Abstract Streamwise variation in vessel geometry is a feature of many multiphase flows of practical interest, ranging from natural porous media flows to man-made lab-on-the-chip applications. The variable streamwise geometry typically exerts a dominant influence on bubble motion, and can lead to undesirable phenomena such as clogging of the vessel. Here, we study clogging in a fundamental configuration, where a tube of square cross-section is suddenly expanded over a short streamwise distance. The extent to which a bubble driven by constant flux flow broadens to partially fill the expansion depends on the balance between viscous and surface tension stresses, measured by the capillary number $\mathit{Ca}$ . This broadening is accompanied by the slowing and momentary arrest of the bubble as $\mathit{Ca}$ is reduced towards its critical value for trapping. For $\mathit{Ca}\lt {\mathit{Ca}}_{c} $ the pressure drag forces on the quasi-arrested bubble are insufficient to force the bubble out of the expanded region so it remains trapped. We examine the conditions for trapping by varying bubble volume, flow rate of the carrier fluid, relative influence of gravity and length of expanded region. We find specifically that ${\mathit{Ca}}_{c} $ depends non-monotonically on the size of the bubble. We verify, with experiments and a capillary static model, that a bubble is released if the work of the pressure forces over the length of the trap exceeds the surface energy required for the trapped bubble to reenter the constricted square tube.


We describe 3 patients whose findings fulfilled all the criteria for eosinophilic fasciitis. Unexpectedly, all 3 were found to have thyroid disease: 2 Hashimoto's disease and 1 Grave's disease. One patient also developed multiple subcutaneous nodules of a rheumatoid type. All have been followed for at least 3 yr and shown marked clinical improvement. Corticosteroids were employed in only 1 case.


The solid particles distribution in circulating fluidized beds (CFB) has been extensively studied because of its importance in the design of CFB boilers and reactors. The previous studies report that in the circulating fluidized beds, the solids near the wall move down ward as a film with axial variable thickness. Therefore, it is very important to predict solids film thickness near the wall to estimate the heat transfer between a solid suspension in the bed and wall surface. In the present paper, an expression for the local solids film thickness has been suggested from the data of local solids flux measurements by using U-tube probe. The data measured in two laboratory scale CFB units which consist of 0.0508m diameter & 3 m height and 0.1016m diameter & 6m height. Sand (182 µm and 2560 kg//m3) and FCC particles (99 µm and 1600 kg/ m3) are used as bed material. The operating gas velocity and solid circulation rates are in the range of 1-6m/s and 5-125kg/m2-s respectively for the material considered. The R2 values for the correlation developed are 0.577 for literature data, 0.3904 for small column (0.0508m ID & 4m Height) and 0.886 for large column (0.1016m ID & 6m height).


Background This paper details the experiences of nine people with mild/moderate intellectual disability who self injure; looking beyond the clinical presentations in an attempt to capture the perceptions these people have of their care in a medium secure unit. Methods A phenomenological approach was used, and during in-depth interviews, the participants gave rich descriptions of their experiences of self-injury. Results The analysis of the interviews revealed four main themes; coping strategies, staff and the organizational response - therapeutic communication, close observation and looking to the future. As a coping strategy, self-injury was seen as an effective means of reducing distress - there were unique and common reasons for this distress. Common themes relating to the actions and reactions of health professionals and the organizational response were evident within all accounts. Conclusions The theoretical and clinical implications for service users are discussed.


Despite growing concerns about environmental issues worldwide, research on the subject in the context of international marketing is virtually absent. The current study sheds light on the green aspects of exporting, using data collected from 216 exporting manufacturers. Drawing on the resource-based view and industrial organization theories, the authors show that certain organizational resources (i.e., financial, physical, and experiential) and capabilities (i.e., shared vision, cross-functional coordination, and technology sensing/response) are conducive to the deployment of an eco-friendly export marketing strategy (comprising product, price, distribution, and promotional elements). Such a strategy is more evident for exporters of industrial (vs. consumer) goods as well as for firms that sell to developed (vs. developing) countries. The results also suggest that the adoption of a green export marketing strategy has a positive effect on the firm's export performance. In addition, the authors find that the strength of the link between eco-friendly export marketing strategy and export performance is positively moderated by foreign market environmental public concern and competitive intensity.


In a multiple change-over study the bioequivalence of 3 thiamine preparations, used therapeutically as neurotropic agents for the treatment of polyneuropathies, was tested in a collective of 7 volunteers. After ingestion of a single dose of either 100 mg benfotiamin CS-benzoylthiamine-o-monophosphate), fursultiamin (thiamintetrahydrofurfuryldisulfide) or thiaminedisulfide, thiamine blood levels were analyzed for a 10-hour period. Thiamine was measured by HPLC after precolumn derivatization to thiochrome. The maximal thiamine concentration Cmax and its time (tmax) in plasma and hemolysate, the area under concentration time curve (AUC), and thiamine excretion in 24-hour urine were assessed as criteria of bioavailability. Additionally the erythrocytic transketolase activity (ETK) and alphaETK were determined as indicators of the cellular thiamine availability. After benfotiamin ingestion a more rapid and earlier increase of thiamine in plasma and hemolysate was observed in contrast to fursultiamin and the disulfide. All biokinetic data demonstrated a significantly improved thiamine bioavailability from benfotiamin compared with the other preparations. The lowest bioavailability was detected with thiamindisulfide. From our results it can be concluded that oral administration of benfotiamin is best suitable for therapeutical purposes owing to its excellent absorption characteristics.


There is no doubt that the outsourcing of non-core functions is a global trend, however the debate continues as to whether or not the anticipated benefits of an outsourced arrangement outweigh the associated risks. This article examines the outsource option, with particular relevance to the outsourcing of 'ICT specific' processes. It looks at the potential risks and opportunities associated with a decision to enter into an outsourced agreement. Ways in which to mitigate such risks and to maximise opportunities are also examined.


Contextual approach is teaching-learning conception, which helps teachers relate their teaching materials to be presented with their pupil's real life. This approach also encourages the pupils to relate the knowledge they receive with their real life, such as family, society, and work world. Contextual Teaching-Learning is characterized with five basic concepts, i.e. problems-based learning, learning through project, practical application, learning through work situation, and cooperative learning. By cooperative learning, the pupils can improve their linguistic competence and integrate it with the teaching content, that is to enhance their communication activity.


ABSTRACT There are multiple antirheumatic drug modalities available to patients with symptomatic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that function to suppress the overactive immune system, but the inflammatory and immune suppression may contribute to postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to determine if antirheumatic medications increased the risk of both soft tissue and osseous postoperative complications in patients with RA who underwent foot and ankle surgery. We reviewed patients with RA, aged 18years and older, who underwent either an elective or a nonelective foot or ankle surgery involving an osseous procedure between 2009 and 2014. Chart review was conducted to document procedure type, active medications, and postoperative complications. Of the final 110 subjects meeting inclusion criteria, 31 (28%) patients had a postoperative complication (13 soft tissue, 9 osseous, and 9 both soft tissue and osseous). There was no statistically significant association between taking antirheumatic medications in the perioperative period and postoperative complications. Increased surgery duration and peripheral neuropathy were associated with a statistically significant increase in postoperative complications. Every 15 minutes of increased surgery time led to a 1.2‐fold increase in complication risk. Nonelective procedures had a higher risk of soft tissue complications than did elective procedures (odds ratio 4.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 16.0). Although there was no statistically significant association between the specific medication and complications, some medications trended toward statistical significance. When working with patients with RA, our findings suggest the importance of considering the risk of surgery duration and the potential risk of antirheumatic medications in the perioperative period.


We have produced probabilistic seismic hazard maps of Haiti for peak ground acceleration and response spectral accelerations that include the hazard from the major crustal faults, subduction zones, and background earthquakes. The hazard from the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden, Septentrional, and Matheux-Neiba fault zones was estimated using fault slip rates determined from GPS measurements. The hazard from the subduction zones along the northern and southeastern coasts of Hispaniola was calculated from slip rates derived from GPS data and the overall plate motion. Hazard maps were made for a firm-rock site condition and for a grid of shallow shear-wave velocities estimated from topographic slope. The maps show substantial hazard throughout Haiti, with the highest hazard in Haiti along the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden and Septentrional fault zones. The Matheux-Neiba Fault exhibits high hazard in the maps for 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years, although its slip rate is poorly constrained.


A 73-year-old man was injured after crashing his automobile into a concrete wall, and was admitted to our hospital with breathing difficulties. Chest computed tomography showed extensive mediastinal emphysema, right traumatic pneumothorax, and a suspected tracheal injury at the membranous region. Because of the associated tracheomalacia, the site of the tracheal injury was difficult to find by bronchoscopy. In addition, as the patient's respiratory condition was stable, surgical treatment was not chosen. Due to the continuous air leakage from the right lung, the patient underwent surgery after mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema improved. The postoperative course was uneventful.


Patient motion, which causes artifacts in reconstructed images, can be a serious problem in SPECT imaging. If patient motion can be detected and quantified, the reconstruction algorithm can compensate for the motion. Our approach is based on optical tracking of the patient using a pair of Web cameras to acquire stereo images. The cameras, mounted outside a SPECT system, acquire optical images simultaneously with the emission projections. The patient wears a stretchable, close-fitting garment that includes easily detected features. The Web cameras view the features, from which a surface map is computed using stereo techniques. When the patient moves, the surface map is recomputed, the patient surface is tracked, and a description of the motion is computed. Later processing stages can use the motion information to correct the tomographic reconstruction, for example, by rebinning acquired projection data. In this investigation, we examined whether patient respiratory motion can be detected using this approach. We have found that features can be reliably tracked over time. Feature motion as computed from stereo measurements was compared with patient respiration measured independently using a pneumatic bellows. The two sources of motion information were found to be highly correlated, demonstrating that stereo optical imaging can detect patient motion. Lastly, we have been able to compute translational and rotational motion parameters to describe respiratory motion.


