Interest in biomass as an energy source is increasing once again as a result of current environmental concerns about conventional fuels. EPRI initiated this study to review the potential of biomass derived fuels (except for municipal solid wastes) in electric utility and transportation end uses. Volume 1 includes estimates of the resource base for the following biomass resources: natural forest stands; wood, agricultural, and animal residues; short rotation woody crops; and annual crops. Strengths and weaknesses of each biomass resource as an energy source are discussed. In addition, key technical and economic data are provided for major conversion processes that are current and emerging. Finally, opportunities for biomass-derived fuels in electric utility and transportation end uses are discussed in terms of their economic competitiveness and environmental effects. Significant results of the study are discussed. No biomass-derived fuel is economically competitive on a national scale currently. Some of these fuels can serve niche markets where their delivered price is significantly lower than the conventional fuel price, or where the costs of compliance with local environmental regulations are significant. Wood fuel for power generation and anaerobic digestion of manure for methane are the most promising opportunities for utilities to consider from economic,more » environmental, and customer service standpoints. Volume 1 provides step-by-step procedures that a utility can use to conduct a detailed economic assessment of biomass-derived fuel in its service territory. Computer software and a list of data sources are provided to assist in this assessment.« less


Aiming at the characteristics of high efficiency and smoothness in the motion process of collaborative robot, a multi-objective trajectory planning method is proposed. Firstly, the kinematics model of the collaborative robot is established, and the trajectory in the workspace is converted into joint space trajectory using inverse kinematics method. Secondly, seven-order B-spline functions are used to construct joint trajectory sequences to ensure the continuous position, velocity, acceleration and jerk of each joint. Then, the trajectory competitive multi-objective particle swarm optimization (TCMOPSO) algorithm is proposed to search the Pareto optimal solutions set of the robot's time-energy-jerk optimal trajectory. Further, the normalized weight function is proposed to select the appropriate solution. Finally, the algorithm simulation experiment is completed in MATLAB, and the robot control experiment is completed using the Robot Operating System (ROS). The experimental results show that the method can achieve effective multi-objective optimization, the appropriate optimal trajectory can be obtained according to the actual requirements, and the collaborative robot is actually operating well.


Soil strength parameters needed for the calculation of bearing capacity and stability are increasingly determined from field testing. This paper presents a method to determine the undrained shear strength cuWST of the soil, based on the Weight Sounding Test (WST). The innovative solution which allows for a significant reduction of equipment needed for geotechnical field investigation is presented. The proposed method is based on an additional measurement of the torque during testing. It then becomes possible to estimate the undrained shear strength, cuWST of the soil, using the correlation given in this paper. The research results presented in this paper were carried out on selected cohesive soils, Miocene clays from the Carpathian Foredeep.


Uranium underground miners are exposed to a number of radionuclides that undergo radioactive decay. Historically, studies examining adverse health effects have been focused largely on alpha radiation (radon gas). However, recent international studies have shown evidence of excess mortality of lung cancer and leukemia with increased cumulative doses of external gamma radiation. The objective of this study is to develop and validate a predictive model for estimating gamma radiation exposure for miners working in uranium mines and to apply this exposure information to derive health-based risks. The dose prediction model was developed and validated using a cross-validation approach. To aid in model development, 70% random sample of workers were used in the model development (i.e., Training Sample) while the remainder 30% (i.e., Test Sample) was used to determine model performance. ROBUSTREG in SAS was used to minimise the effects of outliers. Poisson regression was used to derive relative-risks (RR). Regression analysis showed that individual dosimetric readings were modestly predicted by individual work history and geological characteristics of Ontario uranium mines (p<0.001, R2=0.374). Preliminary risk estimates were conducted for a subset of the OUM cohort as proof-of-concept for the reconstruction of historical gamma exposure. In total, there were 12 953 miners that contributed 4 31 655 person-years of observation from 1954 to 1992. There was a non-significant increase in lung cancer mortality (RR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.45), and a significant increased risk of all forms of leukemia, when comparing the highest cumulative dose category (>14 mSievert (mSv)) to the reference category (0 mSv) (RR=2.58, 95% CI: 1.06 to 6.30). When measured exposure data is not available, predictive modelling can be an effective way to estimate historical exposure without imputation that in turn used to derive health-based risk estimates.


The world ocean with a coastline of 312,000 km (193,000 miles) and a volume of 137 × 106 km3, is the largest ecosystem on earth, and has been used for a variety of purposes by man for millennia because of its large volume and vast area, influence of the world ocean on world climate is profound. Microorganisms occur nearly everywhere in nature and occupy an important place in human view of life. Marine microbes represent a potential source for commercially important bioactive compounds and their bioremediation capabilities are also remarkable. They also play a crucial role in decomposition of organic matter and cycling of nutrients. Microbes also serve as food for some bottom-living organisms. Our knowledge of marine microbial diversity has, however, been severely ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 12 (2013) pp. 489-492 http://www.ijcmas.com


The aim of this study is to research the effect of 2 different doses of whey [50 ml kg-1(W50) and 100 ml kg-1(W100)], an important organic waste, on colonization and sporulation of arbuscular mycorhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus intraradices'(G.i.) inoculated to lentil plant and the effects of changing P ratio in the soil and plant as a result of whey application, changing salt, pH and CaCO3 values on AMF colonization and sporulation. It is found that macro and micro nutrient elements have increased significantly compared to control plants when G.i. and whey are used alone and together. In the studies on whey's effect on the colonization and sporulation of fungal symbiont, it is found that low dose of whey (W50) increases G. i.'s colonization and sporulation. Therefore regression analysis found that the effects of P contents in the plant and soil on AMF, especially on colonization are statistically significant and positive in some applications (G.i + W50, G.i + W100), but the effects of soil pH, saltiness and CaCO3 content on both the colonization and sporulation are statistically insignificant.


The present study is aimed to determine the efficacy and dose response of the nuciferine (1), norcoclaurine (2) and crude extract of Nelumbo nucifera in managements of diabetes, Alzheimer disease and related allergies. Experimentally, alloxan (100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.))-induced diabetic rats (200–250 g) were divided into seven groups (n = 6). Group I: normal control, Group II: diabetic control, Group III: standard treated with glibenclamide and Group lV-VII: treated with methanolic crude extracts (100, 200 mg/kg), nuciferine and norcoclaurine (10 mg/kg b.w.) for 15 days. Different tests were performed, including blood glucose, body weights and antioxidant enzyme assays, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase test (CAT), lipid peroxidation assay (TBARS), glutathione assay (GSH) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) assay. Nuciferine and norcoclaurine significantly reduced blood glucose (p < 0.05) and restored body weight in diabetic rats. Moreover, nuciferine and norcoclaurine (10 mg/kg) significantly recovered the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH) which decreased during induced diabetes. Significant increase in TBARS was also observed in the diabetic group and nuciferine as well as norcoclaurine (10 mg/kg) inhibited the increase in TBARS in diabetic animals (p < 0.05), as compared to glibenclamide. AChE activity was significantly recovered by nuciferine and norcoclaurine (10 mg/kg) both in the blood and brain of the diabetic group (p < 0.05). Nuciferine and norcoclaurine showed potent inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase and α-amylase with IC50, 19.06 ± 0.03, 15.03 ± 0.09 μM and 24.07 ± 0.05, 18.04 ± 0.021 μM, as confirmed by molecular docking studies. This study concludes that nuciferine and norcoclaurine significantly improve memory and could be considered as an effective phytomedicine for diabetes, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and oxidative stress.


With the development of the demand for robots to have the ability of opening and unlocking, a real-time detection algorithm for keyhole is proposed in this paper, which combines a fast circle detection based on circle edge feature and a keyhole classifier using self-constructed CNN. The algorithm needs three steps: CNN construction, circle detection and keyhole classification of local circle image. Firstly, collecting keyhole images as positive samples, collecting non-keyhole images and random images as negative samples. Then, constructing a CNN classifier to solve the classification problems and training it based on the samples collected before. Consequently, detecting the real-time collected image whether it has circles and where they are. Furthermore, extract images might have circle area and using the CNN keyhole classifier trained before to determine whether each of them is a keyhole image or not. The experimental results show that using the same training and testing samples, the accuracy of self-constructed CNN classifier(>98 %) is about 1 % lower than that the CNN classifier using AlexNet migration learning network (>99 %), but its time use is about 95% less than the AlexNet and its net size is about 99.5% less than the AlexNet.


The experiments presented in this report describe the biochemical and functional characteristics of a soluble Th cell factor (ThF) which can induce a nephritogenic effector T cell repertoire producing autoimmune interstitial nephritis. The ThF is Ag-specific, I-A-restricted, and comprises two chains noncovalently linked as a heterodimer. One chain at approximately 78,000 Mr is related to the TCR/Id and expresses a framework determinant (14-30) common to Ag-binding factors, and the other chain at approximately 82,000 Mr is I-A+. Together these chains can replace their parent cell by providing cognate help to precursor effector T lymphocytes in the presence of accessory cells, tubular Ag, and IL-2.


