A medical device comprising of biomaterials responsive to biochemical stimuli: channel for indicating the infective states of wounds and ensuring delivery of smart antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents to promote tissue regeneration and healing.
 The importance of providing diagnostic wound dressings that can inform healthcare professionals on the state of infection within wounds but also provide some of the treatment required in response to at risk or infected wounds is of key interest. The aim is to investigate an innovative proof of concept diagnostic and detection system, an intelligent hydrogel wound dressing that responds to specific biochemical stimuli in wounds (MMPs and pH) enabling the selective and triggered release of antibiofilm and antimicrobial agents ('Detect and Treat')to the trauma site. The dressing is made of a sterile alginate core material covered in a biocompatible dry or hydrated peptide-polymer-complex film and may include a fluorescent dye which upon release during the wound healing process indicates when a change in dressing is necessary. Efficacy studies of the hydrogel dressing were performed within a drip-flow bioreactor in which regression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was observed. A 5-log reduction in biofilm was observed in comparison to an untreated control biofilm. The hydrogel dressing indicated a clear response when in contact with biofilms produced only by pathogenic strains of bacteria when analysed. This further confirmed the adequate release and function of the antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents within the peptide-polymer-complex formulation of the hydrogel wound dressing.


Title of Document: PATHWAYS TO TURNING POINTS: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-CONTROL AND THOUGHTFULLY REFLECTIVE DECISION MAKING Stephanie Margaret Pratt, M.A., 2012 Directed By: Assistant Professor, Thomas Loughran, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice The majority of empirical work on turning points has focused on if and how they facilitate desistance; comparatively little work has investigated the factors that facilitate or inhibit the likelihood of experiencing these turning points, however. This is disconcerting as extant literature has mostly found these life events to have a significant impact on steering individuals away from subsequent deviant behavior. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study investigates the relationship between self-control and thoughtfully reflective decision making (Paternoster and Pogarsky, 2009; Paternoster, Pogarsky, and Zimmerman, 2010) in the likelihood of entering into marriage and gainful activity. This research finds that self-control significantly predicts gainful activity as well as thoughtfully reflective decision making. The results, however, do not find self-control to be influential for marriage. Implications for theory and future research are also


Postsurgical macular edema, known as Irvine-Gass syndrome, is one of the possible causes of reduced visual acuity in ophthalmic surgery. The article reviews and summarizes data on the main approaches to the treatment of this pathology, discusses the main groups of drugs used to manage postoperative macular edema.


This special issue of Manuscript brings together articles around the notion of scientific demonstration as expounded by Aristotle in his Later Analytics (henceforth APo). Some articles (Morison and Goldin) have a broader scope in the sense that, being devoted to some topic, are not built around one or another specific passage of the text, while others (Bronstein, Zuppolini, Angioni, Karbowski, Castelli, Fait, Peramatzis, and Crager) specifically focus on one passage, or one chapter, or set of chapters that are usually taken together. Finally, some articles (Corcilius, Zillig, Hankinson, Falcon, and Hasper) deal with topics that, although rooted in (or at least connected to) Aristotle's theory of scientific demonstration, extend to other domains and other treatises, beyond the APo.


Moving from a colonial dependency to achieve republican status, the social structure of Guyana is now in the process of social transformation by means of co-operative socialism. In this transitional process, each major social, political, economic, and cultural institution, will have to play its role, not least by formulating and implementing policies on a cooperative basis. Education as a social institution has been used as the focus of investigation in this study; the school system has a particularly essential task in a developed society, but more so in a developing one because the schools, and more precisely the teachers, work in the dynamic process of fashioning the human product; the types of product the school produces will determine the success or failure of co-operative socialism; at the operational level, the teachers become the main focus for researching the contribution that the school system can make towards the effective transformation of the social structure. In this investigation, the teachers' aspirations, career patterns, level of commitment, career stages and innovativeness have been considered, to find out how effective the school system is or the teacher's role can be in making a contribution towards introducing co-operative socialism in Guyana. East Indian, Negro, and Mixed teachers comprise the sample used in this study. The East Indian and Mixed teachers, on balance, relate to an aspirational model, and in the discussion, this means that these two groups perceive themselves as having a subordinate status; unlike Negro teachers who perceive themselves as having a dominant status. The teachers exhibit two career patterns: (1 early entrant, and (2) horizontal mobility - it indicates expressions of communalism. The hypothesis, that the more coercive power is used by the school head, the more there will be low to mild commitment among teachers, is accepted. The hypothesis, the higher the aspirations, the higher the level of commitment, is rejected because the aspirational model is, on balance, more likely to be highly emphasised by the subordinate group, while the provision of teacher valuables, used to establish the level of commitment, is the responsibility of the dominant group. How then, can aspirations influence the level of commitment to teaching and to the co-operative ideals. Also, to have found that aspirations determine commitment would have meant that the investigation excludes an analysis of power types and congruent and incongruent compliance structures. The low level of commitment can be explained by the two crisis career stages of teachers: (1) the school head's relationship with teachers, and (2) the centralised relationship between teachers and the education ministry. Innovativeness occupies a central place in any transformation programme in respect of curriculum changes that will be introduced. The following types of teachers would facilitate the implementation of curriculum changes, very= quickly, not only because their rural identification makes them aware of the strategic location of their residential environment, since agriculture is used as the base for economic take off in the struggle to achieve co-operativism, but also because their compliance level, as discussed by Etzioni, is positive: (1) rural (2) 36-46 and 47-57 age groups (3) trained non-graduates (4) married Before the school system can make a useful contribution to the transformation process, it is essential to implement the following (1) creating social conditions which would make East Indian and Mixed teachers feel and know that they are part of the dominant group in the society; (2) appointments of teachers in their home areas to reduce or even eliminate communalism; (3) bringing the co-operative principles to the urban areas; (4) adopting a central co-ordinated system with a congruent compliance structure (that is, a social partnership between shool heads, teachers, parents, education ministry officials, and pupils), and so severing the centralised relationship between the education ministry and teachers, and removing the school head's directive supervisory style (that is, the exercise of coercive power) over teachers; in effect, this approach would tend to remove the incongruent compliance structure found in the school system.


Iris recognition is the most accurate and reliable biometric identification system used for security purposesThe iris recognition system consists of image acquisition, localization, normalization enhancement, feature extraction and classification. Segmentation is used for the localization of the correct iris region in an eye and it should be done to remove the reflection, eyelids, eyelashes, and pupil noises present in iris region. The proposed method uses Hough Transform segmentation method, then the iris and pupil boundary are detected from rest of the eye image in order to extract the noises. The segmented iris region is normalized to minimize the dimensional inconsistencies between the iris regions by using Daugman's Rubber Sheet Model. The features of the normalized iris are extracted by contour let transform. LDA, SOM technique was chosen to classify the image. Iris Recognition is more efficient than using username and password technique and prevents the malicious action by the intruders. The above recognition experiment can be simulated using MATLAB.


The debate over the existence of recovered memories remains a divisive issue for mental health practitioners and cognitive scientists, in part due to a limited understanding of the processes underlying motivated forgetting behaviors. The present study argues motivated forgetting is best understood in the context of normal memory processes. For instance, previous studies utilizing a retrieval-biasing procedure, referred to as the dropout procedure, have shown that practiced avoidance activities can create profound memory blocks for lists of words and short stories. Experiment 1 addressed whether these forgetting effects extend to memories with greater personal significance, such as autobiographical memories. In Experiment 1 participants studied descriptions of target and non-target autobiographical events. Non-target memory descriptions were then re-presented several times during the practiced avoidance phase of the experiment. In contrast, target memory descriptions were ?dropped out? of the study list and did not receive extra study exposures. On a subsequent memory test, significant memory deficits were observed for target memory descriptions when performance was compared to a control condition that did not participate in the practiced avoidance phase. These results provided evidence that emotionally-laden autobiographical memories are susceptible to memory blocks, and further support the theoretical contention that practiced avoidance could be used to regulate unwanted memories.

The present study also examined how and under what circumstances forgetting effects following the dropout procedure occur. Experiments 2 and 3 report dissociable effects of avoidance activities involving competitive retrieval practice and incidental re-presentations of non-target items. Although both avoidance tasks resulted in significant forgetting effects, greater memory impairments were observed for target items following competitive retrieval practice of non-target items. This finding was consistent with predictions from inhibition theory, and suggests that different avoidance activities may recruit different forgetting mechanisms.

Finally, Experiments 2 and 3 examined the relationship between individual differences in repressive coping style and forgetting effects produced by the dropout procedure. Participants assessed to be repressive copers were more likely to forget negative target items, but only under conditions where avoidance tasks involved competitive retrieval practice. This finding was consistent with previous research demonstrating enhanced memory control abilities among repressive copers.


This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Eruca sativa on the cytotoxic effect of Hypericum triquetrifolium on sperm abnormalities in albino mice. Leaves of E. sativa and aerial parts of H. triquetrifolium were dried in shade and grinded and their aqueous extracts were used for the treatments to study their effect on sperm morphology. Treated groups were injected with a single dose of 38 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Hypericum subcutaneously, while the Eruca groups were orally administered with 250 mg/kg BW twice/week for 2 weeks. After the exposure of H. triquetrifolium, the frequency of abnormal sperms showed a highly significant induction of sperm abnormalities; separated head from tail sperms, swollen head, hookless, defective head, and hook. However, the Eruca group showed no obvious abnormalities in sperm morphology, while in cotreatment with both Eruca and Hypericum (H/E) groups, there was an extremely significant decrease (P < 0.0001) in the abnormal sperms. In conclusion, it appeared that E. sativa could prevent or at least minimize the damages that Hypericum toxins would make on the sperm morphology significantly.


