The role of transmembrane lipidtransporter molecules in the atherosclerotic process. The protective effect of high-density lipoprotein in the atherosclerotic process has been mainly attributed to its role in reverse cholesterol transport. Identification of mutations in the ATP-bindig casette transporter-A1 (ABCA1) as the genetic defect in genetic high-density lipoprotein-deficiency (Tangier disease) and selected patients with familiar hypoalphalipoproteinemia has generated interest in discovering the role of this lipid transporter molecule in the reverse cholesterol transport. It is well established, that the ABCA1 mediates cellular cholesterol efflux through transfer of phospholipids and cholesterol from the inner to the outer layer of the cell membrane, thus enabling the bindig to apolipoproteins. Previous studies showed that the ABCA1 is critically involved in cellular trafficking of cholesterol and phospholipids in total body of lipid homeostasis. In Tangier disease, the loss of the function of ABCA1, leads to an impaired formation of nascent high-density lipoprotein particles by preventing the release of cellular phospholipids and cholesterol to the acceptor apolipoprotein A1. This rare genetic disorder is characterized by a severe high-density lipoprotein deficiency, cholesterol deposition in macrophages and premature atherosclerosis. These findings implicate the ABCA1 as an important therapeutic target for preventing diseases that are associated with accelerated atherogenesis. The present review summarizes the current knowledge of the ABCA1, its pivotal role in the cholesterol homeostasis and preventing atherosclerosis.


TI-201 chloride was used for tumor imaging in patients with head and neck cancer, it is of value in detecting the extent of tumor involvement, the presence of residual tumor after radical courses of treatment, and the presence of local recurrence and distant metastases.


The authors describe a rectilinear scanner-head assembly containing an x-ray tube and a Si(Li) detector developed to stimulate and detect fluorescence from intrinsic iodine in the thyroid. Various operational parameters were evaluated. Because of the abundant supply of photons, a scanning distance of 3 inches (7.62 cm) could be used. The full width at half maximum at this distance was 0.52 cm. Optimal exposure was obtained at 80 kVp, 0.5 mA with a copper-aluminum filter combination. The scanner with an x-ray generator appears to be a workable alternative to imaging devices using long-lived radionuclide sources.


This paper provides an overview of a proposed demonstration of 3DinMotion, a system using real time motion capture of one or several subjects, which can be used in interactive audiovisual pieces and network performances. The skeleton of a subject is analyzed in real time and displayed as an abstract avatar as well as sonified based on mappings and rules to make the interplay experience lively and rewarding. A series of musical pieces have been composed for the interface following cueing strategies. In addition a second display, "the prompter" guides the users through the piece. 3DinMotion has been developed from scratch and natively, leading to a system with a very low latency, making it suitable for real time music interactions. In addition, 3DinMotion is fully compatible with the OpenSoundControl (OSC) protocol, allowing expansion to commonly used musical and sound design applications.


Abstract Cancer patients are traditionally considered at high risk for complicated respiratory viral infections, due to their underlying immunosuppression. In line with this notion, early case series reported high mortality rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with malignancy. However, subsequent large, prospective, epidemiological surveys indicate that the risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be largely attributed to the multiple confounders operating in this highly heterogeneous population of patients, rather than the cancer or its treatment per se. We critically discuss the conundrums of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients and underscore mechanistic insights on the outcome of COVID-19 as it relates to cancer therapy and the type and status of the underlying malignancy. Not all cancer patients are similarly at risk for a complicated COVID-19 course. A roadmap is needed for translational and clinical research on COVID-19 in this challenging group of patients.


ABSTRACT Microalgae have been recently cultivated using resources from wastewater treatment plants, including nutrients, CO2, and heat. In the present study, we focused on the natural cultivation of total microalgae rather than specific microalgae, for which culture conditions and the cultivation environment are difficult to prepare. Natural microalgal cultivation systems using 380-L raceway tanks were operated outdoors for 8 months and the effects of the culture substrate were investigated. The cultivation substrate was the primary effluent with or without excess sludge. The results showed that when diluted excess sludge was added to the substrate, microalgal biomass increased more than when the substrate contained only primary effluent. Additionally, the wastewater suspended matter and water quality were removed, reaching low levels. Microalgal culture systems using excess sludge showed higher organic acid content, higher biochemical methane potential, and higher efficiency in producing more microalgal biomass than wastewater treatment plant systems that did not use excess sludge. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


Influence upon the societal agenda is an important power resource in modern democracies. Consequently, inequalities in such influence across different segments of the public have important democratic implications. Using time-series methods on a unique Danish dataset, this article investigates the existence of inequalities in agenda power across groups with different levels of political sophistication and finds that the most sophisticated members of the public possess more such power vis-à-vis the media and politicians than the less sophisticated. The existence of inequalities in agenda power across different segments of the public, even in the homogenous Danish society, implies that countries characterised by higher levels of inequality should experience even larger disparities, thereby jeopardising the democratic principle that all citizens have equal access to placing issues on the agenda.


Cashew apple bagasse is biomass rich in little-exploited lignocellulosic material. This study used this biomass as a support for cell immobilisation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For this purpose, the immobilisation technique by attachment to a surface was applied. The bagasse used in this study contained 32.6% lignin. After delignification, the lignin content of the bagasse was 3.33%. The cell density was 1.21 × 108 cells g-1 for the immobilised cells prepared for 24 h. For the immobilised cells prepared for 48 h, the cell density was 1.71 × 108 cells g-1. Microscopic observations showed that the adhesion of the yeast cells to the surface of the support occurred on all layers with the cells immobilised for 48 h. These results highlight the efficiency of cell immobilisation of S. cerevisiae on cashew apple bagasse.


Contact mechanics is concerned with the behavior of two materials in contact with each other under various load conditions. Many experimental studies were conducted to give a better understanding of this phenomenon as it is affected by several factors. It is imperative to incorporate the numerical methods in predicating such behavior for the sake of time and money. This study focused on the finite element analysis (FEA) using ABAQUS software program to investigate the parameter affecting the life of the materials in contact with each other. The data of this study was based on the experimental work conducted on Titanium Alloy under phase difference between the axial and contact load. The result from this study was also compared to the analytic solution for the contact mechanics as well as the experimental one. Findings show that the FEA was in a very good agreement with the Ruiz program and other experimental studies. The greatest value of tangential load to contact load ratio was found at in-phase condition while the Modified Shear Stress Range (MSSR) was higher for the out-of-phase condition. This result shows an increase of 145% in the fatigue life for the out-of-phase condition in comparison to in-phase condition. So the FEA can be adopted to predict the material fatigue life and the crack initiation location and orientation.


Epidemiological studies of obesity, Type-2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular diseases and several common cancers have revealed an increased risk in Native Hawaiians compared to European- or Asian-Americans living in the Hawaiian islands. However, there remains a gap in our understanding of the genetic factors that affect the health of Native Hawaiians. To fill this gap, we studied the genetic risk factors at both the chromosomal and sub-chromosomal scales using genome-wide SNP array data on ∼4,000 Native Hawaiians from the Multiethnic Cohort. We estimated the genomic proportion of Native Hawaiian ancestry ("global ancestry," which we presumed to be Polynesian in origin), as well as this ancestral component along each chromosome ("local ancestry") and tested their respective association with binary and quantitative cardiometabolic traits. After attempting to adjust for non-genetic covariates evaluated through questionnaires, we found that per 10% increase in global Polynesian genetic ancestry, there is a respective 8.6%, and 11.0% increase in the odds of being diabetic (P = 1.65 10−4) and having heart failure (P = 2.18 10−4), as well as a 0.059 s.d. increase in BMI (P = 1.04 10−10). When testing the association of local Polynesian ancestry with risk of disease or biomarkers, we identified a chr6 region associated with T2D. This association was driven by an uniquely prevalent variant in Polynesian ancestry individuals. However, we could not replicate this finding in an independent Polynesian cohort from Samoa due to the small sample size of the replication cohort. In conclusion, we showed that Polynesian ancestry, which likely capture both genetic and lifestyle risk factors, is associated with an increased risk of obesity, Type-2 diabetes, and heart failure, and that larger cohorts of Polynesian ancestry individuals will be needed to replicate the putative association on chr6 with T2D. Author Summary Native Hawaiians are one of the fastest growing ethnic minority in the U.S., and exhibit increased risk for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, they are generally understudied, especially from a genetic perspective. To fill this gap, we studied the association of Polynesian genetic ancestry, at genomic and subgenomic scale, with quantitative and binary traits in self-identified Native Hawaiians. We showed that Polynesian ancestry, which likely capture both genetic and non-genetic risk factors related to Native Hawaiian people and culture are associated with increased risk for obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart failure. While we do not endorse utilizing genetic information to supplant current standards of defining community membership through self-identity or genealogical records, our results suggest future studies could identify population-specific genetic susceptibility factors that may be useful in suggesting underlying biological mechanisms and reducing the disparity in disease interventions in Polynesian populations.