In organizational psychology the positive effects of democratically structured enterprises on their employees are well documented. However, the longstanding viability as well as economic success of democratic enterprises in a capitalistic market environment has long been contested. For instance, this has given rise to widespread endorsement of the "degeneration thesis" and the so-called "iron law of oligarchy". By reviewing 77 qualitative studies that examined 83 democratic enterprises (including 15 studies on nine enterprises of the Mondragon Cooperative Cooperation network) within the last 50 years, the present systematic review provides evidence that such enterprises are able to economically survive and prosper. The majority of studied enterprises (63.5%) either resisted pressures toward degeneration or subsequently regenerated after undergoing degenerative processes. Only 9.5% fully degenerated in accordance with the degeneration thesis and the "iron law of oligarchy", while 27.0% of the democratic enterprises showed diverse and mixed forms of degeneration tendencies, indicating that the notion of an "iron law" needs to be revised. Within the nine investigated cases of Mondragon not one single enterprise or group fully degenerated. Three cases showed degenerative tendencies, another three one degeneration tendencies and simultaneously regeneration, one case fully resisted degeneration tendencies (retention) and two cases regenerated. Further, this systematic review provides an overview of organizational and external conditions, non-/democratic or non-/participative practices and psychological phenomena that contribute to the degeneration, regeneration, or resistance to degeneration (i.e., retention). The described examples of such practices may help practitioners to implement and maintain democratic structures and processes in contemporary organizations.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a major serine/threonine phosphatase with a key role to play in the regulation of cell spreading and cell migration in tumour cells. We have identified PP2A as a RACK1 interacting protein downstream of the IGF-IR (1). In tumour cells PP2A and β1 integrin compete for binding to the C-terminus of RACK1. The IGF-I-mediated release of PP2A from RACK1 results in a decrease in PP2A activity, and promotes cell migration (2). This is coupled with the IGF-I-mediated dephosphorylation of FAK and focal adhesion turnover in MCF-7 cells (3). PP2A enzymes exist as heterotrimers comprising of the catalytic C-, the structural A- and the regulatory/variable B-type subunits. The B-type subunits have a critical role in targeting the PP2A protein to specific areas of the cell and also in regulating the overall activity and substrate specificity of PP2A. To date, at least 15 known PP2A B-type subunits have been identified but their detection has proven difficult because of the transient nature of their interaction with the PP2A holoenzyme.

We used in vitro PP2A activity assays to determine that RACK1 stabilizes PP2A activity. This led us to predict that RACK1 may function as a regulatory subunit of PP2A. A comparative study between RACK1 and the well studied B56 family of PP2A regulatory subunits reveals strong homology. Both of these proteins are characterized by the presence of 7 WD repeat sequences which in the case of B56 gamma facilitates PP2A holoenzyme assembly. We used immobilized peptide arrays representing the entire PP2A-catalytic protein to identify a series of amino acids on the catalytic subunit of PP2A that are required for the binding of RACK1. Mutation analysis of these residues reveals the binding site for RACK1 on PP2A. Suppression of RACK1 expression in MCF-7 and DU145 cells results in a decrease in the activity and an altered location of PP2A-C suggesting that RACK1 has an essential role to play in the overall activity and substrate specificity of PP2A.

Taken together the data supports our hypothesis that RACK1 functions as a B-type subunit of PP2A which is required for the regulation of PP2A activity. Our data also indicate that RACK1 targets PP2A to specific locations to promote IGF-I-mediated cell migration and proliferation in tumour cells.

1. Kiely, P. A., O'Gorman, D., Luong, K., Ron, D., and O'Connor, R. (2006) Mol Cell Biol 26, 4041-4051

2. Kiely, P. A., Baillie, G. S., Lynch, M. J., Houslay, M. D., and O'Connor, R. (2008) J Biol Chem

3. Kiely, P. A., Baillie, G. S., Barrett, R., Buckley, D. A., Adams, D. R., Houslay, M. D., and O'Connor, R. (2009) J Biol Chem 284, 20263-20274

Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3955.


When treated with 2 equiv of a BuLi/KOCMe3 mixt., terminal olefins carrying unprotected OH or CO2H groups generate allylmetal intermediates which are trapped with Me3SiCl to afford functionalized (Z-2-alkenyl)trimethylsilanes. E.g., treating CH2:CHMeCO2H with 2 equiv BuLi/KOCMe3 in THF followed by Me3SiCl gave 52% E-Me3SiCH2CH:CMeCO2H. One equivalent of the superbasic reagent suffices if the unsatd. alcs. are first protected as acetals before being subjected to the metalation/silylation/hydrolysis sequence. [on SciFinder (R)]


Abstract : As Doctor Seuss Horton the elephant discovered when dealing with Whoville, size is not an indicator of potential.2This research paper discusses the transformational potential of nanotechnology, by the year 2035, to threaten U.S. national security, but also to provide unique deterrence options. Nanotechnology is increasingly inextricably linked to Americas global economic competitiveness and national security. By 2035 U.S. leadership in nanotechnology will enable a nanotechnology-empowered military as a critical combat multiplier in support of our national security. The last Secretary of Defense believed that a primary lesson of the Global War on Terror was that our exploitation of military capabilities was more crucial to our success than sheer mass. The tiniest of specks can contain untold possibilities as the people of Whoville demonstrated when they changed Hortons world view. One just has to listen.The term nanotechnology has a wide range of uses, from layered coatings that improve common commercial products to science fiction stories foretelling atomic-sized machines that repair humans from the inside out. This paper uses the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative definition of nanotechnology. It defines nanotechnology as understanding and controlling matter at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers (nm), where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Nanotechnology offers a tremendous opportunity to transform our military capabilities.


Bone marrow cells, lymphocytes, lymph nodes, solid lymphoid tumors, spleen and ascites cells from mice implanted with leukemia have markedly decreased α-glycerophosphate and increased lactic dehydrogenase activities. A striking parallel between the ratio of these dehydrogenases and the progression of the leukemia was found. These data, in conjunction with related findings, suggest that the α-glycerophosphate cycle, in contradistinction to its probable role in normal cells, may not mediate a significant portion of the hydrogen transport in leukemic cells.


In the fall of 1989, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) published its position paper on strength training for female athletes.  The work ultimately concluded that females responded to strength training programs comparably to male counterparts and should thus be trained in a similar fashion.  The authors went on to point out, however, that their conclusion was based on a relatively small body of research.  This article reviews the research on strength training related to female athletes since the publication of the NSCA's position paper.  Research since that paper's publication has largely validated the initial findings with additional data.  It also has shown that multiple sets and periodized programs appear to be more effective at improving muscular size, strength, and power.  Injury prevention programs, such as those designed to mitigate knee injuries, also have been shown to improve parameters of athletic performance.


We extend the family of problems that may be implemented on an adiabatic quantum optimizer (AQO). When a quadratic optimization problem has at least one set of discrete controls and the constraints are linear, we call this a quadratic constrained mixed discrete optimization (QCMDO) problem. QCMDO problems are NP-hard, and no efficient classical algorithm for their solution is known. Included in the class of QCMDO problems are combinatorial optimization problems constrained by a linear partial differential equation (PDE) or system of linear PDEs. An essential complication commonly encountered in solving this type of problem is that the linear constraint may introduce many intermediate continuous variables into the optimization while the computational cost grows exponentially with problem size. We resolve this difficulty by developing a constructive mapping from QCMDO to quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) such that the size of the QUBO problem depends only on the number of discrete control variables. With a suitable embedding, taking into account the physical constraints of the realizable coupling graph, the resulting QUBO problem can be implemented on an existing AQO. The mapping itself is efficient, scaling cubically with the number of continuous variables in the general case and linearly in the PDE case if an efficient preconditioner is available.


This paper considers a multi-agent system and focuses on the detection of motion misbehavior. Previous work by the authors proposed a solution, where agents act as local monitors of their neighbors and use locally sensed information as well as data received from other monitors. In this work, we consider possible failure of monitors that may send incorrect information to their neighbors due to spontaneous or even malicious malfunctioning. In this context, we propose a distributed software architecture that is able to tolerate such failures. Effectiveness of the proposed solution is shown through preliminary simulation results.


Equity is a principle of justice and social equality. The concept has been employed within the Brazilian public health system to care for different individuals according to their needs. Implementation is difficult and complex, involving the commitment of professionals and the organization of the health system. The investigation of sickle cell disease in the population is the result of social struggle in favor of fair and equal treatment, signed in 2001 by the National Newborn Screening Program (NNSP). The study aims to recognize the NNSP for sickle cell disease as an action that respects the principle of equity in the Brazilian health system. The goal of NNSP is to identify, treat and prevent complications of the disease early, watching and guiding the individual patient, family and society regardless of their physical characteristics and social status. It is the representation of the social forces in favor of a public health which preserves fairness as a pillar of the system.


In recent years timber infill panels have been proposed for multi-story column-beam frame structures with the aim to substitute the stabilizing function of column-beam moment connections. The preliminary study reported in this paper considers a column-beam timber frame where stability is assured by cross-laminated timber (CLT) infill elements. The performance of the system depends on frame-panel connections as well as the dimensions of the CLT panel. The desk research focused on the behaviour of such an assembly using high performance reinforced frame-panel connections comprising steel tube fasteners. The numerical investigation is aimed at optimizing the interaction between frame and infill as a function of CLT panel stiffness in addition to the number and location of the connections. It is shown that the overall lateral stiffness of timber infill frames compares well with concrete infill steel frames


Background: Lipid and polymer microbubbles (MBs) are widely used as ultrasound contrast agents in clinical diagnosis, and possess great potential in ultrasound-mediated therapy due to their drug loading function. However, overcoming the limitations of stability and echo enhancement of MBs are still a considerable challenge. Methods: A series novel block, graft and block-graft copolymers was proposed and prepared in this work, and these copolymers were used as shells to encapsulate perfluoropentane as ultrasound contrast agents. First, block, graft and block-graft copolymers with different topological structures were prepared. Then, these copolymers were prepared into block copolymer phase-transition MBs, graft copolymer phase-transition MBs, and block-graft copolymer phase-transition MBs, respectively. Finally, the dexamethasone was used for drug-loaded phase-transition microbubbles model to explore the potential of theranostic microbubbles. Results: Finally, these three resulting copolymer MBs with average size of 4–5 μm exhibited well enhancement of ultrasound imaging under the influence of different frequencies and mechanical index, and they exhibited a longer contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging time and higher resistance to mechanical index compared with SonoVue in vitro and in vivo. In vitro drug release results also showed that these copolymer MBs could encapsulate dexamethasone drugs, and the drug release could be enhanced by ultrasonic triggering. These copolymer MBs were therapeutic MBs for targeted triggering drug release. Conclusion: Therefore, the feasibility of block, graft, and block-graft copolymers as ultrasonic contrast agents was verified, and their ultrasonic enhancement performance in vitro and in vivo was compared. The ultrasound contrast agents developed in this work have excellent development potential in comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.


