Situating itself in encounter and public space debates and borrowing from nonrepresentational theory approaches, this paper uses data from the authors' 2-year Economic and Social Research Council research project to consider how local urban parks can work as sites of routine encounter, mixity, and place belonging. The paper explores how parks as green public spaces are not only important as sites of inclusive openness but that the materiality of parks is a key dynamic in affective encounter processes. Parks can work as animators of social interactions, participatory practices, and place affinities across ethnic and cultural difference. The paper concludes that the concept of convivial encounter can be extended to incorporate the concept of elective practices – choosing to be in shared public space can generate connective sensibilities that are not necessarily contingent on exchange. In using parks as a lens to examine localities and diversity, the paper critically reflects on research practices for understanding and describing heterogeneous formations of multiculture and argues that the project's research design and the fieldwork methods present an attempt to carefully and appropriately respond to research with complexly different places and populations.


The conifer lady beetle, Scymnus (Pullus) coniferarum Crotch 1874, was previously collected from five states in the western U.S. and from British Columbia. Whitehead, in his 1967 thesis, noted that all collection records of S. coniferarum were from pine and that he collected large numbers from lodgepole pine and Monterey pine infested with adelgids. In 2008-2009, we collected 303 S. coniferarum adults from several locations in the Seattle, WA, metropolitan area from western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla, infested with the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand.


Upper limb dysfunctions (ULD) are common following a stroke. Annually, more than 15 million people suffer a stroke worldwide. We have developed a 7 degrees of freedom (DoF) exoskeleton robot named the smart robotic exoskeleton (SREx) to provide upper limb rehabilitation therapy. The robot is designed for adults and has an extended range of motion compared to our previously designed ETS-MARSE robot. While providing rehabilitation therapy, the exoskeleton robot is always subject to random disturbance. Moreover, these types of robots manage various patients and different degrees of impairment, which are quite impossible to model and incorporate into the robot dynamics. We hypothesize that a model-independent controller, such as a PID controller, is most suitable for maneuvering a therapeutic exoskeleton robot to provide rehabilitation therapy. This research implemented a model-free proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller to maneuver a complex 7 DoF anthropomorphic exoskeleton robot (i.e., SREx) to provide a wide variety of upper limb exercises to the different subjects. The robustness and trajectory tracking performance of the PID controller was evaluated with experiments. The results show that a PID controller can effectively control a highly nonlinear and complex exoskeleton-type robot.


Two‐dimensional solitary waves generated by a submerged body moving near the critical speed in a shallow water channel are studied numerically. The incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in a curvilinear free‐surface‐fitted coordinate system are solved by the finite difference method. The present numerical results are compared with the existing experimental data, and with the numerical solutions of two inviscid‐flow models, i.e. the general Boussinesq equation and the forced Korteweg‐de Vries equation. It is found that the viscous effect in the boundary layer around the body and on the bottom of the channel plays an important role in the generation of solitary waves on the free surface. Hence the Navier–Stokes solutions have a better agreement with the experimental data than those obtained from two inviscid‐flow models. The effect of the submergence depth of the body on the waves generated is also investigated. It reveals that waves are insensitive to the submergence depth of the body, except for a small region quite close to the bottom of the water channel.


THE ELECTIONS of two African Americans, Alexander J. Walt, MD, of Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich, and LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr, MD, of Howard University, Washington, DC, as president and president-elect, respectively, of the American College of Surgeons are significant events in the history of that organization. Drs Walt and Leffall have been major contributors to the American College of Surgeons for over 30 years. Their active participation in regional, national, and specialty societies and service to the college in leadership roles, along with their disciplinary contributions to surgery, make their elections eminently mediagenic. These actions have brought pride to surgeons in the Greenvilles of America, whether in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, or Kentucky. Initiative, hard work, dedication, and intelligence do matter. These accomplishments have had no dilutional effect on surgical excellence, standards have not been compromised, and scientific progress has not been downsized. The election of Margaret Longo, MD,


This paper considers the uncontrolled priority inversion problem occurs when a higher-priority thread is suspended because a lower-priority thread has a needed resource. A new strategy is presented to prevent uncontrolled priority inversion which integrates the priority inheritance protocol, the priority ceiling protocol, and the task classification based upon the priority of their subtasks relative to the task into preemption threshold scheduling. The new strategy provides schedulability improvement and reduces the excessive preemption overhead


Background/Aims Peripheral laser iridotomy (PLI) is a commonly performed procedure. While effective, repeat procedures (RPs) may be required for a variety of causes. We report the causes and rate of RP PLI and whether surgical grade is a risk factor. Methods Two years of retrospective data from 282 patients who had undergone PLI at a single UK ophthalmology department were retrieved using an electronic medical record system (Medisoft, Leeds, UK). Results A total of 253 patients underwent analysis with 20 requiring RPs. Our data identified a correlation between experience of the operating surgeon and an increase in RP rate, with statistical significance (p=0.036) observed between consultants and registrars. No other statistically significant risk factors were identified from our study. Prescriber preference for iopidine was observed. From our findings and the current literature, prognostic factors that appear to influence RP rate include surgical grade, patient compliance, Asian ethnicity, and anticoagulation. Conclusion RP rate increases in PLI when a junior surgeon is performing the procedure, and thus cases with established prognostic factors for RPs should have senior input. Formal and standardized YAG-laser training should be implemented alongside risk stratification of patients to improve both trainee education and patient care.


