Mechanical and dielectric spectroscopy studies of local segmental motion (R-relaxation) in polybutadienes are reviewed and new results presented. Previous mechanical spectra for 1,4-polybutadiene relied on time-temperature superpositioning, leading to discrepancies regarding the breadth of the relaxation function. By measuring over a wide range of actual frequencies, we show that the mechanical dispersion is narrow, relative to 1,2-polybutadiene. The disagreement among published dielectric R-relaxation results is shown to be a consequence of the intrusion of the secondary relaxation for temperatures near the glass transition. The actual breadth of the relaxation function can be gleaned from analysis of the temperature dependence of the R-relaxation time and is consistent with the determination from mechanical spectroscopy (i.e., a narrow dispersion). Thus, decreasing vinyl content is associated with a narrower segmental relaxation function, whereby the correlation of chemical structure with both the breadth of the relaxation function and its temperature dependence holds for polybutadiene. This is in accord with an interpretation of the segmental dynamics based on steric interactions involving the pendant vinyl group enhancing intermolecular cooperativity. The Tg-normalized temperature dependences for 1,2and 1,4-polybutadiene are also consistent with the respective energy barriers between conformational states of their backbones.


The enormous gas resources locked in the various Mississippian and Devonian shale layers of the major eastern geologic basins naturally attracts the interest of energy policy makers and commercial entrepreneurs who are motivated to see and participate in the exploitation of that fraction which can be easily recovered. To succeed in this endeavor, however, certain constraints have to be faced, and other nagging problems have to be resolved. This paper classifies the constraints and the problems so that they can be dealt with systematically, and so that the expectations will not overtake the prospects and the realities. The fact that the shale gas resource is widespread, and indeed reasonably evenly spaced, must be weighed against the observation that so far very few ways have been found to achieve high levels of prolonged production even from the historic reservoir locations. The obstacle that most appears to limit recovery is the fact that the shale matrix which holds much of the gas has the character of a molecular sieve. This means that somehow transport paths must be induced (especially when they do not naturally preexist) so that gas can easily move toward the wellbore sinks. Completing shale wells with stimulations that induce fractures and other types End_Page 1586------------------------------ of rubble, and which otherwise break down the formation to increase the effective wellbore radius, frequently will be indicated. Another major obstacle is the necessity of minimizing skin damage resulting from the drilling, completion, and stimulation processes. A third obstacle has to do with economics which is dependent on the cost-effectiveness of the exploration and exploitation procedures that are followed in particular cases. Although it would be convenient to have evidence that a high selling price (e.g., due to market demand) would circumvent the major constraints and avoid the attending problems, the evidence points on the contrary to the need for achieving a technologic breakthrough before the full impact of economics will be felt. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1587------------


Wine is indicative for ongoing globalization, it is a highly differentiated, internationally traded experience product. We chose the wine industries of Australia, California and Germany because there is sufficient variation in the regulatory, economic and technological environments to analyze the determinants of e-commerce diffusion and its impact on agricultural industries. Therefore some developments in the wine industry might be indicative for other agricultural industries that are still at a lower level of the e-commerce diffusion curve. To determine the extent of which wineries and wine market intermediators participate in e-commerce and to also find out what has changed within the last two years we surveyed their websites, first at the end of the year 2000 and again at the beginning of 2003. In this paper we point out the interregional differences and the different developments found, and explain these in the light of the countries' level of e-commerce readiness, the differing industry structures, sales costs and market intermediation. We find that Australian and California wineries are in leading positions but German wineries are loosing ground. In all of the three countries, the web wine retail industry continues to consolidate as more web retailers exit from the industry.


The purpose of this paper selected by ICIL 2019 committee in Rome is to demonstrate the current importance of the internet in the protection of democracy in developting countries.,It is intended to make a comparison with the growing and current phenomenon of Brazilian disinformation with other contemporary phenomena related to new technologies through literature review methodology.,The Brazilian elections in 2018 represent an authentic model in a post-Cambridge Analytical phase where the myth of the sanctity of data has been broken. The big influence of the algorithmic revolution on democracies in Latin America has never been more evident. The misuse of algorithms created an artificial environment that does not put us in contact with different realities; the consequences of this conjuncture have the deepest impacts, especially in countries that rely on a deficient educational system.,Besides that, the broad use of zero-rating on the internet delivery in developing countries is also considered a factor of fake news dissemination. The information bubbles promote political polarization to the detriment of diversity – and the diversity is par excellence one of the pillars of democracy.,The research about the impact that the phenomenon of disinformation has on underdeveloped countries, it is essential to analyze the new role of the legislator in the elaboration of hypercomplex laws with multi-stakeholder interests that respect the essential core of digital human rights as the freedom of expression online.


Gynodioecy is a breeding system where both hermaphroditic and female individuals coexist within plant populations. This dimorphism is the result of a genomic interaction between maternally inherited cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) genes and bi-parentally inherited nuclear male fertility restorers. As opposed to other gynodioecious species, where every cytoplasm seems to be associated with male sterility, wild beet Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima exhibits a minority of sterilizing cytoplasms among numerous non-sterilizing ones. Many studies on population genetics have explored the molecular diversity of different CMS cytoplasms, but questions remain concerning their evolutionary dynamics. In this paper we report one of the first investigations on phylogenetic relationships between CMS and non-CMS lineages. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships between 35 individuals exhibiting different mitochondrial haplotypes. Relying on the high linkage disequilibrium between chloroplastic and mitochondrial genomes, we chose to analyse the nucleotide sequence diversity of three chloroplastic fragments (trnK intron, trnD–trnT and trnL–trnF intergenic spacers). Nucleotide diversity appeared to be low, suggesting a recent bottleneck during the evolutionary history of B. vulgaris ssp. maritima. Statistical parsimony analyses revealed a star-like genealogy and showed that sterilizing haplotypes all belong to different lineages derived from an ancestral non-sterilizing cytoplasm. These results suggest a rapid evolution of male sterility in this taxon. The emergence of gynodioecy in wild beet is confronted with theoretical expectations, describing either gynodioecy dynamics as the maintenance of CMS factors through balancing selection or as a constant turnover of new CMSs.


In this paper a less studied nonlinear partial differential equation of the third-order is under consideration. Important properties concerning advanced character such like conservation laws and the equation of continuity are given. Characteristic wave properties such like dispersion relations and both the group and phase velocities are derived explicitly. In addition, we discuss the non-classical case relating to potential symmetries for the first time. Further, for practical applications in several domains of sciences we discuss in detail approximate symmetries. Finally, as a further new contribution we deduce new generalized symmetries of lower order. Some important notes relating to future intensions are given. Key Words: Nonlinear partial differential equations, evolution equations, symmetries.


— We revisit the history of development and operation of the first-ever orbital X-band real aperture side-looking radar (RA-SLR) onboard the USSR satellite "Cosmos-1500." This radar was conceived, designed and tested in the early 1980s, and then supervised in orbit, by the team of Ukrainian scientists and engineers led by Professor Anatoly Kalmykov at the O. Y. Usikov Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IRE NASU). It had original 12-m deployable slotted-waveguide antenna and onboard signal processing unit. Instead of planned experiments, only five days after placement into the polar Earth orbit in the autumn of 1983, SLR of Cosmos-1500 rendered truly outstanding service. It provided a stream of microwave images of the polar sea ice conditions that enabled the rescue of the freighters in the Arctic Ocean. However, the way to success was far from smooth. Besides of the technical problems, A. Kalmykov had to overcome the jealousy and hostility of both his home institute administration and the USSR bureaucracy. Later, SLR of "Cosmos-1500" was released to the industry and became the main instrument of the USSR and Russian series of remote sensing satellites "Okean" and Ukrainian satellites "Sich-1" and "Sich-2." We believe that SLR of "Cosmos-1500" is a perfect candidate to the status of IEEE Milestone in Ukraine.


This study is a multimodal discourse analysis of COVID-19 vaccination infographics in the Philippines, commonly known as Resbakuna infographics released by the Department of Health. These infographics were released as part of the vaccination drive to encourage people to get COVID-19 vaccines. This study aimed to: identify the visual and linguistic elements found in the infographics; interpret the meaning being conveyed in the elements; and describe how these elements interplay to make a unified meaning. It utilized a descriptive-qualitative design anchored upon Cheong's (2004) Generic Structure Potential (GSP), Kress and van Leeuwen's (2006) Visual Grammar Design, and Royce's (1998) Intersemiotic Complementarity. Findings reveal that the infographics used visual elements such as lead, emblem, and display to grab the viewer's attention as well as help the viewers decide to get vaccinated. Also, the study reveals several linguistic elements used in the infographics to entice the viewers to read more about the infographics, as well as give information regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Lastly, the elements used complemented each other through the use of sense relations such as synonymy, repetition, and meronymy to convey the message. It is concluded that these elements were employed to convey the message that would build connection and trust with the viewers.


Hermes is a tool kit for creating distributed simulations from existing or newly developed modelling applications. Hermes allows the developer to send data from one or more simulations to one or more client applications and to send data from the client to the simulation for the purpose of computational steering. Here we discuss how to use Hermes for applications related to molecular modelling and finite element modelling.