BACKGROUND
Various parameters related to pushing/pulling tasks have been examined yet the effects of changing the load position in one-wheeled wheelbarrow task has not been examined.

OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of load position and force direction on muscle activity during wheelbarrow tasks.

PARTICIPANTS
Nine participants were recruited to take part in the experiment.

METHODS
Each participant performed 18 trials consisting of 2 force directions (push and pull) and 9 load positions. The dependent variables were EMG of erector spinae and gripping force. ANOVA was used to identify significant differences between force direction and load position in EMG and gripping force data.

RESULTS
Results showed that peak EMG was lowest for the left and right erector spinae when the load was positioned farther from the participant. Peak EMG of the bilateral erector spinae increased when the weight was near the participant and on the ipsilateral hand.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the EMG results, we suggest that loads be arranged in the anterior part of the bin in order to reduce muscle activity on the spine during the wheelbarrow task. This finding also provides some directions in the improvement and ergonomic redesign of the one-wheeled wheelbarrow.


Bioactive compound marine algae extracts (MAE), nano-zinc (nZn) and nano-copper (nCu) fertilizer effects on growth traits, and macro– and micronutrient composition in apple trees were studied. The recent study was carried out in 2021 at the laboratories of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq, and Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, AL-Qasim Green University, Babylon, Iraq. In the conducted experiment, the treatments comprise the foliar application of marine algae extracts with two concentrations at 0.5 and 1 ml L-1, nZn at 1 and 2 g L-1, nCu at 1 and 2 g L-1, and a control in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that apple trees treated with marine algae extracts were superior in enhancing the shoot length, diameter, leaves per tree, leaf area, leaf dry matter, and percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and copper (Cu). The other two treatments (nZn and nCu) also showed highest values for some characteristics and moderate values for other traits that excelled the control treatment. Zinc percentage was significant in apple tree leaves when treated with two concentrations of nZn (1, 2 g L-1) reaching 1.89% and 1.97%, respectively. The highest Cu percentages were recorded in the apple tree leaves treated with both concentrations of nCu (1, 2 g L-1) reaching 3.66% and 3.78%, respectively. The potassium percentage was significantly high in apple tree leaves for all the treatments. The control treatment was recorded with the lowest values in all the characteristics.


In the past few years, IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs (WLANs) has rapidly gained large popularity for broadband wireless access. With the growing of various applications, users are demanding features such as higher throughput while keeping respectable operation time for their devices. To provide higher system bandwidth utilization, multi-polling mechanisms are often employed to reduce protocol overhead. However, they require wireless stations (STAs) to spend much time in overhearing which tends to waste energy and reduce battery lifetime. In this paper, we propose an energy-efficient multi-polling mechanism which combines power management strategy with a low overhead Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol. The main idea is to put STAs into the Doze state and determine a suitable wake-up time schedule to statistically achieve desirable guarantee of bandwidth utilization. From both analysis and simulation results, we found that, compared with the original ordered-contention multi-polling scheme, our proposed mechanism saves up to 80% of energy for a network consisting of 20 polled STAs with 5% loss of system bandwidth utilization as tradeoff. The significant saving of energy is a consequence of alleviating the overhearing problem with well scheduled wake-up times for STAs.


In this paper, we consider the pairwise error probability (PEP) of a linear programming (LP) decoder for a general binary linear code as formulated by Feldman et al. (IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory, Mar. 2005) on an independent (or memoryless) Rayleigh flat-fading channel with coherent detection and perfect channel state information (CSI) at the receiver. Let H be a parity-check matrix of a binary linear code and consider LP decoding based on H. The output of the LP decoder is always a pseudocode-word. We will show that the PEP of decoding to a pseudocodeword w when the all-zero codeword is transmitted on the above-mentioned channel, behaves asymptotically as K(omega) ldr (Es/N0)-|chi(omega)|, where chi(omega) is the support set of omega, i.e., the set of nonzero coordinates, Es/N0 is the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and K(omega) is a constant independent of the SNR. Note that the support set chi(omega) of omega is a stopping set. Thus, the asymptotic decay rate of the error probability with the average SNR is determined by the size of the smallest nonempty stopping set in the Tanner graph of H. As an example, we analyze the well-known (155,64) Tanner code and present performance curves on the independent Rayleigh flat-fading channel.


In this paper we introduce a 14-core application processor for multimedia mobile applications, implemented in 40 nm, with a 222 mW H.264 full high-definition (full-HD) video engine, a 124 mW 40 M-polygons/s 3D/2D graphics engine, and a video/audio multiprocessor for various Codecs and image processing. The application processor has 25 power domains to achieve coarse-grain power gating for adjusting to the required performance of wide range of multimedia applications. The simple on-chip power switch circuits perform less than 1 μs switching while reducing rush current. Furthermore, the Stacked Chip SoC (SCS) technology enables rewiring to the DRAM chip during assembly/packaging phase using a wire with 10 μm minimum pitch on Re-Distribution Layer (RDL) using electroplating. The peak memory bandwidth is 10.6 GB/s with an x512b SCS-DRAM interface, and the power consumption of this interface is 3.9 mW at 2.4 GB/s workload.


In this paper, the boundary value problems of the linear theory of thermoelasticity of binary mixtures are investigated by means of the potential method (boundary integral method). The basic properties of thermoelastopotentials are treaded. The uniqueness and existence theorems of solutions of the interior and exterior boundary value problems by means potential method and multidimensional singular integral equations are proved. The Sommerfeld-Kupradze type radiation conditions are established. The existence of eigenfrequencies of the interior homogeneous boundary value problems of steady oscillations is studied.


ABSTRACT. The effect of prolonged (2 h) hypocarbia on cerebral blood flow, oxygen delivery, extraction, and consumption was studied in eight, 1- to 4-day-old piglets. Hyperventilation to PaCO2 < 20 mm Hg acutely (30 min) decreased cerebral blood flow and oxygen oconsumption. Cerebral oxygen consumption was subsequently restored via increases in cerebral blood flow and thus, cerebral oxygen delivery. Cerebral oxygen extraction rose from a normocarbic baseline of 50 to 75% with acute hypocarbia and was maintained at this level. The percent decrease in blood flow to the cerebrum was greater than that to other brain regions during hypocarbia.


In the area of computer aided design for mechanical engineering (MCAD), one of the most important innovations of the last decade has been the introduction of parametric modeling. In this paper parametric modeling will be extended to the field of computer aided design for electrical engineering (ECAD). Here, parametric modeling is employed to realize new kinds of variational design and will release a tremendous potential of cost and time reduction, going along with a considerable improvement of quality. Hence, this technique can be considered as a significant base technology for next generation ECAD systems. It has been investigated in detail what variational design means in the context of electrical engineering, which functionality one really needs, as well as what has to be regarded in developing and building up full automatic variant modules. To get comprehensive and precise information what exactly users demand, we have established a special working group of experts from to CAD system developers, CAD users and research fellows. As a result, we achieved a requirement analysis for ECAD specific automatic variant modules from a rather practical point of view that is summarized in this paper.


In this paper, a QoS-aware power control algorithm is proposed. The maximum network throughput, minimum network radius and guaranteed network connectivity are considered in the algorithm. A power control model-based on non-cooperative game theory is given and the existing and uniqueness of Nash equilibrium for the algorithm is proved. In order to obtain better performance, a cross-layer structure is used to design a distributed power control algorithm. In order to verify the algorithm, simulation experiments are implemented and the results show that the algorithm is efficient and has a good integrated performance.


Power electronic-based wind turbine generators (WTGs) are capable of providing inertial response to the grid by releasing kinetic energy from the turbine blade; thus, as conventional power plants are retired, the reduction of online inertia can be compensated by designing frequency controls for the WTGs. Deployment of energy storage technology for renewable generations has been increased to have the renewables centralized with a system operator as an independent power supply by making up for their nature of generation. In addition, the cost of energy storage has dropped over time and global research activities on energy storage have been funded by private industries and governments. This paper investigates the opportunity of deploying an energy storage on a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WTG to respond to the system frequency, and then explores dynamic capabilities of the energy storage-embedded DFIG to boost its contribution while the frequency response is being provided by the power system's online inertia; thus, enabling an effective delivery of ancillary services to the system. To do this, the dynamic models of DFIG and energy storage are combined and simulated under the different operating conditions of a DFIG, such as subsynchronous, synchronous, and supersynchronous operations, using the PSCAD.


This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of behavioural indicators in rats with modelled genetic dopamine transporter (DAT) deficiency. Two groups of laboratory animals — heterozygous DAT knockout rats (DAT-HET) and Wistar rats — underwent the "Open field", "Elevated plus maze" and "Extrapolation deliverance" tests. It is established that DAT-HET rats are characterized by an increased locomotor and research activity along with reduced anxiety and cognitive impairment compared to Wistar rats used as control.


