Galectins, a family of evolutionarily conserved animal lectins, have been shown to modulate signaling processes leading to inflammation, apoptosis, immunoregulation, and angiogenesis through their ability to interact with poly-N-acetyllactosamine-enriched glycoconjugates. To date 16 human galectin carbohydrate recognition domains have been established by sequence analysis and found to be expressed in several tissues. Given the divergent functions of these lectins, it is of vital importance to understand common and differential features in order to search for specific inhibitors of individual members of the human galectin family. In this work we performed an integrated computational analysis of all individual members of the human galectin family. In the first place, we have built homology-based models for galectin-4 and -12 N-terminus, placental protein 13 (PP13) and PP13-like protein for which no experimental structural information is available. We have then performed classical molecular dynamics simulations of the whole 15 members family in free and ligand-bound states to analyze protein and protein-ligand interaction dynamics. Our results show that all galectins adopt the same fold, and the carbohydrate recognition domains are very similar with structural differences located in specific loops. These differences are reflected in the dynamics characteristics, where mobility differences translate into entropy values which significantly influence their ligand affinity. Thus, ligand selectivity appears to be modulated by subtle differences in the monosaccharide binding sites. Taken together, our results may contribute to the understanding, at a molecular level, of the structural and dynamical determinants that distinguish individual human galectins.


The processes of oxidation of aluminum powders with various particles size (micron and submicron samples) when heated in air were studied using differential thermal analysis. It was found that decreasing of particle size leads to an increase in the content of bound water in the form of hydroxides in the aluminum particles shells. The (hydr)oxides decompose with the release of water vapor when heated, and there is a local loss of continuity of the protective shells of Al particles, which contributes to the initiation of the metal oxidation process. In the temperature range of 350-600 °C, water vapor interacts with the surface of Al particles, resulting in the presence of hydrogen in the gas released from the thermal analyzer furnace. Based on a combination of data from thermal analysis, mass spectrometry and electron microscopy, it was shown that the main cause of the onset of oxidation of submicron Al particles was destruction of the (hydr)oxide shells due to intense gas formation at the metal core/shell interface due to the release of water vapor and hydrogen.


Radiation-induced thrombocytopenia is a common and life-threatening side effect of ionizing radiation (IR) therapy. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, irradiation was demonstrated to significantly reduce platelet levels, inhibit megakaryocyte differentiation, and promote the apoptosis of bone marrow (BM) cells. A metabolomics approach and a UHPLC-QTOF MS system were subsequently employed for the comprehensive analysis of serum metabolic profiles of normal and irradiated mice. A total of 66 metabolites were significantly altered, of which 56 were up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated in irradiated mice compared to normal mice on day 11 after irradiation. Pathway analysis revealed that disorders in glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, inositol phosphate metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism were involved in radiation-induced thrombocytopenia. In addition, three important differential metabolites, namely L-tryptophan, LysoPC (17:0), and D-sphinganine, which were up-regulated in irradiated mice, significantly induced the apoptosis of K562 cells. L-tryptophan inhibited megakaryocyte differentiation of K562 cells. Finally, serum metabolomics was performed on day 30 (i.e., when the platelet levels in irradiated mice recovered to normal levels). The contents of L-tryptophan, LysoPC (17:0), and D-sphinganine in normal and irradiated mice did not significantly differ on day 30 after irradiation. In conclusion, radiation can cause metabolic disorders, which are highly correlated with the apoptosis of hematopoietic cells and inhibition of megakaryocyte differentiation, ultimately resulting in thrombocytopenia. Further, the metabolites, L-tryptophan, LysoPC (17:0), and D-sphinganine can serve as biomarkers for radiation-induced thrombocytopenia.


A detailed theoretical analysis and calculations were made for providing a simple and explicit means to evaluate the effects of small leaks on the barrier properties of food packages. Small leaks, such as pinholes and channel leaks, were approximated as cylindrical pores with diameters of 50–300 μm. The first part of the current study proposes a simple mathematical model based on Fick's law of diffusion, which accounts for both the gas leakage across small leaks and the gas permeation across package walls. The model uses an effective permeability that depends on leak dimensions, type of diffusing gas, type of packaging material and gas conditions around the leak ends. In the second part of the study, three practical cases are presented to illustrate the application of the proposed model in examining the significance of leaks. These demonstrate in a simple and explicit manner that for LDPE packages: (a) leaks affect the oxygen transfer more than the water vapour transfer; (b) leak effects are more significant at lower storage temperatures; and (c) that for high gas barrier packages, the effect of leaks is very important and should not be neglected. The model can be also used to arrive at conclusions about the significance of leaks in other packaging situations (e.g. other than LDPE packaging materials) and to correct the shelf‐life estimation of gas‐ and water vapour‐sensitive foods for errors from package leaks. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Electrolyte changes were studied during artificial respiration and hypothermia in dogs which had been equilibrated with K42, Na24 or B82. In the hypothermic animals potassium in plasma, potassium and sodium in skeletal muscle and potassium in auricle decreased, whereas bromide in the auricle increased. In normothermic animals anoxia produced an increase of bromide in the skeletal muscle and of sodium in the auricle; potassium increased in the plasma and decreased in the myocardium. Anoxia during hypothermia resulted in a loss of potassium from the contracting heart as the only significant change. Potassium to sodium ratios decreased more in the auricle than in the skeletal muscle in both hypothermia and anoxia. Thus, increased myocardial irritability during hypothermia and anoxia is caused or accompanied by a loss of potassium and an inability to extrude sodium.


Abstract Little information exists on the life history of Pleurobema rubrum (Pyramid Pigtoe). We determined fish hosts and made observations on the conglutinate release of Pyramid Pigtoe. From 2003 to 2005, fourteen Pyramid Pigtoe individuals were collected during mussel sampling on the Green River, KY and held in captivity. In June of 2006, one captive female was observed releasing conglutinates (water temperature was 22.5 °C). Nine fish species were exposed to Pyramid Pigtoe glochidia. After 12–15 days, transformation of glochidia to juveniles occurred on 4 species from the family Cyprinidae: Cyprinella spiloptera (Spotfin Shiner), Erimystax dissimilis (Streamline Chub), Lythrurus fasciolaris (Scarlet Shiner), and Notropis photogenis (Silver Shiner). All 4 are potentially natural hosts and Spotfin Shiner appears to be the most suitable host fish for propagation purposes.


The Jarvis Creek coal field lies on the north side of the Alaska Range, between latitudes 63°35' and 63°45' N., and longitudes 145°40' and 145°50' W. It is 3 to 6 miles east of the Richardson Highway. The coal field is about 16 square miles in area, the major part of which is a rolling plateau that slopes gently northward and is bounded on the east, south, and west by bluffs facing Jarvis Creek, Ruby Creek, and the Delta River. : The oldest rock is the Birch Creek schist of pre-Cambrian age, which is largely quartz-sericite schist with many quartz veins, and is locally intruded by rhyolite dikes. It is overlain by the Tertiary coal-bearing formation. Quaternary deposits include gravel, till, solifluctional debris, and windborne deposits. The coal-bearing formation of the Jarvis Creek coal field is correlated with the lower member of the coal-bearing formation on Healy Creek. In the south part of the coal field, it is divided into three stratigraphic units: (1) A basal lenticular toed, 500 feet in maximum thickness, consisting of micaceous sandstone and quartz conglomerate, derived from sources in Birch Creek schist southwest of the coal field; (2) a middle unit, 450 to 700 feet thick, of buff arkosic sandstone derived from areas north of the coal field, with interbedded shale and coal; and (3) an upper unit, about 900 feet thick, of dark-gray claystone, sandstone, and thin coal beds. The coal-bearing formation is warped into a north-trending structural basin. Dips around the border of the basin range from 5° to 10°. Thirty coal beds were found, but most are thin and discontinuous. Reserves total 5.9 million tons of indicated coal and 7.5 million tons of inferred coal. Stripping reserves are estimated to be between 100,000 and 300,000 tons. The greater part of the coal reserves is in a 50-foot zone of coal and shale at the base of the middle stratigraphic unit. The coal field potentif lly contains about 75 million tons of coal. Based on outcrop samples, the coal has a heating value of between 8,000 and 9,000 Btu (as received) and an ash content of 5 to 13 percent. It is classified as subbituminous C.


The demand for knowledgeable and skilled nursing leaders at the first, middle, and executive levels of management in healthcare organizations drove a multiphased project concerning the types of nurse managers that will be needed in the future and their educational needs. In Part 1 (June 2003), national nurse leaders identified the increased need for knowledgeable and skilled nurses in first-line, mid-level, and executive management positions in the healthcare delivery system. This article describes the second Vision 2020 survey of nurse managers in Massachusetts on the current and future demand for nurse managers and their academic preparation and continuing education needs. It concludes with a model curriculum revision for a master's program in nursing management for the public urban university in Boston.


