The E.U. mission is to provide pace and stability, safety and security, but also identity and diversity in a globalized world. My research has focused in the last point. In order to understand Europe we have to understand the complexity of the different scales in which Europe is involved. From the really Global scale to the European ones, that means to deal with all the different countries composing the European Union, but also with their regional and local features. Brussels as a Capital of Europe in a way reflect these European features because of its internal divisions: 2 languages, 19 communes, and different ethnic groups due to the highest immigration during the XXth century. The analysis started with a research on the Mundaneum of Paul Otlet, an utopia for a world city of communication in which all the fact of knowledge come together in a global centre and then redistribute this knowledge to all places in the world. According to Michel Serras this is the concept of pantopia, that is the dream of having all the place of the world in one place or each place in all places. The European district in Brussels could embody the pantopia of Europe because of its large amount of European institutional buildings. But nowadays the EU district is just an anonymous office district, comparable to the world trade centre on the north side of the pentagon. These large urban interventions have provoked urban fragmentation, both at the urban fabric level and at the social level. Nowadays urban interventions are characterized by spatial discontinuity. In this sense I compared Brussels to a large archipelago of different island in which each section is working in a mono-programmed way, and this is changing the meaning with the historic city centre. If in the old city the power of one building was directed related to the city boundary, and the public space in front of the building was related to the function of the building (ceremony, games, etc..), in the contemporary city the power of few buildings is related to a larger network of political institutions in Europe. And the public space between these buildings is not directed related to the function of the buildings. I want to conceive a new type of public building, which can refer to a larger network of cultural institutions. The building works as a catalyst of different dynamics. It works as a server of a large number of cultural institutions. The aim is to give to the Mundaneum the opportunity to initiate collaboration with and among European cities and citizens. In turn this work has the potential to establish the mundaneum as a initiator of the European ideas. Here the relation with the mundaneum of Paul Otlet that has been conceived to get and redistribute knowledge from and to different places through technology. The inventio in my concept is to conceive a podium for identity and diversity through arts, to provide positive confrontation between different cultures. My position is that creation, production and representation of the European debate through arts to promote cultural exchange: to take on the ambition of critical reflexivity, to create a public area for forums and debates, to provide freedom of expression, recognitions and access to culture. This means to try to represent, through art performances and expositions, all the dynamics that are involved in Europe nowadays. Thematic exhibitions, festivals, conferences and debate on the European question will take place in the building. But also everyday life activities are crucial. People can use the building as a meeting place, they can find spaces to work, create, rehears, represent themselves or their organization. Local cultural institutions as well as international artistic or cultural institutions can use the building in order to confront their ideas about Europe or to express or denounce new reality within Europe.


During the pre-colonial and early colonial period of Australia's history c.1780–1907, monsoon traders from the eastern part of Indonesia sailed to parts of Australia's northern coast searching for marine products such as trepang for the Chinese market place. During this period, most of these small ships left the port of Makassar in Sulawesi, one of the larger Sunda Islands of the Indonesia archipelago, with the onset of the west monsoon and returned with their cargo on the south easterly winds of the east monsoon. Despite historical evidence that some vessels were wrecked and lost on the northern Australian coast, no tangible archaeological evidence of their existence has been found and identified to date. This paper summarises the historical evidence for the loss of a number of these vessels and provides some evidence of what some of these vessels may have looked like. In conclusion it explores the possibility of finding the remains of one of these wrecks in the future.


The usual ingredients of a first course in linear algebra are contained in this latest American book. The lay-out and clarity of diagrams is in the best tradition of American textbooks. The text proceeds at a leisurely pace and the author does not fall into the usual trap of introducing abstract concepts too quickly for the average student. The real meat of the book consists of two fairly long chapters on vector spaces and linear transformations, the ground having been well prepared with previous chapters on matrices, determinants and vectors in 2-space and 3-space. The author's treatment of proofs varies. More difficult proofs are omitted completely, the emphasis being placed on applying the theorem. This feature can be mildly irritating and the book would certainly be rendered more useful with complete proofs to all theorems. There is a wealth of examples and exercises and a complete list of answers. The book would prove useful for main and B.Ed, courses in Colleges of Education. Some of the material would also be suitable for 'modern* A level courses. The price may prove to be prohibitive.


With rising power densities in modern VLSI circuits, thermal effects are becoming important in the design of ICs. Elevated chip temperatures have an adverse impact on performance, reliability, power consumption, and cooling costs. To ensure adequate thermal management, all phases of the design flow must account for thermal effects on their design decisions. We present a two-stage simulated annealing-based high-level synthesis technique that combines power minimization with temperature-aware scheduling, binding, and floorplanning. In our technique, the first stage of the simulated annealing algorithm creates a low-power solution, which is then iteratively improved by the second stage to minimize estimated on-chip peak temperature using accurate module-level temperature estimation. We show that minimizing average power alone does not guarantee minimal peak temperatures. However, our approach consistently finds solutions that have lower on-chip peak temperatures and uniform on-chip temperature distributions, compared to a traditional low-power synthesis methodology that minimizes average power. Experiments show that our method reduces peak temperatures on average by 12% and up to 16%, compared to a traditional low-power synthesis algorithm that minimizes average power. These improvements in chip-level temperature distributions are achieved with a modest increase in chip area of under 15% on average.


Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) has continued to receive increasing global attention especially since after the last widespread financial crisis of 2008-2009.This study therefore attempted to understudy the phenomenon in the context of its usefulness as a tool for diversifying the economic horizon of some emerging economies like Nigeria. Adopting a qualitative approach to study the concept's operation, drawbacks and benefits, the study found out that a sovereign wealth fund, when instituted and properly managed, can be used to stabilize or bail out an economy in distress, widen a country's revenue generation window, provide social security to citizens of a country through pension payments, reduce poverty in society through the payment of periodic dividends, check profligate spending, create a pool of savings upon which the future generation can stand to face future challenges and create an opportunity for mutually beneficial cross pollination of management skills among states that subscribe to the Santiago Principle.


Arunachal Pradesh is considered as one of the biodiversity "hot spots" in the world. The Aka (Hrusso) tribe in Arunachal Pradesh utilizes many wild plants as food, fodder, medicine, etc. The present paper deals with some of the common wild vegetables used by the tribe. 25 plant species are listed here giving their scientific name, family, local name, diagnostic description, habitat, parts used and uses.


Addition of magnetism to spectacular properties of graphene may lead to novel topological states and design of spin logic devices enjoying low power consumption. A significant progress is made in defect-induced magnetism in graphene-selective elimination of p z orbitals (by vacancies or adatoms) at triangular sublattices tailors graphene magnetism. Proximity to a magnetic insulator is a less invasive way, which is being actively explored now. Integration of graphene with the ferromagnetic semiconductor EuO has much to offer, especially in terms of proximity-induced spin-orbit interactions. Here, we synthesize films of EuO on graphene using reactive molecular beam epitaxy. Their quality is attested by electron and X-ray diffraction, cross-sectional electron microscopy, and Raman and magnetization measurements. Studies of electron transport reveal a magnetic transition at TC* ≈ 220 K, well above the Curie temperature 69 K of EuO. Up to TC*, the dependence R xy( B) is strongly nonlinear, suggesting the presence of the anomalous Hall effect. The role of synthesis conditions is highlighted by studies of an overdoped structure. The results justify the use of the EuO/graphene system in spintronics.


The James Webb Telescope (JWST), launched at the end of 2021, will permit the study of exoplanets' atmospheres with an accuracy never obtained before. One of the most keenly anticipated science themes with JSWT data is the study of super-Earth type planets. There exist many questions about their interior and atmospheric composition as well as their evolution and possible migrations. In this work, we simulated transmission spectra of super-Earth type systems with the petitRADTRANS code and emission spectra of a M-type star with PySynphot. The primary transit observation is simulated with the MIRISim simulator working in the MIRI LRS-Slitless mode. We then obtained the transmission spectra of the planet using a code that we developed ourselves. Finally, we carried out the retrieval: first, in order to check the retrieval tool included in the petitRADTRANS code, we treated the original transmission spectrum. Second, the code is used with the spectrum obtained from the telescope simulator. The results found encourage us to compare them to results found when using other tools, with the hope of gaining precision in those results, in addition to working in a wider range of wavelengths.


A 47-year-old female presented with episodic cranial neuropathies. Over four years, she had bilateral hearing impairment. Right maxillary distribution pain was attributed to sinusitis, with subsequent sinus surgery. She developed bilateral abducens palsies and left optic neuropathy, each lasting several weeks before resolution. She was diagnosed with hypopituitarism and commenced hormonal replacement after prolonged amenorrhoea. She noticed altered smell, and most recently, developed right facial weakness, which resolved with prednisolone. MRI brain demonstrated nodular dural thickening of cranial fossa floor, with symmetrical T2 white matter and basal ganglia hyperintensity. Bloods and CSF were non-diagnostic. FDG-PET showed multifocal uptake particularly involving the upper aerodigestive tract. Differentials included inflammatory or infiltrative aetiologies. Meningeal biopsy was considered, but recent corticosteroids and hydrocortisone replacement would potentially mask tissue appearances. A history of tonsillectomy and sinus surgery four years earlier coinciding with neurological symptoms led to re-review of external histology, showing 40% of IgG-positive plasma cells expressing IgG4. IgG4 disease was diagnosed and immunosuppression commenced, with clinical stability and radiological improvement. This case illustrates the chronic fluctuating presentation of IgG4 disease, and the forensic medicine required to make a diagnosis with relevant historical histology, when both presentation and tissue have been modified by steroid treatment.


