The hypothesis is that Pareto and Kaldor-Hicks Efficiency have an aspect of sustainability in relation to inequality. The analysis finds efficient situations reached increasing inequality as diminishing in the long term effective demand in a larger measure than counterbalancing increases thanks to total factor productivity growth. Equity and efficiency in welfare economics, rather than being quite contrasting objectives, are as such related and mutually necessary. As such countries are called to implement redistributive policies together with Kaldor-Hicks movements. These would make some parts of the economic agents less well off, while they would reinstate effective demand on the demand side. This latter increases output and wealth throughout the economy for all economic agents in general. Redistributive policies increase also imports, benefiting third countries and remunerating therefore their potential free-rider behaviour. The concerned demand side policies, requiring cooperation and redistribution, call the international institutions to coordinate their action for harmonizing such policies and restrain free-rider behaviour.


A model for an imperfectly mixed batch reactor with the chlorine dioxide-iodine-malonic acid (CDIMA) reaction, with the mixing being modelled by chaotic advection, is considered. The reactor is assumed to be operating in oscillatory mode and the way in which an initial spatial perturbation becomes homogenized is examined. When the kinetics are such that the only stable homogeneous state is oscillatory then the perturbation is always entrained into these oscillations. The rate at which this occurs is relatively insensitive to the chemical effects, measured by the Damköhler number, and is comparable to the rate of homogenization of a passive contaminant. When both steady and oscillatory states are stable, spatially homogeneous states, two possibilities can occur. For the smaller Damköhler numbers, a localized perturbation at the steady state is homogenized within the background oscillations. For larger Damköhler numbers, regions of both oscillatory and steady behavior can co-exist for relatively long times before the system collapses to having the steady state everywhere. An interpretation of this behavior is provided by the one-dimensional Lagrangian filament model, which is analyzed in detail.


This volume reassesses the life and work of Octavia Hill, housing reformer, open space campaigner, co-founder of the National Trust, founder of the Army Cadet Force, and the first woman to be invited to sit on a royal commission. In her lifetime, if not a household name, Octavia Hill was widely regarded as an authority on a broad range of acknowledged social problems, particularly housing and poverty. Yet despite her early pre-eminence, subsequent attempts by family members to keep her memory alive, and the remarkable success of the institutions which she helped to found, Hill fell from public favour in the twentieth century.
The fourteen chapters in this book will help to provide a more nuanced portrait of Hill and her work in a broader context of social change, reflecting recent scholarship on nineteenth-century society in general, and on philanthropy and preservation, and women's role in them, in particular.
Published as part of the IHR Conference Series by the Institute of Historical Research.


[ 117 ] Caesarean section is a life-saving procedure firmly ensconced in obstetric practice. With the advances in anaesthetic services and improved surgical techniques, the morbidity and mortality of this procedure have come down considerably. This has, albeit wrongly, emboldened obstetricians to perform more and more Caesarean sections, generating a universal upswing that has hit both developing and developed countries. Unfortunately, given our economic constraints, India is hardly equipped to handle the repercussions of such an unprecedented increase in surgical interventions.


Title: ENHANCING DECISION-MAKING IN SMART AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES WITH DIGITAL TRACES Lingzi Hong Doctor of Philosophy, 2019 Dissertation directed by: Assistant Professor Vanessa Frias-Martinez College of Information Studies The ubiquitous use of information communication technologies (ICTs) enables generation of digital traces associated with human behaviors at unprecedented breadth, depth, and scale. Large-scale digital traces provide the potential to understand population behaviors automatically, including the characterization of how individuals interact with the physical environment. As a result, the use of digital traces generated by humans might mitigate some of the challenges associated to the use of surveys to understand human behaviors such as, high cost in collecting information, lack of quality real-time information, and hard to capture behavioral level information. In this dissertation, I study how to extract information from digital traces to characterize human behavior in the built environment; and how to use such information to enhance decision-making processes in the area of Smart and Connected Communities. Specifically, I present three case studies that aim at using data-driven methods for decision-making in Smart and Connected Communities. First, I discuss data-driven methods for socioeconomic development with a focus on inference of socioeconomic maps with cell phone data. Second, I present data-driven methods for emergency preparedness and response, with a focus on understanding user needs in different communities with geotagged social media data. Third, I describe data-driven methods for migration studies, focusing on characterizing the post-migration behaviors of internal migrants with cell phone data. In these case studies, I present data-driven frameworks that integrate innovative behavior modeling approaches to help solve decision-making questions using digital traces. The explored methods enhance our understanding of how to model and explain population behavior patterns in different physical and socioeconomic contexts. The methods also have practical significance in terms of how decision-making can become cost-effective and efficient with the help of data-driven methods. ENHANCING DECISION-MAKING IN SMART AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES WITH DIGITAL TRACES


In the setting of AML, RIC regimens have emerged as an attractive modality to decrease toxicity. However, toxicity might represent only one aspect of the problem, since AML encompasses a group of chemosensitive diseases, raising concerns that significant reduction of the intensity of the preparative regimen, while increasing immunosuppression, may have a negative impact on long-term outcome. This report describes the comparative results of 31 AML patients in CR1 receiving RIC allo-SCT from an HLA-identical sibling in 2 institutions (Nantes, n=13; and Marseille, n=18) using 2 different "global" treatment approaches (Table below). After achievement of CR1, the "Nantes" approach included administration of one or two courses of consolidation with high-dose cytarabine (HDC), followed immediately by allo-SCT conditioned with a genuine nonmyeloablative, but highly immunosuppressive RIC regimen including fludarabine, low dose busulfan (4 mg/Kg), ATG (5 mg/Kg) and both CsA and corticosteroids for GVHD prophylaxis ("FB1A2" group). The "Marseille" program aimed to deliver after CR1, in addition to HDC, an autologous SCT followed by allo-SCT conditioned with fludarabine, an intermediate dose of busulfan (8 mg/Kg), low dose ATG (2.5 mg/Kg) and CsA alone for GVHD prophylaxis ("FB2A1" group). In the "FB2A1" group, 12 patients (67%) could actually receive the planned auto-SCT. With a median follow-up of 47 months, leukemia-free survival (LFS) in the whole study population was 56% at 5 years. However, the KM estimate of LFS was significantly higher in the "FB2A1" group as compared to the "FB1A2" group ( P =0.01; 72% vs. 31% at 5 years). Overall, 8 patients (26%; 95%CI, 11–41%) had relapsed at a median of 320 (range, 241–707) days after diagnosis, and the significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of LFS was likely due to a higher risk of leukemia relapse in the "FB1A2" group (6/13, vs. 2/18; P=0.07). Five patients died from toxicity, for an overall incidence of TRM of 16% (95%CI, 6–34%), with this being comparable between the 2 groups (2/13 vs. 3/18; P=NS). Such comparable TRM despite a more "intensive" approach, translated towards a higher overall survival in the "FB2A1" group as compared to the "FB1A2" group (72% vs. 42% at 5 years; P=0.07). After controlling for relevant factors, in the multivariate analysis, actual performance of auto-SCT prior to RIC allo-SCT ( P =0.04; RR=4.9; 95%CI, 1.1–22.4), was significantly predictive of an improved LFS. We conclude that RIC allo-SCT from an HLA-matched related donor represents a valid option for AML patients not eligible for standard allo-SCT. However, in order to achieve optimal results, a comprehensive treatment "package" including some form of high dose therapy prior to RIC allo-SCT and/or semi-intensive cytoreduction/myeloablation incorporated within the RIC regimen is likely necessary to allow sufficient time for the GVL effect.


The paper explores an alternative approach to the traditional transfer of university research output. This approach proposes a systematic search and matching of external experienced entrepreneurs with university researchers to stimulate spinning out university-developed technology. 'Bridging the gap' (BtG) is a model for combining the experiences, market insight and network connections of experienced entrepreneurs and the technical knowledge and capabilities of university researchers to create a stronger basis for spin-outs. Inserting market knowledge and competences in the research domain of scientists optimises the selection of technology applications, which accelerates the spin-out process and generally strengthens the prospects for the emerging firm to achieve and sustain growth. Application of the model in two departments at the Technical University of Denmark provides empirical evidence for its usefulness.


Food safety and quality assurance is a shared responsibility of everybody. Thestudy aimed to determine the levels of microbial and pesticide residues of goldensnails. Analysis was done in five groups: (1) freshly gathered, (2) natural starvation,(3) induced starvation, (4) cooked, and (5) dressed golden snail. Results revealed thatgolden snail samples have different Coliform and Salmonella count. The coliformcount ranges from 6.00 x 102 Colony Forming Unit per gram to 2.95 x 105 ColonyForming Unit per gram. The freshly gathered snail sample revealed a count of 1.63x 105 Colony Forming Unit per gram. Cooked sample which underwent naturalstarvation too at same count of days has 4.00 x 103 Colony Forming Unit per gram.Samples that were starved for eight hours with hot pepper have 2.85 x 105 ColonyForming Unit per gram. Samples that were starved with hot pepper then cooked forten minutes has 6.00 x 102 Colony Forming Unit per gram. All salmonella values arezero except for the naturally starved (two days) sample which has 2.80 x 102 ColonyForming Unit per gram. The edible part reveals: 1) negative for salmonella andcoliform; 2) no detection of pesticide residues at the limit of determination; and 3)Cooking process affects the microbial level of golden snail samples. Cooked samplescontain less plate count, bacterial count, coliform count and salmonella count thanthe uncooked samples. The best methods of preparing the ready-to-eat golden snails are through induced starving, cooking and dressing them. Cooking process (20-30minutes), refrigeration (40 degrees F) and proper handling are the best solution infreeing food from contamination. Keywords: Science and Clinical Laboratory, chemical contamination, experimental method,Philippines


We analyze Range-free localization algorithms of WSN and propose a new localization algorithm based on amendatory simulation curve fitting theory. Firstly, we present the current research status of localization technology and some improved Range-free localization algorithms based on the modification of hop distance and selection of anchors. Secondly, we analyze the disadvantages of those algorithms. Thirdly, we propose a new algorithm based on amendatory simulation curve fitting (ASCF) through selecting more accurate reference distance and anchors. The new algorithm can improve the localization accuracy. At last, simulation experiments are conducted, and the experimental results indicate that the new algorithm can enhance the localization accuracy efficiently.


BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE
Primary paranasal sinus lymphoma (PPSL) is a rare presentation of extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with a natural history distinct from other lymphomas. This study was to evaluate the clinical and pathologic characteristics, treatment outcomes and prognosis of PPSL.

METHODS
The records of 14 PPSL patients, treated at Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from 1994 to 2006, were analyzed.

RESULTS
The primary involvement sites included the maxillary sinus (11 cases), ethmoid sinus (2 cases), and sphenoid sinus (1 case). All patients were at stage I-II (Ann Arbor system). According to the AJCC TNM staging system, most patients had advanced T3-T4 disease. Of the 14 patients, 12 had B-cell PPSL, 1 had T-cell PPSL, and 1 had unclassified PPSL. The most common type was diffuse large B-cell PPSL (6 cases, 42.9%). Two patients underwent total maxillectomy and 12 underwent local excision or biopsy. All patients received chemotherapy and 6 received radiotherapy after chemotherapy. Both 5-year overall and event-free survival rates were 78.6%, with a median survival of 59.5 months(range, 2-192 months).

CONCLUSIONS
PPSL is an uncommon presentation of lymphoma characterized by bulky local disease. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common histologic type and the maxillary sinus is the most common original site of PPSL. A combined-modality approach with systemic chemotherapy and local-regional radiation is recommended for PPSL patients. The prognosis of PPSL is relatively good.


Purpose: to study gastrotoxic and ulcerogenic effects of a long-term administration of a newly synthesized compound from the hexaazaisowurzitan (thiowurtzine) series in rats, as well as to assess its effect on the transplantable tumor in mice. Material and Methods. lewis lung carcinoma was transplanted into mice, and thiowurtzine was prescribed for a long course together with cyclophosphamide. In the terminal stage of tumor development the mass of the primary node, the number and area of metastases in the lungs of mice were measured. Histological sections of the stomach were studied in rats after a 90-day administration of thiowurtzine. Results. thiowurtzine at therapeutic dosages of 50 and 100 mg/kg for a course of 19 days potentiated the effect of cyclophosphamide to inhibit tumor dissemination and exerted a direct antitumor effect in mice with lewis lung carcinoma. a dose of 1000 mg/kg for 90 days did not cause ulcerogenic action of thiowurtzine. Conclusion. the absence of a stimulating effect on tumor growth in animal experiments and intactness in relation to the gastric mucosa during chronic administration of thiowurtzine allow us to recommend this innovative analgesic for clinical study as a concomitant analgesia in cancer patients.


The iodine doped plasma-polymerized biphenyl thin film is investigated in this study. Iodine atoms lead to increase the charge transfer complexes and change the electronic equilibrium in the polymer structure due to their high electronegativity. Therefore, the iodine doped films show significant improvements in the electrical characteristics as compared to the undoped ones. The results of Raman spectroscopy verify the presence of the iodined groups in the structure of deposited thin films. The number density of the iodined groups increases with increasing the radio frequency input power. The I D /I G ratio changes in a range from 0.40 to 072 for the undoped thin films while it decreases from 0.74 to 0.58 for the iodine doped thin films which can be due to the rearrangement in the structure. Photoluminescence spectra show a broad red emission band at about 630 nm as well as unclear bands placed like small shoulders at 580 nm and 731 nm. These bands become to seem clearly after the iodine doping process. The conjugation length of the polymer thin films increases with iodine doping as well as increasing the power values. All depositions are produced using a capacitively coupled plasma system with 13.56 MHz radio frequency source. During the doping process, the vaporized iodine material is directly exposed to the plasma discharge and mixed with the biphenyl polymer material. All results are characterized in detail.


Vegetation has a role in reducing CO2 from anthropogenic activities through photosynthesis. Fuel combustion is one of the activities that greatly contribute to CO2 emissions. As a city with many destinations, the possibility of CO2 emissions will increase in Bogor especially on holidays because of motorized vehicle from other cities. This research aims to determine the absorption capability of vegetation in Bogor City in reducing CO2 emitted from fuel combustion. We analyzed CO2 data for 2017 by day to obtain traffic levels in the city assuming that people mobility using vehicle was influenced by day. Then we separated CO2 data into slow and fast photosynthesis rate based on air temperature. We determined the absorption capability of vegetation at daily basis by calculating the difference between the min and the max of CO2 concentration divided by the min of CO2. Our results showed that the lowest CO2 level was in Sunday. On that day, the average air temperatur was high indicating the less CO2 concentration. Our one-way Anova test confirmed this finding. The finding revealed that the absorption capability of vegetation to reduce anthropogenic CO2 was still limited. To implement Bogor as green city, more vegetations and gardens are needed to balance an increased CO2.


Parkia multijuca Benth. is one of the Forest species that occurs in the Amazon region. The aim of the this study was evaluate the development of seedlings of Parkia multijuga in differents shading and container volume in nursery. The experimental design was a randomized block design in 4 x 4 subplotplot (4 shadings and 4 containers volumes). The shading was 0, 30, 50 and 70% and containerv olumes 110, 180, 290 and 400 cm3. The diameter, root drymass, shootdrymass, total dry mass and the Dickson quality índex of the seedlings increased proportionally with container volume and with the availability of light. The conduction of the seedlings in full sun and container volume 400 cm3 favors the development of P. multijuga quality seedlings and 70% shading should not be used in nurseries to produce P. multijuga seedlings.


Changes in the intracellular pH cf Chinese hamster cells irradiated with different doses were investigated. Using the fluorescence method it was shown that irradiation of cultured cells with doses inducing reproductive death (2.5-20 Gy) caused a temporary shift of pH by 0.4-0.5 units toward the alkaline region. After a dose of 500 Gy, inducing interphase death of cells, the alkalization of the intracellular medium was more pronounced (greater than or equal to 8.0) and persisted for 1.5 h.


Slow slip events (SSEs) are part of a spectrum of aseismic processes that relieve tectonic stress on faults. Their occurrence in subduction zones have been suggested to trigger megathrust earthquakes due to perturbations in fluid pressure. However, examples to date have been poorly recorded and physical observations of temporal fluid pressure fluctuations through slow slip cycles remain elusive. Here, we use a newly developed two-phase flow numerical model — which couples solid rock deformation and pervasive fluid flow — to show how crustal stresses and fluid pressures within subducting megathrust evolve before and during slow slip and regular events. This unified 2D numerical framework couples inertial mechanical deformation and fluid flow by using finite difference methods, marker-in-cell technique, and poro-visco-elasto-plastic rheologies. Furthermore, an adaptive time stepping allows the correct resolution of both long- and short-time scales, ranging from years to milliseconds during the dynamic propagation of earthquake rupture.

Here we show how permeability and its spatial distribution control the degree of locking along the megathrust interface and the interplay between seismic and aseismic slip. While a constant permeability leads to more regular seismic cycles, a depth dependent permeability contributes substantially to the development of two distinct megathrust zones: a shallow, locked seismogenic zone and a deep, narrow aseismic segment characterized by SSEs. Furthermore, we show that without requiring any specific friction law, our model shows that permeability, episodic stress transfer and fluid pressure cycling control the predominant slip mode along the subduction megathrust. Specifically, we find that the up-dip propagation of episodic SSEs systematically decreases the fault strength due to a continuous accumulation and release of fluid pressure within overpressured subducting interface, thus affecting the timing of large megathrust earthquakes. These results contribute to improve our understanding of the physical driving forces underlying the interplay between seismic and aseismic slip, and demonstrate that slow slip events may prove useful for short-term earthquake forecasts.


Single crystals of YBa2Cu30,, of various oxygen stoichiometries, were irradiated with 50 keV Kr' to create defect cascades similar to those resulting from fast neutron irradiation. Two-beam dark-field transmission electron microscopy in weak dynamic conditions was used to measure the defect cascade size distribution in the principal axes for four different oxygen stoichiometries, and high-resolution electron microscopy verified the mean size of these cascades. The mean size of the defect cascades generated was independent of oxygen stoichiometry from x = 6.35 to x = 6.9, which indicates that magnetic flux pinning does not vary because of any association between the oxygen concentration and the cascade size. For Kr' incident near the c axis the defect cascades have on average a circular cross-section of 3.5 nm diameter perpendicular to the ion beam, while an elliptical cross-section was found for ions incident near the x axis. The minor axis (3.5nm) was in the [OOl] direction and the major axis (5.5nm) was in the [OlO] direction. This aspect ratio of 1.6 matches that found for high-energy heavy-ion track damage in YBa2Cu3Ox, which implies that the shape is determined not by the recoil damage mechanism but in the cooling or relaxation stage where the anisotropy in thermal conductivity determines the defect shape.


Abstract Movement between host plants during the growing season is a common behaviour among insect herbivores, although the mechanisms promoting these movements are poorly understood for many systems. Two possible reasons why insect herbivores relocate include compensating for host plant quantity and/or quality changes and the avoidance of natural enemies. The Arctic caterpillar (Gynaephora groenlandica (Wocke); Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) moves several metres each day, feeds on its patchily distributed host plant, Arctic willow (Salix arctica Pallas; Salicaceae), and has two main natural enemies, the parasitoids Exorista thula Wood (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Hyposoter diechmanni (Nielsen) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). We physically moved caterpillars between Arctic willows and restricted other caterpillar individuals each to a single willow throughout the active period of Arctic caterpillars. We found that growth rate, herbivory rate, and the proportion of available leaf fascicles eaten were higher for experimentally moved caterpillars. Parasitoid abundances were low and did not differ between experimentally moved and stationary caterpillars. Taken together, our study addresses the bottom–up and top–down controls on insect herbivore movement during the short duration of the growing season in the Arctic. Our results suggest that caterpillars are likely moving to new willow shrubs to access high quality resources.