Objective Evaluating the influence of risk factor of intraoperative complications such as rupture posterior capsule with vitrous loss on the postoperativemacular thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Background Cystoid macular edema (CME) remains an important cause limiting favorable visual outcomes following cataract surgery. Thecomplicated cataract surgery (with posterior capsular tear) could be a strong risk factor for development of macular edema than the uneventful surgeries. Methods 70 cases, 62 patients underwent phacoemulsification surgeries divided into 5 groups anda healthy control group Group I: Uncomplicated cataract surgery (non-diabetic) Group II: Uncomplicated cataract surgery (Diabetic patient) Group III: Complicated cases with PCR and Ant vitrectomy (non-diabetic) Group IV: Complicated cases with PCR antvitrectomy (Diabetic patient) Group V: Complicated cases with PCR ant vetrectomy, AC IOL Group VI: Normal cases without cataract extraction Patients follow up by Visual acuity, fundus ,IOP and Maculathickness map using OCT scan (RS-3000RetinaScan, NIDEK Co., Japan) was conducted after 1 month. Results We found that, macular thickness was significantly higher after cataract surgeries with posterior capsular tear than the unevetiful surgeries, Also diabetes did not influence significantly the thickening of the macular regions after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Conclusion After cataractsurgery, there is non significant increase of foveal thicknessThe complicated cataract surgeries with rupture posterior capsule and vitrous loss may be a risk factor, while diabetes may not be a risk factor for development of post operative macular oedma.


Fecundity selection is one of the most influential underlying driving forces responsible for body size differences between the sexes of a species. Reproductive output is one of the most important aspects of an animal's life-history strategy, and any trait that acts to improve this will be under strong selection. Body size is one potential trait that can influence fecundity and when a species exhibits female-biased size dimorphism, fecundity provides an ideal starting point for understanding why dimorphism in body size exists. Female-biased sexual size dimorphism is uncommon in vertebrates, including lizards. To explore the relationship between female-biased size dimorphism and fecundity, we examined maternal size and clutch data collected over four years from a temperate-zone agamid, Rankinia (Tympanocryptis) diemensis. We measured the following descriptors of reproductive output: clutch size and mass, relative clutch mass (RCM), average egg mass and offspring size. We found a positive relationship between maternal size and clutch size and mass, but no relationship between maternal size and RCM, average egg mass or hatchling size, demonstrating that the relative reproductive output is not influenced by female size, and that the only way to increase reproductive output is for the female to attain a greater body size. There exists an overall strong relationship between maternal body size and fecundity, thereby providing a potential explanation as to why female size is under selection in this species.


A compact Vivaldi antenna is proposed with high gain over the ultrawideband UWB using novel combination of corrugation and grating elements. As it is very intricate to improve the radiation characteristics such as gain throughout the UWB using single technique, therefore, corrugation at the flares and grating elements in the area of tapered slot are used to improve gain over the UWB. Due to the corrugation, the gain and front-to-back ratio improved significantly over 3-8 GHz whereas the effect of grating elements is observed over 8 GHz. The antenna operates for 2.9 GHz to more than 12 GHz with S11<-10 dB and is designed on 0.8-mm thick low cost FR4 substrate 40 mm × 45 mm. The proposed antenna shows nearly stable unidirectional radiation patterns, peak realized gain more than 5 dBi, and front-to-back ratio better than 10 dB over the UWB. Furthermore, the time domain study of the antenna is carried out which shows good pulse handling capability with nearly flat group delay. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 25:610-618, 2015.


The Kalman Filter (KF) is pervasively used to control a vast array of consumer, health and defense products. By grouping sets of symmetric state variables, the Relational Kalman Filter (RKF) enables us to scale the exact KF for large-scale dynamic systems. In this paper, we provide a parameter learning algorithm for RKF, and a regrouping algorithm that prevents the degeneration of the relational structure for efficient filtering. The proposed algorithms significantly expand the applicability of the RKFs by solving the following questions: (1) how to learn parameters for RKF from partial observations; and (2) how to regroup the degenerated state variables by noisy real-world observations. To our knowledge, this is the first paper on learning parameters in relational continuous probabilistic models. We show that our new algorithms significantly improve the accuracy and the efficiency of filtering large-scale dynamic systems.


Chinese medicine is known to treat complex diseases with multiple components and multiple targets. However, the main effective components and their related key targets and functions remain to be identified. Herein, a network analysis method was developed to identify the main effective components and key targets of a Chinese medicine, Lianhua-Qingwen Formula (LQF). The LQF is commonly used for the prevention and treatment of viral influenza in China. It is composed of 11 herbs, gypsum and menthol with 61 compounds being identified in our previous work. In this paper, these 61 candidate compounds were used to find their related targets and construct the predicted-target (PT) network. An influenza-related protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and integrated with the PT network. Then the compound-effective target (CET) network and compound-ineffective target network (CIT) were extracted, respectively. A novel approach was developed to identify effective components by comparing CET and CIT networks. As a result, 15 main effective components were identified along with 61 corresponding targets. 7 of these main effective components were further experimentally validated to have antivirus efficacy in vitro. The main effective component-target (MECT) network was further constructed with main effective components and their key targets. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the MECT network predicted key functions such as NO production being modulated by the LQF. Interestingly, five effective components were experimentally tested and exhibited inhibitory effects on NO production in the LPS induced RAW 264.7 cell. In summary, we have developed a novel approach to identify the main effective components in a Chinese medicine LQF and experimentally validated some of the predictions.


High dimensional hypothesis test deals with models in which the number of parameters is significantly larger than the sample size. Existing literature develops a variety of individual tests. Some of them are sensitive to the dense and small disturbance, and others are sensitive to the sparse and large disturbance. Hence, the powers of these tests depend on the assumption of the alternative scenario. This paper provides a unified framework for developing new tests which are adaptive to a large variety of alternative scenarios in high dimensions. In particular, our framework includes arbitrary hypotheses which can be tested using high dimensional $U$-statistic based vectors. Under this framework, we first develop a broad family of tests based on a novel variant of the $L_p$-norm with $p\in \{1,\dots,\infty\}$. We then combine these tests to construct a data-adaptive test that is simultaneously powerful under various alternative scenarios. To obtain the asymptotic distributions of these tests, we utilize the multiplier bootstrap for $U$-statistics. In addition, we consider the computational aspect of the bootstrap method and propose a novel low-cost scheme. We prove the optimality of the proposed tests. Thorough numerical results on simulated and real datasets are provided to support our theory.


This thesis examines promotion of licensed family child care businesses as a strategy for community development. Accessing high quality, affordable child care is a vital need in low income communities. Often times, however, the care available is of low educational value, prohibitively expensive, or located far from the neighborhood. The research in this thesis examines how community development corporations have innovated to deal with these three challenges. The thesis conceptualizes of child care in terms of the three parties most affected by it-children, parents, and child care providers. Given how the child care agenda is commonly conceptualized and executed the interests of the players are often seen to be in conflict. The tripartite model developed in the thesis analyzes the intimate linkages and delicate balance among the three groups, showing that any interventions that focus on one group-such as improving the quality of care that children receive -affects the well-being of the other groups, often with negative impacts, such as raised parent fees or reduced provider income. In order to create initiatives to address the challenges faced by each group, the thesis delineates three categories of interventions that provide a comprehensive framework for action: professionalism to speak to quality, resources to speak to affordability, and space and place to speak to accessibility. From this research, an emerging best practice for the child care system begins to materialize. The model emanates from the work of a diverse network of organizations and institutions working on child care at various scales from local to regional to national. Through an iterative process based on service needs and organizational capacities, the network and its member organizations constantly adapt their program design and agenda in order to provide services that positively affect children, parents, and providers and create interventions that address professionalism, resources, and space and place. Finally, the thesis explores the work of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), a community development corporation in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. Through the organization's eight years of work in child care, it has found ways to navigate through the complexities of the child care system and embed itself within a network of other child care organizations. JPNDC and the other organizations cited in the thesis provide models of how community development corporations can begin to substantially improve the provision and supply of child care of their communities.


Nodular fasciitis is a benign, reactive, fibroblastic proliferation in which nodules most commonly develop in the subcutaneous or superficial fascia of the extremities. The occurrence of these growths in the orbital region is relatively rare. Our intent is to report another orbital case of this benign fibroproliferative tumor and to provide a brief review of the pertinent medical literature. The salient pathologic features of nodular fasciitis are summarized. The potential for the misdiagnosis of these benign mesenchymal tumors as a malignant sarcomatous neoplasm is discussed. It is important for ophthalmologists to be aware of this pathologic entity and its pseudosarcomatous appearance.


Merit principles have served as central tenets of the U.S. civil service system since the late 19th Century, but in recent decades reforms have been proposed and implemented that weaken central aspects of merit. This makes it important to seek evidence about how government employees perceive the status of merit principles and to examine relationships that exist between adherence to merit principles and work in federal agencies. Analysis indicates that federal employees who perceive adherence to merit principles also perceive a better quality of work life, compared to employees who see their agencies as less supportive of merit principles. Employees who perceive greater adherence to merit principles in their organizations report greater general satisfaction with their agencies as workplaces, higher levels satisfaction with leadership and recognition received, lower turnover intentions, and better quality of work unit output.


