Two nuclear-coded heat-shock proteins (HSP) of pea (Pisum sativum) are synthesized as larger precursors of 26 kDa and 30 kDa in vitro. They are transported post-translationally into isolated, homologous chloroplasts where they are processed to mature proteins of 22 kDa and 25 kDa, respectively. When the chloroplasts used for the transport are isolated from control plants grown at 25 degrees C the 22-kDa and 25-kDa HSPs are located in the stroma of the chloroplasts. However, when chloroplasts are prepared from heat-shocked plants both proteins are found bound to the thylakoid membranes. The transition of the non-binding to the binding status is comparatively sharp and occurs between 36 degrees C and 40 degrees C in the variety 'Rosa Krone'. The transition temperature has been determined at 38 degrees C for 'Rosa Krone' and at 40 degrees C for the variety 'Golf'. At 42 degrees C, 15-min treatment of the plants is sufficient to induce membrane binding, which persists for at least 4-6 h (but not for 24 h) after return to the ambient temperature. Once lost, membrane binding can be reinduced by a second heat-shock treatment in vivo. High light intensities during the heat shock interfere with the binding capacity for heat-shock proteins.


Purpose

Deployment of knowledge management systems (KMSs) suffers from low adoption in organizational reality that is attributed to a lack of perceivable added value for people in actual work situations. Poor task/technology fit in the process of knowledge retrieval appears to be a major factor influencing this issue. Existing research indicates a lack of re-contextualizing stored information provided by KMSs in a particular situation. Existing research in the area of organizational memory information systems (OMISs) has thoroughly examined and widely discussed the topic of re-contextualization. The purpose of this paper, thus, is to examine how KMS design can benefit from OMIS research on approaches for re-contextualization in knowledge retrieval.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines OMIS literature and inductively derives a categorization scheme for KMS according to their strategy of re-contextualizing knowledge. The authors have validated the scheme validated in a multiple case study that examines the differentiatory value of the scheme for approaches with various re-contextualization strategies.

Findings

The classification scheme allows a step-by-step selection of approaches for re-contextualization of information in KMS design and development derived from OMIS research. The case study has demonstrated the applicability of the developed scheme and shows that the differentiation criteria can be applied unambiguously.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen case study approach for validation, the validation results may lack generalizability.

Practical implications

The scheme enables an informed selection of KMSs appropriate for a particular OMIS use case, as the scheme's attributes serve as design rationale for a certain architecture or constellation of components. Developers can not only select from various approaches when designing re-contextualizaton but also come up with rationales for each candidate because of structured representation. Hence, stakeholders can be supported in a more informed way and design KMSs more effectively along organizational change processes.

Originality/value

The paper addresses an identified need for systematic characterization of KMS approaches and systems intending to meet the objectives of OMISs. As such, it allows streamlining further research in this field, as approaches can be judged according to their originality and positioned relative to each other.


Herein we report a case of perirenal encysted hematoma secondary to renal cell adenocarcinoma. A 57-year-old woman was hospitalized because of a palpable mass in the left flank. She had had an episode of left flank pain. X-ray studies demonstrated a tumor in the left kidney and a large cystic mass beneath the left kidney. The cyst was excised by nephrectomy. Histological examination of the large cyst revealed perirenal encysted hematoma secondary to renal cell adenocarcinoma. Six months postoperatively, she is now free from left lumbar pain, and alive with lung and liver metastasis.


This paper reports on the tension-compression asymmetry of [001]-oriented Co49Ni21Ga30 single crystals at elevated temperatures. Maximum strains of -4.8 % and 8.6 % in compression and tension, respectively, were found. A linear Clausius-Clapeyron relationship was observed for both stress-states where the smaller slope in tension resulted in a significant increase of the phase transformation temperatures with stress, which reached 180 °C under a constant stress level of 150 MPa. In addition, the material demonstrated a large pseudoelastic temperature range of about 300 °C under both stress state conditions. The results in this study unequivocally indicate the potential of these alloys for applications where elevated temperatures and stress levels prevail.


OBJECTIVE
To prepare the rAAV2/hFIX and evaluate the efficiency of the preparation on gene therapy of hemophilia B model mice.

METHODS
The rAAV-2/hFIX was prepared by "one helper virus-one vector cell line" strategy and transfected both BHK-21 and C2C12 cells in vitro. The hFIX antigen level in cell culture supernatant was assayed. The rAAV-2/hFIX was injected into muscles of hemophilia B model mice and assayed the serum hFIX levels, hFIX clotting activity, bleeding time, 5 min bleeding volume.

RESULTS
The hFIX antigen could be detected from 24 h till 120 h after BHK-21 and C2C12 cells were transfected with highest levels at 24 h reaching (51.0 +/- 6.5) ng/10(5) cells and (68.0 +/- 7.2) ng/10(5) cells, respectively. The rAAV2/hFIX injected mice could efficiently express hFIX and peaked at three weeks after injection, then slowly decreased but low level hFIX antigen was still detectable till 10 weeks after injection. There were significant differences between the high, middle and low dose groups of rAAV2/hFIX and the control group (P < 0.01), the plasma FIX clotting activities in the model mice were improved remarkably, bleeding time was greatly shortened and bleeding in 5 min was decreased. The hFIX expression level and FIX clotting activity of the high dose of rAAV2/hFIX group (1.6 x 10(13) v.g./kg) reached about (387.0 +/- 12.5) ng/ml plasma in contrast with the normal levels of (30.0 +/- 5.5)% at the third week after injection. No rAAV2 vector DNA was detected in the organs except for injected muscle tissue.

CONCLUSION
The rAAV2/hFIX transfected BHK-21 and C2C12 cells could efficiently express hFIX antigen and was of therapeutic effects for the hemophilia B model mice by intramuscularly injection.The results provide the basis for clinical trial of rAAV2 gene therapy for hemophilia B.


The microstructure evolution of electroplated copper films was characterized by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Special care was taken during the preparation of the cross-sectional specimens and microstructure analysis to obtain reliable results. The film exhibited a columnar grain structure with a large fraction of twin boundaries. Annealing induced normal grain growth and caused many of the general highangle grain boundaries to be replaced by twin boundaries, possibly by annealing twinning. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MG200910]


Traditionally, the management of power distribution networks relies on the centralized implementation of the optimal power flow and, in particular, the minimization of the generation cost and transmission losses. Nevertheless, the increasing penetration of both renewable energy sources and independent players such as ancillary service providers in modern networks have made this centralized framework inadequate. Against this background, we propose a noncooperative game-theoretic framework for optimally controlling energy storage systems (ESSs) in power distribution networks. Specifically, in this paper we address a power grid model that comprehends traditional loads, distributed generation sources and several independent energy storage providers, each owning an individual ESS. Through a rolling-horizon approach, the latter participate in the grid optimization process, aiming both at increasing the penetration of distributed generation and leveling the power injection from the transmission grid. Our framework incorporates not only economic factors but also grid stability aspects, including the power flow constraints. The paper fully describes the distribution grid model as well as the underlying market hypotheses and policies needed to force the energy storage providers to find a feasible equilibrium for the network. Numerical experiments based on the IEEE 33-bus system confirm the effectiveness and resiliency of the proposed framework.


On August 15, 1991, the Association of Medical Illustrators bestowed its highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, on Ernest W. Beck. Ernie has been a pioneer in the profession, who has selflessly contributed his time and energy toward the advancement of the AMI. Ernie serves as an inspiration and example for the young illustrators today who seek to find their way in the profession, maintaining the highest level of professional conduct and ethical business practice. It is altogether fitting and proper that the Association of Medical Illustrators has recognized Ernie's unselfish contributions to its success.


Address to the closing session of the Dedication Symposium for the new laboratory, restating the Office of Naval Research policy re NARL, and noting current funding of just under $1-1/2 million, a ten-fold increase over the past decade. Specific contributions of the Lab to the Navy are cited: studies of ocean bottom topography, arctic radiation balance and its relation to engineering strength, and permafrost studies relative to rational engineering practices. A wide range of future programs dealing with mass and energy exchange between the Arctic and other oceans, various aspects of sea ice, under-ice acoustic propagation, environmental systems, atmospheric or terrestrial, pollution problems, and the protection of the tundra are suggested. Seven examples are given of current governmental action through councils, committees and commissions focusing on arctic programs.


Indonesia has abundant biological resources that produce many potential bioactive compounds that are useful for pharmaceuticals and other materials, one of which is antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow down cell damage caused by free radicals. This study aims to analyze how strong the antioxidant activity is in the body of asteroidea (Linckia laevigata) taken in Tongkaina waters, Bunaken District, Manado City. And this study found that the inhibition value of the ethanolic extract of Linckia laevigata had strong antioxidant activity where the extract increased and the concentration was 10 mg/L with an average value of 67,3 %, a concentration of 15 mg/L  of 67,8 %, a concentration of 20 mg/L of 68,8 % and the highest concentration of 25 mg/L getting an average value of 69 %. The increace in the percentage of inhibition and the ethanolic extract of Linckia laevigata, showed that the concentration of the extract contributed greatly to the ability of the extract to reduce free radicals. In this study, the DPPH test was carried out by observing the decrease in absorbance wavelength of 517 nm using UV-Vis spectrophotometer,where the decrease in absorbance value as a result and a decrease in color intensity. While vitamin C as a comparison has a greater yield and sample extract of Linckia laevigata which proves that the antioxidant content and the sample has a fairly stable result.Keywords: Bioaktif compounds, Linckia laevigata, Antioxidant, Vitamin C


Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with a typical layered structure are highly sensitive to their layer number in optical and electronic properties. Seeking a simple and effective method for layer number identification is very important to low-dimensional TMD samples. Herein, a rapid and accurate layer number identification of few-layer WS2 and WSe2 is proposed via locking their photoluminescence (PL) peak-positions. As the layer number of WS2/WSe2 increases, it is found that indirect transition emission is more thickness-sensitive than direct transition emission, and the PL peak-position differences between the indirect and direct transitions can be regarded as fingerprints to identify their layer number. Theoretical calculation confirms that the notable thickness-sensitivity of indirect transition derives from the variations of electron density of states of W atom d-orbitals and chalcogen atom p-orbitals. Besides, the PL peak-position differences between the indirect and direct transitions are almost independent of different insulating substrates. This work not only proposes a new method for layer number identification via PL studies, but also provides a valuable insight into the thickness-dependent optical and electronic properties of W-based TMDs.