This paper investigates how the manager's opportunistic attitude toward asset impairment reporting affects quarterly financial statements in Covid19 pandemic situation. The first-quarter financial statements are reported with weak monitoring of accounting information, resulting in managers' opportunistic attitudes. We used discretionary asset impairment losses not the actual asset impairment amount, and the two-way fixed effect panel regression model was used to control the unique characteristics of individual companies. We investigated whether asset impairment losses were underreported in 2020 compared to the other year during the period 2015 through 2020. In addition, we identified under what conditions these effects would be enhanced or weakened. The analysis showed that managers underreported discretionary asset impairment losses in the first quarter of 2020 (hypothesis 1). This result indicates that manager's discretionary propensity to delay impairment loss recognition as much as possible until annual profit is finalized and to report quarterly profit as high has increased due to Covid19. Such a tendency was more pronounced among the firms with higher proportion of overseas assets (hypothesis 2) and was weakened among the firms with larger difference in earnings response coefficient measured by the operating profit and that measured by non-operating profit (hypothesis 3). Finally, firms with income-increasing earnings management in the previous year were insignificantly less inclined to underreport discretionary asset impairment loss during the first quarter of 2020 (hypothesis 4). © 2021, Korean Accounting Association. All rights reserved.


The VoIP suite of protocols are extended to propose a computer network capable of terrestrially storing in real time the flight data records and cockpit voice records of every commercial flight. The design process took into account the satellite access, the aviation, the black box manufacturing and the VoIP industriespsila recent developments. As a result, a system architecture development framework and a transport-signaling protocol are proposed. The economic feasibility of the proposal is finally addressed.


Adding hydrogen into natural gas can extend its lean burn capacity, improve engine performance at low load operation, and reduce unburned hydrocarbon emissions at the cost of increased NOx emissions. In this paper, flame propagation of premixed CO2 diluted natural gas/hydrogen/air mixtures under various initial pressures was studied by using a constant volume combustion bomb together with high-speed Schlieren photography. Laminar flame speed and laminar burning velocity as well as Markstein length and flame thickness were obtained for the diluted stoichiometric fuel/air mixtures with different natural gas/hydrogen fractions and diluent ratios under normal, reduced, and elevated pressures. The results showed that both unstretched flame speed and unstretched burning velocity are reduced with the increase of diluent ratio as well as initial pressure (except when the hydrogen fraction is 80%). Hydrogen-enriched natural gas with higher hydrogen fraction can tolerate relatively more diluent gas.


With appropriately chosen parameters, the C-metric represents two uniformly accelerated black holes moving in the opposite directions on the axis of the axial symmetry (the z-axis). The acceleration is caused by nodal singularities located on the z-axis. In the present paper, geodesics in the C-metric are examined. In general, there exist three types of timelike or null geodesics in the C-metric: geodesics describing particles (a) falling under the black hole horizon; (b) crossing the acceleration horizon; and (c) orbiting around the z-axis and co-accelerating with the black holes. Using an effective potential, it can be shown that there exist stable timelike geodesics of the third type if the product of the parameters of the C-metric, mA, is smaller than a certain critical value. Null geodesics of the third type are always unstable. Special timelike and null geodesics of the third type are also found in an analytical form.


The need to integrate services that meet the requirements of local communities has prompted the development of The Clinical Commissioner's Guide to the Voluntary Sector, jointly published by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations and the NHS Alliance.


Objective To determinate the prognostic value of red cell distribution (RDW) and the relationships between RDW and clinical characteristics in patients with CHF caused by different aetiologies. Material and methods 16681 in-hospital patients from 12 hospital of Hubei province, China, with diagnosis of chronic systolic HF and LVEF<50% were enrolled. All patients were followed up by telephone contact. Patients were divided into RDW<13.3%, 13.3–14.1%, 14.1–14.8% and >14.8% groups; Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decline (MCV<82FL), MCV elevation (MCV>92FL) and MCV normal (92FL>MCV>82FL) groups in patients with RDW>16%; death and survival groups according to the result of follow-up. Compared with RDW<13.3% group, adjusted HRs and 95% CI of all-cause mortality for RDW 13.3–14.1%, 14.1–14.8% and >14.8% were 0.892 (95% CI 0.818 to 0.973, p=0.01), 0.859 (95% CI 0.793 to 0.931, p<0.001) and 1.034 (95% CI 0.961 to 1.111, p=0.373) respectively. Compared with MCV normal group, the adjusted HR of MCV elevation and MCV decline group was 1.351 (95% CI 1.063 to 1.718, p<0.001) and 1.316 (95% CI 1.034 to 1.675, p<0.001), respectively. Compared with patients with RHD, the adjusted HR for all-cause mortality those with CHD, DCM and HHD with RDW>16% were 1.437 (95% CI 1.141 to 1.810, p=0.002), 1.651 (95% CI 1.276 to 2.138, p<0.001) and 1.276 (95% CI 1.004 to 1.621, p=0.007). The RDW is independently correlated with BMI (β=−0.019; p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (β=−0.008; p<0.001), albumin (β=−0.019; p<0.001), blood urine nitrogen (β=0.559; p<0.001), right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (β=0.01; p<0.001), LVEF (β=−0.013, p<0.001) and heart rate (β=0.005; p<0.001). There was difference in the correlation factors with RDW among different aetiologies. Conclusions The relationship between all-cause mortality and RDW is J shape while not linear. The elevation or decline of MCV in CHF patients with RDW increase suffered higher all-cause death risk. RDW has closely relationships with the clinical characteristics and the relationships are associated with different aetiologies.


This study aimed at measuring the effectiveness of Zahorik Model in the acquisition of listening and speaking skills in the light of the motivation toward learning Arabic, among the seventh grade students in Jordan. The subjects of this study were selected purposely from the seventh grade students of a high school in Amman-Jordan. Two classes were selected randomly, one with (26) students, was assigned as an experimental group, where the other of (26) students, was assigned as a control group. Two tests were developed, one for the listening skill, and the other one for the speaking skill. A scale to measure the motivation toward learning Arabic was also developed. All validity and reliability indicators were obtained for these instruments. The results showed statistical differences in listening and speaking skills, for seventh graders, attributed to the method of teaching in favor of the experimental groups. The result also showed statistical differences in the speaking skill attributed to the interaction between the method and motivation toward learning Arabic, but showed no statistical differences in listening skill attributed to the interaction between the method and motivation toward learning Arabic. A set of recommendations were concluded in the light of these findings.


Most countries have been struggling with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic imposing social isolation on their citizens. However, this measure carried risks for people's mental health. This study evaluated the psychological repercussions of objective isolation in 1,006 Italians during the first, especially strict, lockdown in spring 2020. Although varying for the regional spread-rate of the contagion, results showed that the longer the isolation and the less adequate the physical space where people were isolated, the worse the mental health (e.g., depression). Offline social contacts buffered the association between social isolation and mental health. However, when offline contacts were limited, online contacts seemed crucial in protecting mental health. The findings inform about the potential downsides of the massive social isolation imposed by COVID-19 spread, highlighting possible risk factors and resources to account for implementing such isolation measures. Specifically, besides some known factors such as physical space availability, the local contagion rate is critical in moderating the link between social isolation and mental health issues, supporting national policies implementing regional tiers of restriction severity.


The traditional concern universities have had with public, universal knowledge seems to be waning, with an ever-greater stress upon privatised knowledge. Nevertheless, this is an old quarrel. Since Plato saw knowledge as in service of society, he scorned the Sophists for commercialising knowledge. For the mediaeval university, which continued and developed certain strands of Plato's thinking, the privatisation of knowledge was also unthinkable, since all knowledge ultimately belonged to God. The success of the mediaeval university lay in its autonomy, and its freedom from commercial pressure. As such, the university's mission was the cultivation of a global, philosophical worldview in function of a broader social mission, and not in function of surplus economic value. The shift to modernity meant that scientific knowledge could lead to commercial products and techniques. With the cooling of the Enlightenment and its optimism in the scientific project, knowledge increasingly became a neutral resource used and applied in any way possible. Today, the close connection between entrepreneurs and scientists seems to reflect an official policy that the commercialisation of university knowledge is in the best interest of society. However, the university offers more than commercial knowledge – its orienting function also helps ensure that knowledge is won honestly and used responsibly, a double loyalty stretching back to Plato. It would not be wise to attempt to rail against the commercialisation of knowledge, but it would be just as foolish to think that knowledge is only something to be commercialised. The question is to forge an understanding between financial partners and academics that respects and works according to this double loyalty. The credibility of research – and the academy – depends on this.


• In the development of sustainable products, lignocellulosic materials with hydrophobic properties can be functionalized and used as reinforcement, especially in bio-composite materials, as well as in various applications such as packaging, water-repellent and self-renewing materials. This study is aimed to improve the surface properties and triboelectric properties of wood materials. Functionalized wood veneers were prepared by impregnating 3 different wood veneers (beech, mahogany and oak) with 5 different chemical solutions (cationic cellulose, cationic starch, polyethyleneimine, sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose). Structural characterization of the functional wood materials obtained was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) technique, wettability and surface properties were examined by contact angle measurements, and morphological properties were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The triboelectric properties of the devices prepared using functionalized wood materials were investigated. As a result, it was determined that the hydrophobic properties of wood materials were improved and showed triboelectric properties. It demonstrates that functionalized wood materials can be used to power low-power electronic devices.


