Results of certain tests of pulmonary function, including a questionnaire, single-breath N2 test of closing capacity, forced expiration, and diffusing capacity were significantly different in groups of male smokers and nonsmokers. The influence of age on these smoking-related changes of pulmonary function was evaluated. The analyses indicated that (1) some tests including number of symptoms; closing capacity, i.e., closing volume plus residual volume as a percentage of total lung capacity; residual volume as a percentage of total lung capacity; Phase III of the single-breath N2 test, and steady-state diffusing capacity (ml of CO/mm Hg - min) revealed significant differences between adjusted mean smoker and nonsmoker values but did not reveal differences associated with age. (2) Tests of forced expiration (1-sec forced expiratory volume/vital capapity, reciprocal of the maximal mid-expiratory flow, maximal flow at 50 per cent of vital capacity; and moments) however, revealed differences between smoker and nonsmoker means )adjusted and unadjusted), as well as increasing smoker-nonsmoker differences with increasing age. It is suggested that the first group of tests probably measured an all-or-none response that occurred with the onset of smoking and was not affected by duration of smoking. The second group of tests probably measured the effects of continued smoking and indicated increasing abnormality associated with longer exposure (years of smoking). Test showing age-related differences between smokers and nonsmokers may reflect cummulative, irreversible changes in pulmonary function to a greater extent than test that do not.


This paper presents the results of uniaxial and triaxial shake table tests performed on directly anchored and base isolated steel pallet storage racks loaded with simulated and real merchandise. The new base isolation system provides seismic isolation in the cross-aisle direction of a rack only, while providing similar restraints as conventional bolted base plates in the down-aisle direction. The objective of the isolation in the cross-aisle direction is to reduce the horizontal accelerations of the rack in order to reduce content spillage and structural damage during a major seismic event, without interfering with normal material handling operations. Base isolation is not provided in the down-aisle direction since the range of down-aisle natural periods of typical rack structures is already similar to that of typical base isolated structures. The results of the seismic tests clearly demonstrated the improved structural performance of rack structures incorporating the new cross-aisle base isolation system. Cross-aisle absolute accelerations and interstory drifts of the base isolated rack structure were reduced considerably compared to the values measured in the same rack conventionally anchored at its base. The base isolation system also had an effect in reducing the down-aisle accelerations. The base isolated racks met the performance objectives recommended in the FEMA 460 document "Seismic Considerations for Steel Storage Racks Located in Areas Accessible to the Public" both for life safety under the Design Earthquake (DE) and for collapse prevention under the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE).


Since their inception, encoder-decoder models have successfully been applied to a wide array of problems in computational linguistics. The most recent successes are predominantly due to the use of different variations of attention mechanisms, but their cognitive plausibility is questionable. In particular, because past representations can be revisited at any point in time, attention-centric methods seem to lack an incentive to build up incrementally more informative representations of incoming sentences. This way of processing stands in stark contrast with the way in which humans are believed to process language: continuously and rapidly integrating new information as it is encountered. In this work, we propose three novel metrics to assess the behavior of RNNs with and without an attention mechanism and identify key differences in the way the different model types process sentences.


Effect of blend ratio, strain rate and cone winding from ring bobbins on the tensile properties of polyester/cotton blended yarns under static and dynamic conditions has been studied using USTER Tensorapid and Constant Tension Transport testers. It is observed that the static tensile test overestimates tensile strength and breaking elongation. The static tensile strength and breaking elongation decrease after winding but the dynamic elongation of cotton, polyester and 67:33 polyester/cotton yarn increases after winding.


Abstract. A new model is presented for multisite statistical downscaling of temperature and precipitation using convolutional conditional neural processes (convCNPs). ConvCNPs are a recently developed class of models that allow deep learning techniques to be applied to off-the-grid spatio-temporal data. This model has a substantial advantage over existing downscaling methods in that the trained model can be used to generate multisite predictions at an arbitrary set of locations, regardless of the availability of training data. The convCNP model is shown to outperform an ensemble of existing downscaling techniques over Europe for both temperature and precipitation taken from the VALUE intercomparison project. The model also outperforms an approach that uses Gaussian processes to interpolate single-site downscaling models at unseen locations. Importantly, substantial improvement is seen in the representation of extreme precipitation events. These results indicate that the convCNP is a robust downscaling model suitable for generating localised projections for use in climate impact studies, and motivates further research into applications of deep learning techniques in statistical downscaling.


Purpose: To examine in a canine model the feasibility of antegrade fenestration of abdominal aortic stent-grafts to preserve the patency of the renal arteries. Methods: Two large dogs underwent antegrade fenestration of stent-grafts in the perirenal aorta. Before fenestration, bare stents were inserted in both renal arteries as fluoroscopic landmarks. A 12-mm iliac extension served as the canine aortic endograft. The first procedure was done under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, using an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) probe inserted in the vena cava and a Pioneer IVUS catheter. The second was performed exclusively under fluoroscopic guidance with a Brockenbrough needle. Angiograms and duplex ultrasound were planned for 1 month, after which the dogs would be sacrificed for autopsy. The explanted endograft was subjected to biomaterials analysis, with a focus on fabric tear. Results: Perforation of the aortic graft and catheterization of the renal arteries with a floppy guidewire were possible in both animals. In dog 1, aortic graft dilation and subsequent fenestration were not possible, and the experiment was terminated. However, the procedure was successful in both renal arteries of dog 2. At 1-month follow-up in this dog, both renal arteries were patent. Stent fractures were observed bilaterally. There was no extension of the damage to the fabric beyond the area of fenestration. Conclusion: In vivo antegrade fenestration of aortic endografts is technically feasible. However, improvements in technique, instrumentation, and materials are required to make it a reliable and reproducible way of allowing stent-graft vascularization of aortic side branches.


OBJECTIVE
To establish whether variation in innate immunity, as measured by the level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole-blood culture, is related to sex or HLA.

METHODS
Normal volunteers (72 women, 159 men) completed questionnaires and donated peripheral blood specimens. Blood samples were exposed to LPS in a 4-hour in vitro culture, and supernatants were then tested by sandwich-type immunoassay measuring TNF levels. Statistical techniques included multivariate analysis and maximal-likelihood modeling of allelic effects.

RESULTS
Both male and female groups showed substantial within-group variation (coefficient of variation 59.1% for women, 40.3% for men). However, the mean +/- SD LPS-stimulated TNF level in the female group was nearly 30% lower than in the male group (1,556+/-919 pg/ml versus 2,203+/-889 pg/ml; P < 0.0001, unadjusted for covariates). Sex was independent of any microsatellite marker allele of TNF (covariate-adjusted increment of 785 pg/ml from female to male sex; P < 0.0001). In multivariate modeling of the female group, the LPS-stimulated TNF level was not independently influenced by menstrual cycle phase, oral contraceptive use, or plasma estradiol level. Allelic modeling showed that significant TNFab microsatellite allelic effects existed (P = 0.002 versus model omitting allelic effects). The female group showed a significantly downward deviation from mean TNF level with TNFa4b5 (-903 pg/ml deviation from the overall mean) and an upward deviation with TNFa10b4 (598 pg/ml). The male group showed significantly higher-than-mean levels with TNFa1b5 (909 pg/ml), TNFa5b7 (1,191 pg/ml), and TNFa6b5 (332 pg/ml). Thus, the two sex groups differed in which of their TNFab marker alleles showed significant deviations from the overall mean.

CONCLUSION
Female subjects have a nearly 30% lower innate immune response, stemming largely from influence independent of the HLA-region TNF locus and without further independent variation stemming from plasma estrogen level.


Cookies were produced from yam ( Dioscorea spp ), Soybean (Glycine max) and wheat ( Trititum, spp ) flour blends.  Yam and soybean were processed into flour and used to substitute wheat flour at different proportions (80:10:10%, 70:20:10%; 60:30:10% and 50:40:10%) and 100% wheat as control. The functional properties and proximate composition of yam, soybean and wheat flours were determined.  The proximate composition of cookies sample shows the moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fibre and carbohydrate content ranged from 7.8 – 8.3%, 10.5 – 12.1%, 17.8 – 18.2%, 6.0 – 6.3%, 3.8 – 4.2% and 51.0 – 53.1%.  There were significant differences (p?0.05) except the ash content.  The proximate composition of flour sample shows the moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fibre and carbohydrate content ranged from 9.3-9.4%, 3.8 – 16.1%, 2.6 – 7.9%, 1.3 – 3.7%, 0.8 – 2.0%, and 60.9 – 81.1% respectively.  There were significant difference (p?0.05) between the flour samples except the moisture content of wheat and soybean which has the same value of 9.3%.  The functional properties of the flour samples shows that the bulk density loosed, bulk density packed, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, emulsifying capacity, swelling capacity and gelatination temperature ranged from 0.42 -  0.43, 0.75 - 0.77, 175 – 180, 150 – 163, 14.7 – 16.1, 1.40 – 1.50, and 66.4 – 67.7 respectively.  There were significant differences (p?0.05) in all the values.  The physical properties of cookies samples show that the diameter and thickness ranged from 5.36 – 6.05; 1.71 – 1.87; there were no significant difference (p?0.05) between composite cookies and 100% wheat cookies. However, the sensory evaluation of cookies shows that there were no significant differences (p?0.05) with 100% cookies at higher replacement of wheat flour with yam.  Flour could therefore be replaced with up to 20% with 10% of soybean and 10% of yam flour in cookies production without affecting the sensory qualities. Key Words: Cookies, Yam, Soyabean, Wheat and Replacement


Modern climate change will increase temperatures, as well as the frequency and severity of droughts and wildfires across the semiarid montane regions of the southwestern United States. Predictions of reduced habitat suitability and increases in extinctions precipitated by climate change derive from modeled responses to these conditions, especially increased temperatures. What is often lacking are empirical tests of those modeled predictions. Here I report findings from surveys of montane lizard assemblages during a period of increased temperatures, extended drought, and including a wildfire. I selected survey routes that included upper-elevation limits for western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis), granite spiny lizards (Sceloporus orcuttii), and side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana), as well as the lower limits for southern sagebrush lizards (Sceloporus vandenburgianus), to measure the extent to which habitat occupancy shifted as drought conditions changed over 4 years. At the onset of drought, the abundance of all species declined. After initial declines, populations stabilized and I observed recruitment, positive population growth, and elevation shifts with only modest increases in rainfall. Once the drought abated, there were further increases in recruitment and population growth, but a colder winter and heavy snows in 2017 were coincident with declines and range contractions in both western fence and side-blotched lizards on the higher-elevation survey route. There was no indication that any of these species' populations were at risk of local extinctions; rather, shifts at range margins and use of microclimates revealed resilience and mechanisms of how these species might deal with future conditions, including occupying climate refugia.


Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) occurs in patients with diabetes and hyponatremia. We herein report a case of ODS with chorea detected on serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), despite no prompt hyponatremia correction. A 74-year-old man with cirrhosis and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes developed an altered mental status and chorea during treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Despite no rapid sodium correction and normal initial brain MRI findings, serial MRI revealed ODS-related abnormalities. Clinicians should consider ODS in patients with DKA and a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state displaying unconsciousness and neurological manifestations, including chorea, even without substantial changes in serum sodium levels. An MRI re-examination can help capture missing ODS complications.


This article forms a crucial part of an economic essay exploring the dynamics of territorial climate governance and its potential impact on the structural transformation of Agadir, a vibrant city. In this context, the role of human capital is also examined while considering the theoretical nuances and empirical analysis tools. The central question drives this study: "to what extent can territorial climate governance contribute to the structural transformation of Agadir, and how does human capital mediate this process?". To tackle this question, we adopted an abductive reasoning approach and aligned our methodology with a post-positivist paradigm. By meticulously aligning theory with observed reality, we formulated a hypothetical model that interconnects the trio of climate governance, structural transformation, and human capital in the context of Agadir. This model was put to the test with data collected from 416 stakeholders involved in the management of territorial affairs in the city. The findings reveal compelling evidence of significant contributions and correlations among the concepts studied. However, our results also highlight the necessity of recognizing and involving new actors to strengthen Agadir's climate governance mechanisms. In conclusion, our research sheds light on the crucial role of territorial climate governance and human capital in driving the structural transformation of Agadir. By providing a novel perspective on this topic, our study underscores the need for inclusive and proactive engagement of various stakeholders to bolster climate governance measures in the city, paving the way for sustainable development and growth.


Hossain M.M., Nonami H., 2012. Effect of salt stress on physiological response of tomato fruit grown in hydro ponic culture system . Hort. Sci. (Prague), 39: 26–32. The effect of salt stress on physiological response of hydroponically grown tomato fruit was investigated. Fruit growth rate, water status, cuticle permeability and induction of blossom-end rot (BER) of tomato fruit were considered for this study. Salt stress was applied by using Ca salt treatment and it plays an important role on all parameters studied in this experiment. Fruit growth rate, predawn water potential, osmotic potential and cuticle permeability were significantly lower in treated plants than in control plants. On the other hand, tissue turgor of control and treated fruit showed almost similar values 12 days after flowering (DAF). This result indicated that turgor was osmotically regulated in fruit under stress condition. Fruit growth rate was found to decline from 12 DAF and eventually ceased when BER externally appeared on fruit surface at the age of 19 DAF in this experiment. The reduction of growth rate coincided with the reduction of water potential in fruit tissue due to salt stress. Although BER externally appeared at 19 DAF anatomi cal investigation showed that intercellular air space becomes discoloured at least one week before external symptoms appeared on fruit tip. Different levels of cuticular permeability indicated that the deposition of cuticular wax on fruit surface was enhanced by the salt stress condition in tomato fruit. Since, BER was found to appear on fruit tip under high calcium concentration in solution it can be concluded that calcium deficiency was not the only the cause of BER in tomato, rather salt stress might alter metabolic activity in developing tomato fruit.


Based on the α-particle model of 12C nucleus, the differential cross sections for α-12C elastic scattering at incident energy of 4.2 GeV have been calculated within the framework of Glauber multiple scattering theory. The results show that the main features of the measured angular distribution of the cross sections can be reasonably described. The parameterized α-α scattering amplitude, which is the basic input to construct the α-12C scattering Glauber amplitude in the α-particle model, is obtained by fitting the α-α scattering data.


Modern information and communication technologies are common,
sometimes even essential complement of education at
universities. Using these tools in the knowledge evaluation
process is perceived by various institutions differently.
Learning approaches and methodologies offer a variety of
perspectives on this issue. Many learning management system are
used for electronic examination across the MEFANET (MEdical
FAculties NETwork). This contribution focuses on theoretical
background, which is crucial for preparation of the high
quality evaluation materials. The design concept of evaluation,
building methods of various test questions and analysis methods
are discussed in detail. Risk areas and the most common
pitfalls in the use of electronic examination testing, as well
as the benefi t of all stakeholders (students, teachers,
educational institutions, clinical practice, etc.) are further
mentioned. Finally, questions related to the classifi cation of
tests within each part of the educational process are
discussed. Accented are requirements for different purposes of
using the electronic testing agenda (assessment of knowledge,
ability of critical thinking, independent work in Problem Based
Learning, etc.).


Nonlinear MEMS mechanisms for energy harvesting from vibrating source are evaluated. The typical mechanism to harvest energy is based on resonance mechanical bodies (linear systems) that enable collecting energy through self-generating materials and tuned close to the resonance spike. Moreover, it must be observed that in the vast majority of cases the ambient mechanical vibrations come in a vast variety of forms and having the energy distributed over a wide spectrum of frequencies. For this reason the novel approach proposed, is based on a nonlinear vibrating system based on a switching mechanism around two stable states. A wider spectrum is predicted for these nonlinear resonators, so more energy can be saved adopting a bistable dynamic.


The modern theories of the origin of language have reached the parity in the argumentation. And now the knowledge of this sphere is expressed with the antinomies. It means that the conflicting approaches are veritable to the same extent. In the cognitive science there is the so-called "Rubicon problem", which is unsolvable without breaking of the consistency of the one of the conflicting theories. Some researches recognize the deductibility of faculty of language from the animal communication system, whereas others do not recognize it. Both parties have the strong argumentation. This article deals with the ethological, semiotic and psychological approaches to language as abstract symbolic system on the one hand and as social and communicative activity on the other hand. In the context of the "Rubicon problem", Vygotsky's works obtain the "novel sound". The heritage of the ideology-driven Soviet psychological school is relevant again even for the Western scientists. The social and cultural-historical determination of the faculty of language allows bridging the gap between cognitive-ethological and nativist approaches. We argue the idea of under-determination of the ontological status of language as the biological communicative system: the polemic between gradualists and saltationists is far from its completion.


Forty years after the first silicon microprocessors, we demonstrate an 8-bit microprocessor made from plastic electronic technology directly on flexible plastic foil. The operation speed is today limited to 40 instructions per second. The power consumption is as low as 100 μW. The ALU-foil operates at a supply voltage of 10 V and back-gate voltage of 50 V. The microprocessor can execute user-defined programs: we demonstrate the execution of the multiplication of two 4-bit numbers and the calculation of the moving average of a string of incoming 6-bit numbers. To execute such dedicated tasks on the microprocessor, we create small plastic circuits that generate the sequences of appropriate instructions. The near transparency, mechanical flexibility, and low power consumption of the processor are attractive features for integration on everyday objects, where it could be programmed as, amongst other items, a calculator, timer, or game controller.


It is during the childhood period of one's life trajectory that the exponential increase of vocabulary acquisition occurs. In Portugal, language disorders are the most frequently seen child development impairments, affecting 3 to 15 per cent of children under six years. Because delays in the acquisition of basic vocabulary can compromise inter-peer relational communication, a timely therapeutic assessment and intervention becomes all the more crucial. A speech therapy ludic-pedagogic intervention tool—the ABC Traffic Light—was created so as to aid in promoting basic vocabulary acquisition in children aged between three and six years. It consists in a traffic light with three built-in pouches, each of which containing cards suggestive of activities of varying difficulty levels. The empirical range of the proposed tool in the context of speech therapy assessment and intervention sessions should be highlighted.


We herein report a novel square-planar complex [CoIIL], which was synthesized using the electronically interesting phenalenyl-derived ligand LH2 = 9,9'-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl))bis(1H-phenalen-1-one). The molecular structure of the complex is confirmed with the help of the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. [CoIIL] is a mononuclear complex where the Co(II) ion is present in the square-planar geometry coordinated by the chelating bis-phenalenone ligand. The solid-state packing of [CoIIL] complex in a crystal structure has been explained with the help of supramolecular studies, which revealed that the π···π stacking present in the [CoIIL] complex is analogous to the one present in tetrathiafulvalene/tetracyanoquinodimethane charge transfer salt, well-known materials for their unique charge carrier interfaces. The [CoIIL] complex was employed as the active material to fabricate a resistive switching memory device, indium tin oxide/CoIIL/Al, and characterized using the write-read-erase-read cycle. The device has interestingly shown a stable and reproducible switching between two different resistance states for more than 2000 s. Observed bistable resistive states of the device have been explained by corroborating the electrochemical characterizations and density functional theory studies, where the role of the CoII metal center and π-conjugated phenalenyl backbone in the redox-resistive switching mechanism is proposed.