Abstract The common belief that organic-rich mudstones formed in quiescent, distal settings is further weakened by study of an upper Cambrian (Leptoplastus – lower Peltura superzones) succession in the Chesley Drive Group in Avalonian Cape Breton Island that is comparable to Alum Shale successions in Baltica. Dramatic sea-level (likely eustatic) changes are now recognized by punctuation of deposition of shallow, wave-influenced black mudstone with brachiopod (Orusia lenticularis) and olenid trilobite-bearing limestones by offlap and formation of a subaerially cemented calcrete-clast conglomerate. Subaerial exposure was followed by transgression and accumulation of clastic pyrite sand and phosphatic granules with Leptoplastus Superzone (L. ovatus Zone) trilobite sclerites. Dynamic processes are shown by wave ripples in the mudstone and limestone, sorting and winnowing of fossil rudstones, and pre-compactional fracture of the conglomerate and rudstones. Orusia rudstones in the succession below the conglomerate are regarded as analogues of Eoorthis and Billingsella rudstones in the 'biomere' extinction intervals of the Laurentian basal Sunwaptan. The lowest Orusia-rich beds are no older than the P. spinulosa Zone but, as elsewhere in Avalonia, they range into the higher Leptoplastus (Cape Breton) and even the Peltura (Britain, New Brunswick) superzones. Rare agnostoid sclerites in lower Peltura Superzone (Ctenopyge tumida Zone) olenid rudstone resemble those traditionally assigned to Lotagnostus trisectus in Avalonian Britain and Sweden, and are distinct from Laurentian L. americanus. An L. americanus Zone cannot be identified in Avalonia or Baltica, and the first appearance datum (FAD) of purported 'L. americanus' is not suitable as a standard for the base of the highest Cambrian stage.


This paper summarises the current status of the use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blocking agents in retinal vein occlusion. There have been no randomised controlled trials comparing this treatment with the current standard treatment (largely laser) so the lower grade evidence of single treatment case series and anecdotal reports are discussed. VEGF blockers are good at reducing macular oedema in the short term, do improve visual acuity in many cases, and do not seem to adversely affect the long term revascularisation that is necessary to overcome the vein occlusion. VEGF blocking agents are not used in isolation in this condition - they will remain an adjunct to systemic and other local treatments. The literature was reviewed in online searches of Embase and Ovid and the papers quoted are a representative sample of a larger body of publications.


In order to improve the tourism electronic commerce industrialization level,this paper analyzes the factors influencing the purchase of tourism electronic commerce based on the first-hand data from questionnaire survey.The results shows that comprehensive information,security trading,convenient communication and perfect after-sale service constitute the core factors;favorable prices,personalized product,good culture and interactive community are the secondly important factors;and visitors' familiarization with network and their shopping experience play the minimum role.


This paper describes and analyzes interactions ocurring in the course of clinical-infective consultations in the care of people with HIV/AIDS. The interactions lead to interpretative processes operating in the construction of the disease and the care experiences of patients. The analysis of the ways in which people look at each other, their gestures, words and silences allow us to understand some of the power relationships, knowledge subordination, incomprehension, asymmetries and feelings involved in the therapeutic relationships linked to HIV/AIDS treatment, as experienced by a group of patients and their physicians. This study is part of an ethnographic work carried out in a public hospital in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil between 2004 and 2006.


The microbending of optical fibers causes some additional transmission losses. In this paper, the theoretical and experimental results on the microbending characteristics for doubly clad (W-type) fibers are described. A simple approximation in which W-type fibers are considered as equivalent singly clad fibers is employed to calculate the additional losses due to microbending. It is shown that the additional losses of W-type fibers depend on the optical wavelength. Further, it is shown that the structural imperfections of the guide can be also considered a kind of microbending which affects the spectral loss characteristics of W-type fibers.


Surface reconstruction algorithms produce piece-wise linear approximations of a surface S from a finite, sufficiently dense, subset of its points. In this paper, we present a fast algorithm for surface reconstruction from scattered data sets. This algorithm is inspired of an existing numerical convection scheme developed by Zhao, Osher and Fedkiw. Unlike this latter, the result of our algorithm does not depend on the precision of a (rectangular- ) grid. The reconstructed surface is simply a set of oriented faces located into the 3D Delaunay triangulation of the points. It is the result of the evolution of an oriented pseudo-surface. The representation of the evolving pseudo-surface uses an appropriate data structure together with operations that allow deformation and topological changes of it. The presented algorithm can handle complicated topologies and, unlike most of the others schemes, it involves no heuristic. The complexity of that method is that of the 3D Delaunay triangulation of the points. We present results of this algorithm which turned out to be efficient even in presence of noise.


In the light of increasingly mobile and flexible work, maintaining connections to work is presented as vital. Various studies have sought to understand how these connections are experienced and managed, particularly through the use of smartphones. We take a new perspective on this practice by bringing together the conceptual fields of sociomateriality and identity work. Through the analysis of narratives produced by smartphone users in an engineering firm we argue that connection can be viewed as a sociomaterial assemblage that performs particular identities: being contactable and responsive; being involved and committed; and being in-demand and authoritative. Through this analysis we both elaborate the concept of connectivity at work and indicate how the material is implicated in identity performances.


Our previous research suggests that interspecific variation in stress tolerance in intertidal Fucus spp. (Phaeophyceae) is partially mediated by differences in the production of, or ability to detoxify, reactive oxygen. Here we report on the content of antioxidants (ascorbate, glutathione, carotenoids, and tocopherols) and protective enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) involved in reactive oxygen metabolism in three species of intertidal brown algae—Fucus spiralis L., F. evanescens C. Ag., and F. distichus L.—that differ in stress tolerance and position in the intertidal zone. Contents of the major antioxidants were similar in the three species and were not correlated with stress tolerance. The least stress tolerant species, F. distichus, had the lowest activity of reactive‐oxygen‐scavenging enzymes, although F. spiralis, the species with the highest stress tolerance, and F. evanescens contained similar activities of antioxidant enzymes on a fresh‐weight basis. However, the activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase in F. evanescens are lower than those of F. spiralis when expressed on the basis of chlorophyll. These data show that the ratio between reactive oxygen protection and production might be more important than the absolute content of antioxidants and protective enzymes. It also shows the importance of localization of detoxifying mechanisms and avoidance of oxidative stress.


: The Bitlis-Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt is one of the world's largest deformation zones, extending from the Eastern Mediterranean in southern Turkey to in the south of Iran. This deformation zone is partitioned between different structures; however, little is known about the relative activities of these different structures and their effects on topography. An area located in the northern part of Bitlis-Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt, just south of the Eastern Anatolian Plateau was studied in detail to analyze the effect of active tectonism on topographic development. The effects of active deformation structures such as Hakkâri and Şirvan Fault Segments on the topographic evolution of Kato Folds and Sinebel Valley were investigated to understand the fold and thrust fault activity. Geomorphic indices were used, such as HC, HI, SR, Ksn together with rose analysis based on bedding measurements. Investigation of folding in the region indicates the effective stress regime in the precollision zone was in NW-SE compression direction. The deformation structures, effective in the postcollision zone developed due to N-S directional compression, and are shown here to have different effects on topography of the region. This study has shown the relative uplift rate is highest in the areas where Hakkâri and Şirvan Segments are pure thrust faults (0.4 mm year –1 ), and lower in the transfer zone (0.2 to 0.4 mm year –1 ) between the segments. As a result of this study, it is concluded that the main deformation structures controlling the topography in the region are not only thrust faults, but also structures that develop in the area of transfer zone.


Glutathione transferases (GSTs) represent a large and diverse enzyme family involved in detoxification of small molecules by glutathione conjugation in crops, weeds and model plants. Here, we introduce an easy and quick assay for photoaffinity labeling of GSTs to study global GST activation in various plant species. The small molecule probe contains glutathione, a photoreactive group, and a minitag for coupling to reporter tags via click chemistry. Under UV irradiation, this probe quickly and robustly labels GSTs in crude protein extracts. Enrichment and MS analysis of labeled proteins from Arabidopsis identified ten GSTs from the Phi(F) and Tau(U) classes. Photoaffinity labeling of GSTs demonstrated GST activation in wheat seedlings upon treatment with safeners, and in Arabidopsis leaves upon infection with avirulent bacteria. Photoaffinity labeling and proteomics identified six Phi- and Tau-class GSTs that are induced upon treatment with salicylic acid (SA) analog benzothiadiazole (BTH) and these were tested for enhancing immunity in disease assays. Our data confirm that BTH-induced GST activation is independent of NPR1, the master regulator of SA signaling.


It has been known for some time that breast cancer phenotype is dependent upon the initiating oncogene. However, it has only recently been demonstrated that breast cancer phenotype, including tumor histopathology, gene expression profile, and metastatic potential, may also depend upon the cellular subtype from which a tumor arises. Breast tumor estrogen receptor (ER) status is a common prognostic factor, and approximately 70% of all breast tumors are ER+; that is, they expresse ER in ≥5% of tumor cells. However, it remains unknown which factors determine breast cancer ER status. It is possible that the cell of tumor origin plays a role in determining the ER status of the resulting tumor. Our lab has developed a method to somatically introduce oncogenes into a developmentally normal mouse mammary gland with temporal control using the modified avian retrovirus RCAS. We have generated transgenic mice that express the RCAS receptor TVA under mammary cell selective markers and demonstrated our ability to infect individual cells and induce mammary tumors. In this study we used an RCAS vector encoding polyoma virus middle T antigen (PyMT) to infect transgenic adult MMTV-tva or WAP-tva mice. The MMTV LTR is though to be active in several different mammary cell types including luminal epithelial, progenitor, and stem cells. WAP is primarily active in more highly differentiated mammary epithelial cells. Tumors induced by RCAS-PyMT differ in histopathology between the two lines. Those arising in MMTV-tva mice have a predominately solid morphology, while those arising in WAP-tva mice display a predominately papillary morphology. Interestingly, we found that the majority of tumors arising in MMTV-tva mice are ER+ (61%), while tumors arising in WAP-tva mice are predominately ER- (95%). Our data suggest that tumors induced by the same oncogene from distinct cellular subtypes in the mouse mammary epithelium can significantly vary in histopathology, and that tumor ER status can be dependent upon the cell of tumor origin. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 2163.