This paper provides a valuation algorithm based on Monte Carlo simulation for valuing a wide set of capital budgeting problems with many embedded real options dependent on many state variables. Along the lines of Gamba and Trigeorgis (2002b), we decompose a complex real option problem with many options into a set of simple options, properly taking into account deviations from value additivity due to interaction and strategical interdependence of the embedded real options, as noted by Trigeorgis (1993). The valuation approach presented in this paper is alternative to the general switching approach for valuing complex option problems (see Kulatilaka and Trigeorgis (1994) and Kulatilaka (1995)). The numerical algorithm presented in this paper is based on simulation, and extends the LSM approach presented in Longstaff and Schwartz (2001) to a multi-options setting in order to implement the modular valuation approach introduced in Gamba and Trigeorgis (2002). We provide also an array of numerical results to show the convergence of the algorithm and a few real life capital budgeting problems, including the extension of Schwartz and Moon (2000,2001) for valuing growth companies, to see how they can be tackled using our approach. JEL Classification: C15, C63, G13, G31.


We studied the role of environment in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) in China, where industrialization is relatively recent and the population geographically stable. Using a case-control method, we investigated the relationship between PD and exposure to the following factors before disease onset: place of residence, source of drinking water, environmental and occupational exposure to various agricultural and industrial processes. Occupational or residential exposure to industrial chemicals, printing plants, or quarries was associated with an increased risk of developing PD. In contrast, living in villages and exposure to the common accompaniments of village life, wheat growing and pig raising, were associated with a decreased risk for PD. PD cases and controls did not differ with respect to other factors investigated. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that environmental exposure to certain industrial chemicals may be related to the development of PD.


In order to evaluate the potential of ultrasound for serial, nontraumatic estimation of prostate size in the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas), we adapted the technique of planimetric ultrasound to study a captive-bred colony of 30 male baboons (median age 8.4 years, range 3.3-17 years) including 4 long-term castrates. Most (19) were studied on another two occasions (at 33-and 43-day intervals) to estimate reproducibility of the prostate size (dimensions, volume) measurement. Prostatic dimensions were measured with a B-mode sector ultrasound using a 7.5-MHz transrectal transducer by planimetry at 2.5-mm steps from base to apex as well as the maximum three dimensions of the prostate. The planimetric volume estimate was reproducible (intraclass coefficient 0.81) with coefficient of variation (CV) of 24.3% for all, and 16.0% for mature, baboons. The prostate dimensions were also reproducible (CVs 7.9-13.4%). Prostate volume estimates based on the general ellipsoidal model were reasonably reproducible (19.9% for all, 12.9% for mature) but were biased in relationship to the planimetric volume (0.57 +/- 0.19, P = 0.004). Using the independent estimates of prostate volume and dimensions, we developed an empirical power-function model of prostate shape based on the generalized ellipsoidal model that was robust and unbiased (-0.07 +/- 0.15, P = 0.64) with respect to the planimetric volume. This model provides a simpler and accurate formula for prostate volume based on its three maximal dimensional measurements. The natural history of prostate growth in the hamadryas baboon was illustrated by sigmoidal correlations with age (ED50 = 6.0 years, plateau ED95 = 8.3 years), body weight (ED50 = 14.6 kg, ED96 = 16.1 kg), and testis volume (ED50 = 7.8 ml, ED95 = 18.4 ml). Between-animal variability among mature baboons was greater for prostate weight (27%) than body weight (10%), raising the possibility that a subgroup of these baboons may develop spontaneous age-related prostatic hyperplasia. These findings suggest that ultrasonic evaluation of prostate size in the hamadryas baboon may constitute a suitable model for spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia and for experimental studies of prostate growth, development, and hormonal regulation.


Background: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is an easily evaluated systemic inflammation indicator. However, there are limited reports on neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and functional outcome in ischemic stroke. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and stroke severity, short term functional outcomes and mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Methods: The clinical data of patients who were > 18 age-old and hospitalized with acute ischemic stroke in Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between January 2018 and May 2019 were studied retrospectively. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were measured. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, mortality during hospitalization and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge of the patients with acute ischemic stroke were correlated.
Results: Among the acute ischemic stroke patients due to the exclusion criteria, the data of 134 patients were evaluated. Median age of the patients were 76± 12.5 years and 82 patients (61.2%) were male. The median NIHSS scores of the patients at admission was 5±4.5. Mortality during the hospitalization was seen in 8 patients (6%). The median neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio value of the patients at admission were found to be 2.6±3.4. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and NIHSS scores of the patients at admission, duration of the hospitalization, mRS scores at discharge and mortality during hospitalization were found to be positively correlated.
Conclusion: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is a simple and easily measured marker and can be used as a potential indicator for prognosis in acute ischemic stroke. However further prospective multicenter investigations are required to confirm the role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio for predicting the prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients.


Pathogenesis of Diabetes Elucidation of the pathogenesis of a disease prompts a rational search for the most appropriate therapy. In the majority of patients with diabetes mellitus, the pathogenesis has not been established, but significant contributory factors have been demonstrated in some instances. Decreased Insulin Secretion. —A marked decrease in pancreatic islet tissue, whether produced by carcinomatosis, pancreatitis, extirpation, or in other ways, has been found to cause diabetes. But in the majority of patients, apparently there is insufficient morphologic abnormality to account for the development of this disorder. It could be postulated that a biochemical defect in the β-cells is associated with a decreased insulin synthesis and/or release. Such a concept deserves notation in considering the possible mechanisms of action of sulfonylureas, discussed later. Relative Insufficiency of Insulin Secretion. —There are many conditions that are associated with the development of diabetes in which there is reason for assuming that


Coastal lagoons mix inflowing freshwater and tidal marine waters in complex spatial patterns. This project sought to detect and measure temperature and spatial variability of flood tides for a constricted coastal lagoon using multitemporal remote sensing. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Radiometer (ASTER) thermal infrared data provided estimates of surface temperature for delineation of repletion zones in portions of Chincoteague Bay, Virginia. ASTER high spatial resolution sea-surface temperature imagery in conjunction with in situ observations and tidal predictions helped determine the optimal seasonal data for analyses. The selected time series ASTER satellite data sets were analyzed at different tidal phases and seasons in 2004–2006. Skin surface temperatures of ocean and estuarine waters were differentiated by flood tidal penetration and ebb flows. Spatially variable tidal flood penetration was evaluated using discrete seed-pixel area analysis and time series Principal Components Analysis. Results from these techniques provide spatial extent and variability dynamics of tidal repletion, flushing, and mixing, important factors in eutrophication assessment, water quality and resource monitoring, and application of hydrodynamic modeling for coastal estuary science and management.


This paper is a theoretical analysis, opening with the introduction where the problem of the research, the object of the research, the purpose of the research and the research methods are described. The analysis has revealed that the market situation, logistics service providers face today, differs a lot from the situation years ago. Globalization as a process is lightening supply lines, thereby increasing the freight transport intensity of the world economy. Lithuania is geographically good situated, therefore there are great possibilities to integrate into the European trade community, the efficient system of logistics centers is necessary. Climate change is likely to become a major business driver over the next few decades as companies come under intense pressure to decrease the pollution to nature. The main object of this article is the impacts of globalization on green logistics centers in Lithuania. The principal purpose of the article is systemization and thorough description of the knowledge and information (found in a large number of sources) about the economic globalization concept, green logistics, logistics centers and to present a coherent overview on such aspects of logistics as: the importance of green logistics, supply chain management and collaborative logistics.


Hydrocharitaceae is a cosmopolitan aquatic group that comprises 17 genera with 127 species. The individuals are herbs fixed or free, floating, submerged or emerged living in fresh, brackish or salty water. In Brazil, it is represented by six genera and ca. 15 species. Aiming to know the real diversity of the family in Rio de Janeiro state, a study of herbaria collection and an extensive field work were made. Six native and two introduced species were registered. Apalanthe granatensis, presents bisexual flowers and was found in dams, rivers and freshwater ponds. Egeria densa, is similar to A. granatensis, and can be distinguished by the unisexual flowers. Halophila decipiens, occurs in the Guanabara Bay beaches, it is characterized by rhizomatous stem and elliptical leaves. Limnobium laevigatum. Heine is a free floating herb found in ponds and emerged in marshes, it has floating leaves with abaxial aerenchymatous thickening and/or emerged leaves without thickening. Najas arguta var. arguta exhibits spineless stem, leaves concentrated at the apex of the branches and fruit with fusiform seed, and Najas marina has thorns on the stem and midrib, and elliptical seed. Both are found in coastal lakes. Elodea canadensis and Vallisneria sp. were found under cultivation.


The present article emphasizes the importance of implanting new teaching/learning methods in Psychology courses, traditionally based on the presumption that mastering the transmission of knowledge and the memorization of information and abilities that generally do not lead to an adequate professional practice.The proposal presented here emphasizes the active role of the student in the learning process, carried out on the basis of problems, which permits the student to study informational content according to his concrete necessities and explains the theoretical, methodological and operational concept of a course based on the teaching tool PBL - (Problem Based Learning).


The potential of biocatalysis becomes increasingly recognized as an efficient and green tool for modern organic synthesis. Biocatalytic promiscuity, a new frontier extended the use of enzymes in organic synthesis, has attracted much attention and expanded rapidly in the past decade. It focuses on the enzyme catalytic activities with unnatural substrates and alternative chemical transformations. Exploiting enzyme catalytic unconventional reactions might lead to improvements in existing catalysts and provide novel synthesis pathways that are currently not available. Among these enzymes, hydrolase (such as lipase, protease, acylase) undoubtedly has received special attention since they display remarkable activities for some unexpected reactions such as aldol reaction and other novel carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions. This chapter introduces the recent progress in hydrolase catalytic unconventional reactions and application in organic synthesis. Some important examples of hydrolase catalytic unconventional reactions in addition reactions are reviewed, highlighting the catalytic promiscuity of hydrolases focuses on aldol reaction, Michael addition, and multicomponent reactions.