The requirement of thymus-dependent lymphocytes for antibody production to Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia akari, Rickettsia conorii, and Rickettsia typhi was investigated by comparing antibody production in athymic (nu/nu) or thymus-bearing BALB/c mice. Athymic BALB/c mice produced antibody after infection with R. akari, R. conorii, and R. typhi as measured by indirect fluorescent antibody titration or radioimmunoassay. Antibody production in these mice was a great or greater than in the thymus-bearing mice and demonstrated similar kinetics. In contrast, athymic BALB/c mice infected either intraperitoneally or subcutaneously with the Gilliam strain of R. tsutsugamushi failed to produce demonstrable antibody. The requirement of thymus-dependent lymphocytes for antibody production to R. tsutsugamushi was further suggested by the demonstration of antibody production after transfer of immune thymus-dependent lymphocytes to athymic mice and the demonstration of R. tsutsugamushi-specific T helper cells in immune thymus-bearing mice. The antibody produced in athymic mice after infection with R. akari, R. conorii, and R. typhi was predominantly immunoglobulin M, based on isotype-specific radioimmunoassays and sucrose gradient fractionation. Furthermore, the antibody produced by athymic mice in response to R. akari infection reacted with a carbohydrate-containing outer membrane component.


Abstract We study exceptional Jordan algebras and related exceptional group schemes over commutative rings from a geometric point of view, using appropriate torsors to parametrize and explain classical and new constructions, and proving that over rings, they give rise to nonisomorphic structures. We begin by showing that isotopes of Albert algebras are obtained as twists by a certain
$\mathrm F_4$
 -torsor with total space a group of type
$\mathrm E_6$
 and, using this, that Albert algebras over rings in general admit nonisomorphic isotopes even in the split case, as opposed to the situation over fields. We then consider certain
$\mathrm D_4$
 -torsors constructed from reduced Albert algebras, and show how these give rise to a class of generalised reduced Albert algebras constructed from compositions of quadratic forms. Showing that this torsor is nontrivial, we conclude that the Albert algebra does not uniquely determine the underlying composition, even in the split case. In a similar vein, we show that a given reduced Albert algebra can admit two coordinate algebras which are nonisomorphic and have nonisometric quadratic forms, contrary, in a strong sense, to the case over fields, established by Albert and Jacobson.


This article reports on a qualitative study that evaluated Chinese EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers' perceptions of the effects of four different subtitling modes on English comprehension and vocabulary acquisition of learners in secondary education. The four types of subtitles refer to no subtitles, Chinese subtitles, English subtitles, and bilingual subtitles in audiovisual materials. The results of the study indicated that interviewees regarded the use of no subtitles as the least effective of the modes for enhancing students' language proficiency. Chinese subtitles were perceived to assist students with comprehension of content but were less effective at enabling them to recall and memorize English lexis. English subtitles were perceived to aid comprehension of the content to some degree, while also inspiring learners to develop their English vocabulary knowledge. Bilingual subtitles were considered to enhance both students' English comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.


Cemented carbide (WC-Co) is a composite material consisting of a tungsten carbide (WC) embedded in a cobalt (Co) binder. The hardmetal is known for its high hardness, superior toughness and high wear resistance in various applications. This study focused on the effects of sintering parameters of cemented carbide on its properties such as hardness, wear resistance, density, porosity and microstructure.  The samples were fabricated through metal injection molding process with palm stearin and polyethylene binder system. The powder loading used was 63% volume and the binders had been removed under 2 stage debinding process without causing any defects onto the samples. The samples were sintered in different sintering temperatures and holding time which is 1400°C with 30 minutes, 1400°C with 60 minutes, 1400°C with 90 minutes, 1450°C with 30 minutes, 1500°C with 30 minutes and 1550°C with 30 minutes respectively. The results show that there a change in the microstructure of the material on the surface of the material and found that abrasive wear resistance is proportional to the hardness of the material being tested. The changes in the density, porosity and the grains growth size also show significant changes and are further discussed.


Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly impacted by alien invasive species which have the potential to alter various ecological interactions like predator-prey and host-parasite relationships. Here, we simultaneously examined predator-prey interactions and parasitization patterns of the highly invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the rivers Rhine and Main in Germany. A total of 350 N. melanostomus were sampled between June and October 2011. Gut content analysis revealed a broad prey spectrum, partly reflecting temporal and local differences in prey availability. For the major food type (amphipods), species compositions were determined. Amphipod fauna consisted entirely of non-native species and was dominated by Dikerogammarus villosus in the Main and Echinogammarus trichiatus in the Rhine. However, the availability of amphipod species in the field did not reflect their relative abundance in gut contents of N. melanostomus. Only two metazoan parasites, the nematode Raphidascaris acus and the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus sp., were isolated from N. melanostomus in all months, whereas unionid glochidia were only detected in June and October in fish from the Main. To analyse infection pathways, we examined 17,356 amphipods and found Pomphorhynchus sp. larvae only in D. villosus in the river Rhine at a prevalence of 0.15%. Dikerogammarus villosus represented the most important amphipod prey for N. melanostomus in both rivers but parasite intensities differed between rivers, suggesting that final hosts (large predatory fishes) may influence host-parasite dynamics of N. melanostomus in its introduced range.


Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) is a flexible forming process suitable for low volume production of sheet metal components. Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF), which has only one tool forming the geometry, is the simplest variant of incremental forming. Bending of sheet between the component opening and the fixed boundary is unavoidable in SPIF due to the absence of support/backup. Double Sided Incremental Forming (DSIF) has two tools which can be used interchangeably for forming and providing local support. The accuracy of parts formed using DSIF is superior to those formed using SPIF as the unwanted bending is substantially reduced by providing local support. In addition DSIF is capable of forming components with features on both sides of the initial plane of sheet and convex and concave features without additional setup.In ISF, as the deformation progresses, the intended geometry slowly develops, this increases the stiffness of the sheet. While forming multiple features, the forming sequence greatly affects the way stiffness builds-up, which further affects the geometry of formed components. In the present work, an experimental investigation is carried out to demonstrate the affect of forming sequence on the geometries and accuracy of formed component. Results presented show that the feature sequencing greatly affects the geometry and accuracy of formed components.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


The present study aims to screen the different phytoconstituents and drugs for potential treatment of the corona virus COVID-19 and for specificity through virtual screening. The plant molecules selected were based upon traditional knowledge and are prescribed in the Indian system of medicine for infectious/ respiratory conditions. The three target proteins selected for the study are 3CLpro, PLpro, and SPIKE. These proteins have defined pathological roles in disease transmission. The virtual screening was carried out in these proteins using the GLIDE Schrödinger Maestro software version 11.9.011. The efficacy was assessed by the calculated G-score of the ligand interaction with the amino acid side chains of the ligand binding domain. Molecules such as saponarin, mangiferin, and hesperidin exhibited better G-score with 3CLpro and PLpro. Similarly, diphyllin and tuberculatin exhibited better G-score for SPIKE protein. The reference anti malarial drug hydroxychloroquine showed better interactions with 3CLpro and PLpro. Similarly, protease inhibitors and antiviral drugs have shown interaction with 3CLpro specific protease protein. Interestingly, SPIKE protein ligands, diphyllin and tuberculatin from Justicia adhatoda (vasaka), were found to be unique and did not show affinity to protease inhibitor. It can be concluded, that the molecules having flavone scaffolds show better binding affinity with protease proteins 3CLpro and PLpro. SPIKE protein scaffold is different and showed better binding affinity with molecules having naptho-furan ring. The traditionally used plant phytoconstituents did not exhibit good binding affinity; however, we believe that a combination of these herbs might induce human immune system against microbial infection.