OBJECTIVE: Loneliness can be detrimental to health. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of loneliness as well as its risk factors in older adults in South Africa.MATERIALS & METHODS: This cross-sectional population based study investigated factors associated with loneliness in a nationally representative sample (n=3624) of older South Africans who took part in the "Study of Global Ageing and Adults Health (SAGE)" wave 1 in 2008. The outcome variable was self-reported prevalence of loneliness and the exposure variables were socio-demographic characteristics and health variables.RESULTS: The overall prevalence of self-reported loneliness was 9.9%. Prevalence of loneliness was 10.2% for females and 9.5% for males, lowest among those married (7.5%), and highest among the 70+ years olds (12.5%). Individuals with highest level of education had the lowest prevalence of loneliness (5.9%). Indians or Asians were significantly more likely to experience loneliness than other population groups (Adjusted Odds Ratio=AOR: 3.20; 95% Confidence Interval=CI: 1.31, 7.80). Married or cohabiting individuals were significantly less likely to experience loneliness than unmarried or non-cohabiting ones, respectively (AOR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.81). In multivariable logistic regression, individuals with good subjective health were less likely to experience loneliness than those with poor health (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.73). Similarly, individuals with good cognitive functioning were significantly less likely to experience loneliness than those with poor cognitive functioning (AOR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.97).CONCLUSION: The study found that the prevalence of loneliness among older adults in South Africa is significant. Preventative interventions that address the identified factors, including poor health status and low cognitive functioning, associated with loneliness need to be developed.


BACKGROUND
Addiction to tobacco is the main cause of preventive morbidity, and so the fight against tobacco consumption is a priority in the developed world. Health advice is a valuable tool in this struggle and it is within the reach of all health workers. To study the long-term effectiveness of all anti-tobacco advice in Primary Aid, together with the influence that the reason for giving up (spontaneous or after advice) has upon the relapse pattern.

METHOD
We carried out a clinical test on 501 patients, 242 as a participant group, receiving health advice, and 259 in a control group. We evaluated giving up the habit through a survey. The data were analysed by means of a study with a survival study, considering the relapse to be the final point. Survival curves for the two groups were compared with the Lee-Desu statistic.

RESULTS
115 patients gave up the habit for at least 24 hours (31.8% from the participant and 14.7% from the control group). After 3 years, after a biochemical check-up, 4.5% of the participant group and 1.2% of the control group were still ex-smokers (difference = 3.3; p = 0.043%; there is a confidence interval of 95%: from 0.45 to 6.33). We did not find significant differences between their survival curves (p = 0.08).

CONCLUSION
We have been able to confirm the mid- to long-term effectiveness of anti-tobacco advice. We have not been able to demonstrate that anti-tobacco advice in the relapse pattern, but a statistical trend does exist towards a reduction in the participant group.


BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS
Patients with Lynch syndrome are at increased risk of developing small-bowel adenocarcinoma, which usually has a bad prognosis and needs to be diagnosed early. Our aim was to evaluate the yield of capsule endoscopy and CT enteroclysis in this situation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed a prospective, blinded, comparative study of capsule endoscopy and CT enteroclysis in five academic centers. Thirty-five consecutive asymptomatic patients with Lynch syndrome, all with one proven deleterious mutation, were included. A double reading was performed blind for both types of examination.

RESULTS
Histologically confirmed small-bowel neoplasms were diagnosed in three patients (8.6 %): one adenocarcinoma (T3N0M0) and two adenomas with low-grade dysplasia. Capsule endoscopy identified all neoplasms. CT enteroclysis raised suspicion of one neoplasm (adenocarcinoma) but missed the two others. Concordance between the two capsule readings was high with a κ value of 0.78 (95 %CI 0.55 to 1.0), which was not the case for CT enteroclysis, where the κ value was 0.15 (95 %CI -0.27 to 0.58).

CONCLUSION
Curable early or advanced neoplasms in asymptomatic patients with Lynch syndrome using capsule endoscopy can be detected with a better reproducibility than with CT enteroclysis. The clinical usefulness of systematic small-bowel screening in these patients should be confirmed through large prospective studies.


The major concern of the public health program is that the currently used muscle models for deltoid muscle injection are costly and inadequate for students to practice basic nursing skills. Thus, this research and development (R&D) study aimed at developing an innovation of the deltoid muscle injection model and examining the students' satisfaction toward the developed model. The volunteer samples comprised 60 students in their third and fourth year with practical experience in intramuscular injection. The statistics used in the data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The finding indicated that the developed low-cost deltoid muscle injection models were composed of inexpensive and lighter materials, together with different sizes created. The developed models also had the advantage that the fluid, usually water, could be used while training for injections. The samples rated their satisfaction toward the developed models at a high level ( X = 4.11). The developed deltoid muscle injection models were likely to support self-learning, to improve students' nursing skills and confidence when performing injections.


Adult-infant early dyadic interactions have been extensively
 explored by developmental psychologists. Around the age of 2 months, infants
 already demonstrate complex, delicate and very sensitive behaviors that seem to
 express their ability to interact and share emotions with their caregivers. This
 paper presents 3 pilot studies of parent-infant dyadic interaction in various
 set-ups. The first two present longitudinal data collected on two infants aged
 between 1 and 6 months and their mothers. We analyzed the development of
 coordination between them, at the motor and at the vocal level. The 3rd pilot
 study aims to explore interpersonal coordination in both vocal behavior and
 motor activity for one infant and his mother at 2, 4 and 6 months. These pilot
 studies however leave a number of questions open concerning developmental
 changes and infants' progressive mastery of interaction. We identify areas worth
 examining and try to tease out specific issues that may help develop new
 methodological pathways for the study of early naturalistic social interaction.
 We assume that a continuous, rather than discrete, approach would better capture
 the changes taking place in the various communicative modalities, while also
 displaying each dyad's specificity and the narrative dimension of social
 engagement between infants and caregivers.


In this study, undoped polyaniline–poly(methyl methacrylate) films were cast from solutions containing different amounts of soluble part of undoped polyaniline and poly(methyl methacrylate) in dimethylformamide. The films contained undoped polyaniline up to 60% since the solubility of undoped polyaniline in dimethylformamide was 1.14g/100 mL. The conductivity of undoped polyaniline–poly(methyl methacrylate) films were investigated after being redoped in some acids such as oxalic, nitric, and hydrochloric acids. When the films doped with hydrochloric acid was kept in air, the conductivity decreased gradually by 32%. Their temperature sensor behavior was examined in the range of -15 to 120°C. The characterization of films was performed by conductivity measurement, FT-IR, UV, and TGA techniques.


Neuroimaging data may reflect the mental status of both cognitively preserved individuals and patients with neurodegenerative diseases. To find the relationship between cognitive performance and the difference between predicted and observed functional test results, we developed a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based regression model to estimate the level of cognitive decline from preprocessed T1-weighted MRI images. In this study, we considered the Predicted Cognitive Gap (PCG) as the biomarker to accurately classify Healthy Control (HC) subjects versus Alzheimer disease (AD) subjects. The proposed model was tested on a dataset that includes 422 HC and 377 AD cases. The performance of the proposed solution was measured using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Area Under the Curve (AUC) and achieved 0.987 (ADAS-cog), 0.978 (MMSE), 0.898 (RAVLT), 0.848 (TMT), 0.829 (DSST) for averaged brain images; and 0.985 (ADAS-cog), 0.987 (MMSE), 0.901 (RAVLT), 0.8474 (TMT), 0.796 (DSST) for middle slice skull stripped brain images. The results achieved indicate that PCG can accurately separate healthy subjects from demented ones and thus, the structure of the brain contributes to the level of human cognition and their functional abilities. Therefore, PCG could be used as a biomarker for dementia.


An experiment was conducted to study Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for some traits in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Twelve genotypes were used in this experiment. These genotypes were planted in Randomized Block Design with three replications during the rainy season of the year, 2014 at vegetable research farm, Department of Horticulture, Allahabad School of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad (U.P.). Genetic Variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain for different characters were studied in 12 genotypes of cucumber. The study indicated existence of considerable amount of genetic variability for all the traits in all the genotypes used in the experiment. The maximum phenotypic and genotypic coefficient (PCV and GCV) was observed for number of female flowers per vine (19.28 and 21.54), number of male flowers per vine (19.62 and 20.79), fruit yield per vine (19.86 and 19.88), number of branches per vine (13.79 and 16.29), number of fruits per vine (14.20 and 15.51), node number at which first appears of male flowers (10.11 and 15.22), node number at which first appears of female flowers (12.78 and 15.14) and fruit length (11.66 and 11.92). High genetic advance over mean coupled with high heritability was observed in characters like number of male flowers per vine, vine length and fruit weight (g). However, the estimates were moderate for number of female flower's per vine. Higher heritability estimates were accompanied by lower genetic advance over the mean for vitamin C, TSS, fruit yield per vine and days to first fruit harvest. The maximum genetic gain in per cent was recorded for fruit yield per vine (kg), number of male flowers per vine, number of female flowers per vine, number of fruit per vine, number of branches per vine, fruit length and node number at which first appears of female flower.