132 bronchial asthma patients living in Frunze (760 m above the sea level) and those on adaptation days 3-5 and 25-30 to the climate of North Tien Shan (3200 m above the sea level) underwent clinical and functional examination involving assessment of ACTH, cortisol and aldosterone levels. The patients showed clinical response and improvement of bronchial permeability associated with a pronounced growth of plasma cortisol levels starting on adaptation days 3-5. By adaptation days 25-30 cortisol levels were still on the increase while ACTH concentration tended to reduction.


Abstract 'Don't imagine for a moment', wrote Edna Walling in the late 1920s, 'that you cannot make little pictures on that suburban block'.1 The pictures that the well-known landscape designer made for her wealthy clients were generally far from little, and for most of her life those she created and inspired built upon the ideas of Gertrude Jekyll and were distinctly English in their flavour. Walling's incitement to gardeners, however, alerts us to the importance of the vernacular garden as an expression of creativity and as a reflection of the individual and cultural 'pictures' that gardeners carried with them as they sought to transtform their small blocks of land into spaces known, familiar and inviting.


I thank Crombé et al. for their comment on an earlier paper (Vanmontfort 2008) and the editor of this journal for providing me with the opportunity to reply to their critique. They use two intensively surveyed and studied areas in the lower Scheldt region to compare the microlith-based method with a site-based approach. Actually this comparison nicely illustrates the potential of the method. My Figure 3 compares the calculated frequencies of sites and microliths – which is not quite the same as the 'Mesolithic use' of these regions – over the Mesolithic period for the two regions. The results correspond remarkably well. This agreement is perhaps not surprising, since the presence of microliths is also one of the most determining factors in the attribution of sites to each of the Mesolithic phases. However, the results from the two methods might easily have diverged from each other. Contrary to Crombé et al.'s expectation of correspondence, the distribution of a particular artefact type may offer different and complementary information to site-based data (Vanmontfort 2008: 250).


Natural CO2 vents allow study of the effects of climate change on marine organisms on a different scale from laboratory-based studies. This study outlines a preliminary investigation into the suitability of natural CO2 vents near White Island, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand (37°31.19′S, 117°10.85′E) for climate change research by characterising water chemistry from two vent and three control locations on a seasonal basis, as well as examining their effects on skeletons of the local calcifying crustose coralline algae. pH measurements at vent sites, calculated from dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity, showed reduced mean pH levels (7.49 and 7.85) relative to background levels of 8.06, whereas mean temperatures were between 0.0 and 0.4°C above control. Increases in sulfur and mercury at sites near White Island were probably a result of volcanic unrest. Crustose coralline algae did not show significant variability in skeletal Mg-calcite geochemistry, but qualitative comparisons of calcite skeletons under scanning electron microscopy saw greater deformation and dissolution in coralline algae calcite crystals from vent sites compared to controls. Although additional monitoring of pH fluctuations and hydrogen sulphides is still needed, the low pH and increased temperatures indicate potential for studying multistressor effects of projected climate changes in a natural environment.


Managers who want to prove the value of procedures or equipment choices will do well to include a detailed cost-benefit analysis in their best practices summaries. That's the approach same-day surgery managers took to prove certain laparoscopic procedures were cost-effective as well as best practice. Patients with laparoscopic appendectomy spent less time in the hospital, required fewer doses of Demerol postoperatively, experienced less blood loss, and returned to work more quickly, according to a literature search by Vangie Paschall, RN, CNOR, laser endoscopic coordinator at Promina Gwinnett Health System in Lawrenceville, GA. Although laparoscopic appendectomy involves a small additional cost, it attracts payers who want good quality outcomes for patients.


Corneal transplantation rejection remains a major threat to the success rate in high-risk patients. Given the many side effects presented by traditional immunosuppressants, there is an urgency to clarify the mechanism of corneal transplantation rejection and to identify new therapeutic targets. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that has been proven in various studies to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties. However, the relationship between kaempferol and corneal transplantation remains largely unexplored. To address this, both in vivo and in vitro, we established a model of corneal allograft transplantation in Wistar rats and an LPS-induced inflammatory model in THP-1 derived human macrophages. In the transplantation experiments, we observed an enhancement in the NLRP3 / IL-1 β axis and in M1 macrophage polarization post-operation. In groups to which kaempferol intraperitoneal injections were administered, this response was effectively reduced. However, the effect of kaempferol was reversed after the application of autophagy inhibitors. Similarly, in the inflammatory model, we found that different concentrations of kaempferol can reduce the LPS-induced M1 polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, we confirmed that kaempferol induced autophagy and that autophagy inhibitors reversed the effect in macrophages. In conclusion, we found that kaempferol can inhibit the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasomes by inducing autophagy, thus inhibiting macrophage polarization, and ultimately alleviating corneal transplantation rejection. Thus, our study suggests that kaempferol could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of allograft rejection.


This paper introduces a formal specication model that covers a large class of real Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS). Using this model, a designer expresses the functional capacities of his system and the product ows. Parallel manufacturing processes, having, transformation, assembly, disassembly, test and storage operations, are considered. FMS specication is automatically transformed into a CP-net model. Hence, the verication and the supervisory control techniques based on CP-nets can be applied to the generated CP-net. Thus, a parameterized solution is dened taking into account the e xibility of the specication model. The present work led to the implementation of a specic tool, called MAC-FMS, allowing graphical specication, supervisory control and verication through its interaction with CPN Tools environment (Jensen's tool).


Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common biobehavioral disorders of childhood. ADHD has displayed increasing prevalence worldwide. Often, ADHD is mistaken for other problems, thus it is important that pediatric dentists identify and manage these children appropriately. This manuscript discusses how dental clinicians should treat children with ADHD.


Background, or systematic, risks are integral parts of many systems and models in insurance and finance. These risks can, for example, be economic in nature, or they can carry more technical connotations, such as errors or intrusions, which could be intentional or unintentional. A most natural question arises from the practical point of view: is the given system really affected by these risks? In this paper we offer an algorithm for answering this question, given input-output data and appropriately constructed statistics, which rely on the order statistics of inputs and the concomitants of outputs. Even though the idea is rooted in complex statistical and probabilistic considerations, the algorithm is easy to implement and use in practice, as illustrated using simulated data.


Resource allocation has a direct and profound impact on the performance of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks. Considering the dynamic nature of vehicular environments, it is appealing to devise a decentralized strategy to perform effective resource sharing. In this paper, we exploit deep learning to promote coordination among multiple vehicles and propose a hybrid architecture consisting of centralized decision making and distributed resource sharing to maximize the long-term sum rate of all vehicles. To reduce the network signaling overhead, each vehicle uses a deep neural network to compress its own observed information that is thereafter fed back to the centralized decision-making unit, which employs a deep Q-network to allocate resources and then sends the decision results to all vehicles. We further adopt a quantization layer for each vehicle that learns to quantize the continuous feedback. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid architecture can achieve near-optimal performance. Meanwhile, there exists an optimal number of continuous feedback and binary feedback, respectively. Besides, this architecture is robust to different feedback intervals, input noise, and feedback noise.


This Senior Honors Thesis, from the departments of Psychology, Photography, and Design, is an examination of the role of prejudices in the subjective interpretation of photographs. The misunderstanding of individuals, groups, and cultures is crucial to address in today"s increasingly interconnected world. Grounded in the social cognitive theory, the categorization of stimuli is an important cognitive process that enables human functioning but becomes problematic when applied to the categorizations of humans, resulting in stereotyping that are overgeneralizations and often inaccurate understanding of ingroup and outgroup members. By examining images to firstly recognize stereotype-grounded interpretations, secondly probe to learn more about what is occurring in the photographs, and lastly compare these outcomes with actual occurrences of images, people can become more cognizant of the discrepancies between judgments and reality. This work draws from social psychology principles and is strengthened by photo research method tools like photovoice, as well as observations in the work of photographers, archival studies, and media outlets. Additionally, this thesis draws further support through the analysis of interpretations of novel documentary photographs of Tamil Nadu, India. Overall, this work argues that the ability for photographs to serve as portals to diverse people and places presents as a unique tool to address the necessary shortages in cultural sensitivity and competency.


An adhesion-based developmental mechanism triggers global brain circuit organization. Interhemispheric synaptic connections, a prominent feature in animal nervous systems for the rapid exchange and integration of neuronal information, can appear quite suddenly during brain evolution, raising the question about the underlying developmental mechanism. Here, we show in the Drosophila olfactory system that the induction of a bilateral sensory map, an evolutionary novelty in dipteran flies, is mediated by a unique type of commissural pioneer interneurons (cPINs) via the localized activity of the cell adhesion molecule Neuroglian. Differential Neuroglian signaling in cPINs not only prepatterns the olfactory contralateral tracts but also prevents the targeting of ingrowing sensory axons to their ipsilateral synaptic partners. These results identified a sensitive cellular interaction to switch the sequential assembly of diverse neuron types from a unilateral to a bilateral brain circuit organization.