Within the allochthonous Cabo Ortegal mafic-ultramafic complex of NW Spain abundant pyroxenite occurs in km size peridotite massifs of Limo, Herbeira and Uzal. In the Herbeira massif, pyroxenite forms a lens-shaped body ca. 3 km long and 300 m thick, essentially composed of websterite bands separated by minor dunite. Towards the top of the succession clinopyroxenite and orthopyroxenite alternate locally with garnet-rich mafic rocks. Petrography and field data allow to distinguish three main rock-types: (i) peridotites, essentially harzburgite and dunite, (ii) common pyroxenites, including massive olivine-websterite to dm to cm thick orthopyroxenite and garnet-bearing pyroxenites, and (iii) mafic rocks rich in either clinopyroxene or amphibole together with abundant garnet and zoisite, which associate garnet-rutile clinopyroxenite. The age of the pyroxenites has been established at ca. 390 Ma (U-Pb zircon, rutile; Santos et al., 1996).
In binary diagrams (MgO vs. elements) peridotites plot at the Mg-richer end (> 30 wt% MgO), while mafic rocks and associated pyroxenite have low Mg contents (< 18 wt% MgO). The remaining common pyroxenites, expand between these two poles and show limited overlapping with peridotites. Displayed trends are continuous, but some bent shapes (SiO2, CaO) or enrichments (Na2O, Cr), mostly for pyroxenites, give an indication for different processes involved in the genesis of these rocks.
Normalization to primitive mantle shows variable patterns not correlated with the main rock-types. These are characterized by important LILE enrichment for all samples with negative anomalies for Rb, Th, Nb, P and Zr, and relative enrichment in Cs, Ba, U and Sr. Ti anomalies are not systematic. Chondrite normalized REE patterns also exhibit variable LREE enrichment, Eu anomaly and total REE contents. The observed difference in major and trace element composition point to minor variations at the source area for the different rock-types, and the most probable scenario in all cases appears to be that of an arc-related mantle-wedge whose chemical composition had been affected by the introduction of melts or fluids. Limited enrichment in LILE and LREE indicate subduction of an oceanic crust poor in sediments (a relatively young oceanic basin?) and limited incorporation of external material and/or metasomatic processes within the source region previous to crystallization.
Cr/(Cr+Al) ratios of spinel and XMg ratios of olivine from dunite and harzburgite plot in separate areas and do not follow the so called "olivine-spinel mantle array". While harzburgites might correspond to ocean-floor or arc peridotites, an origin of the dunites as mantle restites appears to be excluded. Pyroxenites have distinctly lower Fo contents akin to that of volcanic rocks from different environments, MORBs to island arc tholeiites (Arai, 1994). Major element composition of clinopyroxene shows that dunite and harzburgite overlap in the region of clinopyroxenes from island arc peridotites (cf. Koloskov and Zharinov, 1993), while common pyroxenites and mafic rocks extend well into the island arc pyroxenite region. These data are comparable to those obtained for a similar peridotite-pyroxenite association from the Braganca complex (north Portugal) interpreted as a fragment of supra-subduction zone depleted mantle related to an island arc-continent collision (Bridges et al., 1995).
Pb isotopic composition of pyroxene, garnet and amphibole from pyroxenites corrected for 390 Ma yield restricted range values similar to those reported for Beni Boussera and Lherz massifs where contribution or contamination with recycled crustal materials has been suggested (Mukasa et al., 1991; Pearson et al., 1993). In the present case, measured compositions are intermediate between those of present day MORBs and that of crustal derived granitic injections within the peridotites (Uzal massif, Santos et al., 1996), which would lend support to the crustal participation assumption. Zoisite exhibits a markedly different composition suggesting isotopic disequilibrium that might reflect a different (metamorphic?) origin for this mineral. Likewise, Pb isotopic composition of minerals from mafic rocks and associated garnet-rutile pyroxenites are lower than those of other pyroxenites which points to isotopic disequilibrium between the two rocks-types.
87Sr/86Sr initial ratios of analyzed minerals are mostly comprised between 0.7033 and 0.7049. These are very similar to data from orogenic massifs elsewhere (e.g., Balmuccia, Lherz, Lanzo), and close to those of present day OIBs suggesting participation of a component with high 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the genesis of these rocks. Nevertheless, it should appear that the minerals did not equilibrate for Sr isotopic composition in some rocks as Sri ratios display in cases significant variations within the same sample.
It is concluded that the Cabo Ortegal ultramafic massifs have originated within a mantle-wedge environment variably modified by fluid infiltration. Harzburgite and dunite reflect minor modifications during partial melting within the mantle-wedge. Instead, pyroxenites with disrupted REE and LILE enriched patterns might correspond to areas of such mantle-wedge that have been modified by recycling in variable amounts of oceanic lithosphere and sediments. The possibility of continental crust being involved can not be excluded in view of the occurrence of granite injections within peridotite. Furthermore, the present data suggest that incompatible trace elements and isotopic tracers may record modifications on the sub-arc mantle chemistry by fluids or melts derived from sediments and altered oceanic crust.


The author presents 17 photographs taken during labour and delivery in a large urban teaching hospital. The text describes a family doctor's experience of normal birth. Shown are birth with the parturient in a squatting position, on hands and knees, and in the lithotomy position, using the squatting bar for high foot support.


Interview with Mike and Enrique Pastor about their experience working with the mining company in Miami, Arizona. The interview pays special attention to the causes behind the infamous 1967 steelworkers strike and the subsequent effects of the strike. The Pastors also discuss the discrimination they faced growing up and the accompanying depression.


Background The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been reported to act as a target gene of microRNA (miR)-99a in various cancer cells and identified as an independent prognostic marker of human osteosarcoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of miR-99a/mTOR axis in human osteosarcoma. Methods A total of 130 pairs of osteosarcoma and matched noncancerous bone tissues were used to detect the expression levels of miR-99a and mTOR mRNA by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Then, associations of miR-99a and/or mTOR expression with clinico-pathological features and prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma were statistically analyzed. Results The expression levels of miR-99a (tumor vs normal: 2.11±1.03 vs 4.69±1.21, P<0.001) and mTOR mRNA (tumor vs normal: 4.40±1.13 vs 1.74±0.85, P<0.001) in osteosarcoma tissues were, respectively, lower and higher than those in noncancerous bone tissues. The expression levels of miR-99a in osteosarcoma tissues were negatively correlated with those of mTOR mRNA. Additionally, miR-99a-low and/or mTOR-high expression were all significantly associated with advanced surgical stage, positive metastasis and recurrence, and poor response to chemotherapy (all P<0.05). Moreover, patients with osteosarcoma with miR-99a-low and/or mTOR-high expression had shorter overall and disease-free survivals than those in miR-99a-high and/or mTOR-low expression groups. Multivariate Cox analyses showed that miR-99a and/or mTOR expression were all independent prognostic factors of osteosarcoma. Conclusion Our data showed the crucial role of miR-99a/mTOR axis in the malignant progression of human osteosarcoma, implying that conjoined expression of miR-99a and mTOR may offer an attractive novel prognostic marker for this disease.


Self-standing polyaniline (Pani) films modified with gold nanoparticles (Au NP's), where Au NP's are added in different successive weight percents, have been synthesized by conventional chemical polymerization technique. An in-depth investigation of the structural and electrical characteristics of prepared films has been conducted using various characterizations. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) validates the presence of Au NP's in Pani and the results are supported well by energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) clearly shows thorough dispersion of Au NP's in the amorphous host matrix with minor aggregation. The Fourier transform infrared red (FTIR) studies give the information of possible chemical interaction between the nanoparticles and polymer which is in good agreement with charge transfer mechanism proposed in the manuscript. The temperature dependent dc electrical conductivity has been observed to depend strongly on the nanoparticle loading and follows Mott's three-dimensional variable range hopping (3D VRH) conduction mechanism. Parameters obtained from Hall Effect measurements are of same order as is calculated by dc measurements which indicates a very good corroboration of results. Higher ac conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss of nanocomposites have also been observed as compared to that of pure Pani. Copyright © 2015 VBRI Press.


With the burgeoning of technology enabled communication, interactional transactions have become heavily dependent and concentric upon webbed web. New communication networks empowered with digital technologies and internet are foremost tools which have enabled the enterprise of completely new representation of information production and dissemination, cultural production, management and control. In this era of globalization transformation in cultures is often equated as the hybridization. It has been essentially a post colonial term with rare occasions of broad discussion. The notions globalization and hybridity are always inextricably connected, in terms of ambiguity, literally and metaphorically, explanatory and descriptive. The transformations in Indian culture and society have been fueled by both endogenous as well as exogenous processes. The present paper is an attempt to trace hybridity of culture through prisms of New Media.