This results of 30 cases with the history of abortion due to ABO blood type incompatibility treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were reported. The titer of serum IgG anti A/B antibody were determined in these patients. Antibody titer < or = 1:128 before pregnancy or < or = 1:64 after pregnancy were treated with TCM till delivery. 25 cases gave birth at full term, 5 cases were before term. Abortion, stillbirth or hemolytic newborn death were not found. The lower the maternal serum IgG anti A/B titer, the lower the incidence of hemolytic jaundice; while the earlier the treatment after pregnancy, the lower the occurrence of hemolytic jaundice also.


In November 2004 the UK Government published a White Paper about health in England.1 Behind it lies the notion that, in general, consumers wish to make their own choices for health but that they need help in coping with adverse factors—such as the relentless ploys of the food industry to fatten us up and the lack of affordable and safe ways to take regular exercise. Children in particular need protection from unscrupulous marketing and from the hazards posed by individuals who smoke in their presence. There is renewed emphasis on reducing obesity, sexual ill health, smoking and stress at work. Proposals that caught the headlines are for a new cadre of personal trainers accredited by the National Health Service, four hundred new sports academies and a ban by 2008 on smoking in premises that sell food.

This White Paper differs from any previous document in purporting to give public health back to the public. However, there are limits to consumerism in health; 5.2 million people lack basic literacy skills and two-thirds of people from ethnic minorities live in the 88 most deprived areas of the country. The White Paper addresses these potential gaps by designating a group of spearhead communities, among the most deprived areas, which will receive special funding and attention to work in whatever public, private and voluntary partnerships are necessary to improve health and quality of life for their residents. The locations are already well known because they show remarkable consistency in their adverse health profiles. Our own area is an example. In the deprived populations of the inner city along the River Thames, people have triple the odds of dying earlier than those in middle-class suburbia. If they survive, they have double the odds of living with disability. There are eight stops between Westminster and Canning Town on the London Underground. By the end of the journey, life expectancy in the resident population has fallen by 6 years.2 On almost every other health indicator known, people in such areas fare poorly—despite the efforts of professionals and policy-makers to improve matters with targeted local programmes and catch-up campaigns for screening and immunization. For years Government has been funding initiatives across the public sector to draw in the wider contributors to health.3 What will it take for these populations to 'choose health', and for the NHS to perform as well on health as it has on healthcare? We might learn from what has been tried already.

A population characterized by systematic deprivation, absorbed in day-to-day survival and unkeen on officialdom, is not easily engaged. A first step is to secure local political commitment to common objectives, and this itself is a time-consuming and complex task. The outcomes sought, such as improved life expectancy, educational achievement or crime reduction, are at least mid-term achievements. 'Health action zones', devised for this purpose, launched a multiplicity of initiatives but often failed to establish the necessary roots in these communities; a project-based, short-term mentality prevailed and even the corporate knowledge generated from these projects was dissipated in a wave of system reorganization. Despite the large sums spent on the programmes themselves and their evaluation we are not much the wiser about what makes a difference and why.4

More controversially, successive governments have moved to influence the behaviour of professionals towards the preventive services by setting targets—for instance, concerning smoking cessation. On this matter we have learnt a great deal, because of the close relation of smoking cessation programmes to the performance rating of primary care trusts; failure to achieve targets means loss of star ratings ando therefore attracts the attention of senior managers and politicians. The path to the desired prize is strewn with obstacles. The outcome depends on access to the service, the confidence of practitioners to intervene in the face of patient indifference or hostility, the organization of the service and the efficiency of data transfer, and the relationship with and back-up from the local NHS. Some fortunate places can get through all of these pinch points. Public health leaders in these areas talk of having begun relationships as long ago as ten years with the many practitioners and agencies who contribute to the complex business of health. Another key to success is the presence of highly effective individuals in critical enabling roles.

The current emphasis on preventive targets raises strong emotions not only among clinicians but even among public health professionals. Many public health workers based in primary care trusts frankly object to putting intense pressure on the service for interventions that ultimately depend on behaviour changes in the lower income third of the population. Mobility of up to 30% annually, poor achievement in education and employment, chaos through crime and substance misuse and cultural indifference to the concept of health defy attempts to build community capacity and prevent individual ill-health. From early social marketing for health in south-east London, our impression is that substantial numbers do not identify with the concept of future risk. Moreover, the professionals who might exert leverage via primary health—the general practitioners and nurses—do not champion or even 'own' the targets, so that accountability and delivery are uncoupled. Some, indeed, have ethical objections to the linking of clinical practice with remuneration for hitting targets.5

Critical examination of 'performance for health', including achievement of targets, exposes some uncomfortable findings. Examples are the modest outputs achieved for apparently large amounts of effort and money and the variations in performance between populations with similar levels of deprivation.1 It is tempting to ascribe poor results to the nature of the populations, but to what degree do we have our own house in order within the public services? Traditionally we have addressed population health in the same manner as the control of epidemics. However, the analogy is false: we can compel people to change their activities in order to prevent the spread of infection but we cannot force them to change their behaviour and protect themselves against chronic disease.1,6 For success with the latter we need a good understanding of the values and aspirations (or lack of them) of the individuals and groups behind the epidemiology—and the know-how and ways into this may not reside within the National Health Service.7 We should work alongside people and not do things for or to them. Could we be offering services that are more in tune with people's lives—for example, through workplaces, shopping centres, pharmacies, churches and clubs? Schools are obvious locations and 'healthy schools' programmes are widespread; yet experience in some parts of England has been discouraging. The relationship between education and health services is decidedly distant—education has different targets and no particular interest in 'taking on' health. The White Paper offers people a range of choices including personal help and health records in their own internet slot. With personal computer-linked records and an enhanced nurse practitioner cadre in the community, they might then have access to preventive, diagnostic and treatment services without necessarily going via a general practitioner. The White Paper opens up possibilities for different types of partnership with individuals, communities, providers of care and social marketers. One result might be the emergence of local champions for health who would engage the population and lead a demand for more responsive and accessible preventive services. What about chronic disease? The omens here are good. The new UK-wide contract for general practitioners, relating remuneration to quality of care, should be beneficial not only to vulnerable individuals but also to the public health. Early onset and high prevalence of severe chronic disease is closely linked to health inequalities. The information generated by this contract will offer strong incentives to good performance—not least by allowing comparisons.

Performance for health, particularly from the NHS and local government, will need to sharpen. When the NHS announced an intention to modernize its accident and emergency and elective services there were cries from within that the ambitious targets were completely unrealistic. But the critics have been proved wrong. As with healthcare so, perhaps, with public health. By combined application of targets, performance development and culture changes, the preventive and health-promoting services could be nudged past a frontier that has long seemed impassable.


Reusability always has been a controversial topic in Digital Library (DL) design. While componentization has gained momentum in software engineering in general, there has not yet been broad DL standardization in component interfaces. Recently, the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) has begun to address this by creating a standard protocol for accessing metadata archives. It is proposed that this protocol be extended to act as the glue that binds together various components of a typical DL. In order to test the feasibility of this approach, a set of protocol extensions was created, implemented, and integrated as components of production and research DLs. The performance of these components was analyzed from the perspective of execution speed, network traffic, and data consistency. On the whole, this work has simultaneously revealed the feasibility of such OAI extensions for component interaction, and has identified aspects of the OAI protocol that constrain such extensions.