Abstract Three studies were conducted to assess the effects of the entomopathogen Thelohania solenopsae on polygynous, red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, colonies. A total of 57 of 122 queens (46.7%) from nine, field-collected, polygyne, S. invicta colonies, was infected with T. solenopsae. Infection rate of queens for each colony ranged from 25 to 75%. Laboratory colonies of polygyne S. invicta, with three to 12 queens, were inoculated and infected with T. solenopsae. Brood levels in all infected colonies declined to 0 after 26–52 wk. Brood did not reappear in any of the colonies after 3–11 wk, even though in two of the eight infected colonies, five fertile queens that were uninfected were recovered. Thus, polygyne, S. invicta colonies infected with T. solenopsae, which were confined and isolated under laboratory conditions, did not recover. Field plots that contained polygynous S. invicta colonies, which were infected with T. solenopsae, were monitored over a 2-yr period. Infection rates increased during the study and reached a maximum of 93%. Fire ant nest density and colony sizes fluctuated over time, with maximum reduction of 63% per plot. In general, fire ant reductions were attributed to smaller colony sizes. T. solenopsae infections in polygynous S. invicta can result in a slow colony decline and death. Under field conditions, the prolonged colony death may mask the impact of T. solenopsae by allowing for concurrent reinfestations.


Calculations have been made of the dE/dx distribution (LET spectrum) and central-axis depth-dose curves (Bragg curves) of stopping negative pion beams in water. Such beams are of interest because of the large deposition of energy at depth in the stopping pion region relative to that deposited at the surface. Nuclear interactions occurring when the pions come to rest cause low-energy highly ionizing particles to be emitted as the capturing nucleus breaks up, thus increasing the dose deposited in the stopping pion region. The calculations show that, for beams similar to those presently available experimentally, peak depth-to-entrance ratios of 3.4 and 2.9 can be expected in the absorbed dose in water for pure and contaminated beams, respectively, with a width of around 3.5 cm. The contaminated beam was assumed to contain 65% pions, 10% muons, and 25% electrons. The pions in these beams have a range of 25 cm of water. Comparison with experimental results taken with a lithium-drifted silicon detector shows th...


This article discusses the experiences of members of six dyads of adolescent mothers and their mothers, residing together in three generational households, related to religion and spirituality. Using a grounded theory approach, grandmothers emphasized their reliance on organized religion or spirituality, although teenaged mothers did not share this perspective. The grandmothers, functioning as the family matriarch, wanted to socialize their grandchildren in faith. This merits further study about the transmission of religious values in three generational family systems and holds implications for faith communities in meeting congregant needs and for social workers in integrating religious and spiritual interventions with mothers.


ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine if process- and product-oriented measures similarly evaluate changes in motor skills across an intervention and (2) examine the relationship between preschoolers' motor skills when assessed using process-oriented and product-oriented measures before (pretest) and after (posttest) the intervention. Preschoolers (n = 65, M age = 4.6 ± 0.42 years) completed both process- and product-oriented measures of six FMS – run, hop, jump, catch, throw, and kick, before and after a high-autonomy motor skill intervention. Aggregate total, locomotor, and ball skills, as well as each individual skill, were examined. Children demonstrated improvements in process-oriented (p < .01) skills, but only improved on the product hop, throw, and kick (p < .001) after the intervention. Children's ranks on process- and product-oriented measures were correlated at pretest (r s = 0.28–0.72) and posttest (r s = 0.39–0.68). Therefore, process- and product-oriented measures assess different aspects of motor competence and do not equally evaluate intervention efficacy.


In this presentation we design an antiretroviral drug distribution model for the department of health in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The study presents three major steps applicable to building effective models and routes that are cost effective, that ensure drug delivery to almost every part of the province. A savings based algorithm together with the sequential insertion algorithm was used in optimizing the problem. Results obtained exhibited a great improvement in space utilization, number of trips made and the total distance travelled. Therefore a shift from manual to computer based commercial scheduling software is recommended


BACKGROUND
In contrast to the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA) the obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is characterised by persistent hypercapnia during the day and predominant hypoventilation during sleep. In this study we wanted to know whether work of breathing (WOB) in a sitting and supine position separates both groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
OSA population: 20 men, 50.5 +/- 9.2 years, Body Mass Index (BMI: 54.1 +/- 6.9 kg/m2, pO2: 65.6 +/- 6.6 mmHg, pCO2: 40.6 +/- 3.1 mmHg, OHS-group: 14 patients, 13 men age: 53.1 +/- 9.3 years, BMI: 53.1 +/- 9.3 kg/m2, pO2: 51.8 +/- 10.5 mmHg, pCO2: 53.8 +/- 9.2 mmHg. The control group consisted of 10 normal weighted subjects. The intrathoracic pressures were assessed by an oesophageal catheter; at the same time, the minute ventilation (VE) and the breathing frequency (fb) were measured via a pneumotachygraph. The area under the pressure-volume loop was correlated to WOB. After reaching steady state VE, fb, and WOB were determined in sitting and supine position.

RESULTS
In the OSA-group the apnoea index (AI) was 48.6 +/- 17.7/h and the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 66.3 +/- 19.4/h. The forced expiratory volume (FEV1) was 77.3 +/- 23% pred. and the vital capacity (VC) was 76.3 +/- 18.6% pred.; 7 out of 20 patients suffered from chronic bronchitis. In the OHS-group the AI was 21.5 +/- 19/h and the RDI 44.3 +/- 28.2/h. The majority of OHS patients had an airway obstruction (FEV1: 55.8 +/- 17.5% pred., VC: 58.8 +/- 12.8% pred.); 12 out of 14 patients suffered from chronic bronchitis. Compared to the OSA population WOB in the OHS group was significantly higher both in the sitting (0.67 +/- 0.28 J/I versus 1.04 +/- 0.32 J/I, p < 0.001) and supine positions (1.23 +/- 0.25 J/I versus 1.91 +/- 0.43 J/I, p < 0.001). Compared to the sitting position VE and fb did not change significantly in both groups lying supine.

CONCLUSIONS
Compared to the OSA group at the same BMI the WOB of the OHS population was significantly increased in the sitting and supine position. The main reason for these findings may be the increased airway obstruction due to chronic bronchitis. Both populations did not change the breathing patterns during the different positions.


Models are in wide-spread use in the software development lifecycle and model-driven development even promotes them from an abstraction of the system to the description the system is generated from. Therefore it is increasingly important to collaborate on models. These models can range from requirements models over UML models to project management models such as schedules. Tool support for collaboration on models is therefore crucial. Traditionally Software Configuration Management (SCM) systems such as RCS [9] or Subversion [10] have supported this task for textual artifacts such as source code on the granularity of files and textual lines. They do not work well for graph-like models with many links since the granularity needed to support them is on the level of model elements and their attributes. For the design of a novel SCM system addressing these requirements it is essential to define how conflicts on models are detected and how they can be resolved. In this paper we present an approach to conflict detection and resolution on models. We employ operation-based change tracking and therefore detect conflicts based on operations. For conflict resolution we propose an integration of SCM with techniques from Rational Management to effectively resolve conflicts.


The earlier chapters recapitulate in condensed form the principles laid down in his Theory of Harmony; the later chapters break entirely new ground, for they analyze the system of key relationships within the structure of whole movements and affirm the principle of "monotonality," showing how all modulations within a movement are merely deviations from, and not negations of, its main tonality. Schoenberg's argument is supported by music examples, which range from entire development sections of classical symphonies to analyses of the experimental harmonic progressions of Strauss, Debussy, Reger, and Schoenberg's own early music. The final chapter, "Apollonian Evaluation of a Dionysian Epoch," discusses the music of our time, with particular reference to the possibility of new methods of harmonic analysis. Structural Functions of Harmony is a standard work on its subject and provides an invaluable key to the development of musical structure during the last two hundred and fifty years. This new edition, with corrections, a new preface, and an index of subject headings, has been prepared under the editorial supervision of Leonard Stein.


Abstract. Taken by the Apollo 17 crew on 7 December 1972, AS-17-148-22727 is one of the most famous photographs ever taken. Its iconic status has been commented on by many writers. In an article entitled "Contested Global Visions" (1994), Denis Cosgrove showed the huge impact it had on the way we think and depict the world and our presence in it. However, his analysis did not address the question of its prior reorientation and reframing, which are in essence cartographic operations. Our object therefore is to focus on the difference between zenithal and horizontal viewpoints, and eventually free ourselves from our mapping conventions when looking at the Earth. The work done by Genevan anarchist Charles Perron at the turn of the 20th century on the relief map of Switzerland with a scale of 100 000 is a major landmark in that direction.


