcussion symptoms days or weeks after injury. It is often difficult for athletes to recall their initial symptoms and those that occurred within the first few hours after injury. Many competitive athletes consume a large ritual meal after the game, often with teammates. Now, I routinely ask what and where they ate after the game. Recalling a break from routine habits may help them recall that they had symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, unusual fatigue, and/ or headache that occurred soon after the injury.


We conduct a convergence analysis for the estimation of inertial lift force on a spherical particle suspended in flow through a straight square duct using the finite element method. Specifically, we consider the convergence of an inertial lift force approximation with respect to a range of factors including the truncation of the domain, the resolution of the tetrahedral mesh and the boundary conditions imposed at the (truncated) ends of the domain. Additionally, we compare estimates obtained via the Lorentz reciprocal theorem with those obtained via a direct integration of fluid stress over the particle surface.

 References M. S. Alnaes, J. Blechta, J. Hake, A. Johansson, B. Kehlet, A. Logg, C. Richardson, J. Ring, M. E. Rognes, and G. N. Wells. The FEniCS project version 1.5. Arch. Numer. Software, 3(100):923, 2015. doi:10.11588/ans.2015.100.20553. D. Di Carlo. Inertial microfluidics. Lab Chip, 21:30383046, 2009. doi:10.1039/B912547G. C. Geuzaine and J.-F. Remacle. Gmsh: A 3-d finite element mesh generator with built-in pre- and post-processing facilities. Int. J. Numer. Meth. Eng., 79(11):13091331, 2009. doi:10.1002/nme.2579. B. Harding. A study of inertial particle focusing in curved microfluidic ducts with large bend radius and low flow rate. In Proc. 21st Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, number 603, 2018. URL https://people.eng.unimelb.edu.au/imarusic/proceedings/21/Contribution_603_final.pdf. B. Harding, Y. M. Stokes, and A. L. Bertozzi. Effect of inertial lift on a spherical particle suspended in flow through a curved duct. J. Fluid Mech., accepted, 2019. URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1902.06848. A. J. Hogg. The inertial migration of non-neutrally buoyant spherical particles in two-dimensional shear flows. J. Fluid Mech., 272:285318, 1994. doi:10.1017/S0022112094004477. K. Hood, S. Lee, and M. Roper. Inertial migration of a rigid sphere in three-dimensional Poiseuille flow. J. Fluid Mech., 765:452479, 2015. doi:10.1017/jfm.2014.739. N. Nakagawa, T. Yabu, R. Otomo, A. Kase, M. Makino, T. Itano, and M. Sugihara-Seki. Inertial migration of a spherical particle in laminar square channel flows from low to high reynolds numbers. J. Fluid Mech., 779:776793, 2015. doi:10.1017/jfm.2015.456. T.-W. Pan and R. Glowinski. Direct simulation of the motion of neutrally buoyant balls in a three-dimensional poiseuille flow. C. R. Mecanique, 333(12):884895, 2005. doi:10.1016/j.crme.2005.10.006. C. Taylor and P. Hood. A numerical solution of the navier-stokes equations using the finite element technique. Comput. Fluids, 1(1):73100, 1973. doi:10.1016/0045-7930(73)90027-3. M. E. Warkiani, G. Guan, K. B. Luan, W. C. Lee, A. A. S. Bhagat, P. Kant Chaudhuri, D. S.-W. Tan, W. T. Lim, S. C. Lee, P. C. Y. Chen, C. T. Lim, and J. Han. Slanted spiral microfluidics for the ultra-fast, label-free isolation of circulating tumor cells. Lab Chip, 1:128137, 2014. doi:10.1039/C3LC50617G. B. H. Yang, J. Wang, D. D. Joseph, H. H. Hu, T.-W. Pan, and R. Glowinski. Migration of a sphere in tube flow. J. Fluid Mech., 540:109131, 2005. doi:10.1017/S0022112005005677. L. Zeng, S. Balachandar, and P. Fischer. Wall-induced forces on a rigid sphere at finite reynolds number. J. Fluid Mech., 536:125, 2005. doi:10.1017/S0022112005004738.


Abstract District heating has proven to be an efficient way of providing space heating and domestic hot water in populated areas. It has also proven to be an excellent way to integrate various renewable energy sources (RES) into the energy system. In Estonia, biomass covers most of the heat demand, but carbon-intensive fuels are still used to cover peaks and lows. Heat pumps can be a good solution for rural areas, as there is usually plenty of land available for heat pump facilities. In addition, heat pumps require low-grade heat sources such as ambient air, groundwater, lakes, rivers, sea, sewage water, and industrial waste heat. One of the downsides of heat pumps is the need for large investments compared to boilers fired by natural gas and biomass, and electric boilers. This study examines the impact of heat pump use on consumer prices for district heating in rural district heating networks in Estonia.


This article investigates the interest structure that leads to collective conflicts over the protection of private property in middle-class residential compounds in Beijing. The departure from a work-unit dominated social landscape means that work and residence are now de-linked and the new private residential compounds create communities of consumers, not of producers. Individual status is formed in the context of local socialization patterns in the neighbourhoods at least as much as in the workplace. Based on fieldwork in Beijing's residential compounds in 2002 and 2003, this article highlights the importance of spatial factors in determining the formation of collective interests and argues that the enclosed residential spaces of the gated communities are providing both a catalyst for the autonomous mobilization of collective resources and new social units for the Chinese state to govern an increasingly complex society.