The challenge in solar energy today is not the cost of photovoltaics (PVs) electricity generation, already competing with fossil fuel prices, but rather utility-scale energy storage costs. Alternatively, low cost thermal energy storage (TES) exists, but relies on expensive concentrated solar power (CSP). A photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technology, able to efficiently unify PV conversion and TES, may usher in the era of efficient base-load renewable power plants. Spectral splitting, one PV/T option where inefficient photons for PV conversion are redirected and thermally utilized, is economically limited by the low yield of each generator. Operating PVs at high temperatures while utilizing the thermalization induced heat for the thermal cycle is another possibility; yet, while conceptually supporting full utilization of solar thermal and free energy, it too is limited by PV efficiency reduction with temperature increase. Here we introduce the concept of luminescence solar power (LSP), where sunlight is absorbed in a photoluminescent (PL) absorber, followed by red-shifted PL emission matched to an adjacent PV band-edge. The PL absorber temperature rises due to thermalization, allowing spatial separation between heat and free-energy, for maximal harvesting of both. We solve the material challenge by experimentally demonstrating tailored luminescence with PL efficiency of up to 90% while operating at 600°C. At such high temperatures, LSP efficiency offers a 50% enhancement over conventional side-by-side PV/CSP efficiency under real-world conditions, leading to a potential reduction in solar energy storage levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) to below 3C/kWh. Such a low LCOE complies with the 2030 SunShot goal, enabling future US solar energy production to reach 50%.


Greyback canegrub, Dermolepida albohirtum (Scarabaeidae), is the major pest of the sugarcane industry in Queensland, Australia. Assuming that the vegetation and especially tree species and structure may influence the presence and the dispersal behavior of this pest and thus the spatial variation of damage to sugarcane fields, we analyzed the relationships between landscape indices derived from very high spatial resolution imagery and the occurrence of canegrub damage occurrence. Firstly, we applied object-based image processing techniques on a GeoEye satellite image to produce a detailed land-cover map of the study area in Mulgrave. Secondly, based on the knowledge of canegrub ecology, six landscape attributes were defined and computed from the land-cover map. Thirdly, the relationships between landscape attributes and canegrub damage collected from 2008 to 2013 were analyzed through a generalized linear model. Finally, the best statistical model according to the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to map areas at risk for canegrub infestation. Among the derived landscape variables, the tree density index around the sugarcane fields, the proximity to forest, and the proximity to palm plantations were all positively correlated with canegrub damage (p<0.001), confirming the importance of trees in the damage occurrence. Our results highlighted the potential of very high spatial resolution remote sensing to identify environmental risk factors and generate risk maps for canegrub damage. (Resume d'auteur)


Statistical analysis is greatly hindered with missing information. It represents a loss of key data, but worse, it can introduce biased results in the analysis. A way to rectify the problem of missing data is to employ a sound method of imputation, a way to replace missing values with reasonable estimates. Their exists variety of estimation models like SLIM, COCOMO and other models like machine learning models which require accurate inputs for estimation of effort. It is very difficult to obtain such accurate information at the early development stage of a software project. These issues led to the introduction of variety of techniques to solve the relevant issues. The proposed approach is a hybrid approach which works based on Genetic algorithm and empirical estimation model COCOMO II.


Apple proliferation (AP), caused by the 'Candidatus Phytoplama mali' ('Ca. P. Mali'), is considered one of the most important disease affecting apple. While different reports showed its largely spread in some European countries, very limited information about the occurrence of AP in Romanian apple orchards are available. To start to secure this missing data, a preliminary survey was perform in two apple orchards located in Bistrita area from Romania. Watching typical AP symptoms (witches' brooms, foliar reddening, dwarf fruits), twenty samples from symptomatic trees, belonging to three cultivars (Generos, Florina and Aura), were collected in autumn 2012. Serological DAS-ELISA using Bioreba monoclonal antibody, and nested-PCR using primer sets to detect AP group, were performed. ELISA results indicated that 17 out of 20 samples collected were positive, while nested-PCR revealed that all 20 samples were infected. Because plenty of trees showed similar symptoms like those sampled, this preliminary survey suggests a high incidence of AP in the two orchards. An extended study on surrounding areas of Bistrita, and then on regional and national level is necessary to provide relevant data about the AP occurrence in Romanian apple orchards and, subsequently, to recommend control measures, if will be needed.


Future progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology necessitates further development of versatile, labor-, and cost-efficient surface patterning strategies. A new approach to nanopatterning is reported, which utilizes surface segregation of a smooth layer of an end-grafted homopolymer in a poor solvent. The variation in polymer grafting density yields a range of surface nanostructures, including randomly organized pinned spherical micelles, worm-like structures, networks, and porous films. The capability to use the polymer patterns for site-specific deposition of small molecules, polymers, or nanoparticles is shown. This versatile strategy enables patterning of curved surfaces with direct access to the substrate and no need in changing polymer composition to realize different surface patterns.


We present an efficient distributed dynamic channel allocation algorithm for mobile communications systems. The algorithm is based upon the mutual exclusion model, where the channels are grouped by the number of cells in a cluster and each group of channels cannot be shared concurrently within the cluster. We discuss the algorithm and prove its correctness. We also show that the algorithm requires at most (worst case) O(N/sub g/*N/sub n/logN/sub n/) messages, where N/sub g/ is the number of groups and N/sub n/ is the number of neighbors. This is compared to Choy's (1995) algorithm which requires O(N/sub g//sup 2/*N/sub n/), where N/sub g/ is the number of groups. Our simulation experiments indicate that the DDRA algorithm outperforms previous schemes. A 5% reduction in the denial rate, and a 10-30% reduction in the acquisition time channel were obtained using our algorithm when compared to the previous algorithm.


The crystal structure of levocetirizine dihydrochloride Form I has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional techniques. Levocetirizine dihydrochloride Form I apparently crystallizes in space group P21/n (#14) with a = 24.1318(21), b = 7.07606(9), c = 13.5205(7) Å, β = 97.9803(4)°, V = 2286.38(12) Å3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of interleaved double columns of cations and anions along the short b-axis. The hydrogen bonds link the cations and anions along this axis. Each protonated nitrogen atom forms a strong N–H⋯Cl hydrogen bond to one of the chloride anions. The carboxylic acid group also forms an H-bond to Cl56, resulting in a ring with a graph set R1,2(10). The centrosymmetric P21/n model for the crystal structure of levocetirizine dihydrochloride is better than the non-centrosymmetric P21 model, even though levocetirizine is a chiral molecule; the sample exhibits weak second-harmonic generation, and three weak peaks which violate the glide plane are observed. The centrosymmetric model is better by statistical, graphical, and energetic measures, as well as by chemical reasonableness. To accommodate the chiral molecule in a centrosymmetric space group, the chiral central carbon atom was disordered over two half-occupied positions, so that each cation site could be occupied by a cation of the correct chirality. A powder pattern from a Le Bail extraction of this synchrotron data set is included in the Powder Diffraction File™ as entry 00-066-1627.


OBJECTIVES
To test the hypotheses that older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and rural patients are less likely to undergo surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective study.

METHODS
A total of 6561 patients with CRC between January 1998 and December 2003 were identified by incident International Classification of Diseases for Oncology codes from the Nebraska Cancer Registry. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, we studied the association of age and residence county (rural vs urban and micropolitan) with each of 3 CRC treatments by anatomic site.

RESULTS
After adjusting for patient demographics, insurance payer, ratio of providers to population, and cancer stage, patients with colon cancer living in micropolitan counties were more likely to receive chemotherapy than those living in rural counties (P <.001). Compared with patients aged 19 to 64 years, patients with colon cancer 85 years and older (P <.001) and patients with rectal cancer 75 years and older (P <.05) were less likely to undergo surgery. Patients with CRC 75 years and older were less likely to receive radiation, and patients with colon cancer 65 years and older and patients with rectal cancer 75 years and older were less likely to receive chemotherapy (P <.001 for both).

CONCLUSIONS
In Nebraska, older patients with CRC were less likely to undergo surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Patients with colon cancer in rural counties were less likely to undergo chemotherapy than those in micropolitan counties. Decision makers need to consider issues of age and rural residence in patient access to CRC treatments.


We propose a new treatment allocation method that assures similar means of continuous prognostic variables between treatment groups in randomized clinical trials. This method is an extension of the minimization method proposed by Pocock and Simon to continuous variables case. There are several measures to be minimized simultaneously, and we make a linear combination comprised of these weighted measures. The sizes of these weights of measures must be determined before implementation of this method. We give some examples to illustrate the achievement of this method and a guideline for the weights.


Telemetry Network System (TmNS) contains a centralized link manager which allows efficient use of the frequency spectrum by dynamically allocating capacity to transmit based on need and priority. To verify the accurate operation of the telemetry system link management algorithm prior to system demonstration, a combination of novel techniques were leveraged in the areas of modeling and simulation, and test bed verification. This paper will cover the process of verifying the link management algorithm from the use of the OPNET iNET simulation to test bed radio simulators along with the developed test bed tools used to capture the results.


Greater understanding of the mobility of polychlorinated aromatic compounds in soils is needed to investigate contamination and design suitable remediation strategies for sites contaminated with wood-preserving oil. The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a suitable aqueous batch extraction method for soil containing wood-preservative residues; (2) to determine partition coefficients for the primary contaminants [pentachlorophenol (PCP), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFS)] in oil, soil, and aqueous phases; and (3) to evaluate the potential soil migration of the primary contaminants. In a three-phase oil-soil-water mixture, PCP, PCDDs, and PCDFs were partitioned to the greatest extent in the oil phase. These results suggest that the migration of contaminants can occur in a saturated subsurface soil zone containing an oil phase at a wood-preserving site. In the absence of a free oil phase, PCDDs and PCDFs were highly partitioned onto soil and were considered non-leachable in the aqueous phase. However, PCP was considered highly leachable from contaminated soil containing only an aqueous liquid phase. Results from this study indicate that removal of any free oil phase present in subsurface soil should have highest priority during the cleanup of contaminated wood-preserving sites.