To examine the uncertainty of thermocouple temperature measurements, the present study uses numerical simulations and analytical solutions to investigate the heat transfer processes associated with bare bead and double shield aspirated thermocouple. This study is divided into two parts. First, three dimensional CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculations for real geometry are performed to understand the flow characteristics of the double shielded aspirated thermocouple. Based on isothermal flow calculations for real geometry, conjugate heat transfer calculations for a 3D simplified geometry are performed to investigate the thermocouple measurement error that may be important in a fire environment. The results of the 3D heat transfer calculation are compared with algebraic solutions from a previously developed simple energy balance model. The results predicted by the algebraic model were in agreement with the CFD model over a broad temperature range despite its many assumptions and idealizations. A parametric study was conducted to quantify the thermocouple errors for various gas temperature and surrounding conditions. The transient CFD solution provides information about the time response of the thermocouple measurement. In this manner, the present study improves our understanding of the uncertainty of thermocouple temperature measurements.


This paper proposes a stochastic model for optimal energy management with the goal of cost minimization. In this model, the uncertainties related to the forcasted values for load demand and market price are modeled by two stages stochastic programming. A mathematical model is developed to compute the optimal operation schedule that concludes improved Time of use (Tou) demand response. Wind turbine, photovoltaic, fuel cell, and diesel generator are considered as the sources along with energy storage system (ESS) for supplying electricity to the microgrid. Operation of a micro grid has been investigated in both grid-connected mode and isolated mode. The main objective is to meet the forecasted demand by optimal scheduling of available and forecasted generation sources and reduce total cost. For modeling stochastic processes, Monte Carlo method has been used to generate scenarios. The problem is formulated as two stages stochastic programming problem and solved using GAMS software. Simulation results show the usefulness of the proposed method in improving the load curve, reducing the peak load and operating costs, prevent load shedding, and increasing reliability of the system.


Two series of experiments were carried out to test the possible relationship between the presence of cysteine lyase and area vasculosa in the chicken blastoderm. In the first series, the localization of cysteine lyase was compared with the disposition of the area vasculosa at the successive stages of gastrulation and neurulation. In definitive streak stage chicken blastoderms, the enzyme first appeared laterally at the area pellucida-area opaca border. At older stages, this positivity extended rostrally and only finally did it appear in the caudal area. Based on these in toto observations, the relationship with area vasculosa, the distribution of which has been studied by Settle ('54), seems only incidental. In the second series, intermediate streak stage blastoderms were transversely dissected so that the rostral part did not contain any mesodermal component. The presence of cysteine lyase in this rostral part after 15 hr of culture suggests that the appearance of cysteine lyase in the yolk sac endoderm is not dependent upon the presence of area vasculosa. Moreover, the results suggest that the yolk sac endoderm of the chicken blastoderm is determined to produce cysteine lyase from the intermediate streak stage on.


A case of childhood cutaneous mucinosis is described. This is a clinical condition that is rarely seen and has only recently been included in the group of primary mucinosis.


Effects of feeding diets based on grits from two varieties of cassava on performance, selected serum biochemical indices and crude protein utilization by broiler finisher chickens was studied. In a completely randomized design, Abor Acre broiler chickens (n=210) aged 21 days were allotted to seven dietary treatments; each replicated thrice comprising 10 birds per replicate. Seven isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated; diet 1 contained 50% maize and 0% cassava grits while diets 2, 3 and 4 had 25, 50 and 75% of maize replaced, respectively with cassava grits from TMS 01/1371, diets 5, 6 and 7 had their maize replaced with cassava grits from TME 419 at 25, 50 and 75%, respectively. Chickens were fed on respective experimental diets and offered water ad libitum for three weeks. Feed intake, weight gain, feed and conversion ratio (FCR) differed significantly (P<0.05) while metabolizable crude protein (MCP) values were similar (P>0.05). Higher daily weight gain (DWG) was obtained in birds on diet 7 (69.56 g), 1 (62.71) and 4 (60.25) compared with those on diets 6 (58.10), 3 (54.76), 2 (52.02) and 5 (50.07). Serum albumin (g/dL) were lower but similar in birds on diets 2 (2.35), 3 (2.03), 4(1.97) 5 (1.98). Globulin values varied significantly (P<0.05) across treatments. There was however, no significant effect of treatments (P<0.05) on total protein, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, serum urea nitrogen and creatinine. Interactions of grit varieties and increased dietary inclusion levels of TMS 01/1371 reduced metabolizable crude protein of finishers' broiler significantly (P<0.05). This relationship was not significant for TME 419 (P>0.05). Dietary cassava grits from both varieties of cassava had no deleterious effect on overall broiler chickens performance. However, there was gross reduction in metabolizable crude protein with increasing dietary inclusion of cassava grits.


• Objective: To review the current application of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). • Methods: Qualitative review of the literature. • Results: CCTA has emerged as a potential noninvasive alternative to both existing noninvasive tests for CAD in some patients and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in other patients. There have been a large number of small, single-center studies comparing CCTA with ICA for the diagnosis of significant CAD that have reported excellent sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value in patient populations with a high prevalence of CAD. These studies often exclude segments or patients who do not have complete visualization of all coronary segments and it can be particularly challenging in patients with significant coronary artery calcification, stent placement, or coronary artery bypass grafts. A few small studies have evaluated the use of CCTA in the diagnosis of chest pain in the emergency department. • Conclusion: To date, there are little data on the role of CCTA in comparison with other noninvasive tests for the diagnosis of CAD, including nuclear perfusion imaging and stress echocardiography. Given the accuracy of CCTA, it may be useful as a strategy to avoid ICA. The high negative predictive value of CCTA suggests great promise in the assessment of lowto moderate-risk patients with acute chest pain, with the potential for rapid patient triage and lower


ABSTRACT Protective security management aims at protecting against malicious acts. It has, in a relatively short period, undergone substantial changes. One such change is the introduction of risk management. This article investigates a debate about a standard for security risk assessment (SRA) in Norway. It focuses on sense-making by security professionals, drawing on a unique interview material. The analysis utilises Michael Power's theory on risk governance, as well as insights from security studies. A central finding is that the SRA approach was introduced to create more analytical security management. The importance of analysing one's values (assets) makes it key to scrutinise the organisation's characteristics, goals and vulnerabilities, regarded as moving security management in the direction of corporate governance. The article investigates how understanding of risk assessment and security interplay, and identifies a tension between risk (assessment) and the goal of protection, which makes security management risk averse. A requirement of creating sound security is viewed as a potential for burdensome organisational responsibility and blame. The analysis identifies elements of what is often described as resilience (attention towards vulnerabilities), but without the political reading (neo-liberal abdication of the state), thus contributing to the literature on resilience.


OBJECTIVES
Pulmonary hypertension has been reported to occur in a considerable proportion of patients with end-stage renal disease. End-stage renal disease affects the health-related quality of life of patients. There is a lack of specific information on the relation between pulmonary hypertension and health-related quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease in the literature. We aimed to evaluate this relation in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This prospective case-control study included 68 patients treated with hemodialysis and 30 healthy participants as controls. Group 1 comprised hemodialysis patients with pulmonary hypertension, group 2 comprised patients without pulmonary hypertension, and group 3 were healthy subjects. Each patient's health-related quality of life was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form health survey. Doppler echocardiography was performed to determine pulmonary artery pressure in all patients. The groups were compared with respect to health-related quality of life.

RESULTS
Pulmonary hypertension was found in 47.1% of patients (mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 48.9 ± 11.8 mmHg). Significant differences were observed among the 3 groups regarding the physical function, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function, emotional role, mental health, and physical component summary (P = .001). There was no significant correlation between pulmonary artery pressure and health survey scores.

CONCLUSIONS
Hemodialysis patients had significantly lower quality of life scores than healthy subjects. There were no significant differences in terms of health survey domains between the hemodialysis patients with and without pulmonary hypertension. This may be due to the severe adverse effects of end-stage renal disease on health-related quality of life. We conclude that, because end-stage renal disease has so many adverse effects on health-related quality of life, the additional effects of pulmonary hypertension on health-related quality of life could not be revealed.


there is a capable and accountable champion for making sustainability important in all aspects of city government, especially in the budget. Strong, consistent citizen support helps. The champion needs to have visible support from a strong mayor, or the city manager, and that includes being present at department director meetings. The champion needs to have sufficient influence to effectively engage departments and gain their cooperation. Adopted plans with best practices, goals, and actionable strategies with timelines help keep city workers focused and accountable. Though it is tempting to simply encourage decentralized networks, using informal processes to adapt projects to meet sustainability goals, there is no one to hold accountable when that doesn't happen. When sustainability is everyone's responsibility, it ends up as no one's responsibility. A clear sustainability headquarters is needed to make progress and overcome the legacy of silos, when each department did its job as it saw fit and didn't really have to talk to or consult with any else as long as the potholes in the street were fixed and the garbage was picked up.


Purpose of reviewTo review the current understanding regarding thyroid hormone action on skin. To provide a historical context for the recent findings. Recent findingsAlthough direct thyroid hormone actions have been demonstrated on multiple aspects of cutaneous biology, rigorous study remains scant. Still, there is a slowly evolving literature supporting the concept that thyroid hormone can directly stimulate epidermis, dermis, and hair. That action may be accessed to treat cutaneous disease. SummaryHere, we review the literature regarding thyroid hormone action on skin along with skin manifestations of thyroid disease. We provide context for more recent findings of direct thyroid hormone stimulation of cutaneous cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo which may portend the use of thyroid hormone to treat cutaneous pathologies.