Small‐cell prostate carcinoma (SCPC) is an aggressive malignancy that is managed similarly to small‐cell lung cancer. SCPC can evolve from prostate adenocarcinoma in response to androgen deprivation therapy, but, in rare cases, is present at initial cancer diagnosis. The molecular aetiology of de novo SCPC is incompletely understood, owing to the scarcity of tumour tissue and the short life‐expectancy of patients. Through a retrospective search of our regional oncology pharmacy database, we identified 18 patients diagnosed with de novo SCPC between 2004 and 2017. Ten patients had pure SCPC pathology, and the remainder had some admixed adenocarcinoma foci, but all were treated with first‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy. The median overall survival was 28 months. We performed targeted DNA sequencing, whole exome sequencing and mRNA profiling on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded archival tumour tissue. We observed frequent biallelic deletion and/or mutation of the tumour suppressor genes TP53, RB1, and PTEN, similarly to what was found in treatment‐related SCPC. Indeed, at the RNA level, pure de novo SCPC closely resembled treatment‐related SCPC. However, five patients had biallelic loss of DNA repair genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, and MSH2/6, potentially underlying the high genomic instability of this rare disease variant. Two patients with pure de novo SCPC harboured ETS gene rearrangements involving androgen‐driven promoters, consistent with the evolution of de novo SCPC from an androgen‐driven ancestor. Overall, our results reveal a highly aggressive molecular landscape that underlies this unusual pathological variant, and suggest opportunities for targeted therapy strategies in a disease with few treatment options. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The New TNX Seepage Basin is located across River Road east of the TNX Area at the Savannah River Site. Currently the basin is out of service and is awaiting closure in accordance with the Consent Decree settled under Civil Act No. 1:85-2583. Groundwater monitoring data from the detection monitoring network around the New TNX Seepage Basin was recently analyzed using South Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Regulations R.61-79.264.92 methods to determine if groundwater downgradient of the New TNX Seepage Basin had been impacted. Results from the data analysis indicate that the groundwater has been impacted by inorganic constituents with no associated health risks. The impacts resulting from elevated levels of inorganic constituents, such as Mn, Na, and Total PO{sub 4} in the water table, do not pose a threat to human health and the environment.


GOMOS (Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars) is a stellar occultation
instrument, combining four spectrometers and two fast photometers, that flew on board the
European platform ENVISAT from 2002 to 2012. Polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs), that form
during summer in the polar upper mesosphere, could be detected using the photometers' signals.
Their main properties (occurrence frequency, peak altitude, radiance) have been retrieved from
2002 to 2010, leading to a 16-summer (in both hemispheres) database of more than 21000 clouds.

PMCs are very sensitive to changes in their environment. That makes them important
tracers for the complex mechanisms that control the summer mesopause region. A better
understanding of the microphysical processes going on in this atmospheric region is essential in order to
model of their growth, their transport mechanisms and their lifetime. To that purpose, the particle
size distribution is an important parameter.

This presentation will be focused on PMC particle sizes retrieved from GOMOS spectral
observations in the northern hemisphere. The retrieval method will be explained, and results based
on the obtained 8-year dataset will be described and compared to PMC particle sizes derived from
the measurements of other instruments.


We develop a novel method to identify how ecological, evolutionary, and eco-evolutionary feedbacks influence system stability. Our method determines how system stability is influenced by the stabilities of a focal subsystem (i.e., the dynamics of a subset of variables of a system), its complementary subsystem, and feedbacks between the two subsystems. We apply our theory to nine empirically-parameterized eco-evolutionary models from the literature. We find that ecological feedbacks and evolutionary and eco-evolutionary feedbacks involving exploiter species (predators or pathogens) are typically stabilizing. In contrast, evolutionary and eco-evolutionary feedbacks involving victim species (prey or hosts) are destabilizing more often than not. We also explore how subsystem stability and the speed of evolution interact to determine system stability. These methods coupled with future empirical work at the eco-evolutionary interface will allow us to determine whether the (de)stabilizing effects we observed are common in ecological communities.


The emerging new breed of IS (group decision support systems and decision simulation, multimedia, next-generation knowledge-based systems, deductive databases and DBMSs, and such like, together with the evolving networking capabilities) will have a more significant impact on the way people work than have 'conventional' IT products. This will have implications for what one might call the 'cognitive style' of the user interaction. This paper describes further a view of the organization of organizations that has already been sketched briefly elsewhere (Hutchison & Rosenberg, 1993; Hutchison, 1994), and proposes a strategy for the formal modelling of cooperative group work.


Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe the echocardiographic findings in children hospitalized with severe pneumonia, in particular the presence of pulmonary hypertension.
Design:  A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken.
Setting:  Paediatric medical wards in two tertiary, teaching hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Subjects:  Consecutive sampling of 206 children aged 2 to 24 months meeting the WHO case definition of severe pneumonia whose caregivers gave informed consent.
Main Outcome Measures: Echocardiography findings of left ventricular contractility and estimated pulmonary hypertension defined as elevated Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure (RVSP) >25mmHg, both assessed by 2D echocardiography.
Results:   Elevated RVSP was found in 11.3% (n=22/195) of the participants with a mean of 35(4.2). This was not significantly associated with mortality (p=0.291). The following factors were significantly associated with elevated RVSP (p=<0.05): central cyanosis, SPO2 < 90% and at least two previous hospitalizations with pneumonia. Most, 98% (n=191) of patients had normal left ventricular contractility based on ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Ten of the participants died (10/195), giving a case fatality rate of 5.1%.
Conclusion: Pulmonary hypertension was found to be a complication in 11.3% of children hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Further studies are needed to evaluate its persistence.


Four hundred fifteen finger joints from 30 patients were evaluated for the presence of joint-space erosion, narrowing, and degenerative spurring on plain films, low-resolution digitized images (1024 x 840 bytes x 12 bit matrix), and high-resolution digitized images (2048 x 1680 bytes x 12 bit matrix). Three hundred four joints were abnormal. Low- and high-resolution digital images were displayed on a 1K x 1K monitor with the ability to change level, window, orientation, and brightness. Five radiologists interpreted images. The presence or absence of each abnormality was determined by consensus of two skeletal radiologists who did not otherwise participate in the study. Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis was used to obtain an area and a true-positive rate at a 0.10 false-positive rate for each interpreter. Randomized block analysis of variance with interpreters as blocks was used to compare areas and true-positive rates among imaging techniques for each type of abnormality; no statistically significant differences were found. In conclusion, the efficacy of display of digitized images on high- and low-resolution modes is not significantly different from that of plain films in the detection of erosions, joint-space narrowing, or degenerative spurring in small joints of the hands.


In extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), conventional pellicles are unavailable for protecting the EUVL masks, since they highly absorb the EUV radiation. One of the serious challenges is therefore to prevent particulate contamination of the EUVL masks. In this paper, EUVL mask protection schemes proposed by Asbach were experimentally challenged against horizontal aerosol flow simulating particle transport from the side during mask handling, shipping, and storage at atmospheric pressure. The protection schemes include mounting the critical surface facing down, using a cover plate with particle trap, and applying electrophoresis or thermophoresis. Both electrophoresis and thermophoresis showed very good protection capabilities. Electrophoresis, however, might be counterproductive due to the unknown particle charge polarity in real situations. A particle trap, on which contaminant particles can deposit before they reach the critical surface, could then be used to collect all particles irrespective of their polarity with a sufficiently high electric field but might not work against zero-charged particles. On the other hand, thermophoresis acts on all particles and transports them in the same direction. Therefore, the upside-down mounting and thermophoresis with the cover plate and particle trap are considered the promising protection schemes for the EUVL mask carrier systems


In this paper, we proposed the algorithm text extraction of different images of languages. In computer vision research area, text is very important in images. Here, we use edge based extraction of text using ISEF (infinite symmetrical edge filter). ISEF is optimal edge detector which gives accurate results for text in images. Text extraction involves detection, localization, tracking and enhancement. Large numbers of technique have been proposed for the text extraction. Our aim is to present robust technique for text extraction of different languages images.


The present paper illustrates that changes in national commodity and income tax rates will affect the location choices of mobile factors of production within an economy with regions as well as the total supply of these factors to the economy. It is also argued that revenue (expenditure) neutral changes in the tax mix, for example, an increase in the commodity tax combined with a decrease in the income tax rate, will affect the domestic distribution of mobile factors, their supply to the economy and social welfare. In other words, revenue neutrality should not be used as a guide to the welfare effects of tax mix changes.


Many chemotherapy agents are toxic to the heart, such that increasing numbers of cancer survivors are now living with the potentially lethal cardiovascular consequences of their treatment. Earlier and more sensitive detection of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity may allow improved treatment strategies and increase long-term survival. Lipophilic cation PET tracers may be suitable for early detection of cardiotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate an 18F-labeled lipophilic phosphonium cation, [1-(2-18F-fluoroethyl),1H[1,2,3]triazole-4-ethylene]triphenylphosphonium bromide (18F-MitoPhos), as a cardiac imaging agent, comparing it with leading PET and SPECT lipophilic cationic tracers before further assessing its potential for imaging cardiotoxicity in an acute doxorubicin model. Methods: Cardiac uptake and response to decreased mitochondrial membrane potential of 18F-MitoPhos and 99mTc-sestamibi were tested in isolated perfused rat hearts. Baseline pharmacokinetic profiles of 18F-MitoPhos and 18F-fluorobenzyltriphenylphosphonium and their response to acute doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity were assessed in rats in vivo (10, 15, or 20 mg of doxorubicin per kilogram, intravenously, 48 h beforehand). Results: Cardiac retention of 18F-MitoPhos was more than double that of 99mTc-sestamibi in isolated perfused rat hearts. A favorable biodistribution of 18F-MitoPhos in vivo was observed, with heart-to-tissue ratios of 304 ± 186, 11.2 ± 1.2, and 3.8 ± 0.6 for plasma, liver, and lung, respectively (60 min). A significant dose-dependent loss of cardiac retention of 18F-MitoPhos was observed on doxorubicin treatment, with average cardiac SUV from 30 to 60 min (mean ± SD) decreasing from 3.5 ± 0.5 (control) to 1.8 ± 0.1 (doxorubicin, 20 mg/kg). Other assessed biomarkers showed no alterations. Conclusion: 18F-MitoPhos showed pharmacokinetic parameters suitable for cardiac imaging. A significant dose response of cardiac uptake to doxorubicin treatment was observed before detectable biomarker alterations. 18F-MitoPhos is therefore a promising tracer for imaging chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of radiolabeled lipophilic cations being used for the PET imaging of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and indicates the potential application of these compounds in this area.


We report on the micro-fa characterization of a chip-scale plasm based on a Rubidium (Rb) vapor cell. light source is intended for use as an in pump-light source in miniature doubl atomic clocks [1, 5]. The RF plasma coupled using external electrodes, and th impedance matched to the source between 1 and 36 MHz. Rb vapor c previously developed as reference cells f but not as light sources. This is the fi plasma emitted from a chip-scale devi emission is observed for over 18 days.


: Bone shapes, particularly those defining the subtalar joint (STJ), have not received much attention yet as a risk factor for developing chronic ankle instability (CAI) after sustaining a lateral ankle sprain (LAS). This study aimed to compare three ‐ dimensional (3D) shape variations in the STJ bones within individuals with CAI and healthy controls. 3D statistical shape models (SSMs) of the STJ bones were built to describe the bone shape variations observed within a population consisting of 26 individuals with unilateral CAI and 26 healthy controls. Using the SSMs and analysis of covariance test, age ‐ and gender ‐ adjusted shape variations in the bones were compared within individuals with CAI and healthy controls. The mean age of the CAI patients (14 males and 12 females) and healthy controls (12 males and 14 females) was 29 (standard deviation [SD]=11) and 36 years (SD=11), respectively. Tali and calcanei did not significantly vary between ipsilateral CAI and their contralateral ankle. Two shape modes, one for the talus ( p =0.015, variations in the curvature of the talar lateral process and the inclination angle of the talar neck relative to the body) and one for the calcaneus ( p =0.003, variations in the medial and lateral tuberosities, and the contour of the anterior articular surface), described significant shape differences between the CAI patients and healthy controls. The CAI patients generally had flatter talar joint surfaces and a flattened calcaneal ground ‐ contact surface. These findings suggest that specific bone shapes may increase the risk of developing CAI after sustaining a LAS. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research ® published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 37:1892 – 1902, 2019 age and gender, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test was performed considering the age and gender as covariate factors. To assess whether the shape parameters (i.e., b values) across all tali and calcanei for each mode of shape variation conform to a normal distribution, a Kolmogorov – Smirnoff test was applied prior to our statistical analyses. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS (version 22; Chicago, IL).


The authors investigate the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) linewidth and amplitude of the Fe3+ ions in semimetallic HgSe:Fe. An effective spin relaxation mechanism caused by RKKY coupling between Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions is proposed to explain the experimental data. They conclude that the strongly nonuniform relaxation rate originating from the nonuniformity of the local environment of Fe3+, leads to a decrease of the EPR amplitude as observed in experiment.


Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have emerged as versatile electrophysiological sensors due to their high transconductance, biocompatibility, and transparent channel material. High maximum transconductances were demonstrated, facilitating extracellular recordings from electrogenic cells. However, this often requires large channel dimensions which impede high transistor densities. To improve the device performance and density, we used interdigitated OECTs (iOECTs), which feature high transconductances with small device areas. Superior device performance was achieved by systematically optimizing the electrode layout regarding channel length, number of electrode digits, and electrode width. Interestingly, the maximum transconductance does not straightforwardly scale with the channel width-to-length ratio, which is different from planar OECTs. We used optimized iOECTs for recording action potentials of cardiomyocyte-like HL-1 cells. Furthermore, we embedded the iOECTs in a matrix of polyimide to achieve flexible and transparent bioelectronic devices. These sensors exhibited electrical characteristics similar to those of solid-substrate devices even after experiencing extremely high bending strain. Finally, we used these devices to detect neurotransmitter dopamine and ATP, which play an important role not only in signal transmission in the central nervous system but also in cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and immune deficiency diseases. Our novel aptasensor possessed ultralow detection limits, which were several orders of magnitude lower than those of the same aptasensors using an amperometric transducer principle. Our results demonstrate that interdigitated OECTs meet two requirements of both electrophysiological and biochemical sensors, namely high device performance and small channel dimensions, and might represent the optimal transducer to integrate these two types of sensors on one chip.


Simple Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:LiSrGaF laser, containing no intracavity prisms has been demonstrated for the first time. The laser produced stable near transform-limited 47 fs pulses with an output power of 100 mW. The low-loss Gires-Tournois structured dielectric mirrors were used for dispersion control. The measured group-delay dispersion of the active medium as well as of the mirrors allowed to identify the origin of the narrow spectral side-band.


Presents a waveform relaxation technique for simulating the transient response of nonuniform coupled transmission lines which are characterized with frequency-dependent parameters. The method consists of iterative waveform relaxation analysis of asymmetric disjoint resistive networks constructed with voltage-dependent voltage sources generated by applying the fast Fourier transform (FFT). The method requires neither convolution integration nor synthesis of lumped equivalent circuits for the simulation of the frequency-dependence of transmission-line parameters. Transient responses of uniform and nonuniform coupled transmission lines with and without skin-effect parameters and terminated with linear and nonlinear loads are simulated for illustration. The accuracy and efficiency of the relaxation technique are substantiated with exact analytical solutions and experimental data. >


The NMDA receptor opens in response to binding of NMDA and glycine. However, it remains unclear where and how gating of the NMDA receptor pore is accomplished. We show that different point mutations between S645 and I655 (thus including the highly conserved SYTANLAAF motif) of M3c in NR2B lead to constitutively open channels. The current through these constitutively open channels are readily blocked by external Mg2+ and MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate]. Also, the open-channel blocker MK-801 can no longer be trapped in these channels when NMDA and glycine are washed off. Moreover, M3c residues at or below A651(NR2B, A7 in SYTANLAAF) react with external methanethiosulfonate (MTS) reagents ∼500 to 1000-fold faster in the presence than in the absence of agonists NMDA and glycine. In fact, the MTS modification rate shows exactly the same NMDA concentration dependence as channel activation. In contrast, those residues external to A651 are always modified with similar kinetics whether NMDA and glycine are present or not. Interestingly, MTS modification of A651C(NR2B) holds the channel constitutively open. Mutations of A651(NR2B) into arginine, tryptophan, or phenylalanine, and similar mutations of the corresponding A652 in NR1 also lead to constitutively open channels. Double-mutant cycle analysis further shows that the effects of A652(NR1) and A651(NR2B) mutations are evidently non-additive (i.e., cooperative) if mutated into residues with large side chains or with compensatory charges [e.g., A652E(NR1)+A651R(NR2B)]. The side chain of A7 thus plays a determinant role in the intersubunit distance at this level, which is directly responsible for the activation gate and activation–deactivation gating of the NMDA receptor.


The analysis of domain-specific terminology is essential for characterizing specialized discourses, and emerges as
 a useful means of measuring the thematic hybridity of law and legal translation in particular. This paper accordingly presents a
 large-scale mapping of terminological and phraseological features in a multi-genre corpus that was built as part of the LETRINT
 project on institutional legal translation. The corpus-driven analysis focuses on the density of legal terminology and
 phraseology, on the one hand, and that of terminology of other specialized domains, on the other, in nine genres that are
 considered representative of three central legal functions (law-making, compliance monitoring and adjudication) in three
 international settings (the European Union, the United Nations and the World Trade Organization). The comparative examination of
 density scores provides empirical evidence of the common core features of the selected genres, and reveals variations based on
 institutional thematic focus, primary legal function and genre specificities. These insights nuance our understanding of
 international legal discourses and domain specialization in institutional translation.


A new method has been developed for the indirect determination of nitroso- and nitrophenols by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after extraction of ionic associates involving bipyridylocopper(II) (CuDP) or phenanthrolinocopper(II) (CuPH) complexes. Nitrobenzene and methyl isobutyl ketone appeared to be suitable for the extraction. It was possible to determine several tenths to hundredths of a milligram of nitrophenol in a litre. Extractable associates with CuDP and CuPH are formed by phenols possessing two substituents or by higher molecular weight phenols such as naphthol or hydroxyquinoline. Monosubstituted phenols fail to form associates of this kind.


The fundamental notions and operations on Atanassov's Intuitionistic Fussy Sets are first introduced, and the semantic matching problem of intuitionistic fuzzy reasoning is described with the emphasis on proposing the extensions of methods for computing the semantic distance and near compactness as the measurement of intuitionistic fuzzy matching degree and on investigating the extensions of models for computing intuitionistic fuzzy near compactness and semantic distance, such as Hamming distance, Euclidean distance, Minkovski distance and Chebyishev distance, etc. on both space of discrete and continuous domain. The techniques for transforming intuitionistic fuzzy near compactness or semantic distance into intuitionistic fuzzy matching degree are exposed.


We are pleased to introduce a first-of-its-kind tool that combines in-silico region detection and missing value estimation for spatially resolved transcriptomics. Spatial transcriptomics by 10X Visium (ST) is a new technology used to dissect gene and cell spatial organization. Analyzing this new type of data has two main challenges: automatically annotating the major tissue regions and excessive zero values of gene expression due to high dropout rates. We developed a computational tool—MIST—that addresses both challenges by automatically identifying tissue regions and estimating missing gene-expression values for each detected region. We validated MIST detected regions across multiple datasets using manual annotation on the histological staining images as references. We also demonstrated that MIST can accurately recover ST's missing values through hold-out experiments. Furthermore, we showed that MIST could identify intra-tissue heterogeneity and recover spatial gene-gene co-expression signals. We therefore strongly encourage using MIST before downstream ST analysis because it provides unbiased region annotations and enables accurately denoised spatial gene-expression profiles.


After compensation for phase modulation and frequency drift, the pulsar's GW can be detected in the records of all three interferometers. The signatures agree with the known values measured with electromagnetic waves.


Fourier transform (FT) is a kind of efficient feature extraction method. In this paper, we mainly discuss the most frequently used feature extraction methods based on FT in the field of handwriting digits recognition and propose a new method, called the one dimensional FT feature extraction method based on sum and difference. We have implemented this method to off-line recognition of handwriting digits, and it has been proved by experiments that this method is effective.