BACKGROUND
The endogenous antioxidant serum bilirubin may scavenge free radical species from cigarette smoke. Smokers are expected to have lower serum bilirubin levels than never smokers, but this has never been evaluated in a random population sample of women and men. In addition, in vitro studies indicate that filter cigarette smoke might enhance bilirubin oxidation more than non-filter cigarette smoke.

METHODS
In this paper, data were analysed from the Belgian Interuniversity Research on Nutrition and Health (BIRNH) study. We investigated the association of smoking and type of cigarettes with serum bilirubin concentrations in men and women using multiple regression models taking into account differences in baseline and smoking characteristics.

RESULTS
In men, current smokers had lower crude and adjusted serum bilirubin concentrations compared with never smokers (P = 0.0001). For women, the association between smoking and serum bilirubin concentrations adjusted for age was in the same direction as for men, but did not reach statistical significance. Male former smokers had serum bilirubin concentrations in between those of current smokers and never smokers, while female former smokers had even higher (+ 0.50 micromol/l) serum bilirubin concentrations than never smokers. Male subjects smoking filter cigarettes showed a higher serum bilirubin concentration than those smoking cigarettes without a filter (adjusted difference: 0.49 micromol/l; P = 0.03). The duration of smoking was inversely and significantly related to serum bilirubin concentrations (P = 0.0003).

CONCLUSION
Smoking may lower serum bilirubin concentrations in men, especially in those smoking non-filter cigarettes. The duration of smoking is a more important determinant for serum bilirubin concentrations than the number of cigarettes smoked per day, which may indicate the cumulative negative effects of smoking on the endogenous antioxidant system. Results for females pointed in the same direction, but were less clear, possibly due to low numbers of smoking women, who were largely young and smoked mainly filter cigarettes for a shorter period of time.


Previous secondary eclipse observations of the hot Jupiter Qatar-1b in the Ks band suggest that it may have an unusually high day side temperature, indicative of minimal heat redistribution. There have also been indications that the orbit may be slightly eccentric, possibly forced by another planet in the system. We investigate the day side temperature and orbital eccentricity using secondary eclipse observations with Spitzer. We observed the secondary eclipse with Spitzer/IRAC in subarray mode, in both 3.6 and 4.5 micron wavelengths. We used pixel-level decorrelation to correct for Spitzer's intra-pixel sensitivity variations and thereby obtain accurate eclipse depths and central phases. Our 3.6 micron eclipse depth is 0.149 +/- 0.051% and the 4.5 micron depth is 0.273 +/- 0.049%. Fitting a blackbody planet to our data and two recent Ks band eclipse depths indicates a brightness temperature of 1506 +/- 71K. Comparison to model atmospheres for the planet indicates that its degree of longitudinal heat redistribution is intermediate between fully uniform and day side only. The day side temperature of the planet is unlikely to be as high (1885K) as indicated by the ground-based eclipses in the Ks band, unless the planet's emergent spectrum deviates strongly from model atmosphere predictions. The average central phase for our Spitzer eclipses is 0.4984 +/- 0.0017, yielding e cos(omega) = -0.0028 +/- 0.0027. Our results are consistent with a circular orbit, and we constrain e cos(omega) much more strongly than has been possible with previous observations.


The article by Wiggins et al 1 in this month's AJDC raises several important issues regarding the treatment of fetal heart problems. Besides demonstrating that fetal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias are treatable, they have provided evidence that congestive heart failure from other causes may respond to in utero therapy. Fetal echocardiography, until recently only a research tool, has now become a standard procedure for the evaluation of a fetus with suspected cardiac anomaly or dysrhythmia. 2 The diagnosis of "idiopathic" fetal hydrops has become less tenable with present technology, 3 and prompt, thorough evaluation of all such patients is indicated. Many cases of fetal hydrops are secondary to cardiac dysrhythmias or structural defects, and if left untreated, are associated with a very high rate of mortality.


Background A significant advance in rheumatoid arthritis therapy has been the development of biologics targeting proinflammatory cytokines. Biologics are commonly used with methotrexate (MTX) because clinical trials of anti–tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) antibodies, such as adalimumab (ADA), have shown that combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy based, in part, on the assumption that MTX reduces the immunogenicity of biologics. However, combining MTX with the anti–interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) does not demonstrate the same level of incremental benefit over monotherapy. Given the known biologic effects of TNFα, IL-6, and MTX, we hypothesized that because IL-6 has more diverse effects on the immune system than TNFα, MTX may have fewer supplementary effects than TNFα inhibitors when added to TCZ. Objectives Using the BioMAP platform, we previously reported that TCZ, ADA, and MTX have distinct activity profiles. Here we used BioMAP systems to compare the profiles of combinations (ADA+MTX and TCZ+MTX) with the profiles of the individual agents (ADA or TCZ or MTX) to distinguish adjuvant effects. Methods BioMAP systems model disease biology in early-passage human primary cells, cultured alone or with different stimulus combinations, and have been used extensively to characterize compounds based on phenotypic signatures.1,2 BioMAP systems were used to generate profiles of TCZ, ADA, and MTX alone and of TCZ+MTX and ADA+MTX combinations. Agents were profiled at concentrations that would include their clinical Cmax ranges for the respective approved dosing regimen. Changes in protein-based and clinically relevant endpoints (biomarkers) and other cellular events (eg, proliferation, cell cytotoxicity) were evaluated to determine whether activities detected with the combinations were significantly different from the individual agents profiled in parallel. Results BioMAP profiling of ADA+MTX revealed more statistically significant different activities (p<0.01) than ADA and MTX profiled individually. MCP-1 (BF4T), IL-8, MCSF-1, fibroblast proliferation (HDF3CGF), VCAM-1 (lMphg), bFGF, and collagens-I and -IV were all significantly inhibited to a greater extent with ADA+MTX than with ADA or MTX alone. In contrast, the only synergistic activity of TCZ+MTX was an enhancement of antiproliferative effects on endothelial cells (3C) and B cells (BT) versus TCZ or MTX alone (p<0.01). Conclusions These data show that TCZ has diverse effects on the immune response; the addition of MTX elicits few additional activities other than antiproliferative effects compared with TCZ alone. In contrast, ADA+MTX has statistically significantly more nonoverlapping effects on immune function, inflammation markers, and matrix-remodeling endpoints in primary human cell disease models than ADA or MTX alone. This finding supports our hypothesis that pharmacodynamic interactions between TCZ and MTX are less pronounced than those between MTX and ADA and may explain the clinical observation that TCZ is more effective than ADA as monotherapy.3 References Berg EL. Drug Discov Today. 2013; doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.10.003. Berg EL et al. J Biomol Screen. 2013; doi: 10.1177/1087057113505324. Gabay C et al. Lancet. 2013;381:1541-1550. Disclosure of Interest : A. O'Mahony Shareholder of: DiscoveRx, Employee of: DiscoveRx, E. Berg Employee of: DiscoveRx, M. John Employee of: Roche, K. Ganeshalingam Shareholder of: Roche, Employee of: Roche, E. Choy Grant/research support: Abbott, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chelsea Therapeutics, Chugai Pharma, GSK, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MSD, Novartis, Pierre Fabre Medicament, Roche, UCB, Consultant for: Abbott, Allergan, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chelsea Therapeutics, Chugai Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly, Ferring Pharmaceutical, GSK, ISIS, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, Merrimack Pharmaceutical, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre Medicament, Roche, Schering Plough, Synovate, UCB, Speakers bureau: Abbott, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chugai Pharma, Eli Lilly, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre Medicament, Roche, Scheering Plough, Synovate, UCB DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3386


The intent of this thesis is to conduct an empirical study of social capital in a single resource dependent fishing community, Petty Harbour, Newfoundland. The community under study, Petty Harbour, has a 335 year attachment to what was its primary fishery, Northern cod (Gadus morhua). This ended in 1992 when the Canadian government implemented an indefinite moratorium on Northern cod. Historically the community has exhibited high levels of activism aimed for the most part at protectionism of its primary economic mainstay, the fishery. Social capital by definition implies available resources embedded in social structures such as informal networks that can be accessed and mobilized by individuals or groups for either personal or communal gain (Coleman, 1988; Putnam, 2000; Krishna, 2002; Onyx, 2005). High levels of social capital can lead to collective activism, which according to some, is the single most important contributing factor to sustainability because without activism, an outcome of social capital, there may be no hope for recovery and sustainability. My hypothesis is that the extent to which one is socially connected through network ties to close friends and/or family (structural social capital) and the level of trust in neighbors (cognitive social capital) will positively correlate with their involvement with activism. Leadership and sense of ownership are introduced as additional independent variables to further explore explanations for the community's level of collective activism and stewardship of the resource. Treating activism as a dependent variable, I am going to examine social capital indicators, suggesting network ties (weak, strong) as independent variables that can partially explain the historically high level of activism. I am also going to propose that the independent variables leadership and sense of ownership will also positively correlate with activism.