Background: Tissue factor (TF) serves as the primary initiator of the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation and mediates signaling via the protease activated receptor-2 (PAR2). TF is over-expressed in several tumor types and may facilitate tumor progression and angiogenesis. To test the hypothesis that inhibition of TF may have an anti-tumor effect, we induced pulmonary adenomas (PA) in human TF knock in (huTF-KI) mice with urethane and studied the relationship between expression of TF and mutations in K-ras with tumor progression and the effect of a monoclonal anti-TF antibody on growth of a transplantable lymphoma. Methods: huTF-KI mice received 10 weekly intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of urethane and samples of lung were collected at six week intervals between weeks 10 and 28. Expression of TF and von Willibrand factor (vWF) in PA were studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and mutations in K-ras were studied by laser capture microdissection and polymerase chain reaction (LCM-PCR). Results: IHC showed that expression of TF and vWF increased as pulmonary epithelial hyperplasias and PA progressed. Dual staining TF and vWF showed that areas of high expression of TF correlated with the tumor vasculature and LCM-PCR showed that mutation of K-ras correlated with expression of TF and the angiogenic switch in PA. Finally, an anti-huTF monoclonal antibody slowed the growth of transplantable urethane-induced lymphomas. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that expression of TF plays an important role in tumor progression and the angiogenic switch. These data also suggest that anti-TF antibodies may be a viable tumor immunotherapy


The Network Layer Signaling Transport Layer provides a generalized
packetization and messaging framework for on-path signaling. It is
designed to carry a variety of "applications." This document describes
a lightweight firewall pinholing application, designed to carry
requests for firewall resources to firewalls along a path between two
endpoints.


Objective This study explored the effect of different nutritional nursing support on nutritional status, immune function, postoperative bowel motility, and complications in elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumors during the perioperative period. Methods 300 patients with gastrointestinal tumors treated in the Department of Gastroenterology and anorectal surgery of Hangzhou First People's Hospital Affiliated with the Medical College of Zhejiang University from February 2018 to March 2020 were selected as the research objects in this study. Patients were divided into the early enteral nutrition (EEN) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) groups (150 cases in each group) according to the principle of odd and even admission numbers. The patients in the EEN and TPN groups were given enteral nutrition nursing support and parenteral nutrition nursing support, respectively. The nutritional status, immune function, postoperative bowel motility, and complication rate of the two groups were evaluated 7 days after the operation. Results The nutritional indexes decreased 3 days after the operation and gradually recovered 7 days after the operation in both groups with different nutritional nursing support. The Hb, TRF, PAB, and ALB indexes in the TPN group were significantly lower than those in the EEN group (P < 0.01). On the 7th day after the operation, the indexes of peripheral blood immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, and IgA) were significantly lower than those in the TPN group, and T lymphocyte subsets (CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8) demonstrated that the immunological indexes of patients in the EEN group were significantly higher than those in the TPN group (P < 0.01). In terms of intestinal peristalsis, the time of first exhaust and first defecation in the EEN group was significantly shorter than that in the TPN group (P < 0.01) during the perioperative period. Furthermore, both groups had different degrees of complications, while patients demonstrated a lower complication rate in the EEN group compared to those in the TPN group, suggesting a safer postoperative mode. The results of subgroup analysis showed that the nutritional indexes of the gastric cancer group 7 days after operation were significantly higher than those of the colorectal cancer group under EEN and TPN nutritional support modes. Conclusion Clinical results have suggested that enteral nutrition nursing support can improve the perioperative nutritional status of elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumors by enhancing the immune function and promoting intestinal peristalsis. Meanwhile, the postoperative EEN mode reduces the rate of complications and demonstrates higher safety. Therefore, it has a high clinical application value.


Angular distributions of elastically scattered 3He particles from 12C and 16O nuclei were measured at an incident energy of 40.9 MeV. The absolute differential cross-section data obtained have been analysed in terms of the optical model with emphasis on the investigation of the discrete ambiguity in the real central potential and of the form of the imaginary potential. The data for the nuclei studied were sufficient to eliminate the discrete ambiguity in the strength of the optical potential. The result of the analyses showed that the potentials with JR approximately 430 MeV fm3 including the surface-absorptive term provide the best fits to the large-angle elastic scattering data.


In this work, we developed giant magnetoresistive (GMR) based handheld biosensing systems that serve as platform for detecting human NT-proBNP. This assay takes advantages of high sensitivity and real-time signal readout of GMR biosensor. The limit of detection was estimated to be less than 0.01ng/mL, and detection range covered from 0.01 ng/mL to 5 ng/mL was obtained. The assay can be completed within 20 min, which is very important for further development of point-of-care testing. The proposed GMR handheld system is also successfully used for the detection of real NT-proBNP human samples. It can be foreseen that this handheld detection system could become a robust contender in the applications of in vitro biomarker diagnostics.


Intimate partner violence (IPV) among university students is a prevalent problem in many countries; however, it is not currently recognized in Kosovo as a social issue in terms of research, prevention, and intervention. The aim of this article was to examine the relationship between violence socialization experiences, approval of violence, and IPV perpetration/victimization among university students in Kosovo. The questionnaires were administrated to a convenience sample of 700 students of University of Prishtina who were in relationship for 1 month or longer. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2) was used for measuring physical, psychological, and sexual violence, whereas for measuring violence socialization and violence approval, scales from Personal and Relationships Profile (PRP) were used. Findings from this study show that there were statistically significant gender differences in terms of socialization and approval of violence among university students. Similarly, perpetrators and victims of IPV (physical, psychological, and sexual violence) showed higher rates of socialization of violence and tolerance toward IPV. Besides, findings indicate that approval of violence mediates the relationship between socialization of violence and IPV perpetration and victimization, for both genders. The implications of the current findings within a cultural context are also discussed.


Ultrastructure of myelin-like particles and distribution of the cholesterol-digitonin reaction product in the microcirculatory vessels of mouse liver before and 1, 2, 3, 10 and 60 min after injecting liposomes containing phosphatidyl and cholesterol at a ratio of 7:2 or 2:1, the lipid concentration amounting to 0.01 mg per 1 microliter preparation. After administering the preparation via the portal or tail vein one could see a more or less marked accumulation of the cholesterol-containing granules in liver sinusoids and in Disse's space, as well as a synchronous increase in the amount of lipid drops and myelin-like structures in hepatocytes. The myelin-like particles were divided into two groups differing in the density of membrane outlay and incidence. It has been shown that hepatocytes rather than Kupffer's cells are involved into the control of the blood level of liposomal lipids.


We present experimental measurements of the thermal boundary conductance (TBC) from 78-500 K across isolated heteroepitaxially grown ZnO films on GaN substrates. This data provides an assessment of the underlying assumptions driving phonon gas-based models, such as the diffuse mismatch model (DMM), and atomistic Green's function (AGF) formalisms used to predict TBC. Our measurements, when compared to previous experimental data, suggest that TBC can be influenced by long wavelength, zone center modes in a material on one side of the interface as opposed to the '"vibrational mismatch"' concept assumed in the DMM; this disagreement is pronounced at high temperatures. At room temperature, we measure the ZnO/GaN TBC as 490[+150,-110] MW m-2 K-1. The disagreement among the DMM and AGF, and the experimental data at elevated temperatures, suggests a non-negligible contribution from other types of modes that are not accounted for in the fundamental assumptions of these harmonic based formalisms, which may rely on anharmonicity. Given the high quality of these ZnO/GaN interfaces, these results provide an invaluable, critical, and quantitative assessment of the accuracy of assumptions in the current state of the art computational approaches used to predict phonon TBC across interfaces.


Today, enterprises are forced to continuously optimize their business as well as service processes. In this context the process-centered alignment of information systems is crucial. The use of business process intelligence (BPI) tools offers promising perspectives in this respect. However, when using BPI tools one has not only to look at potential benefits but at costs as well. Therefore, most enterprises thinking about the purchase of a BPI solution demand for a business case systematically outlining an investment's benefits and costs. This paper summarizes such a business case based on an evaluation of contemporary BPI tools and practical experiences. We present basic BPI concepts, describe BPI benefits and cost drivers and introduce two cost models to gain insights into BPI economics.


Abstract In this paper I will try to outline the reasons why, in order to understand the life and the nature of meaning, the semiotic tradition has always thought that it was better not to separate semantics and pragmatics. I will first reconstruct the history of this idea, grounded in Pragmatism and in Structural Linguistics. Later, I will deal with its first formulation in A Theory of Semiotics by Umberto Eco. In the second part of the paper, I will work on the idea by Ferdinand de Saussure that meanings are values, that is, indeterminate entities whose identity is determined only through reciprocal determination. I will claim that this idea is the importation in linguistics of Leibniz's principles of the differential calculus. In the final part of the paper, I will apply this idea to the distinction between semantics and pragmatics, claiming that meanings are better understood through a theory of modes of existence. If we understand the differential nature of meaning, we can see that meanings live only through the using of the expressions and these variations contribute to offer stability within the transformations, without creating a stable object defined by its properties and endowed with an independent existence split from the relationships that define it.


This paper analyses Regional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Thailand which is to identify using a panel dataset for 76 provinces over the period 1985-2012. The work is considered to develop a partial stock adjustment model which shows that there are some variations existing in the equilibrium FDI stocks of the regions of Thailand between 1985 and 2012, whereas it appears that there is a convergence among zones in each region of the country as can be seen in the deviation of actual FDI stock from equilibrium stock over time. A partial stock adjustment model is then developed following Chen and Kwan (2000) to help investigate the level of regional convergence in capital stocks arising from FDI. The model implies that investment authorities should implement policies to potentially FDI stocks either by production zones or clusters orientations.


This research was conducted to investigate patterns of attendance at continuing education meetings and examine which factors encourage or inhibit attendance by comparing the characteristics of general practitioners who attend regularly with those who attend occasionally or not at all. The findings provide course organizers with a detailed insight into the attitudes and perceptions of frequent and infrequent attenders. The research identifies a need for greater personal contact in changing attitudes to continuing education and bringing about greater involvement. It is concluded that the role of general practitioner tutor should be enhanced to provide more direct contact and influence with small groups of doctors.


Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a major cause of chronic glomerulonephritis worldwide. T cell dysregulation has been reported to contribute to the pathogenesis of IgAN. Methods We measured a broad range of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines in the serum of IgAN patients. We searched for significant cytokines, which were associated with clinical parameters and histological scores in IgAN patients. Results: Among 15 cytokines, the levels of soluble CD40L (sCD40L) and IL-31 were higher in IgAN patients and were significantly associated with a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a lower urinary protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR), and milder tubulointerstitial lesions (i.e., the early phase of IgAN). Multivariate analysis revealed that serum sCD40L was an independent determinant of a lower UPCR after adjustment for age, eGFR, and mean blood pressure (MBP). CD40, a receptor of sCD40L, has been reported to be upregulated on mesangial cells in IgAN. The sCD40L/CD40 interaction may directly induce inflammation in mesangial areas and may therefore be involved in the development of IgAN. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the significance of serum sCD40L and IL-31 in the early phase of IgAN. Serum sCD40L may be a marker of the beginning of inflammation in IgAN.


One of the lesser-known bodies in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the dead white man in "Jim's Ghost Story," an excised section of the novel. Twain inverts the paradigm that conceives of black bodies as fodder for white gothic narratives. Instead, in "Jim's Ghost Story," the fears of an enslaved black man imagine and construct what's monstrous. Jim's anger represents the deeper rage of the black community at the end of the nineteenth century. While Twain sympathizes with the cultural exorcism this narrative promises—where white monsters are punished for crimes against black bodies—he will nonetheless cut it from the text. Later in his career, Twain describes Pudd'nhead Wilson as being the product of a "literary Caesarian operation" bringing to light some new fictional hybrid; in the case of "Jim's Ghost Story" he performs a literary autopsy instead, killing a text that will never see the light of day.


Acting as a Capital of Indonesia, Jakarta has become a core of government, economy, commerce, also cultural hustle of the country. Occupied by 14,464 habitants per km2, its density is twice more than Tokyo, creating a bustling metropolis. The needs of living, commuting and productivity spaces slowly degrading the Green Open Spaces of the city, thus lowering the quality of the city space itself from 32% in 1965 to 9,8% in 2017. Ironically, the active & dense area of downtown Jakarta where the necessity of green spaces are the highest, are the one where such spaces cannot be found. An intervention therefore needed to refine the city spaces. Implementing 3-dimensional approach on one of the core of Jakarta's downtown area, harmonious with government encouraging a development of walkable city and transit-oriented development, architecture should be able to escalate the quality of space in Jakarta. The design resulted in a simple intervention in the city, that if placed accurately would not only improve the space quality but also integrating areas fractured by other elements of the city.


. This article explores the intrinsic characteristics of the Igbo people from a philosophical perspective. Drawing on Igbo cosmology and metaphysics, the paper argues that the Igbo possess certain distinctive traits such as communalism, practical intelligence, and a deep sense of spirituality. These traits are embedded in the Igbo worldview and shape their cultural practices and social structures. The article further suggests that an understanding of the Igbo's intrinsic characteristics can deepen intercultural understanding and promote a more equitable and inclusive global society. The writer, therefore employed the hermeneutics methodological approach. This approach involves a critical examination of the beliefs, values, and practices of the Igbo people, and how they relate to their worldview and metaphysics. It also considers the ways in which these intrinsic characteristics shape the social structures and cultural practices of the Igbo people, and how they can contribute to a more equitable and inclusive global society.


The distribution and excretion of i.v. injected c14-glycocholate (n = 8) and c14-cholate (n = 5) was measured in the serum, duodenal juice and urine in 13 patients in order to examine the possibilities to reporduce the measured data by a multi-compartmental analysis. The results demonstrate that a 3-exponential fitting and therefore a 3-compartmental model represents at present the most appropiate compartmental model for analyzing the distribition and excretion kinetics of the injected bile acids by mathematical procedures. In extending the previously described 2-compartmental model it encloses the 3-compartments plasma, liver and extrahepatoplasmatic space and allows a precise calculation of important physiological parameters, for example of the hepatic (V1/V2-clearance) and extrahepatoplasmatic (V1/V3-clearance) clearance, the biliary excretion and the distribution between the 3 compartments.


Cloud Computing is emerging today as a commercial infrastructure that through the use of virtualization aims to provide on demand computing resources. In particular, the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud service that allows the user to perform and execute any OS and application in virtual environments. In this work we present an evaluation of different policies for the assignment of virtual machines that IaaS providers can adopt in order to both efficiently planning their infrastructures and guaranteeing the quality of service expected by customers. The study is based on the exploitation of a Mean Field Model, able to evaluate systems with a relevant number of interacting entities, that can provide interesting insights derived from the computation of different performance indexes such as the request loss rate, the mean number of executing/available resources, and the overall ratio of satisfied requests to mention a few.


We describe a patient with severe generalized dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (EBD) and a novel combination of compound heterozygous mutations in the COL7A1 gene. The maternal mutation was an A-to-G transition (425-A --> G) at position -2 of the donor splice site within exon 3 that causes aberrant splicing of two abnormal transcripts. One includes intron 3, and one excludes both exon 3 and intron 3. Both splice variants contained a premature termination of the translation. The paternal mutation is a 25-bp deletion in exon 20 (2638de125) that leads to a frameshift and a premature termination codon 133 bp downstream from the site of deletion. This combination of mutations allowed expression of collagen VII mRNA. Immunofluorescence staining of the patient's skin and cultured keratinocytes with domain-specific collagen VII antibodies, however, demonstrated markedly reduced levels of alpha1(VII) polypeptides, and no stable collagen VII protein could be extracted from the patient's cells. Electron microscopy showed severely hypoplastic fibrils below the lamina densa, without evidence of normal anchoring fibrils. The clinically unaffected parents were heterozygous for the mutations, suggesting that both COL7A1 gene defects were recessively inherited disease-causing mutations that are "silent" in heterozygous carriers but in combination can severely interfere with the dermal-epidermal adhesion and lead to severe EBD.


Many communications systems use 2-state devices for storage, processing, and multiplexing of information in binary form. Magnetic cores offer an efficient means of storing and processing such information because they need no standby power to hold the information in storage. Three separate but similar circuits are discussed, showing the internal operations of storage and shifting of binary bits in magnetic cores that are used as the memory units in the circuits. A typical application in time-division multiplexing of blocks of binary information is discussed.


Ten cases of multiple ureteral diverticula are presented. Microscopic correlation was available in 5. Associated findings included urinary stones, obstruction, infection, and transitional-cell carcinoma. Such diverticula are one manifestation of epithelial hyperplasia, more commonly seen as ureteritis cystica.


The purpose of this research is find out how the influence of firm size, free cash flow, leverage, and profitability on earnings management. The population used in this study uses hotel, tourism, and restaurant sub-sector service companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2013-2020.  The test results show that firm size and profitability have a positive effect on earnings management, this indicates that the larger the firm size and the level of profit, the greater the opportunity for management to practice earnings management. Free Cash Flow has a negative effect on earnings management, this shows that if the amount of free cash flow is low in a company, the higher earnings management practices will be. Leverage has no effect on earnings management, this shows that the level of leverage does not make management perform earnings management.


In anaesthetised animals, the very negative resting membrane potential of striatal spiny neurones (down state) is interrupted periodically by depolarising plateaux (up states) which are probably driven by excitatory input. In the absence of active synaptic input, as occurs in vitro, potassium currents hold the membrane potential of striatal spiny neurones in the down state. Because striatal spiny neurones fire action potentials only during the up state, these plateau depolarisations have been perceived as enabling events that allow information processing through cerebral cortex‐basal ganglia circuits. Recent studies have demonstrated that the robust membrane potential fluctuation of spiny neurones is strongly correlated to the slow electroencephalographic rhythms that are typical of slow wave sleep and anaesthesia. To further understand the impact of cortical activity states on striatal function, we studied the membrane potential of striatal neurones during cortical desynchronised states. Simultaneous in vivo recordings of striatal neurones and the electrocorticogram in urethane‐anaesthetised rats revealed that rhythmic alternation between up and down states was disrupted during episodes of spontaneous or induced cortical desynchronisation. Instead of showing robust two‐state fluctuations, the membrane potential of striatal neurones displayed a persisting depolarised state with fast, low‐amplitude modulations. Spiny neurones remained in this persistent up state until the cortex resumed ∼1 Hz synchronous activity. Most of the recorded neurones exhibited a low firing probability, irrespective of the cortical activity state. Time series analysis failed to reveal significant correlations between the membrane potential of striatal neurones and the desynchronised electrocorticogram. Our results suggest that during cortical desynchronisation continuous uncorrelated excitatory input sustains the membrane potential of striatal neurones in a persisting depolarised state, but that substantial additional input is necessary to impel the neurones to threshold. Our data support that the prevailing cortical activity state determines the duration of the enabling depolarising events that take place in striatal spiny neurones.


Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL

Background: Radiation therapy for invasive bladder cancer allows for organ preservation but systemic toxicity and local control remain problematic. As such, there is a need to increase radiosensitization of tumor cells to improve efficacy. The aim of this study was to investigate if mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), a downstream kinase of the PI3K/Akt survival pathway, may be a target for combined bladder cancer therapy. Methods: Clonogenic assays were performed using 6 bladder cancer cell lines in order to address the effects of ionizing radiation (IR) on growth, when tested alone and in combination with RAD001, a potent mTOR inhibitor. Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry. In the in vivo study, nude mice were subcutaneously injected with KU7 and 253J-BV cells. Treatment with RAD001 (1.5 mg/kg, daily), fractionated IR (total 9 Gy), and the combination of RAD001 and IR was followed over 4 weeks. Tumor growth kinetics was measured and tumor weight at the experimental endpoint. Results: In vitro, a significant decrease in colony formation was observed in the combined treatment when compared to RAD001 or radiation alone (p<0.05) in all cell lines. A G0/G1 as well as a significant increase in G2 arrest was observed in the combined treatment compared to either treatment alone. Changes in the levels of Cyclin D1, p27 and p21 correlated with the observed changes in the cell cycle. Moreover, IR rapidly activated AKT whereas RAD001 effectively inhibited the mTOR downstream signaling as shown by the inhibition of the phosphorylation of S6. Furthermore, autophagy was induced following the treatment with RAD001 and in combination as indicated by the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, a protein marker for autophagy. Our in vivo data confirmed our in vitro data, wherein a significant decrease in tumor weight was observed in the combined treatment arm (90% decrease, p<0.001) compared to either treatment alone (60% decrease for RAD001, p<0.05; 77% decrease for IR, p<0.05). These findings point to additive and possibly synergistic beneficial effects of the combined on bladder cancer. Conclusions: The inhibition of mTOR signaling appears promising as a therapeutic modality for bladder cancer, especially in the context of combination with radiation therapy.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1452. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1452


Nitric oxide (NO) was shown by EPR method to be generated via L-arginine-dependent way in brain of mice in vivo. The complexes of diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) or pirrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) with endogenous or exogenous Fe2+ were used as a traps of NO, which are capable to bind NO resulted in the formation of mononitrosyl iron complexes with DETC or PDTC (MNIC-DETC or PDTC) recovered by EPR method. These complexes were detected in mouse brain in concentration of 2.5 nmole/g of wet tissue for 30 min only when exogenous Fe2+ was injected in to mice. The level of MNIC-DETC (PDTC) was 5 fold increased in brain of mice pretreated for 4 hrs with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli, which induced the inflammation processes. The inhibitor of NO-synthase, NG-nitro-L-arginine attenuated the formation of MNIC-DETC (PDTC) in mouse brain in vivo. Exogenous Fe2+ is suggested to induced the synthesis of NO-synthase in mouse brain.


Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL

Background: Melanoma's intrinsic resistance to therapy has been attributed to modulation of cellular survival pathways including apoptosis. We originally reported that mebendazole (MBZ), which acts as a microtubule-disrupting agent, is a potent inducer of apoptosis in melanoma cells in vitro via a Bcl-2 dependent mechanism (Molecular Cancer Research, 2008). Here, we show that MBZ is also able to effectively modulate another key anti-apoptotic factor, XIAP, to promote melanoma apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Methodology: Safety and efficacy of mebendazole was assessed using a human melanoma xenograft model established from M-14 cells. The effect of MBZ on XIAP expression and induction of apoptotic pathways was evaluated by immunoblotting and co-immunoprecipitation techniques along with densitometric quantification. The growth inhibitory effects of MBZ were determined in a panel of melanoma cell lines with the sulphorhodamine (SRB) assay. siRNA techniques were used to reduce expression of XIAP. Results: Oral MBZ is as effective as the current standard of care temozolomide (TMZ) in reducing melanoma growth in vivo, with no notable toxicities observed. Inhibition of melanoma growth in vivo is accompanied by MBZ specific reduced expression of XIAP and cleavage of caspase 9. In response to MBZ treatment, sensitive cell lines display reduced levels of XIAP expression whereas resistant cell lines do not. Moreover, down-regulation of XIAP expression by siRNA in the MBZ-resistant melanoma cell line UACC1097 was accompanied by a reduction in the IC50 for MBZ from >10 μM to 3.7 μM. Exposure of melanoma cells to MBZ promotes the interaction of SMAC/DIABLO with XIAP, thereby alleviating inhibition of apoptosis by XIAP. Conclusions: In addition to demonstrating efficacy and safety in vivo, our preclinical studies of the promising anti-melanoma agent mebendazole provide insight into characterization of an apoptotic promoting mechanism of action.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4893. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4893


1. The effects of oxygen concentration were studied on the metabolic pathways of anisole homologues (anisole, phenetole and isopropoxybenzene) catalysed by liver microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats. 2. With increase of oxygen concentration, the rate of anisole o-hydroxylation reached a plateau at about 35 microM O2, while the rates of O-demethylation and aromatic p-hydroxylation were still increasing at 223 microM O2 (air). 3. The rates of all three metabolic reactions of phenetole reached plateau levels at about 80 microM O2. 4. The rates of all three metabolic reactions of iso-propoxybenzene were still increasing as 223 microM O2 (air). 5. The ratio of aromatic p-hydroxylation or O-dealkylation to aromatic o-hydroxylation decreased in anisole metabolism, and showed no uniform change in phenetole and isopropoxybenzene metabolism with decreasing oxygen concentration. 6. The ratio of aromatic p-hydroxylation to O-dealkylation was essentially constant over the range of oxygen concentration studied in anisole and phenetole metabolism, while in iso-propoxybenzene metabolism the ratio was different between higher and lower oxygen concentrations than 60 microM. 7. This series of compounds with increasing chain length did not show homologous changes in rates of product formation or O2 dependent of product formation.


The lymphatic system plays important roles for immune responses, spreading cancer cells or viruses and disseminating infections. Thus, targeting drugs, such as anticancer, immunotherapeutic and lymphoid contrast agents, to both tumors and the lymphatics, has several advantages such as reduced systemic side effects and increased efficacy. For these reasons, much interest has been focused on the nature of the lymphatics and various studies on the lymphatic delivery of drugs have been carried out. Because the lymphatics consist of a single layer endothelium and have higher permeability compared with that of blood capillaries, studies using nano-sized carriers have been performed. Polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, and lipid-based vehicles have been adopted as lymphatic delivery carriers. This review will focus on the clinical use of such nano-sized carriers that have been developed for imaging and drug delivery to the lymphatic system. Lymphatic delivery of drugs, such as anticancer, immunotherapeutic and lymphoid contrast agents, using nano-sized carriers has much more improved ability compared with that of conventional dosage forms, but it has not shown the specific lymphatic targeting ability yet. Finally, the challenges for the future are suggested in terms of the mechanisms governing the lymphatic delivery of nano-sized carriers.


Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) presents a significant problem among new admissions to the intensive care unit. In patients with a history of alcohol abuse, AWS manifests itself with symptoms of autonomic hyperactivity, tremors, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, and seizures. Progression of AWS, called delirium tremens (DT), is associated with increased mortality. Traditionally, AWS is treated with benzodiazepines which have a well-established record for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and provide adequate control of both seizures and DT. However, the side-effects of benzodiazepines have prompted the introduction of alternative agents. Anticonvulsants and gamma-hydroxybutyrate do suppress symptoms of AWS, but their effectiveness in the prevention of seizures and DT is doubtful. Ethanol results in less sedation than benzodiazepines, although the evidence for its role in AWS remains limited. Alpha-2 agonists are potent against symptoms of noradrenergic overdrive and are suitable as adjuvants to benzodiazepines. Antipsychotics have no demonstrable effectiveness in AWS and may even be harmful.


This article analyses and forecasts carbon dioxide (CO#) emissions in Malaysia for the 2014 to 2018 period. The study analysed the data using grey forecasting model with Cramer's rule to calculate the best SOGM(2,1) model with the highest accuracy of precision compared to conventional grey forecasting model. According to the forecasted result, the fitted values using SOGM(2,1) model has a higher accuracy precision with better capability in handling information to fit larger scale of uncertain feature compared to other conventional grey forecasting models. This article offers insightful information to policymakers in Malaysia to develop better renewable energy instruments to combat the greater issues of global warming and reducing the fossil carbon dioxide emissions into the environment.


There is large amount of high hardness sand in the water flow in Dadu river. The problem of sediment deposition is very prominent in the two early reservoirs, Gongzui reservoir and Tongjiezi reservoir. In order to decrease sediment deposition effectively and extend the service life of them, the sediment characteristics of Dadu river cascade hydropower stations are analysed, as well as changes of sediment deposition in Gongzui reservoir and Tongjiezi reservoir after Pubugou reservoir puts into operation. Flood forecast and pre-discharge operation theory are studied for utilizing the discarding water to improve sediment-flushing effect, and flood and sediment joint dispatching schemes of cascade reservoirs are proposed. In order to evaluate effects of joint dispatching schemes, SBED extended one-dimensional flushing sediment mathematical model of deposited reservoir is built, and the mathematical model is used for simulative computation of coming 20-years sediment-flushing effect. After that, the effects of different schemes are analyzed comparatively. Three conclusions can be drawn from the studying. Firstly, the sediment in Gongzui reservoir and Tongjiezi reservoir is obviously reduced after Pubugou reservoir puts into operation. Secondly, flood forecast, pre-discharge operation theory and creating sand-flushing conditions can obviously improve sediment-flushing effects and avoid wasting power generation water when the water levels and outflows of Pubugou reservoir , Gongzui reservoir and Tongjiezi reservoir are rationally controlled. Finally, the larger the inflows and the lower the water level of Gongzui reservoir and Tongjiezi reservoir is, the more obvious the sediment-flushing effects are. According to situations of power plant at the time, such as rules of flood controlling and operation requirements of flood discharge facilities, it is recommended that the inflow of Gongzui reservoir is controlled at about 4500m3/s, and timely lower the water levels of Gongzui reservoir and Tongjiezi reservoir to their dead water levels, when carrying out joint dispatching schemes.