Aim:  Failure of dental treatment caused by anxiety is a common problem in children. Oral midazolam has been the most commonly used premedication for pediatric patient but the use of midazolam may be associated with paradoxical reactions in children. Melatonin may induce a natural sleepiness and improve sedation. We have investigated premedication with melatonin compared with midazolam in children under nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O/O2) sedation for dental treatment.


The Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) gene encodes an oncogenic MDM2 protein, which is a negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor. MDM2 amplification or over expression is found in many tumors that eventually lead to the inactivation of the cell cycle control and loss of pro-apoptotic functions that are typically exerted by wild type p53. Many of the oncogenic effects of MDM2 are resulting from the inactivation of p53 through direct binding or degradation of p53 following E3 ligase mediated ubiquitination. However, our recent findings have indicated that MDM2 over expression can also promote tumor angiogenesis through p53 independent pathways and thereby enhance the metastatic potential of cancer cells. In this respect increasing the levels of pro-angiogenic factors such as VEGF has been confirmed as one of the mechanisms regulated by MDM2. However, the actual cluster of genes or pathways regulated by MDM2 leading to such increase in the metastatic potentials of cancer cells have not been clearly identified. Therefore, the main purpose of our study was to understand the impact of MDM2 over expression on the levels of angiogenesis related genes that can also increase growth rate and metastatic potential. Hence, for our study we used the Human Angiogenesis PCR Array to compare the gene expression profile of LNCaP (prostate cancer cells) and LNCaP-MST (MDM2 transfected prostate cancer) cells. The MST cells expressed at least 10 fold increase in the levels of MDM2 after transfection. As a result of the elevated levels of MDM2 in LNCaP-MST cells the expression of genes such as THBS1 (125 fold), TNF-α (14 fold), MMP-9 (1.4 fold) were found to be significantly up-regulated compared to the MDM2 non-transfected cells. Cluster analysis further confirmed that these gene expression profiles are positively correlated with the pro-angiogenic potential of the LNCaP-MST cells compared to the non-transfected cells. In addition, the levels of EREG, TIMP1 and CXCL3 were down regulated significantly that favors the suppression of anti-angiogenic mechanisms. Our results offer a conclusive evidence that MDM2 can impact the cancer growth and metastatic potential of cancer cells by shifting the balance towards pro-angiogenic mechanisms (The financial support from the Royal Dames of Cancer Research Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is gratefully acknowledged). Citation Format: Thiagarajan Venkatesan, Corine Stinson, Sivanesan Dhandayuthapani, Appu Rathinavelu. Analysis of angiogenesis pathway-related gene expression impacted by MDM2 using PCR array. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2365. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2365


Two east-west trending extensional detachment faults have been recognized in Crete, one with top-to-the-north motion of the hanging wall toward the Cretan Sea and one with top-to-the-south motion of the hanging wall toward the Libyan Sea. The east-west trending zone between these two detachment faults, which forms their common footwall, comprises a tectonic horst formed during Middle Miocene slip on the detachment faults. The detachment faults disrupt the overall tectono-stratigraphic succession of Crete and are localized along pre-existing thrust faults and along particular portions of the stratigraphic sequence, including the transition between the Permo-Triassic Tyros Beds and the base of the Upper Triassic-Eocene carbonate platform of the Tripolis nappe. By recognizing several different tectono-stratigraphic formations within what is generally termed the 'phyllite-quartzite', it is possible to distinguish these extensional detachment faults from thrust faults and minor discontinuities in the sequence. The deformation history of units within Crete can be summarized as: (i) compressional deformation producing arc-parallel east-west trending south-directed thrust faults in Oligocene to Early Miocene time (ii) extensional deformation along arc-parallel, east-west trending detachment faults in Middle Miocene time, with hanging wall motion to the north and south; (iii) Late Miocene-Quaternary extensional deformation along high-angle normal and oblique normal faults that disrupt the older arc-parallel structures.


This paper reviews recent developments in the area of software user interface standardization, and identifies issues that must be addressed before an effort to establish an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) software user interface standard can be successfully completed. Arguments supporting and opposing the establishment of software user interface standards are reviewed. Potential resolutions to the critical issues including technical, organizational, logistical, and political issues are identified and discussed.


Objective: The main goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of two maternal high-fat diets with different energy densities on the somatic growth, reflex ontogeny, and locomotor activity of offspring. Methods: Twenty-nine female Wistar rats (220–250 g) were mated and grouped into three different dietary conditions: control (n = 11, AIN-93G diet, 3.6 kcal/g), high-fat/high-caloric (HH, n = 9, 51% of the calories from fat, 4.62 kcal/g), and high-fat/isocaloric (HI, n = 9, 51% of the calories from fat, 3.64 kcal/g). The fat source was mainly lard. The dietary groups were maintained during gestation and lactation. From postnatal day 1 (PND1) until weaning, the somatic growth, maturation of physical features, and reflex ontogeny of the male pups were evaluated. The locomotor activity was evaluated in an open field at PND8, PND14, PND17, PND21, PND30, PND45, and PND60. Results: HH dams had a lower food intake but no difference in caloric intake or body weight gain. The HH pups had higher body weights, greater tail and body lengths, and an increased axis of the head at weaning. The prediction of ear unfolding, delayed palmar grasp, and cliff avoidance maturation were also observed in the HH offspring. At PND60, the HH pups showed an increased average speed as well as an average potency and kinetic energy in the open field. Conclusion: A high-fat/high-caloric maternal diet increases somatic growth, predicts the maturation of physical features, and delays reflex ontogeny during lactation, and it enhances motor performance during late adolescence. A maternal HI diet does not elicit the same influences on offspring development compared with the HH diet.


From Stonehenge to the Sagrada Familia, from the Acropolis to Angkor Wat, human beings have directed extraordinary amounts of energy toward the creation of architecture that expresses their religious beliefs. Indeed, in most cultures throughout history, the greatest buildings are religious ones. Both an overview of architecture and a survey of major faiths, The Secret Language of Sacred Spaces offers fascinating insights into some of the most impressive man-made structures in the world. By revealing how these historical places of worship were used and how the tenets of a faith are encoded in both their structure and embellishment, the book enhances our understanding and appreciation of these enduring testaments to belief and ceremony. The superb full-colour photographs are supplemented by ingenious decoder sections - by using the selective isolation of photographic detail, first we see the whole in glorious colour, and then the detail in context with fascinating explanatory annotations. While the book emphasises the key living faiths, with major sections on Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism, early chapters also look at the great sites of prehistory and antiquity, including the stone circle at Avebury, in southwest England, and the Pyramids at Giza.


Catalytic combustion of hydrogen-air boundary layers involves the adsorption of hydrogen and oxygen into a platinum coated surface, chemical reactions of the adsorbed species and the desorption of the resulting products. Re-adsorption of some produced gases is also possible. The catalytic reactions can be beneficial in porous burners and catalytic reactors that use low equivalence ratios. In this case the porous burner flame can be stabilized at low temperatures to prevent any substantial gas emissions, such as nitrogen oxides. The present paper is concerned with the numerical computation of heat transfer and chemical reactions in hydrogen-air mixture boundary layers that flow over platinum coated hot plates. Chemical reactions are included in the gas phase as well as on the solid platinum surface. In the gas phase, eight species are involved in 26 elementary reactions. On the platinum hot surface, additional surface species are included that are involved in 14 additional surface chemical reactions. The platinum surface temperature is fixed, while the properties of the reacting flow are computed. The flow configuration investigated in the present paper is that of a parallel boundary layer. Finite-volume equations are obtained by formal integration over control volumes surrounding each grid node. Hybrid differencing is used to ensure that the finite-difference coefficients are always positive or equal to zero to reflect the real effect of neighboring nodes on a typical central node. The finite-volume equations are solved, iteratively, for the reacting gas flow properties. On the platinum surface, surface species balance equations, under steady-state conditions, are solved numerically. A non-uniform computational grid is used, concentrating most of the nodes in the boundary sub-layer adjoining the catalytic surface. The computed OH concentration is compared with experimental and numerical data of similar geometry. The obtained agreement is fairly good, with differences observed for the location of the peak value of OH. Surface temperature of 1170 K caused fast reactions on the catalytic surface in a very small part at the leading edge of the catalytic flat plate. The computational results for heat and mass transfer and chemical surface reactions at the gas-surface interface are correlated by non-dimensional relations.Copyright © 2007 by ASME


The pekarangan is one form of agricultural open space. Empowerment pekarangan that has a shape and land cover pattern that resembles a complex agroforestry systems and the diversity of activities in integrated farming activities (mixed farming: crops, fishponds, and livestock) is expected to provide added value in food security for farming families. The research objective was to determine the characteristics of Java Ethnic pekarangan to support food security in Karang Mumus Watershed East Kalimantan. The research was conducted from March to August 2013 at Javanese pekarangan in Karang Mumus Watershed East Kalimantan. Research using surveys, questionnaires, and interviews, as well as literature. The results showed that the average area of pekarangan owned by farmers is 2,160 m 2 . Pekarangan managed as agroforestry systems. The pekarangan is growing with particularly high diversity of plant species of perennial crops and ornamental plants. Pekarangan which has a kind of perennial crops such as coconut that is closely related to Javanese culture as much as 79.2%. Javanese pekarangan also has a 66.7%  livestock animals (chickens, ducks, pigeons, and goats) and 20.8% had fish. The a grosilvopastura pekarangan has a total value of receipts and revenue be compared to the largest agrisilvikultur, agrosilvofishery, and agrosilvopasturafishery Rp. 91,775,000 per growing season and Rp. 77,538,690  per growing season.