Glutathione is a small redox-active molecule existing in two main stable forms: the thiol (GSH) and the disulphide (GSSG). In plants growing in optimal conditions, the GSH:GSSG ratio is high in most cell compartments. Challenging environmental conditions are known to alter this ratio, notably by inducing the accumulation of GSSG, an effect that may be influential in the perception or transduction of stress signals. Despite the potential importance of glutathione status in redox signaling, the reactions responsible for the oxidation of GSH to GSSG have not been clearly identified. Most attention has focused on the ascorbate-glutathione pathway, but several other candidate pathways may couple the availability of oxidants such as H2O2 to changes in glutathione and thus impact on signaling pathways through regulation of protein thiol-disulfide status. We provide an overview of the main candidate pathways and discuss the available biochemical, transcriptomic, and genetic evidence relating to each. Our analysis emphasizes how much is still to be elucidated on this question, which is likely important for a full understanding of how stress-related redox regulation might impinge on phytohormone-related and other signaling pathways in plants.


Tropical Storms Irene and Lee in 2011 produced intense precipitation and flooding in the U.S. Northeast, including the Hudson River watershed. Sediment input to the Hudson River was approximately 2.7 megaton, about 5 times the long‐term annual average. Rather than the common assumption that sediment is predominantly trapped in the estuary, observations and model results indicate that approximately two thirds of the new sediment remained trapped in the tidal freshwater river more than 1 month after the storms and only about one fifth of the new sediment reached the saline estuary. High sediment concentrations were observed in the estuary, but the model results suggest that this was predominantly due to remobilization of bed sediment. Spatially localized deposits of new and remobilized sediment were consistent with longer term depositional records. The results indicate that tidal rivers can intercept (at least temporarily) delivery of terrigenous sediment to the marine environment during major flow events.


This article develops a suggestion by A. Ceresko (VT 35 [1985], pp. 99-104) and finds that Ps. xxxiv may contain six alphabetizing sequences: I) an abbreviated alphabetic acrostic with no 1; 2) an overriding ??? array made from the initial letters of the first and middle lines of the acrostic and the last line of the psalm; 3) an initial verse with an array; 4) a twenty-two verse reversed partial alphabetic mezostic; 5) a twenty-one verse reversed ??? telestic; 6) a final verse with an inverted away. Analogy of cuneiform acrostics and tablets decorated with wreaths of wedges suggests that Ps. xxxiv's acrostic and telestic uses of the alphabet and the letter may signify God, to whom the texts are addressed, and/or the author scribe himself.


The main objective of this paper is to estimate the impact of R&D spillovers from 16 countries on Egypt' domestic productivity at the industry level over the period from 2003 to 2008. Most of the existing literature is concerned with one or two channels of technology spillovers. This analysis will thereby contribute further understanding of the estimable impact of R&D spillovers from various channels of spillovers – namely, import, export, inward FDI and outward FDI. The results prove that foreign direct investments are more important channels of transmitting technology than trade.


Active implementation of perinatal prevention and treatment of congenital malformations requires modern approaches and methods of research of intrauterine development, the use of which is impossible without a comprehensive morphological study of development of the structure and topography of organs and structures of various systems in the early period of human ontogenesis. A priority task of the modern anatomy is the study of patterns of prenatal morphogenesis and syntopia of human endocrine glands. The purpose of the research was to study the peculiarities of the development and formation of the topography of the thyroid and parathyroid glands during the human embryonic period. Material and methods. The study was performed using microscopy of a series of consecutive histological sections of 18 human embryos of 4.0-13.5 mm parietal-coccygeal length and graphical reconstruction. Results and discussion. The thyroid gland forms as the epithelium cell's protrusion along the midline between the I and II pharyngeal pockets, and appears on the 4th week of embryonic development. The rudiments of parathyroid glands in the form of epithelial protrusions of the dorsal part of the III and IV pharyngeal pockets appear during the 5th week of the development of fetus. In 6-week-old embryos, the thyroid gland enters into a complex syntopic relationships with adjacent organs and structures; herewith the topographic boundaries of the organ are not clearly defined. The growth of the thyroid gland goes along the common carotid arteries and gradually loses contact with the aortic arch. A diffuse vascular network is formed around the thyroid gland, which penetrates into it. It is clearly traced that the upper thyroid arteries originate from the external carotid arteries. At the end of the embryonic period the tempo of growth of thyroid gland acutely increases, the main variants of the thyroid gland's shape (with an isthmus and without an isthmus) can be defined. Conclusion. In the embryos of 4.0-4.5 mm parietal-coccygeal length, the thyroid gland's rudiment is detected as a protrusion of the epithelium along the midline between the I and II pharyngeal pockets, which begins to lose contact with the oropharyngeal cavity in embryos of 5.5-6.0 mm parietal-coccygeal length. Subsequently, appear close interrelations between the thyroid gland's rudiment and the arterial trunk. As a result of the formation of new syntopic connections of the thyroid gland's rudiment with the IV pharyngeal arteries and the lower nodes of the vagus nerves, the thyroid gland's rudiment takes the form of a grooved plate that grows and models along the primitive aortic arch and localizes between the right and left common carotid arteries. The rudiments of the thyroid glands appear in embryos of 6.0-8.0 mm parietal-coccygeal length in the form of epithelial protrusions of the dorsal part of the III and IV pharyngeal pockets, from which in the future the lower and upper parathyroid glands will be formed, respectively. The critical periods of the thyroid and parathyroid glands development on the early stages of human ontogenesis are: 5th week – a period of intensive formation of the rudiments of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and 6th week – the formation of laryngeal cartilages and cellular structures of the neck


An examination of radio studies of auroral ionization shows that an average ionization density of about 5×105 electrons per cm3 is sufficient to explain the normal radar echo. The magnetic disturbances produced by current systems in the ionosphere are closely related both to the ionization and the luminosity of the aurora. The magnetic variations are also associated with increases in the speeds of motion of the ionization. The increased ionization manifest in the aurora, together with its increased speed of motion, brings about the magnetic changes observed at the ground. The rapid speeds of auroral motions observed both visually and by radio means are at the upper end of a continuous curve of drift motions that increase with increasing magnetic disturbance.


[75-91-2] C4H10O2 (MW 90.12)

InChI = 1S/C4H10O2/c1-4(2,3)6-5/h5H,1-3H3

InChIKey = CIHOLLKRGTVIJN-UHFFFAOYSA-N

(oxidizing agent used for the oxidation of alcohols and alkenes to allylic oxygenated compounds and epoxides1, 2)

Alternate Name: TBHP.

Physical Data: the following data are for a 90% aqueous solution: flash point 35 °C; d 0.901 g cm−3; nD20 1.3960. The density of a 70% aqueous solution is 0.937 g cm−3.

Solubility: sol alcohol, ether, chloroform; slightly sol H2O, DMSO.

Form Supplied in: clear colorless liquid; widely available as 70–90% aqueous solutions, and anhydrous in hydrocarbon solvents. Aqueous solutions may be dried by a phase separation procedure, followed by azeotropic distillation to remove the last vestiges of water if necessary.1

Handling, Storage, and Precautions: eye protection and rubber gloves should be worn when handling this material; avoid skin contact; this reagent should be handled only in a fume hood. Eye and skin irritant; immediately flush with water if contact is made with the eyes. Flammable liquid; oxidizer; sensitive to shocks and sparks. May react explosively with reducing agents. Store in an explosion-proof container, and keep away from reducing materials and strong acids and bases. Avoid using high strength solutions; do not distill. The use of molecular sieves for drying is not recommended.


Objective: To assess the effects of induced homocystinemia in the swine iliac artery. Material and method: A comparative experimental study with two homogeneous groups of seven pigs from the Macao specimen, weighed between 20 and 30 kg, which were assessed during 30 days. The pigs were divided into two groups. One of them was fed with a methionine-rich diet for a 4-week period. Blood samples were collected for analyses of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and homocysteine concentrations. The animals were submitted to arteriography to evaluate the patency of iliac arteries and then sacrificed. The iliac artery segment was removed for histological analysis. Results: All animals survived the procedure, and there were no significant changes in total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL concentrations in both groups. Microscopic examinations of the control group did not show pathological changes and was similar in all analyses. In the group receiving the methionine diet, the plaques were formed by foamy macrophages, but smooth muscle cells, cholesterol crystals or inflammatory cells were not seen. The tunica media had the internal elastic lamina intact. In the control group, there was no change in homocysteine levels during the experiment. In the methionine group, there was an increase in plasma homocysteine levels, with an average value of 59.80 µmol/l after 30 days with a methionine-rich diet. Conclusion: Homocystinemia induced by methionine causes atherogenesis in the swine iliac artery.


