OBJECTIVE
To investigate the diagnostic and diagnostic values of plasma microRNA-21-3p (miR-21-3p) and miR-551-5p expression in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS
A prospective observational study was conducted. AP patients admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Hainan Province from January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2019 were enrolled. The patients were divided into mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group, moderate severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) group and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group according to their severity. Fasting venous blood was collected from all subjects the day after admission, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as used to detect the expression levels of plasma miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p. Rehabilitation, discharge or death were end points of study. In addition, 50 healthy people in the same period were selected as the control group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of the expression levels of plasma miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p for the diagnosis and prognosis of SAP. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the expressions of miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p in SAP patients.

RESULTS
A total of 164 AP patients were enrolled, including 72 MAP patients, 47 MSAP patients and 45 SAP patients. Among the SAP patients, 27 cases survived and 18 cases died. There were no deaths in MAP group and MSAP group. The levels of plasma miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p in AP group were significantly higher than those in control group [miR-21-3p (2-ΔΔCt): 2.17±0.90 vs. 0.65±0.12, miR-551-5p (2-ΔΔCt): 1.80±0.73 vs. 0.42±0.08, both P < 0.01]. The expression levels of plasma miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p in AP patients increased gradually with the aggravation of the disease (F values were 11.635, 10.204 respectively, both P < 0.01), and the expression levels of plasma miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p in SAP group were significantly higher than those in MSAP group and MAP group [miR-21-3p (2-ΔΔCt): 3.16±1.08 vs. 1.85±0.71, 1.70±0.64; miR-551-5p (2-ΔΔCt): 2.63±0.95 vs. 1.52±0.46, 1.36±0.40; all P < 0.01]. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of the joint diagnosis of SAP with miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p were significantly higher than that of miR-21-3p or miR-551-5p alone [0.898 (0.841-0.960) vs. 0.820 (0.763-0.882), 0.806 (0.748-0.867), Z1 = 4.480, Z2 = 4.916, both P < 0.05], and the sensitivity was 90.7% and the specificity was 85.0%. The expression levels of plasma miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p in the death group of SAP patients were significantly higher than those in the survival group [miR-21-3p (2-ΔΔCt): 3.75±1.17 vs. 2.66±0.87, miR-551-5p (2-ΔΔCt): 3.17±1.04 vs. 2.24±0.83, both P < 0.01]. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC and 95%CI of the combined prediction of death in SAP patients with miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p were significantly higher than that of miR-21-3p or miR-551-5p alone [0.933 (0.875-0.996) vs. 0.856 (0.794-0.917), 0.816 (0.759-0.874), Z1 = 4.395, Z2 = 5.520, both P < 0.05], and the sensitivity was 95.2% and the specificity was 87.5%. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the expression level of plasma miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p in SAP patients (r = 0.827, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
The increased expression of plasma miR-21-3p and miR-551-5p are positively correlated with the severity of AP patients. The combination of the two items has a better value in the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of SAP.


Social networks could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems.1Some journals have accounts on social networks, which allow for content sharing in a simple and didactic manner. Alternative metrics or ''Altmetrics'' have been defined as the count of mentions on an article's online resources, accumulating in order to provide an instantaneous measure of impact.2 In fact, altmetrics may be complementary to standard citation scores when aiming to quantify the interest an article generates.3 Our study seeks to describe the number of journals in dermatology with active accounts on social networks, as well as to establish the degree of correlation between the impact of scientific publications measured through traditional and alternative metrics.


Study was carried out on serial section of 45 human embryos of stages 13 to 23. The urorectal septum develops from three folds: single superior and two lateral ones. Development of the urorectal septum begins at stage 13 when the superior fold between the hindgut and allontois appears. At stage 15, all three folds unite to from complete septum, reaching the cloacal membrane and dividing the cloaca into anterior compartment, the primary urogenital sinus and the posterior compartment rectum.


Water is known as a very essential substance that all living beings cannot survive without, hence the purity of water has become a crucial issue. Recently, there have been enough cases reported in which the pollution of water bodies has become an appalling issue, especially those caused by heavy metals. Water pollution not only affects the nature ecosystems, but also causes harmful effects to human health. One of the heavy metals that requires attention is mercury. Many fresh and sea water areas have been reported to be contaminated by mercury, which is then ingested by aquatic life and pass through the food chain, ultimately reaching to humans. The exposure to mercury, even in small amounts, can lead to serious health problems. For example, the neurological development, renal organ systems and gastrointestinal functions of human bodies can be destroyed if overly exposed to mercury. Due to this, the monitoring of mercury content in water is important and a variety of measurements have been proposed and demonstrated over the years. One of the commonly used sensors in monitoring mercury is opticalbased sensors as it offers a variety of advantages, including its small size, light weight, immunity to electromagnetic interference and its ease of signal transmission. However, most optical-based sensors required the measurands to be collected from the site before they can be tested in the laboratory. Due to this, the proposed sensors were only limited to a short and quick laboratory detection. This project explores the possibility of extending the detection outside the laboratory. The project proposed the use of an electric arc-induced Long Period Fiber Grating (LPFG) as the optical-based sensor for mercury detection because past research have proven that LPFG can be deployed kilometers away where an electric source is not needed at the sensing point. In other words, the application of LPFG can be extended to the real environment. This particular property of LPFG will help overcome the limitation of previously proposed sensors, where they were only limited to laboratory testing. Also, the unique property of LPFG, i.e. its sensitivity to external index, is another reason why LPFG is proposed as the optical-based sensor for monitoring mercury content in this project, as a slight change in the surrounding refractive index caused by mercury content can be investigated through its response. Throughout the years, not much research has been done on using LPFG as a mercury sensor. Hence, the techniques to enhance its sensitivity and the sensing agent that can tailor the surface of LPFG are explored in this research so that the LPFG will respond to the presence of mercury in water. Another important aspect that should be considered in environmental studies such as water monitoring is long-term detection because it allows the collection of background data over a longer period of time. Also, it helps to reveal important trends which can provide researchers with more solid proof in understanding environmental parameters. However, most of the proposed fiber sensors including LPFG were limited to short-term detection. When it comes to long-term monitoring, LPFG without protection may not be suitable to be used due to its brittle silica-based structure. Hence, another limitation is found in this aspect. In this project, a structure that can be used to protect the modified LPFG and prevent it from being broken by the harsh environment was constructed as well. The structure constructed in this project was similar to the structure of (Diffusive Gradient in Thin Films) DGT, which was proposed in 1994 for long-term detection purposes. With the protection offered by this structure, the LPFG can be used to monitor mercury (II) ions over a longer duration as the structure helps to overcome the weakness of LPFG, i.e. limited lifespan. In conclusion, the purpose of this project is to solve both the limitations discussed earlier, i.e. to extend the sensing application of LPFG to outside of laboratory and to prolong the lifespan of LPFG for long term monitoring. A hybrid sensor which combined the features of both LPFG and DGT was proposed and demonstrated in this research to allow the application of real-time and long-term monitoring of mercury (II) ions in water. In the beginning stage of the research, the sensitivity of LPFG towards refractive index was enhanced. The shifting of the resonant wavelength of the LPFG in response to external refractive index was increased by applying thin film coating method. Also, the transmission loss of the LPFG was enhanced by introducing double-pass configuration into the experiment setup. The improved LPFGs were then coated with gold nanoparticles and tested with different concentrations of mercury (II) ions solution. From the study, the resonant wavelengths of the coated LPFGs shifted to longer wavelength and its transmission power increased when it was exposed to mercury (II) ions. This proves that the LPFGs were able to detect the presence of mercury (II) ions with the coating agent. In the final stage of the research, a hybrid LPFGDGT monitoring sensor system was constructed and demonstrated. The sensor was again experimented with different concentrations of mercury (II) solutions. Similarly, the resonant wavelength of the sensor shifted to longer wavelength and the transmission power increased. This result proves that the designed LPFG-DGT hybrid sensor was capable of performing real-time and long-term monitoring of mercury (II) ions in water bodies.


In this study, we present an automated algorithm that partitions large sequential VLSI circuits for pseudoexhaustive testing. The partitioning algorithm is based on the primary input cone and fanout value of each node in the circuit. We have developed an optimization process that can be used to find the optimal size of primary input cone and fanout values, to be used for partitioning a given circuit. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our work.


The Nationwide-common utilization for PIXE at NMCC has been carrying out since April 1993, and more than 100000 samples have been analyzed up to the present. PIXE has been applied to many studies in various research fields. As a result, the samples analyzed have diversified shapes, characters and compositions. In order to cope with these diversified samples, we have been continuously developing the methods of measurement, data analysis, sample preparation and quantitative analysis. Now, one of our catchphrases is "We'll perform quantitative analysis of any kind of samples". Especially, the standard-free method for quantitative analysis made it possible to quantitatively analyses infinitesimal samples, powdered samples and untreated bio samples which could not be well analyzed quantitatively in the past. It also allows us to carry out quantitative analysis of untreated samples, and it saves labor and time for procedure in target preparation. Moreover, "The powdered-internal-standard" is working miracle in analyses of high-Z-matrix-powdered samples such as soil, rock, ash, dust and aerosol. The recent topics are as follows. In in-air PIXE, a physical method of quantitative analysis was established and the samples which has been difficult to be analyzed in vacuum can be quantitatively analyzed in in-air PIXE. Moreover, standard-free methods for various samples have been developed in in-air PIXE, and it becomes possible to quantitatively analyze the samples such as a drop of oil and living plants which have been difficult to be quantitatively analyzed by traditional methods. In in-vacuum PIXE, the standard-free method for organs taken from patients and experimental animals has been established and it becomes possible to quantitativel methods have already been applied to many practical studies.