Extreme winds and complex wave fields drive upper-ocean turbulence in tropical cyclone conditions. MotivatedbyLagrangianfloatobservationsofbulkverticalvelocityvariance(VVV)underHurricaneGustav (2008), upper-ocean turbulence is investigated based on large-eddy simulation (LES) of the wave-averaged Navier–Stokesequations. To realistically capture wind- and wave-driven Langmuir turbulence (LT), the LES model imposes the Stokes drift vector from spectral wave simulations; both the LES and wave model are forced by the NOAA Hurricane Research Division (HRD) surface wind analysis product. Results strongly suggest that without LT effects simulated VVV underestimates the observed VVV. LT increases the VVV, indicating that it plays a significant role in upper-ocean turbulence dynamics. Consistent with observations, theLES predictsasuppressionofVVVnearthehurricaneeyeduetowind-wavemisalignment. However,this decrease is weaker and of shorter duration than that observed, potentially due to large-scale horizontal advection not present in the LES. Both observations and simulations are consistent with a highly variable upper ocean turbulence field beneath tropical cyclone cores. Bulk VVV, a TKE budget analysis, and anisotropy coefficient(ratioofhorizontaltoverticalvelocityvariances)profilesallindicatethatLTissuppressedtolevels closer to that of shear turbulence (ST) due to misaligned wind and wave fields. VVV approximately scales with the directional surface layer Langmuir number. Such a scaling provides guidance for the development of an upper-ocean boundary layer parameterization that explicitly depends on sea state.


Bamboo tar is a waste by-product from the process of bamboo charcoal production. After distillation under reduced pressure, bamboo tar becomes a highly viscous liquid containing phenolic compounds at more than 70 wt%. Therefore, bamboo tar could be an excellent replacement for the phenolic compounds produced by the decomposition of petroleum. In this study, bamboo tar was mixed with formalin under a weak alkaline condition to form cured phenol-formaldehyde (PF) beads through suspension polymerization. In total, 35% of the obtained PF resin produced spherical beads with a particle size ranging from 9 to 16 mesh. The char yield after 500°C carbonization was 60.4 wt%, according to thermogravimetric analysis. This high char yield is advantageous for the subsequent activation process. After physical activation using CO2 at 900°C for 2 hr, the carbide yield was up to 73.0 wt%. The specific surface area of activated PF beads was dependent on the activation time and temperature. Toluene adsorption results suggest that the activated PF beads are applicable to the adsorption and recovery of VOC gases. Monolayer adsorption may limit the VOC adsorption with activated PF beads because the adsorption isotherms were better fitted with the Langmuir model. Implications: Bamboo tar is shown to be a good replacement for the phenolic compounds from decomposition of petroleum to form activated phenol-formaldehyde (PF) beads. Toluene adsorption tests suggest that the activated PF beads have potential to adsorb and recover VOC gases. Nevertheless, due to the low specific surface area of the activated PF beads from bamboo tar, a further enhancement in both meso- and microporosity is needed in the future experiments. The experimental data provide a contribution to better understanding the possibility of resource recovery of waste agricultural by-products and their potential application in environment protection.


Abstract This paper attempts to assess the practical utility of nonmonotonic logic in diagnostic problem solving. We begin with a brief review of the main assumptions which motivate work in this area, and discuss two logic-based approaches which involve nonmonotonic arguments. Then we consider two recent proposals for the application of default logic to diagnosis, as well as a proposal based on counterfactual logic. In conclusion, we briefly compare these methods with other diagnostic reasoning paradigms found in the Artificial Intelligence literature.


This article explains the impetus in the United States behind the drive to extend test-based accountability to teachers and the growing interest in employing valueadded models to generate the indicators to be used in teacher evaluation. The empirical literature finds that teaching quality is the most important school-related determinant of student. Yet, in the main, teacher evaluations are done poorly – if at all – and compensation has been largely determined by seniority and credentials. Policy makers see strengthening teacher accountability as a priority. In particular, they are looking to increase the role of outputs in comparison to inputs. However, given the technical problems associated with status-based indicators of teacher and school effectiveness, the focus has turned to indicators based on some measure of the progress students have made during the academic year. Value-added analysis relies on sophisticated statistical models to generate estimates of the relative effectiveness of teachers, based on a measure related to student progress. This article provides a brief introduction to value-added models and summarizes key research findings. Although value-added estimates have some desirable properties, they do not represent a simple, neat solution to a complex evaluation problem. In this spirit, the article concludes by describing some of the many concerns regarding the use of value-added scores for high-stakes decisions and suggests some ways to enhance the likelihood that teacher accountability will contribute constructively to the improvement of teaching.


The position and workings of interactive interior elements matter greatly on the relations people may enact. This paper reports on the conception and evaluation of an interactive table and its interior effects designed to support sensitive consultations between healthcare personnel, patients and relatives as they happen during treatment of cancer diseases in a hospital department of oncology. The interior design includes the physical shape of artefact, its digital functionality and how the seating around it is to take place. The design of the table is substantiated through observations of current practice, framing of the design challenge, conceptualization, and exploring form giving alternatives. Through a set of evaluations in actual use settings it is argued how the design concept of the table as interactive interior points to how notions in interaction proxemics should be rearticulated. In particular, this paper argues how proxemics thresholds should be regarded as dynamic and relational.


Background Pain is a very common symptom in older people whose care is complex1,2. Few data are available on the safety of tramadol. Purpose The objective was to describe prescriptions of tramadol in the hospitalised elderly and to assess its tolerance. Material and methods The computerised medical data of a French hospital of 222 beds were used, for a total of 45 012 patient stays. They included drug administrations, laboratory results, diagnostic and discharge letters. Automated queries allowed description of prescriptions of analgesics in patients aged 75 years and older and to detect co-prescriptions of tramadol with molecules that can potentiate its adverse effects. The Kramer algorithm was used to assess the causality of tramadol in the prescription of antiemetics or laxatives. Results Among the 7362 patient stays included in the study, 47.2% received at least one analgesic, essentially non-opioid analgesics. Administration of weak opioids concerned 16.5% of stays. Review of the 1092 stays with administration of tramadol found 8 cases of constipation and 6 cases of nausea potentially related to tramadol. 33 patient stays presented administration of tramadol despite severe respiratory failure which is a contraindication. Finally, 6 cases presented a contraindicated drug association with tramadol. Conclusion Analgesic prescriptions concerned approximately half of the elderly hospitalised population in this study. Tramadol is the most prescribed analgesic after paracetamol. The position of tramadol in the treatment of pain in the elderly requires prospective studies on tolerance in this sensitive population at high risk of adverse drug events. Our results based on retrospective data suggest that tramadol prescriptions are realised in accordance with the recommendations and that digestive tolerance is satisfactory. References and/or Acknowledgements Jakobsson U, Klevsgård R, Westergren A, et al. Old people in pain: a comparative study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2003;26:625‑36 Lazarou J, Pomeranz BH, Corey PN. Incidence of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. JAMA, 1998;279:1200‑5 This study was conducted as part of a project funded by the Medical Research Foundation (FRM). The FRM did not taken part in the study. No conflict of interest.


The success of Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation depends on the efficiency of gene delivery, plant regeneration systems and selection agents. The effects of hygromycin B (hyg B), a selection agent that is commonly used in plant genetic transformation, on embryogenic calli and somatic embryos of indica rice var MR 219 was evaluated. Embryogenic calli and embryos were cultured on pre-regeneration medium containing hygromycin concentrations from 0 to 200 mg/litre for 12 weeks to determine the lethal dose. The potential of the hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt) gene as the selective marker was also evaluated. The embryogenic calli was co-cultivated with the Agrobacterium strain LBA 4404 that harbours the binary vector pCAMBIA1305.2 with the hpt gene and subsequently cultured on regeneration medium with added hygromycin concentrations at 0 to 50 mg/litre. Results showed that hygromycin concentrations above 30 mg/litre strongly inhibited growth and development of non-transformed embryogenic calli and somatic embryos. Ten to 20 mg/ litre hygromycin concentrations were the most suitable concentrations used for selection of transgenic embryos or plantlets of rice MR 219 with 2.4% efficiency. Hygromycin B is a suitable selection agent and selective marker for genetic transformation of rice MR 219.

 Keywords: Oryza sativa L.; somatic embryo; phosphotransferase; plant regeneration; tissue culture


The increased adoption of mobile devices and social networking is drastically changing the way people monitor and share knowledge about their environment. Here, information and communication technologies (ICT) offer significant new ways to support social activism in cities by providing residents with new digital tools to articulate projects and mobilize activities. However, the development of ICT for activism is still in its infancy, with activists using basic tools stitched together in an ad hoc manner for their needs. Still, Internet-based technologies and related software architectures feature various enablers for civic action beyond base social networking. To that end, this paper discusses the vision and initial details of AppCivist, a platform that builds on cross-domain research among social scientists and computer scientists to revisit service-oriented architecture and relevant services to further social activism. We discuss the ICT challenges inherent in this project and present our recent work to address them.


Numerical simulations of convection with strongly temperature‐dependent viscosity suggest that non‐Newtonian viscosity convection (dislocation creep) passes through three convective regimes similar to those observed for Newtonian viscosity convection (diffusion creep): the small viscosity contrast regime, the transitional regime and the stagnant lid regime. For realistic viscosity contrasts, mantle convection is in the stagnant lid regime characterized by formation of a very viscous, slowly creeping lid on top of an actively convecting mantle. This explains the tectonic style observed on the terrestrial planets and the Moon. On the other hand, this eliminates the possibility that the plates on Earth could be mobile due to non‐Newtonian viscosity. The nature of the mobility of lithospheric plates on Earth has yet to be explained.