In Italy in the first nineties started a process of transformation of the Public Administration (PA) aimed to improve the citizen satisfaction about the utilities offered by PA itself. In this process, the topic of the public utilities quality and the central role of citizen, either as service user and as strategic resource to evaluate the correspondence of given services to real needs is particularly important. One of the most used tool is the measurement of the user satisfaction level, or, in other words, the measurement of the level of quality perceived by the users, the so called "customer satisfaction". As this regard in the last decade, in Italy as well as in the rest of Europe, many Ministerial Directives and Laws have been issued in order develop systematic methods to survey quality of services. The road performance measurement tool presented in this paper, called GLS (Global Level of Service), perfectly fits this context. It is a method to provide the interurban roads with synthetic quality indexes. More than 50 indicators have been identified. They have been gathered into 6 groups concerning safety, comfort, travel time, services, environment and traffic conditions. For each of them a single numeric parameter can be associated to evaluate the quality of service of the road sections. This parameter can be calculated with respect to 3 different points of view: users, owner/manager and infrastructures crossed countries inhabitants. Thus this tool goes beyond the customer (user) satisfaction intents. An application of the methodology is also reported.


Abstract. Sodankyla Geophysical Observatory has been operating a receiver network for ionospheric tomography and collecting the produced data since 2003. The collected data set consists of phase difference curves measured from COSMOS navigation satellites from the Russian Parus network (Wood and Perry, 1980) and tomographic electron density reconstructions obtained from these measurements. In this study vertical total electron content (VTEC) values are integrated from the reconstructed electron densities to make a qualitative and quantitative analysis to validate the long-term performance of the tomographic system. During the observation period, 2003–2014, there were three to five operational stations at the Fennoscandia sector. Altogether the analysis consists of around 66 000 overflights, but to ensure the quality of the reconstructions, the examination is limited to cases with descending (north to south) overflights and maximum elevation over 60°. These constraints limit the number of overflights to around 10 000. Based on this data set, one solar cycle of ionospheric VTEC estimates is constructed. The measurements are compared against the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI)-2012 model, F10.7 solar flux index and sunspot number data. Qualitatively the tomographic VTEC estimate corresponds to reference data very well, but the IRI-2012 model results are on average 40 % higher than that of the tomographic results.


The n.m.r. chemical shifts of the 8-protons in xanthines with an unsubstituted imidazole ring (class a) and in 7-methylxanthines (class b) are very similar; however the 8-H signals for 9-methyl derivatives (class c) occur at higher field. Thus, in aqueous solution, members of class a must be essentially present as the N(7) H tautomers.Methyl substituents in various positions may be distinguished by their n.m.r. signals; their δ values can be arranged in the following order: 7- > 9- > 3- > 1-methyl. The signals of individual N-methyl groups are influenced only slightly by introduction of additional alkyl substituents, with the exception of 3,9-dimethylxanthines, in the spectra of which both methyl signals are shifted to lower field because of steric interference.U.v. spectra establish the order of anion formation in 7- and 9-methylxanthine as 3 → 1 and in 3-methylxanthine as 7 → 1. However, the displacement of the 8-H signals in the n.m.r. spectra of xanthine and its 1-methyl derivative suggests that their monoanions are tautomeric mixtures in which both the N (3) H and N (7) H groups participate in ionisation.Cation formation is accompanied by a much larger displacement of the 8-H n.m.r. signal in class c than in class a or b.


This book offers an English version of two series of highly-acclaimed introductory lectures given by the Swiss linguist and classical philologist Jacob Wackernagel (1853-1938) at the University of Basel in 1918/19 on aspects of the morphosyntax of Greek, Latin, and the Germanic languages, and published at his students' prompting. The subjects covered - after a long introduction to the study of syntax and the parts of speech - are: number, person, voice, tense, mood, infinitive, supine and gerund, participles, case, gender, nouns and adjectives, pronouns, articles, prepositions, negation. This is a book about grammar, but a grammar-book which talks and charms, and which makes an adventure of the workings of the classical languages. Ninety years after they were first delivered, Wackernagel's Lectures are still among the best available introductions, in any language, to Greek, Latin, and comparative syntax and to many aspects of the history, pre-history, stylistics, and socio-linguistics of Greek and Latin and their relations with other languages - not to mention other subjects brilliantly introduced, such as the history of grammatical terminology. This new edition supplements the German original by providing: a translation of all quotations and examples (and of Wackernagel's additions and corrections - both those printed at the end of the second Swiss edition and some of those left in his manuscript notes), a large number of detailed footnotes offering background information and suggestions for further reading, and a single bibliography which brings together Wackernagel's references and those in the notes.


Nitrification, a microbial process, is a key component and integral part of the nitrogen (N) cycle. Soil N is in a constant state of flux, moving and changing chemical forms. During nitrification, a relatively immobile N-form (NH 4 +) is converted into highly mobile nitrate-N (NO 3 −). The nitrate formed is susceptible to losses via leaching and conversion to gaseous forms via denitrification. Often less than 30% of the applied N fertilizer is recovered in intensive agricultural systems, largely due to losses associated with and following nitrification. Nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) is defined as the biomass produced per unit of assimilated N and is a conservative function in most biological systems. A better alternative is to define NUE as the dry matter produced per unit N applied and strive for improvements in agronomic yields through N recovery. Suppressing nitrification along with its associated N losses is potentially a key part in any strategy to improve N recovery and agronomic NUE. In many mature N-limited ecosystems, nitrification is reduced to a relatively minor flux. In such systems there is a high degree of internal N cycling with minimal loss of N. In contrast, in most high-production agricultural systems nitrification is a major process in N cycling with the resulting N losses and inefficiencies. This review presents the current state of knowledge on nitrification and associated N losses, and discusses strategies for controlling nitrification in agricultural systems. Limitations of the currently available nitrification inhibitors are highlighted. The concept of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) is proposed for controlling nitrification in agricultural systems utilizing traits found in natural ecosystems. It is emphasized that suppression of nitrification in agricultural systems is a critical step required for improving agronomic NUE and maintaining environmental quality.


Using evidence from voting in the UN General Assembly (UNGA), this article shows that leader turnover, especially in small coalition, nondemocratic systems, increases the likelihood of policy realignment. Autocrats who are beholden to only a small proportion of the population represent the foreign policy interests of their small number of supporters. When leader turnover occurs, the interests represented often shift too and this results in an increased volatility and regression toward a neutral position of a nation's alignment at the United Nations vis-à-vis the United States. While such realignments can offer an opportunity to reduce enmity between states, they can also signal growing differences between friends. The impact of leaders change in large coalitions produces more moderate shifts in alignments.


َ Statement of the Problem: Currently, there is no concencus on the definition of spatial justice in urbanism. This indicates that the former concept is influenced by the social and political conditions, and the worldviews of various societies. Blind acceptance of any of the West-borne conceptions may result in deviation of Iranian urbanization and, consequently, deviation of urban plans from their main objective as manifestation of the ideals of the school of Islam in urban spaces. Purpose: The main purpose of this research, is: To offer a framework for spatial justice based on ideas of Muslim scholars in the field of urban planning; and to understand how the Atigh local plan in Tabriz city achieve spatial justice Methods: The present study is a developmental one and its methods in the explanatory section imply using a logical reasoning approach while in evaluation sections an analytic-descriptive approach has been adopted. For the purpose of collection of required research data, we have used the methods of documentation and surveying using questionnaires. Findings of the Study: It is argued that the main focus of justice among Muslim thinkers is: "Rightfulness, Opposing-oppression, Fairness, and Human Dignity". According to these four key features, spatial justice in urban planning can be characterized in four key criteria: "the right to the city, social mobilization, spatial balance, and empowerment." Findings of this research show that the Atigh local plan has not been successful in achieving the spatial justice. This plan has mitigated the existing inequalities through distributive justice, but has neglected the reformation of power structures and decision-making processes. Additionally, it can lead to increased civil dissatisfaction in practice.


Research whose aim is to develop an educational package for variable speed drives is described. The program is PC-based, and is intended to assist students in learning how variable speed drive circuits work. Simulation studies are performed on selected preconstructed circuits, and vital information like speed, torque, and voltage can be obtained. This program is based on an existing package called CASED, developed for the dynamic and steady state simulation of electrical drives. The preconstructed circuits include a number of converter topologies, including single-phase, three-phase half-wave, and six-pulse converter circuits. All the above are AC to DC convertors. The package also includes single- and three-phase inverters and special application circuits like 12-pulse converters.


A pigeonpea variety (Phule Tur 12) is developed by pedigree selection method from a cross ICP-332 x BSMR-736 at Pulses Improvement Project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (MS). It has semi-spreading, indeterminate growth habit, bold seed size, moderately resistant to wilt, sterility mosaic and tolerant to pod borer, pod fly, root knot and cyst nematode, better response to inputs and perform well under rainfed condition. In All India coordinated trials during 2008-09 to 2011-12 on an average, this genotype PT-12 yielded 1552 kg ha-1 and recorded 33.10, 55.35 and 38.94 per cent higher seed yield over national checks UPAS-120 (1166 kg ha-1), ICPL-87 (999 kg ha-1) and GT-101 (1117 kg ha-1) respectively. In regional and State multilocation trials, during 2007-08 to 2010-11, this variety PT-12 performed exceedingly well by producing consistently higher average grain yield of 2307 kg ha-1 than the checks with 43.20 per cent higher yield and early maturity. Hence this entry identified as high yielding variety for central zone by Central Variety Identification Committee during Annual Group Meet on Pigeonpea, held at UAS, Bangalore, during 13-15th May, 2012.