The majority of chromosomal rearrangements observed in Burkitt lymphomas involve a translocation between 8q and 14q, while the remaining minority carry variant translocations between chromosome 8 and either 2 or 22. We have studied the JI Burkitt lymphoma cell line carrying the variant 2;8 chromosome translocation using a combination of high-resolution and molecular cytogenetic techniques. We have determined that the chromosome 2 breakpoint of the 2;8 translocation in these cells is in the distal portion of 2p11.2. In situ hybridization of a DNA probe for kappa light chain variable (V kappa) region demonstrated that this 2p11.2 breakpoint is within the V kappa region. There was significant hybridization of the probe to both the 2p- and 8q+ chromosomes, with 23% of all grains considered to be specific for V kappa located over the middle one-third of the long arm of the 8q+ chromosome. Thus, there is translocation of the entire kappa constant (C kappa) region and a portion of the region carrying V kappa genes from 2p to a region 3' of the c-myc oncogene on the involved chromosome 8, resulting in transcriptional activation of the c-myc that is quite distant from the 5' end of the C kappa gene. These results provide direct evidence for translocation-related rearrangement of the kappa immunoglobulin gene cluster in this Burkitt lymphoma and for the assignment of the V kappa locus to 2p11.2.


To track a cyclone using a single orbiting satellite in a continuous manner is impractical as it has limited spatial and temporal coverage. One solution is to use multiple orbiting satellites for cyclone tracking. However, data from some orbiting satellites do not provide features as useful as other satellites in identifying cyclones. Moreover, satellite data containing strong cyclone discriminating features is affected by coarse temporal resolution and object occlusion while satellite data containing weak cyclone features does not have positive examples for cyclone identification. In this paper, we propose a methodology for spatial-temporal knowledge transfer to enable cyclone identification and detection using data with weak features in a multiple data sources setting. This approach also minimizes the negative effect of coarse temporal resolution and occlusion when only the satellite data containing strong cyclone discriminating features is used. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of our knowledge transfer approach for cyclone track-


Given the recent theoretical emphasis on firm-level heterogeneity in international trade, we examine the price-setting behaviors of Japanese automobile exporting firms as they correspond with the fluctuations of foreign exchange rates. We do so by employing international trade datasets revitalized by the use of the geographical locations of exporting firms within an exporting country. With this technique, we transform a national-level dataset into a quasi-firm-product-level dataset. First, by restricting the dataset to the two exporting ports, we are able to estimate the price-setting behaviors of one particular Japanese automaker. Consistent with the multi-product exporter model, we find heterogeneity among auto-models in the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) even when we restrict the dataset to a single automaker. Second, coupled with the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) in the US market, we examine the dynamic behaviors of model-specific price margins for US distributors and Japanese automakers. The price margins for US distributors have shrunk substantially, particularly when the US dollar depreciated after the global financial crisis.


ABSTRACT Liu, H.; Zhang, X.; Yang, Q.; Zuo, T., and Quigg, A., 2017. Mesozooplankton dynamics in relation to environmental factors and juvenile fish in a subtropical estuary of the Gulf of Mexico. Estuaries are physically dynamic and biologically productive but are also vulnerable to human activities and natural stressors. Zooplankton are sensitive to environmental changes and play a pivotal role in the transfer of the energy from primary producers to fish in marine ecosystems. Focusing on a subtropical estuary of Galveston Bay (Texas) in the northern Gulf of Mexico, the seasonal variations of species composition, abundance, and diversity of mesozooplankton in relation to environmental factors were examined, and the trophic interactions between zooplankton and juvenile fish were explored for the period of 2008 and 2009. The results showed that copepod nauplii, Acartia tonsa, Paracalanus spp., and Oithona spp. were the numerically dominant taxa in the bay. Zooplankton abundance was significantly and positively correlated to seawater temperature, whereas zooplankton diversity was positively related to salinity. When focusing on copepods only, their abundance was significantly and positively related to temperature, and the abundance and species diversity of copepods were positively and significantly related to salinity, implying that tidal advection of coastal ocean water likely carries diverse copepod species into the estuary. The relative abundance of the young of year (YOY) forage fish of Bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) and Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) exhibited synchronous (no lag) significant associations with the abundance of zooplankton and the abundance and diversity of copepods. YOY of Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), with a lag of 3 months, was significantly correlated with the abundance of zooplankton. Given the limited relevant research in the Gulf estuaries, the role of mesozooplankton in relation to environmental factors and the implications for juvenile fish in subtrophical estuaries need to be more fully assessed.


The use of The Three Stooges' films as a source of data in an introductory statistics class is described. The Stooges' films are separated into three populations. Using these populations, students may conduct hypothesis tests with data they collect.


Toshka Depression (TD), located about 250 km south west of the High Aswan Dam (HAD), consists of four deep-cut basins connected by natural sills. It is required to assess the contribution of TD as a spillway, in enhancing the effectiveness of Lake Nasser in flood control and water availability. However, most related previous works are descriptive and use qualitative methods. In order to provide the required assessment quantitatively, we developed a numerical model which computes TD mass balance and interbasin water movements. The model computes the variation of water volume, surface area, and water level in each one of the four basins (subdepressions), thus depicting their filling sequence, for the past 130 years. This TD response to realistic time series of water inflow gains and evaporation losses is analyzed to compute the TD overflow time series. This response helps assess water availability for agricultural use and effectiveness in alleviating flood risks. Furthermore, the developed model compares between three TD configurations to help the decision maker and recommends (i) building a dam—height 10 m—at the end of the fourth subdepression near Kharga Oasis and/or (ii) incorporating the third subdepression into TD by digging a canal through the hill that blocks it from the first subdepression.


This paper presents an example of the broad applicability of techniques developed initially for use in a specialized field. Describing-function techniques, which are useful in the analysis of nonlinear circuits, are applied to the analysis of thermally selfexcited mechanical oscillators. The amplitude and frequency behavior predicted by this method of analysis are in qualitative agreement with the observed behavior of typical oscillators.


The uniaxial compressive strength of weak rocks (UCSWR) is among the essential parameters involved for the design of underground excavations, surface and underground mines, foundations in/on rock masses, and oil wells as an input factor of some analytical and empirical methods such as RMR and RMI. The direct standard approaches are difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, especially with highly fractured, highly porous, weak, and homogeneous rocks. Numerous endeavors have been made to develop indirect approaches of predicting UCSWR. In this research work, a new intelligence method, namely relevance vector regression (RVR), improved by the cuckoo search (CS) and harmony search (HS) algorithms is introduced to forecast UCSWR. The HS and CS algorithms are combined with RVR to determine the optimal values for the RVR controlling factors. The optimized models (RVR-HS and RVR-CS) are employed to the available data given in the open-source literature. In these models, the bulk density, Brazilian tensile strength test, point load index test, and ultrasonic test are used as the inputs, while UCSWR is the output parameter. The performances of the suggested predictive models are tested according to two performance indices, i.e. mean square error and determination coefficient. The results obtained show that RVR optimized by the HS model can be successfully utilized for estimation of UCSWR with R2 = 0.9903 and MSE = 0.0031203.


Vericiguat was developed for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure (HF) in adult patients with reduced ejection fraction who are stabilized after a recent decompensation event. Guidelines recommend long‐acting nitrates, such as isosorbide mononitrate, for angina prophylaxis in chronic coronary syndromes (CCS), common comorbidities in HF. This study evaluated safety, tolerability, and the pharmacodynamic (PD) interaction between co‐administered vericiguat and isosorbide mononitrate in patients with CCS. In this phase Ib, double‐blind, multicenter study, patients were randomized 2:1 to receive vericiguat plus isosorbide mononitrate (n = 28) or placebo plus isosorbide mononitrate (n = 13). Isosorbide mononitrate was uptitrated to a stable dose of 60 mg once daily, followed by co‐administration with vericiguat (uptitrated every 2 weeks from 2.5 mg to 5 mg and 10 mg) or placebo. Thirty‐five patients completed treatment (vericiguat, n = 23; placebo, n = 12). Mean baseline‐ and placebo‐adjusted vital signs showed reductions of 1.4–5.1 mmHg (systolic blood pressure) and 0.4–2.9 mmHg (diastolic blood pressure) and increases of 0.0–1.8 beats per minute (heart rate) with vericiguat plus isosorbide mononitrate. No consistent vericiguat dose‐dependent PD effects were noted. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 92.3% and 66.7% in the vericiguat and placebo groups, respectively, and most were mild in intensity. Blood pressure and heart rate changes observed with vericiguat plus isosorbide mononitrate were not considered clinically relevant. This combination was generally well‐tolerated. Concomitant use of vericiguat with isosorbide mononitrate is unlikely to cause significant AEs beyond those known for isosorbide mononitrate.


Edema disease, a naturally occurring disease of swine caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), was used as a model for the sequence of events that occur in the pathogenesis of STEC infection. The mean time from production of levels of Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e) detectable in the feces (day 1) to the onset of clinical disease (neurologic disturbances or death) was 5 days (range, 3-9). Bacterial colonization and titers of Stx2e in the ileum peaked at 4 days after inoculation in pigs without signs of clinical disease and at 6 days after inoculation in clinically affected pigs. Animals with the greatest risk of progressing to clinical disease tended to have the highest fecal toxin titers (>/=1:4096). Stx2e was detected in the red cell fraction from blood of some pigs showing clinical signs of edema disease but was not detected in the serum or cerebrospinal fluid.