The lessons of history, if thoughtfully perused, may cast some illumination on the pathways of the future. The development of a body of knowledge and of clinical and experimental techniques to the point of constituting a new scientific discipline and an independent medical specialty requires myriads of observations, experiments, and studies. These constitute a tribute to the ingenuity, insight, perseverance, and dedication of a host of clinicians and investigators of past generations and of the current scientific scene. Allergy, like most medical specialties, was presaged by scattered and unorganized clinical observations over centuries. Unlike the other specialties, however, it is the first to be distinguished by attention to a modality of disease causation—the phenomenon of hypersensitivity—rather than by delineation in terms of an organ system, age group, or therapeutic approach. The gradual conceptualization of the possibility that hypersensitiveness to otherwise innocuous substances may produce disease in predisposed individuals required a


In this paper, the process parameters of thread rolling were designed based on the numerical analysis results. Firstly, the effective analysis conditions that guarantee the reliability of the analysis results were found. To find the effective analysis conditions, the analyses were carried out for various numbers of teeth. And then, the effects of the process parameters such as tool shape and temperature on the thread rolling performance were investigated. The formability in thread rolling process was evaluated in terms of Cockcroft-Latham damage value. In order to evaluate formability, Cockcroft-Latham damage value was normalized by the critical damage value which was obtained from the analysis of uniaxial tensile test. The analyses were carried out using DEFORM-3D. The results showed that the flank angle and crest round had an effect on the thread rolling load. It was also shown that temperature had significant effects on the effective strain distribution, rolling load, and damage. With the reduced formability of stainless steel at higher temperature, it was shown that the normalized damage values increased as the process temperature.


Members of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) family have pivotal roles in many biological processes. Although originally studied for their role in DNA replication, it is becoming increasingly apparent that certain members of this family are multifunctional and also play roles in transcription, cohesion, condensation, and recombination. Here we provide a genetic dissection of the mcm5 gene in Drosophila that demonstrates an unexpected function for this protein. First, we show that homozygotes for a null allele of mcm5 die as third instar larvae, apparently as a result of blocking those replication events that lead to mitotic divisions without impairing endo-reduplication. However, we have also recovered a viable and fertile allele of mcm5 (denoted mcm5A7) that specifically impairs the meiotic recombination process. We demonstrate that the decrease in recombination observed in females homozygous for mcm5A7 is not due to a failure to create or repair meiotically induced double strand breaks (DSBs), but rather to a failure to resolve those DSBs into meiotic crossovers. Consistent with their ability to repair meiotically induced DSBs, flies homozygous for mcm5A7 are fully proficient in somatic DNA repair. These results strengthen the observation that members of the prereplicative complex have multiple functions and provide evidence that mcm5 plays a critical role in the meiotic recombination pathway.


Raltegravir belongs to a new class of antiretrovirals acting for a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 integrase inhibition. Clinical trials of this drug have demonstrated potent antiviral activity in both therapy naïve and experienced patients. Thus, raltegravir has become an important component of combination treatment regimens used to treat patients with multidrug-resistant HIV-1. The quantification of raltegravir in human plasma is important to support clinical studies and determine pharmacokinetic parameters of raltegravir in HIV-1 infected patients. Recently, the LC-MS/MS superfine system was developed to determine plasma concentration of raltegravir; however, the system needs to be delicately set and the equipment is very expensive. Therefore, we developed a conventional LC-MS method to overcome these difficulties. Subsequently the method was validated by estimating the precision and accuracy for inter- and intraday analysis in the concentration range of 0.010-7.680 microg/ml. The calibration curve was linear in this range. Average accuracy ranged from 97.2 to 103.4%. Relative standard deviations of both inter- and intraday assays were less than 10.4%. Recovery of raltegravir was more than 80.6%. This novel LC-MS method is accurate and precise enough to determine raltegravir levels in human plasma samples.


Changes of the three types, termed here as alpha, beta and gamma, in the secretory functions present in the submandibular glands (SMG) of male rats were observed throughout almost all animal lives from 2 weeks to 24 months of age, by measuring changes of the wet weights of the SMG, salivary volumes secreted, the concentrations of protein, calcium and inorganic phosphate, and the types of proteins secreted in response to alpha-methylnoradrenaline (alpha-mNA) for the alpha-type, isoproterenol (IPR) for the beta-type and clonidine (Clonid) for the gamma-type, volumetrically, colorimetrically, atomic absorption-pectrophotometrically and isoelectric focusing electrophoretically. The molecular weight, isoelectric point and some posttranslational variations of a purified protein were elucidated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PhastSystem), isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IEF, PhastSystem) on gradient pH 3.5 to 5 gels and neuraminidase or alkaline phosphatase treatment. The localization in the SMG, the inhibitory effects on the BrdU incorporation of the cultured thymocytes and the adhesive properties to the acrylic resin plate of this antigen were also analyzed by the indirect immunofluorescence, IEF and protein detection methods. The wet weights of the SMG were substantially increased up to 3.5 months of age with a positive correlation to body weight, but thereafter it reached the plateau level up to 24 months of age, somewhat different from changes of body weight. The salivary volumes as well as the amounts of protein secreted in response to alpha-mNA, IPR and Clonid were positively correlated to the wet weights of the SMG throughout the animal life. The concentration of calcium in the three types of secretions was positively correlated to the protein concentration, whereas the concentration of inorganic phosphate was tended to be reversely correlated to the salivary flow rate with some exceptions throughout the animal life. The gamma-type of proteins was not greatly changed, whereas the alpha- and beta-types of proteins were greatly changed in some proteins quantitatively or qualitatively throughout the animal life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Electrospinning is used to deform originally spherical polymer nanoparticles into ellipsoidal nanoparticles. The polymer nanoparticles are swollen and the dispersion is then electrospun. Under certain conditions, the stretching generated in the electrospinning jet is enough to generate elongated nanoparticles embedded in fibers. The formation of the anisotropic particles is observed by stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy performed on fluorescent nanoparticles and by electron microscopy measurements on the nanoparticles recovered after removal of the fiber matrix.


Background. Iron is considered to lead to neurodegeneration and has been hypothesized as a possible cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a powerful tool to measure phase related iron content of brain. Methods. Twelve de novo patients with PD were recruited from the Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Loma Linda University. Twelve age- and sex-matched non-PD subjects were recruited from neurology clinic as controls. Using SWI, the phase related iron content was estimated from different brain regions of interest (ROIs). Results. There was a trend between increasing age and iron accumulation in the globus pallidus and putamen in all subjects. Iron accumulation was not significant in different ROIs in PD patients compared to controls after adjustment for age. Our data revealed heterogeneity of phase values in different brain ROIs among all subjects with an exaggerated trend at SN in PD patients. Conclusions. Our data suggest a nonhomogeneous pattern of iron accumulation in different brain regions among PD patients. Further studies are needed to explore whether this may correlate to the progression of PD. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the heterogeneity of iron accumulation in the brain, among patients with PD.


The phenylpropanoid pathway in plants is responsible for the biosynthesis of a huge amount of secondary metabolites derived from phenylalanine and tyrosine. Both flavonoids and lignins are synthesized at the end of this very diverse metabolic pathway, as well as many intermediate molecules whose precise biological functions remain largely unknown. The diversity of these molecules can be further increased under the action of UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) leading to the production of glycosylated hydroxycinnamates and related aldehydes, alcohols and esters. Glycosylation can change phenylpropanoid solubility, stability and toxic potential, as well as influencing compartmentalization and biological activity. (De)-glycosylation therefore represents an extremely important regulation point in phenylpropanoid homeostasis. In this article we review recent knowledge on the enzymes involved in regulating phenylpropanoid glycosylation status and availability in different subcellular compartments. We also examine the potential link between monolignol glycosylation and lignification by exploring co-expression of lignin biosynthesis genes and phenolic (de)glycosylation genes. Of the different biological roles linked with their particular chemical properties, phenylpropanoids are often correlated with the plant's stress management strategies that are also regulated by glycosylation. UGTs can for instance influence the resistance of plants during infection by microorganisms and be involved in the mechanisms related to environmental changes. The impact of flavonoid glycosylation on the color of flowers, leaves, seeds and fruits will also be discussed. Altogether this paper underlies the fact that glycosylation and deglycosylation are powerful mechanisms allowing plants to regulate phenylpropanoid localisation, availability and biological activity.


Recommendation of synthetic material for reconstructing the knee joint ligaments. 15 years experience in 262 patients (sportsmen, ballet dancers, circus artistis,. The Lavasan implant was used in isolated as well as in combined injuries of the ligaments. The long-term results (13 years) yielded satisfactory results in 91%.


This paper contributes to the ongoing debate about the relevance of management accounting. In doing so, we widen the definition of 'relevance' from the largely managerialist focus dominating this debate to examine how management accounting innovations get imbued with a broader range of societal interests and how actors representing vested interests go about entrenching and resisting such innovations. We explore these issues with reference to the institutionalisation of Economic Value Added (EVA™) as a governance mechanism for Chinese and Thai state-owned enterprises. Adopting a comparative, institutional field perspective, we theorise our observations through the conceptual lens of institutional work, or the human agency involved in creating, maintaining and disrupting institutions. We extend extant research on institutional work by exploring how the evolution of such work was conditioned by differences in field cohesiveness, defined in terms of how consistent and tightly coordinated key interests clustered around EVA™ are. Our analysis also draws attention to how different types of institutional work support and detract from each other in the process of upholding such cohesiveness. We discuss the implications for future research on the societal relevance of management accounting innovations and institutional work.


THE TREATMENT of occluded nasolacrimal ducts in infants apparently needs more discussion, for within sixty days theArchivespublished two articles advocating diametrically opposed managements of the condition. A brief resume of these papers should recall the pertinent facts and disagreements on the subject. Guerry and Kendig1reviewed the literature. They found that most of the papers referred to the condition as congenital dacryocystitis or dacryostenosis and suggested that the malady be called congenital impatency of the nasolacrimal duct with or without dacryocystitis. In a study of 200 consecutive, unselected newborn infants, these authors found 12 with congenital "impatency," as manifested by epiphora and the presence of mucopus after pressure over the affected sac. The condition in these 12 patients was treated by the application of penicillin ointment and daily massage by the mother. The average duration of symptoms after the beginning of treatment was 2.3 months. After the


To check whether charge dynamics is responsible for the superconductivity in NaxCoO2.yH2O, we investigate local electronic and magnetic structure around nonmagnetic impurities embedded in this material at x=0.33 in the vicinity of charge instability, by using a phenomenological model within the slave-boson framework including competitions among a square root of 3 x square root of 3 charge order, antiferromagnetism, and f-wave superconductivity. Around the repulsive impurities, it is found that both local charge and spin orders are induced. Furthermore, the f-wave pairing order parameter is decreased on one sublattice but increased on another honeycomb sublattice. If the charge dynamics is responsible for the superconductivity, the predicted local electronic and magnetic structure could be observed by the STM and spatial resolved NMR experiments.