In 2012, California's voters passed a ballot initiative that scaled back the state's "Three Strikes" sentencing law and permitted certain individuals who were serving 25‐to‐life prison terms to petition for resentencing and potentially release. Using analysis of original qualitative interview data supplemented with court administrative records, this study examines how characteristics of courtroom workgroup members; their intergroup dynamics; political, professional, and administrative considerations; and allocated resources were perceived by court officials to facilitate or impede the implementation of this reform in county courts. Availability of staff and budget was associated with a higher proportion of completed case dispositions in the first 2 years of implementation, but resources were not the only factor associated with timely case processing. Courtroom actors' seniority, experience, and professional security facilitated agreement on processes, schedules, and other details. Small, stable, close‐knit groups established routine procedures and developed expertise more quickly, but could not always avoid bottlenecks or delays. Less stable workgroups had higher rates of denial of petitions for resentencing. Positions toward Proposition 36 shaped by political, professional, or other priorities were perceived to influence some elected DAs' positions and line prosecutors' behavior, manifesting in cooperation, opposition, or mixed messages.


The aim of this article is to present a concept of mind by the ethnologist Sergei Mikhailovich Shirokogoroff, as a precursor for a specific turn taking place in contemporary cognitive science. Such a turn is visible in the discarding of explanations focusing on brain or on other vehicles of cognitive processes, which are typical of traditional cognitive science. The followers of this traditional trend are united by the methodological assumption that the key to understanding cognitive processes lies in the precise comprehension of the vehicle's functioning. Currently, cognitive science is developing a paradigm describing cognition as being embodied, embedded and extended. Similarly, Shirokogoroff's research in the anthropology of religion is part of his general concept of mind understood to be a set of cognitive processes linked with a broadly viewed environment (combining its material, ecological, biological, cultural and ritual aspects).


Prolyl hydroxylation functions in diverse cellular pathways, such as collagen biogenesis, oxygen sensing, and translation termination. Prolyl hydroxylation is catalyzed by 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) oxygenases. The fission yeast 2-OG oxygenase Ofd1 dihydroxylates the 40S ribosomal protein Rps23 and regulates the hypoxic response by controlling activity and stability of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein Sre1. Multiple substrates have been found for 2-OG oxygenases, yet the only known substrate of Ofd1 and its homologs is Rps23. Here, we report the first fission yeast prolyl hydroxylome and demonstrate that hydroxylation is more prevalent than previously known. Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we identify Rpb10, a shared subunit in RNA polymerase I, II, and III, as a novel Ofd1 substrate. In addition, we discovered six Ofd1 binding partners and 16 additional Ofd1 candidate substrates. Although Ofd1 promotes Sre1 degradation, proteomic analysis revealed that Ofd1 does not broadly regulate protein degradation. Instead, the effect of Ofd1 on the proteome is through negative regulation of Sre1N. Finally, we show that the interaction between Ofd1 and the Sre1 bHLH region is conserved across Sre1 homologs suggesting that Ofd1-dependent regulation of SREBPs may be conserved in other fungi. Collectively, these studies provide a new dataset of post-translational modifications and expand the biological functions for a conserved prolyl hydroxylase.


Nuphar lutea (L.) Smith (Nymphaeaceae) is a widespread hydrophyte with leaves floating on the water. This highly productive plant forms a fairly large assimilating (photosynthesizing) surface. The purpose of this work was to develop a method for calculating the surface area of assimilating leaves of N. lutea. As a result, the formulas for calculating the surface area of a leaf (main photosynthetic organ of N. lutea) were obtained. The area formulas for the blade and petiole are based on the area formulas for geometrical figures and allow us to calculate the assimilating surface area of the yellow water-lily as precisely as possible. Therefore, the data obtained provide a better picture of this species productivity and will allow further to estimate the contribution of this species to the overall productivity of water bodies and watercourses


Acicular mesoporous char sulfonic acid was prepared through a one-step method of removing the template at the same time of sulfonation using ethylene tar (ET) as the carbon source and acicular nanometer magnesium hydroxide as the hard template. This method was judged as better than the two-step method of removing the template before sulfonation because it protected the mesoporous structure from damage to a certain extent. When the mass ratio of ET to Mg(OH)2 was 1:3 and carbonization temperature was 550 °C, the catalyst prepared using the one-step method had the highest activity. The obtained catalyst had an amorphous structure with a specific surface area of 446.5 m2/g, an acid density of 4.68 mmol/g, and an average pore diameter of 3.5 nm. When the catalyst was applied in the dehydration of fructose to synthesize 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), 97.5% fructose conversion and 80.1% 5-HMF yield can be obtained. The activity of the catalyst did not decrease after 5 cycles, which indicated that the catalyst had good stability. This research provides a promising strategy for preparation of mesoporous char sulfonic acid and comprehensive utilization of ET.


The research of manufacturing chitosan from shrimp shell waste , and their use as a stabilizer in the manufacture of silver nanoparticles has been done. The aim of the research was to synthesize silver nanoparticles using chitosan as a stabilizer by chemical reduction method and determine the effect of chitosan concentration on the stability of Ag nanoparticles. In this study, the raw material used is shrimp shell powder and then processed in several stages, eliminating proteins, demineralization, and deacetylation. Chitosan obtained is 16.4 % of shrimp shell powder, with a degree of deacetylation of 85 %. Chitosan is used to synthesize silver nanoparticles as a reducing agent of silver ions in silver nitrate solution and is expected to be stabilizer. Sample containing 45 mg of chitosan and 1000 ppm AgNO3 has 421,60 nm of maximum wavelength, and the average particle size is 154.07 nm.


Retirees reemployment has been an effective way to fight the severe aging population and shortage of talented workers in many countries. However, the current situation of willingness and behaviors of reemployment for elderly talents, and the enterprises' hiring requirements for the elderly are still unclear. In order to address this question, a total of 1045 pieces of occupational position and 70636 pieces of elderly talents' information were collected from Retiree Talent Website by selfdesigned crawler. Based on prior studies and Holland's person-environment fit theory, content analysis, data mining, and statistical methods were used to explore the collected data.The results of descriptive analysis indicate that the reemployment demand of the elderly cannot be satisfied in most areas, especially in coastal areas; the number of jobs in labor-intensive industries and knowledge intensive industries is the largest, which is consistent with the industry that most elderly talents expect to engage in; enterprises tend to provide realistic positions and enterprising positions in recruitment, which is also consistent with the expectations of elderly talents. The results of exploratory analysis show that requirements of hard skills and soft skills in enterprises' recruitment are tightly associated with work experience; different types of industries and jobs have different qualification requirements for the elderly. Based on the results of data analysis, this study provides insights into the current supply and demand situation of elderly reemployment market in the digital society, and proposes corresponding policy recommendations for relevant departments.


We discuss exotic production modes of the Higgs boson and how their phenomenology can be probed in current Higgs analyses. We highlight the importance of differential distributions in disentangling standard production mechanisms from exotic modes. We present two model benchmarks for exotic Higgs production arising from chargino-neutralino production and study their impact on the current Higgs dataset. As a corollary, we emphasize that current Higgs coupling fits do not fully explore the space of new physics deviations possible in Higgs data.


Highly beamed, short-duration electromagnetic bursts could be produced by superconducting cosmic string (SCS) loops oscillating in cosmic magnetic fields. We demonstrated that the basic characteristics of SCS bursts such as the electromagnetic frequency and the energy release could be consistently exhibited in the recently discovered fast radio bursts (FRBs). Moreover, it is first showed that the redshift distribution of the FRBs can also be well accounted for by the SCS burst model. Such agreements between the FRBs and SCS bursts suggest that the FRBs could originate from SCS bursts and thus they could provide an effective probe to study SCSs. The obtained values of model parameters indicate that the loops generating the FRBs have a small length scale and they are mostly formed in the radiation-dominated cosmological epoch.


A review of the following points was performed: Factors favouring the development and presence of malnutrition among hospitalized patients. Useful parameters in nutritional evaluation. Types of malnutrition. The Chang nutritional evaluation protocol is used in our Hospital, which is simple, inexpensive, reliable, specific and easily reproduced. This is based on five variables (three anthropometric and two biochemical), randomized and based on reference tables and values. A study was made on data corresponding to 70 patients, in whom a prevalence of malnutrition was observed in critical patients. The patients were classified based on three different definitive possibilities (Marasmo, Kwashiorkor and combined), and three grades of malnutrition (slight, moderate and severe).


A new digital-signal-processing method for performing modulation tests on Bluetooth transmitters is presented and validated. No preliminary demodulation of the radio frequency transmitted signal is needed to gain the instantaneous frequency trace, on which standard measurement procedures have to be applied. The aforementioned task is, in fact, fulfilled through the application of the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), a typical time-frequency representation, to the acquired samples of the aforementioned signal. Moreover, no specific information concerning the operating conditions of the transmitter under test, such as carrier frequency and hopping sequence, is needed, thus facilitating measurement automation. The optimal tuning of STFT parameters, which are capable of providing the best reconstruction of the instantaneous frequency trajectory as well as the most accurate measurement outcomes, is established as the result of an exhaustive experimental activity.