The decision of a firm to divest itself of a portion of its assets has important implications for economic efficiency. These implications have been examined extensively in the financial economics literature. One dimension of that decision that has been largely overlooked in this literature is the legal constraints placed on a firm's board of directors as it contemplates a divestiture transaction. We examine the important role played by the business judgment rule (BJR) and the limitations on its application to divestiture transactions. The BJR is especially important in the context of shareholder suits that may be brought subsequent to a divestiture decision. We also examine the protection and remedies open to creditors, and the much more limited remedies available to a firm's other stakeholders. We find that the BJR gives a firm's board of directors and managers broad latitude in making divestiture decisions. In order to invoke the legal protection implied in the BJR, directors must avoid making hasty or uninformed decisions, or placing their own interests or the interests of the corporation's officers, majority shareholders or controlling shareholders, or others before the interests of the corporation. We find that the rights of debtholders to sue in the event a divestiture adversely affects their economic interests in the firm are greatly limited. Other stakeholders in a divestiture have very limited legal protection.


Despite the growing interest in underwater and space applications, terrestrial free-space optical (FSO) links still remain of main priority, and the performance of such systems is deeply dependent not only on weather conditions but also on atmospheric scintillation and misalignment errors. In this paper, a thorough investigation of the capacity performance of FSO systems in the presence of generalized pointing errors is carried out. Novel approximate closed-form solutions to estimate the capacity from low to high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are for the first time presented and carefully analyzed when pointing errors follows the well-known Beckmann distribution. By using the developed expressions, it is concluded that the capacity can be optimized according to a specific beam width, achieving an improvement on the order of $\approx10$  dB. The most striking thing is that the optimum beam width value depends on the SNR range, i.e., on atmospheric scintillation and misalignment errors, deriving different optimum values at low, medium, and high SNR. Analytical results are verified by Monte Carlo simulation results.


The paper describes a study of canal and supplemental ground water used by 544 farmers for wheat growing in the Rechna Doab catchment of Pakistan. The main objective was to assess the on-farm financial gains through alternate modes of irrigation and comparing them with conjunctive water use. For econometric analysis, a linear relationship between the wheat production and different determinant variables was assumed. The results highlighted the problem of increased use of tubewell water in the saline groundwater zones that had resulted in the deterioration of the groundwater quality and led to the problem of permanent upconing of saline groundwater. Conjunctive water management increased the farm income by about Rs. 1000 and 5000 per hectare compared to only using the canal and tubewell water, respectively The results of financial analysis show that the net gains were 30 percent higher on the farms using conjunctive water management as compared to the farms using only tubewell irrigation.


Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the bone response to magnesium (Mg) ion–incorporated titanium (Ti) implants during the early healing period. A total of 114 patients (69 men and 45 women aged between 29 and 71 years) participated in the study. Overall, one hundred thirty-three 10-mm-long fixtures were installed, composed of 65 Mg ion–incorporated fixtures in the test group (55 participants; 30 males and 25 females) and 68 resorbable blast media (RBM) surface fixtures in the control group (59 participants; 39 males and 20 females). The bone responses were evaluated by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at the following time points after implant insertion (ie, the healing period): 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Each time an RFA measurement was taken, the stability changes relating to both bone quality and implant arch location (maxilla or mandible) were recorded for further analysis. The mean stabilities were lowest at week 4 of healing for both the test and control groups. Significant differences in RFA values between the 2 groups were found at week 12 of healing. The mean percentage change in implant stability quotient (ISQ) from the baseline revealed that the implant stability of the Mg ion–incorporated test group had increased (4.55%) more than the RBM surface group (2.23%) by week 12 of healing. With respect to bone quality, the mean ISQ of Mg-incorporated Ti implants only changed significantly during the 12-week period for type 4 bone. Furthermore, at weeks 4 and 12 of healing, significant differences were found between the 2 groups for type 2 and type 4 bone. A comparison of the stability patterns of mandibular and maxillary implants revealed that the overall stability was higher in the mandible; however, no significant difference was found for Mg-incorporated Ti implants. The Mg-incorporated Ti implants exhibited a slightly better bone response with respect to ISQ than did the RBM surface implants, and the percentage change in mean ISQ from the baseline was greater for the Mg-incorporated group than for the RBM surface group at the end point of this study.


Liquid 4,7-bis(1-decynl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole(DOBT) is found to exhibit good photoluminescence(PL) with high PL efficiency up to 17.8%. In particular, DOBT shows electron mobility of 5.2×10-6 cm2V-1s-1, demonstrating a promising n-type liquid semiconductor for optoelectronic application.


Background To evaluate the specific growth rate (SGR) of ameloblastoma. Material and Methods Cases of ameloblastoma initially underdiagnosed (e.g. cases overlooked or diagnosed as reactive lesions) which had adequate radiographic documentation to evaluate their progression were retrospectively selected. Two panoramic radiographs were analyzed to determine the specific growth rate (SGR) of each tumor, defined as the logarithm of the ratio of final tumor area (when the diagnosis of ameloblastoma was made) to the initial tumor area (when the lesion was underdiagnosed), divided by the time interval between the radiographic images. The tumor area was measured using the software ImageJ. Results Twelve patients with mandibular ameloblastomas were selected, including 5 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 24.9 years (range: 14-61 years). In four cases, the lesion was associated with the crown of an impacted third molar. In three cases, it was initially diagnosed as a periapical lesion. Three cases were extrafollicular and were not noticed in the initial radiographs. Two cases were initially diagnosed as ameloblastoma, but the surgery was delayed for personal reasons. The mean interval of time between the two radiographic images was 4.3 years (range: 0.4-9 years). Based on our analysis, ameloblastoma grows in average 40.4% per year (range: 14.9-88.7%). Conclusions Ameloblastoma is a progressively growing tumor, but its growth rate seems to be smaller than initially reported in the literature. Better understanding the radiographic progression of ameloblastoma might improve its early diagnosis, management, and prognosis. Key words:Ameloblastoma, odontogenic tumors, growth rate, panoramic radiograph.


Although modern political sociology has existed for more than a century, it came into its own during the decades bridging the victory at the end of World War II and the antiVietnam War movement. Especially important in setting the direction for political research with a distinctive focus on "the social bases of politics" was Seymour Martin Lipset's Political Man (1960), published in twenty countries and deemed a "citation classic" by the Social Science Citation Index. The transformative potentials of the social bases of politics were redirected away from the pluralist theoretical tradition by William G. Domhoff 's Who Rules America? (1967), which stimulated interest in capitalist power; William Gamson's The Strategy of Social Protest (1975), which expanded attention to the popular bases of power beyond interest groups to social movements; and James Petras and Maurice Zeitlin's Latin America: Reform or Revolution (1967), which excited new interest in the politics of labor movements. The 1980s' ascent of state-centric institutionalism registered a major impact on political sociology with its Bringing the State Back In, edited by Peter Evans, Dietrich Rueschemeyer, and Theda Skocpol (1985). The works of these times had a common focus on the societal determination of political processes and outcomes and on how state structures cause varied outcomes in different countries. Since the early 1980s, political sociology has moved to include the unique and powerful perspectives of Michel Foucault (1979, 1980, 1984, 1990, 1991), Pierre Bourdieu (1994, 1998a, 1998b), and other poststructuralist or culturally oriented theorists; of feminism (Butler, 1990; Hobson, 1990; Hobson and Lindholm, 1997; Young, 1990); of racialization theory (Goldberg, 2002; Omi and Winant, 1994; Winant, 2001); and of rational choice theories (Coleman, 1966; Hechter, 1987; Lange and Garrett, 1985, 1987; North, 1990; Tsebellis, 1990, 1999; Wallerstein, 1999). Along with other perspectives, these have all shaken the theoretical dominance of pluralist, political/economic, and state-centric theories. Today, political sociology stands out as one of the major areas in sociology. Its share of articles and books published is impressive. For example, in 1999, 17 to 20 percent of the articles in the American Journal of Sociology and the American Sociological Review and about 20 percent of the books reviewed by Contemporary Sociology, the major reviewing journal in American sociology, dealt with political sociology. A number of political sociologists, including Seymour Martin Lipset, William Gamson, and Jill Quadagno, have served as president of the American Sociological Association (ASA). The political sociology section of the ASA continues to attract an above-average membership.1 Yet, along with all this vitality, the field remains fluid, stimulated by the following processes and theoretical transformations.


Summary

1. Changes in plankton species diversity and community structure as a result of global warming are of growing concern in ecological studies, as these properties contribute substantially to key ecosystem processes.

2. We analysed the effect of short-term temperature rise and changes in the thermal regime during summer on plankton diversity of the eutrophic and polymictic Muggelsee in Germany, from 26 years of summer records (1982–2007). We tested for changes in community properties, such as species richness, evenness and population size of phyto- and zooplankton, during alternating periods of thermal stratification and mixing, which were between 2 and 8 weeks long. Moreover, we tested for overall long-term temporal trends in annual averages of the community properties during stratified and mixed events.

3. We found that the overall number of stratification events increased significantly across the study period. When the lake was stratified, consistently higher surface water temperatures and lower epilimnetic nutrient concentrations were found. As the length of thermal stratification increased, the phytoplankton shifted towards a higher proportion of buoyant cyanobacteria capable of N-fixation (Aphanizomenon, Anabaena). Diatoms were at a disadvantage because of high temperature, exceeding their upper lethal limit and sedimentation losses. Zooplankton species with high thermal tolerances (i.e. Thermocyclops oithonoides, Thermocyclops crassus) and/or those that grow quickly at high temperatures (i.e. rotifers) became more common.

4. During periods of continuous mixing, the community remained largely unchanged, except for some minor increase in the biomass of diatoms.

5. While a noticeable shift towards N-fixing cyanobacteria was observed with increasing length of stratified events, and rotifers and copepods became the main predators, there were minimal changes in diversity, except for an increase in cyclopoid copepods and a decrease in diatom diversity. As for cyanobacteria, the net short-term effect on their diversity was neutral as a result of species replacements. In the long term, however, the diversity of cyanobacteria and cladocerans declined while that of rotifers increased.