In this article, we introduce the notion of free subexponentiality , which extends the notion of subexponentiality in the classical probability setup to the noncommutative probability spaces under freeness. We show that distributions with regularly varying tails belong to the class of free subexponential distributions. This also shows that the partial sums of free random elements having distributions with regularly varying tails are tail equivalent to their maximum in the sense of Ben Arous and Voiculescu [ Ann. Probab. 34 (2006) 2037–2059]. The analysis is based on the asymptotic relationship between the tail of the distribution and the real and the imaginary parts of the remainder terms in Laurent series expansion of Cauchy transform, as well as the relationship between the remainder terms in Laurent series expansions of Cauchy and Voiculescu transforms, when the distribution has regularly varying tails.


The maximum independent set problem is of central importance combinatorial optimization problem. It has many practical applications in science and engineering. In this paper, we propose a genetic algorithm based approach to solve the problem. In the proposed approach, the genetic operators are performed basing on condition instead of probability. The proposed algorithm is tested on a large number of instances and the simulation results show that the proposed method is superior to its competitors.


Introduction/Background Adenomatoid tumor (AT) is an uncommon benign tumor of mesothelial origin. It is most commonly encountered in the male and female genital tracts. Leiomyoadenomatoid tumor (LMAT) is a rare variant of AT with a prominent smooth muscle component. We present a case of LMAT. Methodology A 79 year-old woman without previous history was admitted to the department of gynaecology due to lower abdominal pain. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a 7.2 cm fibroid in the anterior wall of the uterine cervix. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. On gross examination, besides the large leiomyoma of the uterine cervix a second intramural leiomyoma located in the antero-lateral wall of the corpus uteri was observed measuring 2.5 cm. On microscopic examination, both tumors consisted of smooth muscle bundles arranged in a fascicular pattern. In the smaller one, smooth muscle bundles were separated by slit-like and tubular structures lined by cuboidal epithelioid cells with small, uniform nuclei and scanty, pale, eosinophilic cytoplasm. Mitotic figures were not observed. Tumor cells were positive for AE-1/AE-3, CK-8/18, CK-7, Calretinin and negative for CD-31 and CD-34. SMA and Desmin highlighted smooth muscle cells. Ki-67 stained less than 1% of tumor nuclei. Results The morphological features as well as immunohistochemical results were consistent with LMAT of the uterus. On postoperative evaluation, three months after surgery, the patient shows no evidence of recurrence. Conclusion LMAT is a rare variant of AT with a prominent smooth muscle component. It was first described in 1992. Our literature review revealed 13 previously reported cases. Awareness of this rare entity is important in order to avoid misdiagnosis as adenocarcinoma. Disclosure Nothing to disclose.


Abstract Ctenomys talarum is a solitary subterranean rodent that maintains exclusive territories by constant movement through a sealed tunnel system. In this study we evaluate the distance traveled in an artificial burrow and maximum natural locomotor speed reached in a 24-h period. Distance moved per day was 179.99 m ± 69.62 SD, and ratio of distance moved to total burrow length was 12.4:1. Maximum locomotor speed was 0.75 m/s ± 0.01 SD. No relationships were found between either distance moved or speed and photoperiod or ambient temperature, and between body mass and distance moved or locomotor speed. Distance moved by C. talarum is related to maintenance of burrow and territorial defense, and locomotor speed, probably, responds to aboveground predation.


In this research I have chosen to identify the impact of communication and loyalty marketing in the Indian liquor industry. As in the Indian market, no direct advertisements are allowed, companies use surrogate ads and promotional events to lure and retain their customers. During this research I also analyzed what influences alcohol consumption, at what age people are introduced to alcohol and where do the consumers get the information on alcoholic products. I have used the quantitative approach in this research by distributing questionnaires and gathering necessary information. I have also read various journal articles, online gateways and databases, online journals, Government and other regulatory body publications, books in the context of the alcohol industry and reference texts. From all the knowledge and data that I have gathered during this research I have noticed that there has been steady growth in the alcohol industry in India. All the restrictions, taxations, media restrictions and policies introduced by the government have still not been able to hinder the growth of this industry. At the end of this paper, I have been able to suggest a few recommendations on how the Indian government can reduce the exposure of youth to alcoholic products and also some means to control the impact of advertising by the liquor Industry.


The aim of our research paper is to depict and analyze the new trends and changes happening in the Information Technology industry during the recent years, that are most likely to have a long-lasting impact on how the usage of software technology is evolving. The overall trend that we are noticing in this market is about shifting more and more software applications from local computers to online networks generally known as The Cloud (the concept itself is named Cloud Computing). The reason for choosing this topic is that, overall, the Information Technology industry is deeply involved in our everyday lives. Therefore, it is important for us as individuals or businesses to be aware of the new trends happening in this field and learn how we can benefit from them. We will research these trends from the perspective of the providers of Cloud Computing services. We will analyze the challenges of establishing a new market for these services and debate the pros and cons of being the first mover or follower among big and small players. We will also investigate whether there is a dominant design under development. As means for our analysis, we will research the three main technologies used as a mean to implement the new concept of Cloud Computing, which are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). One result of our study is that the main players on the Cloud Computing market do not think in terms of national markets or geographical borders about their products. Since they are providing online services, we conclude that it is normal for all the players to see the market as one single entity rather than limiting themselves to geographical areas, which are obviously irrelevant for the Internet market. Another result is that there is confusion among the players when it comes to defining Cloud Computing, Software as a Service and Platform as a Service and the difference between these concepts. We consider as the main reasons for this confusion the fact that the Cloud Computing industry is not yet standardized, and every firm is having its own way of dealing with these new concepts. However, we believe that there is a complex market system under way. All the firms are apparently waiting for a technological standardization or a dominant design, before they will fully adopt and implement this technology. Moreover, most companies we analyzed believe that Cloud Computing will be, one way or another, the future in the Information Technology and Communication industry.


AbstractTropical cyclone (TC) activity in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans is known to be affected by the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). This study uses the GFDL Forecast Oriented Low Ocean Resolution Model (FLOR), which has relatively high resolution in the atmosphere, as a tool to investigate the sensitivity of TC activity to the strength of ENSO events. This study shows that TCs exhibit a nonlinear response to the strength of ENSO in the tropical eastern North Pacific (ENP) but a quasi-linear response in the tropical western North Pacific (WNP) and tropical North Atlantic. Specifically, a stronger El Nino results in disproportionate inhibition of TCs in the ENP and North Atlantic, and leads to an eastward shift in the location of TCs in the southeast of the WNP. However, the character of the response of TCs in the Pacific is insensitive to the amplitude of La Nina events. The eastward shift of TCs in the southeast of the WNP in response to a strong El Nino is due to an eastward shift o...


INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ASSOCIATION OF IL28B GENOTYPE AND THE METABOLIC PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT CHRONIC HEPATITIS C Leah Byars, MS George Mason University, 2013 Thesis Director: Dr. Ancha Baranova Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a viral infectious disease that affects an estimated 130-170 million people worldwide. Most of those infected (80%) go on to develop a chronic infection. Until recently, the standard treatment for those with chronic HCV was a combination of pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN-α) and the antiviral ribavirin (RBV). In treatment-naive genotype 1 HCV patients, the combination of PEG-IFN-α and RBV typically leads to Sustained Virological Response (SVR) rates between 47% and 54%. In a number of recent studies, the IL28B gene has been shown to play an important role in the outcome of HCV treatment. A particular single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on chromosome 19q13 (rs12979860), commonly referred to as the "IL28B variant," is strongly associated with SVR or lack of it. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of medical disorders usually associated with obesity. Some evidence suggests that HCV infection exacerbates this condition, possibly by causing increased insulin resistance (IR) and promoting visceral obesity even further. Metabolic abnormalities have also been shown to influence patients' response to HCV treatment. Recent, but not conclusive, evidence suggests that, in addition to influencing response to HCV treatment and SVR rates, the IL28B genotypes may be associated with metabolic confounders of HCV such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. This study investigates a possible connection between IL28B genotype and MetS components in patients with and without chronic HCV. As expected, correlations between IL28B genotype and SVR, as well as between metabolic profile and SVR, were revealed. Further studies of a connection between IL28B genotype and metabolic outcomes are warranted.


A set of integrative 'promoter probe' plasmids were constructed for both translational and transcriptional fusions. The vectors are based on the broad host range, low copy number plasmid pRK290 (IncPl) in which the attachment site of Rhizobium phage 16-3 and the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli were combined. The vectors integrate into the chromosome of Rhizobium meliloti, providing also the advantages of the single copy promoter probe cassettes. Thus they fulfil the prerequisite of the systems used for investigating gene regulation. The plasmids were applied for the study of the transcription regulation of the 16-3 phage. Their versatile use is also demonstrated.


A geophysical survey and excavations in 1984 and 1999 confirmed the identification of the suspected Roman Gask system fortlet of Glenbank. The site was extremely poor in finds, but there was circumstantial evidence that it belonged to the Flavian tower chain rather than the Antonine reoccupation of the Gask forts. A number of nearby ring features seen beside the Roman road from the air were investigated in an attempt to trace the Gask line farther to the south-west, but appeared to be prehistoric in nature.


BACKGROUND
Long non-coding RNA BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA plays bidirectional roles in human cancers. However, function and molecular mechanism of BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA in oral squamous cell carcinoma still need to clarify further.