Social media is a digital platform product that has received a positive response from people. Social media is no longer part of tertiary or primary needs but secondary needs. For users, social media has become part of their daily lives, and teenagers to young adults are the largest group of users, causing addictive behavior towards their users. Addiction to social media can be influenced by several factors such as psychosocial. Many researchers use the cross-sectional method in their research. This systematic review aims to analyze 12 international journals regarding the factors that influence social media addiction, and psychosocial (depression, anxiety, FoMO, and so on) are reported to have the most influence on social media addiction. The other variables are bullying, cyberbullying, self-esteem, and cultural influence. Types of social media addiction used in educational research are associated with decreased academic achievement due to poor sleep quality. The aspects of social media addiction are emotional, behavioral, affective, and cognitive. These findings provide recommendations for conducting more experimental research related to social media addiction in students.


Objective: This report details our experience with the use of the temporoparietal fascia flap in different scenarios of reconstruction and to discuss our technique of harvest, clinical applications, and review of literature of this versatile flap. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 82 cases of temporoparietal fascia flap in 71 patients, operated over a period of 10 years was conducted. Patients were grouped based on various clinical indications. The follow up period ranged from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 10 years (Mean-four and a half years). All patients were analyzed for functional and aesthetic outcome using preoperative and postoperative photographs. Results: No significant complications were seen in our series. Only 2 out of 82 flaps had partial necrosis of flap (2.44%). Two patients who were operated for release of submucous fibrosis developed recurrence due to continued use of tobacco. The final outcome in one patient of ear reconstruction was unsatisfactory due to flap failure. The remaining patients had satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes (95.77%). None had other complications like temporal branch of facial nerve injury or alopecia along the scar line. Conclusion: The TPFF is one of the most reliable and versatile flap in the head and neck region. It can also be reliably used as free fascial flap. When its advantages are combined with the surgeon's resourcefulness, various defects can be successfully reconstructed using the temporoparietal facia flap with satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcome.


This thesis appears in two parts. The first part consists o f three chapters. The first
two chapters consider and review Irish post-primary mathematics in an historical
context and appraise the influential forces which and players who have contributed to
and shaped mathematics teaching and inservice courses for mathematics teachers
from 1924 to 2005. A review o f the literature exploring the quality and shortcomings
of teaching and learning at Junior Cycle level follows.
Part II contains the empirical study. The first chapter in this part describes the design
and scope o f the methodology used in the intensive study which was undertaken in
three different Irish post-primary schools. This study was over a complete three year
Junior Cycle period and attempted to analyse and gain insights into the teaching and
learning of mathematics. Based on video analysis, the dominant teaching
methodologies employed in the classes are described and examined. By analysing
questionnaires and interviews with students and teachers, their attitudes and
perspectives on teaching and learning mathematics are presented. The thesis
concludes with a review o f the mam findings arising from this research. Finally,
recommendations are put forward that seek to address issues such as the
shortcomings in teaching and learning mathematics in Irish post-primary schools, the
continuing professional development of mathematics teachers and the support
structures necessary to cultivate richer teaching and learning environments for all.


Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most commonly encountered primary glomerulonephritis and it usually follows an indolent clinical course. However, hypertensive patients with proteinuria and renal insufficiency at presentation and patients with severe histological involvement are at high risk to develop end stage renal failure. There is no consensus for the treatment of patients with IgA nephropathy. In general, patients with normal renal function, mild proteinuria (< 1 g/24 h) and mild histopathological involvement need only observation, whereas patients with heavy proteinuria, impaired renal function and moderate to severe histopathological involvement are candidates for specific treatment. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used in patients with arterial hypertension and/or proteinuria 1–2 g/24 h. Corticosteroids are indicated in patients with heavy proteinuria (> 3 g/24 h) and in progressive disease despite treatment with ACE inhibitors. Fish oil might be an alternative to corticosteroids in cases with renal insufficiency and chronic histological lesions. Combinations of corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs are saved for patients with IgA nephropathy and a rapidly progressive course.


The idea that worker utility is affected by co-worker wages has potentially broad labor market implications. In a month-long experiment with Indian manufacturing workers, we randomize whether co-workers within production units receive the same flat daily wage or different wages (according to baseline productivity rank). For a given absolute wage, pay inequality reduces output and attendance by 0.24 standard deviations and 12%, respectively. These effects strengthen in later weeks. Pay disparity also lowers co-workers' ability to cooperate in their self-interest. However, when workers can clearly observe productivity differences, pay inequality has no discernible effect on output, attendance, or group cohesion.


At the end of the boreal summer of 1999, many invertebrates in hard-bottom communi- ties in the NW Mediterranean Sea suffered an episode of mass mortality. Our study examined the effects of this event on populations of the temperate octocoral Eunicella singularis at Menorca (Balearic Islands). The event affected colonies over the entire depth range where the species is pre- sent (15 to 40 m). Four years after the occurrence of the event, 59% of the colonies still exhibited some damage. The extent of injury of the colonies varied among locations, ranging between 37 and 67% with a mean of 50% of the colony surface. The proportion of dead colonies also varied among loca- tions from 26 to 62%, with an overall mean of 46% of the population. The proportion of dead colonies was inversely correlated with density. Current size distribution of the colonies indicated the occur- rence of low recruitment during the years subsequent to the mass mortality event. Our study demon- strates that the 1999 mass mortality event was geographically more extensive than previously thought (Menorca is located about 400 to 700 km from areas where mass mortality was previously reported, along the coast of Provence and Ligury). The mortality rate of E. singularis estimated for the Menorca populations was the highest value recorded to date for this species, showing that the delayed effects of the mortality event exerted a much greater impact on these populations than the immediate effects. Additional impacts result from a reduction in recruitment. These delayed conse- quences may lead to important changes in community composition, structure, processes and func- tion, as gorgonians are key structural and functional organisms within these communities.


Most discussions of the potential of new information technologies (IT) for education have taken one of two forms: enthusiastic proclamations of the revolutionary impact that IT can have for teaching and learning in school and nonschool settings, or dire warnings of the terrible fraud being perpetrated on society about the educational potential of IT. This essay attempts to avoid exaggerated optimism and pessimism about IT and education, while avoiding the trite oversimplification that technology is "neutral" and can be used for good or bad purposes. Our view is guided by the assumption that it is actually very difficult, if not impossible, in many cases to sort out benefits from costs—the very same outcomes can be viewed as favorable or unfavorable, depending on other assumptions about their effects. We propose a posttechnocratic view of IT that recognizes the multiplicity of effects, the indeterminacy and inseparability of consequences, and the difficulty of isolating "good" and "bad" outcomes. As an example of posttechnocratic analysis, the recent educational concern about censorship and the Internet is discussed to demonstrate how educational policy choices are often more complex and ambiguous than we might wish.


Is it possible to prove that a computer is malware-free without pulling out its hard disk? This article introduces a novel hardware inspection technique based on the injection of carefully crafted code and the analysis of its output and execution time. In theory, the easiest way to exterminate malware is to reformat the disk and then reinstall the operating system (OS) from a trusted distribution GD. This procedure assumes we can force computers to boot from trusted media, but most modern PCs have a flash BIOS, which means that the code component in charge of booting is recorded on a rewritable memory chip. Specific programs called flashers - or even malware such as the CIH (Chernobyl) virus - have the ability to update this chip. This article addresses this concern, namely, ascertaining that malware doesn't re-flash the BIOS to derail disk-reformatting attempts or simulate their successful completion


The present study is an investigation of the production and
perception of English intonation by a group of forty-four native
speakers of Greek, together with a study of the production and
perception of Greek intonation by the same forty-four subjects, and
of the production and perception of English intonation by a control
group of twelve native speakers of English. For both languages,
data was gathered from the reading of a text and of sentences, and
from spontaneous speech in conversation. Both auditory and (to a
lesser extent) instrumental analysis is employed.
Three main aims are included in the present study. (i) With regard
to the Greek data, an attempt is made to describe the intonation of
Modern Greek using a system closely modelled upon that devised for
English by O'Connor and Arnold and presented in the Intonation of
Colloquial English, (1973). This attempt, believed to be the first of
its kind, leads to a satisfactory characterisation of Greek intonation,
particularly for the comparative and pedagogical purposes of this
thesis. (ii) With regard to English as produced and perceived by
native speakers of Modern Greek, an attempt has been made to trace
any possible signs of intonational interference from Modern Greek to
English, as predicted by Contrastive Analysis. Extensive evidence
of interference is found in both production and perception, lending
strong support to the transfer theory. (iii) As far as native
speakers of English are concerned, the aim was to gather control
data in order to find out whether and to what extent actual
performance is in accordance with what might be expected on the
basis of O'Connor and Arnold's influential pedagogical account.
Although the findings are largely in agreement with the existing
account. some specific divergences have come to light.


Recently, several digital watermarking techniques have been proposed for hiding data in the frequency domain of audio files in order to protect their copyrights. In general, there is a tradeoff between the quality of watermarked audio and the tolerance of watermarks to signal processing methods, such as compression. In previous research, we simultaneously improved the performance of both by developing a multipurpose optimization problem for deciding the positions of watermarks in the frequency domain of audio data and obtaining a near-optimum solution to the problem. This solution was obtained using a wavelet transform and a genetic algorithm. However, obtaining the near-optimum solution was very time consuming. To overcome this issue essentially, we have developed an authentication method for digital audio using a discrete wavelet transform. In contrast to digital watermarking, no additional information is inserted into the original audio by the proposed method, and the audio is authenticated using features extracted by the wavelet transform and characteristic coding in the proposed method. Accordingly, one can always use copyright-protected original audio. The experimental results show that the method has high tolerance of authentication to all types of MP3, AAC, and WMA compression. In addition, the processing time of the method is acceptable for every-day use.