We report on a direct generation of efficient and wavelength-tunable third-harmonic generation (THG) from ultrapure electronic-grade (EG) diamond crystals. Under an ultrafast infrared excitation at 1280 nm, the considerably high optical conversion efficiency of ~ 0.7% at a THG wavelength of 427 nm is obtained, and the THG signal can be tuned over ultra-broadband range from 420 to 730 nm. We argue that the THG efficiency is originating from minimum absorption loss and phase-matching conditions in EG diamond. Enhanced THG from EG diamond crystal represents a new paradigm for establishing efficient diamond-based frequency converters, quantum sensing, and quantum communications platforms.


Palladium, platinum, and rhodium concentrations are reported for rocks belonging to the Peridotite zone of the Ultramafic series and the Basal series of the late Archcan Stillwater Complex, a suite of Stillwater-associated sills and dikes, and the metamorphic rocks lying within the contact aureole of the complex. Mean values do not exceed 20 ppb for any rock unit and the tenth percentile rarely exceeds 200 ppb. The concentration of Pd is greater than Pt for most rock groups; both of these elements have higher concentrations than Rh.A large part of the variability in the data appears to be related to rock types containing different proportions of sulfide. It is also notable that sulfur does not correlate with the platinum-group element concentrations for many lithologies, and when it does, it commonly is not a useful predictor of platinum-group element content. Further, calculated values of R, the mass ratio of silicate liquid which has equilibrated with sulfide liquid, are low (1 to 320). Analysis of this information suggests that the immiscible sulfide liquids, from which the sulfides formed, did not completely equilibrate with the silicate liquids with respect to their platinum-group element contents and that the silicate liquids were characterized by different concentrations and ratios of platinum-group elements.


Fault Detection and Isolation with Robust Principal Component Analysis Principal component analysis (PCA) is a powerful fault detection and isolation method. However, the classical PCA, which is based on the estimation of the sample mean and covariance matrix of the data, is very sensitive to outliers in the training data set. Usually robust principal component analysis is applied to remove the effect of outliers on the PCA model. In this paper, a fast two-step algorithm is proposed. First, the objective was to find an accurate estimate of the covariance matrix of the data so that a PCA model might be developed that could then be used for fault detection and isolation. A very simple estimate derived from a one-step weighted variance-covariance estimate is used (Ruiz-Gazen, 1996). This is a "local" matrix of variance which tends to emphasize the contribution of close observations in comparison with distant observations (outliers). Second, structured residuals are used for multiple fault detection and isolation. These structured residuals are based on the reconstruction principle, and the existence condition of such residuals is used to determine the detectable faults and the isolable faults. The proposed scheme avoids the combinatorial explosion of faulty scenarios related to multiple faults to be considered. Then, this procedure for outliers detection and isolation is successfully applied to an example with multiple faults.


Ca2+ release via intracellular release channels, IP3Rs (inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors) and RyRs (ryanodine receptors), is perhaps the most ubiquitous and versatile cellular signalling mechanism, and is involved in a vast number of cellular processes. In addition to this classical release pathway there is limited, but yet persistent, information about less well‐defined Ca2+‐leak pathways that may play an important role in the control of the Ca2+ load of the endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum. The mechanisms responsible for this 'basal' leak are not known, but recent data suggest that both IP3Rs and RyRs may also operate as Ca2+‐leak channels, particularly in pathological conditions. Proteolytic cleavage or biochemical modification (such as hyperphosphorylation or nitrosylation), for example, occurring during conditions of cell stress or apoptosis, can functionally uncouple the cytoplasmic control domains from the channel domain of the receptor. Highly significant information has been obtained from studies of malfunctioning channels in various disorders; for example, RyRs in cardiac malfunction or genetic muscle diseases and IP3Rs in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review we aim to summarize the existing information about functionally uncoupled IP3R and RyR channels, and to discuss the concept that those channels can participate in Ca2+‐leak pathways.


UNLABELLED
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects approximately 20% of Americans. Patients with undiagnosed OSA may experience obstructive episodes during conscious sedation for colonoscopy. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the risk of undiagnosed OSA using the Berlin Questionnaire and to identify the relationship between OSA risk and the number of provider interventions performed to relieve obstructive symptoms during sedation for colonoscopy.

METHODS
Adult patients were enrolled from the gastroenterology clinic at the National Military Medical Center (N = 99). The Berlin Questionnaire was delivered and a brief health history obtained. Patients were observed for obstructive symptoms during sedation. Provider interventions were counted. 18 patients were monitored during their first night of sleep using a portable sleep monitor. Data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, Chi-square, and Chi-square test for trend.

RESULTS
The incidence of undiagnosed OSA was 40.4%. Patients with hypertension had a higher rate of a positive screen for OSA (70%) than those without hypertension (20.3%), chi2(1) = 3.87, P < .05. There was no statistical difference in the number of provider interventions between the 2 groups. Risk of undiagnosed OSA in this sample is large but it does not appear to be associated with episodes of obstructive symptoms requiring provider intervention.


Low Power Wireless (LPW) networks have recently been emerging as key candidates to offer affordable connectivity for the constrained devices in the Internet of Things (IoT). However, they also raise major security concerns due to the inherent security vulnerabilities of built-in communication protocols. By exploiting these flaws, an adversary can attack sensors or actuators in an LPW network and force them to execute energy-hungry tasks such as verifying unauthenticated garbage messages repeatedly. This attack, namely energy depletion attack (EDA), can drain the batteries of the devices rapidly and lead to soaring network-wide energy expenditure. Consequently, the offense can leave the victims disabled, and even shut down the whole network due to the battery exhaustion of all the devices. In this paper, we investigate existing studies and provide a systematic review of EDAs and defenses in LPW networks. Through this work, we conclude that most existing LPW technologies are vulnerable to EDAs. This paper also indicates the security challenges in LPW networks related to EDAs along with the potential research directions. While LPW technologies have already hit the market with the promising deployment schedules, our attempt can inspire the research community to enhance the security of underlying protocols that will shape the connectivity of billions of devices in the future IoT ecosystem.


Does ethical differentiation of products affect market behavior? We examined this issue in triopolistic experimental markets where producers set prices. One producer's costs were higher than the others. In two treatments, the additional costs were attributed to compliance with ethical guidelines. In the third, no justification was provided. Many participants playing the role of consumers reduced their experimental gains by purchasing the ethically differentiated product at a higher price n whether or not they knew the amount of extra cost. Individual differences were important (students of business/economics paid smaller premia than others). Finally, we speculate about the observed "demand function" for ethics and emphasize the use of experimental methodology to complement empirical studies designed to assess the potential market for ethically differentiated products.


Paleontology![Figure][1]

CREDIT: GAINES ET AL., PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. U.S.A. 109 , 10.1073/PNAS.1111784109 (2012)

The Burgess Shale in British Columbia, Canada, is one of the most famous fossil fields in the world, containing remarkably preserved soft-bodied marine life from just after the Cambrian explosion. In most other fossil locations, these soft, fragile tissues usually degrade in sediments soon after they are deposited. By examining the composition of the overlying sediments and measuring the sulfur isotope composition of minerals surrounding the fossils from the Burgess Shale, the Chengjiang in China, and five other Burgess Shale–type deposits, Gaines et al. propose that the unique depositional environment and seawater chemistry composition were the primary factors that facilitated preservation. The seafloor at this time in Earth's history was probably anoxic and also deprived of other oxidants such as sulfate, which inhibited initial bacterial degradation of recently deposited organic remains on the seafloor. Soon after deposition, the fossils were entombed in fine-grained clay sediments and then capped by a thick carbonate cement—a result of increasingly alkaline seawater. The cement further prevented the exchange of oxidants into sediment pore water and allowed the organic matter to remain, eventually transforming into the carbonaceous compressions seen today.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 109 , 10.1073/pnas.1111784109 (2012).

 [1]: pending:yes


A search was made for physiologically produced differentiation inducing factor(s) (DIF) for the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60. Mononuclear blood cells, when stimulated with various mitogens, produced DIF, which induced differentiation of HL-60 into phagocytizing nitro blue tetrazolium reducing cells with the morphologic characteristic of granulopoietic or myelomonocytic cells. Induction of differentiation occurred equally well in serum-containing and serum-free media. Protein synthesis was necessary for elaboration of DIF, which seems to be of a protein nature inasmuch as it is destroyed by proteases. Gel chromatography showed that one or two species of DIF with apparent molecular weights of 40,000 and 25,000 were produced, depending on the type of mitogen used. At least the 40,000-molecular weight DIF was distinct from the colony stimulating activity (CSA), which was produced simultaneously. Our results suggested a role of lymphocytes and/or monocytes for modulation of myelomonocytic hematopoiesis not mediated by CSA. The physiologic importance remains, however, to be demonstrated.


The paper is concerned with a study of the mechanism of ethanol induced testosterone biosynthesis inhibition in rat testis. The time course of acute alcoholic intoxication (4 g of ethanol per 1 kg of body mass) has shown that the size and direction of testosterone concentration shifts resemble those of corticosterone. The level of the latter correlates with the ethanol concentration rising at the early time of the experiment and lowering up to 26-27% in 4-8 h. The content of testis cyclic AMP, leu-enkephalin and beta-endorphin remains unchanged indicating against the hypothesis of ethanol effects mediation by the testicular opioid system.