The mean life of the 738 keV level of 43K has been measured by direct electronic timing as tau m=265+or-15 ns. The reaction 40Ar( alpha ,p gamma )43K at 10.4 MeV was used to excite the level. A comparison is made with another recent measurement while the deduced M2 strength is compared with those in other potassium isotopes.


Improving projections of future changes in the global hydrological cycle is essential in order to understand the potential impacts of climate change and develop appropriate strategies of mitigation and adaptation to their socio-economics implications. This improvement requires a rigorous global climate model (GCM) evaluation, considering that several models often misrepresent fundamental processes of the global climate system. Recently, monsoons have been seen not just as independent systems that modulate the regional hydrology and climate but as a dominant global mode referred to as the Global Monsoon (GM). The GM is tied to global atmospheric circulation processes such as seasonal precipitation variations, the migration of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and the variability of the Hadley and Walker cells. Additionally, it can be seen as the response of the climate system to the annual solar radiation cycle. In this context, it is essential to consider not only regions with a marked seasonal change in the direction of surface winds but also the variation of precipitation in the tropics and subtropics. Reliable representations of its main characteristics are crucial for global simulations and climate change projections.

This work assesses the ability of 64 GCMs part of three generations of the CMIP (phases 3, 5 and 6) simulating the most relevant characteristics of the global monsoon. Emphasis was placed on the GM domain and the two main modes of annual variation of precipitation and surface winds, referred to as Solstitial and Equinoctial modes. The GM wind domain and GM precipitation domain are well captured in most of the GCMs, and CMIP6 models show a significant improvement especially over the Asian-Australian monsoon (AAM) region. In order to evaluate the main modes of variability, we used projections of the model simulations onto the first two multivariate empirical orthogonal functions (MV-EOF) from observations. As a result, we find that in general, model performance is higher simulating the Solstitial mode compared to Equinoctial mode, but it has improved for both modes across the CMIP generations in terms of spatial variability and magnitude. Despite this, a regional analysis shows that performance over some regions, such as South America, does not exhibit significant improvement neither for the monsoon domain nor the annual variation modes.

We also considered the annual and seasonal mean of precipitation and surface winds, and we observed a notable improvement across CMIP generations to reproduce their spatial patterns of variability. However, biases of magnitude remain significant, mainly for global precipitation. Finally, it is relevant to point out that dispersion among GCMs was considerably reduced within CMIP6 and that we do not find a direct relationship between model performance and horizontal resolution.


A novel series of donor (D)-π-acceptor (A) merocyanine molecules harnessed with intramolecular chalcogen bonding (ChaB) is designed, synthesized, and characterized. ChaB comprises periodic chalcogen atoms, S, Se, and Te, and a neighboring oxygen atom of a carbonyl moiety. Compared to the D-π-A merocyanine dye with nontraditional intramolecular hydrogen bonding, the novel molecules with an intramolecular ChaB exhibit remarkably smaller absorption spectral widths and higher absorption coefficients attributed to their cyanine-like characteristics approaching the resonance parameter (c2) ∼0.5; furthermore, they exhibit better thermal stabilities and electrical charge-carrier transport properties in films. These novel D-π-A merocyanines harnessed with intramolecular ChaB networks are successfully utilized in high-performance color-selective organic photon-to-current conversion optoelectronic devices with excellent thermal stabilities. This study reports that the unique intramolecular ChaB plays an essential role in locking the molecular conformation of merocyanine molecules and enhancing the optical, thermal, and optoelectronic properties of high-performance and high-efficiency organic photon-to-current conversion devices.


The cationic tridecapeptide E-melanocyte stimulating hormone ( E-MSH) is known to interact with anionic vesicles of 1,2-dimyristoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphoglycerol ( DMPG), partially penetrating the lipid membrane. In the lipid liquid crystal phase, phospholipid derivatives spin labeled at the different C-atoms along the acyl chain, show that the peptide increases the bilayer packing at all depths. Parallel to that, there is an increase in the probe's isotropic hyperfine splittings, indicating that the peptide significantly decreases the membrane hydrophobic barrier. Accordingly, it is suggested that the increase in membrane packing yielded by E-MSH is partly due to a greater level of interchain hydration. This result is compared to the increase in packing and decrease in polarity yielded by cholesterol, and the absence of structural or polar alterations with Na + . The latter result shows that the peptide effect is not related to an increase of positive charges at the anionic vesicle surface. Alterations on the lipid bilayer polar profile measured by the nitroxide hyperfine splitting z component in frozen samples are shown to be different from those obtained at room temperature. However, it is shown here that a certain correlation can be drawn between the increase in polarity measured in frozen samples and the packing effect caused by the different molecules in the lipid gel phase.


BACKGROUND: Disposal of large amounts of recurring industrial waste lignin is a big problem for the paper industries and there is need for a rational alternative to utilize this waste lignin. Thus highly porous activated carbons (ACs) were prepared from lignin using H3PO4 as an activating chemical with and without microwave treatment in a self-generated environment at 600 °C and the influence of different types of impregnation on the adsorption–desorption capacities of endosulfan from a liquid phase was studied.

RESULT: The maximum adsorption capacities (Xm) for ACs prepared by a microwave treatment and using a simple impregnation method were 6.2422 mg g−1 and 3.9557 mg g−1, respectively. Equilibrium adsorption time determined from kinetic experiments was 5 h and the experimental kinetic data were described by a pseudo-second-order rate model. Surface characteristics and desorption patterns showed considerable difference between the two ACs with the microwave treated AC showing less hysteresis, greater Xm and established overall superiority over the other.

CONCLUSION: Use of microwave treatment produced more oxygen surface functional groups. Results indicate that surface chemistry of the microwave treated sample is more important than the textural properties for the higher adsorption of endosulfan. The microwave treated sample also resulted in less hysteresis and fewer carbonyl surface groups. Desorption patterns cannot be predicted from adsorption alone. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry


This paper presents an electronic circuit, using the Tank and Hopfield linear programming neural net to compute the discrete cosine transform-I (DCT-I), discrete sine transform-I(DST-I) and discrete Fourier transform (DFT). First, particular attention is paid to the properties of the DCT-I matrix C/sup I/ and the DST-I matrix S'. The relationship between the real (or imaginary) part of the N-point DFT and the (N/2+1)-point DCT-I (or (N/2-1)-point DST-I) is explored. Then, it is shown analytically that the neural net for computing the DCT-I or DST-I is guaranteed to settle into the correct values within RC time constants. The N-point DFT is obtained by having a (N/2+1)-point DCT-I neural net and a (N/2-1)-point DST-I neural net operate in parallel. Finally, the simulation and comparison are made. The advantage of our DCT-I, DST-I and DFT, implementations is the speed, the simplicity and the tolerance of inaccuracies in the C/sup I/ matrix or S/sup I/ matrix. Compared with the DFT implementation using the DHT neural net introduced by Culhane et al., our DFT implementation requires a half of the number of the elements of the interconnect conductance matrix.<<ETX>>


Everything to do with tattoos, must relate to the criminal offense has been stuck in our minds. Bad image to those who have a tattoo on the body has confined the creativity of some people. The reason is, there is a presumption that all criminals caught certainly had marks on his body called tattoo. Tattoos have long known to humanity. That said, one of the expressions of tattoos as works of art has existed since several centuries BC in some tribes. Tattooing or body painting or tattoo is an image or symbol that is engraved on the skin using a needle similar tools. Usually, images and symbols that are decorated with colorful pigments. In the old days, people are still using manual techniques and traditional materials to tattoo someone. Now, people have been using the needle of iron, which is sometimes driven by the engine to "carve out" a tattoo. Based on the bad image of the tattoo community, the researchers tried to bridge to make the book as an effort to improve the image of the tattoo. Advantage of using the media guide in this research is to arouse the reader's emotions to be able to hold it directly, feel, and see the details of how the contents contained in the book. The function of the book itself is to convey information in the form of stories, knowledge, reports, and others. The book can hold a lot of information depends on the number of pages it has. Kata Kunci: Buku Estetika Tato, Fotografi Tato, Citra Tato, Clear.


Background: Contact lenses have been widely used as an alternative to spectacles both in developed and non-developing countries. However, under certain circumstances, adverse responses can occur during contact lens wear and several microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and free living amoebae—can cause several eye infections. This study was aimed to isolate contaminating bacteria from eye lenses solution.
Methods: The samples were collected from solution bottles of eye lenses with the help of sterile cotton tipped swabs that were pre- moistened with sterile normal saline, then sample directly cultured on solid media. All samples were inoculated on to blood agar, MacConkey's agar were incubated at 37oC for 24-48 h, Cultures were considered negative if no growth was detected within 48 hours of incubation. Bacterial culture obtained was identified using Gram's staining, on the basis of culture diagnosis by growing on media and performing biochemical test.
Results: A total of 150 samples from aqueous solution of contact eye lenses were used to isolate bacteria from it. Out of these samples 84 bacteria were isolated from aqueous solution while 66 were without growth. The most frequent isolated bacteria were P.aeurogenosa 39(46%) followed by S. epidermidis 27 (32%) then S. aureus 12 (14%) and E. coli 6(7%) respectively which is significant result (P-Value of 0.005).
Conclusion: The study revealed that contact lenses solution under investigation contains different types of bacteria and pseudomonas is more frequent bacteria. Furthermore the contact lenses with multiple use and users which not have difference types of bacteria growth.


ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to explore and analyze metaphors constructed around academics, in both the contexts of the UK and Turkey, to see if general opinion on academics seems to be shifting from the well-known 'ivory-tower' reputation, and if the perception differs amongst sub-groups based on their varying amounts of exposure to the reality of academia. For each country, three sample groups were asked to think of a metaphor about academics: current students; people who have never attended university; and academics themselves. In total, 642 metaphors were collected: 282 from the UK, and 360 from Turkey. For each category there was some cross-over in metaphor construction present in both contexts, but patterns of divergence in perspectives of academics for each country also became clear during the data analysis phase. The metaphors put forward by academics from both countries were broadly similar, focusing on themes of guidance, versatility and inquiry. The emergent ideas from people without a university background were that academics are egotistical, unreliable and removed from reality, whilst for students the recurrent themes were that of academics as information sources, navigators and inaccessible to them in both contexts. In terms of differences the metaphors solicited from students categorized the role of academics as protector, in the Turkish context, and privileged/enquirer, in the UK context. Academics from the UK drew more negative metaphors about the profession than their Turkish counterparts, although they also adopted a wider definition of their role in terms of directing/influencing society through science. Amongst the non-university-educated group, the metaphors can be roughly dichotomized as presenting academics as interested-curious, in the Turkish case, vs. philosopher, for the UK context. Suggestions and limitations are discussed.


Brown adipose tissue (BAT) can rapidly generate heat following the activation of its unique mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) 1 which may therefore have a role in regulating energy balance. The main anatomical location of BAT in rodents is the interscapular region, although thermogenic adipocytes termed beige can develop within white adipose tissue (WAT). As cold exposure is the main factor promoting BAT activity and browning in WAT, my thesis investigated the influence of housing at a mild cold temperature of 20°C on the interscapular BAT activity and the browning capacity of omental and inguinal WAT. This study also examined the potential effect of pregnancy on these depots and whether inguinal adipocytes transform to mammary cells (by a process termed pinking) through gestation. Excess adiposity is also associated with low-grade inflammation characterised by adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia and referred to as meta-inflammation. I, therefore, studied the effect of housing temperature on biomarkers of inflammation in omental fat in response to an obesogenic diet and whether this was further affected by pregnancy. The extent to which mild cold exposure would modulate any adaptations were also examined. The overall aim of my thesis was to identify the consequences of housing temperature on UCP1 and gene markers of brown adipocyte development in order to determine how it can modulate dietary-induced obesity.
Female Sprague Dawley rats were fed either a standard (18% of energy from fat; 24% from protein; 58% from carbohydrates, of which 7% are mono- and disaccharides; energy density of 3.1 kcal/g), or an obesogenic diet that was high in fat and sucrose (39% of energy from fat; 23% from protein; 39% from carbohydrate, of which 44% are mono- and disaccharides; energy density of 4.6 kcal/g) and housed at either a cool i.e. 20°C, or thermoneutral i.e. 27°C temperature. Body weight was recorded three times a week and food intake was measured, but only prior to pregnancy. Animals were tissue sampled, either before pregnancy or at 10 and 19 days of gestation which corresponds to 50% and 90% of the term; respectively. Expression of genes associated with thermogenesis, browning, pinking, inflammation and fatty acids metabolism were measured using qPCR while histological appearance was determined in H & E stained sections.
The obesogenic diet resulted in more fat accumulation. UCP1 protein in iBAT was more abundant in virgin animals fed the high energy diet at mild cold than at thermoneutrality. This response was modulated with pregnancy whereby UCP1 protein expression was similar between all groups. UCP1 gene expression was similar between groups but there was a decline in mRNA abundance for UCP1 with gestation that was more pronounced at 20°C. UCP1 mRNA was not detected in inguinal or omental adipose tissue in any group. Inguinal adipocytes transformed to alveolar epithelial cells with gestation as determined by changes at the gross, histological and molecular levels. Histologically, inguinal adipocytes looked more compact as gestation proceeded and alveoli formation was apparent. Gene expression for mammary cell markers ELF5 and WAP, increased with gestation, which are indicative of alveologenesis and the capacity to synthesise milk. There was no effect of diet or temperature on gene expression for pro-inflammatory markers NFkB and TNFα or anti-inflammatory genes e.g. IL10 biomarkers in response to housing temperature or diet but pro-inflammatory markers declined as pregnancy progressed.
In conclusion, housing at a standard temperature enhanced brown characteristics in iBAT. Mild cold exposure could therefore be an effective strategy to reduce fat deposition and thus obesity through enhanced thermogenesis. Exposure of dams to such conditions may subsequently influence the extent to which their offspring develop obesity in later life and reduce the negative effects on the mother.


There have been recent adversarial attacks that are difficult to find. These new adversarial attacks methods may pose challenges to current deep learning cyber defense systems and could influence the future defense of cyberattacks. The authors focus on this domain in this research paper. They explore the consequences of vulnerabilities in AI systems. This includes discussing how they might arise, differences between randomized and adversarial examples and also potential ethical implications of vulnerabilities. Moreover, it is important to train the AI systems appropriately when they are in testing phase and getting them ready for broader use.


It was found that Korean Standard of Estimate which has been used as the only basis of cost estimate of public construction projects had some side effects such as jerry-build construction and over-estimation because it failed to reflect the current price and the state-of-the-art construction methods in a changing construction environment. Therefore, the government decided to gradually introduce historical construction cost into cost estimate of public construction projects from 2004. This paper presents analytic criteria and a process model for deducing more current and reasonable historical construction cost for contract items from not only previous contract prices but also all of the other bid prices that were not contracted. The procedure of estimating actual unit cost proposed in this paper focuses on the removal of abnormal values including strategically too low or high prices and the time correction. In addition, basic research is conducted for the correction of actual unit cost through the analysis of fluctuation of bid price depending on bidding types and rates of successful bid. It is anticipated that the effective use of the proposed process model for estimating actual unit cost would make the cost estimation more current and reasonable.


Background Moving from children's to adult services can be a difficult transition for teenagers/young adults (TYA) and their families. Services are poorly coordinated; provision can be inequitable, leading TYA/their families to become socially isolated/ disengaged.(RCN 2014, Public service works 2011). Introduction We completed a 12 month Transition project, achieving the following: Identified young adults (17–25years). Home visits with TYA CNS and keyworker from children's services, creating a plan of care, naming professionals, exploring Advance Care Planning. Set up monthly Young Adult Days. (Including friends and siblings.) Methods With funding develop TYA (formally transition) services. Offering social/therapeutic days every Saturday, with siblings/friends. Appointment of Young Adults Clinical Nurse Specialist. Continue to identify TYA. Offer assessment, co-ordination/advocacy. Focus on access to education, employment, welfare/ benefits. Undertake ACP. Engage with regional/national forums regarding transition/development of services. Development of Social Media as a tool for creating/Supporting communities of TYA. Results Increase in referrals, high attendance of social/therapeutic days. Co-ordination of TYA care. Involvement of TYA in development. Growth in autonomy/independence of TYAS. Increase number of volunteers. Develop training for younger volunteers. Acceptance of TYA as part of adult services by staff/volunteers. Changing the wider perception of palliative care. Preferred place of care and death discussions. (Out of 40 referrals no advance care planning had been completed). Conclusions TYA with cancer/non cancer diagnosis, have expensive, complex multi-agency support needs. Joint working improves outcomes which can be measured with palliative care being seen as a layer of support. The service is influential in changing perceptions, illustrating the benefits of developing a shared care model including prevention of social isolation. With the benefit ofadvance care planning. Recommendations Continue to use qualitative/quantitative indicators- collating data-referrals and attendances to social and therapeutic days.


Ni-based cermets have commonly been used as anode materials with good catalytic properties for hydrocarbon fuels. However, carbon deposition can occur due to the non-ideal electrochemical reaction of hydrocarbon fuel and the structural limitation resulting from the unsymmetrical Ni-based anode-supported single cells. This critical problem leads to loss of cell performance and poor long-term stability of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Our designed anode material with an extremely small amount (0.5 wt%) of Sn catalyst incorporated into the Ni and nano-composite structure was employed not only to prevent carbon deposition in oxygen deficient areas found for unsymmetrical cells, but also to increase the cell performance due to its excellent microstructure. The nano-composite Sn doped Ni-GDC cells showed a power density of 0.93 W cm−2 with stable operation in dry methane at 650 °C.


This paper presents an experimental study on the radio propagation characteristics in subway tunnel at 18㎓ frequency band which has been assigned to video transmission between train and wayside. The radio propagation tests are carried out in the subway tunnel of Seoul Metro using the antenna and communication devices of the prototype video transmission system. The measurement results show that 18㎓ radio propagation in subway tunnel has smaller path loss than that of general outdoor radio environment. It is also cleared that the arch-type tunnels have smaller radio propagation losses than rectangular tunnels, and single track tunnels have smaller pass loss than double track tunnels. From the measurements, the radio propagation coverage is worked out as 520 meters. The curved tunnels which cannot have LOS communication between transmitter and receiver have large pass losses and fluctuation profile along distance. The radio propagation coverage along curved tunnels is worked out as 300 meters. These investigation results can be used to design the 18㎓ radio transmission system for subway tunnel by providing the optimized wayside transmitter locations and handover algorithm customized to the radio propagation characteristics in subway tunnels.


This paper is a report on studies of heat transfer and pressure drops in steam-generating tubes at pressures from 500 to 3300 psi and under exposure to furnace heat in large steam-generating units. Most of the test surfaces were in the form of flat spirally coiled tubes, but for comparison one straight tube 50 ft long was tested. Specific problems investigated include the influence of variations of the steam-water ratio and of variations in tube dimensions (scale factor) on tube-metal temperatures and on pressure drops. Some data relate to tubes operating under conditions approaching those often associated with operating failures. The test conditions were extended in several instances to include water below the saturation temperature.
 Some of the possible engineering analyses of the data have been made. Such an analysis of the relation of metal temperature to heat absorption and internal fluid conditions led to the proposal of a function ϕ which seems to offer some possibilities of development as a function correlating the factors influencing an abnormal rise in metal temperature. Similarly an analysis of the pressure drop has led to the proposal of a modification of the usual pressure-drop correlation to include the thermodynamic effect of transverse-momentum changes during evaporation.
 Supplementary investigations reported upon include pressure drop of water at saturation temperature for the pressure range 250 to 2500 psi, through flow-distributing equipment designed for forced-circulation boilers, and heat-transfer coefficients for the specific auxiliary equipment used.