The electron stopping and range data now used in the TIGER and TIGERP electron-transport codes are extracted and compared with other data for these processes. At the smallest collision energies treated by these codes, E approx. 1 keV, the stopping-power is estimated to be accurate for small-Z targets, to be about 25 percent too small for Z near 36 and to be a factor of three too small for Z > 79. These errors decrease with increasing E and the largest error for any target is roughly 20 percent for E = 10 keV. The closely related continuous-slowing-down range is estimated, at 1 keV, to be about 25 percent too small for small-Z targets and a factor of 2 too large for large-Z targets. The electron-transport problem of reflection from planer surfaces is re-investigated with improved stopping-power data. The effects of this change for the examples considered were about the size of the statistical uncertainties in the calculation, 1 to 2 percent.


The important initiating process of diabetic nephropathy is the glomerular accumulation of proteins which has been proposed to be due to a synergistic interaction of the disturbed intrarenal hemodynamic and the altered chemical composition of glomerular components. This study was performed to investigate whether there might be a reduced activity of glomerular proteinases in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Three weeks after the induction of diabetes by means of streptozotocin, we found a decreased proteinase activity in ultrasonically destroyed isolated glomeruli obtained by a differential sieving technique in comparison to nondiabetic controls. This held true at acidic (16.59 +/- 1.56 vs. 22.19 +/- 1.94 U/min/mg protein) as well as at neutral pH (7.82 +/- 0.55 vs. 10.67 +/- 0.81 U/min/mg protein) and could be confirmed when proteinase activity was related to the single glomerulus or DNA instead of protein. Treatment with insulin was effective in improving the degradative capacity at both pH levels. We suggest that decreased proteinase activity in diabetic glomeruli may, at least partly, explain the glomerular protein accumulation in diabetic nephropathy.


A low-voltage low-power small-area and high-resolution digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for mixed-signal applications is Introduced. A binary weighted current steering DAC is a power-efficient architecture, because almost all the current taken from the supply is used for the output signal. The current steering architecture is also highly suitable for high-speed operation. Typically, the architecture suffers from poor linearity characteristics, but the problem can be prevented with a novel calibration method, where the currents generated for the most significant bits are fine tuned. As a result, a very compact and low-power solution can be implemented by using a low-voltage digital technology.


Energy is essential resource to modern society and is a key in determining whether or not sustainable development. In the energy consumption of buildings in Korea, the building sector accounts for 18.2% of a total energy consumption. The purpose of this study was to computed the energy efficiency indicator of residential building sector using national statistics as indicator factors for building energy policy. Energy efficiency indicator are composed of an energy consumption as numerator and an activity data from national statistics as denominator. National statistics data in this study were energy consumption statistic, GDP, population, number of household & house, number of residential building mass and floor area. This study proposed that house unit-based indicator (toe/house) and floor area unit-based indicator (kgoe/㎡) were useful as the energy efficiency indicator for residential building sector. These indicators can be used as a time-series trend analysis and energy efficiency criteria. Energy intensity per house unit was 1.4toe/house in 2012 and it showed a high reduction rate of 35.1% during the analysis period. Energy intensity per floor area was 13.7kgoe/㎡ in 2012 and was reduced by 55% for 1996. The graphs and charts show that the time-series trend of these energy efficiency indicator has been consistently low.


Abstract This paper presents analytical results of the study of numerous freshwater fish fossils from almost 40 localities in the territory of southeastern Europe. It has been established that freshwater fishes can be regarded as parastratigraphic group suitable for biostratigraphic studies. Ten ichthyofaunal assemblages have been distinguished and characterized in the paper. These assemblages represent successive developmental stages in freshwater fish communities within southeastern Europe during the late Miocene, Pliocene and Pleistocene. Indices of evolutionary transformations (extinction rate, origination rate, taxonomic rotation) for ichthyofaunal assemblages have been calculated, and their trend is discussed herein.


Deep, persistent, but structurally sensitive photoyellowing observed in photochemical studies of a wide range of arylsulfonyl derivatives of amines, amino acids and peptides can be attributed to a novel kind of photochromism in which intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer promotes the formation of a metastable cyanine-type chromophore involving sulfur d-orbitals.


The so-called "MOBA" or "Zostera-zone " is a place of interest from the view-point of fishery in the inland sea. In Ikawazu-cove Zostera marina and Z. nana make "MOBA", where the ecological studies on Zosterae has been carried out. In this paper the enviromental factors-hydrographycal and biological-which seem to correlate with the vegetation of Zosterae are reported.


The article is aimed at addressing two crucial questions. Firstly, when preparing convention on trans-border cooperation, has the African Union used as a model the European solutions elaborated by the Council of Europe and, if yes, to what extent? The scope of potential benchmarks includes a definition of trans-border cooperation, structure and content adapted in the convention. Secondly, which of the solutions applied in the Niamey Convention are determined by conditions peculiar to Africa and what are the characteristic features of these solutions? Instead of an empirical analysis of the examples of trans-border cooperation, this article is based on an analysis of the legal sources (the comparative content analysis of the conventions).


Author(s): Sullivan, Thomas P.; Sullivan, Druscilla S.; Crump, Douglas R.; Weiser, Hall; Dixon, Elisabeth A. | Abstract: The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), several species of voles (Microtus spp.), the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides), and the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) cause serious damage to forest plantations and stands (and voles and pocket gophers in tree fruit orchards) by their feeding activities. Certain synthetic predator odors are reviewed which have produced significant avoidance responses in these pest species and reduced damage to crop trees on an experimental basis. In addition, the specific study reported in this paper was designed to assess the influence of predator odors on population density and survival of montane vole (M. montanus) populations in natural grassland habitat. Vole populations declined significantly in three consecutive winters on an area (and also on a replicated area in the third winter) treated with predator odors. These declines were caused by significantly lower survival in the treatment than control populations. Concurrent feeding damage to young apple trees was significantly reduced on the treatment area. We suggest that the predator odors may have attracted additional predators to the study area thereby increasing predation, as well as perhaps inducing behavioral-physiological stress in the vole populations. This technique could be implemented in forest plantations and tree fruit orchards as a means to disrupt resident vole populations and protect crop trees from damage.


The mechanism of fetal brain growth retardation caused by maternal alcoholism is unclear. In this study we examined fuel concentrations in brain and blood samples and their relationship to brain growth in term fetuses of rats fed ethanol during pregnancy. The offspring of ethanol-fed (EF) rats showed a significant decrease in body and brain weights compared with those of pair-fed (PF) control rats and control rats given free access to food (ad libitum fed) (AF). The EF and PF rats consumed nearly 20% less food than the AF rats, and both groups showed a slight but significant reduction of the maternal blood glucose level. In PF rats, beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration was increased in maternal as well as in fetal blood and brain samples, but no adverse effect of this magnitude of maternal undernutrition was observed on fetal body or brain weights. In EF fetuses, plasma glucose and pyruvate levels were decreased and lactate levels were increased, resulting in a nearly twofold increase in the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio when compared with levels in control fetuses. The beta-hydroxybutyrate--to-acetoacetate ratio was increased because of low plasma acetoacetate concentration. In EF fetuses, brain glucose and pyruvate levels were decreased. Fetal brain weight showed a positive correlation with brain glucose concentration and a negative correlation with the brain concentrations of lactate or ketones. It is surmised that an aberrant fetal fuel mixture may play a role in the fetal growth retardation associated with maternal alcoholism.


Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Usual interstitial pneumonia and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia seem to be the most frequent patterns in RA patients with ILD, although the proportion of patients with usual interstitial pneumonia is higher than among patients with other systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases. RA patients with ILD most frequently present with chronic symptoms of cough and dyspnea when climbing stairs or walking uphill. A physical examination may reveal inhalatory crackles and a pulmonary function test demonstrates restrictive physiology, often with reduced diffusing capacity. High-resolution computed tomography is generally sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of ILD, although a minority of cases may require a surgical lung biopsy. Conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as methotrexate (MTX) or leflunomide (LEF) and biological agents such as TNF-blocking agents or rituximab may trigger or aggravate ILD in RA patients, and infections may contribute to increased mortality in such patients. LEF should not be used in patients with a history of MTX pneumonitis. The prevalence of interstitial pneumonia among RA patients treated with anti-TNF agents ranges from 0.5 to 3%; however, as the evidence that anti-TNF increases or decreases the risk of ILD is controversial, it is not clear whether this indicates more severe RA requiring biological therapy or the effect of exposure to potentially toxic drugs such as MTX or LEF. The development of treatment-related ILD is a paradoxical adverse event, and patients should be warned about this rare but serious complication of biological or disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy.