6. Overall, our study presents a cautionary example of how we might fail to foresee the impact of climate-induced changes on ecosystem processes if we restrict our studies to seasonal or yearly temporal scales, thus neglecting the impact of substantial changes operating at smaller temporal scales.


A wave equation is given which, in the force-free case, describes a particle of unique spin and mass and which remains consistent when interactions are included. The equation is simple in the sense that it involves only matrices which satisfy the Pauli commutation rules. This simplicity is achieved at the expense of extending the particle field vector from one of 2j + 1 components to one of 4j. However, the extra 2j — 1 components are just what are needed to remove the inconsistency of the interacting system. In the force-free case these additional components vanish and the resulting equations are equivalent to the usual ones of Dirac, Fierz and Pauli. One the other hand, for the interacting system, the extra components do not vanish. The second order propagation equations are deduced in the case of external electromagnetic and gravitational fields.


This paper aims to uncover the tourism potential of the Ulu Apad of Penglipuran Village. The Ulu Apad is a traditional governance system that exists only in a Bali Aga Village, believed to be the village of the original Balinese people. Using in-depth interviews and observation, the author extracted and discussed the tourism potentials of the Ulu Apad based on data collected from purposively selected informants. In addition, a literature review was carried out to provide secondary data. The result of the qualitative analysis shows that the Ulu Apad is a potential cultural tourist attraction. The system is so unique that it is different even from fellow Bali Aga Villages, and other customary villages. The system ensured that the most experienced and knowledgeable individuals are chosen to lead the village. Despite its uniqueness, the Ulu Apad has not been utilized as an attractor of tourist visits to the village due to its complexity. The intangible nature of the Ulu Apad means that special effort needs to be put in to ensure its attraction can be enjoyed by the tourist. This article provides insight into how to best utilize the intangible nature of the Ulu Apad as a cultural tourist attraction.


Before last week, it had been 240 years since the last major earthquake on the fault that ruptured in Haiti. Stress had been building, but no big quakes had relieved it. When a section of the plate boundary finally did rupture, it did so with devastating fury. When the east-west, San Andreas–like fault ruptured, tens of thousands likely perished in what may be the Western Hemisphere9s worst disaster in a century. But the devastation was more the result of lack of infrastructure than the strength of the quake itself, which barely qualified as major.


Purpose
This study evaluates the retinal hemodynamics using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) before and after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in patients with macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods
Twelve patients (23 eyes; mean age, 64 years) were included (eight eyes with branch RVO, four with central RVO, and 11 unaffected fellow eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured before and 6 months after treatment. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ), nonperfused areas (NPAs), and flow area were evaluated with OCTA before and after treatment.

Results
The BCVA and CRT improved significantly after treatment. In eyes with RVO, the baseline FAZ in the retinal deep capillary layer was larger than in fellow eyes and enlarged in the retinal superficial and deep capillary layers after therapy; NPAs decreased after therapy, especially in the retinal deep capillary layer; and the baseline flow area was smaller than in fellow eyes and improved after therapy, especially in the retinal deep capillary layer.

Conclusions
Optical coherence tomography angiography can evaluate the retinal hemodynamics in patients with RVOs. Anti-VEGF therapy reduced the NPA size and improved retinal blood flow, especially in the retinal deep layer. The current results suggested that anti-VEGF therapy might improve retinal deep ischemia in patients with RVO in the retinal deep layer, which is abundant in capillaries.


Personal Firewall is a popular and common installation choice on personal computers nowadays. It is expected to provide higher Internet security by employing Internet access controls. In this paper, we discuss the insecurity of most personal firewalls on Microsoft Windows platform and the methodologies to bypass them. We show that personal firewalls can be bypassed using various methods at different layers in Windows Network Architecture. We reckon that in order to better secure personal computers, more effective methods have to be implemented to enforce the security strength of personal firewalls. In addition, personal firewalls should be used in conjunction with good antivirus programs to provide in-depth security defenses.


Samaritan Aramaic was the spoken and literary language of the Samaritan community in Eretz Israel in the first millennium C.E. until it was replaced by Arabic. The major literary remains of the dialect are a Targum to the Pentateuch, liturgical poetry, and a collection of midrashim. Tal's dictionary is the first attempt to organize the vocabulary of these texts, and his work should be commended. Unfortunately, in spite of the long period during which it was written, the dictionary suffers from a variety of defects which make its use difficult for the reader: Order of entries by roots; only partial use of English as target language along side Hebrew; inconsistencies in translation of quotations in parallel entries; inordinate number of errors in orthography; insufficient use of existing dictionaries of other Aramaic dialects.


HAp/Al2O3 composite coating was fabricated onto micro-arc oxidized titanium substrate using a combination of electrophoretic deposition and reaction bonding process. SEM, EDS and XRD were employed to characterize the titanium substrate and as-prepared coatings. The interfacial bonding strength of the sintered composite coating was tested by shear strength testing experiment. Results show that the green form composite coating can be easily sintered with no cracks and decomposition at 850degC, the bonding strength to the substrate is significantly improved compared with the single HAp coating.


Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to represent a major health issue, with estimates of 130–170 million people infected worldwide. Recent developments in the HCV NS3/4a protease inhibitor area have significantly improved treatment options for patients. However, a more dramatic paradigm shift in the treatment of HCV infection appears all but certain in coming years, with a move to all oral combination therapy with direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). HCV protease inhibitors have the potential to play a significant role in these DAA combination therapies. This chapter discusses in detail the design and discovery of three HCV NS3/4a protease inhibitors in clinical development: simeprevir (TMC‐435350), vaniprevir (MK‐7009) and MK‐5172.


Section 6: Investigation of stroke: Assessment of a patient with stroke: neurological examination and clinical rating scales. Imaging of brain parenchyma in stroke. Imaging intra- and extracranial vessels: computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. The interactions between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Ultrasound investigations of the intra- and extracranial vessels. Laboratory studies in the investigation of stroke. Imaging functional recovery from stroke. Practical and comprehensive approaches to evaluating stroke patients: today and tomorrow Section 7: Management and therapy: General principles of acute stroke management. Thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke. Acute stroke units and teams. Approaches to neuroprotective and reperfusion injury therapy. Endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Management of subarachnoid hemorrhage, unruptured cerebral aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations. Methodology of acute trials in stroke. The future of stroke prevention by risk factor modification. Antithrombotic agents for stroke prevention. Carotid endarterectomy, stenting, and other prophylactic interventions. Stroke recovery and rehabilitation.


The objective of this study was to determine the effects of proline hydroxylation in the collagen-like domain and Asn(187)-linked glycosylation in the globular domain on the molecular and functional properties of human surfactant protein A1 (SP-A1). To address this issue, SP-A1 was in vitro expressed in insect and mammalian cells. Insect cells lack prolyl 4-hydroxylase activity. A glycosylation-deficient mutant SP-A1 was expressed in insect cells. In this report we present evidence that hydroxylation increased the T(m) of the collagen-like domain by 9 degrees C. Proline hydroxylation affected both the arrangement of disulfide bonding and the extent of oligomerization but did not affect conformational changes in the globular domain identified by intrinsic fluorescence. Both self-association and lipid-related functions of SP-A were clearly correlated with the thermal stability of the collagen domain and the degree of oligomerization. Structural properties and lipid-related characteristics of SP-A1 expressed in mammalian cells but not in insect cells were close to that of natural human SP-A. On the other hand, the lack of glycosylation did not affect either collagen domain stability or conformational changes induced by calcium in the globular domain. However, the lack of glycosylation favored nonspecific thermally induced aggregation of the protein.


The size dependent miscibility of binary polymer blend films of polystyrene (PS) and tetramethylbisphenol-A polycarbonate (TMPC) is studied by the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in the way of computing Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, χ, of the blend films, which determines the blend films compatibility. It is found that the miscibility of the two polymers decreases as the film thickness D decreases. After that, the size dependent glass transition temperature Tg(w,D) of the two polymers blend films in miscible ranges are determined by computer simulation and the Fox equation where w is the weight fraction of the second component.


This study documents the extent to which prosecutors and judges in New Jersey deviate from new case review protocols post-bail reform. We draw on a random sample of hearings observed in two courts (N = 372) to (a) map prosecutorial requests to depart from risk-based recommendations for pretrial monitoring and (b) explore patterns in judicial review signaling more limited case processing. Findings show that in 16% of cases, prosecutors deviated from guidelines and most of these motions were adopted by judges to increase supervision. Deviations from process by judges were more frequent, with 39% of cases observed linked to one or more markers of reduced review. Multivariate results suggest that case-level factors influenced the patterning of these departures in different ways, with older defendants and most Latinx defendants receiving a more limited assessment of their cases. We discuss findings in connection to literature on corrections reform and smart decarceration initiatives.


BACKGROUND
An early prediction of poor outcomes is essential in the management of patients after a liver resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of selected biochemical parameters on post-operative day 1 (POD 1) in the prediction of morbidity and mortality after a liver resection for colorectal metastases.

METHOD
This retrospective study was based on 236 major liver resections for colorectal metastases performed between 2006 and 2011. Results of biochemical tests of blood samples obtained on POD 1 were assessed as predictors of primary outcome measures (hepatic and overall morbidity, 90-day mortality) using multiple regression and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC).

RESULTS
Hepatic morbidity, overall morbidity and 90-day mortality rates were 18.6%, 28.0% and 4.7%, respectively. On the basis of multiple regression analysis and comparisons of the prediction models, serum bilirubin was selected for the prediction of hepatic (>2.05 mg/dl, sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 71.2%) and overall (>2.05 mg/dl, sensitivity 61.1% and specificity 71.2%) morbidity, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was selected for the prediction of 90-day mortality (>798 U/l, sensitivity 62.5% and specificity 90.4%).