The cultivation of Sphagnum mosses reduces CO2 emissions by rewetting drained peatlands and by substituting peat with renewable biomass. 'Sphagnum farming' requires large volumes of founder material, which can only be supplied sustainably by axenic cultivation in bioreactors. We established axenic in-vitro cultures from sporophytes of 19 Sphagnum species collected in Austria, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Russia and Sweden, namely S. angustifolium, S. balticum, S. capillifolium, S. centrale, S. compactum, S. cuspidatum, S. fallax, S. fimbriatum, S. fuscum, S. lindbergii, S. medium/divinum, S. palustre, S. papillosum, S. rubellum, S. russowii, S. squarrosum, S. subnitens, S. subfulvum, and S. warnstorfii. These species cover five of the six European Sphagnum sections, namely Acutifolia, Cuspidata, Rigida, Sphagnum and Squarrosa. Their growth was measured in axenic suspension cultures, whereas their ploidy was determined by flow cytometry and compared with the genome size of Physcomitrella patens. We identified haploid and diploid Sphagnum species, found that their cells are predominantly arrested in the G1-phase of the cell cycle, and did not find a correlation between plant productivity and ploidy. With this collection, high-quality founder material for diverse large-scale applications but also for basic Sphagnum research is available from the International Moss Stock Center (IMSC).


It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the ACM Fourth International Workshop on Data and Text Mining in Biomedical Informatics (DTMBIO'10), in conjunction with the 19th ACM International Conference on Information and Knowledge Management (CIKM'10). The rapid development of bioinformatics techniques is tightly coupled with development within several fields in computer science, including data mining, information retrieval, and database management systems, among others. A fundamental topic of research within bioinformatics is how to make effective use of the tremendous amount of biological and biomedical data to improve the understanding of biological systems. Such data include, but are not limited to, gene and protein sequences, gene expression profiles from microarray experiments, protein structure predictions resulting from high-throughput computational methods, proteinprotein interactions from proteomic studies, single nucleotide polymorphisms profiles from SNP arrays, and much bibliographic information from electronic medical journals. The need to automatically and effectively extract, understand, integrate, and make use of information embedded in such heterogeneous unstructured data drives the current research in bioinformatics.

This year's workshop continues the tradition of bringing together researchers that work in the field of data mining, text mining, and computational biology and providing a forum to present and discuss current research topics at the interface of the related fields. The mission of DTMBIO is to promote a tighter connection between literature search and data analysis within biomedical informatics. In particular, this year we focus on the following two themes: (1) Data and text mining for biomedical applications, and the identification of relevant background knowledge in database annotations or in text documents, such as scientific publications.. And (2) Knowledge discovery through the integration of heterogeneous biomedical data collected from electronic bulletin boards, scientific publications, and any type of experiments. Furthermore, we put more focus this year on the integration of bioinformatics and medical informatics toward translational research.

The papers accepted for presentation and publication in this volume cover a variety of topics, including bio-text mining, translational bioinformatics, systems bioinformatics, bio-ontology management, sequence analysis for massively parallel sequencing, protein-protein interactions, biomedical data classification, and biomedical information retrieval. We hope that these proceedings will serve as a valuable and up-to-date reference about the application of data- and text-mining techniques within biomedical informatics.


The archaeal RNA-degrading exosome contains a catalytically active hexameric core, an RNA-binding cap formed by Rrp4 and Csl4 and the protein annotated as DnaG (bacterial type primase) with so-far-unknown functions in RNA metabolism. We found that the archaeal DnaG binds to the Csl4-exosome but not to the Rrp4-exosome of Sulfolobus solfataricus. In vitro assays revealed that DnaG is a poly(A)-binding protein enhancing the degradation of adenine-rich transcripts by the Csl4-exosome. DnaG is the second poly(A)-binding protein besides Rrp4 in the heteromeric, RNA-binding cap of the S. solfataricus exosome. This apparently reflects the need for effective and selective recruitment of adenine-rich RNAs to the exosome in the RNA metabolism of S. solfataricus.


Aside from constructing a compelling case for how rereading evolution from a neomaterialist and radical empiricist perspective undermines an enduring binary of sexual difference, Luciana Parisi underscores a tension in the work of Elizabeth Grosz, known both for her novel, feminist, neomaterialist study of Darwinian evolution and her staunch support of sexual difference. Parisi contends, and I suspect Grosz herself is keenly aware, that there is a paradox in holding these views simultaneously. Thus, this paper will not only expand upon Parisi's argument for preaccelerated, unbounded, creative, inhuman, neomaterialist, and radical empirical accounts of matter and sex but also propose a reading of Grosz's work that could potentially wrest her from the perceived paradox. I call this the "theory sex" reading, which can be characterized as a metatheoretical difference materially embodied in the unbridgeable gap between Grosz's two theoretical stances. Theory sex is not an ontology but a concept in line with a Deleuzo–Guattarian understanding of the philosopher's mode of living with chaos. Theory sex produces vibrations and dissonance, which reproduce or chart lines of flight toward theories like Parisi's. These vibrations compose the requiem both honoring and retaining the virtual legacy of sexual difference into the future.