The methods of nasal absorption (NA) and bronchial absorption (BA) use synthetic absorptive matrices (SAM) to absorb the mucosal lining fluid (MLF) of the human respiratory tract. NA is a non-invasive technique which absorbs fluid from the inferior turbinate, and causes minimal discomfort. NA has yielded reproducible results with the ability to frequently repeat sampling of the upper airway. By comparison, alternative methods of sampling the respiratory mucosa, such as nasopharyngeal aspiration (NPA) and conventional swabbing, are more invasive and may result in greater data variability. Other methods have limitations, for instance, biopsies and bronchial procedures are invasive, sputum contains many dead and dying cells and requires liquefaction, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) contains water and saliva, and lavage samples are dilute and variable. BA can be performed through the working channel of a bronchoscope in clinic. Sampling is well tolerated and can be conducted at multiple sites in the airway. BA results in MLF samples being less dilute than bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples. This article demonstrates the techniques of NA and BA, as well as the laboratory processing of the resulting samples, which can be tailored to the desired downstream biomarker being measured. These absorption techniques are useful alternatives to the conventional sampling techniques used in clinical respiratory research.


Expanding our knowledge of student difficulties in advanced undergraduate electromagnetism is essential if we are to develop effective instructional interventions. Drawing on an analysis of course materials, in-class observations and responses to conceptual questions, we document specific resources employed by students when reasoning about the divergence of a vector field. One common student error, which persisted in our course despite explicit instruction, is to misinterpret any "spreading out" of field lines in a diagram as representing a place of non-zero divergence. Some of these student difficulties can likely be attributed to having first learned about the divergence in a mathematical context, where there was little emphasis on graphical representations of vector fields and connections to physical situations.


Higher education (HE) plays a predominant role in the development of any society. The expansion of HE all over the country (Angola) through the creation of new public and private higher education institutions (HEIs), as well as the creation of internal and external scholarships, have been some of the policies aimed at increasing access to HE, especially the increase in women's access to HE. Giving the growing number of HEIs throughout the country, the Government's main concern is their quality. This article aims to assess the factors that lead students to choose a particular HEI. The question raised is whether, the factors influencing the choice of an HEI in a developed country are the same when it comes to a developing country. To obtain the data, focus group was applied, whose answers were the basis for the construction of a survey that was distributed to students As a result, 6 dimensions were obtained: Issues related to scientific activities, such as ranking of research, lectures and location; although the importance in determining the HEI does not carry the same weight in the choice of an HEI by these students.

 Key words: Higher education (HE), determining factors in the choice of higher education institutions (HEI), Angola.


Inactivation of the dead-end (Dnd1) gene in the Ter mouse strain results in depletion of primordial germ cells (PGCs) so that mice become sterile. However, on the 129 mouse strain background, loss of Dnd1 also increases testicular germ cell tumor incidence in parallel to PGC depletion. We report that inactivation of Dnd1 also affects embryonic viability in the 129 strain. Mouse Dnd1 encodes two protein isoforms, DND1-isoform alpha (DND1-alpha) and DND1-isoform beta (DND1-beta). Using isoform-specific antibodies, we determined DND1-alpha is expressed in embryos and embryonic gonads whereas DND1-beta expression is restricted to germ cells of the adult testis. Our data implicate DND1-alpha isoform to be necessary for germ cell viability and therefore its loss in Ter mice results in PGC depletion, germ cell tumor development and partial embryonic lethality in the 129 strain.


We present a model of industrial location and endogenous growth with congestion costs. According to the interplay between knowledge spillovers and commuting costs, we are able to obtain both a Krugman-type and a bell-shaped agglomeration outcome. In the first case, the economy experiences a permanent income inequality in the steady state and income divergence in the transitional dynamics. In the second case, we observe an enlargement of the industrial core of the economy with a strong catching up by the periphery. Welfare analysis shows that congestion create (in the bell-shaped agglomeration case) a negative welfare effect on peripheral unskilled workers and renders the agglomerated equilibrium Pareto inferior to dispersion.


Abstract Resistance against clinically approved anticancer drugs is the main roadblock in cancer treatment. Drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) that are capable of metabolizing a variety of xenobiotic get overexpressed in malignant cells, therefore, catalyzing drug inactivation. As evident from the literature reports, the levels of DMEs increase in cancer cells that ultimately lead to drug inactivation followed by drug resistance. To puzzle out this issue, several strategies inclusive of analog designing, prodrug designing, and inhibitor designing have been forged. On that front, the implementation of computational tools can be considered a fascinating approach to address the problem of chemoresistance. Various research groups have adopted different molecular modeling tools for the investigation of DMEs mediated toxicity problems. However, the utilization of these in-silico tools in maneuvering the DME mediated chemoresistance is least considered and yet to be explored. These tools can be employed in the designing of such chemotherapeutic agents that are devoid of the resistance problem. The current review canvasses various molecular modeling approaches that can be implemented to address this issue. Special focus was laid on the development of specific inhibitors of DMEs. Additionally, the strategies to bypass the DMEs mediated drug metabolism were also contemplated in this report that includes analogs and pro-drugs designing. Different strategies discussed in the review will be beneficial in designing novel chemotherapeutic agents that depreciate the resistance problem.


Structured products are becoming more and more important in the world of investment banking,  and  more  and  more  investors  are  incorporating  this  type  of  asset  in  their portfolios.  There are various types of structured products, suitable for different investor profiles, including individual.

The objective of this article is to introduce new pricing methods other than Monte Carlo methods to speed up the computation time of some structured products called exotic products.  We will show how we reduce computation time from 371 days to 2.11 seconds keeping a very accurate precision. First  we  will  introduce  the  financial  products  we  price,  for  that  we  will  describe the  environment.  Second,  knowing  that  we  never  used  machine  learning  technics  to  price  products  at HSBC, one of the parts of the projects was a proof of concept on vanilla products to see if we can apply such techniques (Machine Learning) on more complex products such as Exotics. Third, We will introduce a new deep learning model for non linear interpolation to price Exotic products:  Autocallables for Mono-Underlying then on Multi-Underlyings .The last part of this project was the back-testing of our model on the last months .


With complex, visual concepts prevailing in science and mathematics curricula, these subjects are often inaccessible to students with visual impairments (VI), leading to their underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. While researchers have identified strategies that can facilitate students with VI's learning within special schools, less is known about how students with VI access science and mathematics within a mainstream context, even though this is where the majority are educated. This seems important to address given the additional barrier students with VI face within mainstream schools, including negative attitudes from mainstream teachers. Consequently, the current study was conducted to explore how students with VI's access to and learning of science and mathematics can be improved within the mainstream context. Two interviews were conducted with qualified teachers of children and young people with vision impairment (QTVIs), revealing the importance of classroom adaptations, such as hands-on experience and increased lesson time, to facilitate students with VI's learning of science and mathematics. These findings are discussed in relation to policy and practice, suggesting mainstream teachers should be trained to make small but effective adaptations in their teaching, and that students with VI are given the opportunity to learn skills needed to become independent learners.


The use of systemic siRNA therapeutics for RNA interference-mediated silencing of disease genes is limited by serum instability and inadequate biodistribution. We have previously reported on the EGFP gene silencing effect of chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles in the bronchoepithelium of mice lungs following intranasal delivery and improved serum stability and reduced off-targeting effects in vitro by incorporation of locked nucleic acid (LNA). In this study, we examine the pulmonary gene silencing effect of siLNAs targeting enhanced-green-fluorescent-protein (EGFP) in lung bronchoepithelium upon intravenous delivery of naked siLNAs and upon intranasal delivery of either naked siLNA or chitosan/siLNA nanoparticles. We show that naked siLNA administered intravenously efficiently reduces the EGFP protein expression. A similar effect is obtained with intranasal delivery of chitosan nanoparticles containing siLNA whereas intranasally instilled naked siLNA did not cause a knockdown.


Impatiens guiqingensis S. X. Yu (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is superficially similar to I. dicentra in having 1–2 flowered racemose inflorescences, lateral sepals with dentate margin, top of lower and upper petals of lateral united petals with bristle appendages, but differs from the latter by yellow flower, lower sepal without spur and dorsal petal with unapparent crest. Moreover, the occurrence of the new species is also different from the related one.


Dr G. S . Riddell's comments (Anaesthesia 1983; 38: 699) on my technique for using the 23 G Wallace Y Can unit for arterial cannulation (Anaesthesia 1983; 38: 297) are interesting. He is, I think, looking for problems where none exist. The very sharpness of the needle and the angle of the bevel ensures that if it enters the wall of the cannula it penetrates in a most obvious manner. To test the possibility of fragments being shaved from the inside of the cannula four cannulae were subjected to repeated (50 times) re-insertion of the needle and then the cannulae, the inside and the tip of the needle, were examined with an operating microscope. There were neither loose particles nor scoring of any cannula. The technique described is basically safe if used with care and commonsense. It is very difficult to ensure the absence of small air bubbles in the device if the chamber is not prefilled with saline in the way described.


This article proposes an improvement of automated cartographic generalization using multi‐agent sytems in urban areas. Indeed the AGENT model, whose robustness has been tested and approved through the European project AGENT, gives very good results in generalizing dense urban areas by means of enlargement, removal and displacement of buildings. But this model does not tackle the question of including particular structures like building alignments in the process, which is a crucial issue. The problem is that integrating such structures does not fit into the accurate top‐down hierarchy of urban agents. In order to face this problem, we propose to partly re‐engineer the model by introducing the concept of reactional agents whose behavior is very different from hierarchical agents of the original model as they use bottom‐up activation. In this view, urban alignment is considered to be a reactional agent activated only by its inner buildings, which generalizes the aligned buildings together into one entire structure. Associating reactional alignment behavior with new generalization actions on alignments significantly improves the model and gives better results in dense urban areas. Moreover, the idea could probably be used for other applications.