Abstract Purpose: At the moment, a lot of Public Hospitals in Korea have adopted 5 or 6 bedrooms as a standard multi-bedroom type. However 5-6 bedrooms have many problems related to inpatient satisfaction and nosocomial diseases. Therefore 4 bedroom is under considering for standard multi-bed room in Public Hospitals in Korea. This paper tries to prove that adoption of 4 bedroom in Public Hospitals has nothing to do with economic loss which is now an obstacle in adopting 4 bedrooms. Methods: 3 Methods have been used in this paper. 1) Comparative analysis between medical insurance fee and service cost for hospitalization has been conducted through literature survey. 2) Scenario analysis has been used for the estimation of inpatient number when 4 bedrooms are adopted in Public Hospitals. 3) Relation analysis between profit and proportion of 4 bedroom in Public Hospitals. Results: Adoption of 4 bedroom as a standard multi-bedroom in Public Hospitals has been proved to have nothing to do with the economic loss of hospitals. Implications: It is necessary to introduce and expand 4 bedrooms instead of 5-6 bedrooms in hospitals for the upgrade of hospital environment and easy control of cross infection in inpatient bedrooms.Keywords Public Hospital, Ward, 4-bed Room, Economic Feasibility주 제 어 공공병원, 병동부, 4인병실, 경제적 타당성


Fluid inclusions in vein quartz from 10 granitoid-hosted gold deposits and prospects in the Birimian terrane of Ghana, as well as from the Sansu mine (Ashanti shear zone type) and quartz veins in the nonmineralized Princess Town granodiorite, were studied by microthermometry and Raman microspectrometry. Fluid inclusions from the granitoid-hosted gold deposits are dominated by aqueous H2O-CO2-NaCl type 1 and liquid CO2-N2 ± CH4 type 2, with minor (<10%) aqueous H2O-NaCl type 3. Type 1 inclusions show large variations in CO2 phase volume proportions (10–90%) at 25°C and have salinities commonly between 0 and 6 wt percent NaCl equiv. Their bulk densities fall in a major range from 0.62 to 1.11 g/cm3. Type 2 inclusions show no visible H2O phase at room temperature and have bulk densities between 0.30 and 0.92 g/cm3. Type 3 inclusions, containing 10 to 20 vol percent H2O vapor, have salinities of 1 to 8 wt percent NaCl equiv and bulk densities of 0.77 to 1.03 g/cm3. In most cases, the three types of fluid inclusions coexist as groups in individual quartz grains of the samples studied. These fluid inclusions are interpreted to be trapped during phase separation of an originally homogeneous H2O-CO2 fluid, with low salinity (<6 wt % NaCl equiv) and moderate to high density (0.65–0.95 g/cm3). The type 1 fluid inclusions are suggested to be heterogeneous mixtures of the two end members of type 2 and 3 inclusions. Fluid immiscibility is documented by petrographic characteristics and microthermometric results of the three types of inclusions. Trapping temperatures and pressures, estimated from microthermometry of type 3 inclusions, equation of state, and the P-T-X nature of the H2O-CO2-NaCl system, are mainly between 200° and 350°Cand 1 and 3 kbars for the gold deposits.

By contrast, fluid inclusions in the Sansu mine at Ashanti mostly comprise the liquid CO2-N2 ± CH4 type 2. The inclusions are considered to represent postentrapment modifications of trapped fluids. In addition, fluid inclusions in barren vein quartz from the Princess Town granodiorite comprise the low-salinity (commonly <6 wt % NaCl equiv) H2O-NaCl type 3. Raman microspectrometry shows that gaseous compositions of fluid inclusions from both granitoid- and shear zone-hosted gold deposits are mainly composed of CO2 (80–95 mol %), with significant amounts of N2 (2–20 mol %) and CH4 (0–10 mol %).

The distinct low-salinity H2O-CO2-rich fluids from the granitoid-hosted gold deposits are comparable in composition to those from the major Ashanti and Tarkwaian types of gold deposits in the Birimian terrane of Ghana. These fluids are most likely to be metamorphic in origin and associated with the waning stages of the regional Birimian orogeny. Gold deposition within the Birimian granitoids was related to fluid phase separation and sulfidization of host rocks during hydrothermal alteration and mineralization. The present study, together with previous publications, suggests that fluid inclusions are characterized by H2O-CO2-NaCl and/or CO2-N2 ± CH4 types in mineralized areas, whereas H2O-NaCl fluid compositions dominate in barren areas. Fluid inclusion characteristics may, therefore, be a useful tool for regional gold exploration in the Birimian terrane of Ghana.


Recent elephant poaching levels are a serious concern for conservationists. Opinions differ over how to deal with the upsurge and associated illegal ivory trade. Following the CITES-imposed international trade ban in 1989, limited legal trade has been permitted in two one-off sales. Opinions are divided on what effect this has had on poaching. Opinions are now also divided over whether trade in ivory products should be outlawed worldwide, both between and within countries. In the midst of this debate is the question of what ¬¬government agencies should do with existing stockpiles of collected legal and confiscated illegal ivory. Governments of some countries have destroyed their stockpiles with the claimed intention of reducing poaching, and there are calls for others to follow suit. We review the academic literature and find that, under current circumstances, stockpile destruction violates the precautionary principle and is therefore not recommended. Credible evidence suggests that speculation may drive the increase in poaching rather than consumer demand for carvings. Legal stockpiles provide an option to curtail speculative behavior of criminals. We recommend that governments move closer toward consensus on a long-term vision for elephant and ivory management before undertaking measures such as stockpile destruction. In the meantime they should continue to retain existing ivory stockpiles securely to reduce incentives for criminal speculation on illegally accumulated stockpiles.


This study evaluated the effect of four weeks of microbial exposure to anise oil (ANO) on the fermentation activities of ruminal micro-organisms and the biohydrogenation of n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). A total of six Hartline ´ Texel cross lambs were used. Three of the lambs were randomly assigned to the basal diet (basal diet group, BDG) and the remaining three lambs were offered basal diet with ANO (anise oil group, AOG) for four weeks. The rumen fluid donor lambs were offered water and hay ad libitum and supplemented with additional 400 g/sheep/day of concentrate plus 2.4 g/sheep/day of ANO (for the AOG). The ANO was thoroughly mixed with the concentrate prior to feeding. The total amount (400 g) of lamb finisher cubes offered per sheep/day was divided into two equal parts (200 g) and fed at 08.00 and 16.00 hours, respectively.  After the four weeks' exposure period, lambs were slaughtered and ruminal fluid (RF) was collected from each of the lambs on BDG and on AOG and used in a 48 h in vitro batch culture system to study the fermentation of a 70: 30 grass hay ( Lolium perenne) and concentrate (lamb finisher) diet. The study was a 2 (batches of rumen fluid: BDG and AOG)  2 (doses of ANO: 0 and 200 mg/L) factorial design experiment. Results showed that total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) in RF extracted from lambs on the BDG (242.0 mM) was similar to that in the AOG (242.2 mM). Concentrations of TVFA in in vitro digests were similar between groups on the BDG (68.6 mM) and on the AOG (66.4 mM), but differed between levels of anise oil (0 versus 200 mg/L). The levels of NH 3 -N were not different (P>0.05) between the RF collected from AOG and BDG. However, in vitro results showed that AOG 200 mg/L induced a 20% decrease on the concentration of NH 3- N in fermentation vessels, relative to BDG 0 mg/L. The in vitro digesta incubated in RF from the AOG (i.e. AOG 200 mg/L) maintained higher concentrations of PUFA (C18:2 n -6 and n -3 PUFA), trans vacceric acid and lower concentration of stearic acid. This suggests that there was no rumen adaptation within the period of trial.  This study concludes that anise oil is potentially a useful feed additive to optimise the fatty acid composition of ruminant feedstuffs, if these effects are repeated in meat and milk.


The crowdsourcing projects of foreign libraries are analyzed. The prospects for the use of crowdsourcing technology in the library sector are discovered.


Information on the resistance profiles of clinical and non clinical human bacteria isolates in the developing countries can serve as important means of understanding the human pathogens drug resistance interactions in the zone. Escherichia coli isolated from five geopolitical zones of Nigeria were screened for anti-microbial resistance profile against 14 antibiotics using the disc diffusion method. Overall, the 89 isolates tested, were 94,4% that showed resistance to Ampicillin; 85.5% to Cotrimaoxazole, 92.1% to Cephalothin; 78.7% to Streptomycin, 70.8% to Nitrofurantoin; 79.8 to Tetracycline; 67.4% to Chloramphenicol; 74.2% to Amoxicillin clavulanic acid; 61.8 to Cefpirome; 52.8% to Cefpodoxime; 46.1 % to Cefotaxine; 46.1% to Ceftriaxone; 31.5% to Cefoxitin; 38.2% to Nalidixic acid and 24.7% to Gentamycin. These isolates showed a total of 42 different antibiotics resistance profiles, with all the isolates showing resistance to at least four or more of the drugs tested. Statistical analysis showed there was no statistical difference in the proportion of isolates that were resistant to > 1 antibiotic for human clinical (84.6%) and non-clinical (91.7%) isolates. This results indicates that antimicrobial use in humans has driven the emergence of multi-drug resistant clones in developing countries such as Nigeria that has resulted in an increasingly high prevalence of multiple resistance.


Objective: The objective is to validate the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Health Index (ASAS HI) in patients with Spondyloarthritis (SpA).
Methods: We recruited 102 consecutive patients with SpA from two rheumatology clinics. Demographic data was collected. Recruited patients completed the ASAS HI and other self-assessment questionnaires (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Index (BASGI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), Euro-quality-of-life-5D (EQ5D), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI)). Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) was calculated. Correlations between ASAS HI and the questionnaires were determined for concurrent validity. The ASAS HI score was also checked for test-retest reliability, internal consistency, discriminative ability, and floor and ceiling effects.
Results: The ASAS HI achieved good test-retest reliability (ICC 0.87), internal consistency, and discriminative ability. It had no floor or ceiling effect. Favourable concurrent validity was found with measures of disease activities (BASDAI, ASDAS), quality-of-life (SF 36, EQ5D), psychological symptoms (HADS), and work disability (WAPI). The ASAS HI was able to differentiate higher disease activity and psychological symptoms. Patients found it easy to understand, comprehensive, relevant and appropriate to their disease. The average time needed to complete the questionnaire was 2 minutes 36 seconds ± 1 minute 2 seconds.
Conclusion: The Taiwanese version of the ASAS HI is a validated tool in the assessment of health status in patients with SpA.