Scientists increasingly rely on computational models of atoms and molecules to observe, understand and make predictions about the microscopic world. Atoms and molecules are in constant motion, with vibrations and structural fluctuations occurring at very short time-scales and corresponding length-scales. But can these microscopic oscillations be converted into sound? And, what would they sound like? In this paper we present our initial steps towards a generalised approach for sonifying data produced by a real-time molecular dynamics simulation. The approach uses scanned synthesis to translate real-time geometric simulation data into audio. The process is embedded within a stand alone application as well as a variety of audio plugin formats to enable the process to be used as an audio synthesis method for music making. We review the relevant background literature before providing an overview of our system. Simulations of three molecules are then considered: 17-alanine, graphene and a carbon nanotube. Four examples are then provided demonstrating how the technique maps molecular features and parameters onto the auditory character of the resulting sound. A case study is then provided in which the sonification/synthesis method is used within a musical composition.


: In digital Image Processing, removal of noise is a highly demanded area of research. Impulsive noise is common in images which arise at the time of image acquisition or transmission of images. A lot of research works have been done on the restoration of images corrupted by impulse noise. However, due to some limitations of the filters under different conditions the edge preservable efficiency is less. In this paper, we propose an image filtering technique by using Fuzzy mean filter based on fuzzy entropy given by triangular membership function to remove impulse noise of corrupted images. The proposed method is based on noise detection, noise removal and edge preservation modules. The proposed algorithm is capable to reconstruct 90% of the damaged image. The results will be evaluated with various parameters such as PSNR, SSIM, NAE, NCC and SCC so that we can ensure about the quality of services and Fuzzy Mean Filter for Immense Impulse Noise Removal (FMIINR) proves to be very robust at immense noise level. The main advantage of the proposed technique over the other filtering techniques is its superior noise removal as well as features of image preserving capability.


Reservoir compaction is a positive contributor to reservoir energy and hence hydrocarbon recovery. Reservoir compaction above a certain magnitude, however, will result in casing deformation and, in some cases, well collapse in standard oil well constructions. Large amounts of reservoir compaction will also induce seafloor subsidence and potential risk to platform constructions and pipelines. The Valhall field is a chalk reservoir in the southern most part of the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The highly porous chalk (in excess of 50% in many cases) is weak and loses a significant part of its original porosity when the effective stress increases during hydrocarbon production (pore pressure depletion). This pore collapse causes reservoir compaction, and currently the associated seafloor subsidence has reached 4 meters at the platform complex. Since Valhall production was initiated in 1982, the recoverable reserves have been upgraded from approximately 250 MMSTBO to 700 MMSTBO. At the same time 28 out of 102 production wells have been sidetracked due to severe tubular deformations. Most of these deformations (60%) have occurred in the overburden. The first casing deformations in the reservoir were experienced almost instantaneously as a result of chalk production and near wellbore compaction. The first casing deformation experienced in the overburden which resulted in the need for a sidetrack was in 1986, when the seafloor had subsided less than a meter. The work performed through the years to analyze the available data indicates mostly shear loading of the casing in the overburden. Some of the well failures in the reservoir are due to shear loading as well; others are due to cross-sectional collapse, while still others are buckling failures. With the amount of reservoir compaction experienced so far, and the amount expected with continued hydrocarbon production from Valhall, one expects casing deformations to be part of the operational cost. Experience from other fields indicates that one can not stop the compaction and associated kinematics, so the best strategy will be to extend well life as well as possible with minimal cost additions to standard oil field well constructions. Even if the additions are low cost, there is a potential for optimization and risk reduction if better prediction capability could be developed for the casing deformations. Passive seismic monitoring is a relatively new technology in the oil and gas industry. Seismic geophones are installed in wells in order to record small micro-seismic events induced by hydrocarbon production of fluid or gas. The technology has not been explored in great detail in the industry so far. It has the potential to provide useful engineering information for reservoir management in the areas of earth stress determination, waterflood monitoring and hydraulic fracturing monitoring (both stimulation and waste injection). This paper discusses a field test of passive seismic monitoring performed at Valhall and how the data collected can be used in well and casing design. An array of six geophones installed in a well above the reservoir recorded 572 micro-seismic events over a period of 57 days. The events ranged from o to 10 per day in the vicinity of the observation well. The data recorded can be processed to yield useful information for a risk based well and casing design at Valhall in order to optimize well life.


In this research we have explored the consequences of increase in number of nodes on the overall performance of Geographical Routing Protocol (GRP) which is at present covering an enormous demand in the field of Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs). To think about a wireless network without having any sorts of infrastructures, MANETs are such examples which are usually set up to serve a specified or special purpose on a temporary basis within a certain passage of time. Due to its lots of applications in the various fields of human endeavor, the immense significance of it can hardly be expressed in words in modern times. Thus, before deploying any mobile network, a proficient routing protocol has become a fundamental and vital issue. In order to observe the performance of GRP protocol, we have carried out simulation by varying the number of mobile nodes in different network scenarios using the OPNET (Optimized Network Engineer Tool) Modeler 14.0. The experimental results demonstrate that for a fixed size network area with varying network density, the GRP routing protocol shows comparatively lower delay than AODV routing protocol. But it shows inverse characteristics curve for throughput and load compare to the AODV. However, from any network always expects less delay and concurrently want large throughput. Therefore, till now no routing protocol shows optimum performance in all MANET scenarios.


Abstract
In order to study the effect of sowing date and seeding rate on essential oil content and composition of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) CV. Presov, prepared from Slovakia, an experiment was conducted. The experimental design was split-plot in the basic of randomized complete blocked design (RCBD) with three replications. Main plots consisted of three sowing dates (6 Nov, 5 Mar, and 4 Apr) and sub-plots included three seeding levels (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 g/m2). Evaluated traits were essential oil content and percent of -farnesene, -bisabolol oxide B, -bisabolol, chamazulene, -bisabolol oxide A. The results showed that spring sowing (Mar and Apr) produced chamomile with high level of essential oil content. On the basis of the results, the highest essential oil content (0.63 w/w percent) was obtained from the plots were sown on 5 of Mar with 0.4 g/m2 but the highest -bisabolol and chamazulene content (75.99 and 17.31 percent respectively) were obtained from the plots were sown on 4 of Apr with 0.2 and 0.4 g/m2. According to the results, because of high percent of essential oil and desirable content of -bisabolol and chamazulene, the most suitable sowing date and seeding level in Mashhad condition is 5 of Mar with 0.4 g/m2 seeds respectively.

Keywords: German chamomile, Sowing date, Seeding rate, Essential oil content and composition


The incidence of postoperative thromboembolic complications in neurosurgical patients is 29 to 43%. However, anticoagulant treatment of these complications increases the inherent risk of hemorrhage into the operative site. We have reviewed the literature on the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; the incidence of thromboembolic complications, the mechanism of deep venous thrombosis, risk factors, and methods of prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis are discussed in relation to possible prophylactic treatment of neurosurgical patients. We conclude from our review that low dose heparin therapy is indicated for patients undergoing elective neurosurgical procedures, especially for patients over the age of 40 and for patients under the age of 40 who are known to be at risk of developing thromboembolic complications.


For extremely-high-density recording using conventional technologies, the fly-height needs to decrease to less than 10 nm. Under such conditions, surface roughness becomes a critical factor in ensuring reliable operation of HDDs. A detailed surface roughness technique known as the Birmingham-14 set of parameters is used to characterize extremely smooth disks, which includes amplitude, spatial, hybrid, and functional aspects of the disk roughness. Also, the effects of lubricant thickness on roughness is investigated, and lastly two different disks with similar RMS roughness values are compared to determine which roughness parameters may be indicative of disk dynamic performance.


In many indigenous African performances while a sizeable number of the characters and the majority of the spectators are female, only men and male actors organise and perform in these theatrical performances. This observation was particularly obvious in the Koteba of the Bamana of Mali and Mmonwu performances of the Igbo of Nigeria which I studied recently.

This paper's main argument is that theatrical performances are very much part of the cultural and social processes of society and they are therefore implicated in the politics of identity and its representation in society. Thus, the marginalisation of women in most spheres of public life in Bamana and Igbo societies is graphically reflected in the fact that in the two performances, women remain on the sidelines, on the receiving end of male articulations of male and other identities. Women's views, their identities and the power to occupy and thus speak from the public domain and space are denied and usurped by the dominant male 'Other' who uses this power to maintain hold on power. The paper concludes therefore that very often a theatrical performance is a good indicator and a reflection of the culture or society from which it originates, and that perhaps changing the mechanics and dynamics of performance may be the way to change the mechanics and dynamics of society.


The cold hardiness in adult males and females of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) reared at different conditions were investigated. Supercooling points (SCPs) were about (cid:1) 26°C in both males and females. The SCPs were not affected by the rearing conditions of photoperiod and temperature. However, the survival periods of males and females at low temperatures from (cid:1) 15°C to 5°C were predominantly affected by rearing temperatures. Males and females reared at 15°C survived longer at the low temperatures than those reared at 20°C. Females survived for much longer than males at the low temperatures except (cid:1) 15°C. Furthermore, the survival periods of males and females at the low temperatures were affected by water and food applications. However, the effects were smaller in both males and females at 0°C from (cid:1) 5°C for 12 h to (cid:2) 5°C for 12 h than 5°C, especially less water effect was observed in males at 0°C. Males and females given food maximally survived for about 30 d and 40 d at 0°C, and about 40 d and 60 d at 5°C, respectively. These results show that F. occidentalis can overwinter only in relative mild winter or artificial conditions.


