Lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE), a heavy liquid metal, is an ideal candidate coolant material for Generation-IV fast reactors and accelerator-driven systems (ADSs), but LBE is also known to pose a considerable corrosive threat to its container. However, the susceptibility of the candidate container material, 316L stainless steel (SS), to flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) under turbulent LBE flow, is not well understood. In this study, an LBE loop, referred to as JLBL-1, was used to experimentally study the behavior of 316L SS when subjected to FAC for 3000 h under non-isothermal conditions. An orificed tube specimen, consisting of a straight tube that abruptly narrows and widens at each end, was installed in the loop. The specimen temperature was 450 ◦C, and a temperature difference between the hottest and coldest legs of the loop was 100 ◦C. The oxygen concentration in the LBE was lower than 10−8 wt %. The Reynolds number in the test specimen was approximately 5 × 104. The effects of various hydrodynamic parameters on FAC behavior were studied with the assistance of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses, and then a mass transfer study was performed by integrating a corrosion model into the CFD analyses. The results show that the local turbulence level affects the mass concentration distribution in the near-wall region, and therefore, the mass transfer coefficient across the solid/liquid interface. The corrosion depth was predicted on the basis of the mass transfer coefficient obtained in the numerical simulation and was compared with that obtained in the loop. For the abrupt narrow part, the predicted corrosion depth was comparable with the measured corrosion depth, as was the abrupt wide part after involving the wall roughness effects in the prediction; for the straight tube part, the predicted corrosion depth is about 1.3–3.5 times the average experimental corrosion depth, and the possible reason for this discrepancy was provided.


: Lon gene of E. coli has been cloned into the plasmid pBR327. Full nucleotide sequence of the gene has been established. It was shown that the cloned gene does not possess the terminal codon and is somewhat shortened. Nevertheless it retains full phenotypic activity and expresses the C-end modified La proteinase which retains ATP-dependent proteolytic activity.


ABSTRACT Colicins are proteins produced by and active against several strains of Escherichia coli. Previously we reported that colicinogenic bacteria seemed beneficial in preventing the clinical manifestations of infectious disease caused by enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157 in humans. The inhibitory effects could be due to a decrease in O157 levels and/or pathogenicity. This study investigated the effects of colicinogenic E. coli on the production of Shiga toxin (Stx) by O157. Standard strains of colicinogenic bacteria carrying plasmids for each type of colicin (E3/5/8/9) were used for the study. The O157 strains were cultured in the presence of colicinogenic bacteria or extracted colicins. Compared with results for controls, DNase colicins (E8/9) facilitated an 8- to 64-fold increase in production of Stx2, while RNase colicins (E3/5) suppressed Stx production in only two strains. Stx prophages were induced in synchrony with Stx production. Semiquantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was then performed to examine SOS gene expression. The RT-PCR results clearly indicated a marked increase in mRNA levels of SOS reaction-associated genes after the addition of DNase colicins. We believe that Stx prophages are induced by the SOS response to DNA damage caused by DNase colicins, thus leading to higher Stx production. These findings suggest that while colicinogenic bacteria can be antagonistic to O157 infection, DNase colicins may enhance Stx production. Thus, colicinogenic flora is likely to be involved in the complex pathogenic pathways of O157 infection, and further investigation should be performed before the use of colicinogenic bacteria as an intervention method.


ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the effect of steeping conditions of waxy rice, temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C) and time periods (1, 11, and 21 days) on the expansion ratio of gangjung (a traditional Korean oil-puffed rice snack). Physicochemical properties of waxy rice flour steeped under various conditions and expansion properties of gangjung made of the steeped waxy rice flour were investigated, and multiple regression analyses were applied between those properties to identify major physicochemical factors that optimally predict the expansion ratio of gangjung. As steeping temperature and time periods of waxy rice changed from the lowest to the highest, the expansion ratio of gangjung markedly increased (from 1,022 to 2,533%). Yet, the expansion ratio of the waxy rice sample steeped for 11–21 days at 35°C was not significantly different from the sample steeped for 21 days at 25°C, indicating that the lengthy steeping process for gangjung making can be shortened by increasing the steepi...


Spin coating technique was used to synthesize pure ZnO and Cu doped ZnO films on amorphous and conducting glass substrates. The doped amount of Cu in ZnO was varied up to 5% in atomic percentage. Speed of spin coating system, coating time, initial chemical solution and annealing conditions were varied to optimize the properties of samples. Transmittance of samples was measured for ZnO doped with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% of Cu. Absorbance, reflectance and refractive index were derived from the measured transmittance. Film thickness of each film was calculated using the graphs of refractive index versus wavelength. Film thickness varies in a random manner depending on the amount of ZnO or Cu doped ZnO solutions spread on the substrate. The energy gap of each film was calculated using the graph of square of absorption coefficient time photon energy versus photon energy. The calculated energy gap values of Cu doped ZnO film samples decrease with the Cu concentration in ZnO. This means that the conductivity of ZnO can be increased by adding a trace amount of conducting material such as Cu.


The authors report an exceptional case of giant cell tumour of the third thoracic vertebra revealed by its mediastinal development. Despite intimate involvement of the large mediastinal vessels, a double surgical approach, starting with sternotomy to ensure vascular control then anterolateral thoracotomy, allowed curative resection of this tumor. Treatment was completed by a second neurosurgical operation followed by 5,000 rads of radiotherapy. Based on a review of the literature, the authors discuss the pathogenesis and consider the various therapeutic problems raised by giant cell tumours of the vertebrae (situated above the sacrum).


A new inpatient treatment program for alcoholism based on cognitive-behavioral therapy was introduced at Kurihama National Hospital in March 2000. We have classified the dysfunctional cognitions frequently exhibited by alcoholics into eight categories. The therapy is premised on the notion that the presence of one or more of the dysfunctional cognitions can trigger worsening of an alcoholic's drinking problem. We have devised a cognitive model in which the patients themselves examine their dysfunctional cognitions and recover from the vicious cycle of alcoholism. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is conducted at Kurihama National Hospital based on these hypotheses. The cognitive-behavioral therapy employed at Kurihama National Hospital is administered in group therapy in an inpatient treatment setting. Since the treatment is provided on an inpatient basis, dropouts from the program as a result of the patient starting to drink again can be prevented. Furthermore, since group therapy are used, cognitions of alcohol are examined not just in the context of the relationship between patient and therapist, but also in the context of the relationships among patients. It thus becomes easier to examine dysfunctional cognitions from a multifaceted perspective. It will be easier for patients to examine their future drinking behavior concretely through the introduction of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and improvements in outcome should be achieved. However, the relationship between change in cognitions and prognosis needs to be studied in the future.


Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inherited metabolic disease predominantly characterized by neurological dysfunction. Although a variable degree of psychomotor/delay/mental retardation is found in a considerable number of MSUD patients, the mechanisms underlying the neuropathology of this disorder are yet not defined. The present study investigated the effect of acute intrahippocampal administration of the branched-chain alpha-hydroxy acids (BCHA) accumulating in MSUD on rat behavior in non-aversive (open field) and aversive (inhibitory avoidance) tasks. Cannulated 60-day-old male Wistar rats received bilateral intrahippocampal injection of alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HIC, 1.5 micromol), alpha-hydroxyisovaleric acid (HIV, 2.5 micromol), alpha-hydroxy-beta-methyl-n-valeric acid (HMV, 1.5 micromol), or NaCl (2.5 micromol)(controls) immediately after or 10 min before training. Testing session was performed 24 h later. Administration of the hydroxy acids immediately after training caused no effect on the cognitive performance of the rats. In contrast, HIV and HMV administered 10 min before training provoked a habituation deficit in the open field task. Motor activity, assessed by crossing responses, was the same for the groups infused with BCHA and NaCl. The effect of MK-801, succinate, creatine, and the antioxidants ascorbic acid plus alpha-tocopherol on the behavioral alterations provoked by HIV in the open field task revealed that only the energetic substrates (succinate and creatine) prevented these effects, reflecting a possible compromise of brain energy production by HIV. We also observed that rats pretreated with HIC, HIV, or HMV did not increase their latency in the testing session in the step-down inhibitory avoidance task, revealing an impairment of retrieval (memory retention or acquisition) in this task. Furthermore, no differences between controls and rats receiving BCHA were detected in the latency to leave the platform in the training test, suggesting similar motor activity of all groups. The data indicate that the alpha-hydroxy acids accumulating in MSUD impair cognition and may be implicated in the neuropathology and psychomotor delay/mental retardation observed in the affected patients.


Acute intermittent porphyria(AIP) is an autosomal dominant condition resulting from the half normal level of hydroxymethylbilane (HMB) synthase activity required for conversion of porphobilinogen (PBG) to HMB in heme biosynthetic pathway. We report a case of 14 year old boy presented with generalised tonic clonic convulsions, refractory to phenytoin and weakness in both upper and lower limbs with recurrent dull aching abdominal pain. Patient's urine found to be dark coloured on exposure to sunlight and increased urinary PBG levels and nerve conduction study(NCV) showing mononeuritis multiplex. Non-contrast CT brain was within normal limits. Patient responded to tablet clonazepam and intravenous and oral glucose supplements.