This article discusses the specific epistemological and methodological difficulties which historians of audience face while taking stock of recent developments in the field. It starts with a definition of the audience as an entity with both objective and subjective dimensions. It refutes the textualist claim according to which audiences are pure discursive entities. Put into historical perspective, textualism appears as less postmodern than romantic. This article then warns historians against another form of less conscious, 'rampant textualism': being influenced by 'grand narratives' based on axiologies of hopes and fears triggered by the media. They may provide interesting ideal-types but should not be considered as directly relevant to history. The main part of this article is devoted to a typology of sources, following four categories: from above (coming from media, political, administrative elites), from the side (references to audiences in other media, including art and literature), from below (written and more recently oral expressions of audience members) and from the media themselves (both physical artefacts and media messages). It shows the advantages and drawbacks of each and explains the danger of pitching one against the other (e.g. 'good' ethnography, against 'bad' statistics).


The main problem in this paper is how to find the character which is placed on a line or curves of raster map. We give one novel algorithm to group each separated characters in a map. This word grouping is difficult especially in a map, since a map has many different types of character and each word has its own slanting line. For this, we propose the 3D neighborhood graph G from a given set of characters. In this graph, each vertex of G represents the separated characters and it is placed in 3D space according to the size of the character. This makes the bigger characters being located in the upper position, the smaller characters being placed in the bottom. We give an edge if two vertices are nearly placed in that 3D space. By this edge connection strategy we can easily find the words of various different size in a map.


In this paper, we propose a unified Multi-Object Tracking (MOT) framework learning to make full use of long term and short term cues for handling complex cases in MOT scenes. Besides, for better association, we propose switcher-aware classification (SAC), which takes the potential identity-switch causer (switcher) into consideration. Specifically, the proposed framework includes a Single Object Tracking (SOT) sub-net to capture short term cues, a re-identification (ReID) sub-net to extract long term cues and a switcher-aware classifier to make matching decisions using extracted features from the main target and the switcher. Short term cues help to find false negatives, while long term cues avoid critical mistakes when occlusion happens, and the SAC learns to combine multiple cues in an effective way and improves robustness. The method is evaluated on the challenging MOT benchmarks and achieves the state-of-the-art results.


Despite various work which aimed to identify the phonetic and structural underpinning of tone sandhi directionality, the underlying mechanism that governs tone sandhi remains unknown. We note that the two widely discussed properties of tone sandhi, their phonetic grounds and directionality, correspond to two types of cognitive biases widely investigated in segmental phonology, namely substantive bias and structural bias respectively. This study examines structural simplicity and phonetic naturalness of tone sandhi patterns across seventeen Chinese varieties. Based on a structure-based analysis, we show that tone sandhi patterns are overwhelmingly uni-directional (i.e. structurally simple) either throughout a sandhi system or within each grammatical category. Crucially, uni-directionality is largely right-dominant, which could be attributed to its phonetic grounding. We argue that structural simplicity grounded on phonetic substance better captures tone sandhi asymmetries and such phonetically-grounded structural simplicity bias is reflected in the asymmetries of Chinese tone sandhi directionality.


In this paper the Shannon capacity of generalized-gamma (GG) fading channels is studied, under different adaptive transmission techniques. The GG is a generic distribution, which is considered to be appropriate for modeling fading/shadowing phenomena. Hence, assuming single (i.e., no diversity), as well as, dual-branch selection diversity receivers, novel expressions for the capacity under three adaptive transmission policies, namely optimal power and rate adaptation (OPRA), channel inversion with fixed rate (CIFR) and truncated CIFR (TIFR), are obtained. The derived expressions are in closed form and generalize previously presented results. The proposed analysis is accompanied by numerical results, clearly demonstrating the usefulness of the theoretical approach.


Let $\Phi = (\phi_1,\dots,\phi_6)$ be a system of $6$ linear forms in $3$ variables, i.e. $\phi_i \colon \mathbb{Z}^3 \to \mathbb{Z}$ for each $i$. Suppose also that $\Phi$ has Cauchy--Schwarz complexity $2$ and true complexity $1$, in the sense defined by Gowers and Wolf; in fact this is true generically in this setting. Finally let $G = \mathbb{F}_p^n$ for any $p$ prime and $n \ge 1$. Then we show that multilinear averages by $\Phi$ are controlled by the $U^2$-norm, with a polynomial dependence; i.e. if $f_1,\dots,f_6 \colon G \to \mathbb{C}$ are functions with $\|f_i\|_{\infty} \le 1$ for each $i$, then for each $j$, $1 \le j \le 6$:
\[
\left| \mathbb{E}_{x_1,x_2,x_3 \in G} f_1(\varphi_1(x_1,x_2,x_3)) \dots f_6(\phi_6(x_1,x_2,x_3)) \right| \le \|f_j\|_{U^2}^{1/C}
\] for some $C > 0$ depending on $\Phi$. This recovers and strengthens a result of Gowers and Wolf in these cases. Moreover, the proof uses only multiple applications of the Cauchy--Schwarz inequality, avoiding appeals to the inverse theory of the Gowers norms.
We also show that some dependence of $C$ on $\Phi$ is necessary; that is, the constant $C$ can unavoidably become large as the coefficients of $\Phi$ grow.


Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (1050 individuals with initial weight of 1.01 ± 0.001 g) were fed either control diet or one of six dietary astaxanthin (AX) concentration (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg kg−1) diets for 56 days in 35 tanks (30 shrimp per tank). After 56 days of culture, shrimp-fed AX125 and AX150 diets had higher (P < 0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, total antioxidant status and lower (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) than shrimp fed control diet. After low dissolved oxygen stress for 1 h, survival rate of shrimp fed AX75, AX100, AX125 and AX150 diets was higher (P < 0.05) than that of shrimp fed control diet. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase (cMnSOD) and CAT mRNA expression levels of shrimp fed seven diets were significantly down-regulated under hypoxia than under normoxia, but their expression levels were higher under hypoxia in shrimp fed AX-supplemented diets than in shrimp fed control diet. About 70-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp70) mRNA expression level of shrimp fed seven diets was significantly up-regulated under hypoxia than under normoxia, but its expression level was lower under hypoxia in shrimp fed AX-supplemented diets than in shrimp fed control diet.