In this paper, we will provide an introduction to the derivative-free optimization algorithms which can be potentially applied to train deep learning models. Existing deep learning model training is mostly based on the back propagation algorithm, which updates the model variables layers by layers with the gradient descent algorithm or its variants. However, the objective functions of deep learning models to be optimized are usually non-convex and the gradient descent algorithms based on the first-order derivative can get stuck into the local optima very easily. To resolve such a problem, various local or global optimization algorithms have been proposed, which can help improve the training of deep learning models greatly. The representative examples include the Bayesian methods, Shubert-Piyavskii algorithm, Direct, LIPO, MCS, GA, SCE, DE, PSO, ES, CMA-ES, hill climbing and simulated annealing, etc. This is a follow-up paper of [18], and we will introduce the population based optimization algorithms, e.g., GA, SCE, DE, PSO, ES and CMA-ES, and random search algorithms, e.g., hill climbing and simulated annealing, in this paper. For the introduction to the other derivative-free optimization algorithms, please refer to [18] for more information.


This article explores what strategies rebels use to prepare their ethnic community for negotiated peace. Proposed strategies are distilled from relevant theory and systematically investigated in case analyses of peace negotiations in Sri Lanka, Indonesian Aceh, and Senegal. The empirical findings indicate that although a coercive military capacity underpinned claims to ethnic representation, coercion did not dominate during the prenegotiation phase. During negotiations, noncoercive persuasion, as well as collective and selective incentives, clearly dominated. Moreover, the most important measures were internal to the negotiating rebel group. The successful rebel negotiator appeared to "mobilize in reverse" by initially targeting the core of military leaders followed by competitor groups and constituents. The article systematically examines across cases what measures rebel negotiators have used to "ripen" their own community, how these measures have been sequenced, and against whom they have been directed. The findings have important implications for the concepts of ripeness and prenegotiation and their requirements. The study underscores in particular the relevance of rebels' nonviolent commitment signals, something that has been largely overlooked in the research on nonstate armed actors. The policy implications suggest the possible benefits of third-party assistance to efforts to promote communication, public outreach, and procedural transparency on the nonstate side in connection with peace talks.


The water resources pollution is a worldwide problem. In this manuscript, sediment elutriate (SE) from Tambis River, Barobo, Surigao Del Sur was evaluated for possible cytotoxic effect in actively dividing cells of Allium cepa root meristems. Result shows that at higher concentrations (1000 g/L and500 g/L) can exert mitodepressive effect, Cmitoses as a result of spindle damage, and chromosomal anomalies in actively dividing A. cepa root meristems with P<0.05. This effect was dose dependent and irreversible. Exposure of Allium cepa root to sediment elutriate for 72 hr produced significant atypical changes of chromosomes, sticky metaphases and anaphase bridges. The study suggests that cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of sediment elutriate from Tambis River was significantly higher from negative control (P<0.05).


Additive manufacturing (AM) of stainless steel is more difficult than other metallic materials, as the major alloying elements of the stainless steel are prone to oxidation during the fabrication process. In the current work, specimens of the stainless steel 316L were made by the powder laser bed fusion (P-LBF) additive manufacturing process. These specimens were investigated by electron microscopy and micro-/nano-indentation techniques to investigate the microstructural aspects and the mechanical properties, respectively. Compositionally, a similar wrought stainless steel was subjected to identical investigation, and used as a benchmark material. The microstructure of the P-LBF-processed alloy shows both equiaxed and elongated grains, which are marginally smaller (3.2–3.4 μm) than that of the wrought counterpart (3.6 μm). Withstanding such marginal gain size refinement, the increase in shear stress and hardness of the L-PBF alloy was striking. The L-PBF-processed alloy possess about 1.92–2.12 GPa of hardness, which was about 1.5 times higher than that of wrought alloy (1.30 GPa), and about 1.15 times more resistant against plastic flow of material. Similarly, L-PBF-processed alloy possess higher maximum shear stress (274.5–294.4 MPa) than that of the wrought alloy (175.9 MPa).


Recently, amorphous magnetic semiconductors as a new family of magnetic semiconductors have been developed by oxidizing ferromagnetic amorphous metals/alloys. Intriguingly, tuning the relative atomic ratios of Co and Fe in a Co-Fe-Ta-B-O system leads to the formation of an intrinsic magnetic semiconductor. Starting from high Curie-temperature amorphous ferromagnets, these amorphous magnetic semiconductors show Curie temperatures well above room temperature. Among them, one typical example is a p-type Co28.6Fe12.4Ta4.3B8.7O46 magnetic semiconductor, which has an optical bandgap of ~2.4 eV, room-temperature saturation magnetization of ~433 emu/cm3, and the Curie temperature above 600 K. The amorphous Co28.6Fe12.4Ta4.3B8.7O46 magnetic semiconductor can be integrated with n-type Si to form p–n heterojunctions with a threshold voltage of ~1.6 V, validating its p-type semiconducting character. Furthermore, the demonstration of electric field control of its room-temperature ferromagnetism reflects the interplay between the electricity and ferromagnetism in this material. It is suggested that the carrier density, ferromagnetism and conduction type of an intrinsic magnetic semiconductor are controllable by means of an electric field effect. These findings may pave a new way to realize magnetic semiconductor-based spintronic devices that work at room temperature.


THE discussions' of the mediaeval English alabasters indicate a body of largely undocumented religious sculpture created by native inspiration and craftsmanship from fine native stone in the English Midlands. A shop craft of uneven quality, English alabasters achieved popularity and widespread distribution in western Europe. Many examples have found their way to collections in Canada and the United States. Sixty-six of these were listed and described (with illustrations of fourteen pieces) in the January 1955 number of SPECULUM. The present continuation of the 1955 list follows the same arrangement and includes examples of groups not previously seen.


This paper proposes a novel bus line structure using differential transmission lines, which equips high-density and high crosstalk-robustness. The feasibility of this structure is discussed from results of two-dimensional electromagnetic simulation and time-domain measurement. Measurement results show that the bus line has higher crosstalk robustness than that of the conventional co-planar line. The bus line can reduce effective density of 55% as compared with the conventional coplanar line


Objectives This study aims to assess whether iodine-contained contrast agents with different osmolarity affect iodine delivery protocol during coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Methods Patients who underwent CCTA were randomized to receive contrast media either iodixanol-320 (iso-osmolar group) or iopromide-370 (low-osmolar group). Contrast protocols were recorded. Tube voltage of 100 kV was chosen for patients with body mass index of less than or equal to 25 (n = 224) and tube voltage of 120 kV for patients with body mass index of greater than 25 (n = 165). Both groups applied automatic current modulation technique. Mean contrast enhancement of the ascending aorta, left main coronary artery, and descending aorta was calculated. Simulated contrast flow rate and iodine delivery rate (IDR) to reach a mean contrast enhancement level of 350 HU were calculated. Results A total of the 389 patients were enrolled in the study. To achieve the same contrast enhancement of 350 HU, iso-osmolar group required higher simulated contrast flow rate (3.90 vs 3.62 mL/s, P = 0.017) but lower simulated IDR (1.34 vs 1.25 g/s, P = 0.024) compared with low-osmolar group. Conclusions To maintain a similar level of contrast enhancement during CCTA, iodixanol-320 needs larger contrast flow rate with lower IDR compared with low-osmolar iopromide-370.


Fair Trade is an organised social movement, a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect, whose strategy is to cooperate with marginalised producers and workers. The paper discusses selected results of empirical studies conducted in 2013 within the framework of research project Polish Market of Fair Trade Products financed from the NCN funds, concerning the Fair Trade idea and Polish consumer behaviour in the market of Fair Trade produets. They demonstrated that Fair Trade idea is not a subject of interest to wider circles of Polish consumers. Polish consumers most willingly buy stimulants, tea, coffee, and food produets. Many of them decide to buy such produets influenced by ethical and environmental factors.


This paper investigates crucial aspects of planned development in West Virginia. First, the West Virginia Appalachian Development Plan is discussed briefly along with the posture taken by state economic and community development officials. Second, the spatial distribution of ARC funds throughout the state is examined using the Gini index of concentration. Third, some statistical tests are considered as a preliminary investigation into the consequences of West Virginia development policy. These tests involve the examination of the relative growth patterns of selected counties in West Virginia. Lastly, conclusions and observations concerning planned development in West Virginia, along with some limitations of the analysis, are discussed.


In this study, we designed and fabricated plasmonic crystal (PC) which has chain-shaped periodic metal nanostructures for excitation of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at two different wavelength by changing polarization of incident light. PC absorbs light and generates enhanced electric field at specific wavelength depending on the size, shape, thickness, periodicity, and material. Here, we designed the PC consisted of intersectional short and long chain structures for applications using both visible and infrared lights. With this PC, the short chain structure can be used for label-free biosensing based on the detection of surrounding refractive index change by visible light. On the other hand, long chain structure is applicable in molecular collection by gradient force and thermal convection occurred by irradiation of infrared light. Based on these effects of chain shapes, PC structure proposed here is expected to be useful in label-free biosensors for low-concentration analytes in sample solution.


We report the case of an immunocompetent woman who developed a Candida glabrata abscess of the parotid gland and present a review of similar cases from the literature. Diagnosis was based on the isolation of C. glabrata in pure culture from the abscess pus. Examination of stained smears of the same material demonstrated small sized yeast cells, some being intra-macrophagic. Combination of a local drainage and oral fluconazole proved to be an efficient therapeutic strategy. Candidal abscesses are rare in immunocompetent patients and salivary gland localization has only been reported in five cases.