Abstract. Following Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy's spiritual crisis in the late 1870s many had come to regard him as a "crackpot anarchist" espousing odd ideas such as vegetarianism, nonresistance, and a doctrine of love. The death of his friend Henry George in 1897 spurred him on to renewed endeavors. Tolstoy became the world's most noteworthy exponent of the American's ideology, which integrated his previously diffuse commitments. Armed with his universal moral and religious beliefs harmoniously and gently forged with Georgist philosophy, he became the conscience of the world. It was a monumental effort to ground justice in a rational economics and spread enlightenment for the benefit of suffering people.1


Abstract:This essay takes Thoreau's frustrations with the impossibility of perceiving the injustice of slavery as an invitation to discern within his larger corpus a distinct body of work that we can call Thoreau's antislavery writing. Beyond the mere topic of antislavery, I argue in this essay that Thoreau's antislavery writing is defined by a spatial politics that intersects with the politics of emotion: I argue that Thoreau is deeply invested in how the issue of slavery is consistently displaced spatially and emotionally. Through careful close readings of a number of shorter entries from Thoreau's Journal and his major antislavery essays—including "Resistance to Civil Government," "Slavery in Massachusetts," "A Plea for Captain John Brown," and "The Last Days of John Brown"—I show how Thoreau returns throughout his career to a recurring set of images and rhetorical tropes to help conceptualize the immediate importance of abolition, even to those who think themselves too far removed from slavery to do anything about it, or to care. In his writing, Thoreau wants to know why slavery and the abolitionist cause engender such an apathetic response, and why, similarly, slavery appears to be such a distant issue. As I show, the emotional and spatial distance from the issue of slavery that Thoreau notes in his neighbors results from how economics compartmentalizes the political sphere. Political economy and the language of economics make the most pressing political issues always seem remote and insignificant. Thoreau is interested in how political conviction and action can become disjointed: just because you know something is wrong does not mean you are going to do anything about it. This essay, then, starts from a place of frustration. It tracks Thoreau's frustrations, and it pairs those frustrations with a shared set of politically coded images and rhetorical tropes to consider Thoreau not just as an antislavery speaker and figure, but also as a literary writer whose most complex thinking reveals itself to us when we treat him and his writing as such.


This study advances research on implementing innovations in child welfare organizations, confirming the association between a positive organizational climate and successful change initiative implementation. Administrators and child welfare workers from six agencies were surveyed using independent samples t-and OLS regressions. The organizational climate dimensions found significant were organization, job and role, indicating the three agencies that fully implemented a change initiative enjoyed a more positive organizational climate. The organization dimension was also significant for administrators, indicating a more positive climate perception than workers. Supervisor dimension was not significant, indicating no association whether or not the change initiative was implemented.


Sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) with a sudden onset is frequently encountered as a medical emergency in the ear, nose and throat (ENT) practice. The exact pathophysiology of the disease remains unknown, with the most likely etiologies being viral infection, inflammation, drug toxicity, trauma, or autoimmune response. Even though thrombophilia and cerebrovascular complications may lead, among others, to sudden neurosensorial hearing loss, its diagnosis is most often made following the onset of thrombotic complications. A case of a young female patient with unknown congenital hypercoagulation status complicated with lateral sinus thrombosis and unilateral drug-induced reversible hearing loss is presented. Molecular testing confirmed the diagnosis of genetic thrombophilia, due to the homozygous V Leiden, homozygous MTHFR A1298C, and heterozygous MTHFR C677T mutations. Although hereditary thrombophilia is a well-known topic in medical practice, current guidelines require continuous improvement, especially among patients treated in departments where this pathology is more difficult to recognize and manage.


Objective: To elicit and present common characteristics in the history of presentation of children manifesting clinically with acute oral ulcerative lesions for the first time.
Methods: Prospective study conducted for children who manifested clinically with acute oral ulcerative lesions (oral ulcers and erosions) for the first time at the Oral Surgery clinic of Central Hospital Benin, Edo State Nigeria. Data were described using frequency distribution tables.
Results: Thirty children fulfilled the inclusion criterion. Majority (53%) were in the age range of 9 months to 2 years and sex predilection was in favour of females at 63%. Twenty three percent of children drew the attention of their care givers by complaining of sore gums. Predominant site was the gingiva of isolated tooth or teeth in 20%; all standing teeth in 47%; and in combination with other oral mucosal sites in remaining 33%. All children were observed to be on medication for one or more common childhood illnesses as at the time of visitation.
Least number of different drugs administered within the year or since the child was born was two while the highest number was 12. Antibiotics and antimalaria were most frequently administered.
Ninety percent of these children were in the care of their mothers. All caregivers were gainfully engaged.
Conclusion: Common characteristics of urban children manifesting with oral ulcerative lesions was they were majorly less than 2 years of age, suffered common childhood illnesses resulting in frequent ingestion of antimalaria and antibiotics bought with or without prescription.


Objective: To compare cryosurvival rates of human spermatozoa in a prolonged period of cryopreservation. Methods: This retrospective study involved 33 cryopreserved semen samples from patients with cancer, between 2002 and 2011. The semen sample was obtained by masturbation and initial semen analysis was performed. The cryoprotectant solution was added and samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen in a slow step-wise process. For thawing, the samples were incubated at 25.0ºC for 15 min, followed by incubation at 36.7ºC for 15 min. The cryosurvival rate (CS) was calculate by CS= [(% total motile sperm post-thaw) x100/(% total motile sperm/tube)]. Each study sample was divided into three aliquots (Study Group; n=23): (I) official patient sample, which was kept cryopreserved for subsequent Assisted Reproduction procedure, cryopreserved between 2002 and 2011; (II) sample destined to post-thaw tests, performed after the sample had been kept cryopreserved for 24 hours; and (III) study sample. Only in 2014, after 3-12 years of cryopreservation, the study samples were thawed and evaluated. To validate the study design, a Validation Group was created including 10 samples obtained between 2014 and 2016, using the same methodology in the study samples. The data was analyzed using the T-test, with a significant p-value of 5%. Results: The mean age was 29.93±9.57 years in the Study Group and 21.80±6.49 years in the Validation Group. No significant difference between the Validation and Study Groups was found in the initial semen analysis (p>0.05). After 24 hours of cryopreservation, the cryosurvival rate was 26.11±46.36% in the Study Group and 23.71±57.06% in the Validation Group. Aliquots of the same sample preserved from 3-12 years demonstrated 23.71±57.06% of cryosurvival rate. Thus, no significant difference was found vis-à-vis the cryosurvival rates (p=0.56). Conclusion: We concluded that the method introduced in the late 1990s, which enables the removal of debris, potentially toxic elements and generators of reactive oxygen species from the seminal sample before cryopreservation, exhibited efficiency in maintaining the same cryosurvival rate after an extended period.


This paper introduces a family of iterative algorithms for unconstrained nonlinear optimal control. We generalize the well-known iLQR algorithm to different multiple shooting variants, combining advantages like straightforward initialization and a closed-loop forward integration. All algorithms have similar computational complexity, i.e. linear complexity in the time horizon, and can be derived in the same computational framework. We compare the full-step variants of our algorithms and present several simulation examples, including a high-dimensional underactuated robot subject to contact switches. Simulation results show that our multiple shooting algorithms can achieve faster convergence, better local contraction rates and much shorter runtimes than classical iLQR, which makes them a superior choice for nonlinear model predictive control applications.


In many sensor networks, considerably more units are available than necessary for simple coverage of the space. Augmenting sensor networks with motion can exploit this surplus to enhance sensing while also improving the network's lifetime and reliability. Sensor mobility allows better coverage in areas where events occur frequently. Another use of mobility comes about if the specific area of interest (within a larger area) is unknown during deployment. We've developed distributed algorithms for mobile-sensor networks to physically react to changes or events in their environment or in the network itself. Distribution supports scalability and robustness during sensing and communication failures. We present two classes of motion-control algorithms that let sensors converge on arbitrary event distributions. These algorithms trade off the amount of required computation and memory with the accuracy of the sensor positions. We also present three algorithms that let sensor networks maintain coverage of their environment. These algorithms work alongside either type of motion-control algorithm such that the sensors can follow the control law unless they must stop to ensure coverage.


In this paper, we describe two new approaches for segmenting and recognizing license plate. The first method exploits the fact that edges are most densely found in the region that contains the license plate. We have proposed a weight allocation scheme which segments the region with the most dense edges. The second method uses a hybrid neural network which we propose. The efficiency of the license plate recognition systems using the proposed methods have been studied.


Supervisory Committee Dr. Peter H. Stephenson, Supervisor (Department of Anthropology) Dr. Lisa Meryn Mitchell, Departmental Member (Department of Anthropology) Decisions on how to proceed at the death of a loved one can be very hard on those tasked with arranging funeral plans. When the deceased or their family span more than one culture, as frequently occurs in immigrant communities, those who remain may not even know what the culturally appropriate practices are. The difficulty of making decisions and plans without a resource base during times of mourning can increase the emotional burden of those who experience the death of a loved one. This research gathers information from persons in the culturally diverse Victoria and costal urban British Columbia's Chinese Canadian community about some of the death rituals practised locally. It also delves into the beliefs about renegotiated relationships with the deceased, other family members, and the community at large. A summary of this research is provided in a brochure intended to assist people who, as was the case for myself, find they need to make final arrangements but who do not have much knowledge of practices in the Chinese Canadian community.