A teratogenicity study of halopredone acetate (THS-201), a synthetic corticosteroid, was carried out using Jcl: Wistar rats. Pregnant rats were treated subcutaneously in doses of 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 and 12.5 mg/kg/day, from day 7 to day 17 of gestation. Two-thirds of pregnant rats were killed on day 20 of gestation to examine the development of fetuses, and remaining rats were allowed to litter naturally in order to investigate the postnatal development of offspring. The results obtained from the present study were as follows. During the gestation and lactation periods, there occurred a decrease in the maternal body weight gain in 2.5 and 12.5 mg/kg groups. No influences of THS-201 administration were observed on gestation, delivery and lactation of dams. No external, visceral and skeletal anomalies attributable to THS-201 were observed in the fetuses. THS-201 administration did not have any influences on viability and development, various functions such as reflex response, learning and reproductive performance of F1 generation, and further on development of F2 generation. Therefore, it was concluded that the non-effect dose of THS-201 for the reproduction of dams and development of F1 generation was 12.5 mg/kg/day.


Abstract Medicinal plants have been the focus of several studies due to their nematicide properties which can be used to control nematodes in sheep. No study has examined the morphological effects of Cymbopogon citratus on nematodes. Thus, this study evaluated the chemical composition, nematicidal activity and effects of C. citratus extracts on the morphology of eggs and infective larvae (L3) of sheep. Aqueous and methanolic extracts and fractions of C. citratus were obtained and analysed in vitro. The C. citratus extracts were effective against Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. larvae and eggs. Ten fractions were obtained from C. citratus, six of which had high ovicidal activity at 1000 μg mL−1, and two fractions had high activity at all tested concentrations. The phytochemical analysis identified the presence of compounds such as terpenoids, various ketones, esters, and fatty acids. The ultrastructural analysis showed deformations of the cuticle and wilting along the body of the nematodes at all concentrations. The muscular layer, intestinal cells and the mitochondria profile showed damage compared to the typical pattern. Ultra-thin sections of eggs treated with methanolic fractions of C. citratus presented modifications. This study showed the biological activity and effects of C. citratus on the gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep.


A laser/modulator driver IC for 10-Gb/s-SONET OC-192-fiber optic transmitters is described. Depending on the user application, the IC is capable of driving more than 100 mA of current into a laser diode or over 50 mA into an electro-absorption or Mach-Zehnder modulator. Rise and fall times below 20 pS are achieved. The driver employs a novel dual-mode actively matched output buffer that provides a dc-coupled back termination of either 25 or 50 /spl Omega/. Compared to an output buffer with a resistive termination, this buffer dissipates only half as much power. In addition, the buffer has the the ability to reject external bias and will therefore not load bias sources used to set laser threshold currents and modulator offset voltages. The low power consumption makes the IC most suitable for co-packaging with uncooled lasers and electro-absorption modulators. The driver is fabricated in a 0.25-/spl mu/m gate length production GaAs PHEMT process with substrate thru vias, thin-film resistors, and MIM capacitors.


Current forward facing (FF) child restraint designs use LATCH and ISOFIX systems to couple the restraint to the vehicle. Rear facing (RF) child restraints, however, have multiple coupling methods that vary by manufacturer and country of origin. Sled tests were performed with the CRABI 12 month dummy in six different RF attachment conditions. The performance of the rear facing child restraints (restraint kinematics, head accelerations, and neck loads) was highly dependent on the coupling method used. The results were also compared to a FF LATCH restraint.


Before the free-ranging, acorn-feeding finishing period (montanera), Iberian pigs are feed-restricted during the so-called premontanera. With the aim of increasing animal welfare during this period, three different diets with increasing levels of fibre (5.0 %, 8.5 % and 12.0 %; the 2 latter including rice husk, an underutilized byproduct) were evaluated during the premontanera period from 9 to 13 months of age in Iberian pigs. Animal welfare was evaluated using the Welfare Quality© test. None of the treatment groups had diarrheic problems, despite the relatively high level of fibre in the rice husk-containing diets. Body weight at the end of premontanera did not vary significantly among the 3 treatments. However, body weight gain from the 2nd month of treatment up to the end of premontanera was significantly higher for the treatment having the highest fibre level than for the other treatments. These preliminary results suggest that supplementation with high levels of fibre (12 %) from rice husk could increase the welfare level of Iberian pigs during premontanera, thus providing an alternative use for this important agricultural byproduct.


Antibodies against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and the feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen (FOCMA) were transferred from pregnant cats to their suckling kittens. All of these kittens were protected against infection and oncogenesis by virulent FeLV when challenged at 2 weeks of age. Suckling kittens acquired 25 to 100% of maternal virus-neutralizing and FOCMA titers by 3 days of age, and titers underwent linear decay to undetectable levels by 2 to 3 months of age. FOCMA antibody in dams and kittens was identified as immunoglobulin G (IgG) by use of goat anti-human IgG serum, which cross-reacts with feline IgG in the indirect membrane immunofluorescence test for FOCMA antibody. In an attempt to induce protective maternal antibody by vaccination, 10 pregnant cats were immunized by three to five weekly intramuscular injections with purified FeLV inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation. After the course of immunization, neither virus-neutralizing nor FOCMA antibody was detectable in the dams or in 19 kittens born to these cats. When these kittens were challenged with FeLV at 2 weeks of age, 18 of 19 developed persistent viremia and FeLV-related disease.


Ants possess properties that can be used to optimize plant production in agricultural systems. Ant services can be herbivore and pathogen protection and fertilization of their plant partners. They may, however, also harm plants by facilitating ant-attended herbivorous homopterans. To assess whether wood ants can be used in IPM-systems to improve apple production, we transplanted wood ants into a Danish apple plantation and tested whether ants (i) reduced the number of herbivores, (ii) led to higher amounts of leaf nutrients, (iii) controlled apple pathogens, (iv) increased homopteran abundance and (iv) whether these effects affected apple yields. During a two year study, we found that the wood ants significantly reduced the numbers of winter moth larvae, increased magnesium content in apple leaves (but did not affect 10 other nutrients), reduced the number of apples infected with apple brown rot and apple scab (on one apple variety) and increased aphid infections. In the first year, this led to higher apple production on ant trees, whereas ants had no effect on yields in the second year. It was evident that ants provided both services and disservices. If mutualistic ant-homopteran interactions can be disrupted, this would favor plant growth and open for the use of wood ants in sustainable plant management. We discuss how this may be accomplished. Alternatively, ants may be used short term to knock down pest outbreaks (before building up homopteran populations) or used in crops that do not host ant-attended homopterans.


A 4½-year-old white boy has been followed for 14 months with chronic agranulocytosis. This case is an example of the rare, non-sex linked recessive disease of the hematopoietic system, first described definitely by Kostman in 1956, and termed "Infantile Genetic Agranulocytosis." The primary defect is a severe depression of the neutrophilic granulocytes. The other marked morphological and clinical abnormalities we believe are secondary to the neutropenia and the attending infections. A brief comparison with other "primary" chronic neutropenic states reported in childhood and clinically similar to infantile genetic agranulocytosis has been made. The differential diagnostic features are stressed.


We present a multi-stage, multi-frequency carbon d ielectrophoresis (CarbonDEP) device for high throughput filtering and separation applications in the health care and biotechnology fields. CarbonDEP refers to the use of carbon surfaces to induce Dielectrophoresis (DEP). Up to X high aspect ratio carbon electrode arrays are sequentially embedded in a microfluidic channel and excited with different optimized signals, provided by a custom engineered multi-channel, programmable signal generator, in their frequency and magnitude to obtain X dielectrophoresis-active filters, or a super filter with X stages. Particle separation is achieved by sequentially releasing and collecting the particles previously trapped at different arrays. We demonstrate the feasibility of a 2-stage system by separating 3 particle populations. We also discuss how such system is best applied when working with specific sample types.


Rectal cancer surgery in Japan started to first step of Lisfranc type resection by T. Sato in 1887. Since H. Ito (1902) published in success of three cases of abdominosacral excision (ASE), ASE occupied the main position of rectal cancer surgery in Japan. In 1944, however, M. Kuru reported the superiority of abdominoperineal resection (APR), an orient of surgery had changed to APR from ASE with time. His operative mortality was 2.0% or less, and 5-year survival rate was more than 50%. D. Jinnai (1961) introduced endorectal pull-through operation, and in 1972 he exhibited an excellent survival and satisfying function following sphincter preserving operation, such as anterior resection and pull-through, for mid and upper rectal cancer. T. Kajitani (1975) and Y. Koyama (1977) improved the survivals through an extended pelvic nodes dissection. Today, the principle of rectal cancer surgery in Japan is a limited resection for early cancer, sphincter preserving operations for upper and mid-rectal cancer and extended pelvic nodes dissection for advanced lower rectal cancer.