Biogeochemical cycling in the Southern Ocean (SO) plays a key role in the global sea‐air CO2balance and in the ocean anthropogenic carbon inventory (Ito et al., 2010; Khatiwala et al., 2009; Sarmiento et al., 2004). Some previous studies suggest a decreasing trend in the Southern Ocean carbon sink (Le Quéré et al., 2007; Lovenduski et al., 2007; Wetzel et al., 2005). We investigate the interannual and decadal variations in sea‐air CO2flux and phytoplankton production in the SO with hindcast simulations by an ocean biogeochemical model. Decreasing trends in sinking POC and primary production are found from 1979 to 2003, concurrent with a decreasing trend in carbon uptake from the atmosphere. Simulations show substantial interannual and decadal variability in productivity. The sea‐air CO2flux is significantly correlated with sinking POC, especially in high productivity regions of the Southern Ocean. Both mixed layer depths and iron concentrations are important to the long‐term trends in production and phytoplankton community structure. Sea ice cover also plays an important role at high latitudes. Variability in dust deposition in recent decades has little influence on total SO productivity and carbon uptake, however, there are regional impacts near dust source regions. Accurately representing mixed layer depths and their impacts on phytoplankton light stress are critical for understanding how climate change impacts SO ecosystems and biogeochemistry.


Airline pricing is so distorted that often a full-fare paying passenger is seated next to a passenger who paid more then three hundred percent less for his or her ticket. What makes this situation so exasperating is that each passenger is receiving the same quality of seat and in-flight service, regardless of the airfare each paid. This paper will attempt to uncover the forces that have created this chaotic pricing system that has confused and annoyed passengers in today's air travel industry.


Goldgar introduced a novel marker-based method for partitioning the variation of a quantitative trait into specific chromosomal regions. Unlike traditional linkage mapping methods, Goldgar's method does not require the estimation of statistical quantities characterizing each locus thought to influence the trait under scrutiny (e.g., allele frequencies, penetrances, etc.). Goldgar's method is thus more flexible and less model dependent than many traditional marker-based genetic analysis techniques. Unfortunately, however, many of the properties of Goldgar's method have not been investigated. In this paper, the utility of an extended version of Goldgar's approach is studied in settings in which sibships are taken as the sampling unit of interest. The extensions discussed resolve around the incorporation of a wider variety of effects and factors into Goldgar's basic model. Analytic studies pertaining to power, sample-size requirements, and estimation procedures for the proposed extended version of Goldgar's method are described. Hypothesis-testing strategies are also discussed. The results of the analytic studies indicate that, although an extended sib-pair version of Goldgar's variance-partitioning approach to modeling the chromosomal determinants of a quantitative trait will be useful only for traits with high heritabilities or when fine-scale genetic maps can be employed. Goldgar's technique as a whole has promise, as it can be made relatively robust statistically, refined through some simple and intuitive extensions, and can be easily adapted to work with more complex sampling units. Further extensions of Goldgar's methods are proposed, and areas in need of additional research are discussed.


In a British sample, the wrong-number technique was used to examine levels of helping behavior shown toward lesbians and gay men. A wrong-number telephone call, from either a man who self-identified as gay or heterosexual, or a woman who self-identified as either lesbian or heterosexual, was made to 232 men and women. The caller requested help by asking the respondent to relay a message to his or her partner by telephone. As predicted, lesbians and gay men were less likely to be given help than were their same-gender heterosexual counterparts. However, lesbians were given a similar amount of help as were heterosexual men. Male participants were less likely to give help to gay men than to lesbians, but female participants were no less likely to help lesbians than gay men. The results suggest that, although lesbians and gay men meet discrimination in everyday life, the level of discrimination may differ.


In the recent decade, gender recognition and face analysis has been one of the most researched issues in computer vision. Although several solutions have been provided to the problem of gender recognition from face images, nonetheless, it is regarded as a difficult issue. Deep learning has been proven to solve challenging problems. On the other hand, several existing works have proven their ability to accurately predict the head orientation angles. The remaining error in gender prediction models requires novel solutions to try to improve it further. In this work, we present a novel deep learning-based method to predict gender using both the face image and the head orientation angles. We show that the use of head orientation information consistently boosts the accuracy of gender prediction models. We achieve this by increasing the representational power of deep neural networks by introducing a head orientation adapter. It takes the head angles as input and outputs a vector that is used to recalibrate the deep learning neural networks. The proposed method was tested on a large-scale dataset called AutoPOSE, which has sub-millimeter-accurate head orientation angles. We show that using the head orientation adapter consistently boosts the gender prediction models' accuracy, and reduces the error by 20%.


The time is one of most important variables defining conditions of functioning of a control system. Processes appearing in a control system are characterized by duration, simulated as a delay, associated with transitions of a Petri net. The carried out analysis showed that control of system with asynchronous processes according to priorities often causes need to break started delays (processes) and start other. Desiring to have effective control, it is necessary to use algorithms continuously checking situation in the system and making desision what to do: let to run started operation or break it and start new one. Methods of control of delays of simulated by Petri nets processes are the aim of this paper. Any delay cant be breaked only without destroing of causal links to awoid failure of a control algorithm. Ill. 7, bibl. 8 (in Lithuanian, summaries in Lithuanian, English, Russian)


Purpose: Cylindrical ionization chambers as the PinPoint and the CC01 have high-spatial resolution and cylindrical symmetry in relevance to small fields. Dosimetry of newly advanced technologies that include non-coplanar beams, such as in Gamma-Knife, VMAT and IMRT treatment plans, the angular dependence of the ion chamber is essential. Therefore in this study we simulated two common used ion chambers using a Monte Carlo method. Methods: The angular dependence for the CC01 and the PinPoint were calculated for a vast angular range in a cylindrical water phantom for two LINAC photon beams, 6 MV and 15 MV. The calculations were performed for fully structural description of each ion chamber using Monte Carlo code, in order to reveal unsymmetrical response dose higher than 2% in medical applications. The calculated dose response, for the CC01 ion chamber, was validated with measurements. Results: The CC01 ion chamber showed a very small angular dependence compared to the PinPoint ion chamber. The relative angular dependence amplitude of the PinPoint was about 12% in the range of 0° - 110°. Conclusions: The differences in the ion chambers structure led to the variations in the relative angular dependence amplitude. Therefore, when choosing a detector, not only the volume of the ionization chamber but also its structure must be taken into consideration.


A probabilistic approach is proposed, which adopts filter-refinement framework for query processing. First, all objects that possibly satisfy a query are retrieved as candidate results. Then, probabilities that the candidates will satisfy the query are evaluated based on a probability model proposed in the paper. Finally, a user defined minimum probability threshold is used to filter unqualified candidates to get a final predictive result. The future location of a moving object is defined as a random variable in the probability model. Two modes are proposed to describe object's movement status in spatio-temporal query range, and the corresponding methods are presented to compute the probability that an object will satisfy the query in the proposed modes. A trajectory analyzing algorithm is proposed to estimate the probability density functions (PDF) from the historical trajectories. An index structure is designed to efficiently support the storing and accessing of the PDFs. The experimental result shows that the proposed solution can effectively process the predictive spatio-temporal range query and improve the correctness of the predictive results. It is suitable for processing the query with small spatial range and long-term future time interval.


AIM
Determine what the relationship between participation in classroom of students attending courses at the Educational Research and Teacher Education (CIEFD's) and the development of proficiency in critical reading of theoretical texts in education.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Intervention study, multicenter students (medical specialist) level Diploma in teaching methodology (DMDN) 1 and 2 (n=46 n=29) of the six CIEFD's (DF Siglo XXI, Mexico City La Raza, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Puebla and Veracruz), period: March to August 2007 and a Masters in education (n=9, generation 2007-2008). Two instruments were constructed that evaluated the participation variables and critical reading of theoretical texts in education, conceptual validity; content and reliability were assessed by experts in education research. The educational intervention was in the form of seminars (three times a week in DMDN 1 and twice weekly in DMDN 2 and Masters). Participation was assessed halfway through the course and on completion, critical reading at the beginning as well as the end.

RESULTS
Statistically significant associations were observed in DMDN 1 (four Centers) and the Masters, but not DMDN 2.

DISCUSSION
In this investigation some of the theoretical proposals of the participatory education were recreated, starting from the analysis of our results.

CONCLUSION
In some centers and in the masters, strengthening participation in this educational intervention is related to the development of critical reading of theoretical texts in education.


Web Alignment Visualization Server contains a set of web-tools designed for quick generation of publication-quality color figures of multiple alignments of nucleotide or amino acids sequences. It can be used for identification of conserved regions and gaps within many sequences using only common web browsers. The server is accessible at http://wavis.img.cas.cz.


This document describes the system description developed by team datamafia at WNUT-2020 Task 2: Identification of informative COVID-19 English Tweets. This paper contains a thorough study of pre-trained language models on downstream binary classification task over noisy user generated Twitter data. The solution submitted to final test leaderboard is a fine tuned RoBERTa model which achieves F1 score of 90.8% and 89.4% on the dev and test data respectively. In the later part, we explore several techniques for injecting regularization explicitly into language models to generalize predictions over noisy data. Our experiments show that adding regularizations to RoBERTa pre-trained model can be very robust to data and annotation noises and can improve overall performance by more than 1.2%.