Abstract The peroneal artery is injured less frequently than the popliteal and tibial arteries, because of its anatomical relationships. Pseudo-aneurysm of the peroneal artery due to a blunt injury is a rare complication. These injuries are usually occult, but more have been identified with the introduction and increasing use of angiography, following a high clinical suspicion of the trauma team involved. We report a case of peroneal artery false aneurysm following blunt trauma, presented with intermittent haemorrhage. In trauma, isolated peroneal artery pseudo-aneurysms, although rare, may occur. Early diagnosis can be confirmed by angiography and when less-invasive procedures cannot be applied, a posterior approach is an attractive surgical option in the management of proximal peroneal artery traumatic lesions.


This article describes an implementation of the optical flow estimation method introduced by Zach, Pock and Bischof in 2007. This method is based on the minimization of a functional containing a data term using the L 1 norm and a regularization term using the total variation of the flow. The main feature of this formulation is that it allows discontinuities in the flow field, while being more robust to noise than the classical approach by Horn and Schunck. The algorithm is an efficient numerical scheme, which solves a relaxed version of the problem by alternate minimization. Source Code A C implementation of this algorithm is provided. The source code and an online demo are accessible at the web page of this article 1 .


Meeting international climate goals require a major reallocation of global investment portfolios. However, in 2016, 74%. of all assets under management were still socially and environmentally unchecked. Research has started to address how finance can support the low-carbon transition, but little is known about how the financial sector itself perceives this transition. This thesis seeks to 1) identify key barriers and drivers for advancing low-carbon investments (LCI) in Denmark's finance industry and 2) evaluate the industry's LCI-integration until now. The thesis takes a mixed methods approach through surveys (n=11) and interviews (n=12) with finance professionals in Danish pension funds and financial intermediaries. Key LCI-drivers are identified as a) the risk/return profile of LCI, b) costumer/pension fund members' preferences c) top-management, d) increased public awareness of climate change the role of institutional investors, e) expected future climate and energy policy and f) stranding risks for coal and oil sands. Key LCI-barriers are identified as a) a low LCI-supply, b) a lack of current and uncertainty of future climate and energy policy, c) low stranding risks for oil and especially gas and d) conservative organisational cultures. It is found that LCI-integration has progressed rapidly and that it is impacting investment decisions. Yet, it is restrained by a dominating logic of return-maximisation, which is grounded in prevailing organisational cultures and unlikely to change. Although it is still possible to integrate LCI further under current conditions, it will be necessary to compromise slightly on returns, if finance is to take a truly progressive role on climate change. The findings are relevant to anyone who wants to see finance take further steps towards sustainability and can be used to make work on sustainable finance more strategic. (Less)


The microgrid (MG) is an emerging technology for supplying energy from renewable energy sources (RES). Due to their intermittent nature, RES require an inverter and smooth operation control system when integrated into an MG. Conventional droop control is commonly used in microgrid control but cannot achieve adequate power-sharing when output impedances of inverters are different; thus, enhancing its performance is required. This paper's main objective is to design a finite control set model predictive control (FSC-MPC) based arctan droop control and evaluate its performance against the conventional droop control strategy. The proposed control technique guarantees a strong transient response when there is a dynamic load change during MG operation. The results showed that the proposed control strategy ensures proportionate power-sharing of paralleled voltage source inverters with unequal line impedances than the traditional droop controller, which can vary.


"This is Chester, the best-dressed man at FOCUS." I was introduced to Chester on my first day volunteering at FOCUS Pittsburgh by Miss Cheryl, who is second-in-command at FOCUS. FOCUS is located in a two-story duplex in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. The Hill is mainly populated by low-income black families, and the crime rate is high. The median income is less than $15,000 (Damewood 2011). In 1950, the city of Pittsburgh displaced 1,239 black families and 312 white families to build the Mellon Arena in the heart of the Hill (Bauder 2014). The neighborhood still has not recovered from this economic loss and is only now beginning to see the rewards promised in exchange, like the Shop 'N Save that just opened on Centre Avenue. Before the Shop 'N Save, the Hill District was a food desert, a poor, urban area lacking quality fresh, whole food.


In the majority of mothers who are delivering the babies; it is able to anticipate and plan to manage the primary obstetric hemorrhage by considering the risk factors before delivery.  All of which we can enhance our careful observations of the  mother preoperatively.  The successful prevention and control of primary hemorrhage after delivery depend on the corporation of multidisciplinary experts.  The delivery must be performed by an active management of the third stage of labor.  It must be made sure that there is no retained placenta.  This is done along with the re-evaluation of the applications of both uterotonic and non-surgical haemostatics.  The appropriate management for the primary obstetric hemorrhage by greater volume of blood transfusion and the possible coagulopathy of the mother are complicated matter that is directly dependent upon the clinical decision.  Such decision must be made carefully after the examination of each patient.  The obstetric anesthesiologists' part is to be the organizer for different departments concerned beginning from the delivery-room, operating room, blood bank, and laboratories to the supporting personnel.


We tackle the problem of feature unlearning from a pre-trained image generative model. Unlike a common unlearning task where an unlearning target is a subset of the training set, we aim to unlearn a specific feature, such as hairstyle from facial images, from the pretrained generative models. As the target feature is only presented in a local region of an image, unlearning the entire image from the pretrained model may result in losing other details in the remaining region of the image. To specify which features to unlearn, we develop an implicit feedback mechanism where a user can select images containing the target feature. From the implicit feedback, we identify a latent representation corresponding to the target feature and then use the representation to un-learn the generative model. Our framework is generalizable for the two well-known families of generative models: GANs and VAEs. Through experiments on MNIST and CelebA datasets, we show that target features are successfully removed while keeping the fidelity of the original models.


The objectives of the present study were to assess the intake of different food groups in French children aged 3–17 years (n 1455), and to analyse trends since a dietary survey undertaken 8 years ago. Dietary intake was evaluated using data from the 2006–7 cross-sectional INCA2 national dietary survey (étude Individuelle Nationale sur les Consommations Alimentaires), based on a 7 d food record. Dietary intake (percentage of subjects consuming the food group and amount eaten) was assessed for thirty-nine food categories. We observed variations in food consumption by age, sex, North–South regional gradient, seasonal period and educational level of the responding parent. Trends in dietary intake between 1999 and 2007 were determined by comparing the INCA1 (n 1126) and the INCA2 surveys. Both surveys had been carried out using the same methodology. The findings showed a decrease in energy intake in children aged 3–14 years, due to a reduction in the consumption of foods of animal origin and sweetened products. In adolescents aged 15–17 years, energy intake remained rather stable; during this 8-year period, the consumption of meat decreased, whereas the consumption of savoury snacks such as sandwiches and hamburgers significantly increased. These trends occurred during a time of growing concern about overweight and the associated co-morbidities in France. A number of public health measures were implemented over this period to improve dietary habits and physical activity patterns in children and adults. The periodic monitoring of dietary patterns through the INCA surveys is an essential part of the surveillance network in France.


PURPOSE
Despite therapeutic interventions including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has a very poor prognosis and novel therapies are required.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Melanoma differentiation-associated 7 (mda-7) (interleukin 24), when expressed via a recombinant replication-defective adenovirus, adenovirus (Ad).mda-7, has profound antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in a variety of tumor cells but not in nontransformed cells. The present studies examined the combined impact of Ad.mda-7 and ionizing radiation on the proliferation and survival of GBM cell lines.

RESULTS
Ad.mda-7 caused a dose-dependent reduction in the proliferation of glioma cells in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. The antiproliferative effects of Ad.mda-7 were enhanced by radiation in a greater than additive fashion. These effects were not observed in cultures of nontransformed primary astrocytes. Purified MDA-7 protein caused a similar dose-dependent reduction in GBM cell growth that was enhanced after radiation exposure. The enhanced reduction in growth correlated with increased necrosis and DNA degradation. These modifications in cell phenotype correlated with reduced expression of Bcl-(XL) and enhanced expression of BAX. Overexpression of Bcl-(XL) protected cells from the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of Ad.mda-7 + radiation. Incubation of cells with N-acetyl cysteine abolished the enhancing effects of radiation. In vitro, Ad.mda-7 and radiation reduced colony formation ability, which was significantly increased when the two treatments were combined. In vivo, Ad.mda-7 enhanced the survival of Fischer 344 rats implanted intracranially with glioma cells. Radiation did not alter survival in control infected animals, whereas it prolonged survival in those infected with Ad.mda-7.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that mda-7 reduces the proliferation and enhances the radiosensitivity of GBM cells in vitro and in vivo.


Abstract Let $N/ F$ be an odd-degree Galois extension of number fields with Galois group $G$ and rings of integers ${\mathfrak{O}}_{N} $ and ${\mathfrak{O}}_{F} = \mathfrak{O}$. Let $ \mathcal{A} $ be the unique fractional ${\mathfrak{O}}_{N} $-ideal with square equal to the inverse different of $N/ F$. B. Erez showed that $ \mathcal{A} $ is a locally free $\mathfrak{O}[G] $-module if and only if $N/ F$ is a so-called weakly ramified extension. Although a number of results have been proved regarding the freeness of $ \mathcal{A} $ as a $ \mathbb{Z} [G] $-module, the question remains open. In this paper we prove that $ \mathcal{A} $ is free as a $ \mathbb{Z} [G] $-module provided that $N/ F$ is weakly ramified and under the hypothesis that for every prime $\wp $ of $\mathfrak{O}$ which ramifies wildly in $N/ F$, the decomposition group is abelian, the ramification group is cyclic and $\wp $ is unramified in $F/ \mathbb{Q} $. We make crucial use of a construction due to the first author which uses Dwork's exponential power series to describe self-dual integral normal bases in Lubin–Tate extensions of local fields. This yields a new and striking relationship between the local norm-resolvent and the Galois Gauss sum involved. Our results generalise work of the second author concerning the case of base field $ \mathbb{Q} $.