High-throughput single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) has transformed our understanding of heterogenous immune populations. Advances in scRNA-seq, such as oligo-conjugated antibody technologies that enable protein expression profiling alongside mRNA, are expanding the range of molecules that can be profiled at the single cell level. Although sequencing the T-cell and B-cell immune repertoire can provide crucial insights into the complexities of the adaptive immune system, thus advancing discoveries in immunology and immune-oncology, the ability to extract this information from single cells requires new technology to profile regions of the mRNA missed by conventional 3′ scRNA-seq. Here we demonstrate a novel approach using the BD Rhapsody™ system to extract immune-repertoire information in addition to gene-expression information from the same cells. In a single workflow, we profiled a panel of 400 mRNA targets and 40 protein markers as well as the CDR3 region of T- and B-cell receptors in thousands of human PBMCs. After using the mRNA and protein information to robustly annotate different lymphocyte populations, we examined the T- and B-cell repertoires for differences in their clonal diversity. We were able to identify clonally expanded T cells and B cells and examine how their gene-expression profiles differ from that of non-expanded cells. This study demonstrates the power of combining mRNA, protein, and immune repertoire analysis at the single cell level to answer complex and important biological and clinical questions.
 For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
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This study investigated the ability of electrically conductive carbon rovings to detect cracks in textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) structures. The key innovation lies in the integration of carbon rovings into the reinforcing textile, which not only contributes to the mechanical properties of the concrete structure but also eliminates the need for an additional sensory system, such as strain gauges, to monitor the structural health. Carbon rovings are integrated into a grid-like textile reinforcement that differs in binding type and dispersion concentration of the styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) coating. Ninety final samples were subjected to a four-point bending test in which the electrical changes of the carbon rovings were measured simultaneously to capture the strain. The mechanical results show that the SBR50-coated TRC samples with circular and elliptical cross-sectional shape achieved, with 1.55 kN, the highest bending tensile strength, which is also captured with a value of 0.65 Ω by the electrical impedance monitoring. The elongation and fracture of the rovings have a significant effect on the impedance mainly due to electrical resistance change. A correlation was found between the impedance change, binding type and coating. This suggests that the elongation and fracture mechanisms are affected by the number of outer and inner filaments, as well as the coating.


Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue(EAT) exerts cardiometabolic effects on myocardium and could be related with cardiac geometrical changes. Both obesity and hypertension are considered common risk factors for left ventricular remodeling. But the relation between obesity and hypertension with LV geometry changes have not been examined by considering EAT. We hypothesized that higher EAT thickness may contribute the LV geometrical changes in hypertensive patients. Design and Method: 247 female patients(mean age 59.2 ± 10.4) from KoROSE study were enrolled. EAT thickness was measured by echocardiography. Obesity was defined as BSI > 25Kg/m2. LV geometry was classified as normal(LVMI < 95 g/m2 and regional wall thickness(RWT < 0.42), concentric remodeling(LVMI < 95 g/m2 and RWT≥0.42), left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH, LVMI > 95 g/m2). Results: In 247 patients, 103 patients(41.7%) had hypertension and 122 patients (49.6%) had obesity. The prevalence of obesity was higher in hypertensive patients (60.2% vs 42.0%, P = 0.005). LVH was present in 47 patients (48.0%) of hypertension and 33 patients(24.3%) of normotensive patients(P < 0.001). The presence of obesity was frequent in normotensives with LVH(24.3%) than without LVH. But in hypertensive group, the incidence of obesity was not different according to LVH (52.9% vs 68.1%, P = 0.129). EAT thickness were compared by the presence of LVH and obesity in normotensive patients and hypertensive patients(Figure 1). In normotensive patients, EAT thickness was higher in patients with obesity or LVH. In hypertensive patients the difference of EAT thickness was showed by the presence of LVH, only. In patients with hypertension, EAT thickness was increased according to the deterioration of LV remodeling process (Table 1). EAT thickness was related with age, presence of obesity, the presence of hypertension and LVH. But, by multivariate analysis, only LVH was related with EAT with statistical significance (OR = 2.13, P = 0.035). Conclusions: As EAT thickness was independently related with the presence of LVH, irrespective of confounding effect from obesity, EAT thickness was related with progressive LV geometrical change.


Noise reduction for underwater acoustic signals has attracted considerable attention over the last few decades. Among the numerous techniques, wavelet soft-thresholding (STH) has been considered as one of the most effective noise reduction approaches, as it achieves near complete success in minimizing the mean-squared-error (MSE) and eliminating oscillations caused by noise. However, a limitation with STH is its preference towards lower frequency bands, which may cause distortions in the high frequency bands. Few previous research efforts have reported on the reduction of such frequency distortions. By introducing the time-scale filters (TSF), we present a novel technique for underwater noise reduction that improves the standard STH in reducing distortions in the joint time-frequency (TF) space. TSF is an advanced noise reduction algorithm which utilizes the signal's time-scale (TS) support region. It provides smooth reconstructions in both time and frequency spaces. We demonstrate the noise reduction results for two typical underwater noise sources: the snapping shrimp sound and the rainfall sound. We also introduce a TF distortion measurement as a criterion that compares the TF distributions of the denoised signal and the clean signal. For a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from -10 to 20 dB, the noise reduction results obtained using TSF have an average of 42.1% lower TF distortion than STH for the snapping shrimp noise, and a 23.3% lower TF distortion for the rainfall noise.


The purpose of the paper is to examine and analyze the performance of South African Real Estate Investment Trusts (SAREITs) with a view to enhancing investment decision making and ultimately shareholders' wealth. Unbalanced data (2007 – 2017) of 37 listed SAREITs will be retrieved and analyzed from the I-Net (BFA) McGreggor database using the Abnormal Returns, Cumulative Average Abnormal Return (CAAR); and Buy and Hold Abnormal Returns (BHAR) over a 101-day event window period. This paper intends to add to the international REIT research and literature by exploring new evidence behind performance of REITs following issuance of Secondary Equity Offerings (SEOs). The analysis covers a period of ten (10) years; as such, becomes robust for potential investment decision making


Increased penetration of intermittent energy resources disturbs the power grid network. The frequency band of the power grid is normally controlled by automatic opening and closing of the guide vanes of hydraulic turbines. This has increased the number of shutdown cycles as compared to the defined ones for the normal operation of turbines. Turbine shutdown induced a significantly higher level of pressure fluctuations and unsteadiness in the flow field, decreasing its expected life. This paper presents experiments performed on a high head model Francis turbine during shutdown. The pressure and 2D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements were performed to investigate the pressure fluctuations and flow instabilities in the turbine. The pressure sensors were mounted in the draft tube cone and vaneless space to measure the instantaneous pressure fluctuations. In the present study, the initial high load operating condition was considered to perform the turbine shutdown. The data were logged at the sampling frequency of 40 Hz and 5 kHz for PIV and pressure measurements, respectively. Time-resolved velocity and pressure data are presented in this paper to show the pressure fluctuations and causes of generation of unsteady flow in the draft tube.


The CAGE questionnaire, a new brief alcoholism screening test, was administered to all patients (N = 366; 39 percent alcoholic) admitted to a psychiatric service over a one-year period. The authors indicate that the CAGE questionnaire is not a sensitive alcoholism detector if a four-item positive response is the criterion; however, if a two- or three-item criterion is used, it becomes a viable rapid alcoholism screening techniquefor large groups.


Facial nerve (FN) injury can lead to debilitating and permanent facial paresis/paralysis (FP), where facial muscles progressively lose tone, atrophy, and ultimately reduce to scar tissue. Despite considerable efforts in the recent decades, therapies for FP still possess high failure rates and provide inadequate recovery of muscle function. In this pilot study, we used a feline model to demonstrate the potential for chronically implanted multichannel dual-cuff electrodes (MCE) to selectively stimulate injured facial nerves at low current intensities to avoid stimulus-induced neural injury. Selective facial muscle activation was achieved over six months after FN injury and MCE implantation in two domestic shorthaired cats (Felis catus). Through utilization of bipolar stimulation, specific muscles were activated at significantly lower electrical currents than was achievable with single channel stimulation. Moreover, interval increases in subthreshold current intensities using bipolar stimulation enabled a graded EMG voltage response while maintaining muscle selectivity. Histological examination of neural tissue at implant sites showed no appreciable signs of stimulation-induced nerve injury. Thus, by selectively activating facial musculature six months following initial FN injury and MCE implantation, we demonstrated the potential for our neural stimulator system to be safely and effectively applied to the chronic setting, with implications for FP treatment.


A new next generation safety analysis code, COMPASS, is designed based on the moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method to provide local information for various key phenomena in core disruptive accidents of sodium-cooled fast reactors. In FY2006, improvement of basic fluid dynamics models for the COMPASS code was carried out and verified with fundamental verification calculations. In order to improve the numerical stability of MPS simulations, a fully implicit pressure solution algorithm was introduced instead of the two-stage MAC algorithm originally applied by MPS. With a newly developed free surface model, numerical difficulty caused by poor pressure solutions is overcome by involving free surface particles in the pressure Poisson equation. An improved algorithm was also proposed for surface tension calculation with the continuous surface force (CSF) model applied to the moving particle method. This algorithm provides higher numerical precision with the CSF model by interpolation between moving particles and background mesh. Application of the fully Lagrangian MPS method to solid-fluid mixture flow problems is straightforward. In FY2006, applicability of the MPS method to interactions between fluid and multi-solid bodies was investigated in comparison with dam-break experiments with solid balls. It was found that a modified pressure solution algorithm makes simulation with the passively moving solid model stable numerically. Though characteristic behavior of solids was successfully reproduced by the present numerical simulations, the comparisons with the experimental results showed that interactions between solids and solid-wall should be modeled for more precise simulations. Therefore, the discrete element method will be considered in the next stage.Copyright © 2008 by ASME


The roof system of Yueqing Gymnasium adopts a new hybrid space structure called the double inner and outer latticed shell string structure. The prestressing construction of this structure is complex. Thus, the whole process analysis for the pretensioning scheme and cable breaking should be performed prior to construction. The tension processes and effects of local component failures were studied on the basis of the structural model test. The effects of the construction sequences of the inner inclined cables and outer radial cables were tested, and the effects of the tensioned outer radial cables were investigated. The analysis and test results show that the internal forces and structural deformations vary linearly during the construction tension processes, and that the structural configuration is stable. The structure can be tensioned to the designed configuration successfully with reasonable construction sequences and programs. Finally, the local component failures of the test model were studied, and the effects of the cable, strut, and sling breakings on structural performance in different positions were discussed. The test results of the cable and strut breaking show that the double inner and outer latticed shell string structure has excellent structural rigidity and has a certain capability for resisting progressive collapse.