Aging is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cellular senescence plays a critical role in β-cell dysfunction leading to T2D. Exercise is a central component in the treatment of T2D and has been shown to attenuate many of the biochemical changes that occur with aging including senescence, but nothing is known about the effects of exercise on β-cells and their aging process. To test the hypothesis that exercise decreases β-cell senescence we used two mouse models of insulin resistance: high-fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal from fat, 6 wks) and insulin receptor antagonist S961 (40nM/wk for 2 wks) . Exercise (treadmill, 1 h/day, 5 times/wk for 2 wks at 17 cm/s and 5% incline) prevented entrance of β-cells into senescence and reversed established senescence in both males and females across the lifespan (started at 1.5-9m or 14m old mice) as seen by a decrease in one or several of the following markers: βGal, p21Cip1 and p16Ink4a. This decrease in senescence was accompanied by improved glucose stimulated insulin secretion characterized by recovery of glucose responsiveness in islets from HFD and S961 exercised animals. Islets cultured with serum from trained animals showed decreased p21Cip1 mRNA, indicating a circulatory factor (s) was responsible for these effects. Exercise increased serum glucagon expression, identified as such factor. Incubation of human and mouse islets with glucagon (1nM) decreased p21Cip1 mRNA, and using AMPK agonist (1uM C99) and antagonist (5uM Compound C) , we found that AMPK mediates the glucagon-stimulated decrease in p21Cip1. Human cadaveric donor islets treated with serum obtained before and after 10-weeks of exercise-training in people with T2D demonstrated that training decreased senescence markers through AMPK activation.
 In conclusion, exercise has anti-aging effects on mouse and human pancreatic islets by decreasing senescence and improving function. This is a novel mechanism of the effects of exercise on β-cell aging with implications for the treatment of T2D.

 P.Carapeto: None. J.Kahng: None. A.T.Alves wagner: None. R.Middelbeek: Research Support; Novo Nordisk. M.F.Hirshman: Stock/Shareholder; Abbott, AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Colgate-Palmolive, Eli Lilly and Company, Medtronic. L.J.Goodyear: None. C.Aguayo-mazzucato: Consultant; eGenesis.

 American Diabetes Association (1-17-PMF-009) ; Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001; Short-Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons (1R25DK113652) ; NIDDK grant (K23-DK114550) ; NIH grant (R01DK099511) and the Joslin Diabetes Center DRC (P30 DK36836) .


Isoprene is emitted from numerous plant species and profoundly influences tropospheric chemistry. Due to the short lifetime of isoprene in the atmosphere, developing an understanding of emission patterns at small time scales is essential for modeling regional atmospheric chemistry processes. Previous studies suggest that diurnal fluctuations in iso- prene emission may be substantial, leading to inaccuracies in emission estimates at larger scales. We examined diurnal patterns in the basal emission rate of isoprene in red oak (Quercus rubra), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sal- igna) and the influence of light and temperature on the magnitude of these diurnal patterns. Maximum diurnal increases in isoprene emission were large in cottonwood (45%) and oak (25%), with increases exceeding 100% in 1-yr-old cottonwoods. Eucalyptus showed no diurnal variation in emission. All species showed diurnal declines in photosynthesis. Across species, there was a positive correlation between maximum diurnal change in both isoprene emission and photosynthesis. The magnitude of diurnal increase in isoprene emission varied when individual cottonwoods were sampled repeatedly over three days. Temperature and light history, integrated from 1 to 48 hours prior to measurement, did not explain these variations in diurnal emission. Diurnal increases in emission were present when plants were shaded to <7% ambient light. Our results indicate that diurnal fluctuations in emission are large and species specific, and must be considered when estimating emission rates for use in short-term regional atmospheric-chemistry models.


Polyploidization of megakaryocytes (MKs), the platelet precursors, occurs by endomitosis, a mitotic process that fails at late stages of cytokinesis. Expression and function of Aurora B kinase during endomitosis remain controversial. Here, we report that Aurora B is normally expressed during the human MK endomitotic process. Aurora B localized normally in the midzone or midbody during anaphase and telophase in low ploidy megakaryocytes and in up to 16N rare endomitotic MKs was observed. Aurora B was also functional during cytokinesis as attested by phosphorylation of both its activation site and MgcRacGAP, its main substrate. However, despite its activation, Aurora B did not prevent furrow regression. Inhibition of Aurora B by AZD1152-HQPA decreased cell cycle entry both in 2N to 4N and polyploid MKs and induced apoptosis mainly in 2N to 4N cells. In both MK classes, AZD1152-HQPA induced p53 activation and retinoblastoma hypophosphorylation. Resistance of polyploid MKs to apoptosis correlated to a high BclxL level. Aurora B inhibition did not impair MK polyploidization but profoundly modified the endomitotic process by inducing a mis-segregation of chromosomes and a mitotic failure in anaphase. This indicates that Aurora B is dispensable for MK polyploidization but is necessary to achieve a normal endomitotic process.


The Penner serotyping system, based on detection of heat-stable antigens with a passive haemagglutination technique, was used in studies on Campylobacter epidemiology in poultry. Preparation of specific antisera by absorption allowed the use of pooled antisera. Over 80% of the Campylobacter isolates were typable with this modified Penner serotyping system. Typability of strains was clearly affected by storage of the strains before actual typing. Extracted antigens appeared to be stable for at least 6 months at 4 degrees C. Therefore, it is advisable to store extracted antigens from freshly isolated Campylobacter strains instead of reculturing frozen-stored strains, when actual typing cannot be performed directly after primary isolation. Untypability of isolates may partly be explained by the detection of Campylobacter serovars not yet represented in the serotyping system. Experiments on repeated serotyping of several Campylobacter strains did not suggest any serovar instability within the strains.


To investigate the expression of Beclin1 in the colonic mucosa tissue of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), which acts as a regulator of autophagy and might play a part in the disease progression potentially. A total of 112 patients were selected from September 2013 to November 2014, and their colonic mucosal tissues were collected as the subject of study. Among them, 75 cases were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), 37 cases were diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IRS) during the same time, which was set as the control group. The mucosal tissues were processed with ELISA and IHCA to measure the expression level of Beclin1, and correlation analysis was performed to demonstrate its role in the disease progression. The expression level pf Beclin1 was significantly higher in the UC patients compared with the control group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, it's positively correlated with the severity of disease, the endoscopic classification and the pathologic staging results, which has statistical significance (P<0.05). Beclin1 was expressed at a higher level in UC patients, and correlated with the severity of the disease, indicating the abnormal regulation of autophagy in the disease progression.


Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. For patients living with pain in New York City during the first wave of COVID-19, the relationship between sociodemographic factors and telehealth utilization evolved with time. Introduction: The shift from in-person visits to telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges for patients with pain. Disparities in health care access already existed, and the impact of telehealth on these inequities has not been studied. Objectives: To identify sociodemographic characteristics of patients with pain obtaining care through video, telephone, and in-person visits as social distancing restrictions evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using our institutional clinical data warehouse, we identified 3314 patients with pain receiving care at a large academic institution in New York City during a baseline period (September 23, 2019–March 22, 2020) and counted telephone, video, and in-person visits during the following conditions: a shutdown period (March 23, 2020–May 23, 2020), when nonessential in-person visits were strictly limited, and a reopening period (May 23, 2020–September 23, 2020), when restrictions were relaxed and in-person visits were available. Patients were categorized into 4 groups based on the technology used to complete a visit: (1) video, (2) telephone, (3) in-person, and (4) no visit. Results: Patients who were older, publicly insured, and identified as Black or Hispanic were overrepresented in the telephone visit group during shutdown and the in-person group during reopening. A video visit during shutdown increased the likelihood of continued video visit use during reopening despite the return of in-person visits. Conclusions: Results show differences in how patients with pain accessed clinical care in a socially distanced world and that flexibility in method of health care delivery may reduce barriers to access. Future research will identify factors (eg, Internet access, digital literacy, provider–patient relationships) driving heterogeneity in telehealth use in patients with pain.


Microbial contamination of soft cheese may originate from various sources such as contaminated equipment or from the workers themselves during cheese production. The study was aimed to characterize Bacillus cereus using culture-based and PCR techniques among 285 samples along Damietta and Kareish cheese producing line in a small cheese plant in Alexandria governorate including raw milk, cheese, whey, rennet, water, and swabs from all contacts surfaces. Overall of 10.90 % and 10 % among raw milk, cheese, whey, rennet, water, and swabs from all contacts surfaces were positive for Bacillus species in Damietta and Kareish cheese producing line. The incidence of Bacillus cereus in receiving raw milk, curd, whey, fresh cheese samples were 6.66, 13.33 and 13.33%, respectively for traditional Damietta cheese plant. Bacillus cereus is found in only 6.66 % in receiving raw milk, pasteurized milk and fresh cheese samples for traditional Kareish cheese plant. Hbl, Nhe and Cytk genes were detected in Bacillus cereus isolated from curd and Damietta cheese. Nhe gene was detected in Bacillus cereus isolated from raw milk, pasteurized milk and Kareish cheese While, Ces gene was detected only in Bacillus cereus isolated from fresh Kareish cheese samples. The prevalence of Eneterotoxigenic virulent B. cereus poses public health threats to consumers. HACCP should be implemented for all steps of manufacture in order to produce a safe and good quality dairy product.


Pachychoroid spectrum diseases (the prefix 'pachy-' means 'thick') were proposed as the term indicating an abnormal increase in choroidal thickness, dilatation of choroid vessels and other structural changes in choroid architecture. Pachychoroid spectrum diseases include central serous chorioretinopathy, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy, focal choroidal excavation, pachychoroid neovasculopathy, peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome. Studying the new group of diseases associated with pachychoroid phenotype is a topical task in modern ophthalmology. The emergence of new diagnostic methods such as OCT with angiography mode allows detailed study of this disease group, helps determine the prognosis and choose the tactic for management of these patients.