Gene elongation consists of an in-tandem gene duplication, which produces two (or more) copies of the same gene, followed by the deletion of the intervening region and the conversion (by mutation) of the stop codon of the first copy into a sense one, resulting in the elongation, by fusion, of the initial gene and its copy. Thus, gene elongation is actually the combination of gene duplication and gene fusion. The newly formed gene is constituted by two paralogous modules, which might independently undergo different mutations and further duplications [3] that, over time, can hide the traces of these early events. As shown in Figure 1, once the two copies have originated, in principle they might follow two different evolutionary pathways in which they can either immediately fuse and then diverge or, vice versa, diverge and then fuse. The final outcome of these two alternative pathways is the same: the formation of a gene constituted by two divergent paralogous modules. Potentially, each module or both of them might undergo further duplication events, leading to a gene coding for more repetitions of amino acid sequences. Gene elongation produces two or more copies of the same protein fold within a single polypeptide chain, often generating a direct repeat of domains and thus a pseudo-symmetrical structure with internal symmetry axes [1]. Many present-day proteins show internal repeats of amino acid sequences, which often correspond to functional or structural domains; since gene elongation has occurred in so many cases, this event must be considered an evolutionary advantage. The biological significance of proteins with repetitive structures might include (i) the improvement of the protein function by increasing the number of active sites; (ii) the acquisition of an additional function by modifying a redundant segment [3], thus obtaining a bifunctional enzyme; and/or (iii) the stabilization of a protein structure, thus increasing the enzyme's catalytic activity. Several cases of genes with internal sequence repetitions are reported in the literature. For example, in the bacterial ferredoxin, the second half of the amino acid sequence is an almost exact duplicate of the first [8]. Tang et al. [9] observed that the pepsin family of proteases have an intramolecular two-fold symmetry axis that relates two topologically similar domains, and proposed a mechanism for its evolution by gene elongation. The carB gene of Escherichia coli, which encodes a subunit of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase, was proposed to be formed by the duplication of an ancestral gene, since its amino acid sequence shows a highly significant similarity between the aminoand carboxyl-terminal halves of the protein [10]. Rubin et al. [11] found that the two halves of Gram-negative bacterial tetracycline efflux pumps share a process of tandem gene duplication and divergence. Gupta and Singh [12] suggested a model for the evolution of the heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) of Archaea and Bacteria based on gene duplication. Moreover, domain fusions have occurred in the evolution of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily [13]. However, the most documented case of gene elongation involves the histidine biosynthetic genes hisA and hisF; they are paralogous and very likely originated from the duplication (and the further divergence and fusion of the two resulting copies) of an ancestral gene, half the size of the extant genes [14]. The biological significance of this gene elongation event became clear when the structures of the HisA and HisF proteins were determined. Crystallographic studies showed that these two enzymes are structurally homologous (β/α) -barrels (TIM-barrels) [37], with a two-fold repeat pattern; the first and second (β/α) -half barrels of both enzymes are related by a two-fold axis of symmetry. These data led to the proposal of a model for the evolution of the HisA and HisF (β/α) -barrels via two successive gene duplication events: a first duplication of a single ancestor gene encoding a (β/α)-half barrel, subsequent fusion and divergent evolution, followed by a second gene duplication and diversification leading to the extant genes encoding the enzymes HisA and HisF [32]. Fani et al. [15] investigated the possibility of an even older gene elongation event, starting from (β/α)-mers smaller than the (β/α) units. According to this idea, the ancestor gene might have encoded a single (β/α)-module that, in turn, might have been able to aggregate in a homo-octamer to form a still unstable and thus not efficient complete TIM-barrel. This ancestral TIM-barrel enzyme might have been endowed with a broad specificity, catalyzing different enzymatic reactions. Subsequently, a "cascade" of three gene elongation events would have given rise to the complete ancestor of the extant TIM-barrel coding genes. It is quite possible that a similar Gene elongation is a molecular mechanism consisting of an in-tandem duplication of a gene and divergence and fusion of the two copies, resulting in a gene constituted by two divergent paralogous modules. Several examples of genes with internal sequence repetitions are reported in literature; thus, gene elongation might have shaped the structures of many genes during the first steps of molecular and cellular evolution.


Background: It is known that nasal septal deviation (NSD) has negative effects on the cardiovascular system, but the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of these effects still need to be explained. The aim of this study was to investigate the endothelial dysfunction (ED) caused by NSD and the effects of septoplasty on it. Methods: The study included 40 patients between the ages of 18 to 50 years with a marked NSD indication for septoplasty and 40 healthy age-and gender-matched individuals. Nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale was used to evaluate the severity of nasal obstruction and the effectiveness of septoplasty. All participants underwent detailed cardiac examination and ultrasonographic measurement of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). The same cardiac evaluations and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale assessments were repeated in the patient group at the postoperative 3rd month. Results: The mean FMD value in the control group was significantly higher than preoperative FMD in the patient group (9.1 ± 2.9 versus 7.6 ± 2.4, P = 0.024). In the patient group, preoperative and postoperative FMD values were measured as 7.6 ± 2.4 and 9.0 ± 2.7, respectively, and there was a significant difference between them (P = 0.032). There was no significant difference in FMD values between the control group and postoperative patient group (P = 0.925). Conclusions: This study shows that NSD can cause ED, which is a precursor of atherosclerosis, and that successful septoplasty can improve ED.


Depression is a very prevalent and complex disease. This condition is associated with a high rate of relapse, making its treatment a challenge. Thus, an intensive investigation of this disease and its treatment is necessary. In this work, through cell viability assays (MTT and neutral red assays) and alkaline comet assays, we aimed to test the induction of stress in human SH-SY5Y cells through the application of hydrocortisone and hydrogen peroxide and to test the reversal or attenuation of this stress through the application of mirtazapine to the cells. Our results demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide, and not hydrocortisone, can induce cellular stress, as evidenced by DNA damage and a global cellular viability reduction, which were alleviated by the antidepressant mirtazapine. The establishment of a cellular model of depression through stress induction is important to study new possibilities of treatment of this disease using cell cultures.


Spatial crowdsourcing is a potentially powerful method for incorporating human wisdom into mobile computations to solve problems while exploiting the advantages of mobility and context-awareness. This paper proposes and investigates task assignments and recruitment in iterative spatial crowdsourcing processes to find regions of particular interest among a collection of regions. We consider cases where associations between regions can be exploited to reduce costs and increase efficiency in crowdsourcing. We describe five approaches, incorporated into crowdsourcing algorithms, for reducing the cost (the number of queries required) and increasing the efficiency (reducing the number of rounds of querying required) in using such spatial crowdsourcing. We demonstrate the performance improvements gained using these approaches based on simulation scenarios. The findings show the interplay and relationships among our proposed approaches using a range of metrics including responses, energy consumption, costs, and time usage. These metrics are demonstrated via a range of scenarios, showing that our proposed approaches can lead to improved performance over randomly choosing regions for inquiry.


This article outlines research avenues that can aid us in reinterpreting and expanding our understanding of the paleonutrition and skeletal biology of maize intensive horticulturists. We suggest that new and innovative perspectives about their diet and health can emerge from hypotheses concerning skeletal manifestations of pellagra. Pellagra, a niacin/tryptophan deficiency disease, is prevalent in populations that have high-maize and low-protein diets. Historically it has been essentially a disease of undernutrition and social inequality. As an introduction to the issue, we provide an overview of pellagra as a nutritional deficiency disease, the impact of pellagra on skeletal tissue, and avenues for future research on the paleopathology of pellagra. We propose that a focus on micronutrient deficiencies in studies of paleonutrition adds an important dimension to our understanding and assessment of the diet and health of peoples both past and present


A bacterial strain, designated ASS-1T, was isolated and identified from a sediment sample of the river Ganges, Allahabad, India. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, formed straw-yellow pigmented colonies, was strictly aerobic, motile with a single polar flagellum, and positive for oxidase and catalase. The major fatty acids were C16 : 1ω7c/ 16 : 1 C16 : 1ω6c, C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. Sequence analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain ASS-1T showed high similarity to Pseudomonas guguanensis CC-G9AT (98.2 %), Pseudomonas alcaligenes ATCC 14909T (98.2 %), Pseudomonas oleovorans DSM 1045T (98.1 %), Pseudomonas indolxydans IPL-1T (98.1 %) and Pseudomonas toyotomiensis HT-3T (98.0 %). Analysis of its rpoB and rpoD housekeeping genes confirmed its phylogenetic affiliation and showed identities lower than 93 % with respect to the closest relatives. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA, rpoB, rpoD genes and the whole genome assigned it to the genus Pseudomonas. The results of digital DNA-DNA hybridization based on the genome-to-genome distance calculator and average nucleotide identity revealed low genome relatedness to its close phylogenetic neighbours (below the recommended thresholds of 70 and 95 %, respectively, for species delineation). Strain ASS-1T also differed from the related strains by some phenotypic characteristics, i.e. growth at pH 5.0 and 42 °C, starch and casein hydrolysis, and citrate utilization. Therefore, based on data obtained from phenotypic and genotypic analysis, it is evident that strain ASS-1T should be regarded as a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonasfluvialis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ASS-1T (=KCTC 52437T=CCM 8778T).


Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent condition characterized by lipid accumulation in hepatocytes with low alcohol consumption. The development of sterile inflammation, which occurs in response to a range of cellular stressors or injuries, has been identified as a major contributor to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Recent studies of the pathogenesis of NAFLD reported the newly developed roles of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These molecules activate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which are placed in the infiltrated neutrophils, dendritic cells, monocytes, or Kupffer cells. DAMPs cause the activation of PRRs, which triggers a number of immunological responses, including the generation of cytokines that promote inflammation and the localization of immune cells to the site of the damage. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of DAMPs and PRRs on the development of NAFLD.


To date, there have been no exposure standards for air concentrations of 1,4-dichlorohexafluorobutene (DCHF) in the work areas. The study was aimed to assess the toxicity of DCHF and to evaluate health hazard in acute, subacute, and chronic experiments. It was found that the substance was highly hazardous, DL50 in mice after intragastric injection was 79.0 mg/kg, СL50 was 229.0 mg/m3, and in rats these values were 86,0 mg/kg and 670,0 mg/m3. In animals, DCHF had a moderate local irritative effect on animal skin and ocular mucous membranes, as well as the skin resorptive effect. The 18.2 mg/m3 threshold limit concentration for a single inhalation exposure to DCHF was defined based on the changes in behavior responses and blood parameters. The 30-day subacute inhalation experiment revealed the pronounced cumulative effect of the substance. The 4-months chronic inhalation study showed that the exposure of experimental rats to 16.8 mg/m3 concentration of DCHF resulted in impaired function of central nervous system and cardiac activity, altered hematologic, biochemical, acid-base, and blood gas values, as well as in morphological alterations in lungs, which persisted after the 30-day recovery period. The chronic exposure threshold defined for DCHF was 2.2 mg/m3, and the defined no observable effect level was 0.24 mg/m3. Based on the study results, the maximum permissible concentration of DCHF in the air of the working area of 0.2 mg/m3 was confirmed and approved, the substance was assigned hazard class 2, vapor + aerosol + (specific protection of skin and eyes required). Gas chromatographic method using electron-capture detection for determination of DCHF mass air concentration in the work areas has been developed and approved.