We combine magnetic circular dichroism and photoconductivity with prior optical absorption and first principles calculations to unravel spin-charge interactions in the high Curie temperature magnet CoFe2O4. In addition to revising the bandgap hierarchy, we reveal a broad set of charge transfer excitations in the spin down channel which are sensitive to the metamagnetic transition involving the spin state on Co centers. We also show photoconductivity that depends on an applied magnetic field. These findings open the door for the creation and control of spin-polarized electronic excitations from the minority channel charge transfer in spinel ferrites and other earth-abundant materials.


Title of Document: AN ENTROPIC THEORY OF DAMAGE WITH APPLICATIONS TO CORROSIONFATIGUE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ASSESSMENT Anahita Imanian, PhD, 2015 Directed By: Professor Mohammad Modarres Department of Mechanical Engineering This dissertation demonstrates an explanation of damage and reliability of critical components and structures within the second law of thermodynamics. The approach relies on the fundamentals of irreversible thermodynamics, specifically the concept of entropy generation due to materials degradation as an index of damage. All failure mechanisms that cause degradation, damage accumulation and ultimate failure share a common feature, namely energy dissipation. Energy dissipation, as a fundamental measure for irreversibility in a thermodynamic treatment of non-equilibrium processes, leads to and can be expressed in terms of entropy generation. The dissertation proposes a theory of damage by relating entropy generation to energy dissipation via generalized thermodynamic forces and thermodynamic fluxes that formally describes the resulting damage. Following the proposed theory of entropic damage, an approach to reliability and integrity characterization based on thermodynamic entropy is discussed. It is shown that the variability in the amount of the thermodynamic-based damage and uncertainties about the parameters of a distribution model describing the variability, leads to a more consistent and broader definition of the well know time-to-failure distribution in reliability engineering. As such it has been shown that the reliability function can be derived from the thermodynamic laws rather than estimated from the observed failure histories. Furthermore, using the superior advantages of the use of entropy generation and accumulation as a damage index in comparison to common observable markers of damage such as crack size, a method is proposed to explain the prognostics and health management (PHM) in terms of the entropic damage. The proposed entropic-based damage theory to reliability and integrity is then demonstrated through experimental validation. Using this theorem, the corrosion-fatigue entropy generation function is derived, evaluated and employed for structural integrity, reliability assessment and remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of Aluminum 7075-T651 specimens tested. AN ENTROPIC THEORY OF DAMAGE WITH APPLICATIONS TO CORROSION-FATIGUE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ASSESSMENT


Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is an inevitable tool for many applications, such as natural resource management. In the present scenario, it is available with various resolutions from meter to sub-meter accuracy. These data are used extensively to explore the river basin's physical features by detecting and extracting watershed boundaries, elevation points, drainage networks, flow directions, and morphological parameters. Although many researchers have used DEMs to delineate the watershed boundaries of the river basin, accuracy makes the significant distinction and usage of various DEMs. In this study, the accuracy of watershed delineation derived from various open-source DEMs such as Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM), Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission, and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), Cartosat-1, and ALOS Palsar, in the vaigai river basin have been observed. The Arc SWAT hydrological modeling tool was used to delineate the watershed boundary using the DEMs mentioned above. Eventually, the outcome is validated with the help of base data received from TN-PWD (Tamilnadu Public Work Department). The results attained from the extraction of the watershed boundary from various DEMs reveal that the watershed boundary delineated from ALOS – Palsar is closely matching with the actual boundary of vaigai river basin. The regression analysis of the watershed on area and perimeter obtained from the ALOS Palsar DEM yielded R2 as 0.97 and 0.99. This R2 exhibits the close fitness of the predicted value with data obtained from TN-PWD data. The ALOS Palsar DEM provided low vertical errors and high vertical accuracy compared to other DEMs. Overall the ALOS Palsar DEM generated outcome exhibited comparatively better results than the rest of the DEMs.


By a variety of microscopical techniques, an initial survey has been made of the functional organization of ovarian balls from mature, inseminated female Moniliformis dubius and Polymorphus minutus. On the basis of evidence from observations made with the transmission electron microscope, we have concluded that the ovarian ball consists of three components; these are two separate, multinucleate syncytia and a cellular zone. The inner region is considered to be an oogonial syncytium from which the germ-line cells arise to form the cellular zone. The oogonial syncytium and the cellular elements are embedded in a supporting syncytium which also forms the boundary of the ovarian ball. Details of the ultrastructure of these components, observations on fertilization and a hypothesis to account for the main events occurring in an acanthocephalan ovarian ball are also presented. Acanthocephalans are dioecious parasites which become sexually mature in the alimentary tract of vertebrates. After insemination, individual female worms begin to release embryonated eggs at rates which have been estimated to vary, on average, from 2000 per day in the case of Polymorphus minutus (Crompton & Whitfield, 1968) to 260000 per day in the case of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Kates, 1944). Irrespective, however, of the species of acanthocephalan and the number of eggs produced, a most interesting mode of ovarian development and multiplication is believed to exist (see Bullock, 1969). Within the female worm, the primordial ovarian tissue gives rise to separate ovaries which are often termed ovarian balls. These in turn give rise to more ovarian balls and the process continues until large numbers have been formed. The ovarian balls of a mature female have no permanent attachment to the tissues of the worm. They are contained in the fluid of the body cavity either freely, or loosely constrained in large membranous chambers known as ligament sacs. Few investigations have been made into the structure and cytology of the ovarian balls of the Acanthocephala. Early observations on the histology of the germ-line constituents of ovarian balls were made by Hamann (1891), Kaiser (1893) and Meyer (1928), each of whom suggested that some of the developing oogonial stages were arranged in a syncytial manner. In a study of the embryology of P. minutus. Nicholas & Hynes (1963) interpreted preparations of ovarian balls, which had been subjected to the Feulgen reaction, as indicative of syncytial tissue in the central region of the ball. They also recorded their uncertainty about whether an ovarian ball has a bounding membrane or not. More recently, Robinson (1964, 1965) described mitotic and meiotic divisions in oogonia and oocytes from ovarian balls of Mac. hirudinaceus and Moniliformis dubius and Stranack (1972) included an electron micrograph of part of an ovarian ball of Pomphorhynchus laevis in a description of the nature of the egg envelopes of that species. In this paper, we present a general survey, based largely on evidence obtained with the electron microscope, of the functional organization of the ovarian balls of mature M. dubius and P. minutus.


Assessment-Based Learning Environments (ABLE) make use of assessment information coming from a variety of sources (e.g., formative and summative) to guide instruction. We have developed English ABLE, an assessment based learning environment designed to help English language learners (ELLs) learn about English grammar. Main features of English ABLE include: Item/task reuse (900 enhanced TOEFL® items were recalibrated based on data from all native Spanish speakers who have taken the test), a Bayesian psychometric student model that makes use item statistics, adaptive feedback, adaptive sequencing of tasks, pedagogical agents (Dr. Grammar, Jorge and Carmen), and an indirectly visible student model. This paper presents English ABLE and reports on some preliminary results from a study that involved 149 native Spanish-speaking ELLs.


Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is an ocular inflammatory disease and is considered to be a cell-mediated, autoimmune disease against melanocytes. To learn more about the mechanisms involved in VKH disease, the identification of the antigens specific to the disease and the development of an animal model are critically important. We have expressed and purified the melanocyte specific proteins, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) and 2 (TRP2). Lewis rats developed an ocular and extraocular inflammatory disease 12 days after immunization with TRP1 or TRP2 that was characterized clinically by the infiltration of inflammatory cells and accumulation of massive fibrin in the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. Histologically, inflammatory cells were found in the anterior and posterior chambers, iris, ciliary body, the choroid, subretinal space and vitreous body. In severe cases, a serous detachment of the retina was observed. In mild cases, focal inflammatory lesions surrounded by normal chorioretinal architecture were observed and the inflammation persisted for more than 42 days after the injection. Some eyes showed accumulation of epithelioid cells in the choroid or the retinal pigment epithelium which were similar to the Dalen-Fuchs nodules found in patients with VKH disease. The alterations of the photoreceptor outer segment and the outer nuclear layer were less severe than in experimental autoimmune uveitis induced by retinal antigens. Extraocular manifestations such as skin lesions and meningitis were also observed. The clinical course and histological findings in these rats resembled the changes in patients with VKH disease.


1608 Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are Kit/CD117 expressing mesenchymal tumors. Aberrant hypermethylation of promoter CpG islands is an important mechanism for the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. CpG island hypermethylation occurs in relation to tumorigenesis in many human tumors. Moreover, we have previously reported that transcriptional repression of Cox-2 is caused by hyper-methylation of the Cox-2 promoter region CpG island in human gastric carcinoma (BBRC., 310(3), 844-851, 2003). The pathogenesis of GISTs involves a gain-of-function mutation in the KIT proto-oncogene, leading to ligand-independent constitutive activation of the KIT receptor. KIT-wild-type GISTs have shown mutually exclusive platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) mutation and activation. However, the data on the methylation status of various tumor suppressor genes and mutation status of KIT and PDGFR in GISTs has been very limited. We attempted to determine the methylation status of 12 genes (APC, COX-2, GSTP1, MGMT, p14, p16, RUNX-3, THBS-1, TIMP-3, DAP-kinase, E-cadherin, RASSF1A), in 30 human gastrointestinal stromal tumor tissues. In addition, we confirmed the mutation status of KIT and PDGFR genes in 30 human gastrointestinal stromal tumor tissues. Thirty c-kit-positive Gastrointestinal stromal tumors were selected for this study. Genomic DNAs and RNAs from human Gastrointestinal stromal tumors were analyzed for the relationship between expression and methylation status by cDNA microarray and methylation specific PCR (MSP). CpG island hyper-methylation was found in 40% for APC, 46% for COX-2, 16% for GSTP1, 26% for MGMT, 60% for p14, 30% for p16, 16% for RUNX-3, 23% for THBS-1, 10% for TIMP-3, 20% for DAP-kinase, 36% for E-cadherin, 10% for RASSF1A. Our results suggest that the DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional silencing of various tumor suppressor genes is a predominant mechanism for the down-regulation of various tumor suppressor genes expression in human gastrointestinal stromal tumors.