DISCUSSION
Biochemical analyses of blood on POD1 enables stratification of patients into low- and high-risk groups for negative outcomes, with serum bilirubin associated with overall and hepatic morbidity and AST associated with mortality.


Analysis of performed rescue operations during previous nuclear and radiation accidents highlights several problems impacting the quality of emergency response: unsatisfactory preparation of the population and the medical profession for action in extreme circumstances; presence, along with pure radiation damage, of varied spectrum of psychological side effects. According to the authors, in order to reduce the health risk for the affected people, preliminary preparation and training is required. This publication presents a training concept, together with related levels and means of realization.


o investigate the responses in terms of body weight, glycemic control, meta-bolic control, and the side effects to acarbose add-on therapy in obese and non-obese type 2 diabetes patients with inade-quately controlled by sulfonylureas and met-formin. Materials and Methods: Forty obese (BMI ≥27) and 80 sex- and age-matched non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in this 3-month, open-label, case-controlled trial for acarbose add-on therapy. Totally 111 (73 non-obese and 38 obese) patients completed 3-month acarbose add-on therapy. This study adopted a 2-center open-label parallel group design. After a 4-week run-in period, acarbose was added (ti-trated up to 100 mg t.i.d.) to the current sulfony-lureas and metformin combined therapy of sub-jects. Both obese patients (9.3±1.3% vs. 8.3±1.6%, p<0.0001) and non-obese patients (9.4±1.2% vs. 8.4±1.2%, p<0.0001) showed decreased HbA1c af-ter therapy. While obese patients showed a sig-nificant serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (61±26 vs. 49±18, p<0.0001) and triglyceride re-duction (242±127 vs. 187±71, p<0.01) after add-on therapy, non-obese patients did not. Neither obese (74.8±9.2 vs. 74.4±9.8 kg, N.S.) nor non-obese patients (61.9±7.9 vs. 61.6±7.7 kg, p=0.0579) show significant decrease in body weight. Conclusion: Both obese patients and non-obese patients showed decreased HbA1c after acarbose therapy. Obese patients had an additional bene-fit of a decrease in their previoulsly elevated ALT and triglyceride levels after acarbose ther-apy.


The study of cultural heritage objects is challenged by the presence of unique and complex mixtures in various stages of degradation. Therefore, the chemical characterization of cultural heritage materials commonly needs the preliminary separation of their components, achieved through chromatographic methods. The choice of a chromatographic technique is related to the physicochemical characteristics of the components in the mixture (polarity, vapor pressure, etc.), which can be chemically modified through derivatization. This chapter presents an overview of liquid, gas and thin-layer chromatography, three of the most frequently used separation techniques in the study of cultural heritage objects. Each section contains fundamental principles and terminology associated with the method, touches on sample preparation and its importance and provides the reader with references for more in-depth understanding.


OBJECTIVE
There is controversy concerning whether exercise during pregnancy may increase preterm delivery risk and type of delivery. The effect of pregnant Latin-American women engaging in vigorous exercise during the second and third trimester was examined regarding type of delivery and gestational age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a secondary analysis of data from a controlled randomized trial for determining the influence of physical exercise on pregnant women's endothelial function. The study included 35 nulliparous women, gestational week 16-20 attending prenatal care at three tertiary hospitals in Colombia, who were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group engaged in aerobic exercise involving 55 % - 75 % maximum heart rate for 60 min, three times a week for 12 weeks. The control group engaged in their usual physical activity. Maternal weight, height, weight gain, blood pressure and type of delivery were recorded; gender, abdominal and head circumference (cm), weight (g), height (cm), vitality (Apgar score at 1 and 5 min) and gestational age at the time of delivery (in weeks, days) were recorded for the newborn.

RESULTS
There was no difference in type of delivery by the end of the 12-week program (p > 0.05), nor regarding newborn anthropometric variables, Apgar score, or maternal variables concerning weight, height, relative weight gain, blood pressure or weeks of gestation (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION
The potential public health benefits of vigorous exercise were enormous. This study supported existing guidelines indicating that Latin-American women may begin or maintain an on-going exercise program during pregnancy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT00741312.


High mobility has become a mandatory consideration in the design and development of wireless communication systems today. It results in a doubly selective or a time-varying multipath channel that is arduous to estimate. Compressed Sensing (CS) schemes like the Rake Matching Pursuit (RMP) algorithm exploit the inherent sparsity in these channels and are often able to resolve the multipath environments into their respective sparse representations, even under the presence of large Doppler shifts. However, the complexity involved is substantial and might imperil practical implementation on resource limited consumer device hardware. We propose a novel low-complexity CS scheme, called as Gradient Rake MP (GRMP) that optimizes the search related to the multipath delays resulting in a complexity that is significantly lower than all CS based channel estimation schemes. Additionally, the results confirm that the Bit Error Rate (BER) performance of GRMP is comparable to that of the more complex RMP algorithm. The dictionary is an imperative requirement of CS schemes and plays a decisive role in the quality of the channel estimate. Often in literature, details regarding the generation of the dictionary and its complexity is ignored and instead a suitable dictionary is assumed to be available at the receiver. This paper investigates the complexity and memory demands associated with the dictionary and presents a novel scheme to build it using the concept of wavelets. The ideas proposed in this paper are targeted towards reducing the complexity associated with the estimation of a doubly selective channel with a goal to enable implementation on consumer hardware. Although implemented for the IEEE 802.11p standard, the proposed ideas are applicable to any Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) based wireless system that is expected to work in highly mobile environments.


This study was examined the level of satisfaction in rural settlement and analyzed its differences according to various demographic variables and characteristics of urban-rural migration. The analysis was conducted by considering returning farmers residing in rural areas. A statistical analysis was conducted using t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Duncan's multiple-range test with a total of 210 responses. First, satisfaction with the convenience of living facilities varied significantly according to the occupation before urban-rural migration, responses of family members and friends to urban-rural migration, and the initial capital for urban-rural migration. Second, satisfaction with the natural environment varied significantly according to age and reasons for urban-rural migration. Third, satisfaction with the transportation environment varied significantly according to gender, the period of residence after urban-rural migration, and the employment type of the returning farmer. Fourth, satisfaction with neighborliness varied significantly according to parents' occupation, agricultural experience before urban-rural migration, experience in agriculture-related social life before urban-rural migration, reasons for urban-rural migration, the type of urban-rural migration, and the employment type of the returning farmer. Fifth, satisfaction with the agricultural environment varied significantly according to responses of family members and friends to urban-rural migration, the period of residence after urban-rural migration, and reasons for urban-rural migration. Sixth, satisfaction with the housing environment varied significantly according to the residential area, the agricultural experience before urban- rural migration, and the period of residence after urban-rural migration. Keywords: satisfaction with rural settlement, urban-rural migration, returning farmer


Under the organization of the base station (BS), wireless federated learning (FL) enables collaborative model training among multiple devices. However, the BS is merely responsible for aggregating local updates during the training process, which incurs a waste of the computational resource at the BS. To tackle this issue, we propose a semi-federated learning (SemiFL) paradigm to leverage the computing capabilities of both the BS and devices for a hybrid implementation of centralized learning (CL) and FL. Specifically, each device sends both local gradients and data samples to the BS for training a shared global model. To improve communication efficiency over the same time-frequency resources, we integrate over-the-air computation for aggregation and non-orthogonal multiple access for transmission by designing a novel transceiver structure. To gain deep insights, we conduct convergence analysis by deriving a closed-form optimality gap for SemiFL and extend the result to two extra cases. In the first case, the BS uses all accumulated data samples to calculate the CL gradient, while a decreasing learning rate is adopted in the second case. Our analytical results capture the destructive effect of wireless communication and show that both FL and CL are special cases of SemiFL. Then, we formulate a non-convex problem to reduce the optimality gap by jointly optimizing the transmit power and receive beamformers. Accordingly, we propose a two-stage algorithm to solve this intractable problem, in which we provide the closed-form solutions to the beamformers. Extensive simulation results on two real-world datasets corroborate our theoretical analysis, and show that the proposed SemiFL outperforms conventional FL and achieves 3.2% accuracy gain on the MNIST dataset compared to state-of-the-art benchmarks.


The major source of controversy that surrounds the use of radiation for glomus tumors is the finding of persistent chief cells years after completion of the treatment. Questions have been raised as to the viability of the irradiated chief cell and its capacity to proliferate. The radiotherapists consider a stable glomus tumor a radiation "cure," whereas skull base surgeons are fearful that these lesions will continue to slowly grow and cause problems 20 to 30 years later. We have recently managed a patient who was not a candidate for surgery, with a catecholamine-secreting glomus jugulare tumor. after 4750 rad of radiation therapy, no changes in tumor size or in catecholamine secretion have been observed (at 20 months of followup). The implications of the case are discussed.