The aim was to systematically evaluate the effect of supplemental fluids or feedings during the first days of life on the overall breastfeeding duration and rate of exclusive breastfeeding among healthy infants. Medical subject headings and free-language terms were used to search the following electronic databases for studies relevant to breastfeeding: MEDLINE EMBASE Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) the Cochrane Library and La Leche League. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) were considered for study inclusion. Of 56 potentially relevant clinical trials identified only one RCT (170 infants) met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. In this study formula feeding was significantly more frequent at 4 wk in the experimental group in which breastfeeding had been supplemented with 5% glucose ad libitum during the first 3 d of life (n = 83) than in the exclusively breastfed control group (n = 87) (p < 0.05). At 16 wk (5 mo postpartum) the percentage of mothers who continued breastfeeding either exclusively or partially was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.01). There remains considerable uncertainty about the effect of brief exposure to water breast-milk substitutes or other liquids on the success and duration of breastfeeding. (authors)


The tracheobronchial vasculature is controlled by adrenergic, cholinergic, and peptidergic nervous mechanisms. Sympathetic nerves release norepinephrine and neuropeptide Y (NPY), which are both constrictor agents, the latter being long-lasting. Parasympathetic nerves release acetylcholine and usually vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), both of which are vasodilators, VIP being the longer lasting. These motor nerves are controlled by many reflex inputs. Activation of pulmonary C-fiber receptors by irritants and inflammatory mediators causes a powerful vasodilatation, mainly via sympathetic motor nerves. Cardiac and chemoreceptor reflexes also influence airway vascular tone. Sensory nerves in the airway mucosa are responsible for local axon reflexes in response to irritants and inflammatory mediators. These nerves contain neuropeptides such as substance P (SP), neurokinins A and B (NKA, NKB), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). All these neuropeptides are powerful vasodilators. Thus, inflammatory conditions in the lungs such as asthma cause vasodilation by local direct action of mediators, by axon reflexes, and by central nervous reflexes. The vasodilation could lead to mucosal edema. Thus, airway vascular responses have to be added to bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion as part of the mucosal pathology of asthma.


Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability develops at the interface between two fluids of different densities accelerated against their density gradients. Intense interfacial fluid mixing ensues with time. RT mixing controls a broad range of processes in fluids, plasmas, materials, at astrophysical and at molecular scales. In this work we focus on the physics of RT mixing, which we have identified through our theoretical and experimental studies. The theory analyzes symmetries and invariants of RT dynamics and finds that RT mixing has strong correlations, weak fluctuations, and is sensitive to deterministic conditions. The experiment unambiguously observes heterogeneity, anisotropy and sensitivity to deterministic conditions of RT mixing in a broad range of setups. The theory and the experiment agree with one another, reveal that RT mixing may exhibit order and suggest new avenue for studies interfacial mixing in nature and technology.


【Generally, the assembly system relied on conveyor lines is efficient for mass production. But it is not efficient when the product types are often varying and their lot sizes are small. Especially, it is much inefficient for the assembly lines for the electronic products whose types are varying very often. This paper suggests the design of U-shaped assembly lines to replace the existing conveyor systems. The assembly line for the mini-cassette production is dealt with as a case study. The proposed procedure was successfully applied for the design of U-shaped lines. The developed method resulted in the improvement of the productivity such as the decrease of the man power and the cycle time, and the increase of the line utility.】


Malaria is the most prevalent tropical disease in the world today. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria parasites in children examined at Vom Christian Hospital. Blood samples were collected by finger prick and venipuncture and examined using thick and thin blood film under x100 objective. Out of the 360 children examined, 31(8.6%) were found infected with malaria parasites. The male children (9.8%) were more infected than the females (7.7%) there was no significant difference in prevalence of malaria in relation to gender (p=0.8575). Plasmodium falciparum (71.0%) was the most prevalent malaria parasite encountered in the study-area while P. malariae (29.0%) was least encountered. There was no significant difference of species encountered in relation to gender (p = 0.4985). Children aged between 7-9 years old (20.7%) were significantly (p<0.0001) more infected with malaria parasites, while those aged between 13-15 years old (3.7%) were least infected. Children aged <12 months old were not infected in the study-area. Children with blood Group O, 14(45.1%) had the highest rate of malaria infection, followed by those with blood Group A, 9(29.0%) while blood Group B had the lowest rate, with 3 (9.7%) of the infection. The various blood groups were mostly infected with P. falciparum, but there was no significant difference (p=0.08402) in the prevalence of malaria infection in relation to species and blood group. Children whose parents were farmers, 24(12.0%) were significantly (p<0.0001) more infected with malaria parasites, while those whose parents were civil servants, 2(4.0%) were the least infected. To this end, effective malaria control strategies need to be indoctrinated and public health campaigns carried out to increase awareness in the community and to further reduce the prevalence of malaria in the study- area. Keywords : Malaria parasites; children; gender; blood group.


SUMMARY "Heteroresistance" describes a phenomenon where subpopulations of seemingly isogenic bacteria exhibit a range of susceptibilities to a particular antibiotic. Unfortunately, a lack of standard methods to determine heteroresistance has led to inappropriate use of this term. Heteroresistance has been recognized since at least 1947 and occurs in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Its clinical relevance may be considerable, since more resistant subpopulations may be selected during antimicrobial therapy. However, the use of nonstandard methods to define heteroresistance, which are costly and involve considerable labor and resources, precludes evaluating the clinical magnitude and severity of this phenomenon. We review the available literature on antibiotic heteroresistance and propose recommendations for definitions and determination criteria for heteroresistant bacteria. This will help in assessing the global clinical impact of heteroresistance and developing uniform guidelines for improved therapeutic outcomes.


A model is proposed for the organization of mass orthodontic prophylaxis in the integrated pediatric institutions (IPI), covering the following more important activities: I. Follow-up care of the organized pediatric groups in the crêches and nurseries with a view to orthodontic prophylaxis. II. Analysis of the data from the prophylactic examinations, written down in special cards, worked out by the authors. According to the needs of the children they are distributed in four follow-up groups. III. Mass orthodontic prophylaxis. The more important measures of primary and secondary mass orthodontic prophylaxis are established and grouped respectively. IV. Visual-educational materials. V. Colour film of the model. The proposed model is admitted to illustrate and convincingly present the possibilities of the mass prophylaxis in IPI and, in parallel, it could serve as a programme for mass orthodontic prophylaxis.


Hybridization and detection of E. coli ribosomal RNA with molecular beacons labeled with a fluorescent dye is achieved in a microfluidic device. The device consists of a four ports mixing chamber, where the probes and the target molecules mix by diffusion. The weak fluorescent signal is detected by two large core optical fibers that are placed on both sides of the channel and collect the light emitted in both directions. The fibers are coupled to a spectrophotometer. The detection limit for the system is 0.2 fmol.


In this paper we examine the usefulness of two classes of algorithms Distance Methods, Discrete Character Methods (Felsenstein and Felsenstein 2003) widely used in genetics, for predicting the family relationships among a set of related languages and therefore, diachronic language change. Applying these algorithms to the data on the numbers of shared cognates- with-change and changed as well as unchanged cognates for a group of six languages belonging to a Dravidian language sub-family given in Krishnamurti et al. (1983), we observed that the resultant phylogenetic trees are largely in agreement with the linguistic family tree constructed using the comparative method of reconstruction with only a few minor differences. Furthermore, we studied these minor differences and found that they were cases of genuine ambiguity even for a well-trained historical linguist. We evaluated the trees obtained through our experiments using a well-defined criterion and report the results here. We finally conclude that quantitative methods like the ones we examined are quite useful in predicting family relationships among languages. In addition, we conclude that a modest degree of confidence attached to the intuition that there could indeed exist a parallelism between the processes of linguistic and genetic change is not totally misplaced.