In adult mammalian females, primordial follicles that form in the fetal/neonatal ovary are the only source to sustain adult ovarian function. Our previous studies revealed that during oocyte differentiation and primordial follicle formation in mouse fetal ovaries, primary oocytes form via gaining cytoplasm and organelles from sister germ cells that are connected to them by intercellular bridges within germline cysts. To better understand the role of intercellular bridges in oocyte differentiation, we analyzed mutant females lacking testis-expressed 14 (Tex14), a gene involved in cytokinesis and bridge formation. In Tex14-/- fetal ovaries, germ cells divide to form a reduced number of cysts in which sister germ cells are still connected via syncytia or fragmented cell membranes, rather than normal intercellular bridges. Compared with wildtype cysts, Tex14-/- cysts fragment at a higher frequency and produce a greatly reduced number of primary oocytes with highly precocious cytoplasmic enrichment and enlarged volume. By contrast, Tex14+/- germline cysts are less fragmented and generate primary oocytes that are smaller than wild type. Interestingly, enlarged Tex14-/- primary oocytes are much more stable than wild type oocytes and more efficiently sustain folliculogenesis, whereas undersized Tex14+/- primary oocytes turn over at an accelerated rate. Our observations directly link the nature of fetal germ cell connectivity to cytoplasmic enrichment during oocyte differentiation and to oocyte developmental potential in the adult ovary. Our results imply that the duration of adult ovarian function is strongly influenced by the number of primary oocytes acquiring highly enriched cytoplasm during oocyte differentiation in fetal ovaries, rather than just by the size of the primordial follicle pool.


In this paper, we consider the identification problem of stochastic and deterministic stochastic Petri nets (PNs). The approach herein proposed consists of inferring a PN structure and identifying its parameters. Hence, the first step leads to the synthesis of a PN structure with the measurable sequence of events and states. This approach determines the measurable part and estimates the nonmeasurable part of the PN to be established. Once both parts are obtained, the PN structure and the initial marking of the nonmeasurable places are obtained thanks to the integer linear programming technique. In the second step of this approach, the parameters of the obtained model are estimated. Stochastic and deterministic stochastic PNs with deterministic and exponentially distributed transition durations are considered. A systematic identification method is proposed based on event sequences that are recorded by supervision systems. This method is based on a Markov model whose state space is isomorphic to the reachability graph of the untimed PN model.


Purpose To evaluate how well three different patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measure individual change. Methods Two hundred and fourteen patients (from two sites) initiating first or new chemotherapy for any stage of breast or gastrointestinal cancer participated. The 13-item FACIT Fatigue scale, a 7-item PROMIS Fatigue Short Form (PROMIS 7a), and the PROMIS Fatigue computer adaptive test (CAT) were administered monthly online for 6 months. Reliability of measured change was defined, under a population mixed effects model, as the ratio of estimated systematic variance in rate of change to the estimated total variance of measured individual differences in rate of change. Precision of individual measured change, the standard error of measurement of change, was given by the square root of the rate-of-change sampling variance. Linear and quadratic models were examined up to 3 and up to 6 months. Results A linear model for measured change showed the following by 6 and 3 months, respectively: PROMIS CAT (0.363 and 0.342); PROMIS SF (0.408 and 0.533); FACIT (0.459 and 0.473). Quadratic models offered no noteworthy improvement over linear models. Both reliability and precision results demonstrate the need to improve the measurement of intra-individual change. Conclusions These results illustrate the challenge of reliably measuring individual change in fatigue with a level of confidence required for intervention. Optimizing clinically useful measurement of intra-individual differences over time continues to pose a challenge for PROs.


The Burma arc links the Himalaya to the Andaman–Sumatra trench, and comprehension of the geological features in the region is vital to understand the active tectonic processes in the area. Subduction on the Sumatra trench produced the devastating 2004 Sumatra earthquake ( M w∼9.0), but the mechanisms accommodating relative India–Sundaland motion in Burma are still unknown. Previous seismological studies of the area use only earthquake catalog hypocenters, so structural details of subducted material remain poorly understood. Here, accurate relative hypocenters for 81 earthquakes are estimated using first arrivals picked from regional and teleseismic recordings. Depth determination is improved using measured travel-time differences between P onsets and depth phases ( pP and sP ). The results clearly illustrate a slab 21°–25° N dipping ∼25° at 40–80 km deep, ∼40° at 80–120 km deep, and ∼60° at 120–160 km deep, and its strike follows the Indo–Burman ranges. At latitudes >25° N earthquakes become more shallow, and a diffuse picture of hypocenters with an east–west lateral discontinuity at depth is observed, indicating lateral deformation of the slab.

Previous studies suggest there is a transition at ∼90 km deep from shallower strike-slip earthquakes to deeper thrust-type events. Here, accurate depth estimates, combined with confirmation of two Global Centroid Moment Tensor solutions using body-wave modeling, shows that thrust and strike-slip earthquakes both occur deeper than 100 km in the Burma arc.


We discussed the most stable coordination of O2 binding in the Cu2O2 core of type 3 copper proteins from a viewpoint of broken-symmetry (BS) DFT approach. This study put its focus on the active site of both oxy and deoxy form of hemocyanin as an example. We examined four conventional hybrid GGA functional sets that contain different proportion of exact exchange in a range of 20–50% within a BS way. To evaluate their net accuracy, the spin contamination errors caused by the triplet (S = 1) state on energy and energy gradient in the BS (S = 0) state were replaced by our approximate spin projection (AP) procedure. We also examined OO stretch vibrational frequencies and Gibbs free energies of O2 binding with the conductor-like polarizable continuum model. From the results, UBHandHLYP outperform the other functional sets, indicating that the Cu2O2 core in oxyHc has significant diradical character under AP-BS approximation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009


Continuous variable polarization states have attracted much attention due to their apparent applicability to quantum information networks. Polarization entanglement was presented by transformation of the well-known quadrature entanglement onto the polarization basis. The inseparability criteria as well as the EPR paradox criteria for Stokes operators were also demonstrated. In this paper the generation of such highly quantum correlated states using the interference of two fiber-based polarization squeezing sources is presented. This squeezing can be efficiently created based on the nonlinear effect experienced by ultra-short pulses in fused silica fibers. Two linearly orthogonal polarized modes with identical amplitudes propagate through a polarization maintaining fiber, they experience the same nonlinearity and the phase of the interference between them is controlled to achieve circularly polarized light at the output.


The interaction between a large number of laser filaments brought together using weak external focusing leads to the emergence of few filamentary structures reminiscent of standard filaments, but carrying a higher intensity. The resulting plasma is measured to be 1 order of magnitude denser than for short-scale filaments. This new propagation regime is dubbed superfilamentation. Numerical simulations of a nonlinear envelope equation provide good agreement with experiments.


This study explores if valid information can mitigate stereotypes of foster care as reflected in popular media, specifically in the context of the State of Texas. A quasiexperimental, post-test only design assessed the role that media plays in the public's perception of foster care in the state of Texas. Results indicate that media, in the form of a professional presentation, made statistically significant differences between treatment and control groups in regard to the overall perception and general attitudes towards the foster care system in the State of Texas. Results indicate the need for further research in the area of media's impact on the public's perception of foster care. The Impact of Media on the Public's Perception of Texas Foster Care A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School Abilene Christian University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Social Work


Wilson Bases are constituted by trigonometric functions multiplied by translates of a window function with good time frequency localization. In this paper we investigate the approximation of functions from Sobolev spaces by partial sums of the Wilson basis expansion. In particular, we show that the approximation can be improved if polynomials are reproduced. We give examples of Wilson bases, which reproduce linear functions with the lowest frequency term only.


To achieve carbon-neutrality, internal combustion engines need to further improve their thermal efficiency to reduce CO2 emissions. To accomplish this, it is necessary to quantify and enhance five factors that control indicated thermal efficiency: compression ratio, specific heat ratio, combustion duration, combustion timing, and heat transfer to wall. In this work, quantitative targets for each factor were defined, which were derived from a simulation that considered the influence of heterogeneity of diesel combustion on thermal efficiency. The simulation utilized a two-zone combustion model. In particular, the targets for the combustion duration, combustion timing and heat transfer to wall were increased significantly compared to those for a conventional engine, in anticipation of an expansion of the load range of premixed charge compression ignition (PCI) combustion to higher loads. To expand the applicable load for PCI combustion, it was necessary to achieve a high degree of constant volume, low combustion noise, and clean emissions by suppressing the interference between the burned gas of the prior spray and the subsequent spray in the multi-stage injections near TDC. For this purpose, Distribution Controlled partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI) with the Dual Zone Egg-shape Combustion Chamber was proposed as a new combustion concept, and it was validated through CFD analysis that the DCPCI concept achieved high degree of constant volume and lean mixture formation. In addition, experiments were conducted on a new generation engine that applied the DCPCI combustion and other technologies such as slightly increased compression ratio, decreased intake temperature and increased wall temperature with a steel piston to improve the five control factors. The two-zone combustion model was utilized to analyze the result of the experiments, and improvements against the targets for the control factors was verified quantitatively. Furthermore, compared to a previous generation engine, a significant improvement in fuel consumption was confirmed without any adverse effects on emissions or combustion noise.


While social interactions play an important role for the evolution of bacterial siderophore production in vitro, the extent to which siderophore production is a social trait in natural populations is less clear. Here, we demonstrate that siderophores act as public goods in a natural physical environment of Pseudomonas fluorescens: soil-based compost. We show that monocultures of siderophore producers grow better than non-producers in soil, but non-producers can exploit others' siderophores, as shown by non-producers' ability to invade populations of producers when rare. Despite this rare advantage, non-producers were unable to outcompete producers, suggesting that producers and non-producers may stably coexist in soil. Such coexistence is predicted to arise from the spatial structure associated with soil, and this is supported by increased fitness of non-producers when grown in a shaken soil–water mix. Our results suggest that both producers and non-producers should be observed in soil, as has been observed in marine environments and in clinical populations.