14-Membered ansa-cyclopeptide alkaloids are among the most abundant natural macrocycles and thus valuable templates for diversity-oriented synthesis with biological relevance. A rapid synthesis of the core structure is conceivable by a combination of an Ugi four-component reaction with bifunctional building blocks to form the dipeptoid part, followed by a suitable macrocyclization reaction. The latter step is crucial, and an uncommon macroetherification gave the best results. The use of ammonium salts allows direct access to peptides instead of peptoids. Depending on the substitution pattern, some cyclopeptoids show planar chirality despite free rotation of the phenylene group. © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart.


This thesis consists of two parts: a creative work, and an introduction to the novel itself that reflects on my own creative process.
The creative work is a novel, Carbunckle's Flight, and follows the dissolution of the Carbunckle family.
 Charlie Carbunckle is an avid pigeon fancier who has a strained relationship with everyone in his family, from wife Liz, to children Beth and Seamus. He is unaware that each time he chooses his pigeons over his family, he drives them further and further away.
 Seamus is accused of killing one of Charlie's pigeons, and Charlie demands punishment. Liz instructs Seamus to help build the new pigeon loft. Though initially upset about being forced into manual labour, Seamus makes his punishment work for him: he and best friend Lloyd make a documentary film about pigeon racing. Initially, Charlie is thrilled, however, when Seamus and Lloyd start asking questions about culling, he turns cold. Meanwhile, Beth is having breeding dilemmas of her own. At the high school prom, she has a one-night stand with a fellow oddity on the hood of her boyfriend's car. This tryst could be over-looked except for the fact that Beth finds, several weeks later, she's pregnant.
 Amidst all these troubles, Liz, unable to cope, seeks refuge in the arms of her lover, Kenji. Nearly twenty years her junior, Kenji lets her escape into his world, where she can pretend her home life doesn't exist.
 When Charlie is diagnosed with Pigeon Fancier's lung he's convinced that he has nothing to live for. This is the beginning of the end for Liz.
 The last straw comes when Charlie refuses to attend the screening of Seamus' film because one of his pigeons - pigeons he's meant to give away - needs urgent medical attention. Seamus, furious that his father has once again chosen his flock over his son, takes matters into his own hands when they get home, and drowns his father's birds.
 The shock of violence scatters the Carbunckles: Liz moves out, Charlie retreats to his basement, Seamus spends more and more time alone and Beth is focused on her own growing problem. The choice to rally together is too difficult, too painful for all of them.
 In a last ditch attempt to make things right, Charlie drags his family with him to the World Homing Show in Blackpool, England, as he vows to say goodbye to pigeon racing forever. Though his heart's in the right place, Charlie still needs to come to terms with the distance his obsession puts between him and his family.

The introduction reflects on the personal, creative journey I undertook: from the initial spark of inspiration, through several drafts, ending with the novel being accepted for representation by a literary agent.
 The first chapter focuses on the spark of inspiration and the way in which it was transformed into two talking pigeons. The second chapter discusses voice and dialogue and how those elements aided in characterization. Writing this novel was not without difficulties, and the third chapter considers issues concerning the plot. No writer can be said to exist outside the realm of influence, and in the fourth chapter I discuss novelists I see as having influenced my style. The Poomour chapter focuses on comedic elements within Carbunckle's Flight and touches upon Rabelais and how to get a laugh out of Crohn's disease. Chapter six is dedicated to process of writing a novel. Finally, there is a brief epilogue that serves as a bridge from Carbunckle's Flight to the next novel.


The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) exhibits considerable variation across agrarian societies, whereas they are virtually absent in non-agrarian societies such as hunter-gatherer and horticultural societies. When looking for lifestyle factors which could promote CVD, it therefore seems logical to focus on the agrarian lifestyle and ways in which it departs from a non-agrarian lifestyle. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of a hunter-gatherer diet (also called Paleolithic diet) compared to agrarian diet in prevention of CVD.

In paper I we reviewed evidence from epidemiology and evolutionary biology for a possible maladaptation of human satiety hormone leptin to agrarian diet. We found that leptin resistance hypothetically may be a sign of maladaptation to dietary cereals as staple food, and that lectins could be a cereal constituent with sufficient properties to cause leptin resistance.

In paper II we experimentally studied the long-term effect of a Paleolithic diet compared to a cereal-based diet on risk factors for cardiovascular disease in domestic pigs. We found that a Paleolithic diet conferred higher insulin sensitivity, lower C-reactive protein and lower blood pressure than a cereal-based diet.

In paper III and IV we experimentally studied the effect of a Paleolithic diet compared to a Mediterranean-like diet on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, satiety and leptin in individuals with ischaemic heart disease and either glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes. Paper III showed that a Paleolithic diet improved glucose tolerance more than a Mediterranean-like diet, and paper IV showed that a Paleolithic diet was more satiating per calorie than a Mediterranean-like diet.

In conclusion, we have found beneficial effects of a Paleolithic diet on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and satiety.


INDIAN PEDIATRICS 1076 VOLUME 41OCTOBER 17, 2004 Sharma and Virmani(1) have looked at X-ray and blood biochemistry (serum calcium, phosphorus and Alkaline phos-phatase levels) in 100 infants and children with clinical rickets in Delhi and found that 35% children had low calcium and 35.5% children had raised alkaline phosphatase. However, to diagnose vitamin D deficiency with rickets, it is best that vitamin D metabolites are measured. 25 Hydroxy-cholecalciferol (25 (OH) D) is the most reliable measure of an individual's vitamin D status(2). We have recently conducted a study looking at the 25 (OH) D levels in slum children from three areas in Delhi and found evidence of widespread vitamin D deficiency. This study was funded by Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India.


Over the last years, internet-adoption rates have risen in older age groups, with older people starting to use the internet and smartphone technology in more nuanced ways. Still, little is known about how older people interact with new digital technology in their everyday lives. This dissertation contributes to a better understanding of these topics. The overall research question deals with older adults' preferences towards using digital technologies.

The first part of the work presents the theoretical background. The life course perspective provides a conceptual framework. Different theories explaining technology adoption and their empirical evidence for people in old are summarised. This synthesis gives an overview on how the topic is discussed within different scientific disciplines. Two relevant fields of application, digital health and the use of digital technology in gerontological research, are addressed in more detail.

In own studies, three specific research foci were examined: (1) usage patterns, (2) facilitators and barriers for long-term use, and (3) the potential of digital technologies for gerontological research. These aspects have been addressed in five publications that are the basis of this dissertation. A cross-sectional survey in individuals aged 50 and older showed that 29.0% do not use any mobile device in their everyday life and 20.5% use mobile devices for physical activity tracking. Gender, age, and interest in technology were associated with technology use. In a qualitative study, facilitators and barriers of long-term use were identified for a specific digital technology, an activity tracker. Facilitators included awareness of achievements and a reminder function of the device. Lacking customisation, declining interest, and difficult manageability impeded long-term use. In a conceptual evaluation, the advantages and disadvantages of using digital technologies in surveys in the older population were addressed.

These findings are discussed at a general level in the last part of the dissertation. Following the appraisal of the main findings in the general research context and a methodological discussion, the integration of technology and gerontological theory is made a subject of discussion. Recommendations for future research are suggested.


Background: Cost effective and environmentally favorable green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is a fast growing research in nanotechnology.

Aims and Objectives: The present study reports the synthesis of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) using Mangifera indica leaves extract, and its constituents and particle size was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Materials and Methods: Preliminary phytochemical analysis of M. indica leaves extract was performed, and AgNPs were prepared by M. indica leaves extract when treated with silver nitrate. Finally, various functional groups in the plant extracts and size of the AgNPs were identified by FTIR and SEM analysis.

Results: Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoid, quinines, steroids, coumarins, and phenolic compounds in M. indica leaves extract. Presence of AgNPs in the green extract was confirmed by color changes from pale yellow to dark brown color and by an intense peak in the ultraviolet-spectrophotometer at 420 nm. FTIR analysis showed the presence of various functional groups between the frequency range of 400 and 4000/cm and SEM analysis showed the nanometer size of silver particles that formed.

Conclusion: This novel green approach may be used for large scale production of metallic nanoparticle and can be used in pharmacological aspects based on the medicinal uses of M. indica.


With strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC), ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) transitional metal chalcogenides (TMDs) are predicted to exhibit weak antilocalization (WAL) effect at low temperatures. The observation of WAL effect in VSe2 is challenging due to the relative weak SOC and three-dimensional (3D) transport nature in thick VSe2. Here, we report on the observation of quasi-2D transport and WAL effect in sublimed-salt-assisted low-temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown few-layered high-quality VSe2 nanosheets. The WAL magnitudes in magnetoconductance can be perfectly fitted by the 2D Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka (HLN) equation in the presence of strong SOC, by which the spin-orbit scattering length lSO and phase coherence length lϕ have been extracted. The phase coherence length lϕ shows a power law dependence with temperature, lϕ∼  T-1/2, revealing an electron-electron interaction-dominated dephasing mechanism. Such sublimed-salt-assisted growth of high-quality few-layered VSe2 and the observation of WAL pave the way for future spintronic and valleytronic applications.


BACKGROUND
The aims were to evaluate the nutritional status, central adiposity, and physical growth profile of adolescents in a sports-oriented public school (SOPS) and to describe the results considering the Brazilian and American adolescents' survey studies.

METHODS
This study was a dynamic cohort, performed in 2012-2013 and 2015. 1,082 adolescent athletes (11-16 years old) participated. Anthropometric data (height [H], weight, and waist circumference [WC]) were collected yearly. The nutritional status was assessed using BMI z-score; trunk fat, using WC and WC/H ratio; and growth, using height z-score. The SOPS results were described considering data from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey (HBS-Southeast region) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Anthropometric data was compared using linear mixed effects regression models, considering sex, age group and time.