Purpose: To evaluate advantages of the percutaneous transpeduncular system Sextant in traumatic vertebral fractures in comparison with traditional transpeduncular systems of the stabilization in traumatic vertebral fractures.Material and methods: The results of the treatment of 70 patients with traumatic vertebral fractures (Frankel E) aged 18 – 67 years (mean age 47,4 + 1,7 years) were analyzed. All patients were divided into two comparable groups based on the clinical-demographic and roentgenological indices. In the first group (n = 35), the traditional transpeduncular systems of stabilization was used. In the second group (n = 35), the percutaneous transpeduncular system Sextant was placed.Results: Owing to the percutaneous transpeduncular system Sextant, it was possible to significantly reduce the volume of intraoperating blood loss (on average by 600 ml), to shorten the time of operation (on average by 20 – 30 min), and also to reduce the patients stay in hospital. During first 24 h after operation, the pain syndrome was less pronounced and temporary incapacitation terms were significantly lower in the 2nd group of patients.Conclusion: The percutaneous transpeduncular system Sextant in traumatic vertebral fractures has a number of essential advantages over traditional systems of spine column stabilization.


The author evaluated a group of patients treated on account of carcinoma of the larynx in 1958-1977 and followed up till 1988. A second primary tumour except to that of the larynx and skin was detected in 1978 in 5.5% of the patients, in 1983 in 10.0%, and in 1988 in 12.6%. Before the complete extinction of the group due to deaths of its members it may be assumed that multiple tumours will reach 17%. 44% of the multiple tumours were carcinomas of the lungs and 43% carcinomas of the digestive tract. Follow-up of patients after treatment of carcinoma of the larynx must concentrate attention among others also on organs with a high probability of tumour multiplicity.


Background: Vitamin D deficiency is high in athletes and has an impact on athletes' performance. Introduction: Assessment of serum Vitamin D levels in healthy North Indian sportspersons and its correlation with serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and bone mineral density (BMD). Materials and Methods: Three-hundred and sixty-nine healthy athletes' aged 18–45 years were enrolled. Depending upon Vitamin D levels athletes were categorized into three groups: deficient (<20 ng/ml), insufficient (20–30 ng/ml), and sufficient (>30 ng/ml). BMD and serum PTH levels were assessed in all athletes and correlation was seen with Vitamin D levels. Results: Two-hundred and fifty-eight (69.9%) athletes were Vitamin D deficient, 51/369 (13.8%) were Vitamin D insufficient, and 60/369 (16.3%) athletes were Vitamin D sufficient. There was a direct correlation between low serum Vitamin D levels and low BMD (r = 0.473; P < 0.05). Overall, 114/369 (30%) athletes had low BMD and out of these 114 athletes, 108 (95%) were Vitamin D deficient. Serum PTH levels were found to have inverse relations with both Vitamin D (r= −0.629) and BMD (r=-0.267). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among the North Indian athletes and the presence of low Vitamin D (<20 ng/ml) levels is associated with low BMD and high PTH levels.


The authors sought to evaluate the treatment outcome of children with medulloblastoma at a single institution. Forty-two children were analyzed. Eighty-six percent of the children who received chemotherapy were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. No factors were found to affect outcome significantly. Compared with children treated before 1994 at the same institution, the median survival time was significantly longer (40 vs. 25 months, p =. 0003). The authors conclude that some improvement of treatment outcome for children with medulloblastoma seemed to be achieved.


This paper studies the implications of a segmented labor market with efficient wage– employment bargaining on the internal labor market and a competitive external labor market on the temporary equilibrium of a closed monetary macroeconomy of the AS– AD type with government activity, fiat money, and expectations. Workers have identical preferences, those on the internal labor market are represented by a labor union. There is no mobility between the labor markets. Union power measured by the share of the production surplus allotted to the union and union density measured by the fraction of workers who are union members impact the functional income distribution, but neither affect the individual employment levels nor the aggregate employment level and the aggregate supply function. The wage on the internal labor market is above the wage on the external labor market if and only if the profit share of total revenue is smaller than under a fully competitive labor market. Unique temporary equilibria exist for all combinations of union power and union density. The paper provides a complete comparative-statics analysis showing in particular a negative price effect of union power and a positive price effect of union density. In general, the effects of union power and union density on any equilibrium value are usually of opposite signs. Single-labor-market models with a fully competitive or a fully unionized labor market are special or limiting cases of the segmented-labor-market model.


Rib fracture fixation by orthopaedic and cardiothoracic surgeons has become increasingly popular for the treatment of chest injuries in trauma. The literature, though mainly limited to Level II and III evidence, shows favourable results for operative fixation. In this paper we review the literature and discuss the indications for rib fracture fixation, surgical approaches, choice of implants and the future direction for management. With the advent of NICE guidance and new British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma (BOAST) guidelines in production, the management of rib fractures is going to become more and more commonplace.


The scan statistic based on likelihood ratios (LRs) have been widely discussed for detecting spatial clusters. When developing the scan statistic, it uses the maximum likelihood estimates of the incidence rates inside and outside candidate clusters to substitute the true values in the LR statistic. However, the parameter estimation has a significant impact on the sensitivity of the scan statistic, which favors the detection of clusters in areas with large population sizes. By presenting the effects of parameter estimation on Kulldorff's scan statistic, we suggest a standardized scan statistic for spatial cluster detection. Compared to the traditional scan statistic, the standardized scan statistic can account for the varying mean and variance of the LR statistic due to inhomogeneous background population sizes. Extensive simulations have been performed to compare the power of the two cluster detection methods with known or/and estimated parameters. The simulation results show that the standardization can help alleviate the effects of parameter estimation and improve the detection of localized clusters. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012


A growing body of evidence on the impacts of irrigation management transfer (IMT) shows that IMT risks aggravating rural poverty. For governments that aim to continue irrigation management while ensuring that it contributes to poverty alleviation, a "pro-poor" mode of IMT needs to be designed and implemented. That is, a mode of IMT that benefits poor farmers while benefiting non-poor farmers equally, or perhaps to a lesser degree. The present research explores the scope for pro-poor modes of IMT in canal irrigation, focusing on large-scale canal irrigation schemes in India.


This paper proposes an erasure correcting code and its systematic form for the distributed storage system. The proposed codes are encoded by exclusive OR and bit-level shift operation. By the shift operation, the encoded packets are slightly longer than the source packets. This paper evaluates the extra length of encoded packets, called overhead, and shows that the proposed codes have smaller overheads than the zigzag decodable code, which is an existing code using exclusive OR and bit-level shift operation.


This paper is devoted to study the existence of solutions for a class of fractional differential inclusions with non instantaneous impulses involving the Caputo fractional derivative in a Banach space. The arguments are based upon M\"{o}nch's fixed point theorem and the technique of measures of noncompactness.


Turkey is a country with an immature broadband industry. No competitive networks are operative in the broadband market and high-speed access is underdeveloped. The country faces critical regulatory junctures that will have strategic importance for future network growth. Open access regimes such as those of the European countries generally refrain from dictating a specific access model, an approach that is also applied to next-generation networks. In contrast, IP-level bitstream access (BSA) has been the predominant model governing broadband competition in Turkey. As the country is at the crossroads of implementing a framework for next-generation, high-bit rate broadband networks, it faces the question of whether it should imitate the European path by encouraging local loop unbundling (LLU) and other intermediate access policies or whether it should chart a different course that might lead to faster next-generation access (NGA) deployment. To analyse this question, the article reports a quantitative analysis of two possible transition paths from BSA: reliance on copper LLU as an interim step and a more direct and to-the-end route of fibre deployment (FTTX). For each scenario, the pay-back periods and break-even points are calculated. It is concluded that broadband competition requires remedies that facilitate FTTX deployment to tackle the problem of lack of innovation as well as to ensure competitive and faster NGA transition in Turkey. Last but not least, mandatory duct sharing rather than unbundling seems to be the most promising way to sustain and develop NGA competition in Turkey.


The changing magnetic field will induce eddy currents in the conductor. These currents will dissipate energy in the conductor and generate drag force. It is found that Aluminium is the best material as conductor compared to Copper and Zinc. Also, it is found that the larger thickness of disc, more number of turns of electromagnet and higher electrical conductivity of conductor influences the generation of greater braking torque. Conventional braking system relies on adhesion force between rail and wheel. It is found that a brake built up from permanent magnet pieces that combine both magnetic rail brake and eddy current brake permits the most profitable braking action through the whole range of acceptable speeds. Permanent magnet eddy current brake uses Neodymium - Iron - Boron (NdFeB) magnets. The analysis of permanent magnet eddy current shows that the parallel magnetised eddy current topology has the superior braking torque capability. In electrically controlled eddy current braking system subjected to time varying fields in different wave forms, the triangular wave field application resulted in highest braking torque. Electromagnetic brakes were found to interfere with the signalling and train control system. Permanent magnet eddy current brakes are a simple and reliable alternative to mechanical or electromagnetic brakes in transportation applications. Greater the speed greater is the eddy current braking efficiency. Hence, author intends to work on the development and investigation of permanent magnet eddy current braking system.


The universal validity of the second law of thermodynamics is widely attributed to a finely tuned initial condition of the universe. This creates a problem: why is the universe atypical? We suggest that the problem is an artefact created by inappropriate transfer of the traditional concept of entropy to the whole universe. Use of what we call the relational $N$-body problem as a model indicates the need to employ two distinct entropy-type concepts to describe the universe. One, which we call entaxy, is novel. It is scale-invariant and decreases as the observable universe evolves. The other is the algebraic sum of the dimensionful entropies of branch systems (isolated subsystems of the universe). This conventional additive entropy increases. In our model, the decrease of entaxy is fundamental and makes possible the emergence of branch systems and their increasing entropy. We have previously shown that all solutions of our model divide into two halves at a unique `Janus point' of maximum disorder. This constitutes a common past for two futures each with its own gravitational arrow of time. We now show that these arrows are expressed through the formation of branch systems within which conventional entropy increases. On either side of the Janus point, this increase is in the same direction in every branch system. We also show that it is only possible to specify unbiased solution-determining data at the Janus point. Special properties of these `mid-point data' make it possible to develop a rational theory of the typicality of universes whose governing law, as in our model, dictates the presence of a Janus point in every solution. If our self-gravitating universe is governed by such a law, then the second law of thermodynamics is a necessary direct consequence of it and does not need any special initial condition.