The U.S. mortgage market has experienced phenomenal change over the last 35 years. This paper develops and implements a technique for assessing the impact of changes in the mortgage market on households. Our framework, which is based on the permanent income hypothesis, that allows us to gauge the importance of borrowing constraints by estimating the empirical relationship between the value of a household's home purchase and its future income. We find that over the past several decades, housing markets have become less imperfect in the sense that households are now more able to buy homes whose values are consistent with their long-term income prospects. One issue that has received particular attention is the role that the housing Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have played in improving the market for housing finance. We find no evidence that the GSEs' activities have contributed to this phenomenon. This is true whether we look at all homebuyers, or at subsamples of the population whom we might expect to benefit particularly from GSE activity, such as low-income households and first-time homebuyers.


In this paper we analyze and discuss the characteristics of internal friction of metallic glasses near glass transition temperature T g based on the model of free volume and mechanical theory of solids. The relationship between stress and strain was obtained if the proportion occupied by solid-like and liquid-like regions in the matrix of glassy state was considered. It is found theoretically that the internal friction peak being of relaxation type can appear in the vicinity of T g and the modulus decrease dramatically during glass transition. The theoretical analysis is essentially in agreement with experimental results.


Abstract
With growing concerns about an academic literacy crisis plaguing the education system in South Africa, tertiary institutions have to find ways to strengthen the academic literacy skills of underprepared students transitioning into higher education. This is more pressing for low socioeconomic status students who are linguistically marginalised and face historically poor graduation prospects. In response, this chapter offers a snapshot of two studies conducted in South Africa that sought to test the efficacy of a purposefully designed academic literacy intervention (Reading to Learn (RtL)). The intervention sought to address inequitable academic literacy skills development of linguistically marginalised students, who are also socioeconomically disadvantaged. Two small-scale, longitudinal studies were run in two separate educational contexts in South Africa – a senior secondary school context and a tertiary context with largely first-generation undergraduate students. Results of both studies showed the RtL intervention to be successful at raising the level of academic writing skills of the research participants. Furthermore, similar to other RtL studies conducted globally, the two studies found weaker-performing students made the greatest gains in their academic writing skills, showing evidence of a convergence effect – more equitable learning outcomes being exhibited in the English classroom.


A rare flint from Kent.—Exceptional implements may sometimes attract more attention than they deserve, but are often worth publishing by way of contrast to the recognized types. The present example, kindly lent by Mr. J. P. T. Burchell, was found in one of the gravel-pits cut in the first high ground north of the Stour, on the east side of Sturry, about three miles east of Canterbury. The surface height is just under ioo ft. o. D., and the deposit can scarcely rank as the ioo ft.


This paper presents the research on the temporal variability of water quality parameters for the most important river system in Romania and Europe – the River Danube. The data on the river water quality had been obtained between January 1990 and December 1998. The investigation was systematic and complex. Using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and traditional statistical methods based on correlation matrix Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Factor Analysis (FA), and ANOVA all the samples data sets were classified in order to determine the seasonal variability of the water quality state parameters and to identify the key quality factors that cause variability. The methodology for the systematic analysis due to the identification of the fundamental and the dependent parameters will not be exposed in this article. This is the subject of another paper. These statistical analyzes showed that more than 70% of the total variance can be explained by three main factors: a) the first factor (F1) is the tutorial involving inorganic human influence type and flow variations and provides a natural buffer system perspective of the ecosystem; b) the second factor (F2) is the trophic factor; c) the third factor (F3) is related to the impact of anthropogenic activities. The analysis revealed that the weight of the three main factors is not the same over the course of the year. This work highlights two major aspects: the first one is due to the fact that the site of research is the meeting point of the borders of three countries: Moldova, Ukraine and Romania. The second significant issue is caused by the fact that the study was conducted in the predeltaic area of the Danube Delta. This study was carried out over 10 years, and highlights the auto-filtering capacity of the Danube (River). Research of this type is extremely useful because there are no other previous studies of this complexity.


Abstract. In a companion paper (Liang et al., 2015) we introduced a reduced-complexity model (RCM) for river delta formation, developed using a parcel-based "weighted random walk" method for routing water and sediment flux. This model (referred to as DeltaRCM) consists of a flow routing scheme as the hydrodynamic component (referred to as FlowRCM) and a set of sediment transport rules as the morphodynamic component. In this work, we assess the performance of FlowRCM via a series of hydrodynamic tests by comparing the model outputs to Delft3D and theoretical predictions. These tests are designed to reveal the capability of FlowRCM to resolve flow field features that are critical to delta dynamics at the level of channel processes. In particular, we focus on (1) backwater profile, (2) flow around a mouth bar, (3) flow through a single bifurcation, and (4) flow through a distributary channel network. We show that while the simple rules are not able to reproduce all fine-scale flow structures, FlowRCM captures flow field features that are essential to deltaic processes such as bifurcations and avulsions, the partitioning of flux between channels and inundated islands, and the instability of flux distribution at channel mouths which is responsible for mouth-bar growth. Finally, we discuss advantages and limitations of FlowRCM and identify environments most suitable for it.


Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL

In cancer, the genome undergoes global DNA methylation changes, which contributes to disease progression. We mapped the global DNA methylation patterns in prostate tissues and cells (n=19) from fifty nanograms of genomic DNA. The methylated regions enriched by Methylplex technology, were subjected -Next Generation Sequencing (M-NGS). A total of 28 lanes of next generation sequencing yielded approximately 530 million sequence reads. The reads uniquely mapped to human genome were analyzed by H-Peak program to identify 1.8 million methylated regions from the 28 runs. While twenty percent of all CpG islands (CGIs) (68,508) were methylated in tissues, the promoter CGI methylation gradually increased from ∼12.6% in benign samples to 19.3% and 21.8% in localized and metastatic cancer tissues. However surprisingly, the total methylation events in intergenic/intronic regions between benign adjacent and cancer tissues were largely comparable. We found distinct patterns in promoter methylation around transcription start sites where methylation occurred directly on the CGIs, flanking regions and on CGI sparse promoters. Among the 6,691 methylated promoters in prostate tissues, 2481 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were cancer specific and several previously studied targets were among them. A novel cancer specific DMR in WFDC2 promoter showed 77% methylation in cancer (17/22), 100% methylation in transformed prostate cell lines (6/6), none in the benign tissues (0/10) and normal PrEC cells. Integration of LNCaP DNA methylation and H3K4me3 data suggested a role for DNA methylation in alternate transcription start site utilization. Specifically, we detail the regulation of RASSF1, a gene previously reported to be silenced through DNA methylation in PCa and NDRG2. We show that variant-1 of RASSF1, but not variant-2 or -3, is specifically silenced in LNCaP through promoter methylation, and normal cells do not exhibit this phenomenon. Treatment with 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine preferentially induced re-expression of variant-1 of RASSF1 in LNCaP, confirming transcriptional regulation of this isoform through DNA methylation. The methylated promoters lacking CGIs showed sparse H3K4me3 modification, interestingly methylated promoters containing CGIs showed a mutually exclusive H3K4me3/DNA methylation marks. Finally, we observed a difference in the methylation of LINE-1 elements between transcription factor ERG positive and negative cancers. The comprehensive methylome map presented here will further our understanding of epigenetic regulation of the prostate cancer genome.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4840. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4840