We have performed phenol supercritical water oxidation experiments to elicit water's influence on the reaction kinetics. We report, for the first time, both an acceleration and an inhibition of phenol disappearance by water. More specifically, experiments at 380 and 420 °C with similar residence times and phenol and oxygen concentrations showed that as the water concentration increased from 1 to 7 M the phenol conversion decreased. As the water concentration increased further from 7 to 22 M, the phenol conversion reached a minimum and then increased as the water concentration increased. Power law rate equations, which have been used in the past, are not capable of modeling water's effect on phenol supercritical water oxidation kinetics. We provide a new rate equation with a different functional form that possesses this capability. Also, by using a detailed chemical kinetics model, we eliminated the possibility that the observed effects of water are due to its acting as a collision partner, reactant, or pr...


The article analyzes the theoretical foundations of professional training of future English teachers by means of distance learning in higher educational institutions of the Republic of Poland. The use of distance learning tools in the training of future English teachers, psychological aspects of distance learning, changing the role of the teacher, the theory of multilateral education are the subject of active research by scientists. The research of Polish scholars highlights the methodological and didactic features of the training of future English teachers by means of distance learning. The importance of innovative forms and methods in the training of future foreign language teachers is revealed. The need for constant monitoring of the learning environment in the lifelong learning process is emphasized. It is noted that the global informatization of soci-ety and the rapid development of information and communication technologies place new demands on edu-cation. The directions of research singled out by Polish and Ukrainian scientists in the process of informatiza-tion of education are generalized.The expansion of international relations and the growing interest in learning foreign languages as a means of communication encourages European countries, in particular the Republic of Poland, to reform and improve the special professional training of English teachers in both traditional and alternative forms of ed-ucation. The works analyzed in the bibliographic analysis are an important source of information for a com-parative analysis of the training of future English teachers in distance learning in order to justify ways to use constructive ideas of the Polish experience of distance learning in higher education in Ukraine


ABSTRACT Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in both monotherapy and combination chemotherapy for various types of cancers. Nivolumab is the most popular among ICIs, and the number of adapted malignant diseases for nivolumab is increasing. Bronchoesophageal fistula formation is a serious complication of the treatment for esophageal or lung cancer. However, the development of bronchoesophageal fistula as a complication of ICIs is obscure. A 59-year-old man who was diagnosed with carcinoma of unknown primary with a subgroup of lung squamous cell carcinoma had bronchoesophageal fistula formation after three cycles of nivolumab as the fourth line treatment. Before the initiation of nivolumab, he had received two esophageal stents and an angiogenesis inhibitor. These are known risk factors for fistula formation. This is a rare case showing that nivolumab monotherapy might induce bronchoesophageal fistulae. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the factors related to fistula formation when using ICIs.


An important element of the social horticulture program at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has been the creation of school gardens to enhance educational efforts for children in Las Vegas. Since 2002, a variety of methods has been employed to train teachers and administrators in using gardens, and this has resulted in establishment of successful gardening programs. Southern Nevada has experienced a 400% population increase in 25 years. Results of surveys of area stakeholders between 2000 and 2002, Clark County elementary school staff in 2001, and Clark County school principals in 2004, indicate a desire to incorporate gardens in schools, but concerns about establishing and maintaining them persist. Furthermore, apprehension about trying to garden under challenging climatic conditions characteristic of the Mojave Desert is expressed frequently, as is hesitation about using gardens to enhance the school curriculum in at-risk schools. When offered training in use of gardens, however, a majority of principals surveyed responded positively. They also expressed interest in tracking the educational and social impacts of gardens on students and faculty. This article reports on results of community stakeholder meetings and surveys of Clark County schools, as well as the methods that are being used to create a school gardens program in the most rapidly growing metropolis in the United States.


Arboricity is a graph parameter akin to chromatic number, in that it seeks to partition the vertices into the smallest number of sparse subgraphs. Where for the chromatic number we are partitioning the vertices into independent sets, for the arboricity we want to partition the vertices into cycle-free subsets (i.e., forests). Arboricity is NP-hard in general, and our focus is on the arboricity of cographs. For arboricity two, we obtain the complete list of minimal cograph obstructions. These minimal obstructions do generalize to higher arboricities; however, we no longer have a complete list, and in fact, the number of minimal cograph obstructions grows exponentially with arboricity. We obtain bounds on their size and the height of their cotrees.
More generally, we consider the following common generalization of colouring and partition into forests: given non-negative integers $p$ and $q$, we ask if a given cograph $G$ admits a vertex partition into $p$ forests and $q$ independent sets. We give a polynomial-time dynamic programming algorithm for this problem. In fact, the algorithm solves a more general problem which also includes several other problems such as finding a maximum $q$-colourable subgraph, maximum subgraph of arboricity-$p$, minimum vertex feedback set and minimum $q$ of a $q$-colourable vertex feedback set.


Introduction: With the development of computer assisted surgery, the preoperational design is detailed in the software. However, it is still a challenge for surgeons to realize the surgical plan in the craniofacial surgery. Robot assisted surgery has advantages of high accuracy and stability. It is suitable for the high stress procedures like drilling, milling and cutting. This study aims to verify the feasibility for automatic drilling without soft tissues in model test based on an industrial robot platform.


The article examines the geographic distribution of foreign press corps around the world as a means of measure the newsworthiness of foreign countries. The media of all regions of the world have their largest contingents of foreign correspondents in the U.S. and Western Europe, reflecting that elitism is a major determinant of foreign news reporting. A secondary determinant is 'proximity' to foreign states - whether expressed in geographical, political, economic or cultural terms. A tendency to appoint foreign correspondents within their own region was particularly noteworthy in the Asian, Central American and South American media.


Abstract
To study the efficacy of glyphosate and nicosulfuron herbicides on barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galii (L.) P. Beauv.] and velvetleaf (Abotilon theophrasti Medicus.) control and to find the ED50 index, experiments were conducted as factorial arrangement of treatments 2×7 based on completely randomized design with six replications for each weed in 2008-9 at Research Greenhouse, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Glyphosate and nicosulfuron herbicides applied to 3-4 leaves of weeds as post-emergence at 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 Lha-1 product (0, 51, 102, 205, 410, 820, 1230, and 0. 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120 gai ha-1, recpectively). The results showed significant effect of herbicide dosages on visual assessment, survival percentage, plant height, leaf area, and shoot dry weight of weeds (P≤0.01). Dose response curves of barnyardgrass biomass for both herbicides were similar, but velvetleaf biomass showed different responses to herbicides. So that, 50 percent reduction of velvetleaf biomass (ED50) required 1.6 fold nicosulfuron herbicide incomparison with glyphosate herbicide. Also, control percentage curves of weeds changed with glyphosate higher slope than nicosulfuron, that emphasized the results of dose response curves. Based on the amount of ED50 obtained for each herbicide in greenhouse conditions that is differ from the farm reports, it can be concluded that the effect of herbicides under field and controlled conditions was not the same and can not be recommended from dosage for greenhouse tests. According to the proper correlation between the mean of shoot dry weight and weed control percentage (R2=0.98**), it seems that using the values of this index (based on visual assessment) for evaluation of herbicides effect on weeds instead of dry biomass could be useful as well.

Keywords: Biomass, Dose response, ED50, R, Visual assessment


This paper presents a new loss function for the prediction of oriented bounding boxes, named head-tail-loss. The loss function consists in minimizing the distance between the prediction and the annotation of two key points that are representing the annotation of the object. The first point is the center point and the second is the head of the object. However, for the second point, the minimum distance between the prediction and either the head or tail of the groundtruth is used. On this way, either prediction is valid (with the head pointing to the tail or the tail pointing to the head). At the end the importance is to detect the direction of the object but not its heading. The new loss function has been evaluated on the DOTA and HRSC2016 datasets and has shown potential for elongated objects such as ships and also for other types of objects with different shapes.


Background: TB remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Indonesia. Annual incidence of lung Tuberculosis in 2015 was 10.4 million worldwide. One of the challenging problems in TB control is the development of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). There were an estimated 15,380 TB cases in Indonesia by 2015 with 1,860 positive TB cases and 1,566 cases successfully treated. This study aimed to examine the predictor index for MDR-TB.

Subjects and Method: This was a case-control study conducted at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Central Java, from August to November 2017. The study subjects were selected by fixed disease sampling including 75 MDR-TB patients and 75 TB patients. The dependent variable was MDR-TB. The independent variables were medical history, co-morbidity (Diabetes Mellitus), drug side effect, drug-taking supervisor, and regularity of treatment. The data were collected by questionnaire and medical record. The data were analyzed by a multiple logistic regression.

Results: MDR-TB Predictor Index increased with drug-taking supervisor (b = 2.33; 95% CI= 3.83 to 27.91; p<0.001), drug-side effect (b= 0.73; 95% CI= 0.58 to 7.45; p= 0.026), medical history (b= 2.35; 95% CI= 3.80 to 29.38; p<0.001). MDR-TB Predictor Index decreased by absence of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (b = -0.56; 95% CI= 0.18 to 1.78; p=0.033), regular treatment (b= -1.73; 95% CI= 0.06 to 0.46; p<0.001).

Conclusion: MDR-TB Predictor Index is determined by drug-taking supervisor, drug-side effect, medical history, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and regular treatment.