RESULTS
Considering height z-score and BMI z-score values, none of the adolescents in the SOPS had short stature or underweight, and the obesity prevalence was approximately 1% throughout the study. HBS survey revealed 3.4% of obesity prevalence in adolescents (11-16 years old). Considering age and time, significant differences in WC for both sexes were observed. However, considering NHANES data, our participants were classified in P5-25.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the nutritional status of adolescents in the SOPS was good, obesity prevalence was 1% and WC measurement was within P5-25 considering NHANES data. This supports the public policies encouraging involvement in sports at school, which should be one of the priorities in the health promotion agenda, reducing the development of future chronic diseases.


This work presents a meta-heuristic approach that integrates an artificial immune algorithm and a particle swarm optimization (AIA-PSO) method to solve unconstrained global optimization (UGO) problems. Using an external AIA, the parameter settings of an internal PSO algorithm are optimized. These include the constriction coefficient, cognitive parameter and social parameter. The internal PSO algorithm is used to solve benchmark UGO problems. Furthermore, this work compares the numerical results obtained using the proposed AIA-PSO algorithm with those obtained using published Nelder¡VMead simplex search method ¡V PSO (NM-PSO), particle swarm ant colony optimization (PSACO), genetic algorithm-PSO (GA-PSO), continuous hybrid algorithm (CHA) and continuous tabu simplex search (CTSS). Experimental results indicate that the proposed AIA-PSO algorithm converges to a global optimum solution to each UGO problem. Furthermore, the optimum parameter settings of the internal PSO algorithm can be obtained using the external AIA. Moreover, the proposed AIA-PSO algorithm outperforms those of some published NM-PSO, GA-PSO, CHA and CTSS for each UGO problem. Therefore, the proposed AIA-PSO algorithm is a highly promising alternative stochastic global optimization method for solving UGO problems.


We study the online linear optimization problem, in which a player has to make repeated online decisions with linear loss functions and hopes to achieve a small regret. We consider a natural restriction of this problem in which the loss functions have a small deviation, measured by the sum of the distances between every two consecutive loss functions. At the same time, we also consider a natural generalization, in which the regret is measured against a dynamic offline algorithm which can play different strategies in different rounds, but under the constraint that their deviation is small. We show that in this new setting, an online algorithm modified from the gradient descent algorithm can still achieve a small regret, which can be characterized in terms of the deviation of loss functions and the deviation of the offline algorithm. For the closely related prediction with expert advice problem, we show that an online algorithm modified from the Hedge algorithm can also achieve a small regret in this new setting.


Let M be a G-manifold and ω a G-invariant exact m-form on M. We indicate when these data allow us to constract a cocycle on a group G with values in the trivial G-module R and when this cocycle is nontrivial.


The foraging behaviours of two Tanganyikan scale-eating cichlids, Perissodus straeleni and Perissodus microlepis, were observed in laboratory. Video analyses of their feeding behaviours showed the distinct differences in scale-eating action between the two species. Perissodus straeleni presses and shifts its mouth laterally along the body of the prey as the prey attempts to break free. In contrast, P. microlepis quickly rotates its body, with both jaws pressed tightly against the flank of the prey. Scanning electron microscopy of tooth shapes confirmed that dental morphology clearly differs between the two species: the teeth of P. straeleni are laminar and leaf-shaped with sharp edges along the lateral sides, whereas P. microlepis has thick, broad-based teeth with spine-like points in the upper corners. In addition, inspection of tooth condition in wild-caught fishes showed that the ratio of wearing teeth was significantly higher in P. straeleni than in P. microlepis. These results indicate that the functional morphology of the teeth plays an important role in their scale-eating actions; in P. straeleni, the sharp edges of the teeth appear to function as blades for scraping while shifting the mouth laterally along the body of the prey, whereas the spine-like projections on the teeth of P. microlepis appear to effectively catch scales while pressing and rotating the mouth, simultaneously wrenching off scales. These results clearly demonstrate that the different scale-eating behaviours of the two species are closely associated with the functional diversification of their jaw teeth.


A review of the status of requirements for the selection of sites for the facilities comprising the nuclear fuel cycle for electric power production is presented. The report includes a summary of the legal and regulatory constraints that have resulted in complex and lengthy process for licensing of nuclear facilities. The nuclear fuel cycle, including the post-reactor operations of spent fuel reprocessing and waste disposal, is reviewed. Site evaluation factors for each major activity in the fuel cycle include geology, hydrology, demography, geography, meteorology, ecology, and institutional and social aspects. An analysis of current methods available for site evaluation are described. The report concludes with analysis of current issues affecting the ability of the nation's industry to license suitable sites for the many types of facility needed in the nuclear fuel cycle. The report should be of interest to civil engineers concerned with the resolution of technical problems of facility site selection. (Reprinted from the Journal of the Environmental Engineering Division , June, 1979.)


Due to its large size, the Ninth Circuit employs a limited en banc review, where only eleven of its active judges sit en banc, consisting of the chief judge and ten other active judges who are randomly selected. Accordingly, limited en banc allows for "minority rule�? in a subset of cases, such as when the random draw results in six or more judges holding minority views for that particular case. Although a few Ninth Circuit judges have criticized the limited en banc procedure because of the possibility of minority decisions, most of the judges on the Ninth Circuit have apparently accepted the limited en banc procedure on the basis that there is no perceived realistic alternative. This Essay challenges this consensus and presents a mechanism to fix the Ninth Circuit's representativeness problem while retaining the efficiency of the current procedure. Because the Trump Administration has significantly cut into the advantage Democratic appointees have on the Ninth Circuit, this mechanism is needed for the Democratic appointees to maintain control of Ninth Circuit law.


3D printing for tissue engineering requires biomaterials with mechanical and biological properties suitable for both tissue regeneration and the printing process. A filament made of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) combined with 45S5 Bioglass (BG) was used to print 3D scaffolds by fused deposition modeling (FDM). Chemical treatment of BG particles with chlorotrimethylsilane (CTMS) improved the ductility of the extruded filaments and allowed excellent printability. Controlling the printing parameter infill density (I%), from 20 to 90%, scaffolds were obtained with interconnected pores and channel sizes in the 100–800 µm range and exhibiting tensile modulus from 0.25 to 1.36 GPa. PHBV + BG scaffolds and PHBV scaffolds coated with CTMS treated BG particles, as a model of a rough and biologically active coating, showed no cytotoxic effects, and cells preferred the scaffolds containing BG in terms of cell spreading. Mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds were similar to those of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of trabecular bone.


In this brief, we considered the problem of blind identification of an autoregressive (AR) system driven by a chaotic signal. Because of the inherently deterministic nature of a chaotic signal, a new dynamic-based estimation approach called minimum phase space volume (MPSV) technique was applied to identify an AR system. It was shown that not only could this chaotic approach provide an accurate identification, but it was also more effective than the conventional statistic method in the sense that the chaotic approach had a smaller mean squares error (MSE), and it was so robust that it did not require an order determination procedure. In a chaotic modulation communication system, since the signal of transmission is modulated by a chaotic dynamical system, equalization of the transmitted signal through a communication channel is therefore a problem of system identification with a chaotic probing signal. It was observed that the equalization performance of the chaotic approach was superior to the conventional statistical method. This is another benefit for using chaos in a spread spectrum communication system.


Cellular differentiation is usually considered to be an irreversible process during development due to robust lineage commitment. Feedback and feed-forward loops play a significant role in maintaining lineage-specific gene expression processes in various cell types, and, in turn, factors secreted by cells may regulate the homeostatic balance of these cycles during development and differentiation. The output of biological responses is controlled by such mechanisms in many regulatory pathways through gene networks involved in transcription, RNA metabolism, signal transduction, micromolecular synthesis, and degradation. The pluripotent stage during cellular conversion may be avoided through ectopic expression of lineage-specific factors. Lineage-specific transcription factors produced during development may strengthen cell type-specific gene expression patterns. Cellular phenotypes are further stabilized by epigenetic modifications. This reprogramming approach could have important implications for disease modeling and regenerative and personalized medicine.


All-optical bistability in luminescence of thin (≤ 10 μm) CdS and CdS: Cu sprayed films on pyrex® was studied in the range of 700-1000 nm. The films were investigated between 80-210 K and excited by the 514.5 nm Ar+- laser line. The measurements were performed in transmission or reflection geometries using a monochromator or cut-off filters, respectively. The pronounced dependence of the luminescence intensity on temperature in the near infrared is found to be the origin of bistability in luminescence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the loop contrasts depend on the wavelength investigated. By the application of this feature, we present, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, a possibility to measure doping concentrations of a semiconductor with a bistable device. Finally, new concepts are discussed to use luminescence bistability in all-optical or hybrid data links.


The Amazon Basin contains large wetland ecosystems which are important sources of methane (CH4). Spaceborne observations of atmospheric CH4 can provide constraints on emissions from these remote ecosystems, but lack of validation precludes robust estimates. We present the first validation of CH4 columns in the Amazon from the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) using aircraft measurements of CH4 over five sites across the Amazon Basin. These aircraft profiles, combined with stratospheric results from the TOMCAT chemical transport model, are vertically integrated allowing direct comparison to the GOSAT XCH4 measurements (the column‐averaged dry air mole fraction of CH4). The measurements agree within uncertainties or show no significant difference at three of the aircraft sites, with differences ranging from −1.9 ppb to 6.6 ppb, while at two sites GOSAT XCH4 is shown to be slightly higher than aircraft measurements, by 8.1 ppb and 9.7 ppb. The seasonality in XCH4 seen by the aircraft profiles is also well captured (correlation coefficients from 0.61 to 0.90). GOSAT observes elevated concentrations in the northwest corner of South America in the dry season and enhanced concentrations elsewhere in the Amazon Basin in the wet season, with the strongest seasonal differences coinciding with regions in Bolivia known to contain large wetlands. Our results are encouraging evidence that these GOSAT CH4 columns are generally in good agreement with in situ measurements, and understanding the magnitude of any remaining biases between the two will allow more confidence in the application of XCH4 to constrain Amazonian CH4 fluxes.