This paper reviewed how existing business model literature explicitly considers resources and dynamic capabilities Based on what resources in resource-based view literature existed, a new conceptual schema was proposed. The schema was designed in order to link generic business model into operational level. The classification aimed to increase our understanding of all possible resources that may could used in creating product innovations in order to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.


Consider a society where each agent has weak preferences over alternatives. The purpose of the society is the selection of alternatives using the majority principle. Then, an alternative x (a weak Condorcet winner) is selected if half or more agents agree that x is as least as good as any other alternative. We give necessary and sufficient conditions on preference profiles under which (i) the set of Weak Condorcet Winners is non-empty; and (ii) the Weak Condorcet Winner is unique.


Certain fungi, such as the yeast species Candida albicans and Candida glabrata , are important pathogens of humans. Identifying the genes in medically important fungi that help the pathogens infect human cells has proved difficult. In a Perspective, [Goldman][1] discusses the synthesis of two genetic strategies that have yielded the identity of a virulence gene in C. glabrata called EPA1, as reported by [ Cormack et al .][2] in this issue. This gene encodes an adhesin that enables the yeast to bind to human epithelial cells. The genetic strategy should be valuable for identifying virulence genes in other pathogenic fungi.

 [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/285/5427/539
 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/285/5427/578


An experimental study and review of the literature on the oriented crystallization of high polymers was made to develop an understanding of how ``row‐nucleated'' or shishkebab microstructures and the fibrillar links between lamellar crystals may be formed. A new mechanism is proposed for the formation of the fiber nuclei in flowing melts, based on the mechanical alignment and extension of molecules that are entangled with, and extend between, two or more rotating clusters in the melt. Similar alignment of molecules can occur when entangled clusters are pulled to different lamellar crystals during crystallization, producing intercrystallic links.


This research looked on the energy saving on electric powered forklifting machine. In as much as there is better energy saving and less environment emissions in electric systems, it was noted that there was a lot of energy losses and leakages during the lifting process. The research checked and simulated using Simulink models the possible Potential Energy recovery during lifting and lowering. Potential Energy Recovery System (PERS), made it possible to realize energy regeneration which is then saved in batteries and supercapacitors. The combinations of electric motor (PMSM), Supercapacitors and batteries complimented one another on to achieve a considerable energy saving of above 70% from possible losses. The simulation results are a testimony of possible savings and pointing to an area worth investing in real life engineering systems. Further research in this area is promising further energy saving not only in forklifts but in all automotive industrial equipment. The savings maybe realized by electronically synchronization of actuators, energy storage systems and mechanical lifting mechanism with real-time feedback and correction mechanisms.


MaciasR, Frank M. (Northrop Corporation, Hawthorne, Calif.). Phthiocol and menadione as acetate-replacing factors for Lactobacillus delbrueckii. J. Bacteriol. 82:657–661. 1961.—Lactobacillus delbrueckii (ATCC 9649), when cultured under nitrogen, or in ferrous iron-containing media exposed to air, requires, for the initiation of growth, compounds that are known to behave as electron acceptors. The ferrous iron probably induces what amounts to anaerobic conditions; that is, it blocks access of the organism to oxygen. Several electron carriers, such as methylene blue and naphthoquinones, stimulate growth of the organism in acetate-free media exposed to air. The most active acetate-replacing agent found is phthiocol. Methylene blue does not stimulate growth under nitrogen. It is suggested that the naphthoquinones bring about the initial oxidations required for growth by transferring the electrons to some other constituent of the medium. Growth of the organism in acetate-free media under CO2 indicates that CO2 or its fixation product can behave also as an initial oxidant.


Early modern Christian missionaries often learnt about other cultures in remarkable depth, and made an extremely important contribution to the writing of ethnography and to the global circulation of knowledge. While their cultural insight was usually built upon linguistic expertise, missionary writings were of a complex nature, often combining scientific observations and historical speculations with wider rhetorical aims. In fact, issues such as accommodation to local customs became complex ideological battlegrounds. Whilst an earlier historiography may have been tempted to emphasize either the pioneering character of the Christian missionaries as proto-anthropologists, or – in a more critical fashion – their Eurocentric ideological agendas, there is growing awareness of the crucial importance of the native mediators who acted as knowledge brokers, and who also had their own personal agendas and cultural biases. However, the cultural interactions did not end here: in parallel to these complex acts of local translation, missionaries also 'translated' cultural diversity in another direction, to the European Republic of Letters, where they increasingly had to defend religious orthodoxy in the context of a rapidly changing intellectual landscape.


The printed circuit board, which is the heart of all electronic devices, is a rich source of metal, which could act as a future resource. Bioleaching, a biological treatment, would be an appropriate method for the environmentally sound management of e-waste. Various strippers are used to remove the epoxy coating and it is harmful to remove the epoxy coating with those solvents and salts in the open because of the presence of brominated flame retardants on the surface of the printed circuit board, which leads to serious health issues. An alternate process is required to remove the epoxy coating thereby enhancing the bioleaching process. Sonication is the process of applying sound energy to agitate particles in a solvent bath. The combined process of sonication and solvent stripping in a closed environment could decrease the time for stripping the epoxy coating. An attempt has been made to optimise the stripping agent for the removal of epoxy coating and from the experiment it was found that bath sonication could easily remove the epoxy coating from the waste printed circuit board with no emission of toxic gases. An optimum time of 5 min was enough for the stripping process prior to the soak time of 8 h at 5 N NaOH solution, while a longer time and high concentration of chemicals would be required to remove the epoxy coating with usual methods.


Various prediction models have been proposed by researchers to predict the change-proneness of classes based on source code metrics. However, some of these models suffer from low prediction accuracy because datasets exhibit high dimensionality or imbalanced classes. Recent studies suggest that using ensembles to integrate several models, select features, or perform sampling has the potential to resolve issues in the datasets and improve the prediction accuracy. This study aims to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of the ensemble models, feature selection, and sampling techniques on predicting change-proneness using different metrics. We conduct an empirical study to compare the performance of four machine learning models (naive Bayes, support vector machines, k-nearest neighbors, and random forests) on seven datasets for predicting change-proneness. We use two types of feature selection (relief and Pearson's correlation coefficient) and three types of ensemble sampling techniques, which integrate different types of sampling techniques (SMOTE, spread sub-sample, and randomize). The results of this study reveal that the ensemble feature selection and sampling techniques yield improved prediction accuracy over most of the investigated models, and using sampling techniques increased the prediction accuracy of all models. Random forests provide a significant improvement over other prediction models and obtained the highest value of the average of the area under curve in all scenarios. The proposed ensemble feature selection and sampling techniques, along with the ensemble model (random forests), were found beneficial in improving the prediction accuracy of change-proneness.


INTRODUCTION
Vitamin D deficiency is a common, modifiable determinant of musculoskeletal health. There are limited data that examine the longitudinal change in population 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and none that evaluate the long-term skeletal outcomes of longitudinal vitamin D status.

METHODS
Prospective cohort analysis of community-dwelling adults aged 50-80 years who had 25(OH)D assessed by radioimmunoassay and BMD by DXA at baseline (n=1096), 2.5 (n=870) and 10 (n=565) years. Sun exposure was quantified by questionnaire and supplement use at clinic review. 25(OH)D <50nmol/L was considered deficient. Participants were provided with their 25(OH)D results.

RESULTS
Over 10 years 25(OH)D increased (52.2 ± 17.0 to 63.5 ± 23.6 nmol/L, p<0.001). Participants with baseline deficiency had larger 25(OH)D increases than baseline sufficient participants (19.2 ± 25.3 vs 1.6 ± 23.3 nmol/L, p<0.001). Longitudinal change in 25(OH)D was associated with baseline summer (β=1.46, p<0.001) and winter (β=1.29, p=0.003) sun exposure, change in summer (β=1.27, p=0.002) and winter (β=1.47, p<0.001) sun exposure and vitamin D supplement use (β=25.0 - 33.0, p<0.001). Persistent vitamin D sufficiency was associated with less BMD loss at the femoral neck (β=0.020, p=0.027), lumbar spine (β=0.033, p=0.003) and total hip (β=0.023, p=0.021) compared to persistent vitamin D deficiency. Achieving vitamin D sufficiency was associated with less BMD loss at the lumbar spine (β=0.045, p<0.001) compared to persistent vitamin D deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS
Population 25(OH)D concentration increased due to a combination of increased sun exposure and supplement use. Maintaining or achieving vitamin D sufficiency was associated with less BMD loss over 10 years.


Proteolipid protein (PLP) is the major protein of central nervous system myelin. SJL (H-2s) mice immunized with a synthetic peptide corresponding to PLP residues 139-151 develop acute EAE. In this study, 6 IAs-restricted, CD4+, TCR alpha beta-bearing T cell clones were derived from SJL/J mice after immunization with this synthetic peptide. The clones responded in in vitro proliferative assays to the whole PLP molecule and to PLP peptide 139-151, but not to irrelevant Ag. They also responded to truncated and overlapping forms of the peptide but five distinct reactivity patterns were observed using these peptides. A panel of anti-TCR V beta mAb and TCR V beta-specific cDNA probes were used to determine the TCR V beta usage of the clones. Five clones were found to use four different V beta (V beta 2, V beta 6, V beta 10, or V beta 17a), whereas the V beta on the sixth clone could not be identified. Five of the clones induced EAE of varying severity upon adoptive transfer into naive syngeneic mice or mice pretreated with irradiation and pertussis and one clone was nonencephalitogenic. The Ag-specific proliferative response of all but the nonencephalitogenic clone could be blocked by an anti-CD4 mAb. Thus, the clones showed differences in their fine specifity, TCR V beta usage, sensitivity to antibody blocking, and encephalitogenic potency. These data demonstrate that the T cell response to the encephalitogenic PLP peptide 139-151 is heterogeneous.