It is a great relief to see this monumental work finally printed. Professor Ambraseys has towered over research into historical earthquakes for 50 years. He didn't invent the subject, but he certainly demonstrated how it should be done to standards that make it effective, with a level of scholarship that very few people can match. That it is important is beyond doubt: earthquakes repeat on particular faults only every few hundred or thousand years, even in places that are moving quickly, like California. The modern, high-quality, instrumental record of earthquakes provided by seismology is only about one hundred years long, and is clearly inadequate to see longer-term patterns.

Ambraseys has been pointing this out for years: thus, for instance, the Dead Sea fault system, from Aqaba to Antioch, has been very quiet in the 20th century, but was the site of several enormous earthquakes over the previous thousand years, some of which are well-documented by historical sources in crusader times. The last 100 years are simply not representative of the longer period, …


The global COVID-19 pandemic has raised the risk of malnutrition in children under five years, including stunting. Stunting is common in low-income regions, when families cannot afford nutritious meals. Stunting may become more common as a result of changes in family socioeconomic circumstances, personal cleanliness, and environmental sanitation during the pandemic. This study determined the effect of socioeconomic factors and hygiene sanitation during COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of stunting in coastal areas. This was analytical survey research with cross sectional approach. The total sample was 3886 families who had toddlers aged 0-59 months in the coastal areas in Surabaya City, Indonesia. The study found that low family income, hand-washing habits, clean water sources, sewer access, waste management, and healthy latrine have significant impact to malnutrition, especially stunting.


Spectrum analysis of crop that affected by subsurface waterlogging is the foundation of surface waterlogging monitoring by remote sensing in large scale. It is also the prerequisite of achieving non-destructive, quick identification of wheat subsurface waterlogging damage with spectral features. But there is no papers report about spectrum analysis of crop affected by subsurface waterlogging so far. The paper analysis the spectral features difference of 8 species (zenmai9023, xinong223, luo6010, fumai168, emai23, emai19, guangyuang11-2, nongda195) between affected subsurface waterlogging and normal in leaf and canopy model using field experiment. The results shows that the leaf spectrum reflectivity value of wheat affected by subsurface waterlogging is high in 645~680 and 1 428~1 456 while it is lower in 757~917 and 1 641~1 684 nm. The main reason is that the subsurface waterlogging causes the leaf chlorophyll photosynthetic capacity decreased and leaf water loss. It is suggested to use NDWI (normal differential water index) value to indicate the damage degree of wheat subsurface waterlogging disaster. The changes of the NDWI index value is analyzed with time when difference wheat species demerged by subsurface waterlogging. It is found that the main factors caused the changes of the NDWI index value with time is related with resistance of variety. The canopy spectrum reflectivity value of wheat affected by subsurface waterlogging is low in all spectrum area. It is suggested to use average value in 670~240 nm to indicate the degree of wheat subsurface waterlogging disaster.


Roughly, occupational health has been understood as the balance of demands and organizational resources with respect to the prevention of diseases and accidents, as well as adherence to treatment and rehabilitation of convalescent workers, but in a political sense, occupational health Is a reflection of the establishment of a health agenda, the positioning and questioning of health policies, as well as the promises of political campaigns in the field. The objective of this paper was to elucidate the meanings around the categories of agenda, positioning and processualism to interpret the discourses of excluded groups. A non-experimental, exploratory, cross-sectional and qualitative study was carried out with a non-probabilistic sampling of seven informants, considering economic, labor, civil and social status. The results show that the categories in question legitimize the differences between the occupational health of the youth with respect to old age, as well as the role of the State as administrator of retirement funds or economic supports. Empirical and testable lines of research are noted.


The date of the Late Bronze Age Minoan eruption of the Thera volcano has provoked much debate among archaeologists, not least in a recent issue of Antiquity ('Bronze Age catastrophe and modern controversy: dating the Santorini eruption', March 2014). Here, the authors respond to those recent contributions, citing evidence that closes the gap between the conclusions offered by previous typological, stratigraphic and radiometric dating techniques. They reject the need to choose between alternative approaches to the problem and make a case for the synchronisation of eastern Mediterranean and Egyptian chronologies with agreement on a 'high' date in the late seventeenth century BC for the Thera eruption.


The key to effective management of water resources is understanding that the water cycle and land management are intimately linked. Every land-use decision is a water-use decision. Improving water management in agriculture and the livelihoods of the rural poor requires mitigating or preventing land degradation. Erosion, pollution, nutrient depletion, reduced plant cover, loss of soil organic matter, and other forms of degradation resulting from faulty agricultural land-use decisions threaten ecosystems, change regional and global hydrological cycles, and have enormous negative implications for water productivity, quantity, quality, and storage [well established]. Up to half the world's agricultural land and half its river systems are now degraded to some degree [established but incomplete]. The chief cause of land degradation is the unsuitable use of agricultural land. Because 80% of the world's poor rely directly on agriculture, degradation is particularly deleterious to small-scale farmers in developing countries. For farming communities key issues are declining returns to labor; the impacts of land degradation on human health, including rising malnutrition rates; and the increasing pollution of drinking water. Land degradation is driven by the complex sociopolitical and economic context in which land use occurs. Policy and livelihood decisions that fail to account for the long-term relationships between processes and consequences drive degradation. Sociopolitical and economic systems often result in insecure land tenure, political environments can discourage innovation and adaptation, and inequitable gender relationships often distance resource users from management decisions. In some cases development projects insist on land


Context. The LMC is an ideal environment for studying stellar MFs, because it contains a large population of compact clusters at different evolutionary stages. We aim to obtain constraints on the initial MFs (IMFs) of our sample clusters on the basis of their present-day MFs, combined with our understanding of their dynamical and photometric evolution. Aims. We use Hubble Space Telescope photometry for six rich, compact star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), with ages ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 Gyr, to derive the clusters' stellar mass functions (MFs) at their half-mass radii. Methods. We derived the clusters' present-day MFs below 1.0 $M_{\odot}$ using deep observations with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and updated stellar population synthesis models. Results. Since the relaxation timescales of low-mass stars are very long, dynamical evolution will not have affected the MFs below 1.0 $M_{\odot}$ significantly, so that – within the uncertainties – the derived MFs are consistent with the solar-neighbourhood IMF, at least for the younger clusters. The IMF in the low-density, low-metallicity environment of the LMC disk is not significantly different from the IMF in the solar neighbourhood.


By focusing on public education in general and textbooks in particular, this dissertation aims to provide insight into the formation and successive reconfigurations of national identity in Turkey. The research draws upon the primary school textbooks used in Turkey from 1928 to 2000. It analyzes the frameworks within which attempts have been made to (re)formulate the identities of the people, and seeks answers to the question of how the nation is 'imagined.' It is argued that public education is both one of the means and the loci used for imagining the national self, and that these imaginings, reflected in the textbooks, employ the discourses of nationalism, modernization and militarism interdependently, setting the boundaries of the national self in specific ways. As the transmitters of officially organized knowledge, textbooks are among the sources that can be studied in analyzing the political and social order, as well as the formation of the body-politic and selves. Thus, by concentrating on gender as the main axis of the research, this dissertation carries out discourse analysis of the textbooks used in primary education, which, by virtue of being compulsory, reflect mass education in Turkey. The research covers a lengthened period of time so as to uncover the shifting boundaries of national identity, the formulation of which was attempted through education. As textbooks are analyzed with respect to the discourses of nationalism, modernization and militarization, the ways these discourses design and delimit the imaginings of the national self are uncovered along with the dependencies between them.


Abstract Corrections for anisotropic scattering in a cloudy medium are added to a synthetic spectrum analysis by Belton, Hunten and Goody of CO2 bands and a water vapor line in the spectrum of Venus. It is found that to a good approximation the introduction of anisotropic scattering merely renormalizes the theoretical curves so that the corrections can be applied without recalculating the synthetic spectra. Since the line shapes and relative intensities are unaltered, derived pressures and temperatures remain the same. The corrected results indicate that the scattering mean free path in the Cytherian clouds resembles that for terrestrial cirrus clouds and that there is at least 20 times too little water vapor present to be in equilibrium with a water or ice cloud.


Introduction Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is becoming increasingly used to reduce the morbidity of open liver resection The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after LLR with that of open liver resection. Methods From April 2007 onwards all patients who underwent either left lateral sectionectomy, left hemi-hepatectomy, segmentectomy and non-segmental resection for CRLM were identified from a prospectively maintained HPB database (open and LLR). Those having right hepatectomy were excluded from analysis as there were too few laparoscopic procedures for meaningful analysis. Comparisons between groups were made in terms of complications (graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification), duration of hospital stay and overall survival (OS). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher Exact test for categorical variables, Mann–Whitney U test for non-parametric continuous variables and overall survival (OS) plotted with Kaplan–Meier curves (SPSS V.19). Results 78 patients had LLR for various indications (colorectal n=43, non-colorectal n=17, benign n=18). During the same period 94 patients had open equivalent procedures for CRLM (including 4 conversions from a lap procedure). Female patients were more likely to have a LLR compared to open (47% females, 24% males p=0.01). Grade 3 and 4 complications were more seen in the open group (8.5% vs 4.7%), however grade 1 and 2 complications were slightly higher in the laparoscopic group (18.6% vs 17.1%) Median stay was 4 days in LLR group (range 1–23), 7 days (range 3–95) in open group, p<0.001. R1 resections were less during second era of the study in LLR and comparable to the open group. At 3 years 91% of LLR and 72% of open group were alive. OS was similar (p=0.4). Conclusion Laparoscopic liver resection has shown benefits in terms of lower morbidity in our series when comparing it to equivalent open procedures. Long term follow-up will be needed to see if there is real advantage in OS and outcome. Competing interests None declared.