Baculovirus expression vector systems are used for the production of an increasing number of licensed commercial subunit vaccines. Though baculoviruses are incapable of replicating outside a narrow host range of lepidopteran insects, a replication-defective baculovirus system or platform provides an additional level of safety without the use of chemical inactivation methods such as binary ethylenimine. Circumventing the need for chemical inactivation protects sensitive proteins from degradation, and use of a live, yet replicationdefective baculovirus has the potential to enhance antiviral immune response. These factors together make a replication-defective baculovirus platform highly desirable for subunit vaccine production. Choosing the essential baculovirus envelope protein gp64 as our target, we used recombination to delete gp64 from the baculovirus rendering it replication-defective. We used insect cell based plasmid expression vectors to generate insect cell lines stably expressing gp64 to allow passage of the replication-defective virus. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) remains an economically important disease in swine, and a highly effective vaccine remains elusive. To test the capacity of the replicationdefective baculovirus system to express an antigenic target of interest, we used recombination to replace the gp64 in the baculovirus genome with a chimeric PEDV spike protein. We then infected Sf9 cells with the PEDV spike expressing replication-defective baculovirus. Analysis of insect cell supernatants indicated that yield of PEDV spike was low in non-complementing cells, but shows an association between the baculovirus capsid VP39 and PEDV spike suggesting that the pseudotyped spike chimera restores budding of replication-defective baculovirus particles in the absence of gp64 suggesting that the system also has potential as a vector for gene delivery.


Perianal Crohn's disease (pCD) is difficult to treat. Although anti-TNF, are the medical mainstay in fistula treatment, many patients become refractory. Recent data suggested that ustekinumab (UST) might be effective in pCD.
 This study aims to assess the effectiveness of UST in refractory pCD in the real-world practice.

 This is a retrospective cohort of patients with pCD treated with UST in our IBD Unit between march 2015 and october 2020. We analyze demographics, disease charactersistics, surgical for pCD and prior exposure including inmunomodulators and biologic agents. The success of UST was defined on the physician judgment (improvement or absence of drainage). In patients with inactive pCD we analyzed rate of relapse. To analyze predictive factors of treatment success we performed a univariate and multivariable analysis.

 Fifty three patients were included (54.72 % female). Twenty four of them were smokers. The median age was 54 years (45–62). The mean duration of CD was 19 years and 50.94% had an intestinal resection. Fifty one patients (96,22%) had been treated with at least 1 anti-TNF and 38 (71.7%) with at least 2 anti-TNF. Sixteen had failed to vedolizumab.
 The median follow-up was 26 months (15–36). Twenty two (22/53) had active pCD. Eleven (50%) had intensified UST out of technical sheet (8 with 90 mg sc every 4 to 6 w, and 3 had 130 mg iv every 4 w). Fifteen patients (68.18 %; p<0.001) had clinical improvement after started UST, 10/22 (45.45%; p <0.001) radiological improvement and no one of them require other treatment (p < 0.006). In multivariable analysis, no factors were associated with clinical or radiological improvement.
 Two of 32 patients (6.45%) with inactive pCD relapsed during the follow-up.
 Eleven patients (20.75%) discontinued UST: 6/53 (11.3%) due to adverse events (infections and arthralgia), 4/53 (7,54) patient′s choice or physician judment. One patient who had been treated with four biologics before UST developed a pleomorphic cutaneous sarcoma

 Ustekinumab might by an effective treatment in refractory pCD. More studies are needed to confirm our data


By using an improved hybridoma technique with a semisolid medium of methylcellulose for initial cloning, numerous high affinity monoclonal antibodies against human thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were generated. These antibodies were characterized with respect to their subunit and epitope specificity. Epitope analysis of antibodies specific to the beta‐subunit of TSH was performed by a sandwich pairing procedure. Based on the results of this analysis, it was concluded that there are four distinct TSH‐specific epitopes on the beta‐subunit of TSH; these are designated a, b, c, and ab. The five antibodies binding to epitopes a, b, and c are not mutually exclusive. However, the antibody binding to epitope ab prevents further binding of other antibodies to epitope a or b, but not to epitope c. This epitope analysis enabled us to combine three high affinity monoclonal antibodies, each of which reacts with epitopes a, b, and c, respectively, in a typical sandwich enzyme immunoassay. One was immobilized on polystyrene beads and the other two were conjugated with horseradish peroxidase and served as the second antibodies. This enzyme immunoassay can be performed within 90 min and with a minimum sensitivity of 0.2‐0.3 microIU/ml.


Recent work has demonstrated that the dog posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle is composed of three neuromuscular compartments: a vertical, an oblique, and a horizontal. In this study, the human PCA muscle was examined for evidence of neural compartments. Fifteen human PCA muscles were processed by Sihler's stain, which renders the muscle translucent while counterstaining the nerve supply. The results clearly show that in all specimens the nerve supply of the human PCA muscle is separated into at least two main branches: one supplies the horizontal compartment and a second further subdivides to innervate both the vertical and oblique compartments. In 10 of the specimens, these nerve branches arose as separate branches from the recurrent laryngeal nerve. In all specimens, the nerve branch to the horizontal compartment was either combined or connected with the nerve branch to the interarytenoid muscle. The results suggest that the different compartments of the PCA muscle have distinct functions. In addition, the strong connections with the interarytenoid nerve complicate reinnervation procedures to reanimate a paralyzed or transplanted larynx.


The marginal and internal gaps of ceramic crowns with alumina copings fabricated using a computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing system, were evaluated in vivo using silicone materials. Black and white silicone materials were used to record the marginal and internal gaps of 82 In-Ceram crowns before final cementation. The silicone materials were sectioned bucco-lingually and mesio-distally and viewed under a microscope to measure the thickness of the white silicone layer. Sixteen reference points were measured on each specimen. The mean marginal gaps were compared among the anterior, premolar and molar teeth, and the mean gaps at the reference points within the groups were compared by analysis of variance and the Dunnett T3 test. The mean marginal gap was 66.8 mum. There were no differences in marginal gaps among the three groups. In all the groups, the marginal gaps were the smallest, whereas the occlusal gaps were the largest. The mean marginal gaps of the In-Ceram crowns with the alumina copings fabricated using the GN-I system were within the range of clinically acceptable values.


In this paper, we present BoP, a content-based publish/subscribe system for arbitrary Boolean subscriptions and advertisements. BoP targets at the time and space-efficient matching of event messages using the wide-spread attribute-value pair event model.
 In contrast to other content-based publish/subscribe systems focussing on an efficient matching process, BoP internally supports subscriptions and advertisements as arbitrary Boolean expressions. As we will show in this paper, directly handling these representations leads to efficiency benefits for applications using this class of expressions.
 The support of arbitrary Boolean subscriptions and advertisements requires the introduction of efficient matching and overlapping calculation algorithms, as well as applicable routing optimizations. In this paper, we will outline these solutions that have been integrated into BoP. The evaluation part of this work presents the results of a comparative study of our approaches and recent conjunctive solutions.


The Lake Chad Basin (LCB), in West Africa, is surrounded by three countries with shared borders. In the previous years, the Lake Chad Basin was a flourishing area, as a result of the opportunities presented by the lake for livelihood, agriculture, tourism, and access to markets and trade. Severe drought has since decimated the socioeconomic potential of the Lake Chad Basin, but more recently, it has worse impact with the Boko Haram insurgency. The insurgency that started in 2002 from Maiduguri town, Borno State in Nigeria, has spread to the Chad and Cameroon leaving destruction, displacement, and the demise of a once-virile economy in its wake. The insecurity that plagues the region has forced millions to flee their homes and abandon their livelihood and trade around the lake. Major trade routes and markets in the area now have greatly reduced activity, as poverty and deep deprivation hold sway and inhabitants who have migrated or live within internally displaced persons camps depend on aid.


This report analyzes the political situation in the camps against the background of its historical genesis and in light of domestic and regional pressures and the changing organizational alliances of the various political factions involved. After looking at one camp, 9Ayn al-Hilwa, as a microcosm of the Palestinian scene in Lebanon, the author points out the differences in the other camps in other parts of the country.


: This paper presents algebraic connectivity invariance of a network-of-networks derived from a graph product. The network is modeled as an interconnected system of several kinds of similar subsystems via a certain structure, where several vertices of each subsystem are attached to the structure. The algebraic connectivity of this network can be characterized by using an appropriate network having homogeneous subsystems under a certain condition, which is investigated in this paper. In particular, a necessary and su ffi cient condition for adding links (edges) to subsystems which preserve the algebraic connectivity is clarified.


By using a dynamic VLAN feature of recent network equipment, we can configure a location-free network environment which can authenticate a user of a terminal and assign a VLAN for his/her terminal dynamically so that the user can connect his/her terminal to the same VLAN anywhere in the organization. However, on such a location-free network environment, it is difficult to use some location dependent services. One typical location dependent service is site license of an electronic journal (e-journal) that users can access the contents only if they are in specific locations. In this paper, we propose configuration of a location free network which can adapt location dependent services by devising the allocation of the VLAN-IDs and the subnet IP addresses. By this method, since no special equipment is required, it is possible to build a network system without extra cost. We configured the network system based on the proposed method on the campus network of Okayama University and confirmed the effectiveness and the practicability on accessing some site-licensed e-journals.