QUESTIONS
- To what extent can ailing kidneys adapt their functions to the demands of pregnancy? - What risks is the nephropathic patient prone to throughout pregnancy compared with those of the general population, and which specific risks does her kidney disease determine? - What risks is the baby of a nephropathic prone to throughout pregnancy compared with those of the general population? - What changes have occurred over recent years?

CONCLUSIONS
Current knowledge allows to conclude that pregnancy in the nephropathic woman can be started, provided that: - best timing is considered; - women are informed about their risk factors: functional levels and presence of hypertension, regardless of type of nephropathy.


The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family is highly diversified and involved in many forms of information processing. SREB2 (GPR85) is the most conserved GPCR throughout vertebrate evolution and is expressed abundantly in brain structures exhibiting high levels of plasticity, e.g., the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Here, we show that SREB2 is involved in determining brain size, modulating diverse behaviors, and potentially in vulnerability to schizophrenia. Mild overexpression of SREB2 caused significant brain weight reduction and ventricular enlargement in transgenic (Tg) mice as well as behavioral abnormalities mirroring psychiatric disorders, e.g., decreased social interaction, abnormal sensorimotor gating, and impaired memory. SREB2 KO mice showed a reciprocal phenotype, a significant increase in brain weight accompanying a trend toward enhanced memory without apparent other behavioral abnormalities. In both Tg and KO mice, no gross malformation of brain structures was observed. Because of phenotypic overlap between SREB2 Tg mice and schizophrenia, we sought a possible link between the two. Minor alleles of two SREB2 SNPs, located in intron 2 and in the 3′ UTR, were overtransmitted to schizophrenia patients in a family-based sample and showed an allele load association with reduced hippocampal gray matter volume in patients. Our data implicate SREB2 as a potential risk factor for psychiatric disorders and its pathway as a target for psychiatric therapy.


Chile is a mining country; the sector, in the last years, represented around 20% of the Chilean GDP and 34% of the world's copper production with 5.4 million of metric tonnes. The most important mining regions Tarapaca and Antofagasta represent 75% of the Chilean mining GDP and 25% of world copper production (COCHILCO, 2010). In the last two decades these mining regions grew in terms of production, foreign investment, world class projects, and have experienced very important economic and social transformations. Poverty has reduced to less than 7% of the population and GDP per capita has increased to over US$ 30 thousand per year (Banco Central de Chile, 2010). However, despite these positive indicators, the story of the mining industry's contribution to economic and social progress is more complex. A deeper view is necessary to answer the more complex questions: what has the impact been in terms of quality of life and human development? And, given the world class (perhaps unparalleled) resource and the relatively small population, have enough positive benefits been generated by mining, particularly in comparison to the wealth generated by the industry? This paper evaluates economic and social progress in Antofagasta and Tarapaca over the period of ten years (2000–2010). A pilot monitoring framework is developed based on five dimensions (socioeconomic conditions, education, health, small and local communities, and institutional development). Three factors are analysed: the current state, the trend of progress and the performance against reference targets. Indicators are reported for each of these dimensions and evaluated in terms of the gaps between the current state and the reference target, given trends in progress. The pilot monitoring framework reveals that both Antofagasta and Tarapaca show good progress on some social and economic indicators; however, when compared to trends and the performance toward reference goals, the level of progress is low and insufficient to demonstrate a comprehensive improvement in terms of quality of life and human development. The monitoring framework developed has the potential to be used to support evaluation of social investments and corporate community programmes and, in doing so, contribute to a participatory and informed dialogue about the contribution of the sector.


Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) is a non- invasive and non-destructive imaging technique that uses electrical capacitance measurements at the periphery of an object to generate map of dielectric permittivity of the object. This visualization method is a relatively mature industrial process tomography technique, especially in 2D imaging mode. Volumetric ECT is a new method that poses major computational challenges in image reconstruction and new challenges in sensor design. This paper shows a nonlinear image reconstruction method for 3D ECT based on a validated forward model. The method is based on the flnite element approximation for the complete sensor model and the solution of the inverse problem with nonlinear iterative reconstruction. The nonlinear algorithm has been tested against some complicated experimental test cases, and it has been demonstrated that by using an improved forward model and nonlinear inversion method, very complex shaped samples can be reconstructed. The reconstruction of very complex geometry with objects in the shape of letters H, A, L and T is extremely promising for the applications of 3D ECT.


A computer model has been developed to simulate general turbulent free surface flows. The model solves Reynolds equations for turbulent flows and employs the volume-of-fluid method to track free surfaces. Being the extension of the earlier works for simulating breaking waves [e.g., J. Fluid Mech. 359 (1998) 239; J. Waterway Port Coastal Ocean Engng. 125 (1999) 322], the current model has been generalized to simulate a wider range of free surface flows (e.g., surface waves, jets, and open channel flows) and their interaction with different types of bodies, impermeable or porous, stationary or in motion. The model essentially serves as a two-dimensional NumErical Water FLUME (NEWFLUME) for simulation of various flow phenomena. Compared with a physical wave flume, NEWFLUME is more efficient in problem setup and data acquisition. In this paper, the applications of NEWFLUME to different hydraulic problems are demonstrated with the use of a series of selected case studies. These case studies cover the fields of wave dynamics (e.g., wave overtopping over a seawall and wave forces on a submarine pipeline), open channel flows (e.g., dam break flows and hydraulic jumps), jet phenomena (e.g., plunging and submerged wall jets), and environmental flows (e.g., pollutant transport). It is proved that NEWFLUME is an accurate and useful tool for both scientific research and engineering design


The construction industry is growing exponentially day by day and it makes a remarkable contribution in escalating the pace of development of the nation. Refinements are adapted and analyzed at each and every stage of construction. The reason of assessing all these refinements is to enhance the overall ease and feasibility of the work cycle. These refinements also make a significant change in the total cost of the project. Prefabricated components are increasingly becoming an eminently improving technology to achieve cost effective and speedy construction in the construction industry. This increasing trend for prefabricated components has now turned into numerous applications as they can provide a much faster output for the ever increasing urban construction demand. In addition to this, adopting prefabrication technology also promoted mechanization in the construction industry and created new areas of employment. The study emphasizes the effect of prefabrication technology on the profitability and its effect in the construction work cycle.


Overemployment, i.e., the preference for fewer work hours, is a widespread phenomenon in western societies, which may have negative consequences for individual well-being and organizational functioning. Previously overemployment has been defi ned from an economic perspective mainly as a time-money trade-off problem. This work is the first to adopt a psychological and subjectivist view on overemployment. Over three research projects a theory of overemployment, its causes and consequences is constructed and tested. In addition, a multidimensional overemployment scale is developed and initially validated. The three research projects include: fi rst, a review on overemployment conceptualizations and measurements; second, a Grounded Theory interview study with the aim to develop a theory on overemployment, its causes, and consequences; and third, a scale development study comprising over 1,400 participants over 4 studies. The importance of overemployment for individual well-being (e.g., burnout, job satisfaction), as well as for organizational variables (e.g., commitment, turnover intention) is shown. Overemployment is found to be a multidimensional construct consisting of three dimensions: length, density, and distribution of work time. The developed theory and scale will allow future researchers to analyze overemployment in more detail. The work offers interesting insights for HR and management practitioners when it comes to creating attractive working conditions.


AIDS and the economic crisis in Mexico are threatening the epidemiologic transition in which infectious diseases ceased to be the only major cause of death and chronic degenerative diseases began to account for a growing proportion of deaths. Many factors combined to produce the sexual gay and womens liberation movements beginning in the 1970s. At the beginning of the feminist movement women proposed different kinds of interpersonal relations both between women and with men. Women together realized their rights to control their own bodies to sexual enjoyment to abortion and to free themselves of feelings of shame and guilt. The weight of moral pressures was lessened and the personal desires of the woman assumed a greater role in selection of sexual partners. Conservative forces grew stronger in the 1980s and the proliferation of sexually transmitted diseases began to imperil the sexual revolution. But these setbacks were minor compared to AIDS. Now 10 years after its appearance it is clear that AIDS is not limited to homosexual men. The number of cases in Mexico increased from none 10 years ago to some 10000 estimated cases reported and unreported today. 1/6 of the cases are in women. Many women and heterosexuals felt immune from AIDS in the beginning and some still do but many more have become aware of the danger. Women now fear contracting AIDS but they also fear confronting their partners to suggest that they use condoms. Denial may play a role but deeply rooted cultural factors that women may recognize but fee powerless to change may also be at play. Many women over 30 have difficulty taking the initiative in sexual matters. They are embarrassed to buy condoms and even more embarrassed to propose their use. They imagine that men will consider them "loose" if they carry condoms. Mexican women are poorly prepared to tell their men explicitly what they want sexually and Mexican men are also poorly equipped to ask what women want accustomed as they are to exercising sexuality exclusively to satisfy their own needs. The entire problem of condom use is related to ethical-moral and ideological factors and to broader attitudes toward knowledge. Those with more rational orientations see AIDS as a disease rather than a divine punishment and can more easily accept condom use as a preventive.


Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting almost all patients during their illness. They may appear in early pre-symptomatic stage as well as throughout the disease course. This observational cross sectional study was carried out in the Movement Disorder Clinic, Department of Neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka to see the presence of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Seventy-six Parkinson's Disease patients were recruited during October 2019 to September 2020. Presence of non–motor symptoms (NMSs) was sought by the 30-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-30). All patients (100%) of this study were suffering from one or more non-motor symptoms. Most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease were anxiety (78%), fatigue (78%), difficulty in falling or staying sleep (75%), depression (72%), forgetfulness 72%, dizziness (68%), loss of interest in doing activities (66%), flat mood (62%), lack of pleasure (60%), restless leg (59%) & problem in sustaining concentration (50%). Other non-motor symptoms were present in less than 50% patients. Non-motor symptoms are common and often unrecognized in Parkinson`s Disease. Address- ing this issue will help to manage these symptoms and thereby improve quality of life of patients with Parkinson`s Disease.
BSMMU J 2021; 14(4): 121-124


: India is into its fifth year plan in family planning. The demographic effectiveness of efforts to date has not been that spectacular. The dominant item in the program so far has been sterilizations followed by IUD insertions. Acceptors of both these methods have declined steadily since the peak years of 1967-1968. Conventional contraceptives constitute the 3rd major instrument in family planning program, with condoms accounting for more than 95%. There is a need for the conventional method to be more readily accepted, for the youth to be better educated about birth control and for better services and adequate supplies, especially in rural areas. Most importantly, the family planning program must become a national movement.


This article critically interrogates current policy-sector approaches to culturally sensitive development and the manner in which culture has been conceptualised within the post-2015 development agenda-setting process. By providing a brief interpretive summary of academic debates surrounding culture and development, an analysis of how 'culturally sensitive' practices have been pursued within the policy sector, and an examination of the insufficient consideration given to culturally sensitive development within post-2015 agenda setting, I argue that much uncertainty remains around how to translate complex academic understandings of culture and development into policy responses. Following this, I provide one case study drawn from the small, low-income country of Laos to suggest possibilities as to how culturally sensitive development may be better conceptualised and implemented within a post-2015 global development era.


Chronic sustained hypertension leads to structural changes of the small and large arteries. These alterations consist of smooth-muscle hypertrophy, increased deposition of collagen, and "dilution" or destruction of elastin fibers. In addition, there may be no growth at all, but a "rearrangement" of vascular wall material termed "remodeling." These changes serve to increase wall thickness and the media-to-lumen ratio and to decrease the external and internal diameter of the vessel--all of which contribute to increased systemic vascular resistance by the small arteries and increased impedance by the larger arteries. It has been suggested that these structural changes are an adaptive effort by the vessel to maintain a constancy of wall tension, but the end result is detrimental in that the effect is a further increase in systemic vascular resistance and blood-flow impedance, which lead to left ventricular hypertrophy and its consequences. The stimuli for these changes are stretch stimuli, mediated through stretch receptors on the arterial wall, and trophic stimuli mediated at the tissue level through the action of angiotensin II, aldosterone, and catecholamines. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, especially those with effective tissue penetration, are ideal drugs to reverse these structural changes ("reverse remodeling"), decrease the systemic vascular resistance, and increase the vascular compliance. These agents exert their effects through suppression, at the tissue level, of angiotensin II, aldosterone, catecholamines, endothelins (ET1, ET3), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and through an increase in local levels of kinins, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide, which have antigrowth effects. Although this is a class effect, it appears to be stronger with those angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors providing the greatest tissue penetration.


Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease characterised by autoantibody production and variable clinical features, ranging from mild to severe disease. Patients with SLE are at increased risk of developing accelerated atherosclerosis. Biomarkers have potential utility in SLE as markers of disease or predictors of future clinical events and mortality. Objective The aim of this thesis was to identify serological biomarkers predictive for erosive arthritis (EA), cardiovascular events (CVEs), mortality and subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE. Methods In chapters 2 to 4, study subjects were SLE patients from Bath. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) and HLA-DR and -DQ were studied for markers of EA, and anticardiolipin (aCL) and lipoprotein profiles for markers of CVEs and mortality. In chapters 5 and 6, study subjects were women with SLE from Manchester. B-mode ultrasound scans of subjects' carotid arteries were performed at baseline and follow-up time-points to detect atherosclerotic plaque. Baseline IgG and IgM antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies and CV risk factors were studied for markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. Clinical data collected for all studies included SLE features and auto-antibody profiles. Results ACPA was identified as a marker of a SLE phenotype with EA - "rhupus". Patients with major erosive arthritis were HLA-DQB1*0302 carriers. Increased aCL GPL levels and total cholesterol : high density lipoprotein-C (TC : HDL-C) ratio were markers for future CVEs, and increased TC : HDL ratio, aCL GPL and lipoprotein(a) concentrations were markers for increased mortality. Lower HDL-C concentrations and anti-annexin A5 (anti-AnxA5) GPL were markers of carotid plaque progression. Conclusion This thesis identified new markers for EA, subclinical atherosclerosis and future CVE and mortality risk in SLE. Strategies to incorporate these new CV markers into clinical CV risk assessments may assist in distinguishing the subset of SLE patients most at risk of developing accelerated atherosclerosis.


c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) interacting protein-1 (JIP-1) was originally identified as a cytoplasmic inhibitor of JNK. More recently, JIP-1 was proposed to function as a scaffold protein by complexing specific components of the JNK signaling pathway, namely JNK, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7, and mixed lineage kinase 3. We have identified the human homologue of JIP-1 that contains a phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain in addition to a JNK binding domain and an Src homology 3 domain. To identify binding targets for the hJIP-1 PTB domain, a mouse embryo cDNA library was screened using the yeast two-hybrid system. One clone encoded a 191-amino acid region of the neuronal protein rhoGEF, an exchange factor for rhoA. Overexpression of rhoGEF promotes cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell rounding in NIE-115 neuronal cells. The interaction of JIP-1 with rhoGEF was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of these proteins from lysates of transiently transfected HEK 293 cells. Using glutathione S-transferase rhoGEF fusion proteins containing deletion or point mutations, we identified a putative PTB binding site within rhoGEF. This binding site does not contain tyrosine, indicating that the JIP PTB domain, like that of Xll α and Numb, binds independently of phosphotyrosine. Several forms of endogenous JIP-1 protein can be detected in neuronal cell lines. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis localized endogenous JIP-1 to the tip of the neurites in differentiated NIE-115 and PC12 cells. The interaction of JIP-1 with rhoGEF and its subcellular localization suggests that JIP-1 may function to specifically localize a signaling complex in neuronal cells.


Quality of education in schools requires accurate descriptions of all its components to judge its realization and plan for its improvement. However, it can be difficult to obtain such descriptions in an effective manner. This article aims to propose a unified conceptual framework for quality of education in schools to facilitate an understanding of the quality of education. The conceptual framework proposed here is multi-dimensional in nature and based on operational experience by the authors with studying education systems' performance in general, and particularly, quality of education in schools. The unified conceptual framework proposed here is informed by systems theory and acknowledges the interdependence among the components of quality of education and levels of the education system. In conclusion, we reiterate the importance of a conceptual framework for quality of education that explicates the relationships among the numerous education components (inputs, processes, and outputs) among the various education levels of the education system (national, tertiary, school, and pre-school) as a primary science for understanding the quality of education in schools as an essential step toward providing a scientific base for the study of education quality in schools.


A new proposed gate-bias voltage-generating technique with threshold-voltage compensation for analog circuits in the low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) thin-film transistors (TFTs) is proposed. The new proposed gate-bias voltage-generating circuit with threshold-voltage compensation has been successfully verified in an 8-mum LTPS process. The experimental results have shown that the impact of TFT threshold-voltage variation on the biasing circuit can be reduced from 30% to 5% under a biasing voltage of 3 V. The new proposed gate-bias voltage-generating technique with threshold-voltage compensation enables the analog circuits to be integrated and implemented by the LTPS process on glass substrate for an active matrix LCD panel.


The monoclonal antibody Ki-67 identifies an antigen present during the late G1, S, G2, and M phases of the cell cycle, whereas resting cells do not express this antigen. Immunostaining with Ki-67 provides a simple method with which to determine the growth fraction of a malignant cell population without requiring a laborious procedure or use of radioactive materials. Thus far, detection of Ki-67-positive cells by flow cytometry was limited because of nuclear location of the antigen. In this study, periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde (PLP) fixation of cells in suspension, labeling with Ki-67, and the subsequent flow cytometric analysis of the tumor growth fraction is described. Fixation with PLP at -10 degrees C for 15 min rendered the plasma membrane permeable without destroying cell surface antigens. Thus double immunofluorescence studies using both a surface marker and Ki-67 could be performed. This offers the additional advantage of being able to define the phenotype of proliferating cells. This method was applied to determine the growth fraction in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of patients with leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The results of Ki-67 studies in 91 patients are shown. A wide variability of individual Ki-67 values was observed within each entity. Use of this flow cytometric procedure substantially facilitates the quantification of proliferating cells in pathological blood and bone marrow samples.


Extensive bond wrench testing of clay brick with different void areas has recently been performed. The data set is very comprehensive, testing different types of brick, brick with low and high initial rate of absorption, different mortar types, and voids ranging from 22 to 36 %. All pairwise combinations within each data set were compared with the U-test. The U-test tests for statistically significant difference between means of two data sets. The U-test is distribution-free, is nearly as statistically efficient as the t-test, can handle different sample sizes, and is robust against different variances. Approximately one-half of the comparisons showed no statistical difference in bond strength with different void areas. Of those that showed statistically significant difference, an essentially equal number showed higher bond strength with lower void area as those pairs that showed lower bond strength with lower void area. From the statistical testing, it is clear that flexural tensile strength is not a function of brick void percentage for the range of voids tested.