As part of a programme of landscape-scale habitat surveillance in the United Kingdom (UK), the effect of grassland sampling intensity on the outcome of numerical classification was assessed. Sample quadrats from two regions of the UK were available for post priori analysis; a random sample from Great Britain (GB), with grasslands sampled in proportion to area, and an independent stratified random sample from Northern Ireland (NI), with similar numbers of quadrats from agricultural and semi-natural grassland habitat strata. Classification of a combined area-proportional (balanced) random sample from GB and NI showed the species composition of UK grasslands to be determined largely by climate, landscape structure and land-use intensity. The classification was influenced primarily by the greater number of eutrophic agricultural grassland quadrats and semi-natural grassland quadrats of the larger GB study area. The semi-natural grasslands of NI, represented by a small number of quadrats, had little influence. Classification of a stratified NI sample combined with an area-proportional GB sample was influenced most by the NI semi-natural grassland quadrats. The structure of the classifications depended on sampling intensity. Vegetation classification should be derived from a balanced sample so that it is representative and its application does not lead to decisions being directed at classes of vegetation (or estimates derived from them) that are weighted by sampling intensity. Area-proportional sample design linked explicitly to landscape structure satisfies the requirement for a balanced classification. The issue of data-balance is relevant in conservation management and environmental assessment, where stratification is a commonly accepted procedure to reduce sampling effort, or is carried out to sample rare or ecologically interesting vegetation. It applies to landscape-scale vegetation classifications used for environmental assessments and to classifications that compare plant communities between regions (as in phytosociological studies). The issue is also important when combining environmental databases from international sources for classification purposes.


This research was conducted on beauty clinic customers dr. Amalia has bought skin care and facial treatment more than three times. The goal is to identify: customer relationship marketing and service quality on customer loyalty and how much influence the customer relationship marketing of customer loyalty and the influence of service quality on customer loyalty.  The population in this research are customers who have registered at the beauty clinic dr. Amalia Sumedang. While the samples used in this study were 200 customers. Analysis data in this study using descriptive analysis and verification analysis. Testing of research instruments conducted using validity and reliability testing. For data analysis using classical assumption testing, multiple linear regression analysis and coefficient of determination analysis, which previously performed data transformation first. As for the hypothesis test using the t test for partial testing.The result of descriptive analysis of customer relationship marketing is in very good category, service quality is in very good category and customer loyalty is in high category. Based on the partial test results of customer relationship marketing have a positive and significant influence customer loyalty, so does the quality of service have a positive and significantly influence customer loyalty.


In a survey of the Strophariaceae from a natural reserve at Southern Brazil, a total of 16 species were studied: Deconica coprophila, D. horizontalis, Hypholoma ericaeum, H. subviride, Leratiomyces ceres, Pholiota limonella, P. spumosa, Psilocybe caeruleoannulata, P. wrightii, P. zapotecorum, Stropharia acanthocystis, S. agaricoides, S. araucariae, S. earlei, S. rugosoannulata and S. venusta. Full descriptions and illustrations on Pholiota limonella and Psilocybe zapotecorum are presented due to a lack of the detailed description for the State of Rio Grande do Sul.


This article analyses how Callimachus was cited in ancient scholarship on Pindar. A survey of references to literary authors in the scholia establishes that commentaries provided only minimal specification of relations between the texts concerned. Despite this, commentaries were important intertextual sites. In providing information that supplements Pindar's texts, citations of Callimachus contribute to the latter's canonical status by treating his poetry as an authoritative source of mythological and historical details. The juxtaposition of the two authors in commentaries also allowed for an exploration of their literary relationship.


Older mother-adult daughter dyads (N = 43) addressed two issues pertaining to the ways in which help is initiated (offered, requested, and imposed help) and type of help given (instrumental help, advice, and emotional support) a) mothers' reasoning about these aspects of help, and b) daughters' understanding of mothers' feelings. Both groups noted that mothers were most comfortable with offered help; however, mothers indicated equal comfort with requested or imposed help, while daughters felt mothers were more comfortable with requested help than imposed help. Mothers and daughters both felt that mothers were less comfortable receiving additional instrumental help or advice than emotional support. Reasons given for mothers' feelings indicated that mothers saw both positive and negative elements in the help given by their adult daughters. Overall, daughters demonstrated a good understanding of mothers' feelings about the helping relationship.


The goal of the given investigation was to study the effectiveness of adsorption therapy applied to treat and prevent atherosclerosis. The kinetics of cholesterol adsorption from water-alcohol solutions prepared by ultrasonic degradation method was under study. Activated carbon and micro cellulose wide applied in medicine as entero- and hemosorbents were used to bind and remove cholesterol from model solutions. In order to give quantitative description for the adsorption process the rate constants of adsorption and desorption, the equilibrium constant of adsorption, the maximum adsorption and the degree of cholesterol excretion were calculated. The studying of calcium, magnesium, copper and ascorbic acid adsorption at activated carbon and micro cellulose made it possible to appreciate the side effects of adsorption therapy. The investigation revealed that effectiveness of activated carbon for treating and preventing atherosclerosis is greater than that of micro cellulose.


Using an in situ perfusion of the fetal side of the guinea-pig placenta the quantitative effects of changes in the perfusate flow rate and albumin concentration, and of changes in the transplacental free fatty acid (FFA) concentration gradient on FFA transfer across the placenta were investigated. Unidirectional transfer from mother to perfusate was assessed by the transfer of [14C]palmitic acid given as a constant infusion to the mother. The results of bidirectional FFA flux were assessed by measuring total unlabelled FFA accumulated by the perfusate during a single passage through the placenta. In 4 animals a factorial experiment was performed using perfusate in which the albumin concentration was changed from 1 to 3g/dl, whilst the flow was maintained at either 1 or 3 ml/min. A change from 1 to 3g/dl albumin averaged over both flow rates caused a significant increase in labelled palmitate, and unlabelled net FFA transfer, both for each ml of perfusuate (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.001) and for each minute of perfusion (P less than 0.005, P less than 0.001, respectively). A change from 1 to 3 ml/min flow rate averaged over both albumin concentrations caused a significant (P less than 0.001) decrease in labelled palmitate but no change in unlabelled FFA transfer per ml, but caused significant increases in labelled and unlabelled (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.001) FFA transfer per minute. From the results of these experiments and 32 more non-factorial experiments it was found that, whilst maternal and perfusate FFA concentrations were in the normal range, maternal plasma FFA levels significantly correlated (P less than 0.01) with net FFA transfer to the perfusate. When maternal plasma FFA levels became elevated then this relationship broke down. Inflowing perfusate FFA levels significantly (P less than 0.001) negatively correlated with net transfer, which changed direction and resulted in FFA transfer from perfusate to maternal blood when inflowing perfusate levels exceeded 1.7 microM/ml. It was concluded that the increases reported in fetal plasma albumin and flow rate as gestation advances enable the fetus to obtain increasing amounts of circulating maternal lipid. If this lipid is not extracted by the fetus then the reduction in the transplacental gradient will reduce net fat transfer to the fetus.