Much of the progress made in image processing in the past decades can be attributed to better modeling of image content and a wise deployment of these models in relevant applications. This path of models spans from the simple l2-norm smoothness through robust, thus edge preserving, measures of smoothness (e.g. total variation), and until the very recent models that employ sparse and redundant representations. In this paper, we review the role of this recent model in image processing, its rationale, and models related to it. As it turns out, the field of image processing is one of the main beneficiaries from the recent progress made in the theory and practice of sparse and redundant representations. We discuss ways to employ these tools for various image-processing tasks and present several applications in which state-of-the-art results are obtained.


ABSTRACT Newcastle disease virus (NDV)‐attenuated vaccine has been widely used to prevent ND in poultry flocks, while many reports also mentioned the exogenous virus contamination in attenuated vaccines, which might be the reason for the widespread of some contagious diseases. Recently, the chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) contamination in the NDV‐attenuated vaccine was also found in China, though no systemic study has studied the pathogenicity or infection mechanism of this special transmission route. Accordingly, simulation experiments were launched using CIAV isolated from a contaminated NDV‐attenuated vaccine. Results showed that using NDV‐attenuated vaccine contaminated with CIAV could cause CIA in chickens with obvious symptoms, including anemia, hemorrhage, lymphoatrophy, and growth retardation, while the synergistic reaction of CIAV and LaSota prompted their multiplication in vivo and disturbed the production of antibodies against each other. And CIAV could significantly reduce the NDV antibody titers and decrease the protective effectiveness. This study showed the synergetic pathogenicity of CIAV and LaSota strain after using contaminated NDV‐attenuated vaccine, helping us to understand how the CIAV causes infection and induces severe diseases with a relatively low dose through the mouth, as well as reminding us that the damage of an attenuated vaccine contaminated with CIAV even in extremely low dose is not insignificant.


Vertical integration is significant in achieving better student comprehension of the connections among topics and concepts covered in various courses taught during the same or different semesters of the curriculum. Students realize that the courses are part of a flow that contributes to a knowledge base without artificial boundaries rather than being separate bodies of knowledge. In this paper, vertical integration is achieved by a series of laboratory exercises in two areas (System-on-Chip and Green Engineering) that start as well-structured experiments at the lower levels and proceed as increasingly complex open-ended design projects at upper levels of the curriculum. Quantitative assessment results clearly show that students understand that concepts carry over from one course to another as a result of the laboratory projects. Clinic assessment results are also very encouraging.


In this paper, we analyze the evolution of global mergers and acquisitions in the banking sector during 1985-2014, given that a large number of banks all over the world have engaged in concentration activities. We focused in this section on the characteristics of the banking sector in Bulgaria and Romania. In parallel, we explain the reasons underlying these concentrations. In the second part of the paper, we present the essential steps in the european merger control enforcement: defining the relevant market, analyzing the market structure and assessing any harm to competition. In the analysis of market structure, we compare the degree of concentration in the banking sector in Bulgaria and Romania. In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of concentrations control for financial sector stability.


BACKGROUND: Pesticides concentration was monitored in 50 agricultural lakes, and ecological risk for aquatic organism was assessed using risk quotient (RQ) and probabilistic methods. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pesticides concentrations detected in 50 agricultural lakes during peak season (June and September) were in the range of 0.17~0.99 ?g/L. The RQ for algae and the other species 1was estimated to be 0.25 and below 0.01, indicating medium risk and no risk. Oxadiazon predominantly contributed to RQ value of 99% for algae, fishes, and amphibians. In terms of hazardous concentration at 5% of species (HC5), ecological risk quotients (ERQ) for oxadiazon ranged from 0.18~0.33, showing a medium risk level. Overall, the concentrations of pesticides were much lower than HC5 value. Probability of combined ecological risk for pesticides ranged from 1.82% to 2.41%. CONCLUSION(s): Combined ecological risk probability did not exceed the acceptable level of 5%, indicating no ecological risk for selected aquatic species. This study suggests that regular ecological risk assessment (ERA) will be required to protect and manage an agricultural lake. Not only ERA at screening level by comparing exposure with toxic effects for aquatic species also advanced ERA technique considering species in indigenous to Korea, chronic toxicity, pulse dose, fate, and environmental factors should be required.


Rough volatility models are very appealing because of their remarkable fit of both historical and implied volatilities. However, due to the non-Markovian and non-semimartingale nature of the volatility process, there is no simple way to simulate efficiently such models, which makes risk management of derivatives an intricate task. In this paper, we design tractable multi-factor stochastic volatility models approximating rough volatility models and enjoying a Markovian structure. Furthermore, we apply our procedure to the specific case of the rough Heston model. This in turn enables us to derive a numerical method for solving fractional Riccati equations appearing in the characteristic function of the log-price in this setting.


A fistula between the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems is generally caused by infection and trauma. We experienced a 51-year old man with a broncho-pleuro-gastro-colonic fistula. He complained of chronic foul odor during respiration. He had suffered a traumatic diaphragmatic rupture 30 years ago. The infection of the diaphragm caused necrosis of the right lower lobe of the lung. It also caused a broncho-pleural fistula. The infection also created adhesion and a perforation of the gastric cardiac portion and the colonic splenic flexus portion of the gastro-intestinal track. We performed left lower lobectomy of the lung, reconstruction of the diaphragm and gastro-intestinal reanastomosis.


The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 provides for the limitation of liability of Internet service providers against actions based on unlawful content placed on their websites. The legislature's approach is to emphasize self-regulation of the Internet by providing in section 72 of the Act that only those service providers which belong to an Industry Representative Body (IRB), recognized by the Minister of Communications, will qualify for the protection accorded by the ECT Act. Such an IRB must then, through its Code of Conduct, regulate service providers belonging to it. This article evaluates the prerequisite of an IRB and investigates the guidelines for recognition of IRBs by the minister. The South African position is then compared with that in the European Union. The need for the existence of IRBs is questioned and the guidelines are criticized. It is argued that both the threshold requirements and IRB recognition requirements are unnecessary in the context of limited liability. It is submitted that these barriers to limited liability are needless and can possibly hamper the industry as a whole.


Strong terahertz (1 THz= 10(12) Hz) radiation can be generated by the electron oscillation in fs-laser-induced wake fields. The interaction of a fs-laser pulse with a low-density plasma layer is studied in detail using numerical simulations. The spatial distribution and temporal evolution of terahertz electron current developed in a low-density plasma layer are presented, which enables us to calculate the intensity distribution of THz radiation. It is shown that laser and plasma parameters, such as laser intensity, pulse width, and background plasma density, are of key importance to the process. The optimum condition for wake-field excitation and terahertz emission is discussed upon the simulation results. Radiation peaked at 6.4 THz, with 900 fs duration and 9% bandwidth, can be generated in a plasma of density 5x 10(17) cm(-3) . It turns out that the maximum radiation intensity scales as n(3)(0) a(4)(0) when wake field is resonantly excited, where n(0) and a(0) are, respectively, the plasma density and the normalized field amplitude of the laser pulse.


Sub-Saharan Africa has made the least progress over the past three decades, and - except for South Africa - it is now one of the world's poorest regions. Even a country relatively untouched by war that had been widely hailed as "reformed" by the early 1990s, Tanzania, has turned in a disappointing growth performance that is hard to explain. Foreign assistance programs that try to bypass the national and local authorities in the recipient countries do not encourage institutional development and strengthen public-service ethos. In much of Sub-Saharan Africa, incentive compatibility of good governance for building the country together still has to be instilled before cumulative progress may be possible.


Sustainable development is perhaps the most significant and yet the most difficult problem that marketing - and human economic activity in general - face at the beginning of the third millennium. The paper starts by charting the state of affairs for marketing and sustainability so far. It then uses the analogy of a living system to explore the requirements for a sustainable marketing system and barriers to sustainability. Proponents of living systems theory argue that a systemic understanding of life can be extended to the social domain and social systems can be considered as living, autopoietic systems, with self-regulatory functions that allow them to adapt to environmental change. A sustainable marketing system would have to be flexible, decentralised, and open to learning from environmental cues. Experiments to deal with these environmental changes would emerge in various forms and at various places and multiple feedback loops would help to identify viable solutions and spread them. However, there seem to be continuing barriers to such changes that would make the marketing system as a whole more sustainable. The biggest of these barriers may be the requirement for growth in a capitalist economic system. This obstacle is discussed in the final part of the paper.


The Unified Agreement for the Investment of Arab Capital in the Arab States (UAIAC) was first signed in 1980, and modified in 2013. The UAIAC includes a chapter on dispute settlement that refers the disputing Parties to the Arab Investment Court (AIC). The AIC was set up to arbitrate disputes involving states that are members of the Arab League and Arab investors. Some Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT) concluded by Arab countries refer to the AIC as an arbitration mechanism in the investor-state dispute settlement provisions. At present, there are thirteen judges and thirteen alternates, each holding a different Arab nationality. The AIC is basically composed of at least five judges, and a number of alternate members – again each holding a different Arab nationality – and with Chambers of not less than three judges to settle the cases submitted. Final awards rendered by state courts in Arab member states are directly enforced by the AIC. The AIC is a largely unknown regional structure despite its not negligible importance. The jurisdiction of the AIC, in its present form, is deficient as it does not operate under conditions that conform to the requirements of international standards and, as such, is seriously deficient. As it stands, it seems almost inevitable that the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League should re-examine – in the medium term – the functioning of the AIC. Let us hope that this time the various actors involved in the reform will sufficiently anticipate the resulting changes in order to achieve a systematic and far-reaching outcome.