Keywords: MDR-TB Predictor Index, medical history, drug-taking supervisor, drug-side effect, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, regular treatment


State aid is a fairly common phenomenon in the European Union, and, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of companies receiving state aid has even increased. However, scientific research confirms that, depending on the macroeconomic, political and social situation as well as on industry specifics, state aid can have a dual effect - positive or negative. To date, there is no clear answer to the question of what impact and under which conditions state aid has on national economies in the long run. This article contributes to filling a gap in the literature because to date researchers have focused on the cases of large, heavily populated European Union countries, but the research into the impact of state aid on the Central and Eastern EU economies, where the level of state aid as percentage of GDP is higher than the EU average, is still scarce. In addition, the mixed results obtained in previous studies caused confusion over the effects of state aid and its relevance for economic development. In our research, we applied correlation analysis, Granger causality test, ARDL, PTR models and evaluation of multipliers for the analysis of the panel data set representing 11 Central and Eastern EU countries over a 20-year period (from 2000 to 2019). We found that state aid does not promote economic development in most Сentral and Eastern EU countries under certain conditions in the long term. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the state aid-economic development relationship at the national level in the Central and Eastern Europe and has implications for policy makers.


MPS (microphysiological system) is in-vitro cell-culture environment, which is precisely maintained in a micro space manufactured using MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems) technology, to derive in-vivo like functions from human cells. From the viewpoint of pharmacokinetics, it can be considered as a wet PBPK/PD simulator consisting of the micro organs (cell culture units) connected each other with a circulating medium, which mimic the organs responsible for the drug's ADME (absorption-distribution-metabolism-elimination). In this review, we identify two types of the cell culture units consisting of the MPS for pharmacokinetics, and overview the characteristics of each type. Then, we discuss about the technical requirements needed for the cell culture unit from the point of view of both cell-culture environmental design and cell function, and introduce the world-wide current situation of the commercialization of the MPS.


The PacC transcription factor is an important component of the fungal ambient pH-responsive regulatory system. Loss of pacC in the insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana resulted in an alkaline pH-dependent decrease in growth and pH-dependent increased susceptibility to osmotic (salt, sorbitol) stress and SDS. Extreme susceptibility to Congo Red was noted irrespective of pH, and ΔBbpacC conidia showed subtle increases in UV susceptibility. The ΔBbPacC mutant showed a reduced ability to acidify media during growth due to failure to produce oxalic acid. The ΔBbPacC mutant also did not produce the insecticidal compound dipicolinic acid, however, production of a yellow-colored compound was noted. The compound, named bassianolone B, was purified and its structure determined. Despite defects in growth, stress resistance, and oxalate/insecticidal compound production, only a small decrease in virulence was seen for the ΔBbpacC strain in topical insect bioassays using larvae from the greater waxmoth, Galleria mellonella or adults of the beetle, Tenebrio molitor. However, slightly more pronounced decreases were seen in virulence via intrahemcoel injection assays (G. mellonella) and in assays using T. molitor larvae. These data suggest important roles for BbpacC in mediating growth at alkaline pH, regulating secondary metabolite production, and in targeting specific insect stages.


In this work, the adsorption of cationic surfactant and organic solutes on oxidized cellulose fibers bearing different amounts of carboxylic moieties was investigated. The increase in the amount of -COOH groups on cellulose fibers by TEMPO oxidation induced a general rise in surfactant adsorption. For all tested conditions, that is, cellulose oxidation level and surfactant alkyl chain length (C12 and C16), adsorption isotherms displayed a typical three-region shape with inversion of the substrate zeta-potential which was interpreted as reflecting surfactant adsorption and aggregation (admicelles and hemimicelles) on cellulose fibers. The addition of organic solutes in surfactant/cellulose systems induced a decrease in surfactant cac on the cellulose surface thus favoring surfactant aggregation and the formation of mixed surfactant/solute assemblies. Adsorption isotherms of organic solutes on cellulose in surfactant/cellulose/solute systems showed that solute adsorption is strictly correlated to (i) the surfactant concentration, solute adsorption increases up to the surfactant cmc, where solute partitioning between the cellulose surface and free micelles causes a drop in adsorption, and to (ii) solute solubility and functional groups. The specific shape of solutes adsorption isotherms at a fixed surfactant concentration was interpreted using a Frumkin adsorption isotherm, thus suggesting that solute uptake on cellulose fibers is a coadsorption and not a partitioning process. Results presented in this study were compared with those obtained in a previous work investigating solute adsorption in anionic surfactant/cationized cellulose systems to better understand the role of surfactant/solute interactions in the coadsorption process.


The search for water on the Red Planet—and the life that liquid water would permit—has had its ups and downs. The shallow, salty seas spotted in 2004 evaporated from scientists9 view of early Mars within a few years, but even so, the past decade9s half-dozen martian missions have finally delivered. It is now clear that early in Mars history, liquid water on or just inside the planet did indeed persist long enough to alter rock and, possibly, sustain the origin of life. There is now even enough moisture to encourage those who seek living, breathing alien microbes—organisms that, if they exist, could hold the key to explaining how life on our own planet got its start.


The objective of this study was to compare complication rates and costs of staged columnar fixation (SCF) to external fixation for bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. Patients who received SCF or temporary external fixation across a 3-year period at a major level I trauma center underwent a retrospective chart review for associated complications. Fisher's exact analysis was used to determine any statistical difference in complication rates between both groups. However, there was no significant difference in complication rates between the SCF and external fixator groups. Average medial plate costs for SCF were $2131 compared with an average external fixator cost of $4070 (p < .0001). Given that all patients with external fixation undergo eventual medial and lateral plating, savings with SCF include $4070 plus operative costs for removing the fixator. As our health care system focuses on cost-cutting efforts, orthopaedic trauma surgeons must explore cheaper and equally effective treatment alternatives.


Reconstruction of the maxilla should aim to restore appearance, speech and occlusion. With modern reconstructive techniques and availability of an increasing variety of reliable tissue flaps, many of the traditional problems of treatment have been overcome. This paper reviews local and distant tissue flaps useful in rehabilitating an acquired maxillary defect of various dimensions. The local flaps discussed include flaps from the palate, cheek, tongue and the buccal fat pad. The distant flaps considered are the temporalis myofascial flap, pedicled cutaneous and myocutaneous flaps, and vascularized free flaps. Bony reconstruction of the maxilla with particular emphasis on restoring an anatomical alveolar ridge for occlusal rehabilitation by dental implants is presented.


In recent work, it was argued that quantum computations with inputs and outputs distributed in spacetime, or quantum tasks, impose constraints on entanglement in holographic theories. The resulting constraint was named the connected wedge theorem and can be verified by a direct bulk proof using focusing arguments in general relativity. In this article we extend this work to the context of AdS/BCFT, where an end-of-the-world brane is present in the bulk. By considering quantum tasks which exploit information localized to the brane, we find a new connected wedge theorem. We apply this theorem to brane models of black holes, where it relates the formation of islands in the Ryu–Takayanagi formula to causal features of the ambient spacetime. In particular, we find that if the black hole interior is causally connected to the radiation system through the ambient spacetime, then an island forms. For constant tension branes in pure AdS the converse also holds.


Women's empowerment is crucial for sustainable economic progress and poverty reduction in developing nations. The study interviewed 1000 households in Punjab Province, Pakistan, using Shoaib et al.'s (2012) sampling methodology and dividing the province into four regions. The index was calculated using Alkire and Foster's (2007) methodology. The study reveals that leadership and income are the most significant factors contributing to female disempowerment in the Punjab province. The Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index score is 0.70, with 21% of women empowered and 79% disempowered. The study found that 7% of women's disempowerment contributes to autonomy in production, 23% to income control, 19% to organizational membership, and 10% to public speaking. Males' insufficient accomplishment differs from girls, with leadership contributing at 35% and time allocation at 25%. Male disempowerment is 7% in wealth control, while males face similar disempowerment in production and resource access. Men contribute 5% to asset ownership, 6% to purchase and sale, and 11% to credit access and control. Men's disempowerment index includes 22% group participation, 13% public speaking, 13% workload, and 12% leisure. The gender parity index shows that 51.7% of women experience gender disparity, with an average empowerment difference of 45.7%.


We present the results of a magnetoresistance study of the disorder-induced superconductor-insulator transition in an amorphous indium-oxide thin film patterned by a nanoscale periodic array of holes. We observed Little-Parks-like oscillations over our entire range of disorder spanning the transition. The period of oscillations was unchanged and corresponded to the superconducting flux quantum in the superconducting as well as in the insulating phases. Our results provide direct evidence for electron pairing in the insulator bordering with superconductivity.


Research was undertaken during 2004/05 to determine the effect of short approach through-lanes and downstream merges on lane use at signalised intersections, and to find ways of improving use. This involved surveying three intersections. In general, short slip lanes and short approach and departure through-lanes cause short through-lanes to be used less. Accordingly, a guide was prepared to provide preliminary information to assist practitioners to predict and improve short through-lane use. A direct correlation was identified between short through-lane length and associated lane use. Also, short lane use was substantially less than that estimated by an analytical traffic model. Furthermore, graphs indicated that approach lane length and departure lane length had a similar effect on lane use. Economic analysis demonstrated that lengthening short through-lanes was economically viable. Analysis of a short lane on the right showed that it was more likely to be evenly used than a typical short lane on the left. Three alternative short lane configurations were identified which may improve short lane use, involving approaches and/or merges on the right. Ten signalised intersections were identified that could benefit from lengthening short lanes.


The purpose of this article is to inspire those who desire to improve their teaching effectiveness. A short story, "The Winter Oak" (Nagibin 1953), provides an organizing framework to articulate some of the most important factors involved in effective and influential teaching. Surrounding each of four parts of the story, I summarize research on the attributes of effective educators, discuss real-life, challenging situations and their outcomes, comment on lessons learned from "The Winter Oak," and include stories of inspiring educators. These elements provide opportunities for reflection about the wonders of teaching and learning.