Abstract Background The current millennium has seen an explosion in vitamin D testing with the overarching aim of requests to clinically stratify patients as replete or deficient in vitamin D. At a population level, dried blood spot (DBS) sampling offers a less invasive and more practical application for assessment of vitamin D status. We have therefore aimed to develop a sensitive and robust DBS vitamin D method that is traceable to serum for use in population-based studies. Methods Blood spots, calibrators and controls were prepared by punching a 3.2 mm DBS from filter paper and placed into a 96-well micro-plate. The DBS disk was eluted with a combination of water-methanol and internal standard (ISTD) solution followed by supported-liquid extraction and derivatisation. The extract was analysed by liquid-chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry in positive electrospray-ionisation mode with 732.5 > 673.4 and 738.4 > 679.4 m/z ion-transitions for derivatised vitamin D and the ISTD, respectively. Vitamin D results were made traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology reference material through the inclusion of Chromsystems vitamin D calibrators. Results 25-Hydroxy-vitamin D3 and its related ISTD were detected at a retention time of 7 min. The seven-point calibration-curve consistently demonstrated a coefficient of determination of 0.99 with an experimentally determined reportable range of 0.5–376 nmol/L. Method validation studies using DBS samples demonstrated 12.9% between-assay imprecision at 45 nmol/L, 84% average recovery and high correlation with plasma vitamin D (correlation coefficient = 0.86). Conclusions We have successfully developed an analytical method for vitamin D quantitation from DBSs which will be applied to our population-based vitamin D research study. This approach improves traceability of DBS results and potentially could be used broadly for other DBS measurands that require comparison to serum/plasma for their interpretation.


Some conflicting results have been reported on the comparison between t-way combinatorial testing and random testing. In this paper, we report a new study that applies t-way and random testing to the Siemens suite. In particular, we investigate the stability of the two techniques. We measure both code coverage and fault detection effectiveness. Each program in the Siemens suite has a number of faulty versions. In addition, mutation faults are used to better evaluate fault detection effectiveness in terms of both number and diversity of faults. The experimental results show that in most cases, t-way testing performed as good as or better than random testing. There are few cases where random testing performed better, but with a very small margin. Overall, the differences between the two techniques are not as significant as one would have probably expected. We discuss the practical implications of the results. We believe that more studies are needed to better understand the comparison of the two techniques.


A new approach to evaluate reliability indices of composite system considering voltage stability based on Monte-Carlo simulation is presented. The adequacy analysis of each selected system state is carried out in two steps. In the first one, an optimal power flow, solved by a direct interior point (IP) method, is adopted to calculate the static voltage stability limit including maximum load and voltage limits in power systems. If the voltage instability occurs, the voltage limits are saved. In the second step, adequacy indices are evaluated considering changed load limits and voltage limits. A new software is developed based on the method mentioned above. Test of a 24-bus IEEE RTS shows that the software developed is valid.


The transportation infrastructure of a nation forms the backbone of its economic growth and social development, and, as a developing country, India is no exception. However, with imperatives to improve connectivity for economic and social growth, ecological costs are often at stake. Roads, old and new, cut through protected forests and connecting habitats, resulting in a plethora of ecological effects. These may include the severing of natural corridors thereby compromising the role of landscapes as conservation units especially for landscape-dependent wild animal species. Consequent loss of biodiversity and ecosystems and decline in innumerable ecosystem services emanating from these natural reserves are other serious impacts. As India aspires for better, modern roads, the ecological concerns regarding many road upgradation projects have recently been the cause of disputes between the transportation sector and the conservation community. Delayed consideration of ecological concerns into linear development project planning leads to inadequate appropriation of funds needed for mitigating impacts of such developments. It is in these circumstances that the question of prioritizing areas and strategies for mitigation given limited mitigation funds arises. We examine the different facets to the debate of triage vis-a-vis conservation, development and mitigation planning in the transportation sector in a developing country context. We suggest that it is important and possible to secure investment towards conservation in areas outside the purview of legal protection through project mitigation costs and other mechanisms. We also make suggestions to avoid the 'laissez-faire' approach to linear development projects that is prevalent in India.


In recent years, the evidence suggesting that honey bees communicate with a "dance language" has been stronly attached on both theoretical and experimental grounds. An alternative theory has been proposed by which bees are supposed to use only odors to locate sources of food. A review of the evolution of the controversy isolates and analyzes the main issues. Early experiments which she fundamental problem in this important dispute has been that dancing bees advertise a food location with site-specific odoer information as well as symbolic distance and direction coordinates. A new technique has overcome this problem and demonstrated that von Frisch's dance language theory is, on the whole, correct. The apparently contradictory results of Wenner and his colleagues are shown to be due to their techniques for training bees. The dance-language controversy raises issues beyond how bees communicate. These include whether and when "evolutionary" arguments are useful, and to what extent Kuhn's scientific revolution paradign fits the dispute.


textabstractHealth care expenditures and life expectancy have both been rising in many countries, including in the Netherlands. However, it is unclear to what extent increased health care spending caused the increase in life expectancy. Establishing a causal link between health care expenditures and mortality is difficult for several reasons. In medicine, randomized clinical trials are the gold standard to demonstrate causality and thereby the effectiveness of clinical interventions. However, data from randomized trials are not available to estimate the influence of health care spending on life expectancy. As a result, researchers have tried a variety of methods and data sources to establish a causal link between health care spending and life expectancy. Our review of empirical studies revealed nonetheless that a causal influence of marginal increases in health care spending has been difficult to demonstrate in empirical research, given all methodological issues surrounding the estimates of empirical studies. We conclude therefore that, while it appears likely that increases in health care spending have contributed somewhat to the growth in life expectancy in Western countries, the strength of the effect remains uncertain and may differ between sectors. Also, the mechanisms underlying the causal relationship between health care spending and life expectancy are still unclear. For instance, both the role of specific medical technologies and that of health care reforms seem important in this context, but especially regarding the role of health care reforms sound evidence is lacking. Therefore, further research in this area, which would profit from new data sources and increased possibilities for data linkage, as well as further developments of the methods to exploit these, remain needed.


This thesis examined the possible role of the microfilaments and
microtubules in controlling the activity of the granulocyte plasma membrane
oxidase. There have not been any detailed investigations of this topic
published to date.
The conflicting literature on the nucleotide specificity and
location of the oxidase within the granulocyte was examined. In vitro
techniques for isolating granulocytes from human peripheral blood and for
quantitating the initial rate of plasma membrane oxidase activity were developed
and used for these investigations. The involvement of microfilaments
and microtubules in oxidase activity was studied by using pharmacological
agents known to disrupt these structures in vitro (cytochalasin B, and
colchicine, vinblastine and vincristine, respectively). Control experiments
were also performed to ensure that microfilament and microtubule disruption
by these agents provided the best explanation for the results presented herein.
Correlative experiments were conducted to determine if a change in
hexose monophosphate shunt activity was associated with the observed
changes in plasma membrane oxidase activity brought about by the drug
treatments.
Experiments on non-phagocytic granulocytes showed that microfilament
disruption led to enhanced oxidase activity, while microtubule disruption produced
a dual effect : a paradoxical enhancement (with low doses or brief
exposures to the agents) and an impairment in oxidase activity. These
results suggested that microfilaments act as a constraint against, while
microtubules are required for plasma membrane oxidase activity. The requirement
for microtubules was highlighted in experiments where the usual
enhancement in oxidase activity with cytochalasin B was ablated when the
granulocytes were concomitantly incubated with a microtubule-disrupting
agent. (With phagocytic granulocytes qualitatively similar results were
observed. However, those experiments were not suitable for studying cell
surface oxidase activity because the presence of ingestable. Particles made
it impossible to determine whether plasma membrane and/or granule oxidase
activity was being measured.)
Based on the spectrophotometric and electron microscopic results
presented and the relevant findings from other investigators, a scheme
concerning the participation of the cytoskeletal elements in granulocyte
plasma membrane oxidase activity was devised. In this scheme the microfilaments
physically constrain the oxidase within the plasma membrane,
and thereby hold the activity of the oxidase in check. Thus, microfilament
disruption is envisaged to result in enhanced oxidase activity by freeing the
enzyme. However, the oxidase is viewed as optimally active only as long as
the microtubules are present to maintain the plasma membrane topography
suitable for the enzyme's activity.


The epothilones are a new class of highly promising anticancer agents with a mode of action akin to that of paclitaxel but with distinct advantages over that drug. The principal natural compounds are epothilones A and B, which have an epoxide in the macrocyclic lactone ring, and C and D, which have a double bond instead of the epoxide group. The epoxidation of epothilones C and D to A and B, respectively, is mediated by EpoK, a cytochrome P450 enzyme encoded in the epothilone gene cluster. Here we report high-yield expression of EpoK, characterization of the protein, demonstration that the natural substrate can prevent-and even reverse-denaturation of the protein, identification of ligands and surrogate substrates, development of a high-throughput fluorescence activity assay based on the H(2)O(2)-dependent oxidation of 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin, and identification of effective inhibitors of the enzyme. These results will facilitate improvements in the yields of epothilones C and D and the engineering of EpoK to prepare novel epothilone analogues. Furthermore, the finding that the denatured enzyme is rescued by the substrate offers a potential paradigm for control of the P450 catalytic function.