The vessels of the coronary circulation are prone to arteriosclerotic disease, which can lead to the development of obstructions to blood flow. The conventional way to diagnose the severity of this type of disease is by coronary angiography. This method, however, only provides insight into the morphology of the coronary vessels, whereas for an accurate diagnosis a measure for the actual flow impediment is needed. To perform these measurements, sensor-tipped guidewires have been developed to measure intra-coronary pressure and blood flow velocity. Diagnosis of coronary disease based on the time-average of these measurements have been shown to improve the clinical outcome of treatment significantly. However, since the coronary vessels are embedded in the (contracting) cardiac muscle, the interpretation of these indices is complicated and can be improved by simultaneously assessing the dynamics of coronary pressure and flow. The research described in this thesis therefore focusses on the one hand on developing devices for the simultaneous assessment of coronary pressure and flow dynamics and on the other hand on modeling the heart and coronary vessels to support the interpretation of these dynamic measurements. In the development of a device which can measure both coronary pressure and flow, two different strategies have been chosen. In the first strategy, a method has been developed to operate an already clinically used pressure sensor-tipped guidewire (pressure wire) as a thermal anemometer to also measure flow. In an in-vitro model it has been demonstrated that the power required to electrically heat the sensor is a measure for the shear rate at the sensor surface and that the method can be used to assess coronary flow reserve (CFR). By slightly adapting the method and combining it with a continuous thermodilution method, it has also been shown that the dynamics of both pressure and volumetric flow can be measured simultaneously in physiological representative in-vitro and ex-vivo experiments. The main drawbacks of this thermal method with a pressure wire are the relatively high sensor temperature required and the inability to detect flow reversal. In the second strategy, a new flow sensor, embedded in a flexible polyimide chip, has been specially designed to be mounted on a guidewire. The flow sensing element consists of a heater, operated at constant power, and thermocouples measuring the temperature difference up- and downstream from the heater. To gain insight into the working principle and the importance of the different design parameters, an analytical model has been developed. Experiments where upscaled sensors have been subjected to steady and pulsatile flow, indicate that the model is able to reproduce the experimental results fairly well but that the sensitivity to shear rate is rather limited in the physiological range. This sensitivity to shear rate can possibly be improved by operating the heater at constant temperature, which has been investigated with invitro experiments with upscaled sensors and a finite element analysis of the real, small size sensor. These studies have demonstrated that constant temperature operation of the heater is beneficial over constant power operation and that the dynamics of physiological coronary shear rate, including retrograde flow, can be assessed at an overheat temperature of only 5 K. From these characterization studies a new design of the sensor has been proposed, which is currently being manufactured to be tested in both in-vitro and ex-vivo experiments. To support the interpretation of the dynamic pressure and flow measurements, a numerical model of the heart and coronary circulation has been developed. The model is based on the coupling of four interacting parts: A model for the left ventricle which is based on the mechanics of a single myofiber, a 1D wave propagation model for the large epicardial coronary arteries, a stenosis element, and a Windkessel representation of the coronary micro-vessels. Comparison of the results obtained with the model with experimental observations described in literature has shown that the model is able to simulate the effect of different types of disease on coronary hemodynamics. After further validation, the model can be used as a tool to study the effect of combinations of epicardial and/or microcirculatory disease on pressure- and flow-based indices. To model the relation between the pressure and flow waves in the coronary arteries correctly, as well as to assist in the decision-making regarding the mechanical treatment of coronary stenoses, the mechanical behaviour of the coronary arterial wall is required. Therefore, a mixed numerical-experimental method has been employed to fit a micro-structurally based constitutive model to in-situ extensioninflation experiments on porcine coronary arteries. It has been demonstrated that the model can accurately describe the experimental data and, additionally, it has been found that the most influential parameter, describing the collagen fiber orientation, can be considered constant at physiological loading. In further research, this can be used to tackle over-parameterization issues inherent to fitting similar constitutive models to data obtained in a clinical setting. In this thesis, a computational model of the coronary circulation is presented and methods for simultaneous pressure and flow assessment are introduced. By operating an already clinically used pressure wire as a thermal anemometer, a methodology was developed which is close to clinical application, while a new sensor was designed to be more accurate in different flow conditions.


Learning resources metadata is a large research area. Standards have been developed, including IEEE LOM, SCORM and the Dublin Core Metadata initiative. This paper discusses these standards and development issues. The SCORM model can be extended in a number of ways and this research describes how this is possible. The paper then discusses the metadata design for the learning resources within an e-learning platform (Peter, Bacon and Dastbaz 2008). This e-learning platform is designed to offer personalisation and adaptability for the learner. The system metadata has been designed to enable effective searches of the learning resources which will then enable the system to offer personalised learning resources for the learner. The issues considered when designing this metadata are discussed within this paper.


Background: The enormous properties of metal oxide nanoparticles make it possible to use these nanoparticles in a wide range of products. As their usage and application continue to expand, environmental health concerns have been raised. In order to understand the behavior and effect of metal oxide nanoparticles in the environment, comprehensive and comparable physicochemical and toxicological data on the environmental matrix are required. However, the behavior and effect of nanoparticles in the real environmental matrix, e.g. sea water, are still unknown. Methods: In this study, the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanoparticles on the bacteria (gram positive-Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus/gram-negative Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in sea water were investigated. Furthermore, to better understand the behavior of the toxicity, surface chemistry, sedimentation, dissolution, particle size, and zeta potential of the nanoparticles dispersed in the sea water matrices were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometry, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. Results: The environmental matrix had a significant influence on physicochemical behavior of the tested nanoparticles. Besides, the inhibition of tested bacteria was observed against ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles in the presence of sea water, while there was no inhibition in the controlled condition. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that surface chemistry with exposure to the sea water can have a significant role on the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and their toxicity.


PURPOSE
To present our experience with the first 10 consecutive cases of laparoendoscopic single-site nephroureterectomy (LESSNU) with bladder cuff excision for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Ten patients (6 men and 4 women; 6 renal pelvis and 4 ureter) underwent LESSNU by a single surgeon. We made a 4-cm single incision at the umbilicus using a homemade single-port device. The single-port device was made with a surgical glove and Alexis wound retractor. LESSNU was performed by the same technique of conventional laparoscopic NU.

RESULTS
The mean age was 62.79 ± 7.93 years. The mean total operative time, time for nephrectomy, and time for bladder cuff excision were 225.6 ± 365.87, 80.00 ± 29.03, and 145.63 ± 42.63 minutes. The mean estimated blood loss was 187.50 ± 83.45 mL. On surgical pathologic examination, four patients were pT(1)N(0), four patients were pT(2)N(0), one patient was pT(3)N(0), and one patient was pT(3)N(2). There was one positive surgical margin in a pT(3)N(2) patient. The mean number of lymph nodes dissected was 2.5 (range 0-9). One incision extension was performed because of complete renal hilar lymphadenectomy by open technique (for the pT(3)N(2) patient), and one open conversion with a Gibson incision was performed because of severe adhesions around the distal ureter (the pT(3)N(0) patient). There were one case of transient ileus and one of fever that were improved with conservative treatment. The mean hospital stay was 4.75 ± 3.37 days. Eight patients who underwent LESSNU successfully were satisfied with their operations.

CONCLUSIONS
LESSNU for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma seems to be feasible and safe, but it is still challenging for advanced cases.


Since the independence in 1957, land tenure system in the Peninsular Malaysia (PM) has changed. The land law and regulations have been frequently amended so that the provisions and rationale of the laws can be properly understood and continuously evaluated to suit the current requirements. This paper review the Malay customary land tenure and the development of colonial land system, which has be examined through its historical evident with the aid of law cases. Even though the modern system of land tenure and land law has been widely observed and has governed land dealings in the country, customary land tenure system are still much influenced and practiced especially among the rural Malay society. The Malay customary law consists of customs and traditions of the Malay, which in the course of time acquired the character of laws and can be only, enforced by the chief or elders. It must be ancient, certain and reasonable and being in derogation of the general rules of law, and construed strictly. The paper identified the mixtures and interaction of both systems, which has been developed by the colonials to displace the existing indigenous Malay customary land tenure. The development of modern land tenure system was explained in the context of the different separate entities other than historical study on the previous land law before the commencement of the current act. Therefore, by combining the ancient Malay customary tenure, the period of colonial and the post independence land tenure system, this paper highlight a concise and comprehensive form of land tenure system that is being applied in the Peninsular Malaysia.

 Key words: Customary law, land tenure, colonial government, sultan, Malay reservation


In face of the necessity of reorientation of the National Surveillance System, this article's object is to discuss issues related to: (1) the revision and optimization of the list of notifiable
diseases, (2) the integration and coverage of reporting units and, (3) updating and widening of monitoring strategies for relevant public health problems. After the definition of basic concepts of surveillance, almost four decades ago, several factors have collaborated to the
current need of reform of the surveillance based on mandatory reporting. This strategy proved to be scarcely effective, low efficiency, high underreporting, difficult characterization of indigenous cases, low degree of representation, and especially, slow flow of information hampering timely interventions. It is important to review the notifiable disease list based on
sound criteria, in face of current changes of the epidemiological patterns. Networks of
laboratories and health care institutions, both private and public, receiving financial resources from the National Health System, should be included in the institutional range of surveillance, in an effective manner. Another important issue refers to the quality of information systems and
disease registers as well as, the compatibility between them and with other systems. Diversification of monitoring strategies should be considered, including active surveillance (based on events, places and practitioners) as well as, syndromic reporting. The integration of national and international surveillance centers through computerized networks is also important. Other considerations are made on the competence of the federal level of government on activities of monitoring and surveillance.


This paper analyzes the effective accuracy for close-range operations for the first and the second generation of Microsoft HoloLens in combination with Vuforia Image Targets in a black-box approach. The implementation of Augmented Reality (AR) on optical see-through (OST), head-mounted devices (HMDs) has been proven viable for a variety of tasks, such as assembly, maintenance, or educational purposes. For most of these applications, minor localization errors are tolerated since no accurate alignment between the artificial and the real parts is required. For other potential applications, these accuracy errors represent a major obstacle. The "realistically achievable" accuracy remains largely unknown for close-range usages (e.g. within "arms-reach" of a user) for both generations of Microsoft HoloLens.Thus, the authors developed a method to benchmark and compare the applicability of these devices for tasks that demand a higher accuracy like composite manufacturing or medical surgery assistance. Furthermore, the method can be used for a broad variety of devices, establishing a platform for bench-marking and comparing these and future devices. This paper analyzes the performance of test users, which were asked to pinpoint the perceived location of holographic cones. The image recognition software package "Vuforia" was used to determine the spatial transform of the predefined ImageTarget. By comparing the user-markings with the algorithmic locations, a mean deviation of 2.59 ±1.79 [mm] (HL 1) and 1.11 ±0.98 [mm] (HL 2) has been found, which means that the mean accuracy improved by 57.1% and precision by 45.4%. The highest mean accuracy of a single test user has been measured with 0.47 ±1.683 [mm] (HL 1) and 0.085 ± 0.567 [mm] (HL 2).


We report the discovery of a high redshift, narrow emission-line galaxy identified in the optical follow-up of deep ROSAT fields. The object has a redshift of z=2.35 and its narrow emission lines together with its high optical and X-ray luminosity imply that this is a rare example of a type 2 QSO. The intrinsic X-ray absorption is either very low or we are observing scattered flux which does not come directly from the nucleus. The X-ray spectrum of this object is harder than that of normal QSOs, and it is possible that a hitherto unidentified population of similar objects at fainter X-ray fluxes could account for the missing hard component of the X-ray background.