The evolution of the economies is certainly cyclical, and the "K" type waves, or type Kondratiev cycles, represent a perennial piece of evidence of this. Relatively criticized by many economic theories, with the ignorance typical of all those who try to disprove forecasts and projections in the field of business, and at the same time highly appreciated by those who prove a validated predictive power (which is the case of the Austrian school of economics), Kondratiev cycles, currently in their fifth stage, are the main target of the presnet paper. The introductory section is a reflection, simultaneously critical and appreciative, on cyclicality, while the arguments have a strong technological emphasis. To be credible and pragmatic, the applied method section has recourse to three favourite tools: gross domestic product (GDP) price consumer index (PCI) or cost of living index (CLI), and debt (public or external), paying due tribute to the constructors and international harmonizers, in point of statistics and instruments (from Nicholas Georgescu Roengen to Victor Axenciuc), who initiated and, respectively, completed a genuine epistemological process of the long cycle in modern Romanian economy, which this article presents, recognizing the quality of a supercycle to the Kondratiev cycle. The logic and useful nature of cyclical thinking, and its major importance today, conferred by the contribution of the Austrian school of economics, are included at the end of this article, generating a series of concluding remarks in a double perspective: that of an essay or statistical description, and and no less a ritical analysis of the Kondratiev type cyclicity of the national economy.


The stereoisomers of 2-[(tert-butylamino)methyl]-7-methyl-2,7-benzofurandimethanol (2) and 2-[2-(tert-butylamino)-1-hydroxyethyl]-7-benzofuranyl methyl ketone (3), the alcohol and ketone metabolites of bufuralol, have been prepared and examined for beta-adrenoceptor activity in rats. All the stereoisomers with the S configuration hydroxylamine side chain showed potent beta 2-antagonist activity comparable to (S)-bufuralol (1a). In contrast, a wide range of antagonist potencies was observed at the beta 1-receptor; only alcohol diastereomer 9a was more active than 1a. This suggests that the shape of the 7-substituent in these benzofurans influences the degree of interaction with the beta 1-receptor much more than with the beta 2-receptor. Partial beta 1-agonist activity was associated not only with all the stereoisomers with the S configuration hydroxylamine side chain but also with some of the R configuration derivatives, especially (R)-ketone 3b. The results suggest that the margin of difference in beta-adrenoceptor activity between compounds epimeric at the hydroxylamine side chain can be significantly influenced by a suitable substituent in the aromatic nucleus.


Abstract. Abnormalities in hydraulic conditions inside a water distribution network are strongly related to the deterioration of potable water quality. Leaking pipes and valves, for instance, cause changes in water hydraulic conditions and may allow the entry of microbes to the distribution system. Flow and pressure shocks can detach soft deposits and biofilms from the pipe surface which is shown among others as the elevated concentrations of bacteria, metals and turbidity in water. On that account, monitoring the hydraulic conditions in a distribution network and utilizing this information in developing a predictive water quality model assists providing a sufficient amount of potable water with an appropriate quality for the consumers use. In this paper, the water quality at the end part of the district metered area is modelled based on only the water flow and pressure measurements along the distribution network. The developed model can be utilized in proactive operation as it is able to show the potable water quality hours in advance before it is discovered at the end part of the distribution network.


The transportation costs are one of the main factors for companies' competitiveness. In order to decrease the costs, companies are frequently searching for different ways to transport their products to their consumers. This paper analyzes the economic viability of meat transport from the South to the North and Northeast of Brazil, using intercoastal port services. Using a transport cost optimization model and linear programming, our results indicate the economic feasibility of this option.


During a visit to England in the autumn of 1891, I took the opportunity of making a short excursion to Cromer in order to study the interesting geological facts presented in the well-known cliffs near that village. On my walks along these cliffs my attention was especially devoted to the boulders which occur there, for I thought it possible to find some which might with certainty be referred to definite localities in Scandinavia. The greater number of the boulders there originate indeed, as I expected, from disturbed portions of the Cretaceous strata which underlie the Drift in the vicinity of Cromer, so that it is only a few of the boulders which are likely to be of Scandinavian origin, and of these again only a small number can be definitely referred to their parent localities. Among the boulders on the shore a little west of Cromer I succeeded in finding a 'porphyry'-boulder which I supposed had been derived from the south-eastern part of Norway, and this supposition was subsequently confirmed by Herr K. O. Björlykke, of the Norwegian Geological Survey, to whom I showed the boulder and who referred it to the neighbourhood of Christiania. This boulder measures about inches. The ground-mass is rather decomposed and of a grey-violet colour; in it are disseminated crystals of felspar which, on fresh fracture, show the same colour as the groundmass, while those on the surface of the boulder have become somewhat paler by decomposition. The sections of


Belagavi is a two-tier city in Karnataka and is one of the fastgrowing cities of India. Belagavi city is also one of the cities selected under Smart city program of the government of India. However, to cop up with the escalating population, the infrastructure facility need to be addressed on priority basis. One of the most important issues which need immediate attention is with regard to liquid and solid waste disposal. Presently, the entire sewage water of the city is linked through gutters and sewer lines to a stream locally known as Bellary nala. The Bellary nala is a part of Deccan planes and lies between longitude 74o30'E and 74o40'E and latitude 15o45'N to 15o55'N in the Belagavi district of Karnataka State, India. The nala which was once a perennial stream carrying fresh water has now turned into a sewer drain due to the discharge of large quantities of effluent into the stream. It is observed that the discharged waste waters are derived from domestic wastes, small-scale industries and also from the improper dumping of sewage wastes. Further, it is noticed that the flow of wastewater is much beyond the self-purification capacity of the stream and is found to be responsible for polluting the adjoining catchment waters. This nala passes through a highly fertile black cotton soil, which is underlain, by very good aquifers. An Aquifer is an underground layer of water bearing permeable rock, rock fractures or unconsolidated materials (gravels, sand or silt). Groundwater can be extracted using water well. Farmers along this nala pump out this wastewater for irrigating sugarcane, paddy, vegetables etc., and it is reported that such utilization of wastewater for irrigation resulted in worsening the water quality conditions in the riparian belts. Therefore, to understand the extent of pollution on surface and groundwater quality, detailed hydrochemical analysis have been carried out by sampling groundwater samples from selected locations of Belagavi City.


Oxalyl thiolesters (RS-CO-COOH) may represent negative intracellular messengers for insulin action. Using a reverse-phase, ion-pair high pressure liquid chromatographic technique, total intracellular oxalyl thiolesters were measured in insulin-sensitive BC3H-1 myocytes after the addition of insulin. The total oxalyl thiolester concentration increased to a maximum of 2.9 times the basal concentration by 30 min after the addition of 100 microU/ml insulin and decreased to 1.8 times by 180 min. Insulin's stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase as measured by lactate oxidation ([1-14C]-lactate --> 14CO2) in intact BC3H-1 myocytes reached a maximum at 15-30 min and returned to basal activity during the 60-90 min measurement interval. These results suggest that oxalyl thiolesters are increased in concentration following insulin-induced signal transduction to reverse insulin-stimulated metabolic events.


Japan Patent Office manually annotates submitted patents with F-terms (a patent classification scheme consisting of more than 300,000 labels) to aid search for prior patent applications. Keeping up the quality of F-term annotation is critical to patentability assessments, thus there is a demand for an automatic way to assist F-term annotation. One potential solution is to point out annotation mistakes by utilizing machine learning-based classification. However, the annotators cannot validate the predicted corrections because conventional classification methods do not give the rationales behind the corrections. Thus, the annotators may only adopt all or no corrections. The goal of this study was to assist F-term annotation by presenting annotators with corrections on the F-term annotation and the rationales behind the corrections. We proposed a joint neural model for F-term annotation and rationale identification. The proposed method incorporates a large portion of data annotated only with F-terms and a small portion of data annotated with rationales. It was first trained for F-term annotation, and then fine-tuned using the ground-truth rationales to discriminate rationales from non-rationales. We evaluated the proposed method on multiple F-terms from different technical domains. The proposed method outperformed baseline methods in terms of the rationale identification, implying that incorporating rationales in training is particularly useful in identifying rationales.


Abstract Undertaking participatory research with people with intellectual disabilities is becoming a much‐discussed issue. Some researchers and self‐advocates argue strongly that only participatory research can produce useful, honest research which assists people with intellectual disabilities to attain their rights. Others question whether such research is possible or indeed desirable. This paper describes a three‐year action research project which sought to carry out participatory research on the sensitive issue of sexuality. The research grew partly from concerns of people with intellectual disabilities about this issue and involved them in its management and implementation as well as in developing workshops and publications arising from the research. The research process was consciously self reflective and raised questions about participatory research, representation and difference, and the dialectical relationship between individual life histories and institutional change. This paper discusses these ...