This work introduces the concept of global sensitivity based on simultaneous variation of a complete set of enzymes, metabolite concentrations, and cofactors in finite ranges of concentrations. Perturbations are defined by finite ranges of concentrations and corresponding probability density distributions. Effects of perturbations of the homeostatic state variables including input and output products of a considered flux, and cofactors on the flux analysis are evaluated. The flux sensitivities are determined as first and second order relative multidimensional variances. The first order effects are reflection of random perturbation of each individual en-zyme, metabolite and cofactor. The dispersions of fluxes due to each perturbation are evaluated by numerical simulation and the Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test algorithm. The implications of the proposed theory are demonstrated by computer simulation of theoretical problem on regulation of branched metabolism pathway at steady state, and also unsteady control flux analysis based on experimental data of E. coli central metabolism upon perturbation by glucose impulse.


Mitral regurgitation (MR) due to rupture of the papillary muscle is one of the most serious complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as well as ventricular septal perforation and ventricular free wall rupture. We experienced a case of complete rupture of the anterior papillary muscle. A 68-year-old man experienced an episode of dyspnea. Electrocardiographic findings were consistent with postero-lateral infarction. Massive MR is present on color Doppler imaging. He was transferred to our hospital for urgent operative indication because of papillary muscle rupture due to AMI. Six hours after the onset, the operation was performed with intra-aortic balloon pump in place. The anterior papillary muscle was ruptured completely in the mid portion. He underwent a mitral valve replacement with a SJM prosthetic valve. There is a few cases with successful urgent surgery for a complete rupture of anterior papillary muscle.


Medical humanities use the creative and intellectual strengths of the arts for specific purposes in medical education. The author read with great interest the Medical humanities program at the Patan Academy of Health Sciences and has been associated with Medical humanities since 2007. There are several factors favouring the development of Medical humanities in Nepal but the major challenge is there is no specific faculty and/or department involved and the discipline may be relegated to the background in the face of other pressing priorities. In the west humanities faculty had played an important role in popularizing Medical humanities. Clinical teachers can incorporate Medical humanities into their clinical teaching. Large student sizes and lesser number of faculty may be challenges in moving the discipline forward. Keywords: Medical humanities, medical schools, Nepal, undergraduate medical.


This capstone thesis project explores a musical intervention (Development Interaction Through Music, DITM) for a 9-year-old girl with neurodevelopmental disorders in a school setting. Although there was research on the application of music therapy in different populations, there are relatively few documentations on music therapy in the field of special education. Some case studies have found that music therapy has a positive effect on people with developmental disorders (Thompson & McFerran, 2015). Clinicians need to engage in more clinical practice and collect case data as strong evidence. Music therapists who work with children with severe disabilities are recommended to build a communication platform to learn from each other to promote the development of music therapy. The Intervention of DITM was designed to use a therapeutic relationship as a promoter in music therapy to support the development of children whose social, communicational, and visual abilities are impaired. There were multiple methods used when collecting data, the most important of which included field notes and reflective journals, and artistic responses regarding the participant. Through implementation, result analysis and self-reflection, I found that the therapeutic relationship naturally grew the music experience and ultimately contributed to the progress of the participant. The core of the work was to provide a supportive environment, concrete objectives, and structured interventions for the client according to her needs. Through interaction with therapists and music, the musical talents of the participant were constantly developed.


The functioning of modern organizations requires not only the constant collection of information and its analysis, but also adaptation to changing business requirements. Enterprise owners and managers must indicate which directions of development are important for business maintenance, its development or adaptation to changes in the environment. Achieving and maintaining a business competitive advantage depends on the implementation of innovation in individual entities, use of modern technologies, including advanced IT solutions and the construction of processes and knowledge resources focused on the market environment. Knowledge is perceived as the crucial source to gain a competitive advantage, and knowledge management becomes an important element of the entire process of managing an organization. KI or the ability to collect and process specific information resources of an organization is also crucial for business innovation. KI is difficult to achieve, however, it is the basis for competitive abilities of companies. The aim of the article is to identify the capability to integrate knowledge influencing the innovativeness of enterprises. The review of the current subject literature focuses on the analysis of capability in the  knowledge integration based on international experience. The article is based on the results of research conducted at the turn of 2021 and 2022 on a group of 355 enterprises operating in Central Europe, where the business innovation level is quite low. Therefore, an attempt was made to set recommendations for activities for knowledge integration for enterprises intending to increase innovation. The analysis of the practical knowledge integration capability is based on statistical analyses allowing for indicating the correlation and dependence between the studied variables. The empirical research using the proposed research tool was the basis for building a knowledge integration model in terms of enterprise innovation. The analysis showed that selected knowledge integration capability positively correlates with the level of enterprise innovativeness.


H. P. Lovecraft is a spiritual successor of Edgar Allan Poe, recognized as one of the best American writers of "weird fiction" of the Twentieth ce


The integration of the popular innovation diffusion theory and the recent tablet computers adoption process has not yet been covered in an academic study. This research aims to provide insight into the characteristics and motivations of two tablet computer consumer segments among business students in UK: early adopters and early majority. It also investigates the factors influencing their behaviour in order to gain understanding how the chasm between these segments can be overcome. This article used interpretivism as a research paradigm and induction as a research approach. It utilised theoretical analysis of the characteristics, motivation and factors influencing tablet computer of early adopters and early majority. The research was designed as an exploratory case study with elements of descriptive research, whilst the data were collected through desk research and in-depth interviews. The findings show that early adopters carry the traits of 'experiencers' and 'innovators', whereas early majority possesses the traits of 'strivers' and 'achievers' according to VALS TM classification.


Background Car accidents are often accompanied by dangerous substances leaking into the environment. A proper reaction to the leaking substances, utilizing appropriate sorbents, is necessary for diminishing the negative impact of such events. Sorbents as substances of initial intervention in car accidents (as well as industrial and ecological accidents) are a crucial tool for solving crises connected with dangerous substances escaping into the environment. The risk resulting from the given realities is described in detail in the introduction of the article. The goal The goal is describing elements of crisis management in dangerous substance leakage and an analysis of sorption resources for quick and efficient interception of leaking substances, water, ethanol, oil, and gasoline in particular, as a reaction to such events. Methods The quality of a sorption resource is determined by a parameter called the sorption capacity, which has been established according to the ASTM F716-18 standard. Loose nature-based sorbents (peat) and synthetic silicate-based SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, and polypropylene-based ones were observed. The research has been realized on a water, oil, gasoline, and ethanol sorbate. Each experiment was repeated three times The results The results attest to the diversity of sorption capacity in comparing nature-based, silicate-based, and polypropylene-based sorption materials. The highest sorption capacity values were reached with the Sorb 4 sample, which is based on 66% of silica and 18% of alumina. The stated ratio is important, because the Sorb 3 sample contains 85% of silica and 6% of alumina and its absorption capacity values are significantly lower.


While cities have become gradually more vertical and complex over the past century, our methods for conceptualising their characteristics and measuring their forms and functions are still largely based in a horizontal mindset. Recent work has sought to shift urban discourse towards understanding cities according to their volumetric properties. Moving the debate further, this paper approaches volumetric urbanism from a morphological perspective, setting out a research agenda that operationalises the concept as a means of better capturing the morphological characteristics of cities as volumetric entities. First, we deconstruct volumetric urbanism into the five basic building blocks that define volumetric morphologies: density, functional mix, compaction and compression, complex networks and interaction intensity. Next, we propose two methods for capturing the urban volumetrics of cities based on spatial and network interaction and apply them to a hypothetical case and a preliminary study of Hong Kong. We conclude by arguing that a volumetric approach is required to capture the complex form of compressed, multi-layered and highly connected cities. In response, urban morphological and planning discourses must move away from the horizontal analytical mindset, embrace a multi-layered three-dimensional view of cities and place greater emphasis on spatial configurations and network relations by measuring interaction.


This paper presents a framework and methodology for the annotation of perspectives in text. In the last decade, different aspects of linguistic encoding of perspectives have been targeted as separated phenomena through different annotation initiatives. We propose an annotation scheme that integrates these different phenomena. We use a multilayered annotation approach, splitting the annotation of different aspects of perspectives into small subsequent subtasks in order to reduce the complexity of the task and to better monitor interactions between layers. Currently, we have included four layers of perspective annotation: events, attribution, factuality and opinion. The annotations are integrated in a formal model called GRaSP, which provides the means to represent instances (e.g. events, entities) and propositions in the (real or assumed) world in relation to their mentions in text. Then, the relation between the source and target of a perspective is characterized by means of perspective annotations. This enables us to place alternative perspectives on the same entity, event or proposition next to each other.