Detection and measurement of fecal blood loss from pups and kittens infected with Ancylostoma braziliense showed that, compared with Ancylostoma caninulm, A. braziliense was relatively nonpathogenic. Blood loss started on the 10th and 11th days after inoculation of A. braziliense larvae to pups and kittens, respectively. Group mean ml (standard deviation) of blood loss per worm per day in the feces was 0.00109 (? 0.00111) from pups and 0.00187 (? 0.00187) from kittens. Even with relatively large infections of 600 to 800 A. braziliense the total blood loss per pup per day was less than the normal prepatent fecal blood loss and was equivalent to from 0.2% to 1.3% of circulating blood volume each day. Absence of pathogenesis was also shown by the failure of A. braziliense infection to adversely affect hematologic measurements and weight gains although infection of pups and kittens with A. braziliense induced a slight hypoproteinemia. There were no changes in halflife of circulating erythrocytes nor was there evidence of alteration of the normal rate of intravascular catabolism of erythrocytes. Clinical signs of infection were not detected, since pups and kittens infected with 600 to 800 adult A. braziliense appeared to be normal. It appeared that kittens were a less suitable host for A. braziliense than were pups, since size in kittens. A previous report (Miller, 1966b) described results of experiments in which the technique of labeling the erythrocytes with radioactive l1chromium was used to measure blood loss from dogs of different ages during infections of varying severity with Ancylostoma caninum. Fecal blood loss was measured and was correlated with changes of hematologic values during the infection. Observations in previous reports (De Faria, 1910; Sarles, 1929) indicated that Ancylostoma braziliense was probably less pathogenic than A. caninum in dogs. This suggestion was based on absence of deaths of infected dogs and on failure to observe free blood at necropsy either in the lumen of the dogs' intestines or in the gut of the worms. The present report describes experiments, using the technique of erythrocyte labeling with 15chromium in pups and kittens that were inoculated with A. braziliense larvae, to investigate the pathogenesis of infection with this hookworm. MATERIALS AND METHODS Management of experimental pups and procedures for culturing and preparing larvae for infection were described (Miller, 1964). The Received for publication 8 June 1966. the worms were slower to develop and of smaller special techniques of caging pups, labeling erythrocytes with 5lchromium as sodium chromate in isotonic saline, daily blood sampling and total fecal and urine recovery, and the measurement of blood, fecal, and urine radioactivities have also been described (Miller, 1966b). Kittens were purchased when 6 to 10 weeks old, were housed individually in wooden cat cages, and were vaccinated against the feline infectious enteritis complex (Fiovax, Registered Trademark of Burroughs Wellcome & Co., England). Diet for the kittens consisted of a prepared canned meat fed ad lib., and milk. Metabolism cages were not used for the kittens since the habits of cats with respect to the use of a soil-tray facilitated total fecal recovery. Urine was not collected from the kitte s but total daily urine output was collected from four of the five pups infected with A. braziliense. The culture of A. braziliense was obtained from a dog in quarantine, 2 months after importation from Durban, Republic of South Africa. The method of purification of the culture (i.e., exclusion of A. caninum) was described (Miller, 1966c). Techniques of culturing, harvesting, cleansing, and preparation of A. braziliense larvae for inoculation were the same as those used for A. caninum (Miller, 1964). Five pups were infected, when 5 months old, with 1,000 A. braziliense larvae by subcutaneous inoculation. Four 3-month-old kittens were similarly infected with 500 or 1,000 A. braziliense larvae. During the course of infection, and until necropsies were performed at 24 to 26 days after inoculation of larvae, blood samples (approximately 1 ml) were collected from the five pups


This report describes the political organisation and policies about public organic procurement in Italy, especially within school catering, and how organic products are utilized in this sector. The report is produced within the project "innovative Public Organic food Procurement for Youth", iPOPY, and is a revised version of a preliminary report published in the same report series in 2008.
Organic and otherwise typical and certified food is supported by several Italian regions by regulations and guidelines demanding that municipalities must prioritize such food in their calls for tenders. This has contributed to make Italy a leading public consumer of organic food, serving about 1 million dishes of school food per day with at least some organic ingredients. In total, about 40% of the food consumed in Italian schools is organic, and 36% from otherwise certified agriculture (local speciality, integrated or fair trade). On full length school days, all pupils are served a warm meal with two dishes, commonly also a desert. The average payment is 3.86 Euro.
Future challenges for the Italian school meals with their high share of organic food are to reduce the high amounts of food waste, partly incurred by the current system of food serving where all pupils get equal portions, served at a table. Further, non-food costs are a challenge, as they constitute 70 % of the total food costs. Means to ensure that municipalities and caterers follow the regional guidelines are also required, as well as support for the municipalities to design efficient calls for tenders. The communication about organic food in schools, e.g. as a part of the education, should be strengthened to increase the pupil's understanding of the benefits of this farming practice for the environment.


Outcomes in Neurological and Neurosurgical Disorders . Edited by Michael Swash. (Pp 614, £80.00). Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1998. ISBN 0-52144327-X.

This is a timely moment to publish a book which takes an analytical look at outcomes in the common neurological and neurosurgical procedures' obsessed as we seem to be at present with evidence based medicine. In addition we are rapidly moving towards and era when therapies are becoming available for many neurological diseases, hitherto deemed more suitable for pastoral care, and our understanding of treatment trials and the …


Blending submicron rubber particles with plastics can enhance the mechanical strength of the composite material. However, the difference in refractive index between the particle and matrix scatters light, making the material more opaque. We consider the possibility of reducing a particle's scattering cross section by adding coatings. We find that adding coatings can reduce the amount of scattering by changing the effective dielectric contrast between the particle and the matrix. We also found that, when the refractive index of the particle is very close to that of the matrix the order of the layers can have significant effects on the transmitted light. Such effects may be useful for engineering the optical properties of particle-doped plastics. Resonant effects akin to those found in antireflection coatings on planar surfaces are difficult to obtain and rarely provide a significant reduction in scattering. We discuss theoretical models that can qualitatively explain some of our results. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3534–3548, 2005


After the generation of private placement system, it is popular with the securities market and listed companies, it has become one of the main channels for enterprises to carry out equity refinancing, domestic scholars' studies mainly focus on the purchase discount, big shareholders' profit transfer problems, and problems with the company's short-term effect, articles about private placement and operate performance are not enough, conclusions are also different, so it is very necessary for the empirical study on the relationship between listed companies' private placement and performance by using the private placement experience of western countries and combining the reality of the capital market's development of China. In this paper, by using factor analysis method and using Chinese A-share listed companies who have implemented private placement in 2010 as the samples, through calculating the samples' comprehensive performance score from 2009 to 2014 and its average ranking non-parametric test, the results show that whether in the short or long term, private placement has a negative effect on companies performance, but the effect is not significant in statistics, the results will be more of reference value and practical significance, this paper will be beneficial for investors, the market regulator and the private placement's follow-up study.


The squirrel-cage induction motor remains the workhorse of the petrochemical industry because of its versatility and ruggedness. However, it has its limitations, which, if exceeded, will cause premature failure of the stator, rotor, bearings or shaft. This paper is the final abridgement and update of six previous papers for the Petroleum and Chemical Industry Committee of the IEEE Industry Applications Society presented over the last 24 years and includes the final piece dealing with shaft failures A methodology is provided that will lead operations personnel to the most likely root causes of failure. Check-off sheets are provided to assist in the orderly collection of data to assist in the analysis. As the petrochemical industry evolves from reactive to time based, to preventive, to trending, to diagnostics, and to a predictive maintenance attitude, more and more attention to root cause analysis will be required. This paper will help provide a platform for the establishment of such an evolution. The product scope includes low- and medium-voltage squirrel-cage induction motors in the 1-3000 hp range with anti friction bearings. However, much of this material is applicable to other types and sizes.


Radial basis function (RBF) network is a simple but useful neural network model that contains wide applications in machine learning. The training of an RBF network reduces to solve a linear system, which is time consuming classically. Based on HHL algorithm, we propose two quantum algorithms to train RBF networks. To apply the HHL algorithm, we choose using the Hamiltonian simulation algorithm proposed in [P. Rebentrost, A. Steffens, I. Marvian and S. Lloyd, Phys. Rev. A 97, 012327, 2018]. However, to use this result, an oracle to query the entries of the matrix of the network should be constructed. We apply the amplitude estimation technique to build this oracle. The final results indicate that if the centers of the RBF network are the training samples, then the quantum computer achieves exponential speedup at the number and the dimension of training samples over the classical computer; if the centers are determined by the K-means algorithm, then the quantum computer achieves quadratic speedup at the number of samples and exponential speedup at the dimension of samples.


Bullying is associated with many factors including school environment, social factors and family background and child characteristics. Children who chronically act as bullies or fall victims of bullying have some common characteristics, some of which are acquired, innate or emanate from the way they are treated by their parents.This article examines the role plaid by child characteristics and parental aggression in taking positions as bullies, victims or observers. While various child characteristics, such as age, class level and gender were found to have influence on bullying,bullying was associated to the methods of discipline adopted by parents.However, reactions of those who witnessed incidences of bullying emerged as catalyst or deterrent to prevalence of bullying. The study recommended a shift in school management to improve the school environment; open channels of communication to encourage observers and victims of bullying to report and stakeholders" forums to talk about bullyingopenly.


The quantum plasma of Bose and Fermi particles is considered. A scheme of equation linearization for density matrix with the exchange interaction taken in account is proposed and the equation solution is found. An expression for Hartree‐ Fock dielectric permeatability with the exchange interaction is obtained. This interaction is taken into account in the exchange scattering amplitude. With the use of obtained solutions the non‐equilibrium spectral function of electric field fluctuations in presence of exchange interaction and medium polarization is found. It is shown that in the state of thermodynamic equilibrium a Fluctuation‐Dissipation Theorem holds. An expression for the system's response to an external electric field in presence of exchange interaction is given (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


Chromosomal rearrangements are generally thought to accumulate gradually over many generations. However, DNA sequencing of cancer and congenital disorders uncovered a new pattern in which multiple rearrangements arise all at once. The most striking example, chromothripsis, is characterized by tens or hundreds of rearrangements confined to a single chromosome or to local regions over a few chromosomes. Genomic analysis of chromothripsis and the search for its biological mechanism have led to new insights on how chromosome segregation errors can generate mutagenesis and changes to the karyotype. Here, we review the genomic features of chromothripsis and summarize recent progress on understanding its mechanism. This includes reviewing new work indicating that one mechanism to generate chromothripsis is through the physical isolation of chromosomes in abnormal nuclear structures (micronuclei). We also discuss connections revealed by recent genomic analysis of cancers between chromothripsis, chromosome bridges, and ring chromosomes.


Elastomer ethylene–butylacrylate–glycidyl methacrylate (PTW) containing epoxy groups were chosen as toughening modifier for poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/polyolefin elastomer (POE) blend. The morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of the PBT/POE/PTW blend were studied. The infrared spectra of the blends proved that small parts of epoxy groups of PTW reacted with carboxylic acid or hydroxyl groups in PBT during melt blending, resulting in a grafted structure which tended to increase the viscosity and interfere with the crystallization process of the blend. The morphology observed by scanning electron microscopy revealed the dispersed POE particles were well distributed and the interaction between POE and PBT increased in the PBT/POE/PTW blends. Mechanical properties showed the addition of PTW could lead to a remarkable increase about 10-times in impact strength with a small reduction in tensile strength of PBT/POE blends. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed with increasing PTW, the crystallization temperature (Tc) and crystallinity (Xc) decreased while the melting point (Tm) slightly increased. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis spectra indicated that the presence of PTW could improve the compatibility of PBT/POE blends. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40660.