The present studies were performed in order to further investigate the paradoxical behavior of autosensitized lymphocytes which mediate 3LL tumor cytotoxicity when tested in vitro and promote tumor growth when tested in vivo. Using animals immunologically impaired by means of adult thymectomy and total‐body irradiation, it was observed that the tumor‐enhancing effect of autosensitized lymphocytes did not require the collaboration of host lymphocytes. Whereas bone‐marrow‐derived cells were devoid of activity, thymus‐derived cells were found to be the mediators of both in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo tumor enhancement. These findings indicate that tumor enhancement mediated by in vitro autosensitized spleen cells was the result of a direct and specific interaction between committed T cells and self‐antigenic determinants carried by the tumor cells.


Glauconites in early ankerite concretions, ferroan calcite-cemented sandstones, and uncemented sandstones in the first Wilcox sandstone of the Lockhart Crossing field, Livingston Parish, Louisiana, show a progressive substitution of Fe for octahedral Al with increasing diagenesis. An octahedral Fe content of 0.50 atoms was calculated from glauconite located in early ankeritic concretions. Octahedral Fe averaged 0.60 and 0.90 atoms in later ferroan calcite-cemented sandstone and uncemented sandstone, respectively. Corresponding octahedral Al averages were 1.16, 1.03, and 0.67, respectively. A systematic increase in average interlayer K from 0.49 to 0.54 to 0.61 was also observed, with apparent increases in diagenesis. All element determinations were made with an electron microprobe and recast on an anion equivalent basis to structural formulae based on the O10(OH)2 unit. The clay preserved in the early ankerite concretions was found to be an illite/smectite containing about 20% expandable layers, and the mineral in the glauconite pellets from uncemented areas of the sandstone, an ordered glauconite. "Minus cement" porosities of the sandstone indicate that glauconitization may have taken place at burial depths greater than 0.6 to 1.8 km, but the mechanism for the incorporation of Fe3+ in the glauconite at that depth is not apparent.


Sharing and tagging images is an activity that is very popular among web users. This has lead to the creation of Internet services such as Flickr that allow users to post their own pictures and tag them with the purpose of sharing them with friends and displaying their work in a public forum. This poster presents the results of a study conducted in the framework of the Interactive Image Retrieval (iCLEF) task, which is part of the Cross Language Evaluation Forum (CLEF). The main goal of the study is to identify the challenges that users face when they search for images annotated in languages other than English. Our results indicate that the users find the task to be very hard due to the difficulty of selecting terms that match those assigned by the creators of the images. The results also suggest that the increasingly popular tagging of images has limitations similar to those encountered with controlled vocabularies, specifically vocabulary mismatch among searchers and creators of content.


Ordos Municipality, in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has emerged as one of China's wealthiest places, with an economy driven by massive expansion of the local coal industry. This essay examines how this formerly poor region has experienced breakneck urban growth, becoming a resource-driven frontier boomtown. The frontier boomtown urbanism of Ordos highlights the impulse toward urban construction of the periphery that aspires to catch up with the metropolitan center and to articulate its own centrality through such urbanity.


Medullary carcinoma (MC) of the breast is considered to carry a more favorable prognosis than other subtypes of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. This is a biological paradox because its clinical behavior contrasts with its anaplastic morphology. MC is characterized by a dense lymphocytic infiltrate. In this study, we determined the immunological profile of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in MC by CD20 (L26), CD8, and CD45RO (UCHL 1) immunostaining on paraffin-embedded sections. We examined 14 cases of typical MC (TMC), 15 cases of atypical MC (AMC) classified according to Ridolfi criteria (1977) and 19 cases of poorly differentiated infiltrating ductal carcinoma (PDC-NOS). TILs were quantified separately into cells infiltrating tumor nests (intraepithelial) and cells infiltrating tumor stroma (stromal). The number of CD8 positive and CD20 positive cells infiltrating tumor nests and tumor stroma were significantly increased in TMC and AMC as opposed to the PDC-NOS group. There was a loss in the number of CD45RO positive cells, both intraepithelial and stromal, in TMC and AMC as opposed to the PDC-NOS group. We conclude that MC tumor lymphocytic infiltrate demonstrates a mixed-T cytotoxic (CD8+) and B cell (CD20+)-immunophenotypic profile. This might in part explain the improved clinical outcome of the disease.


Brazil covers 8,547,403 km² and is divided into five regions (Northern, North Western, Central Western, South Eastern and Southern). The diversity of climate, geology, topography, biota and human activities have contributed to the considerable diversity of soil types and thus soil erosion problems. National soils can be classified into 12 classes. These are: Oxisols (38.7%), Alfisols (20.0%), Inceptisols (2.7%), Mollisols (0.5%), Spodosols (1.6%), Gleysols (3.7%), Aridisols (2.7%), Entisols (14.5%), Vertisols (2.0%), Ultisols (1.8%), Plinthosols (6%) and Alisols (4.3%). The erodibility of these Soil Orders is reviewed and is mainly related to soil texture. Sands and loamy sands are especially erodible. Soil erosion patterns are complex, being influenced by rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topography, land use and management characteristics. Urban areas have specific erosion problems and there are illustrated using a case study from Sao Luis (north-east Brazil). Soil erosion rates can be excessive, in some cases exceeding 100 tonnes per hectare per year. Particularly serious soil erosion is associated with six regions. These are north-western Parana State; the Central Plateau, in the Centre Western Region; Western Sao Paulo State; the Paraiba do Sul middle drainage basin, in Rio de Janeiro State; Campanha Gaucha in Rio Grande do Sul State and Triângulo Mineiro, in western Minas Gerais State. Examples of effective soil conservation are presented, using case studies from both Parana and Santa Catarina States. Integrated management of drainage basins offers a promising way forward for effective soil conservation in Brazil.


In the paper, we propose a new metric for the minimization of area in the generic problem of multiple constant multiplications, and demonstrate its effectiveness for digital FIR filters. Previous methods use the number of required additions or subtractions as a cost function. We make the observation that not all of these operations have the same design cost. In the proposed algorithm, a minimum area solution is obtained by considering area estimates for each operation. To this end, we introduce accurate hardware models for addition and subtraction operations in terms of gate-level metrics, under both signed and unsigned representations. Our algorithm not only computes the best design solution among those that have the same number of operations, but is also able to find better area solutions using a non-minimum number of operations. The results obtained by the proposed exact algorithm are compared with the results of the exact algorithm designed for the minimum number of operations on FIR filters and it is shown that the area of the design can be reduced by up to 18%.


Backgrounds and Aims:  Bentonite is commonly added to white wines to remove the grape proteins responsible for haze formation. Despite being effective, this technique has drawbacks; thus, new solutions are desirable. The ability of carrageenan and pectin to remove heat-unstable grape proteins, and the impact that such addition has on the physicochemical and sensorial profile of a wine were assessed.

Methods and Results:  Carrageenan and pectin were added separately or in combination to a Chardonnay juice prior to fermentation. Both adsorbents removed proteins (up to 75%), thus increasing wine protein stability. Carrageenan was more effective than pectin at increasing wine protein stability.

Conclusions:  Pectin and carrageenan removed protein and partially stabilized the samples of the wine.

Significance of the Study:  Pre-fermentation addition of pectin or carrageenan may provide the wine industry with an alternative protein stabilization procedure.


Selected pathological sera gave three molecular species of C1s protein on crossed immunoelectrophoresis in the presence of calcium. C1s precipitates were obtained at the origin and in the beta1 and alpha2 regions. 12 normal sera gave C1s protein peaks at the origin and in alpha2 position. One of the normal sera also contained a small amount of the beta1 C1s protein. The C1s protein at the origin represented macromolecular C1. The alpha2 peak was a complex composed of C1 IA, C1s and C1r proteins. This complex was preformed in serum and did not show C4 cleaving activity. The molecular species in the beta1 region was shown to be a calcium-dependent complex of C1r and C1s, probably in proenzyme form. the C1r-C1s complex formed macromolecular C1 on addition of purified C1q to serum. During electrophoresis activation of C1 subcomponents was initiated by a mechanism involving CIr with generation of CIs activity in eluted fractions corresponding to the position of macromolecular C1 as well as in the beta region. The significance of beta1 C1s complexes or of alpha2 C1s complexes in normal and pathological sera was discussed.


Based on an ethnographic study carried out in Spain, this text proposes a new way of analyzing the relation between language use and gender identity. The theoretical and methodological discussion is also directly relevant to many researchers dealing with the study of language in use: pragmatics, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, conversational analysis, critical discourse analysis. As such it can be a useful tool for courses in any of these fields within higher education.


To investigate the role of gene localization and genome organization in cell-cell signalling and regulation, we mapped the distribution pattern of gene families that comprise core components of intercellular communication networks. Our study is centered on the distinct evolutionarily conserved metazoan signalling pathways that employ proteins in the receptor tyrosine kinase, WNT, hedgehog, NOTCH, Janus kinase/STAT, transforming growth factor beta, and nuclear hormone receptor protein families. Aberrant activity of these signalling pathways is closely associated with the promotion and maintenance of human cancers. The cataloguing and mapping of genes encoding these signalling proteins and comparisons across species has led us to propose that the genome can be subdivided into six genome-wide primary linkage groups (PLGs). PLGs are composed of assemblages of gene families that are often mutually exclusive, raising the possibility of unique functional identities for each group. Examination of the localization patterns of genes with distinct functions in signal transduction demonstrates dichotomous segregation patterns. For example, gene families of cell-surface receptors localize to genomic compartments that are distinct from the locations of their cognate ligand gene families. Additionally, genes encoding negative-acting components of signalling pathways (inhibitors and antagonists) are topologically separated from their positive regulators and other signal transducer genes. We, therefore, propose the existence of conserved genomic territories that encode key proteins required for the proper activity of metazoan signaling and regulatory systems. Disruption in this pattern of topologic genomic organization may contribute to aberrant regulation in hereditary or acquired diseases such as cancer. We further propose that long-range looping genomic regulatory interactions may provide a mechanism favouring the remarkable retention of these conserved gene clusters during chordate evolution.