An electronic system is described which is capable of determining, in real time, the coordinate values of specific points in an image plane, generated by a conventional video camera, which lie above a predetermined brightness threshold. These coordinates are passed in digital form to a computer for storage and analysis.


In this work, a numerical simulation for the thermo-hydrodynamic self-lubrication of misaligned porous circular journal bearing has been investigated. Mathematical model consists of a modified Reynolds equation to determine the pressure field of thin viscous oil film taking into account the oil leakage into the porous matrix, Darcy's law to determine the fluid flow in the porous media and the energy and the heat conduction equations to determine the temperature field in oil film thickness and the bearing shaft . The equation used to evaluate the oil film thickness was modified to include the effect of the bearing misalignment. The governing equations with appropriate boundary conditions were simultaneously solved using finite difference approach. Direct iterative procedure with successive under relaxation has been adopted through the present work. The effects of the dimensionless permeability and misalignment parameters on the performance characteristics of porous journal bearing have been presented and discussed. The results obtained from this analysis indicate that bearing performance is greatly affected by such parameters. The mathematical model as well as the computer program prepared to solve the governing equations of the present work have been verified by comparing the results of the load carrying capacity and attitude angle obtained through this work with that obtained by Boubendir et al.. Good agreement between the results has been obtained with maximum deviations of 4.8% and 4% respectively


DOE is developing a new generation of radioisotope-fueled 1-watt heaters, for initial use on NASA's upcoming Galileo and International Solar-Polar Missions. Each heater must contain passive safety provisions to ensure fuel retention under all credible accident conditions. Initial design reviews raised some concern about the accuracy of the predicted peak reentry temperature, and about the adequacy of the safety margin under certain unlikely— but not impossible-reentry modes. Of particular concern was the possible release of the accumulated helium inventory from the fuel during the reentry heat pulse, and the potential effect of enhanced heat conduction due to helium buildup in the gaps. The latter prob lem had not been addressed in previous studies. Fairchild carried out a large number of reentry thermal analyses to resolve the analytical uncertainties, and proposed design changes to reduce the thermal coupling between the aeroshell and the fuel capsule. For the computed reentry temperature history oi the modified design, the rate of helium buildup in the gaps was analyzed. The analysis accounted for temperature-dependent helium diffusion through the fuel pellet and for leakage to space through the permeable aeroshell. It showed that most of the helium inventory leaves the fuel during reentry, but that it never reaches a continuum pressure in the gaps, and therefore has no significant thermal effect. Under these conditions, the Fairchild-modified design provides ample safety margin against clad failure, even for very unlikely reentry trajectories. The modified design was suc cessfully vibration-tested and was subsequently adopted by the project.


Inconsistencies in community size effects found between and within countries (Baker et al Eur J Sport Sci. 2009;9:329‐339; Bruner et al J Sports Sci. 2011;29:1337‐1344; Wattie et al J Sports Sci. 2018;36:436‐444) suggest population size may not be an accurate predictor of athlete development and that other proxies of early environmental characteristics are needed. Researchers have begun to explore the influence of population density and proximity to local sport clubs on athlete development in European countries; however, similar analysis remains to be conducted in Canadian ice hockey. The current study focused on National Hockey League (NHL) draftees and explored whether population density and proximity to Canadian Hockey League teams were associated with the number of draftees produced. Linear regression analyses showed a significant positive relationship between population density and the development of draftees in all provincial regions; however, a significant negative relationship between proximity to CHL teams and NHL draftee development was observed in four out of six provincial regions (British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic Provinces). Moreover, population density appeared to be a better predictor of NHL talent development than proximity to CHL teams. Future research may benefit from exploring the effects of these two variables within population size categories, as well as between different regions within provinces.


Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) controls the flow of carbon through the pentose phosphate pathway and also produces NADPH needed for maintenance of reduced glutathione and reductive biosynthesis. Hepatic expression of G6PDH is known to respond to several dietary and hormonal factors, but the mechanism behind regulation of this expression has not been characterized. We show that insulin similarly induces expression of endogenous hepatic G6PDH and a reporter construct containing 935 base pairs of the G6PDH promoter linked to luciferase in transient transfection assays. Using well tested and structurally distinct inhibitors of Ras farnesylation, lovastatin and B581, and a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase activation, PD 98059, we show that the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is not utilized for the insulin-induced stimulation of G6PDH gene expression in primary rat hepatocytes. Similarly, using well characterized inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, wortmannin and LY 294002, we show that PI 3-kinase activity is necessary for the induction of G6PDH expression by insulin. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of FRAP protein, which is involved in the activation of pp70 S6 kinase, blocks the insulin induction of G6PDH, suggesting that S6 kinase is also necessary for the insulin induction of G6PDH expression.


ABSTRACT Economic theory predicts market failure in the market for early childhood education and care (ECEC) due to information asymmetries. We empirically investigate information asymmetries between parents and ECEC professionals in Germany, making use of a unique extension of the Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP). We compare quality perceptions by parents and by professionals across 734 institutions. We detect considerable information asymmetries that differ across quality measures but less so by parental socio-economic background or center characteristics. Both similarly contribute to explaining variations in the information gap. We conclude that information is not readily available to parents; an issue that should be addressed by policy-makers.


The 67 k calcimedin is a Ca2+-binding protein present in both muscle cells and peritoneal macrophages. Many tissues, including lymphoid tissues, liver and lymphocytes, have been shown to contain Ca2+-binding proteins of similar molecular size, such as the p67(67 kDa) calelectrin or the 68 kDa lymphocyte protein. We have tested affinity-purified antibodies raised to the smooth-muscle 67 k calcimedin in these several tissues and here report that the 67 k calcimedin is not detectable in liver, thymus, spleen or thymic lymphocytes. These findings support recent biochemical evidence, discussed here, suggesting that the 67 k calcimedin is a protein different from calelectrin and the 68 kDa lymphocyte protein. The more limited tissue distribution of the 67 k calcimedin, which includes muscle and macrophages, suggests that the 67 k calcimedin may function in Ca2+-mediated events special to these cell types. The affinity-purified antibodies to the 67 k calcimedin will be useful in obtaining information concerning the special roles of this Ca2+-binding protein in these cells.


In this work, an experimental heat transfer investigation was carried out to investigate the combined influence of both amorphous carbon (a-C) layer thickness and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the convective heat transfer behavior. Synthesis of these carbon nano structures was achieved using catalytic chemical vapor deposition process (CCVD) on a 50 μm nickel wire at 650°C. Due to their extremely high thermal conductivity, CNFs are used to augment/modify heat transfer surface. However, the inevitable layer of a-C that occurs during the synthesis of the CNFs layer exhibit low thermal conductivity which may result in insulating the surface. In contrast, the amorphous layer helps in supporting and mechanical stabilizing of the CNFs layer attachment to the polycrystalline nickel (Ni270) substrate material. To better understand the influences of these two layer on heat transfer, the growth mechanism of the CNFs layer and the layer of carbon is investigated and growth model is proposed. The combined impact of both a-C and CNFs layer on heat transfer performance is studied on three different samples which were synthesized by varying the deposition period (16 min, 23min and 30 min). The micro wire samples covered with CNF layers were subjected to a uniform flow from a nozzle. Heat transfer measurement was achieved by a controlled heat dissipation through the micro wire to attain a constant temperature during the flow. This measurement technique is adopted from hot wire anemometry calibration method. Maximum heat transfer enhancement of 18% was achieved. This enhancement is mainly attributed to the surface roughness and surface area increase of the samples with moderate CNFs surface area coverage on the sample.


SRON is developing an electronic read-out system for an array of Transition-Edge Sensors (TES) which combines the techniques of Frequency Domain Multiplexing (FDM) with Base-Band FeedBack (BBFB). Its potential astronomical applications are in the read-out of soft X-ray microcalorimeters of the XMS instrument on the International X-ray Observatory (IXO) and the far-IR bolometers of the SAFARI instrument on the Japanese-European mission SPICA. In this paper we focus on the experimental verification of the system, demonstrating for 16 pixels that simultaneous read-out does not degrade the noise performance, and that crosstalk between pixels is close to the requirements for IXO. A detailed analysis of the BBFB system is presented, identifying its limitations and routes for improvement to the levels required for implementation on both missions.


In this experiment, the acoustic correlates of perceived emotions in singing were investigated. Singers were instructed to sing one phrase in a neutral way and in the emotions anger, joy, fear, and sadness. Listeners rated the strength of the perceived emotions for each fragment. Principal component analyses were performed on the listeners' ratings. The derived factors were interpreted as listening strategies; and a listener's factor loading as an indicator of the extent to which that listener used that strategy. Using the original ratings and the factor loadings, the phrases were assigned composite ratings for each emotion. Acoustic measures of spectral balance, vibrato, duration and intensity were related to the composite ratings using multiple regression analyses. It was found that anger was associated with the presence of vibrato; joyous phrases had vibrato, a short final duration, and a shallow spectral slope; sadness was associated with absence of vibrato, long duration, and a low intensity, whereas fear was related to a steep spectral slope.