Industrial melanism in Biston betularia is one of the best known examples of the role of natural selection in evolution and has received considerable scrutiny for many years. The rise in frequency of the dark form of the moth (carbonaria) and a decrease in the pale form (typica) was the result of differential predation by birds, the melanic form being more cyptic than typica in industrial areas where the tree bark was darkened by air pollution. One important aspect of early work evaluating the relative crypsis of the forms of B. betularia on tree trunks with different lichen flora was the reliance on human observers. Humans, however, do not have the same visual capabilities as birds. Birds have well‐developed ultraviolet (UV) vision, an important component of their colour processing system that affects many aspects of behaviour, including prey detection. We examined the UV characteristics of the two forms of B. betularia and a number of foliose and crustose lichens. In human visible light the speckled form typica appeared cyptic when seen against a background of foliose lichen, whereas the dark form carbonaria was conspicuous. Under UV light the situation was reversed. The foliose lichens absorbed UV and appeared dark as did carbonaria. Typica, however, reflected UV and was conspicuous. Against crustose lichens, typica was less visible than carbonaria in both visible and UV light. These findings are considered in relation to the distribution and recolonization of trees by lichens and the resting behaviour of B. betularia.


The Compton profile (CP) of polycrystalline CuO has been measured using 60 keV gamma -rays. In the absence of rigorous theoretical results the obtained data have been analysed in terms of CPS calculated within the framework of the renormalized-free-atom model, employing several wavefunctions for the 0 2p state. Compared with 3d102p5, the CP for the 3d92p6 configuration was found to be in better agreement with the experimental data. As in MgO, here also Watson's+1 well solution of the 0 2p state was found to provide better results than the rest. However, the best results were obtained with a configuration given by 3d9.42p5.6. The implications of this are discussed.


Budesonide, a topical corticosteroid used in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, can be administered to the nose as an aerosol via a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) or as a metered nasal pump spray. Studies have shown that about 64% (256 μg) of a nominal dose of 400 μg budesonide pMDI preparation is delivered to the patient compared with 100% of the nominal dose of the pump spray. The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of budesonide delivered via a nasal pMDI twice daily (Rhinocort® pMDI, at 400 μg/day) with an aqueous suspension of budesonide delivered via a metered nasal pump spray once daily (Rhinocort® Aqua, at 256 μg/day or 400 μg/day). The multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in 318 patients (154 men, 164 women; aged 12–67 years) with ragweed-induced seasonal allergic rhinitis. A 1-week baseline period was followed by a 3-week treatment. Nasal symptoms were recorded by the patients, adverse events were noted, an overall evaluation of treatment efficacy was made, and urine cortisol and creatinine levels were measured. Substantial or total control of symptoms was achieved in 83.8% of patients treated with 256 μg of aqueous budesonide, 76.3% with 400 μg of aqueous budesonide, and 80.8% with 400 μg of budesonide pMDI; these were all significantly different (p < 0.001) compared with placebo (23.4% of patients). There were no significant differences in the 24-hour urine cortisol levels between the groups and there were few, infrequent adverse events, similar between the groups and resolved completely on discontinuation of treatment. It was concluded that budesonide, given once daily as 256 μg or 400 μg in an aqueous suspension or twice daily as 400 μg in a pMDI provides good alleviation of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis with no significant risk of suppression of urine cortisol.


The removal of fractured teeth and retained tooth roots is described in a systematic fashion, with emphasis being placed on such procedures being carried out in general practice. The discussion is aimed at producing sound treatment planning and sequential action in order to achieve best results for patient and surgeon.


This paper reviews three late 20th century Iraqi and Lebanese intellectuals who placed the subjects of authoritarianism and democracy within Islamic and Arabic political philosophy. Why and how did each choose to write about political philosophy within the Ba'athist state in Iraq, or during the civil war in Lebanon? These approaches are briefly compared with an Orientalist and Arabist paradigm that is dismissive of the range of political discourse found within Islamic philosophy. The contextual interpretation of medieval and early modern Islamic and Arabic philosophy and political philosophy reveal divergent paradigms and choices proposed by scholars in the Middle East and those of the West. The issue of whether political discourse within Islamic philosophy and its historical social formation enabled or included authoritarian or democratic principles is central to the positions of these writers on philosophy. The first example is the critical approach to medieval political development and philosophy put forth by the Lebanese Marxist, but Iraqi educated scholar, Husayn Muruwwah, in his al-Naz'at al-madiyah fi al-falsafah al-'Arabiyah al- Islamiyah (The Materialist Tendencies in Arabic and Islamic Philosophy, 1979). Muruwwah is distinctive for his emphasis on materialist influences in the production of medieval philosophy in both Islamic and Arabic centered terms. Next, I compare Muruwwah's approach with the Ba'athi period philosopher, Naji Al-Takriti, whose al-falsafah al-siyasiyah 'inda Ibn Abi al-Rabi (The Political Philosophy of Ibn Abi Al-Rabi', 1980), was a study of the 9th century Abbasid philosopher. Al-Takriti may be read as a work in political philosophy that sought to rationalize the early period of Saddam Husayn's rule and marked his transition in the year of the book's appearance to the Presidency of Iraq. Al-Takriti's book appeared as Saddam Husayn consolidated personal power over the regime in 1979 and phased out statist liberalism. During that last phase of Saddam Husayn's rule, with the serial and prolonged crises of the Iran-Iraq war, and the Gulf War, a number of Iraqi intellectuals dissented. These included the novelist, Aziz Al-Sayyid Jasim who drew upon the classical political figure of the early caliph Ali to provide an analogy to Saddam Husayn's rule. Hence, the third work reviewed in this paper is Al-Sayyid Jasim's biography of the 7th century Caliph, Imam Ali, 'Ali bin 'Abi Talib: Sultah al-Haq. ['Ali ibn Abi Talib: the Authority of Righteousness, 1988]. Al-Sayyid Jasim's text may be read as a work on political philosophy written to counter the trends found in Al-Takriti earlier book and of the political choices made by the Ba'athist regime.


Although insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus has been associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD), there have been conflicting reports about the BMD in non—insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM): some authors report elevated BMD, some report decreased BMD, and others report unchanged BMD. 1,2 We hypothesized that the variations in BMD in patients with NIDDM might be explained by differences in both the endogenous and exogenous insulin status of the subjects in each study. Based on this hypothesis, we investigated the relationship of BMD to insulin treatment as well as endogenous insulin secretion in 144 Japanese patients with NIDDM (61 men and 83 women, mean [SD] age, 59.3 [12.2] years). Eighty-six patients were taking insulin for more than 1 year; in these patients, the insulin dosage was defined as that given at the time of BMD measurement. A BMD of L2-4 was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (QDR-4500, Hologic Co, Waltham, Mass), as


Three visible light optical wireless communication systems using asymmetrically clipped optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ACO-OFDM) and white light emitting diodes (LEDs) are compared. The LEDs considered have a larger modulation bandwidth for the blue optical frequencies than for the rest of the transmitted optical spectrum. It is shown that for typical parameter values, a novel diversity combining receiver has slightly greater capacity than a system optimized for reception of blue light only, and that both have greater capacity than a system designed to receive the entire visible light spectrum.


We present a new application to recognize 218 species of cultivated crops on geo-tagged photos, 'Pl@ntNet Crops'. The application and underlying algorithms are developed using more than 750k photos voluntarily collected by Pl@ntNet users. The app is then enriched by data and photos coming from the European Union's (EU) Land Use and Coverage Area frame Survey (LUCAS). During five tri-annual LUCAS campaigns from 2006 to 2018, 242 476 close-up 'cover' photos of crops were collected. The survey protocol for these photos specified that 'the picture should be taken at a close distance, so that the structure of leaves can be clearly seen, as well as flowers or fruits'. This unique labelled data provides an opportunity to further generalize the Pl@ntNet computer vision algorithms to recognize crops and enlarge their geographic representivity across the EU. To include LUCAS cover photos, we semantically match Pl@ntNet species and LUCAS legends, predict the species on LUCAS cover photos with the existing Pl@ntNet algorithm, and consider the accuracy of the classification and the number of species enriched by the photos. By setting a threshold of > 0.5 on the Pl@ntNet prediction probabilities, 70 170 LUCAS photos representing 101 species classified with an accuracy of 0.9 were added to the 'Crops' app. The thematic accuracy of the legacy LUCAS data was improved by distinguishing 218 species, opposed to the original 36 LUCAS levels. Official and publicly financed LUCAS datastreams can now be improved because of Pl@ntNet citizen science, photo collection, and deep learning model development. Further use of the app and policy-relevant workflows in the agri-food-environment domain are discussed.