Before the widespread adoption of the internet, members of subcultures like the American punk scene maintained a sense of community through both physical events such as concerts as well as a hearty communication infrastructure sustained by small press zines and mailing lists. Viewed through the lens of the private letters, zines, and small record company releases collected by musician, writer, and 'veteran punk' Justin 'Freud' Reia, 'Punk Pals': Correspondence and Community in Punk Culture explores the various means of communication employed by American punk musicians and scenesters to make their lifestyles and communities sustainable. Providing an alternative 'safe' space for individuals disconnected with mainstream American society, the 1980's and 1990's punk scene became a highly diverse and generally accepting home for groups that would have otherwise been marginalized, perhaps most notably the LGBTQ+ community and individuals being rehabilitated in American correctional facilities. Archival materials from the University of Texas Libraries illustrate the means of communication used to maintain and support the lifestyles of punks in the decades immediately preceding the dawn of the 21st century.


Significance: Cancer cells are stabilized in an undifferentiated state similar to stem cells. This leads to profound modifications of their metabolism, which further modifies their genetics and epigenetics as malignancy progresses. Specific metabolites and enzymes may serve as clinical markers of cancer progression. Recent Advances: Both 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) enantiomers are associated with reprogrammed metabolism, in grade III/IV glioma, glioblastoma, and acute myeloid leukemia cells, and numerous other cancer types, while acting also in the cross talk of tumors with immune cells. 2HG contributes to specific alternations in cancer metabolism and developed oxidative stress, while also inducing decisions on the differentiation of naive T lymphocytes, and serves as a signal messenger in immune cells. Moreover, 2HG inhibits chromatin-modifying enzymes, namely 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, and interferes with hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcriptome reprogramming and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, thus dysregulating gene expression and further promoting cancerogenesis. Critical Issues: Typically, heterozygous mutations within the active sites of isocitrate dehydrogenase isoform 1 (IDH1)R132H and mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase isoform 2 (IDH2)R140Q provide cells with millimolar r-2-hydroxyglutarate (r-2HG) concentrations, whereas side activities of lactate and malate dehydrogenase form submillimolar s-2-hydroxyglutarate (s-2HG). However, even wild-type IDH1 and IDH2, notably under shifts toward reductive carboxylation glutaminolysis or changes in other enzymes, lead to "intermediate" 0.01–0.1 mM 2HG levels, for example, in breast carcinoma compared with 10−8 M in noncancer cells. Future Directions: Uncovering further molecular metabolism details specific for given cancer cell types and sequence-specific epigenetic alternations will lead to the design of diagnostic approaches, not only for predicting patients' prognosis or uncovering metastases and tumor remissions but also for early diagnostics.


Museums have recently been expanding their roles as education providers to use websites to provide a variety of information and services including educational programs. In order to better perform their roles as education providers, it is important for museums to commit themselves to making their websites accessible and easy for everyone to use, in compliance with web accessibility. 20 of museum websites were chosen to study the state of web accessibility of domestic museum websites, and were evaluated by using an automated web accessibility evaluation tool called the K-WAH 4.4. And then, we analyze the compliance rates of web accessibility based on 6 Requirements in the KWCAG 2.1. As a Result, only two museums satisfy the compliance rates on 6 Requirements and national & public museums are higher than private museums in compliance rates. So, to improve web accessibility, we comply with accessibility guidelines and design web contents. After witch we should improve web accessibility by modifying insufficient requirements immediately through periodical evaluations.


Fibrocytes are bone-marrow derived mesenchymal progenitor cells. They express typical markers of leukocytes, hematopoietic stem cells and fibroblasts. They play a pivotal role in the tissue remodeling and fibrosis in both physiologic and pathologic settings. Fibrocytes are unique in that they are capable of differentiating into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, as well as adipocytes. Circulating fibrocytes may play a role in pulmonary fibrosis and clinical outcomes. Recent data obtained from the clinical setting suggest that high numbers of circulating fibrocytes correlate with pulmonary function test parameters and disease activity in patients with different interstitial lung diseases. A greater understanding of the immunologic mediator that influence fibrocyte biology suggest new opportunities for therapeutic manipulation of these cells in fibrogenesis.


We demonstrate coherent spectral beam combining and femtosecond pulse spectral synthesis using three parallel fiber chirped pulse amplifiers, each amplifying different ultrashort-pulse spectra. This proof-of-concept experiment opens a path to simultaneously overcome individual-amplifier energy and power limitations, as well as limitations on amplified pulse spectra due to the gain narrowing in a single fiber amplifier.


This study comprises a translation, textual commentary, and discussion of the fragments of the Old comic dramatist Strattis which engage with tragedy. It forms the centre of a wider examination of the art of paratragedy and tragic parody in Old Comedy because paratragedy represents the earliest reception of tragedy and one that is contemporary with the initial live performances of tragic plays. Ancient and modern scholarship alike has viewed Aristophanes as the dominant figure in the art of paratragedy and tragic parody. Strattis, a contemporary of Aristophanes, was active in the late fifth and early fourth centuries BC and the fragments of his comedies indicate a sustained and wide ranging interaction with contemporary tragedy which is rivalled only by Aristophanic comedy. This is particularly remarkable since the extant corpus of Strattis numbers less than ninety fragments.

This work explores the phenomenon of paratragedy beyond Aristophanic paratragedy and raises awareness of the importance of Strattis in this respect. It begins with a survey of paratragedy in other non-Aristophanic fragments of Old Comedy and it examines the various ways that comedy engages with tragedy, indicating the depth and breadth of paratragedy in comic fragments. This provides the foundations on which to examine the fragments of Strattis through a text, translation and commentary on those fragments that engage with tragedy. It leads to a discussion of the works of Strattis overall for their use of tragedy and myth, which allows us to note characteristics of Strattis' work. This enables a comparison of the paratragedy in the comedies of Strattis and Aristophanes which allows us to reassess the uniqueness of Aristophanic paratragedy and to consider reasons for the popularity of paratragedy in the late fifth century BC.


Purpose – A spectre is hunting embryonic African monetary zones: the EMU crisis. This paper assesses real and monetary policy convergence within the proposed WAM and EAM zones. The introduction of common currencies in West and East Africa is facing stiff challenges in the timing of monetary convergence, the imperative of bankers to apply common modeling and forecasting methods of monetary policy transmission, as well as the requirements of common structural and institutional characteristics among candidate states. Design/methodology/approach – In the analysis, monetary policy targets inflation and financial dynamics of depth, efficiency, activity and size while real sector policy targets economic performance in terms of GDP growth at macro and micro levels. Findings – Findings suggest overwhelming lack of convergence: (1) initial conditions for financial development are different across countries; (2) fundamental characteristics as common monetary policy initiatives and IMF backed financial reform programs are implemented differently across countries; (3) there is remarkable evidence of cross-country variations in structural characteristics of macroeconomic performance; (4) institutional cross-country differences could also be responsible for the deficiency in convergence within the potential monetary zones. Practical implications – As a policy implication, heterogeneous structural and institutional characteristics across countries are giving rise to different levels and patterns of financial intermediary development. Thus member states should work towards harmonizing cross-country differences in structural and institutional characteristics that hamper the effectiveness of convergence in monetary and real policies. Originality/value – It is one of the few attempts to investigate the issue of convergence within the proposed WAM and EAM unions.


Objective To construct a targeting ribozyme(M1GS) which is specific to HCV genome.Methods According to the sequence of conservative region(5′UTR) of HCV genome,a guide sequence was designed and synthesized.And then by the PCR method,a kind of targeting ribozyme can be constructed by covalently linking the guide sequence to the 3′terminus ofM1 RNA,the catalytic subunit of Rnase P from Escherichia coli.Results The engineered ribozyme(M1GS-HCV/C76 is targeted to the 5′UTR of HCV genome,and can effectively cleave the substrate RNA segment in vitro.The cleavage is specific and the cleavage site is between 77 n t and 88 n t of the target region.Conclusion The M1GS-HCV/C76 would be a useful experimental material to further study its cleavage activity in vivo,and can be even used for evaluating its anti-viral effect in the animal model It was believed that this study would markedly facilitate the research of a general gene targeting agent for anti-HCV applications and lay the foundation for developing a new nucleic acid drug of anti-HCV therapy.


In Reply. —In their letter, Capdevila et al 1 report that 83% of 95 patients with pneumonia (of various bacterial and nonbacterial etiologies) had an elevation of one or more of the following biochemical parameters: bilirubin, aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and two serum bile acids (choleglycine and sulfolithocholeglycine). These results are in accord with our findings that liver biochemical abnormalties (LBA) during acute bacterial infection are (Continued on p 2209.) (Continued from p 2206.) very common. 2 The investigators from Barcelona, Spain, also report that the elevation of bilirubin and choleglycine was more frequent in patients with preexisting liver disease. Although this is an interesting and original observation, the suggestion that bilirubin and choleglycine tests can help to identify patients with preexisting liver disease should be taken with caution, since 25% of the patients without preexisting liver disease also had elevated choleglycine levels. In addition, bile acid determination is


This research investigates the hybridization of species Lilium pumilum Delile, L. regale Wils., L. candidum L., L. monadelphum Bieb., L. martagon L., L. henryi Baker. and cultivars of Asiatic, Trumpet and Oriental hybrids. To overcome fertilization barriers in incongruous crosses, cut-style pollination and pollination by mixed pollen were performed. The hybrid plants were obtained by in vitro cultivation of excised immature embryos. Cut-style pollination was effi cient when Asiatic hybrids were pollinated by pollen of L. pumilum. Cut-style pollination and culture of excised embryo allowed receive few hybrids between Oriental hybrids and L. henryi or L. regale. Pollination of a female by a mixture of incompatible pollen was more effi cient than cut-style pollination. Hybrid plants with random paternity were produced using the pollen mixture.