Jacksonville Harbor, already a major U.S. port, is presently undergoing a general reevaluation study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Jacksonville District (USACE-SAJ) that is evaluating various plans to deepen the navigation channel depth from its current depth of 40 feet (12.2 meters) to a maximum depth of 50 feet (15.24 meters) from the river mouth at the Atlantic Ocean to a point 14 miles (22.5 km). Deepening the existing channel would allow for larger vessels to access the Jacksonville Port, thereby reducing transportation costs and providing increased navigational safety while minimizing or avoiding negative impacts to environmental resources. To evaluate the potential impacts of a channel-deepening project on the St. Johns River estuary system, a three-dimensional hydrodynamic and transport model of Jacksonville Harbor was developed by using the Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code (EFDC) model. The EFDC hydrodynamic and salinity model, validated for the Jacksonville Harbor deepening project area, provided the means to assess the direct impacts of channel modifications to salinity and water circulation in the main stem of the lower St. Johns River from various channel-deepening scenarios during a 6-year evaluation period (1996-2001). The 6-year evaluation period includes the lowest river flow during any 3-year period in the river's 78-year flow record to ensure that assessed project impacts are greater than those during an average year. Therefore, this study's evaluation presents conservative estimates of the impacts of the channel deepening. The hydrodynamic model results examine the effects of proposed channel-deepening projects on water level, salinity and water age throughout the model domain and provides tools for analyses of biological, chemical, and ecological impacts. This paper presents the cumulative impacts in the future (50 years after the project completion) from proposed channel-deepening alternatives and other projects, including the Mayport Deepening Project for the U.S. Navy, freshwater withdrawals in the St. Johns River, and future sea level rise.


This article discusses the nature of university–society relations in response to the calls on South African universities for greater social and economic responsiveness driven by external stakeholders. The adoption of constitu- tional democracy and the provision of institutional autonomy have provided them with considerable freedom to pursue their goals in society. However, they have also left them under considerable pressure from competing inter- est groups, intensifying the levels of internal and external determination, very often in a conflicting manner. The article argues that current forms of determination (e.g. Constitutional framework, policy and stakeholder demands) on university operations cannot per se provide adequate options for university–society relations. Critical to effective university–society relations is the structure of production and distribution of knowledge. The problem in this regard stems from the failure to recognize the encroach- ment of the profit motive into the academy (the shift from a public good knowledge/learning regime to a neoliberal knowledge/learning regime). Under such circumstances, progressive virtues (self-development, positive human relations and informed citizenship), democratic principles (equity and social justice) and the commitment to social transformation guided by altruism and common good encapsulated in the South African higher education vision are under serious threat.


Physical and psychological health effects in the community

The recent devastating bushfires near Sydney in Australia are a reminder of the potentially serious human health consequences of this type of environmental disaster. There is a considerable research literature documenting the effects of fighting bushfires, such as an increase in airway responsiveness among firefighters,1 but less attention has been paid to the health effects, both physical and psychological, on the communities in the area of bushfires. Evidence is accumulating from studies related to a series of severe bushfires over the past 20 years throughout the southern parts of Australia and in several other countries.

Bushfire is not a new phenomenon and is part of the natural ecology. In many countries, such as Australia, bushfire has been a necessary part of the life cycle for several native trees and plants, some of which have characteristics which promote the spread of fire, such as loose, flammable bark, and combustible oils in their green leaves. The Eucalypt in Australia is a good example. Bushfires also occur regularly in many other areas of the world, the most recent examples being the major series of European fires in the summer of 2000,2 and the 1997 bushfires in Southeast Asia, which burnt an estimated 5.3 million hectares.3 What is new over the past century, is the establishment of human communities in the bush settings where these fires occur. This can lead to greater fuel levels in the bush, increasing both the frequency of bushfires and the at-risk population when fires do occur.

The 2001/2002 series of bushfires in Australia has been particularly widespread and prolonged. Over a two week period, it involved at least 100 separate fires, many of which were started by arson, mainly by juvenile offenders. An area of about 600 000 …


This article links different theoretical-conceptual %elds, methodological perspectives and methods usually juxtaposed in sociological work. From a theoretical point of view it focuses on the idea of cohesion and integration as expressions of the distribution of resources of Social Capital. In a perspective between conceptual and methodological issues it refers to the theory and analysis of social networks and also to intermediate concepts between networks, cohesion, integration and social capital such as Bonding and Bridging. The empirical references of its application are six human collectives, which are the expression of different modes of belonging and integration into society. In terms of analysis and interpretation, on the one hand, a combination of classical socialdemographical variables is used, and, on the other hand, relational variables are used. These latter variables are expressed under two modes, socio-metric and ego-centred. In this sense the article also shows the effectiveness and relevance of the socio-metric and ego-centred networks and its indicators.


INTRODUCTION
Although previous public health efforts have focused on redressing health disparities associated with insufficient gestational weight gain, examination of the impact of excessive gestational weight gain is warranted currently given the 2009 revision of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) gestational weight gain guidelines for obese women coupled with rising rates of obesity, particularly among African American women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the years 2004-2008, 4619 African American and Caucasian women gave birth to a single, live, and full-term infant, completed Arkansas Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System questions about gestational weight gain and prepregnancy weight status, and gained within or in excess of the guidelines. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic and health variables associated with the odds of exceeding the 2009 IOM guidelines overall and by race.

RESULTS
Regardless of race, overweight (odds ratio [OR]=3.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.64-3.91) and obese (OR=4.37; 95% CI: 3.50-5.46) women had significantly higher odds of gaining excessively, as compared with normal weight women. In the multivariate model, women who were overweight or obese prepregnancy and who were married had higher odds of exceeding the IOM guidelines, while lower odds of exceeding the guidelines were seen among African American women, those who had Medicaid at any point in their pregnancy, who were multiparous, and those of Hispanic ethnicity.

DISCUSSION
These findings can inform efforts to promote appropriate gestational weight gain among those at highest risk (i.e., overweight/obese women) and facilitate targeting to produce greatest improvement in the health of mothers and children.


Critique of Sarcastic Reason is a philosophical dissertation that combines several different fields in order to pave the way for those studying sarcasm at the neurobiological, communicative and socio-political levels of analysis where sarcasm appears, respectively, through associated brain activity, between two or more individuals with higher level metabeliefs, and as a method by which political, religious and other social ideologies are attacked (i.e., one form of "biting sarcasm"). The academic disciplines involved in Critique of Sarcastic Reason include social cognitive and developmental psychology, neuroscience, critical theory, modern and contemporary philosophy of mind, evolutionary biology, logic, metaphysics and epistemology. Sarcasm is argued to only function at the highest levels of metacognition, and sarcasm occurs within social situations during which there are tendencies for two or more people to form desires and disgusts directly related to beliefs about beliefs. Sarcasm is compared to deception and is argued to be best analyzed as either spontaneous or rehearsed.


The stratigraphic record of 137 Cs fallout was determined for marsh sediments from the Fraser River Delta near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A series of 137 Cs profiles was obtained along a transect from the organic-rich muds of the high marsh to fine sands at the marsh's seaward limit. Despite the high biological activity (rootlets, burrowing), the variation in 137 Cs concentration as a function of depth resembles the global fallout record and regional profiles from the Strait of Georgia. The maximum fallout concentration (1964) and the onset of fallout (1954) are identifiable in five profiles and are used to calculate recent sedimentation rates. Sedimentation in this tidal marsh environment is dynamic during the past 40 years, having variations both laterally and temporally. Mean sedimentation rates vary from 0.26 to 2.05 cm a -1 . The highest recent sedimentation rate occurs some distance inland from the marsh's seaward edge, possibly reflecting sediment filtering by marsh vegetation, which increases in abundance landward. The lowest recent sedimentation rates occur in the low marsh, near its seaward edge. There is geomorphic evidence of both lateral and vertical erosion in this part of the marsh, suggesting that recent erosion of the low marsh surface may have contributed to a lower net sediment accumulation in the post-1964 period. The 137 Cs profiles show that sedimentation rates declined by an average of 51% in the period 1964-1991, compared to 1954-1964. It is suggested that this reduction in sedimentation results from the combined effects of erosion and reduced riverine sediment input in recent decades. Sediment budgets and the effects of engineering structures and dredging need to be seriously considered apropos the long term stability of this coastal wetland habitat. This study demonstrates this fallout technique is useful for a variety of sediment types in the intertidal environment of the Fraser River delta and that modem erosion threatens the Sturgeon Bank tidal marsh.


Legend is a kind of traditional knowledge which consists of various explanations reflecting the ethnic world views and social practices of a community. It is also considered as a very simple knowledge product of traditional community although it sometimes has very broad meanings. Legend texts of Tirta Solas and Tampara Tatum belonging to the Balinese and the Dayakese (Dayak Ngaju people) in Central Kalimantan, which use rivers as the setting of stories, can reveal the embryonic knowledge of local cultures. Based on anthropolinguistics, this article discusses the river civilizations of the two ethnic groups which have socio-cultural similarities and differences in religious systems – as the two native ethnic community groups share the livelihood of taking advantages of a river and practice the Hinduism based – the Balinese refers to India and the Dayakese to native people beliefs; social organization, which also influences their arts closely related to their beliefs; and livelihood system in taking advantages of a river.


Objective The Advanced Pedi-Bag Program is a partnership between a trauma center and a county-wide EMS agency (LCEMS) with three major goals: 1) train all LCEMS paramedics in the American Heart Association's Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), 2) stock each Life Squad with a specific bag containing the equipment necessary to treat both basic and advanced pediatric emergencies, and 3) develop treatment protocols for pediatric patients. Design Descriptive study Setting LCEMS serves a population of 450,000. Pediatric runs account for 800 to 1200 LCEMS runs per year. Results The LCEMS Medical Director established and facilitated mandatory PALS training of 180 paramedics. A committee of emergency/pediatric/trauma professionals developed and distributed 40 bags with a comprehensive inventory of basic and advanced pediatric supplies and equipment to all LCEMS Life Squads upon completion of PALS training. Protocols were developed that integrate the use of the bag's contents. Conclusion This partnership between a trauma center and an EMS agency resulted in improved training of county paramedics, Life Squads that have an Advanced Pedi-Bag with specific equipment and supplies to manage pediatric emergencies, and pediatric protocols that support the use of this equipment. Paramedics benefit from advanced training opportunities and patients benefit from improved prehospital care.