METHODS
Long non-coding RNA microarray assay, in situ hybridization staining, clinicopathological data analysis were performed to investigate expression pattern of BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples. Constructing ectopically expressed BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via plasmids or siRNAs, then changeable abilities of proliferation and motility of these cells were observed in vitro and in vivo. RNA-protein pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation, and bioinformatics analyses were performed to explore potential pathways involved in BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA-based regulation of malignant progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

RESULTS
BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA was identified upregulated in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue and correlated with nodal metastasis and clinical severity of patients. Overexpressed BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA increased percentage of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, viability, migration, and invasion rates of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, while silenced BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA could observe weakened effects in vitro. Xenograft tumor formed by BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA-overexpressed cells had bigger volume, faster growth rates, higher weight, and more Ki67+ cells. Pulmonary metastasis induced by BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA-silenced cells had fewer colony nodes, Ki67+ cells, and CD31+ blood vessels. Furthermore, BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA was mainly localized in nucleus of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and bound Ras-associated binding 1A. Silencing Ras-associated binding 1A could damage mobile ability and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor-κB in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells induced by overexpressing BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA. Opposite trend was also observed.

CONCLUSION
Acting as a promoter in oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis, BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma cells proliferation and motility by regulating the BRAF-activated non-protein coding RNA/Ras-associated binding 1A complex, which activates nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.


One of the most important issues discussed in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is how to transfer
information from nodes within the network to the base station and select the best possible route for transmission of this information, taking into account energy consumption for the network lifetime with maximum reliability and security. Hence, it would be useful to provide a suitable method that would have the features mentioned. This paper uses an Ad-hoc On-demand Multipath Distance Vector (AOMDV) as a routing protocol. This protocol has high energy consumption due to its multipath. However, it is a big
challenge if it can reduce AOMDV energy consumption. Therefore, clustering operations for nodes are of high priority to determine the head of clusters which LEACH protocol and fuzzy logic and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm are used for this purpose. Simulation results represent 5% improvement in energy consumption in a WSN compared to AOMDV method.


The present paper illustrates the main results of an experimental campaign conducted in the Thermal Cavitation Tunnel of the CPRTF (Cavitating Pump Rotordynamic Test Facility) at Centrospazio. Experiments were carried out on a NACA 0015 hydrofoil at various incidence angles, cavitation numbers and freestream temperatures, in order to investigate the characteristics of cavitation instabilities and the impact of thermal cavitation effects. Measured cavity length, surface pressure coefficients and unsteady pressure spectra are in good agreement with the data available in the open literature and suggest the existence of a strong correlation between the onset of the various forms of cavitation and instabilities, the thermal cavitation effects, and the effects induced by the presence of the walls of the tunnel. Further analytical investigations will be carried out in order to provide a better interpretation of the above results.Copyright © 2003 by ASME


AIMS
Oral health is integral to overall health and wellness. All healthcare providers can contribute to improving health by including an oral health screening (OHS) in the physical examination. The aims of this study were to 1) develop and test a novel oral health curriculum and 2) compare the effectiveness of two distinct methods of instruction, a) simulation with physical therapists (PT) and dental professional co-debriefing and b) video observation with PT faculty- only instruction.

METHODS
PT students (n=202) completed one of two educational experiences to learn how to perform an OHS, evaluate oral health findings, provide oral health education, and make an appropriate dental referral. Four distinct patient-specific cases were tested.

RESULTS
Results indicated multiple teaching strategies, including a simulation with co-debriefing, improved PT student performance in OHS. Between-case analysis indicated that students performed better in making appropriate referrals for pathology-based cases than preventative care-based cases. Conversely students' patient education was better for preventative cases than pathology-based cases. Curricular revisions improved student performance in providing relevant patient education. A comparison of student performance using simulation with co-debriefing vs video observation with PT faculty-only instruction found no statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS
This novel oral health curriculum is a useful approach for teaching PT and other health professions students how to execute an OHS.


In a conventional ramped temperature oxidation kinetics cell experiment, an electrical furnace is used to ramp temperature at a prescribed rate. Thus, the heating rate of a kinetics cell experiment is limited by furnace performance to heating rates of about 0.5-3 °C/min. A new reactor has been designed to overcome this limit. It uses an induction heating method to ramp temperature. Induction heating is fast and easily controlled. The new reactor covers heating rates from 1 to 30 °C/min. This is the first time that the oxidation profiles of a crude oil are available over such a wide range of heating rate. The results from an induction reactor and a conventional kinetics cell at roughly 2 °C/min are compared to illustrate consistency between the two reactors. The results at low heating rate are the same as the conventional kinetics cell. As presented in the paper, the new reactor couples well with the isoconversional method for interpretation of reaction kinetics.


5074 Chromosomal instability (CIN) is recognized as a hallmark of cancer and is caused by a spindle assembly checkpoint disorder or chromosome mis-segregation during mitosis. Although the recent identification of human shugoshin (hSgo1), an important player in proper chromosome segregation, has suggested involvement of hSgo1 in tumorigenesis, little is known about how it is involved. To obtain information about the status of hSgo1 in human colorectal cancer, we studied the alterations of hSgo1 in colorectal cancer cases. Among the 30 colorectal cancer cases, five of the 16 (31.2%) informative cases had loss of heterozygosity at the hSgo1 locus on 3p24, but there was no mutation in the other allele. In 10 of 24 (41.7%) cases, hSgo1 mRNA expression was decreased in the tumor tissue in comparison with the corresponding normal tissue (P=0.032). Interestingly, in addition to the down-regulation of full-length hSgo1 protein in the tumor in 40% of the cases, the cleavage pattern in the tumor and corresponding non-tumor tissues differed in 73%. To assess the effects of hSgo1 down-regulation, we performed hSgo1 knockdown by transfecting the diploid HCT116 cell line with a short hairpin RNA expression vector. Human Sgo1 knockdown cells proliferated slowly because of both G2/M arrest and apoptosis, and marked of CIN in the form of aneuploidy and micronuclei were later observed in hSgo1 knockdown cells. Increased centrosome amplification, the presence of binucleated cells, and mitotic catastrophes were also noted in hSgo1 knockdown cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that hSgo1 down-regulation leads to CIN in colorectal cancer.


Background Infections are an important cause of morbimortality in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) and adult-onset SLE (aSLE) patients. Herpes zoster infection (HZI) has been the most common viral infection reported for these patients. Objectives To compare clinical, laboratorial, treatment and outcome parameters in both groups is lacking in the literature. Methods This retrospective study included 362 cSLE and 1,830 aSLE patients followed in the same tertiary hospital. HZI was defined according to the presence of acute vesicular-bullous lesions on erythematous/edematous base, in a dermatomal distribution. Data concerning the HZI onset, dermatomal involvement and location, treatment, recurrence and complication associated with HZ were determined. Demographic data, clinical features, disease activity (SLEDAI-2K), disease damage (SLICC/ACR-DI) and treatment were also assessed. Results HZI was significantly more often observed in cSLE vs. aSLE (10% vs. 4%, p=0.0001) and disease duration until HZI diagnosis was also shorter in former group (21 vs. 62 months, p=0.001). At HZI diagnosis, the median of SLEDAI-2K [8 (0-20) vs. 3 (0-18), p=0.002] was higher in cSLE, and fever (43% vs. 12%, p<0.0001), nephritis (45% vs. 25%, p=0.038), anti-dsDNA (76% vs. 15%, p<0.0001) and low C4 (48% vs. 22%, p=0.017) were more often observed when compared to aSLE. A predominance of thoracic dermatomal involvement, with a very low frequency of cutaneous dissemination, ophthalmic complications and recurrence was evidenced in both groups with no deaths. The median prednisone dose was comparable in cSLE and aSLE (20 vs. 20mg/day, p=0.784). Immunosuppressive use was alike in cSLE and aSLE patients, with exception of lower frequency of mycophenolate mofetil in cSLE group (8% vs. 34%, p=0.004). Intravenous acyclovir use (78% vs. 29%, p<0.0001) and hospitalizations due to HZI (78% vs. 29%, p<0.0001) were more often observed in cSLE compared to aSLE. Post herpetic neuralgia was infrequently evidenced in pediatric patients (3% vs. 24%, p=0.005). Conclusions Pediatric lupus has a higher susceptibility to HZI and it is characterized by a shorter disease duration, disease activity and lower frequency of post herpetic neuralgia than aSLE. Both groups have a comparable and good overall outcome. Disclosure of Interest N. Gormezano: None declared, C. Silva Grant/research support from: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnolόgico (CNPq 302724/2011-7 to CAS), Federico Foundation (to CAS) and by Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa "Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente" da USP (NAP-CriAd) to CAS., C. Otsuzi: None declared, D. Barros: None declared, M. da Silva: None declared, A. Sallum: None declared, S. Pasoto: None declared, R. Pereira Grant/research support from: Federico Foundation, E. Bonfá Grant/research support from: Federico Foundation


Over the past decade, the plays of Anders Lustgarten have taken a prominent place in the English theatre repertoire. Performed by companies including Red Ladder, Cardboard Citizens, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, Lustgarten's dramatic writing places social and political issues centrestage, ranging from the housing crisis and the electoral ascendancy of far-right parties to the alienation of the urban working class and the racist scapegoating of immigrants. This article focuses on Lustgarten's landmark play inspired by the Occupy movement, If You Don't Let Us Dream, We Won't Let You Sleep (Royal Court Theatre, 2013). I explore how the play engages with, and reflects on, economic austerity, forms of contemporary mass protest, and, indirectly, evolving conceptions of English nationhood. I also examine Lustgarten's notion of "Radical Optimism" – a term he identifies with the global anti-austerity protests following the 2007-8 financial crisis – and consider its importance to what he calls "antiprop" political theatre. The first part of the article probes the relationship between If You Don't Let Us Dream and the established "tradition" of state-of-the-nation playwriting; the second part identifies the play's challenge to this "tradition," which is informed by its proximity to the Occupy protests.