Most smartphones support the use of real-time camera filters to impart visual effects to captured images. Currently, such filters come preinstalled on-device or need to be downloaded and installed before use (e.g., Instagram filters). Recent work [24] proposed a method to extract a camera filter directly from an example photo that has already had a filter applied. The work in [24] focused only on the color and tonal aspects of the underlying filter. In this paper, we introduce a method to extract two spatially varying effects commonly used by on-device camera filters—namely, image vignetting and image grain. Specifically, we show how to extract the parameters for vignetting and image grain present in an example image and replicate these effects as an on-device filter. We use lightweight CNNs to estimate the filter parameters and employ efficient techniques—isotropic Gaussian filters and simplex noise—for regenerating the filters. Our design achieves a reasonable trade-off between efficiency and realism. We show that our method can extract vignetting and image grain filters from stylized photos and replicate the filters on captured images more faithfully, as compared to color and style transfer methods. Our method is significantly efficient and has been already deployed to millions of flagship smartphones.


The lack of clean images undermines the practicability of supervised image prior learning methods, of which the training schemes require a large number of clean images. To free image prior learning from the image collection burden, a novel Self-Supervised learning method for Gaussian Mixture Model (SS-GMM) is proposed in this paper. It can simultaneously achieve the noise level estimation and the image prior learning directly from only a single noisy image. This work is derived from our study on eigenvalues of the GMM's covariance matrix. Through statistical experiments and theoretical analysis, we conclude that (1) covariance eigenvalues for clean images hold the sparsity; and that (2) those for noisy images contain sufficient information for noise estimation. The first conclusion inspires us to impose a sparsity constraint on covariance eigenvalues during the learning process to suppress the influence of noise. The second conclusion leads to a self-contained noise estimation module of high accuracy in our proposed method. This module serves to estimate the noise level and automatically determine the specific level of the sparsity constraint. Our final derived method requires only minor modifications to the standard expectation-maximization algorithm. This makes it easy to implement. Very interestingly, the GMM learned via our proposed self-supervised learning method can even achieve better image denoising performance than its supervised counterpart, i.e., the EPLL. Also, it is on par with the state-of-the-art self-supervised deep learning method, i.e., the Self2Self. Code is available at https://github.com/HUST-Tan/SS-GMM.


The research goal of study is to accentuate on high quality standard of training and provision of adequate resources and its effects on the overall development of tertiary education sector in Botswana. Special attention is paid to Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA) and it's emphasizes on the issue of compliance in the standards set by its regulatory authorities. This paper discusses opportunities for enhancing the efficiency of education by providing quality training and using resources more strategically to increase its impact on national and global education outcomes. Since Education Training Providers have advocacy for more students which has been targeted towards Directorate of Tertiary Education Council (DTEF), hence, attention to deliver effectiveness must be largely emphasized. In programme development and procedures, delivery styles used on the programme must be appropriate to the needs of the learners. Adequate resources are necessary for successful achievement by learners of the programme objectives and maintain on the programme, and there should be plentiful evidence to indicate that the programme aspect meets expectations. Various resources for successful participation by learners are allocated to maintain programmes. It has been deliberated that assessment must be available to all learners who have the potential to achieve the standards required for a particular qualification. Care must be taken that any proposed assessment methods are of quality for learners and demonstrate that they have achieved the international standard. Measures must be taken to ensure that all learners have adequate access to facilities and resources. The resources available to programmes must be in accordance with programme objectives and budget allocation. Finally, to ensure the introduction of relevant programmes in a socio-economic context; analysis of enquiries and administration of needs analyses must be conducted.


The text is rooted in the decomposition of the expression "everyday life" into factors through the different analyses carried out. The result is that behind the term "everyday life" there is a dialectic tension between "the everyday" and "the event". The Covid-19 epidemic can be classified as an event and has meant the irruption of "The Real" into the symbolic coordinates of our Western and European society. This eruption has caused a trauma that forces us to wait for the consequence of the reinvention of the past and the reinterpretation of everyday life.


A graphical user interface provides the user with a familiar environment in which to work. This environment contains pushbuttons, toggle buttons, lists, menus, text boxes, and so forth, all of which are already familiar to the user, so that he or she can concentrate on using the application rather than on the mechanics involved in doing things. However, GUIs are harder for the programmer because a GUI-based program must be prepared for mouse clicks (or possibly keyboard input) for any GUI element at any time. Such inputs are known as events, and a program that responds to events is said to be event driven. A graphical User interface (GUI) is a system of graphical elements that allow a user to interact with software using mouse application. GUI can also display data in tabular form or as plots and can group related components. MATLAB is widely used technical computing software. MATLAB provides graphical design tools such as Simulink and Dials and Gauges Blockset. This paper deals with the implementation of various MATLAB functions present in signal processing like Trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, Unit Step, Unit Impulse, Unit Ramp functions. It is based on software.


In vibration assisted drilling (VAD), a controlled harmonic motion is superimposed over the principal drilling feed motion in order to create an intermittent cutting state, which reduces cutting forces and temperatures, facilitates chip removal, and increases the possibility for dry machining. However, accurate force measurements during VAD operations has been a challenge especially in systems, where the force transducer is part of the vibrating mass mounted on the shaker head, due to the dynamic force errors. Conventional signal filtering and compensation techniques were found to be not applicable for attenuating undesirable VAD dynamic force components, which exist in the measured force signals at the same frequency of superimposed modulation. This research work presents a corrective dynamic model that rectifies the erroneous VAD tangential and axial force signals measured by a commercial piezoelectric dynamometer mounted on electro-magnetic shakers for the low frequency/high amplitude (LF/HA) regime. An experimental modal analysis in tangential and axial directions was conducted in order to define the transfer function of a multiple degrees of freedom VAD system mounted on a vibrating base (shaker). The rectified force is then obtained by plugging the relative motion between the dynamometer base and face measured during cutting into the system transfer function. The predicted rectified force components showed very high conformance with known impact and sinusoidal excitation forces used for validation. Moreover, the developed corrective model was capable of predicting some features in the VAD force signals that were not fully captured in the measured force signals during cutting.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


Abstract : In recent years the United States has engaged in prolonged counterinsurgency campaigns. Counterinsurgency (COIN) is the blend of comprehensive civilian and military efforts designed to simultaneously contain insurgency and address its root causes. This Guide distills the best of contemporary thought, historical knowledge, and hard-won practice. This guide employs a COIN model that comprises four main functional components: The political function is the key function, providing a framework of political reconciliation, and reform of governance around which all other COIN activities are organized. In general, a COIN strategy is only as good as the political plan. The economic function seeks to provide essential services and stimulate long term economic growth, thereby generating confidence in the government while at the same time reducing the pool from which insurgents can readily recruit. The security function is an enabler for the other functions and involves development not just of the affected nation's military force, but its whole security sector. Establishing security is not a precursor to economic and governance activity: rather security, economic and governance activity must be developed in parallel. The information function comprises intelligence (required to gain understanding), and influence (to promote the affected government's cause). It is essential that the influence campaign is in tune with the strategic narrative, resonates with the relevant audiences, is based on genuine resolve by the affected government and that physical actions match. What makes COIN different is that both elements of the information function will be conducted in stark competition with the insurgents own information functions. These four functions contribute to the overall objective of enabling the affected government to establish control, consolidating and then transitioning it from intervening forces to national forces and from military to civil institutions.


The present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal influence of physical education classes, extracurricular sports activities, and leisure satisfaction on aggressive behavior among South Korean adolescents. Data were drawn from the Korea Youth Panel Survey. We used latent growth curve modeling to explain the growth trajectory of adolescent aggressive behaviors and a multi-group analysis to investigate gender differences in aggressive behavior. The results indicated that adolescents' aggressive behavior significantly changed with age. There were significant gender-based differences in the level of and changes in aggressive behavior over time. Both extracurricular sports activities and leisure satisfaction had significant influences on the changes in adolescents' aggressive behavior with age, whereas physical education classes did not.


Creating an object detector, in computer vision, has some common challenges when initially developed based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture. These challenges are more apparent when creating model that needs to adapt to images captured by various camera orientations, lighting conditions, and environmental changes. The availability of the initial training samples to cover all these conditions can be an enormous challenge with a time and cost burden. While the problem can exist when creating any type of object detection, some types are less common and have no pre-labeled image datasets that exists publicly. Sometime public datasets are not reliable nor comprehensive for a rare object type. Vehicle wheel is one of those example that been chosen to demonstrate the approach of creating a lighting and rotation invariant real-time detector based on YOLOv5 architecture. The objective is to provide a simple approach that could be used as a reference for developing other types of real-time object detectors.


Purpose. Labor unions are a largely unevaluated channel for health promotion interventions for working class populations, who are at increased risk for smoking and poor diet. We conducted qualitative and quantitative research to understand the meaning and function of union membership in workers' lives and applied this information to health promotion intervention design. Methods. Cross-sectional data included a survey conducted with a nationally representative sample of unionized construction workers (n = 1109; 44% response rate), and 16 focus groups (n = 88) conducted in multiple regions around the country. Results. The vast majority of survey respondents held strongly positive views of their union. Focus group findings revealed the meaning of the union in members' daily lives, how members view information from the union, and their perceptions of the union's limitations. Conclusions. The findings provide a compelling rationale for considering unions as a channel for health promotion interventions.