"Our identity is at once plural and partial.Sometimes we feel that we straddle two cultures;At other times, that we fall between two stools." Salman Rushdie

The integration problems of immigrants in the post-Soviet Azerbaijan have not been the focus of researchers' attention. The present article fills this gap. I classify immigrants into three groups: 1) natives of Azerbaijan (re-emigrants) and their family members; 2) ethnics from Georgia; 3) labour immigrants from different countries, who arrive to Azerbaijan to look for a job or to open their own business. I examine the social resources and practices used by immigrants to support their integration, in the absence of state integration policy. I conclude that the main resource is each immigrant's personal social capital, based on networks. These networks are transnational in their nature. Immigrants build up and integrate in this kind of transnational network, as well as in the transnational spaces of the capital of Azerbaijan (Baku), where the vast majority of them reside after they move to the country.


To develop the Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) system in Indonesia, competency standards have been borrowed globally and implemented, as part of the national agenda for skills recognition and skills qualifications. Little research exists regarding the effectiveness of the implementation of the Indonesian version of competency standards, named Indonesian Competency Standards (SKKNI) in Indonesian TVET institutions.
This study consisted of empirical surveys based on comprehensive questionnaires, followed by individual and group semi-structured interviews, as well as the analyses of relevant documents. The study involved participants from two types of institutions in Indonesian TVET which were managed by two different ministries and implementers from relevant institutions. The first type was Vocational Centres (BLK) of the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) which assumed the leadership of the development of the policy of SKKNI. The second type was Vocational Schools (SMK) of the Ministry of Education (MoEC) which was the main regulator and the provider of education and training in education institutions nationally.
Findings revealed that the policy of SKKNI was poorly established, the resources for implementation was limited (financial, curricular and training workshops), there was a tension and rivalry between two ministries and lack of coordination and cooperation for implementation, he commitment of implementers was generally insufficient, however participants from a small number of TVET institutions implementing the policy showed a high commitment for implementation, the support from external stakeholders (industry and the public) was insufficient, teachers' disposition significantly contributed as a predictor for teachers' performance in implementing two aspects of the policy (certification aspects and curriculum aspects) and certified teachers showed better disposition and performance in implementing SKKNI.
The analysis concludes that the implementation of a policy borrowed from international agencies is ineffective, in a situation where the development of a policy is not underpinned by a comprehensive study, and an implementation strategy developed in accordance with six factors pre-determined for the implementation process. In the Indonesian context, these factors are vital because of the problems of education provision caused by significant diversity in infrastructure and culture across the Indonesian archipelago. The implications of this study are significant because the effectiveness of the implementation of SKKNI will underpin the successful implementation of the broader and strategic agenda of the Indonesian Qualification Framework (IQF) which was promulgated in 2012. The main finding is the need to rebuild the policy in accordance with the key factors of effective implementation, which then needs a strategy of investment for TVET teacher certification under SKKNI as a national priority.


Slow strain rate test, SSRT, has been widely used for studies of stress corrosion cracking, SCC. In evaluating SCC susceptibility, it is important to analyze initiation and growth of SCC separately even if SSRT is used. Then we have developed a new SSRT system with a high magnification and high focusing depth CCD camera in order to make in-situ observation of crack behavior on the whole specimen surface during SSRT, and analyzed initiation and growth of crack separately by using fracture mechanics and statistics. As a result, the number of pits, at which crack generated, was found to increase with increase in strain. The Weibull distribution was found for KISCC and its mode was 2 MN m-3, 2. While, crack growth rate showed double exponential distribution and its mode was about 10-8 m s-I. Thus, This technique could evaluate SCC susceptibility by separating crack initiation and growth.


Regression analysis of interval-censored failure time data with noninformative censoring have been widely investigated and many methods have been proposed. Sometimes the mechanism behind the interval censoring may be informative and several approaches have also been developed for this latter situation. However, all of these existing methods are for single models and it is well-known that in many situations, one may prefer more flexible models. Corresponding to this, the linear transformation model is considered and a maximum likelihood estimation method is established. In the proposed method, the association between the failure time of interest and the censoring time is modeled by the copula model, and the involved nonparametric functions are approximated by spline functions. The large sample properties of the proposed estimators are derived. Numerical results show that the proposed method performs well in practical application. Besides, a real data example is presented for the illustration.


When classes of customers require difierent levels of service, it is natural to implement a threshold rationing policy under which low priority classes of customers are no longer served (their demands are backordered) when on-hand inventory drops to or below a threshold level. Such problems are di‐cult to analyze because of the dimensionality of the state space: on-hand inventory and backorders for a part can exist at the same time. We consider a model consisting of two priority demand classes exhibiting mutually independent stationary Poisson demand, independent and identically distributed, non-zero, order lead times, an (S-1,S) ordering policy, and a threshold level-based allocation and backorder clearing policy. Heuristic solutions for this model have been proposed in the past. Our contribution is an exact analysis of the stationary probabilities and an e‐cient algorithm for flnding the minimal stock required to satisfy demand class-speciflc flll rate constraints. We provide numerical results to suggest the cost savings that can be realized compared to conventional practices.


Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasible of adjacent organ resection during laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD), and summary the surgical strategies. Methods: Clinical data of 15 adjacent organ resections combined with LPD from March 2013 to September 2017 were reviewed.There were 10 male and 5 female patients aging from 20 to 86 years, and the body mass index ranged from 19.6 to 34.5 kg/m(2).Two patients had previous abdominal surgical history.Two patients underwent preoperative chemotherapy. Results: The resected adjacent organs included liver(n=4), stomach(n=3), colon(n=6), right kidney with embolectomy and vasoplastic of inferior vena cava(n=1), and spleen artery aneurysms(n=1). The operative time ranged from 280 to 450 minutes, and the blood loss ranged from 100 to 450 ml.The total complication rate was 5/15 and no one died in 90 days after surgery.The postoperative hospital stay ranged from 10 to 42 days with medium 18 days.The pathology included adenocarcinoma of stomach and duodenum(n=1), gastric cancer invading pancreas or duodenum(n=2), ampullary adenocarcinoma with left hepatolithiasis(n=1), ampullary adenocarcinoma with a benign lesion in left liver(n=1), ampullary adenocarcinoma with single liver metastasis(n=1), ampullary adenocarcinoma(n=1), pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with splenic artery aneurysms(n=1), pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm with colon cancer(n=1), distal common bile duct adenocarcinoma involving righ hepatic duct(n=1), pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm invading inferior vena cava and right renal vein(n=1), duodenal adnocarcinoma(n=1), duodenal ewing's sarcoma(n=1), duodenal intesititialoma(n=2). The follow-up was from 3 to 40 months with the medium survival of 17.5 months. Conclusions: The oncological outcomes of PD combined with adjacent organ resection is acceptable.Surgical treatment for those patients with periampullary neoplasma and adjacent organ lesions should be aggressive.


Outbreaks of acute illness among office workers have been reported with increasing frequency during the past 10-15 years. In the majority of cases, hazardous levels of airborne contaminants have not been found. Generally, health complaints have involved mucous membrane and respiratory tract irritation and nonspecific symptoms such as headache and fatigue. Except for rare examples of hypersensitivity pneumonitis related to microbiologic antigens, there have been no reports of serious morbidity or permanent sequelae. However, the anxiety, lost work time, decreased productivity and resources spent in investigating complaints has been substantial. NIOSH has reported on 446 Health Hazards Evaluations that were done in response to indoor air complaints. This data base is the source of most of the published accounts of building-related illness. Their results are summarized here with a discussion of common pollutants (tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, other organic volatiles), and the limitations of the available industrial hygiene and epidemiologic data. There has been one large scale epidemiologic survey of symptoms among office workers. The results associate risk of symptoms to building design and characteristics of the heating/air-conditioning systems, consistent with the NIOSH experience. Building construction since the 1970s has utilized energy conservation measures such as improved insulation, reduced air exchange, and construction without opening windows. These buildings are considered "airtight" and are commonly involved in episodes of building-associated illness in which no specific etiologic agent can be identified. After increasing the percentage of air exchange or correcting specific deficiencies found in the heating/air-conditioning systems, the health complaints often resolve, hence, the term "tight building syndrome" or "sick building syndrome."(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


demographics, provider type, comorbidities, and major drug classes of antihypertensives. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated from multivariable logistic regression (any CVD and any medications) and ordinal logistic regression (number of CVD comorbidities) analyses. RESULTS: Of 2020 men who presented for ED, the mean age was 55 (cid:4) 14, 49.7% were White (n [ 987, 49.7%), 24.8% Black (n [ 493), and 18.9% Hispanic (n [ 375). The most common cardiovascular co-morbidity was hypertension (n [ 960, 47.5%). Underlying cardiovascular disease burden was generally higher among Black men. Black men had higher odds of being prescribed an antihypertensive (aOR vs White: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.16-1.93; aOR vs Hispanic: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.45-2.67). However, Black men were prescribed beta blockers and thiazides signi fi cantly more than White and Hispanic men. White men were prescribed angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) signi fi cantly more than Black and Hispanic men. CONCLUSIONS: This study mirrors the effects of race-based hypertension guidelines. ARBs have typically been more favorable antihypertensives when considering sexual function. In this study, we showed that Black men were prescribed ARBs at signi fi cantly lower rates compared to White and Hispanic men. Given the signi fi cant ED side effects has on hypertension compliance, shifting traditional treatment regimens could lead to improved rates of hypertension control and erectile function. ED sits in a unique position to impact how we solve the CVD crisis.