An unknown quantum state ji can be disassembled into, then later reconstructed from, purely classical information and purely nonclassical EPR correlations. To do so the sender, \Alice," and the receiver, \Bob," must prearrange the sharing of an EPR-correlated pair of particles. Alice makes a joint measurement on her EPR particle and the unknown quantum system, and sends Bob the classical result of this measurement. Knowing this, Bob can convert the state of his EPR particle into an exact replica of the unknown state ji which Alice destroyed.


Spontaneous eye blink rate (SBR) is thought to be a biological marker for cerebral dopamine (DA) activity. Accordingly, positive psychotic symptoms have been found to be associated with an increased SBR and negative psychotic symptoms with a decreased SBR. However, modulations of the DA system in patient populations also result from prior neuroleptic treatment. Here, we tested the possible relationship between SBR and positive and negative schizotypal thought. To test the direct influence of DA on SBR in general and as a function of schizotypy, half of a sample of 40 healthy men received levodopa and the other half placebo in a double-blind procedure. SBR did not differ between substance groups suggesting that a pharmacologically induced DA increase in healthy individuals does not generally increase SBR. However, in the levodopa group, increasing SBR correlated with increasing negative schizotypy scores, while no relationship was found between SBR and (1) negative schizotypy in the placebo group, or (2) positive schizotypy in either substance group. We conjecture that a pre-existing hypodopaminergic state in high negative schizotypy scorers, made these individuals susceptible to an increased DA concentration, as it has been observed in Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, the absence of any relationship in the placebo group might suggest that variations in DA concentration as a function of schizotypy are too subtle to influence SBR. Finally, the lack of any association of SBR with positive schizotypy might indicate that SBR and positive schizotypy are mediated by functionally distinct neural circuits


A year round phytosociological study was carried out in 2012 to study different forest types in Pashupati Sacred Grove in Kathmandu Valley. Concentric circular plots (n-19) were laid down along eight parallel transects, 100 m apart from each other, traversing north and south passing through various vegetations. Our results showed that the grove had experienced change in forest types over the time period. Three forest types namely Schima-Pyrus , Moist ( Myrsine- Persea ) and Mixed ( Quercus-Myrsine ) were identified based on the importance value Index (IVI) of tree species instead of Myrsine-Schima forest which had once dominated the grove. Tree density greatly changed in different forest types and showed strong correlation between canopy cover and tree density, supporting the results of previous studies. J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 27, 2013: 72-77


The work presented in this paper deals with the generation of trajectories for humanoid robots imitating human gaits captured with a motion capture system. Once the human motion is recorded, this one is modified to be adapted to the robot morphology. The proposed method could be used for human-like robots of different sizes and masses. The generated gaits are closed to the human's ones while respecting the robot balance and the floor contacts. First the human joint angles are computed from the markers coordinates and applied directly to the robot kinematics model. Then, from this non-corrected motion, the trajectories of both feet and of the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) are generated respecting the constraints of floor contact and balance control. From this data, an inverse kinematic algorithm is used to compute the joint angles of the robot according to the feet and ZMP trajectories. The results with the robot HRP-2 (AIST, Kawada Industries, Inc) and the small-sized humanoid HOAP-3 (Fujitsu Automation Ltd) are compared with the human motion.


Nanopowders of Mo, Ti and Si were made by high-energy ball milling. A dense nanostructured (Ti,Mo)Si2 compound was sintered by the pulsed current activated combustion method within two minutes from mechanically activated powder of Mo, Ti and Si. A highly dense (Mo,Ti)Si2 compound was produced under simultaneous application of 80 MPa pressure and a pulsed current. The mechanical properties and micorostructure were investigated. The hardness and fracture toughness of the (Mo,Ti)Si2 were 1030 kg/mm2 and 4.9 MPa·m1/2, respectively. The mechanical properties were higher than monolithic TiSi2.


The article begins with a brief review of prior school reform move? ments and how and why they are different from today. Unlike past reform movements, school reform efforts are now focused on two key ideas: performance and scientific evidence. Motivated in part by economic considerations, the underlying rationale for many school reform programs is to raise the performance of U.S. students by strengthening their knowledge base and skills. Similarly, the em? phasis on scientific evidence can be viewed as an economic global response to rising costs of research and development in fields such as medicine, criminology, and social welfare. This focus on perfor? mance and scientific evidence is embodied in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NGLB), which expanded die federal role in education and substantially altered what the purpose of education should be, when and how it should be measured, and what type of evidence should be used for its improvement. The review concludes by examining how these performance-driven reforms and the push for evidential science to assess their effectiveness can be viewed as part of a changing scientific intellectual movement


In this study, we implement the Artificial Immune System method to increase the number of data in the lung cancer dataset and obtain higher prediction rate for the diagnosis of lung cancer. Artificial Immune System is modified with the weights of features. Dataset dimension is decreased to raise the performance of this algorithm by using Pearson Correlation Coefficients. The system is also compared to other methods like k-Nearest Neighbor and Artificial Neural Networks that are commonly used in previous studies. As a result, the proposed weighted Artificial Immune System has the highest accuracy rate as 82% on normalized dataset and appears to be the second fastest method after k-Nearest Neighbor.


OBJECTIVES
To reveal microscopic surgical anatomy of the middle ear in guinea pigs (GPs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty ears of GPs were dissected under dissection microscopy via inferior approach. By using digital equipment, the most suitable photograph was taken for each step. Differences and similarities between the ears of GPs and those of human beings are discussed to show the advantages and disadvantages of the GP ear for experimental studies.

RESULTS
Tympanic membrane of the GP merely consists of pars tensa and above this there is a bony segment called as supratympanic crest. There were two spaces called bulla and hypotympanium in the GP,s middle ear. Cochlea, which is normally found in the inner ear in humans, separates these two spaces. Upper part of this space which is called epitympanium is a slit like cavity having a bony complex called malleoincudal complex. Bulla, the largest cavity in the middle ear, is a hemispherical cavity having a smooth surface. It corresponds to hypotympanum and mesotympanum of human middle ear. Cochlea has 3.5 turns from basal turn to apical turn. While the oval window is placed vertically, the round window is placed horizontally. While the stapes is almost identical to that of the humans, there is a bony bridge between the crura of the stapes called crista stapedius. Stapes can not removed unless this bony bridge is taken.

CONCLUSION
The middle ear in GP differs from the human middle ear in many aspects. Researchers who are planning to the study with this animal model should be aware of all these differences.


We introduce a new strategy in solving the truncated complex moment problem. To this aim we investigate recursive doubly indexed sequences and their characteristic polynomials. A characterization of recursive doubly indexed \emph{moment} sequences is provided. As a simple application, we obtain a computable solution to the complex moment problem for cubic harmonic characteristic polynomials of the form $z^3+az+b\overline{z}$, where $a$ and $b$ are arbitrary real numbers. We also recapture a recent result due to Curto-Yoo given for cubic column relations in $M(3)$ of the form $Z^3=itZ+u\overline{Z}$ with $t,u$ real numbers satisfying some suitable inequalities. Furthermore, we solve the truncated complex moment problem with column dependence relations of the form $Z^{k+1}= \sum\limits_{0\leq n+ m \leq k} a_{nm} \overline{Z}^n Z^m$ ($a_{nm} \in \mathbb{C}$).


Driving in a simulator might induce stress because of the confrontation with new environments, dealing with new technologies, and experience with symptoms of simulator sickness, which, in turn, may influence individuals' driving performance. The present study aims to provide a better understanding of the association between simulated environments and humans' stress level under consideration of age, simulator adaptation, experience with simulator sickness, and driving performance. Data from 164 participants (M = 61.62 years, SD = 12.66 years, ranging from 25 to 89 years, 42 women) were analyzed in the present study. During three measurement times, participants completed an advance first simulator drive (T0), followed by an online survey, assessing experience with simulator sickness (T1), and a second simulator drive (T2) including pre- and post-cortisol measurements. The hypothesized model shows no correlations of driving performance with experience with simulator sickness or stress level before and after a further simulator drive. Beyond the effect of age, previous experience with simulator sickness does further account for stress-level changes following a simulated drive but current driving performance did not. The present study provides relevant findings for future studies in the field of simulated environments.


From the 1720s the Portuguese overseas bureaucracy started to order the collection of organized, quantified information on population. These processes gained particular dimension in Brazil during the second half of the 18th century, but were decreed to all territories of the empire (in Africa, Indian Ocean and the East). An extensive corpus of documents was thus produced, consisting on hundreds of statistical charts, decrees and political instructions. The Portuguese bureaucratic elites, influenced by the political arithmetic and physiocratic thought, understood population as a State resource that should be calculated, managed and placed according to governance conveniences. This article aims to describe and analyze the types of orders and statistical charts produced for the Portuguese America, as well as its evolution and growing complexity. Following pioneering authors as Dauril Alden e Maria Luiza Marcilio we defend its enormous potential in the estimations of demographic statistics for the colonial period.


The healthcare industry plays a vital role in the U.S. economy, employing almost 15% of all U.S. employed workers. Of this group, an estimated 2.5 million plan to retire over the next 15 years. Healthcare employers feel responsible for helping these employees achieve retirement readiness, but most fall short of this goal. There is a looming crisis in the industry because millions of healthcare workers lack sufficient retirement assets. Industry executives generally acknowledge that their one-size-fits-all approach to employee retirement programs has not been successful in helping their aging workers achieve retirement readiness. Differentiating the healthcare workforce by financial needs and goals can help HR specialists design customized, realistic retirement plans that respond to specific employees' needs. This customization process will help healthcare employers develop the type of robust, realistic retirement programs that can make retirement readiness a definitive priority in the healthcare industry.