Efficient navigation of mobile platforms in dynamic human-centered environments is still an open research topic. We have already proposed an architecture (MEPHISTO) for a navigation system that is able to fulfill the main requirements of efficient navigation: fast and reliable sensor processing, extensive global world modeling, and distributed path planning. Our architecture uses a distributed system of sensor processing, world modeling, and path planning units. In this arcticle, we present implemented methods in the context of data fusion algorithms for 3D world modeling and real-time path planning. We also show results of the prototypic application of the system at the museum ZKM (center for art and media) in Karlsruhe.


Orientation: This study was positioned within the field of positive psychology, specifically positive organisational behaviour scholarship (POBS).Research purpose: The aim of the research was to investigate the relationship between psychological capital (PsyCap), employees' innovative thinking and their innovative behaviour.Motivation for the study: Psychological capital has been associated with many positive organisational behaviour outcomes, but relatively little previous research has addressed the relationship between PsyCap and innovation in South Africa. In a similar vein, there is much interest in the Innovator's DNA model, but it too has received little research scrutiny. Combining these variables into a single model, provided an opportunity to address both these research gaps.Research approach/design and method: The research design was quantitative in nature. The model of innovative behaviour was tested on a sample of 485 employees from the travel and automotive industries in South Africa.Main findings: The model of innovative behaviour was mostly supported by the data. Significant relationships between PsyCap, innovators' DNA (innovative thinking) and innovative behaviour were found.Practical/managerial implications: The characteristics that underpin both PsyCap and innovative thinking have been shown in previous research to be malleable and trainable. The current research found that both these variables contributed significantly to the variance in innovative thinking. Managers seeking employees who engage in innovative behaviours would do well to spend time and effort in the training and development of both PsyCap and innovative thinking.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the limited amount of research on employee innovative behaviour in South Africa. Specifically, the study established a link between employees' cognitive skills, psychological skills and innovative behaviour.


Amy and Vicky are victims of two of the most widely traded series of child sex-abuse images. The Violence Against Women Act requires courts to order full restitution for these women. However, with millions of dollars in requested restitution and thousands of defendants, the United States courts of appeals are split over whether to interpret the mandatory restitution provision broadly (providing a victim with comprehensive recovery from each defendant) or narrowly (frequently allowing only limited, expensive, and time-consuming recovery from many defendants). Partially motivating this circuit split are courts' opposing views on whether a defendant has a right to contribution from other victimizers for restitution payments. Without a right to contribution for defendants, these victims must file suits throughout the country asking courts for restitution. This paper argues that, under the Supreme Court's holdings in Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Transportation Workers Union of America, Texas Industries, Inc. v. Radcliff Materials, Inc., and Musick, Peeler & Garrett v. Employers Insurance of Wausau, courts should imply a right to contribution for defendants ordered to pay restitution under 18 U.S.C. §§ 2259 and 3664. Such an interpretation enables a victim to receive comprehensive restitution and permits a defendant who pays full restitution to seek contribution from other liable defendants.


This guidebook provides a means for practitioner to better understand and estimate bicycle and pedestrian travel and to address transportation planning needs. The guidebook describes and compares the various methods that can be used to forecast non-motorized travel demand or that otherwise support the prioritization and analyses of non-motorized projects. These methods are categorized according to four major purposes: (1) demand estimation; (2) relative demand potential; (3) supply quality analysis; and (4) supporting tools and techniques. Discrete choice models, regional travel models, sketch plan methods, facility demand potential, bicycle compatibility measures, and geographic information systems are among the methods and tools described. Overview of Methods provides a concise overview for each available method, including some typical applications, pros and cons, and a quick reference guide on ease of use, data requirements, sensitivity to design factors, and whether widely used. In addition, it discusses general issues for consideration in forecasting non-motorized travel demand, such as the dimension of travel behavior and factors influencing bicycling and walking and identifies future needs in this area. Supporting Documentation provides substantially more detail on the methods including purpose, structure, input/data needs, assumptions, and real-world applications. It also contains an extensive annotated bibliography of references on demand forecasting methods, supporting tools and techniques, and factors influencing the choice to walk or bicycle, as well as potential contacts in this field.


THE FIRST part of this chapter is devoted to a review of some recent developments in statistical theory. The review covers only the periodical literature which appeared from January 1943 to the present time. It has been divided into four somewhat overlapping subsections which, in order of presentation, treat questions of prediction, estimation and description, statistical inference in the nonparametric case, and other miscellaneous problems of statistical inference. An effort was made in the case of the first three subsections to provide sufficient detail to give the reader a general notion of certain recent developments without his having to refer to original sources. The relatively large number of articles covered in the last subsection made such a treatment impossible. The last subsection, therefore, reduces to little more than annotated bibliography. Considerable difficulty was experienced in the selection of material which it was thought might be useful to educational research workers. Some of the theory reviewed has not yet been applied to problems of educational research and perhaps never can be. On the other hand, some of the theory not reviewed may in time prove to be of the greatest importance. Finally, it should be noted that many phases of statistical theory are rapidly becoming highly abstract. Toward such phases of the theory the attitude of the practical statistician should be one of tolerance, for it is never known when the theory may provide new tools which are not only more widely applicable but also simpler to use.


Azimilide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were characterized in a safety and tolerance study of intravenously administered azimilide dihydrochloride. This was a parallel‐group design (seven treatments), and 68 healthy volunteers received the drug. Single intravenous infusion doses (4.5 to 9 mg/kg) were administered over 60 minutes, and single 4.5 mg/kg intravenous infusion doses were also given over 15 or 30 minutes. Blood and urine specimens were collected and analyzed for azimilide and metabolites. QTC was measured as a marker of class III antiarrhythmic activity. Azimilide pharmacokinetics were dose proportional and did not differ among infusion rates. Azimilide pharmacodynamics did not differ among treatments. Mean Emax ranged from 23 to 28%ΔQTC, with mean EC50 of 509 to 566 ng/mL. Peak circadian variation in QTC was equivalent to 14% of Emax. Rapid equilibration occurred between blood and the biophase. Unconfounded pharmacodynamic estimates required inclusion of circadian QTc variation in the pharmacodynamic model.


Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and asthma-incidence/severity share many common risk factors. Vitamin D has a number of biological effects that are likely important in regulating key mechanisms in asthma, including immunomodulatory effects as well as altering airway hyperresponsiveness, pulmonary function, airway smooth muscle-remodeling and response to anti-asthma therapy. Thus, VDD may result in increased prevalence and severity of childhood asthma. In Winter 2013–2014 we recruited 43 children (23 male), aged 5–15 (mean 8·7 y) with a mean body mass index of 19·9 kg/m (13–32·6) all previously diagnosed with asthma (Dublin, Ireland, 53°N).We assessed vitamin D status (25[OH]D]) PTH, PO4, calcium, IgE, CRP, WBC+ differential and asthma control. These children were randomized to either 2,000iu vitamin D3/day or placebo for 15 weeks. Mean 25(OH)D was 51 nmol/L (24–80). According to the IOM guidelines, 21 children had deficient 25(OH)D levels (<50 nmol/L), while 22 had sufficient 25(OH)D levels (>50 nmol/L). There was no significant difference in demographics (age, BMI), serum markers (PTH, PO4, IgE, CRP, WBC) or self reported measures of asthma control (Asthma Control Test or Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire) between the VDD group and the vitamin D sufficient group. However, pulmonary function was significantly higher in the vitamin D sufficient group, including FVC% (66·3 vs. 96·1%; p= 0·03) and FEV1% (92·85 vs. 101·9%; p= 0·46) Our preliminary, baseline data indicate that vitamin D sufficiency may be important for pulmonary function in asthmatic children.


Threshold choosing is critical in wavelet speech enhancement. In the paper, a novel wavelet packet speech enhancement algorithm is presented based on time-frequency (TF) threshold. Different from the conventional methods in threshold choosing, e.g. invariant threshold and time-variant threshold, the proposed threshold is modulated according to speech TF details other than rough envelops adopted in the recent algorithms based on eager energy operator (TEO) and adaptive noise estimation (ANE). In the new algorithm, the speech TF information is obtained from the frequency-based pre-estimate, and the threshold is modulated with TF characteristic of the pre-estimate. Then via thresholding the wavelet packet coefficients, the contaminated speech can be denoised adaptively. Compared with the former wavelet based algorithms, the proposed algorithm offers more pleasant enhanced speech with less distortion and residual noise in additive Gaussian noise case. Experimental results show its better performance in subjective test, input and output SNR test and modified bark spectral distortion measurement (MBSD).


In this paper, we present a new digital video watermarking technique using singular value decomposition (SVD) and two-dimensional principal component analysis (2DPCA). The SVD is used to utilized in the spatial domain while the 2DPCA is employed for embedding in the time domain. We demonstrate that the framework based on the combined use of SVD and 2DPCA well-suited to multichannel video with an arbitrary number of signal channels. Our preliminary research results indicate that the proposed method yields watermarked video with little or no perceptible distortion.


We report a theoretical study of the hole density and the low-field mobility in modulation p-doped rolled-up Si/SiGe heterostructures. Solving coupled Poisson and Schrodinger equations, we show that the total hole density is strongly affected by charged surface states and can reach value of 1011 cm−2 for available doping level at room and low temperature. The simulation of the hole transport along the structure axis based on a Monte Carlo method reveals that the interface roughness scattering is a main mechanism limiting the mobility magnitude, which reaches the value of 104 cm2/V s.


Summary Fifty-two patients thought to be suffering from dementia when first seen as neurological out-patients were fully investigated. Four of them were found to have tumours, whilst in five the dementia was due to a treatable cause. Neither a long history nor an age above sixty-five precludes a dementia being due to a treatable cause.