Legislative socialisation has long been an important force for political deradicalisation in capitalist democracies worldwide. It remains barely explored, however, in large part because it is a process very difficult to track by conventional observational or survey methods. We circumvent these problems by taking advantage of an unusually propitious vote on televising the proceedings of the British House of Commons to chart the institutional deradicalisation of its Labour members. Socialisation effects are shown to be non-linear and, while the difference is not statistically significant, to be marginally stronger among Members of Parliament (MPs) with frontbench experience. The somewhat greater conservatism of frontbenchers, however, cannot be explained by anticipatory socialisation. Rather, it seems to be a function of doing well under 'rules of the parliamentary game' threatened by proposals for institutional reform.


Cultural and serological tests for Chlamydia trachomatis infection were performed in 213 patients at Düsseldorf University Gynecological Clinic Düsseldorf. 16 of these patients were tissue culture positive. Titers of antibodies greater than 1:100 were found in 37 patients with the ELISA. In tumorpatients the incidence of acute infection is not different from others, however antibodies were found in 35% of all tumorsera tested.


This article is an attempt to establish the phenomenological and theological value of the concept of Revelation in the work of the French philosopher Jean-Luc Marion in a post-modern cultural and intellectual context. Is it possible to speak of revelation in a phenomenological sense and more radically, about the Revelation of God, after the critique of metaphysics and phenomenology by Derrida, Caputo and others? Marion argues that by overcoming metaphysics and broadening the limits of traditional phenomenology to include phenomena of Revelation, the Revelation of Christ is a phenomenological impossible impossibility. Using Marion's reinterpretation of Husserl and Heidegger`s understanding of "givenness", "the given" and the "gift" and his concept of Revelation as a saturated phenomenon, I want to critically illuminate his contribution to the concept of r/Revelation as a post-metaphysical and theological possibility.


At the beginning of the 20th century, the processes of urbanization were actively taking place in the Russian Empire, but in different regions they went with varying degrees of intensity. Modernization changes in the traditional agricultural and nomadic societies of the Central Asian region began after its final annexation to the Russian Empire, which happened quite late – in the 60-70s of the 19th century. Based on the data of statistical surveys of the Steppe and Turkestan general-governorate's areas, the authors analyze the urban population's dynamics, the movement of its class and national composition in order to assess the level of urbanization of the region, as to what extent it reflects the general patterns of modernization and what is its regional specificity. The graphs compiled according to the Surveys show that in all nine areas of the region there was a quantitative increase in the urban population. The main incentives for urban growth were trade and railway construction. At the same time, another trend is observed: the proportion of citizens in the entire population does not increase significantly, but fluctuates in the range of several percentage points. The absence of pronounced dynamics of the urban population outpacing growth over the rural population indicates the initial stage of the Central Asia's urbanization. The low intensity of urbanization is quite corresponded to the Central Asian economic modernization imperial strategy, which consisted in the development of commodity specialization of agricultural sector for the needs of the metropolitan industry and peasant colonization of the region.


Background:Early invasive carcinoma may be encountered in association with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas. The natural history of these early invasive lesions is unknown. Methods:Pancreatic surgical databases from 4 high-volume centers were queried for IPMNs, with invasive components measuring 20 mm or less. All cases were reviewed by GI gastrointestinal pathologists, and pathologic features were analyzed to identify predictors of recurrence and survival. Results:A total of 70 small IPMN-associated invasive carcinomas (⩽20-mm invasion) were identified, comprising 25% of resected IPMN-associated carcinomas (n = 280). Most of these small invasive cancers were multifocal (66%), less than 10 mm in size (73%), and arose in the setting of a main duct IPMN (96%). The most common adenocarcinoma subtypes were tubular (57%) and colloid (29%). Lymph node metastases were present in 19% of cases and 23% were T3 lesions. The overall recurrence rate was 24% (n = 17), and the median time to recurrence was 16 months (range: 4–132 months). Median and 5-year survival rates were 99 months and 59%. Recurrence patterns of invasive disease were local in 35%, distant in 47%, and both in 18%. Lymphatic spread and T3 stage were predictive of recurrence (univariate, P = 0.006), whereas tubular carcinoma type was the most predictive of poor overall survival (multivariate hazard ratio = 3.7, P = 0.04). Conclusions:This study represents the largest multi-institutional experience of resected small IPMN-associated carcinoma. Although these malignancies may frequently be cured with resection, recurrence risk is significant. Lymphatic spread, increased T stage, and tubular type carcinoma were associated with the poorest outcome.


Contemporary paradigms of dental caries management focus on the biological approaches to treating the disease and its principal symptom, the carious lesion. This narrative review traces the evolution of carious lesion management from the operative and invasive approaches of G. V. Black's era to the current period of minimally invasive biological approaches. The paper explains the rationale for adopting biological approaches to dental caries management and lists the five core principles of this management approach. The paper also details the aims, features, and the most recent evidence base for the different biological carious lesion management approaches. Based on current practice guidelines, collated clinical pathways for lesion management are also presented in the paper to aid clinicians in their decision-making. It is hoped that the biological rationale and evidence summarized in this paper will bolster the shift to modern biological carious lesion management approaches among dental practitioners.


In common sociological research, income inequality is measured only at the aggregate level. The main purpose of this article is to demonstrate that there is more than meets the eye when inequality is indicated by a single measure. In this article, I introduce an alternative method that evaluates individuals' contributions to inequality as well as the between-group and within-group components of these individual contributions. I first highlight three common inequality measures, the Gini index and two generalized entropy measures—Theil's T and Theil's L indices—by presenting their individual components as a method for evaluating inequality. Five artificial data examples illustrate the use of these individual components first. An empirical analysis of the 2007 and 2017 Current Population Survey data then focuses on the differences in inequality revealed by such individual inequality components between the 2007 and 2017. The individual-level inequality measures can reveal patterns of inequality concealed by single measures at the aggregate level. In particular, the Gini individual measures differentiate cases better than the generalized entropy measures and tend to have smaller standard errors in a regression analysis.


Hydrostatic weighing has long been recognized as a reliable and valid method for the assessment of body composition. An alternative method known as bottle buoyancy (BB) was introduced by Katch, Hortobagyi, and Denahan in 1989. The purpose of this clinical investigation was to determine the accuracy of the BB technique using an 11-L container. Sixteen individuals (8 men, 8 women) were weighed hydrostatically using a chair/scale and the BB technique. The overall intra-class correlation coefficient for the two techniques was 0.9537. A 2-variable ANOVA was significant for gender but not for technique, and there was no interaction between variables. Thus, the BB technique appears to be an accurate substitute for the chair/scale technique for hydrostatic weighing. The BB method does not involve elaborate equipment and is portable. It could be improved with the use of multiple bottles of various volumes or a calibrated bottle to minimize the number of trials needed for accurate measurements. BB is a valuable, simple clinical tool for assessing body composition based on the principles of hydrostatic weighing and can be performed in any high school, college, or community swimming pool.


The fast retreat of the tropical Andean glaciers (TAGs) is considered an important indicator of climate change impact on the tropics, since the TAGs provide resources to highly vulnerable mountain populations. This study aims to reconstruct the glacier coverage of the TAGs, using Landsat time-series images from 1985 to 2020, by digitally processing and classifying satellite images in the Google Earth Engine platform. We used annual reductions of the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and spectral bands to capture the pixels with minimum snow cover. We also implemented temporal and spatial filters to have comparable maps at a multitemporal level and reduce noise and temporal inconsistencies. The results of the multitemporal analysis of this study confirm the recent and dramatic recession of the TAGs in the last three decades, in base to physical and statistical significance. The TAGs reduced from 2429.38 km2 to 1409.11 km2 between 1990 and 2020, representing a loss of 42% of the total glacier area. In addition, the time-series analysis showed more significant losses at altitudes below 5000 masl, and differentiated changes by slope, latitude, and longitude. We found a more significant percentage loss of glacier areas in countries with less coverage. The multiannual validation showed accuracy values of 92.81%, 96.32%, 90.32%, 97.56%, and 88.54% for the metrics F1 score, accuracy, kappa, precision, and recall, respectively. The results are an essential contribution to understanding the TAGs and guiding policies to mitigate climate change and the potential negative impact of freshwater shortage on the inhabitants and food production in the Andean region.


In this paper, we present a novel validated penalization method for bias reduction to estimate parameters for the logistic model when data are missing at random (MAR). Specific focus was given to address the data missingness problem among categorical model covariates. We penalize a logit log-likelihood with a novel prior distribution based on the family of the LogF(m,m) generalized distribution. The principle of expectation-maximization with weights was employed with the Louis' method to derive an information matrix, while a closed form for the exact bias was derived following the Cox and Snell's equation. A combination of simulation studies and real life data were used to validate the proposed method. Findings from the validation studies show that our model's standard errors are consistently lower than those derived from other bias reduction methods for the missing at random data mechanism. Consequently, we conclude that in most cases, our method's performance in parameter estimation is superior to the other classical methods for bias reduction when data are MAR.