Electric load shedding is implemented to maintain the generation power margin at nominated level when load demand is higher than electric supply. This prevents the widespread system collapse when a fault occurs. The scope of study consists of system analysis, design and simulation. Dynamic simulations are performed using the ERACS power analysis software. When the frequency falls below preset level at a certain rate, a predetermined amount of load will be removed to restore the system frequency. Important design considerations for this scheme are the maximum anticipated overload, number of load shedding steps, size of load shed at each step and frequency relay settings. Load restoration after load shedding can only be executed after the system has recovered completely and its normal frequency is restored. Loads should be restored in small blocks sequenced by time delay between successive restorations to allow frequency stabilization. A case study is carried out on PETRONAS Penapisan Melaka, whereby a load shedding scheme is designed for its upcoming cogeneration plant. Dynamic simulations performed indicate that the load shedding design is feasible and able to halt frequency collapse due to generation loss. The design strategy, calculations and justification are presented in this paper.


Hitherto developed algorithms for wow and flutter characteristic determination were found useful in some real-life restoration procedures, however, there was no study of their capabilities in terms of the maximal parasite modulation frequency that can be determined with their application. This paper presents the study for three algorithms, i.e. the power-line hum tracker, high frequency bias tracker, and the center of gravity tracker. The short description of the algorithms is followed by the theoretical study on the maximal modulation frequency determined by the algorithms. Next, the experimental part is given, with simulations which confirm the findings from the theoretical part, and conclusions summarizing obtained results.


Listeria monocytogenes harbouring niches established in the processing plant support post-process contamination of dairy products made from pasteurised or thermised milk. The present study investigated L. monocytogenes environmental contamination in two sheep's milk cheese-making plants. Persistence of contamination in the area at higher risk was also investigated. During a one-year survey 7 samplings were carried out in each dairy plant, along the production lines of Pecorino Romano and ricotta salata cheese. A total of 613 environmental samples collected from food contact and non-food contact surfaces were analysed according to ISO 11290-1:2005 standard method. Identification of the isolated strains was carried out by polymerase chain reaction. L. monocytogenes prevalence was 23.2% in dairy A and 13.1% in dairy B, respectively. The higher prevalence rate was found in the following areas: salting, products washing, packaging, ricotta salata storage and Pecorino Romano ripening rooms. L. monocytogenes was never found in the cheese-making area. The probability of observing samples positive for the presence of L. monocytogenes was asso- ciated with dairy plant, sampling area and the period of cheese-making (P<0.001). The greater persistence of contamination over time was observed in the washing, salting, and Pecorino Romano ripening areas. The control of persistent environmental contamination relies on the identification of L. monocytogenes niches within the processing environment and the prevention of harborage sites formation. The importance of strict cleaning and sanitising procedure in controlling L. monocytogenes environmental contamination is confirmed by the lower level of contamination observed after these procedures were correctly implemented.


BACKGROUND
Tourniquet has been considered as a recognized cause of lower limb ischemia-reperfusion injury in the orthopedic field. This study investigates pulmonary function after tourniquet deflation and the protective effect of Shenmai injection (SMI), a traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODS
Twenty-eight patients undergoing lower extremity surgery were randomized into a control group (group C) and a SMI group (group S), 14 patients in each group. Blood gas and circulating indicators (malondialdehyde, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-8) were measured immediately before tourniquet inflation and at 0.5 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours after tourniquet deflation.

RESULTS
Plasma levels of malondialdehyde, IL-6, and IL-8 in group C were significantly increased over baselines from 2 hours to 24 hours after tourniquet deflation and the levels reached their peaks at 6 hours after tourniquet deflation, when arterial partial pressures of oxygen and arterial-alveolar oxygen tension ratio were decreased, whereas alveolar-arterial oxygen difference was increased significantly. Both the changes in blood gas variables and plasma mediators were attenuated in group S.

CONCLUSION
Pulmonary gas exchange is impaired after lower limb ischemia-reperfusion induced by clinical tourniquet application. Pretreatment with SMI, a traditional Chinese medicine, attenuates lipid peroxidation and systemic inflammatory response and mitigates pulmonary dysfunction.


Turbine vane heat transfer distributions obtained using an infrared camera technique are described. Infrared thermography was used because noncontact surface temperature measurements were desired. Surface temperatures were 80 C or less. Tests were conducted in a three-vane linear cascade, with inlet pressures between 0.14 and 1.02 atm, and exit Mach numbers of 0.3, 0.7, and 0.9, for turbulence intensities of approximately 1 and 10 percent. Measurements were taken on the vane suction side, and on the pressure side leading edge region. The designs for both the vane and test facility are discussed. The approach used to account for conduction within the vane is described. Midspan heat transfer distributions are given for the range of test conditions.


The balance of phagocytic function among Kupffer cells, hepatic endothelial cells and splenic macrophages in the chronically ethanol-fed rats has been investigated. Clearance of latex particles in the blood was measured to estimate the function of the reticuloendothelial system. Phagocytosis of latex particles by Kupffer cells, hepatic endothelial cells or splenic macrophages in vivo was measured by counting the number of ingested particles in a cell after isolation of hepatic nonparenchymal cells or spleen cells following injection of different amounts of latex particles. Latex particle clearance was suppressed in the ethanol-fed rats, demonstrating a decreased phagocytic capacity of the reticuloendothelial system. Markedly decreased phagocytic function was found in 40% of Kupffer cells of the chronically ethanol-fed rats. In contrast, the number of latex particles in hepatic endothelial cells and in splenic macrophages was increased after injection of a triggering dose of latex particles. From these results it may be concluded that an increased phagocytosis of hepatic endothelial cells and splenic macrophages could compensate for the decreased phagocytic function of Kupffer cells.


The problem of ship resistance in ice floe infested waters has been investigated experimentally in the Towing Tank of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Ships and ice have been modelled to simulate the natural condition of ships sailing in waters covered with ice fragments.
 Ships advancing in waters coveted with ice floes of moderate size, with less than 100% concentration and with no lateral pressure seldom break any ice. The ship and the ice floes have therefore, been treated in this investigation as freely floating rigid bodies. Both the ice floes and the ship have, therefore been modelled in accordance with Froude principles.
 The ice cover was modelled using blocks of paraffin wax spread over the water surface. Slabs of wax were cut into small blocks having thickness and size in accordance with the required geometrical modelling scale. Wax blocks were spread over the water surface according to the required ice cover concentration. Ship models were towed in the tank at different speeds. The model resistance for each run was measured and recorded.
 Results obtained from model testing experiments are presented in this paper. The results cover a number of ship model runs at different ship speeds, and for a variety of ice cover conditions. The results have been compared with ice floe resistance data available in the literature.


The Remote-Field Eddy-Current (RPEC) technique is used to nondestructively inspect both ferrous and nonferrous metal tubes. It is especially helpful when both the inside and outside of the pipe need to be examined, but only the inside of the pipe can be accessed. This method can also be used to detect wall loss on the outer tube if two tubes are arranged so that one is enclosed by the other. In order to elucidate the physics of the RPEC measurement, the mutual impedance between two induction coils, placed inside a long metal (ferrous or nonferrous) pipe is examined in detail. Cases where the coils are placed inside the innermost of two metal pipes are also considered. The impedance is decomposed into terms that represent waveguide modes (associated with the poles of its Fourier transform) and a radiation term (associated with the branch point singularity of its Fourier transform). The terms associated with the pole and branch point singularity are computed separately and compared to the total mutual impedance. It is shown that RFEC measurements can be made when the branch cut term (also known as a lateral or a head wave) is dominant. For completeness, a comparison between theoretically computed results and experimental measurements is given. The measured and calculated data agree well given uncertainty in the values for the parameters of the pipe which need to be input to the theoretical model.


From a young age, children are deeply curious about animals. Stable patterns exist in the types of attitudes children display towards different kinds of animals: they love pets, value animals that are beautiful, and fear snakes and spiders (Borgi & Cirulli, 2015, https://doi.org/10.2752/089279315X14129350721939). Until recently, we've known little about what children think about the moral standing of animals, particularly relative to other entities, including humans. In this review, we synthesize the literature examining children's perceptions of the moral worth of animals. We present factors about the animal, and factors about the judge (the child), shown to impact children's evaluations of animal moral worth. Based on current evidence, we make the claim that children grant animals a high moral standing early on in childhood, but that this decreases during late childhood, throughout adolescence, and into adulthood. We provide some suggestions for the cognitive and cultural mechanisms that might drive these differences, and make recommendations for the field going forward.


Endophytes are primarily endosymbiotic bacteria and fungi that colonize the interior tissues of their host plant. They enhance the host plant's growth and attenuate adverse effects of biological stress. Endophytic species of many indigenous plants are an untapped resource of plant growth-promoting microorganisms that can mitigate abiotic stress effects. Thus, this study aimed to isolate endophytes from the roots and leaves of the medicinal plant Endostemon obtusifolius to evaluate their in vitro growth-promoting capacities and drought tolerance and to characterize the most promising species. Twenty-six endophytes (fourteen bacteria and twelve fungi) were isolated and cultured from the roots and leaves of E. obtusifolius. All 26 endophytes produced flavonoids, and 14 strains produced phenolic compounds. Of the 11 strains that displayed good free radical scavenging capability (low IC50) in the 1-1-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, only three strains could not survive the highest drought stress treatment (40% polyethylene glycol). These 11 strains were all positive for ammonia and siderophore production and only one strain failed to produce hydrogen cyanide and solubilize phosphate. Seven isolates showed aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and differentially synthesized indole-3-acetic acid. Using molecular tools, two promising symbiotic, drought stress tolerant, and plant growth-enhancing endophytic species (EORB-2 and EOLF-5) were identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa and Fusarium oxysporum. The results of this study demonstrate that P. polymyxa and F. oxysporum should be further investigated for their drought stress mitigation and plant growth enhancement effects as they have the potential to be developed for use in sustainable agricultural practices.