A postulated fire scenario in a Savannah River Site (SRS) laboratory facility could result in release of radioactive materials to the environment.The Technology Center is located in the general proximity of the site boundary.The relatively short distance to potential off- site receptors makes it important to consider the effects of plume rise and the effects of the sensible heat of the escaping combustion products. The potential consequences from the airborne release are calculated with the MACCS, Version 22.214.171.124, computer code. Calculation of atmospheric dispersion without consideration of plume rise results in a monotonically decreasing dose response. When the plume rise is modeled in the dose calculation, the results show that the cloud touchdown point and the location of highest off-site dose do not follow a monotonically decreasing pattern.


BACKGROUND: Due to the aggressive nature of head and neck cancer, radiation therapy (RT) with chemotherapy has become an established integral modality in the management of this malignancy. Although employed to improve quality of life, its association with several side effects remains a clinical threat. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) degrades most extracellular matrix proteins, one of which is collagen. Found to increase in the occurrence of cancer, further rise ensues when exposed to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This dissolution is a key event of invasion and metastasis of malignant lesions of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the adverse effects of site-directed radiation therapy in relation to the significant change in the level of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) on selected head and neck carcinoma patients.
METHODS: This is an observational longitudinal approach study on 20 head and neck cancer patients from Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center. Expression of MMP-1 levels in the plasma samples of Day 0 and Day 10 was determined by the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oral mucositis (OM), a radiation-induced toxicity, was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grading system. Correlation between MMP-1 level and complete blood count (CBC) of carcinoma patients was also included in the study.
RESULTS: The expression of MMP-1 level exhibited an increasing trend from Day 0 to Day 10. However, obtained p-value (0.148) presented a statistically insignificant correlation between MMP-1 level and site-directed radiation therapy. The RTOG measured OM of cancer patients undergoing site-directed radiation therapy exhibited a statistically significant p-value (0.026) signifying a correlation between OM and MMP-1 levels. Parallel to OM, certain hematological parameters of the CBC such as platelets and leukocytes also showed a significant relationship with levels of MMP-1 (p-values of 0.0099 and 0.0397, respectively).
CONCLUSION: The study results showed the potential role of MMP-1 as a prognostic marker to estimate the chance of recovery from treatment-related side effects of head and neck cancer patients undergoing site-directed radiotherapy.


The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a specification for the encryption of electronic data also called Rijndael. The algorithm described by AES is a symmetric-key algorithm, meaning the same key is used for both encrypting and decrypting the data. In the proposed work we present an efficient cryptography hardware implementation and its improvement using pipelines. The algorithm was implemented in FPGA due to its flexibility and reconfiguration capability. A reconfigurable device is very convenient for a cryptography algorithm since it allows cheap and quick alterations. The implementation of pipelined cryptography hardware was used to improve performance in order to achieve higher throughput and greater parallelism. The VHDL description will be implemented on FPGAs. Modelsim Xilinx Edition will be used for functional simulation and verification of results. Xilinx ISE will be used for synthesis. The Xilinx's chipscope tool will be used for verifying the results on Spartan 3E FPGA. Fast Pipelined Aes Algorithm Implemented on Xilinx Fpgas


Typical sarcoma 180 cells present a large spherical lipoid or Golgi zone adjacent to the nucleus within which discrete, homogeneous and vesicular, Golgi bodies (lipochondria) are distributed. No Golgi network can be detected in the living cell, but such networks may be produced artificially by means of hypertonic solutions and by shrinking vitally stained cells. All of the cytoplasm, except the lipoid zone, is strongly basiphil owing to the presence of ribonucleic acid. Mitochondria, mostly rod shaped, form a halo of variable width surrounding the lipoid zone except adjacent to the nucleus. These lie partly within the ribonucleic acid containing cytoplasm. Tests for glycogen, alkaline, and acid phosphatase, and for lipase are largely negative. A positive reaction to Bourne9s test for ascorbic acid is given by many of the lipochondria.


The paper argues that democracy promotion within the ENP should not be seen primarily as a continuation to enlargement policy. On the empiric level, the ENP constitutes a foreign policy tool which integrates some elements of previous enlargment rounds in its overall strategy. On the analytic level, the study of democracy consolidation is only indirectly linked to the question of the potential EU membership of ENP target states. ENP is analysed with the concept of embedded democ-racy, identifying the potential grip of the EU on different do-mains of a consolidating democracy. The paper then analyses the utilized instruments of democracy promotion within the ENP and tests their coherence with regard to two East Euro-pean States (Moldova, Ukraine).


Currently available medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) vary in mechanisms of action from neutralization or suppression of gastric acid to improving underlying upper gastrointestinal dysmotility. This article reviews the clinical efficacy of pharmacological agents used to treat GERD and provides a rationale for considering a primary prokinetic approach to antireflux treatment which will be applicable to many patients. Treatment trials in acute GERD have demonstrated unexpectedly prolonged maintenance of high esophageal pH with tablet and liquid antacid formulations. However, there are no well-designed placebo-controlled trials of antacids for esophageal mucosal healing. H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) at conventional doses relieve reflux symptoms in at least 50% of reported series of GERD patients, and they can also provide endoscopic healing in 27–45% of the cases. Therapy with more potent acid-suppressive agents such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may lead to improved symptomatic relief and to superior healing compared with H2RA therapy, especially in those patients with more advanced erosive esophagitis. Promotility agents, particularly cisapride, offer symptom relief and healing rates which are quite similar to standard H2RA treatment. GERD tends to be a chronic and relapsing condition. Cisapride has been shown to be quite effective in maintaining remission in GERD patients, including endoscopic remission in the lesser degrees of esophagitis. This may be accomplished with relatively low and cost-effective dosing in many individuals. For the small proportion of patients who manifest severe grades of esophagitis, PPI therapy is associated with lower relapse rates than either H2RA or prokinetic treatment. Overall, a strong case can be made for the empirical selection of promotility therapy for the large numbers of GERD patients who do not have documented severe erosive disease.


The aim of this study was to simulate high pressure homogenisation and to examine the use of simulation techniques in identifying optimal strategies for integrating this unit operation with the fermentation process. The first part of this thesis describes the models developed to predict changes in homogenate particle size distributions (PSDs) generated during the high pressure homogenisation of packed baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The influence of homogenisation conditions on the value of d50, where d50 is the particle size below (or above) which 50% of the particles in the total PSD lie, is explained using the following mathematical expression:
ln[d50,N=0 / (d50,N=0 - d50)]=kD N^β ΔP^α
where, d50,N=0 is the d50 value for the whole cells, N is the number of passes; ΔP=(P - Pth), P is the operating pressure , Pth is the threshold pressure i.e. the pressure below which there is no significant cell disruption occurring, kD is a rate constant and; β and α are the exponents of N and ΔP, respectively. For baker's yeast the value of β was found to be -0.4 and the value of α was found to be -1.

A Boltzman-type equation was then found to predict the total PSD using d50 as an input parameter. The second part of this thesis details work carried out to deduce whether the scale of high pressure homogeniser used has any effect on the cell disruption process. It was found that for the production scale, pilot scale and small scale homogenisers tested, packed baker's yeast cell disruption kinetics was independent of homogeniser capacity. A study was also carried out to deduce the effect of initial cell concentration on cell disruption characteristics using high pressure homogenisation. It was found that cell disruption characteristics were independent of initial cell concentrations between the range of 1 - 45% wet cell weight/ L for packed baker's yeast. The above results were then used to define a scaled-down cell disruption process. This scaled-down process can now be used in process verification studies of large scale processes. The final part of this thesis describes the impact of fermentation and processing conditions on the disruption of baker's yeast. It was found that cell cultures grown using high dilution rates, defined media, aerobic growth conditions, or harvested during early growth phase were more susceptible to disruption than cell cultures grown using low dilution rates, complex media, anaerobic growth conditions or harvested during late growth phase. It was also found that cell cultures that were stored at 4°C post harvesting became more resistant to disruption with time. This interaction between the fermentation process conditions on the cell disruption unit operation was modelled. It was found that there is a linear relationship (regression coefficient >0.94) between the cell disruption rate constant kD and the initial whole cell d50 (i.e. d50,N=0), irrespective of growth rate, growth phase and storage time but not irrespective of growth media. A weaker linear relationship (regression coefficient = 0.79) between the cell disruption rate constant kD and the initial whole cell d50 (i.e. d50,N=0) was found, irrespective of growth media, growth rate, growth phase and storage time. These linear models give reasonable first approximations of kD given only the initial d50 value of the whole cell culture PSD and provide a convenient quantitative measure of the effect of changing upstream fermentation conditions on the subsequent stage of high pressure homogenisation. Cell disruption results obtained were also used to elucidate the mechanism of high pressure homogenisation. It was found that the mechanism of high pressure homogenisation is not due to forces generated by turbulence.


We have tested for production of caseinolytic activity the strain of E. coli K12 J62 carrying different R factors from various Enterobacteriaceae of clinical isolates. The results obtained showed the presence of a caseinolytic activity in 7 out of 139 R factors tested. All of these positive (cas+) R factors derived from strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and all were able to transfer a strong lac+ phenotype as well as multiple antibiotic resistances (R-lac factors). Another strain of E. coli K12, J53, which is plasmid-free, produced levels of caseinolytic activity comparable to those of the Klebsiella R factors; J62, on the contrary, appeared to possess an inhibitor specific for the caseinolytic activities of J53 and of the R factors but not of other cas+ Gram+ and Gram- organisms. The hypothesis that the expression of the cas+ phenotype in E. coli K12 may be due to the presence of plasmid-linked regulatory genes is discussed.