To better understand the increased morbidity and mortality of asthma in Hawaii, a profile was established from questionnaires completed by 76 asthmatics in a residential area and by 204 asthmatics attending emergency rooms. The general profile differed from profiles on other islands and mainland USA in that allergens were more important and exercise less. Variations occurred in the profile in association with ethnicity, time in Hawaii, and prescribing habits. The Chinese did not recognize infection as a trigger; the Filipinos had little familial asthma, less pollen sensitivity, and used few steroids; and the Japanese were sensitive to Kona weather but not to pollen. The newcomers (military) who were sensitive to pollen and less to emotion and exercise, rated their attacks more severe and used more nebulizers and steroids. Certain other relationships emerged such as house dust as a trigger and the increased use of steroids. Asthmatics of two civilian ERs used fewer nebulizers and steroids. In conclusion, Hawaii's increased morbidity and mortality of asthma should be examined further in terms of ethnicity, infection, house dust, and prescribing habits.


Bacterial wilt, a severe disease that affects over 250 plant species, is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum through vascular system blockade. Although both plant immunity and dehydration tolerance might contribute to disease resistance, whether and how they are related are still unclear. Herein, we provide evidence that immunity against R. solanacearum and dehydration tolerance are coupled and regulated by CaPti1-CaERF4 module. By expression profiling, virus-induced gene silencing in pepper and overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana, both CaPti1 and CaERF4 were upregulated by R. solanacearum inoculation, dehydration stress and exogenously applied ABA. They in turn phenocopied with each other in promoting pepper resistance to bacterial wilt not only by activating HR cell death and SA-dependent CaPR1, but also by activating dehydration tolerance related CaOSM1 and CaOSR1, and stomata closure to reduce water loss in ABA signaling dependent manner. Yeast-two hybrid assay showed that CaERF4 interacts with CaPti1, which was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that, upon R. solanacearum inoculation, CaPR1, CaOSM1 and CaOSR1 were directly targeted and positively regulated by CaERF4 via binding GCC-box or DRE-box, which was potentiated by CaPti1. In addition, our data indicate that CaPti1-CaERF4 complex might act downstream ABA signaling, since the exogenously applied ABA did not alter stomata aperture regulated by CaPti1-CaERF4 module. Importantly, CaPti1-CaERF4 module was found also acts positively in pepper growth and response to dehydration stress. Collectively, the results suggest that immunity and dehydration tolerance are coupled and positively regulated by CaPti1-CaERF4 in pepper plants to enhance resistance against R. solanacearum. Summary Pepper immunity and dehydration tolerance are coupled and regulated by the CaPti1-CaERF4 module partially in a way related to ABA signaling and stomata closure.


We are developing high-resolution, broad-band, superconducting X-ray spectrometers for applications in materials science, astrophysics and biophysics. These spectrometers are superconducting microcalorimeters based on superconducting tunnel junction sensors made from thin films of niobium and aluminum. The energy resolution of these spectrometers can be more than an order of magnitude better than that of the best Si(Li) or Ge(Li) detectors. We present results of recent measurements characterizing the performance of these detectors for X-ray energies from 70 eV to 500 eV, where the energy resolution ranged from 4 eV FWHM (at 70 eV) to 12 eV FWHM (at 500 eV).


An internet-of-things (IoT) enabled low cost wearable device for location and information tracking system is developed to monitor and ensure the safety of the children while their parents are away either to work or abroad. This system aims to ensure human safety especially the children and efficiently initiate search and rescue in the event of emergencies. The device will notify the parents on the condition of the surroundings of the children, specifically inside the house and notify the parents if the children are outside the target area by using the application developed in the smartphone. The system uses a microcomputer called Beagle-Bone Black (BBB) as the processor while GPS and LTE technology for wireless communication. Future improvement mainly focuses on reducing the size and power consumption of the device, improving communication module, and optimizing microcomputer's specification.


PurposeThe objectives of this study were to assess visual and structural outcomes in mycotic keratitis after conventional treatment (topical and systemic antifungals) and intracameral amphotericin B (ICAMB), and to evaluate any complications. DesignThis was a prospective, nonrandomized, nonblinded interventional study. MethodsThis study was conducted on 104 eyes of 104 patients with fungal corneal ulcers. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: group A, who received conventional topical and systemic antifungal medications, and group B, who received ICAMB in the dose of 5 to 10 &mgr;g in 1 mL of 5% dextrose. Response to treatment was evaluated. Results of the 2 groups were compared with appropriate statistical indices. ResultsThe mean final visual acuity in patients in group B receiving ICAMB was 1.22 ± 0.31 logMAR units. The improvement in mean visual acuity was 1.40 ± 0.2 logMAR units. In group A, mean visual outcome was 1.25 ± 0.73 logMAR units. There was an improvement by 0.55 ± 0.30 logMAR units. Healing with varying degrees of opacification occurred in a significant number of patients (81.48%) treated with ICAMB as compared with conventional treatment (Z = 2.24, P < 0.05). Complications, such as sloughing, occurred in significantly fewer patients treated with ICAMB as compared with conventional treatment (Z = 2.29, P < 0.05). ConclusionsIn cases of keratomycosis where response to local and systemic antifungal treatment is not evident after 7 days, ICAMB can be safely administered to prevent the progression of ulcers and the development of complications.


Behavioral responses to novelty in an open field and spatial learning in a radial maze with four arms out of eight reinforced were tested in male and female CFY and Long‐Evans rats. Subsequently, the sizes of the total hippocampi and of various hippocampal cell layers and terminal fields at the midseptotemporal level were measured in Timm‐stained sections. No strain differences were found in the open field (except for defecation). In the radial maze, Long‐Evans rats showed better spatial reference memory capabilities than rats of the CFY strain. The relative sizes of the intra‐ and infrapyramidal mossy fiber (IIP‐MF) projections did not differ between the strains. Within the more variable CFY strain, a positive correlation between the size of the IIPMF projection and radial maze performance was found. The absolute sizes of the entire hippocampi and all hippocampal layers at the midseptotemporal level were larger in the CFY strain. The size of the suprapyramidal mossy fiber projection was related to the number of granule cells and to the ratio between granule and CA3 pyramidal cells. In contrast, the size of the IIP‐MF projection did not correlate with either of these variables. The results indicate that the size of the mossy fiber projection may be determined mainly by the available postsynaptic surface on the dendrites of CA3 pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, an increased number of granule cells and their larger projection to the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons does not appear to result in physiological changes with behavioral consequences. The results also indicate that hippocampal size or the numbers of hippocampal neurons as shown in particular bird and rodent populations is not an indicator of spatial learning capacity in commonly used laboratory rodent strains.


As climate targets become more critical, an appropriate supportive tools in policy planning are needed. TIMES model is powerful tool for energy scenario analysis allowing assess the impact of potential policy measures. The paper presents the methodology and results for energy sector modelling of Latvia by using TIMES model. To analyse further development of electricity and heating sector, three different scenarios have been compared - reference scenario, which excludes the existing tax policy, baseline scenario which considers the existing policy measures and the scenario which includes different policy measures defined in the National Energy and Climate plan until 2030.


If supersymmetric particles in the form of neutralinos are part of the dark matter halo in our Galaxy, they can accumulate gravitationally in the center of the Earth and pair-wise annihilate therein. Such annihilations can be observed as an excess signal of vertical up-moving neutrino induced muon tracks in a neutrino detector like AMANDA. The Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array - AMANDA, is an ice-Cherenkov detector located at 1500 m to 2000 m depth in the South Pole glacial ice. Cherenkov photons from muon tracks are detected by photo-multiplier tubes arranged in strings. Data taken in the austral winter of 1997 with a 10 string version of the detector, AMANDA-B10, have been analyzed. The method to extract neutrino candidates from the background of down-going atmospheric muons is presented. 28 up-moving muons which could have their origin in a neutrino interaction below the detector have been found. This flux is compared with simulation of atmospheric neutrinos and of hypothetical neutralino dark matter annihilations in the center of the Earth. No excess above expectations from atmospheric neutrinos have been found. This non-observation of a neutrino flux from neutralino annihilations has been translated to upper limits on the annihilation rate in the center of the Earth and on the neutrino induced muon flux near the detector due to such annihilations


We have measured the photoreflectance (PR) spectrum at 300 K from a lattice‐matched InP/InGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor structure grown by gas‐source molecular beam epitaxy. From the observed Franz–Keldysh oscillations we have evaluated the built‐in dc electric fields and associated doping profiles in the n‐InGaAs collector and n‐InP emitter regions. These donor concentrations are in agreement with capacitance‐voltage and secondary ion mass spectroscopy determinations, but are considerably lower than the intended values from the growth parameters. We have thereby detected a failure of the Si doping source which occurred during material growth using this contactless, nondestructive, and rapid characterization method. The energy of the InGaAs band gap from the PR spectrum also verifies the lattice‐matched nature of the system, further demonstrating the diagnostic and process control value of the PR technique.


The under representation of women in senior management positions is well recognized globally and locally. Research on the factors affecting women's career progression has been proceeding continuously over the years and there is a significant literature regarding this issue. Different studies focus on similar factors held responsible for women's lack of progress to senior positions across nations and societies. In the Islamic perspective there is a perception that Islam does not allow Muslim women to participate in different activities. Is does so? Based on the literature review this paper provides a brief account of the position of Muslim women from a religious perspective based on original and authentic sources in Islam. This aims to provide an analysis of the teachings of Islam regarding the role of women in society. We have come to the Conclusion in this article that during the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) women were engaged in Islamic and economic activities and Islam has honored and empowered women in all spheres of life. This paper also provides examples of remarkable Muslim women leaders of that time and since.