Nucleation of new particles from vapor-phase molecular precursors is an important process in the synthesis of nanomaterials and in the formation of aerosols in the atmosphere. Vapor-to-particle nucleation is a macroscopic process controlled by nanoscale particles (e.g., molecular clusters). Computational approaches to nucleation have been limited by the lack of a consistent theory of the process and by the lack of efficient approaches to simulate the properties of clusters relevant to nucleation. In this article, we focus on two advances that allow nucleation to be treated in a rigorous manner for molecular systems: dynamical nucleation theory permits a consistent treatment of the nucleation kinetics and aggregation-volume-bias Monte Carlo simulations provides an efficient approach to evaluate the thermodynamics of molecular clusters important in nucleation. The combination of these two approaches positions molecular computational approaches to make significant advances in our understanding of the mechani...


The C-sink function of peatlands is mainly controlled by soil waterlogging and Sphagnum moss dominance. La Guette peatland (Sologne, France) was drained for decades by a road ditch resulting in vascular plant (Molinia caerulea) invasion. Hydrological restoration was undertaken in 2014 and vegetation experiments were set up. In both downstream and upstream stations, three treatments (n=4) were conducted: " control " with intact vegetation, " bare peat " , and " Sphagnum " (bare peat seeded with Sphagnum). Our aim was to assess the effect of such actions on plant community diversity and CO 2 /CH 4 fluxes. In each plot, gas fluxes and plant cover were measured. 18 months after the restoration work, " bare peat " and " Sphagnum " plots were quickly colonised by Eriophorum angustifolium (up to 90%), Rynchospora alba (up to 10%), Trichophorum cespitosum (up to 60%). In both stations, control plots functioned as C sinks with lower CH 4 emissions and higher ecosystem respiration compared to the other treatments. However, at peak biomass the latter treatments tended to act as sinks for CO 2 in 2015 than in 2014 suggesting that plant cover, higher in 2015 than in 2014, is a crucial determinant for CO 2 fluxes. Although vegetation colonisation is proceeding fast, two years do not appear to be sufficient to trigger a C sink function in restored peatlands.


Transition metals are powerful three-dimensional templates, which can gather various functionalized ligands and orient them in a precise fashion so that complex multicomponent molecular systems can be obtained without constructing covalently-assembled edifices. The compounds thus prepared exhibit precise chemical or physical functions, which are governed by the design of the system. The construction of one-dimensional molecules around ruthenium(II) or osmium(II), using rigid ligands attached to the desired electroactive species, leads to systems that are able to undergo charge separation after photonic excitation. In other related compounds, a ruthenium(II)-based chromophore is, for example, connected to an osmium(II) complex by means of rod-like bridging ligand, thereby ensuring strict control over the Ru···Os distance. By tuning the length and the electronic properties of the bridge, one can control the efficiency of the electronic energy transfer between the two chromophores. In particular, the use of a bis-cyclometallating ligand is very conducive to energy transfer and allows the observation of this process up to a Ru…Os distance of ≈20 A. By combining the building blocks of these inorganic systems with appropriate porphyrins, long-range (centre-to-centre distance between the donor and the acceptor porphyrins ≈30 A) and relatively long-lived photoinduced charge separation has been demonstrated. Finally, with copper(I) as the template, compounds of the rotaxane family are obtained, which consist of a coordinating ring threaded by a string-like component. If this acyclic fragment is end-functionalized by two bulky stoppering groups and if it incorporates two different coordination sites (a bi- and a terdentate chelate site), novel dynamic properties are observed. The movement of a given fragment of the molecule is triggered by changing the metal oxidation state. This one-dimensional motion of the ring along the string on which it is threaded is controlled by redox manipulation, resulting in a primitive molecular machine.


CHAINSAW is a model editing program for use in molecular replacement. Given a sequence alignment between template and target, it modifies the template structure on a residue-by-residue basis by pruning nonconserved residues while leaving conserved residues unchanged. Three degrees of pruning are possible. An internal alignment algorithm is used to cope with any residues that may be missing from the X-ray structure. CHAINSAW has been successfully used as a tool to assist in solving a number of protein structures.


SYNOPSIS. Streptomycin (SM) inhibition of greening of Euglena gracilis, strain z, was studied. The antibiotic was most effective if present during cell division in the absence of light. The next most effective condition was that which allowed cell division in the light, and the least effective conditions were those that allowed only minimal cell division in the dark or light (i.e., under "resting" conditions). In the dark, 20–200 times higher concentrations of SM were required for the same degree of inhibition under resting conditions as under growing conditions. The observation of Kirk (Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1962, 56, 139–51)-that the pH of the resting medium influenced the degree of inhibition–was confirmed.


The management of fractures involving the paranasal sinuses is similar to the surgical procedures followed in radical sinus surgery. In fact, the most common complication of these fractures is sinusitis. The rhinologist is best prepared to handle these fractures, and by obtaining good results he can convince the general surgeon that these cases belong to his specialty. Today an increasing proportion of hospital emergency cases are head injuries, the results of accidents during rapid transportation, industrial injuries and those obtained from bodily violence. The majority of the fractures of the facial bones exclusive of the simple nasal bone fractures, extend into the maxillary, frontal or ethmoidal sinus. The sinus involved fills with blood, which readily becomes infected. The basis of treatment is the replacement of the bony fragments, and the drainage of the sinus entered. This will restore the features. MAXILLARY SINUS "The superior maxillae are the largest bones of


Kyrgyzstan's Drug Control Agency is a key entity in counter-narcotics in Central Asia. The DCA has the status of a law enforcement agency in its own right. It is nevertheless affected both by international and domestic politics. It is entirely funded by the United States, and continued uncertainty regarding Kyrgyz-U.S. relations makes continued funding for the DCA uncertain, just as it the contract is coming up for renewal. Domestically, the DCA suffers from the weakness of its operations in the South, the main locus of drug trafficking. Rumors over imminent changes in leadership further contribute to the DCA's uncertainty


Salacia debilis Walp., (Celastraceae) is used traditionally in West Africa for the treatment of malaria. However, no scientific reports validating these effects and its active constituents are on record. Therefore, this study is aimed at evaluating the antimalarial effects, of its ethanolic extract and isolated compounds against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 and P. berghei ANKA strains. Using chromatographic, spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques three compounds were isolated and characterised. The extract of S. debilis was active against P. falciparum 3D7, in an in vitro assay with IC50 of 12.0 ± 0.32 µg/ml. The three isolated compounds, namely 1,10-dihydroxy-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one (1), 8- hydroxy-3,4-dimethoxydibenzo[b,d]furan-1-carboxylic acid (2) and benzyl-2-methoxybenzoate (3), also showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain in curative and suppressive in vivo assays. The ethanolic extract and isolated compounds of S. debilis possess antimalarial effects. The isolated compounds may be responsible, at least in part, for the observed activities of the extract.


Background and aimsMany plant species grow better in sterilized than in live soil. Foliar application of SA mitigates this negative effect of live soil on the growth of the plant Jacobaea vulgaris. To examine what causes the positive effect of SA application on plant growth in live soils, we analyzed the effects of SA application on the composition of active rhizosphere bacteria in the live soil. Methods We studied this over four consecutive plant cycles (generations), using mRNA sequencing of the microbial communities in the rhizosphere of J. vulgaris. ResultsOur study shows that the composition of the rhizosphere bacterial communities of J. vulgaris greatly differed among generations. Application of SA resulted in both increases and decreases in a number of active bacterial genera in the rhizosphere soil, but the genera that were affected by the treatment differed among generations. In the first generation, there were no genera that were significantly affected by the SA treatment, indicating that induction of the SA defense pathway in plants does not lead to immediate changes in the soil microbial community. 89 species out of the total 270 (32.4%) were present in all generations in all soils of SA-treated and control plants suggesting that these make up the "core" microbiome. On average in each generation, 72.9% of all genera were present in both soils. Application of SA to plants significantly up-regulated genera of Caballeronia, unclassified Cytophagaceae, Crinalium and Candidatus Thermofonsia Clade 2, and down-regulated genera of Thermomicrobiales, unclassified Rhodobacterales, Paracoccus and Flavihumibacter. While the functions of many of these bacteria are poorly understood, bacteria of the genus Caballeronia play an important role in fixing nitrogen and promoting plant growth, and hence this suggests that activation of the SA signaling pathway in J. vulgaris plants may select for bacterial genera that are beneficial to the plant. ConclusionsOverall, our study shows that aboveground activation of defenses in the plant affects soil microbial communities and, as soil microbes can greatly influence plant performance, this implies that induction of plant defenses can lead to complex above-belowground feedbacks. Further studies should examine how activation of the SA signaling pathway in the plant changes the functional genes of the rhizosphere soil bacterial community.


The problem of transmitting a FGS video sequence over an IP-based wireless network consisting of both wired and wireless links is addressed. To combat the different types of packet loss in the heterogeneous network, the use of a multi-product code forward error correction(FEC)scheme capable of providing unequal error protection for all bitplanes is considered. At the transport layer, Reed-Solomon(RS)coding is used to provide inter-bitplane protection. In addition, rate-compatible punctured convolutional(RCPC)coding is used at the link layer to provide unequal intra-packet protection. Optimal bit allocation is performed in a rate-distortion optimized joint source-channel coding framework to achieve the best video quality. Simulation results illustrate the advantage of the proposed multi-product code FEC scheme over previously studied approaches.