Optical modes bearing optical vortices are important light systems in which to encode information. Optical vortices are robust features of optical beams that do not dissipate upon propagation. Thus, decoding the modal content of a beam is a vital component of the process. In this work, we present a method to decode modal superpositions of light beams that contain optical vortices. We do so using shear interferometry, which presents a simple and effective means of determining the vortex content of a beam, and extract the parameters of the component vortex modes that constitute them. We find that optical modes in a beam are easily determined. Its modal content can be extracted when they are of comparable magnitude. The use of modes of well-defined topological charge, but not well-defined radial-mode content, such as those produced by phase-only encoding, are much easier to diagnose than pure Laguerre–Gauss modes.


Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) resemble fight-or-flight avoidance responses resulting from habitual states of fear, possibly induced by sensory processing issues, causing on-going stress and deregulation of systemic pacing. This study hypothesized that patterned, tempo-based, rhythm interventions, at 60-beats per minute (pbm), can regulate and induce systemic pacing, reduce repetitive anxiety behaviors and enable focus and calm in persons with ASD. Eight-week pilot study investigated the influence of four sensorimotor rhythm interventions for habituation (entrainment) of systemic inner rhythms, pacing, stress, anxiety, and repetitive behavior reduction, ultimately yielding eyecontact, attention, motor planning, and memory. Six subjects (n = 6) ages 8–12, with ASD and minimal expressive language, were treated in 45-minute weekly one-on-one music therapy session, over eight weeks. A rating scale tracked responses and progress in vivo per session, and on video-tape. Lifeshirt heart-monitor vest with embedded wireless sensors, worn by each subject during the first, fifth and eight sessions, tracked heart-rate data. Results support the hypothesis that highly structured rhythmic interventions at a slow tempo can yield levels of systemic pacing, motor planning, visual contact, attention, reduction of anxiety and


This letter presents some further results on the local stability in equilibrium for Internet congestion control algorithm proposed by Low et al. (IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, 1999). The propagation delay d(t) is assumed to be time-varying and have maximum and minimum delay bounds (i.e. dm ≤ d(t) ≤ dM ), which is more general than the assumption (0 < d(t) ≤ m) made in Long et al.'s work (IEEE Communications Letters, 2003). It is proved that the stability conditions for the Internet congestion control algorithm obtained in Long et al.'s work are in fact dependent on the delay interval (dM − dm). Moreover, some new stability conditions are proposed, which are less conservative than Long et al.'s results. The proposed linear matrix inequality based stability conditions can be solved by using standard numerical software. These stability conditions provide a method for selecting the parameters in REM algorithm that ensure stability.


Full deployment of IPv6 addressing fails because nowadays Network Address Translation (NAT) devices are commonly used to extend internal private addressing from the global public IP addressing. The existing phone system uses the vertical model to solve issues relating to the NAT and mobility management. Also, the horizontal model has been studied, where a centralized Software-Defined network (SDN) controller is in charge of handling network functions such as NAT and mobility management. The goal of this paper is to propose a blockchain-based NAT management (BNATM) scheme to overcome the limitation that both the horizontal model as well as the vertical model face in relation with NAT and mobility management. Our proposal focuses on the idea that, if we use the blockchain technologies, each peer can easily obtain the necessary parameters required to handle the complicated NAT and mobility management procedures. Finally, this paper analyzes the latency comparisons among the proposed BNATM scheme, existing vertical model and centralized controller-based horizontal model. Keywords–NAT management; SDN horizontal model; Blockchain; Blockchain-based management; Hash address; Transaction access.


This paper is meant to present a statistical analysis of the role of propagation disturbances (PDs), such as those due to atmospheric disturbances or to residual platform motion, in multibaseline synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry (InSAR) and tomography (T-SAR) applications. The analysis will consider both pointlike and distributed targets in such a way as to cover all the cases that are relevant in the applications. In order to provide a tool for the evaluation of the impact of PDs on the analysis of an arbitrary scenario, a definition of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) will be introduced that accounts for both the presence of PDs and the characteristics of the imaged scene. In the case of pointlike targets, it will be shown that such definition of SNR allows reusing well known results following after the Neyman-Pearson theory, thus providing a straightforward tool to asses phase-stability requirements for the detection and localization of multiple pointlike targets. In the case of distributed targets, instead, it will be provided a detailed analysis of the random fluctuations of the reconstructed scene as a function of the extent of the PDs, of the vertical structure of the imaged scene, and of the number of looks that are employed. Results from Monte Carlo simulations will be presented that fully support the theoretical developments within this paper. The most relevant conclusion of this paper is that the impact of PDs is more severe in the case where the imaged scene is characterized by a complex vertical structure or when multiple pointlike targets are present. As a consequence, it follows that the T-SAR analyses require either a higher phase stability or a more accurate phase calibration with respect to InSAR analyses. Finally, an example of phase-stability analysis and phase calibration of a real data set will be shown, based on a P-band data set relative to the forest site of Remningstorp, Sweden.


It is known that Wnt-1 signaling inhibits apoptosis by activating β-catenin/tcf-mediated transcription. Here, we show that blocking Wnt-1 signaling in β-catenin-deficient mesothelioma cell lines H28 and MS-1 induces apoptotic cell death. Both Wnt-1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and Dishevelled siRNA induced significant apoptosis in these cell lines. A small molecule inhibitor of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase inhibited the apoptotic cell killing induced by either Wnt-1 siRNA or Dishevelled siRNA in these cells. Our data suggest that β-catenin-independent noncanonical pathway(s), i.e., Wnt/JNK pathway, may play a role in the apoptotic inhibition caused by Wnt-1 signaling.


Obstacle traversal aims at selecting a feasible path through an obstacle field. It is different from obstacle avoidance in that the path selected might climb over some obstacles if this is "cheaper" than going around. Climbing over obstacles allows to generate shorter paths in the case of large concave obstacles. A planner is presented that produces traversable paths, taking into account terrain topography, robot parameters, and robot/ground interaction. This planner is applicable to outdoor applications, such as Mars exploration, where absolute avoidance of obstacles is not necessary. Examples for a Mars rover are presented.


Let G be a finite group and let N(G) denote the set of conjugacy class sizes of G. Thompson's conjecture states that if G is a centerless group and S is a non-abelian simple group satisfying N(G) = N(S), then G ≅ S. In this paper, we investigate a variation of this conjecture for some symmetric groups under a weaker assumption. In particular, it is shown that G ≅ Sym(p + 1) if and only if |G| = (p + 1)! and G has a special conjugacy class of size (p + 1)!/p, where p > 5 is a prime number. Consequently, if G is a centerless group with N(G) = N(Sym(p + 1)), then G ≅ Sym(p + 1).


The problem of TE-wave scattering and radiation from a finite number of thick slits in a parallel-plate waveguide is solved. The Fourier transform is used to express the scattered field in the spectral domain. The boundary conditions are enforced to obtain a series solution which is amenable to numerical computation. The numerical computations are performed to illustrate the behaviors of scattering, transmission, and reflection in terms of incident angle, slit size and operating frequency. The solution presented is computationally very efficient so that it is useful for slotted-waveguide leaky-wave antenna applications.


There has been an ongoing and heated public policy debate on the appropriate role of and limitations to government hacking in maintaining a proper balance of national security and privacy. Asserting that they are compelled to use government hacking tools to protect their countries and populations, law enforcement and government agencies are increasingly strident in expressing the importance of accessing and intercepting encrypted communication data. However, many non-governmental and civil society organizations and activists strongly oppose government hacking because they consider its methods and techniques are extremely invasive and potentially compromising to the fundamental right of privacy. They are also concerned that the implementation of hacking techniques or similar methods would weaken encryption standards and place the security of the Internet at risk. This paper presents an overview of the current status of government hacking and discusses challenges to lawful interception (LI) technology and rules. The current state of LI and government hacking in five countries is reviewed, and capability is assessed in terms of several widely publicized events, in an effort to analyze the limitations of current solutions. Finally, the open challenges to and future direction of government hacking are highlighted.


Ensemble Monte Carlo simulation has been performed to study the initial spatial transport of nonequilibrium photogenerated electrons and holes in a quantum well structure. The spatial distributions have been simulated over a wide range of excitation energies and temperatures, including both the carrier - carrier and carrier - LO phonon scatterings with the help of the local density approximation. It has been found that the energy relaxation and hence the spatial transport are strongly dependent on the excitation energies, reflecting whether the relaxation channel via LO phonon emission is available or not. The spatial transport is quenched when the energy relaxation is accelerated by LO phonon emission. This excitation energy dependence of the spatial transport reduces with the increase of the carrier densities because the relative weight of the carrier - carrier scattering to the LO phonon emission changes.


While specialist pre‐operative assessment is not new, its focus has evolved in response to more operations and changes in the surgical population. Patients are older and have more long‐term medical comorbidities. At the same time, there has been a move from paternalistic medical decision‐making to shared decision‐making, based on an individual patient's choice or preference. Specialist pre‐operative consultations have had to adapt to these changes by broadening their scope. Pre‐operative clinics have a central role in shared decision‐making, coordinating and planning care before, during and after surgery, including rehabilitation and discharge planning. Multiple specialties need to work together to deliver quality patient‐centred care.


Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) causes regression of the embryonic Mullerian duct. In the fetal rat urogenital ridge, extracellular nucleotide pyrophosphatase (NPPase) can be detected by histochemical staining on the regressing male Mullerian duct, with no corresponding enzyme localization on developing female Mullerian ducts. In vivo results in male embryos can be confirmed in vitro by incubating 14.5-day-gestation female urogenital ridges with MIS and testosterone for 72 h before enzyme localization. Since the addition of testosterone to MIS is obligatory to detect NPPase activity in vitro, and certain steroids enhance Mullerian duct regression, additional steroids were tested in vitro alone or in combination with MIS for their abilities to stimulate NPPase. NPPase induction occurred only with the combinations of MIS and testosterone or MIS and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Neither MIS alone nor any steroid used alone stimulated NPPase activity. The effect of exogenous NPPase added alone to the developing urogenital ridge was also assessed. Incubation of the female urogenital ridge for 72 h with exogenous NPPase caused marked hyperplasia of the Mullerian duct epithelial cells and early mesenchymal cell condensation, without the basement membrane breakdown normally seen in regression. Since NPPase activity is present in the Mullerian duct only during regression, these findings suggest that MIS and fetal androgens are synergistically modulating the activity of this enzyme. Its role in the Mullerian duct, as suggested by its cytological effects, may be to stimulate cellular responses before migration during regression.


Abstract. Remote Sensing (RS) techniques are increasingly used in urban tree inventory measurements for their improved accuracy and promptness over the conventional methods. The focus of this study is to evaluate the application of iPad Pro 2020 and its LiDAR sensor for urban trees reconstruction and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) measurements. Altogether, 101 trees were scanned. We have used individual- and multiple-tree scan modes with different settings (Resolution: 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm; Confidence: High, Low). With these methods and settings, we have established 12 combinations. The 3DScannerAPP was used to scan and generate point clouds and to estimate DBH circle-fitting algorithm was used within the DendroCloud software. Among 12 methods, the only method with 10 mm resolution, high confidence, and multiple-tree mode has not achieved a 100% detection rate (97%). For multiple-tree mode, the highest estimation accuracy was 7.52% of relative RMSE, and for single-tree mode, it was 7.27%. Low confidence setting had significantly higher accuracy of DBH estimation than high confidence. Furthermore, single-tree mode had a significantly higher accuracy of DBH estimation than multiple-tree mode. The most efficient combination for DBH estimation of urban trees using 3DScannerAPP within iPad Pro 2020, when time and accuracy is considered, was multiple-tree mode with 15 mm resolution and low confidence.


We propose a feature selection algorithm suitable for classification problems. Our algorithm tries to find a subset of features, which maximizes separability between Gaussian clusters. To reduce the complexity of exhaustive searching the best feature set, we follow a backward elimination method. Our feature selection algorithm can be applied to a full search classifier to obtain a single global subspace. However, one global subspace may not alone capture local behavior well. We realize multiple subspace clustering by applying our dimension reduction algorithm to a tree structured classifier. Experimental results show that the resulting classifier not only removes irrelevant features but also improves classification performance.


Plasmas in electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRIS) are collisionless and can therefore be simulated by only following the motion of electrons in the confining static magnetic and oscillating microwave field of ECRIS. The experimental performance of three different ECRIS is successfully compared to calculated spatial electron (plasma) and electron energy density as well as to the energy spectrum and the average energy of the electrons. Further simulations suggest a new and better design of an ECRIS, the good experimental performance of which corresponds to the predictions.


The paradigmatic model for the generation of peptide determinants for class II major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC II) is that proteolytic fragmentation of antigen precedes the capture of the resulting peptides by MHC II (cut/trim first, bind later). However, circumstantial evidence exists to support an alternate model in which MHC II binding of antigenic epitope occurs prior to the proteolytic fragmentation of that antigen (bind first, cut/trim later). To distinguish between these two models, we analyzed the interaction of HLA-DR1 with two protein antigens, type II collagen and influenza hemagglutinin. Here, using a novel cell?free antigen processing system composed solely of purified soluble protein components, HLA-DR1, two cathepsins, and HLA-DM, combined with mass spectrometric identification of the bound peptides, we demonstrate for both antigens that;
 the protein antigens bind MHC class II prior to digestion by lysosomal proteases,the immunodominant epitope of the antigens are degraded by lysosomal proteases if not bound to MHC class II, andthe epitopes, when bound to MHCII, are protected from proteolytic degradation.
 These findings conclusively support the "bind first, cut/trim later" model and have important implications in understanding the sequence of events in antigen processing and the correlation between antigen structure and immunodominance.


Absenteeism affects state-owned companies who are obliged to undertake strategies to prevent it, be efficient and conduct effective human resource (HR) management. This paper aims to understand the reasons for Public Administration Employees' (PAE) absenteeism and predict future employee absences. Data from 17,600 PAE from seven public databases regarding their 2016 absences was collected, and the Recency, Frequency and Monetary (RFM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm was used for modeling the absence duration, backed up with a 10-fold cross-validation scheme. Results revealed that the worker profile is less relevant than the absence characteristics. The most concerning employee profile was uncovered, and a set of scenarios is provided regarding the expected days of absence in the future for each scenario. The veracity of the absence motives could not be proven and thus are totally reliable. In addition, the number of records of one absence day was disproportionate to the other records. The findings are of value to the Human Capital Management department in order to support their decisions regarding the allocation of workers and productivity management and use these valuable insights in the recruitment process. Until now, little has been known concerning the characteristics that affect PAE absenteeism, therefore enriching the necessity for further understanding of this matter in this particular.


This is a wide-ranging and ambitious volume. Smith's primary archaeological aeld of research is the early arst millennium b.c.e. realm of Urartu of southern Transcaucasia, but the book makes comparisons with ancient Mesopotamia and Mesoamerica. The central idea appears to locate politics and political authority in the concrete control of territory. Smith deprecates what he believes is the conventional tradition that emphasizes the history of the state. This tradition concentrates on the evolution in time of the growth (and decline) of kingdoms. Ultimately, the tradition implies a teleological reverence for temporality that, if not "idealistic," at least does not attend to how the command of space grounds politics. Smith shows how this command operated in his three ancient polities. Part of his work demonstrates how regimes dominate land in standard military ways. But, of greater signiacance, Smith talks about the symbolic dimensions of politics located in geography—depictions of violence or authority in buildings and statuary and walls that literally cast a shadow over the earth. He also notes how alterations in land use not only reoect but also embody changes in the organization of a state. The title of the book, with its accent on landscape, best captures the author's view of the synergy between power and terrain. In addition to this creative examination of governance in the ancient world, Smith uses this guiding idea to explore contemporary affairs of state. He makes an arresting juxtaposition between the Sumerian King List—a clay tablet dating at c. 2125 b.c.—and Paul M. Kennedy's Rise and Fall of the Great Powers (New York, 1987). Each has a limited vision of politics, removing from rulership the element of it rooted in the way that the imperial mind envelopes terra arma. Similarly, from time to time the book comments on how in today's world political matters are embedded in something material, for example, the Vietnam War Memorial or Alexander Solzhenitsyn's Gulag Archipelago (New York, 1985). Smith has a wide-ranging concern not just for the interpretation of the distant past but the relevance of such interpretation for the present. Unfortunately, The Political Landscape is virtually unreadable. This fact almost fatally undermines its creative and intelligent scholarship. Smith is inordinately fond of contemporary jargon—repeating ugly catch phrases like "contemporary theorizations" ad nauseum—and he does not write clearly or grammatically. Smith has not met a bit of theory that he does not inoict on his text. As a result of these oaws, much of the book's meaning is barely intelligible.


Plane-wave analysis of the recently demonstrated photorefractive phase conjugators with mutually incoherent beams is presented. Based on four-wave mixing theory, two important configurations, the bird-wing phase conjugator and the mutually incoherent beam coupler are investigated by solving coupled nonlinear equations with beam depletion and absorption. Various intensity performances are theoretically analyzed. Different configurations of this kind of mutually incoherent phase conjugators are compared. Competition of different processes is discussed. Experimental data are well fitted by the theory. >


OBJECTIVE
The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine is being increasingly investigated as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). This study explored the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which frequently co-occurs with SUD and shares impaired prefrontal cortex regulation of basal ganglia circuitry, in particular at glutamate synapses in the nucleus accumbens.

METHODS
Veterans with PTSD and SUD per DSM-IV criteria (N = 35) were randomly assigned to receive a double-blind, 8-week course of N-acetylcysteine (2,400 mg/d) or placebo plus cognitive-behavioral therapy for SUD (between March 2013 and April 2014). Primary outcome measures included PTSD symptoms (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, PTSD Checklist-Military) and craving (Visual Analog Scale). Substance use and depression were also assessed.

RESULTS
Participants treated with N-acetylcysteine compared to placebo evidenced significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, craving, and depression (β values < -0.33; P values < .05). Substance use was low for both groups, and no significant between-group differences were observed. N-acetylcysteine was well tolerated, and retention was high.

CONCLUSIONS
This is the first randomized controlled trial to investigate N-acetylcysteine as a pharmacologic treatment for PTSD and SUD. Although preliminary, the findings provide initial support for the use of N-acetylcysteine in combination with psychotherapy among individuals with co-occurring PTSD and SUD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02499029.


A method to identify and mitigate radio frequency interference (RFI) in microwave radiometry based on the use of a spectrum analyzer has been developed. This method has been tested with CAROLS L-band airborne radiometer data that are strongly corrupted by RFI. RFI is a major limiting factor in passive microwave remote sensing interpretation. Although the 1.400–1.427 GHz bandwidth is protected, RFI sources close to these frequencies are still capable of corrupting radiometric measurements. In order to reduce the detrimental effects of RFI on brightness temperature measurements, a new spectrum analyzer has been added to the CAROLS radiometer system. A post processing algorithm is proposed, based on selective filters within the useful bandwidth divided into sub-bands. Two discriminant analyses based on the computation of kurtosis and Euclidian distances have been compared evaluated and validated in order to accurately separate the RF interference from natural signals.