A key goal for astrobiology is the search for evidence of life on Mars. Because liquid water is a fundamental environmental requirement for life, the recent set of missions to Mars have focused on a strategy known as "follow the water." Since life is made of organic molecules, a logical next step is "follow the organics." However, organics are expected to be present at very low levels on Mars, which would make their detection challenging. Viking was unable to detect organics at parts per billion (ppb), but the effective upper limit could be higher due to the low efficiency of the thermal volatilization (TV) step in releasing organics. Due to its ease of use, TV is still the method selected for current and future NASA and ESA missions. Here, we show that when organics are present in the soil at levels above 1500 parts per million (ppm), there are several characteristic organic fragments detected by TV-mass spectrometry; however, when the levels are below <150 ppm, TV oxidizes them, and no organic fragments are released. Instead, nitric oxide (NO) is produced and can be used to determine quantitatively the organic content if the C/N ratio is determined. Any atmospheric NO sorbed or mineral nitrogen (e.g., nitrates) present in the soil would release NO by TV at distinctive temperature regimes that would not overlap with the organic nitrogen source. Therefore, we suggest that monitoring NO provides the best chance for Phoenix and other future Mars missions to detect nitrogen-containing organics in the soil or ice.


Patients with neurologic disease are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (deep venous thrombosis [DVT] or pulmonary embolism [PE]) because of relative immobility or an increased risk of hypercoagulable states. Patients with spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, and strokes are at particularly high risk for VTE. Well-established risk assessment tools and a number of well-defined diagnostic tests to establish a VTE diagnosis are available. Unfortunately, physicians, in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, often do not have a sufficiently high level of clinical suspicion for DVT or PE, and the diagnosis is sometimes missed. The treatment of VTE is anticoagulation unless the patient is at unacceptably high risk for serious bleeding complications. The duration of anticoagulation depends on the presence of underlying hypercoagulable states and a prior history of VTE.


The role information and communication technology (ICT) plays in increasing the competitiveness of business cannot be undermined since it enables most organizations to increase productivity and profitability. However, it has been realized that although ICT is employed in the various activities of the banks, most of them are implementing business strategies that are not enabling them to gain competitive advantage over their competitors in the banking industry and therefore are not making the desire profits. Objectives were set to identify the role of information and communication technology in business operations in New Juabeng municipality, to determine stakeholders views on the use of information and communication technology in business operations New Juabeng Municipality, to identify how banks in New Juabeng Municipality use information communication technology to gain competitive advantage and to identify how banks in new Juabeng municipality use business strategies to gain competitive advantage. The case study research design was employed in this study. The study adopted questionnaire as the main instrument to gather data and information for the study. The hypothesis tested indicated a significance level at 0.05 showing that ICT has improved the competitive position of businesses and also contributed to the success of business in New Juabeng municipality. Out of 150 copies of questionnaire distributed, 140 copies were retrieved completely filled. This represented 93% of the valid data. With the help of SPSS the data and information was quantitatively analyze in the form of tables, bar charts and pie charts. The study found out among others that, business organizations are using information and communication technology (ICT) in their business operations and transactions. ICT infrastructures can be improved by training staff members and investing in technology and also ICT is helping business operation and making customers feel satisfy with it (ICT) operations and has changes the scope of modern marketing environment in recent times as well as making internet business operations (ICT) more convenient and effective than direct business operations. The study recommended among others that, ICT should be properly installed to give adequate information needed to do transactions, regular maintenance of ICT systems should be put in place to maintain free flow of information and easy transactions, organizations using ICT in their operations must and business strategies in their business operation to gain competitive advantage using Ansoff matrix to access product on two dimensions.


In search for new therapeutic agents, against several diseases such as inflammation, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, etc, scientists have embraced the importance and great values of medicinal plants. Garcinia kola seed is eaten raw with the belief that it promotes longevity. In folkloric medicine, extracts of this seeds are used for the treatment of laryngitis, cough, and liver diseases (Iwu, 1990). Kolaviron (KV) (a biflavonoid fraction) has been isolated as one of the active components of Garcinia kola (Iwu, 1986). Basic medical research has shown KV to act as anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Aggarwal, 2004). In several models of hepatotoxicity, KV has been shown to elicit anti-tumor property via elevation of phase-II drug metabolizing enzymes, prevention of DNA oxidation, inhibition of lipid peroxidation process and pro-apoptotic effect by increasing bax/bcl2 ratio. The anti-hypercholesterolmic effect of KV in animals fed on high cholesterol diets has been established. In addition, the antidiabetic activity of KV in rats rendered type-II diabetic has been confirmed. KV is known to inhibit α-amylase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities, thereby reducing fasting plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats. KV is a known chemo preventive agent against testicular damage caused by several toxicants. Experiments on the longevity effect of KV and involvement of regulator genes is on-going. This review summarises the diverse biological activities of Garcinia kola and possible role as an emerging therapeutic agent. Keywords: Garcinia kola , Therapeutic Agent, Health, Medicinal Plant


This study aims at developing and demonstrating in a real case study a methodology for supporting Occupational Health and Safety Services in the design and assessment of preventive measures to reduce the risks of COVID-19 outbreaks within their entities. The proposed methodology applies the concepts from Social Network Analysis (SNA) to the current challenge of preventing risks of contagion of viruses like SARS-COV-2 among employees. For this purpose, the authors consider a network of employees whose interaction is caused by triggers, which are defined as common circumstances between two workers that may result in contagion, like sharing an office or participating in the same management board. The network cohesion is then evaluated, and those core nodes, which are the most significant contributors to its integration, are identified to be addressed in the design of the preventive measures. The impact of the designed preventive measures on the networks' cohesion is assessed for its prioritization and further deployment. The methodology has been demonstrated in a real case, a Spanish Research Center, providing promising results in a quick and easy manner. The objective insights provided by its application were demonstrated as very valuable for the Occupational Health and Safety Services in the design and evaluation of the set of preventing measures to be implemented before the return of the employees to the facilities after the Spanish confinement period. The current COVID-19 outbreak brings the need to develop tools and methods to support businesses and institutions in the use of SNA for preventing outbreaks among their employees. Although some literature does exist in the field of SNA application in epidemiology, its adaptation for extensive use by the Occupational and Health Services is still a challenge.


This paper presents some of the results of the project "Training and Development of Intercultural Competency of Teachers in Virtual Enviroments", carried out in the Colombian Caribbean region. It was performed in three steps: 1-diagnosis, 2-training, and 3-analysis of the pedagogical practice. The article shows the results of the third stage characterized by using a qualitative approach base on a cooperative action research design. The study was performed in ten Colombian Caribbean higher education institutions (HEI) offering virtual programs. In these institutions, six cases were selected, which correspond to teachers who had participated in the two previous stages. The stage here reported aimed at analyzing and assessing virtual teachers' practice in virtual learning environments. Data were collected from each case's Virtual Learning Environment, and they were analyzed by using documentary analysis of the teacher's pedagogical practice. This analysis was performed by the participant teachers, the researcher, and external expert. Results show a changing process of intercultural conception both in the design and in the implementation and evaluation. In order to overcome some weaknesses observed, it is necessary to train the teachers not only in the intercultural education but also in topic such as curricular design and educational technology.


The salinity distribution in multi-year sea ice is dependent on the ice topography and cannot be adequately represented by a single average profile. The cores collected from areas beneath surface hummocks generally showed a systematic increase in salinity with depth from 0‰ at the surface to about 4‰ at the base. The cores collected from areas beneath surface depressions were much more saline and displayed large salinity fluctuations. Salinity observations from sea ice of varying thicknesses and ages collected at various Arctic and sub-Arctic locations revealed a strong correlation between the average salinity of the ice and the ice thickness h. For salinity samples collected from cold sea ice at the end of the growth season, this relationship can be represented by two linear equations: ; . It is suggested that the pronounced break in slope at 0.4 m is due to a change in the dominant brine drainage mechanism from brine expulsion to gravity drainage. A linear regression for the data collected during the melt season gives . An annual cyclic variation of the mean salinity exists for multi-year sea ice. The mean salinity reaches a maximum at the end of the growth season and a minimum at the end of the melt season.


In large scale sensor networks the cross-correlations between nodes are rarely known. Failing to account for this detail in the design of distributed estimation schemes may lead to statistical inconsistencies and may even cause some estimators to diverge at various nodes within the network. Among the approaches that have been proposed to address this problem, covariance intersection is perhaps the most well-known. Other techniques rely on Chernoff fusion, of which covariance intersection is a special case. In a recent work we have introduced a technique, particles intersection, which is the application of Chernoff fusion using the empirical probability densities of two or more particle filters. This approach, however, may in some cases suffer from an excessive computational overhead. This issue is alleviated in this work by turning to a different yet related information fusion technique, a convex combination of probability densities. The utility of the new approach is demonstrated through simulations of cooperative robots localization, where it is compared with particles intersection and another state-of-the-art technique for distributed particle filtering. The results show a decisive advantage for the new technique both in terms of estimation accuracy and computational load. In addition, we provide an account of known techniques for tuning of the fusion parameters, and also suggest a new one based on the optimization of Chernoff information.


The performance of parabolic trough (PT) receiver tubes (RT) has a direct impact on concentrated solar power (CSP) plant production. As a result, one major need of operation and maintenance (O&M) in operating plants is to monitor the state of the receiver tube as a key element in the solar field. In order to fulfill this necessity, Abengoa Solar has developed the first existing portable device for measuring transmittance and reflectance of parabolic trough receiver tubes directly in the field. This paper offers a description of the technical features of the instrument and reviews the issues related to its usability as a workable portable device in operating solar fields. To evaluate its performance, laboratory studies have been carried out using two patterns to determine the accuracy and standard deviation of the measurements, obtaining excellent results.This information is complemented with data collected by O&M using this instrument in solar power plants. Studies have been carried out to determine the effect of both rainfall and artificial cleaning on the increase of transmittance. These values are then compared to those obtained from hand-cleaning and show important differences. The results are discussed in this paper.Copyright © 2014 by ASME