In rapid thermal processing of a semiconductor wafer, it is important to keep a given temperature rising speed of the wafer during the temperature rising process. We made an experimental apparatus to measure the temperature rising speed of a ceramic ball of 2 mm in diameter heated with four halogen lamp heaters. The heating rate of the halogen lamp heaters was controlled by computer to keep a given temperature rising speed of 50 °C/s with a controlling time interval of 0.1 s. We examined the effect of various heating control methods on the error of the temperature rising speed of the ceramic ball. We found that a combined method of control with prepared correlation and PID (proportional integral derivative) control is a good method to decrease the error of the temperature rising speed. The average error of the temperature rising speed is 0.5 °C/s, and the repetition error is almost zero for the temperature rising speed of 50 °C/s from 330 °C to 370 °C. We also measured the effects of artificial control delay time and measuring error of the monitoring temperature on the error of the temperature rising speed.


The condensation heat transfer coefficients of pure refrigerants R-22, R-134a, and a binary refrigerant mixture R-410A flowing in a small diameter tube were investigated. The experiment apparatus consists of a refrigerant loop and a water loop. The main components of the refrigerant loop consist of a variable-speed refrigerant pump, a mass flowmeter, an evaporator, and a condenser(test section). The condenser is a counterflow heat exchanger with refrigerant flowing in the inner tube and water flowing in the annulus. It consists of smooth horizontal copper tube of 3.38 ㎜ OD and 1.77 ㎜ ID. The length of test section is 1220 ㎜. The refrigerant mass fluxes varied from 450 to 1050 ㎏/(㎡ㆍs) and the average inlet and outlet qualities were 0.05 and 0.95, respectively. The main results were summarized as follows ; in the case of single-phase flow. The heat transfer coefficient of R-410A was higher than that of R-22 and R-134a, and the heat transfer coefficients for small diameter tubes were about 20% to 27% higher than those predicted by Gnielinski. In the case of two-phase flow, the heat transfer coefficients also increase with increasing mass flux and quality. The condensation heat transfer coefficient of R-410A was slightly higher than that of R-22 and R-134a. Most of correlations proposed in the large diameter tube showed significant deviations with experimental data except for the ranges of low quality and low mass flux.


Part I: Introduction to Systems Biology Approach. Chapter 1. Introduction to systems biology in drug discovery and development. 1.1 Introduction. Chapter 2. Methods for In Silico Biology: Model Construction and Analysis. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Model building. 2.3 Parameter estimation. 2.4. Model analysis. 2.5 Conclusions. Chapter 3. Methods in In Silico Biology: Modeling Feedback Dynamics in Pathways. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Statistical modeling. 3.3 Mathematical modeling. 3.4 Feedback and feedforward. 3.5 Conclusions. Chapter 4. Simulation of Population Variability in Pharmacokinetics. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 PBPK modeling. 4.3 Simulation of pharmacokinetic variability. 4.4 Conclusions and future directions. Part II: Applications to Drug Discovery. Chapter 5. Applications of Systems Biology Approaches to Target Identification and Validation in Drug Discovery. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Typical drug discovery paradigm. 5.3 Integrated drug discovery. 5.4 Drivers of the disease phenotype: clinical endpoints and hypotheses. 5.5 Extracellular disease drivers: mechanistic biotherapeutic models. 5.6 Relevant cell models for clinical endpoints. 5.7 Intracellular disease drivers: signaling pathway quantification. 5.8 Target selection: dynamic pathway modeling. 5.9 Conclusions. Chapter 6. Lead Identification and Optimization. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 The systems biology toolkit. 6.3 Conclusions. Chapter 7. The role of core biological motifs in dose-response modeling: an example with switch-like circuits. 7.1 Introduction: systems perspective in drug discovery. 7.2 Systems biology and toxicology. 7.3 Mechanistic/computational concepts in a molecular/cellular context. 7.4 Response motifs in cell signaling and their role in dose response. 7.5 Discussion and conclusions. Chapter 8. Mechanism Based Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling During Discovery and Early Development. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Challenges in drug discovery and development: the need to bring together PK and PD. 8.3 Methodological aspects and concepts. 8.4 Application during lead optimization. 8.5 Application during clinical candidate selection. 8.6 Entry into human (EIH) preparation and translational PK/PD modeling. 8.7 PK/PD for toxicology study design and evaluation. 8.8 Justification of starting dose, calculation of safety margins, and support of phase I design. 8.9 Phase I and beyond. 8.10 Support of early formulation development. 8.11 Outlook and conclusions. Part III: Applications to Drug Development. Chapter 9. Developing Oncology Drugs Using Virtual Patients of Vascular Tumor Diseases. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Modeling angiogenesis. 9.3 Use of rigorous mathematical analysis for gaining insight on drug development. 9.4 Use of angiogenesis models in theranostics. 9.5 Use of angiogenesis models in drug salvage: the virtual patient technology. 9.6 Summary and conclusions. Chapter 10. Systems Modeling Applied to Candidate Biomarker Identification. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Biomarker discovery approaches. 10.3 Examples of systems modeling approaches for identification of candidate biomarkers. 10.4 Conclusions. Chapter 11. Simulating Clinical Trials. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Types of models used in clinical trial design. 11.3 Sources of prior information for designing clinical trials. 11.4 Aspects of a trial to be designed and optimized. 11.5 Trial simulation. 11.6 Optimizing designs. 11.7 Real world examples. 11.8 Conclusions. Part IV: Synergies with other technologies. Chapter 12. Pathway Analysis in Drug Discovery. 12.1 Introduction: pathway analysis, dynamic modeling, and network analysis. 12.2 Software systems for pathway analysis. 12.3 Pathway analysis in modern drug development pipeline. 12.4 Conclusions. Chapter 13. Functional mapping for predicting drug response and enabling personalized medicine. 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 Functional mapping. 13.3 Predictive modeling. 13.4 Future directions. Chapter 14. Future Outlook of Systems Biology. 14.1 Introduction. 14.2 Systems complexity in biological systems. 14.3 Models for quantitative integration of data. 14.4 Changing requirements for systems approaches during drug discovery and development. 14.5 Better models for better decisions. 14.6 Advancing personalized medicine. 14.7 Improving clinical trials and enabling more complex treatment approaches. 14.8 Collaboration and training for systems biologists. 14.9 Conclusions.


We examined the correlations between several tasks that are traditionally though to probe low-level visual mechanisms. Surprisingly, we found only 4 out of a possible 15 correlations to be statistically significant. A power analysis revealed that this result was not due to a lack of power. Our results suggest that everyday experience shapes perception in a task-specific way.


Real time detection of explosive compounds in today's time is of utmost necessity due to security and severe environmental safety issues. Herein, we have synthesized a biobased conjugated molecular system from riboflavin and l-cystine utilized it for detecting picric acid in trace amount using optical sensing technique. The bioconjugate probe showed high quenching efficiency towards picric acid, which is 92.2%. In depth mechanistic study showed that ground state electrostatic interaction and inner filter effect are the factors leading to the diminishing of the probe's fluorescence intensity on addition of trace amount of the nitrophenol, picric acid. The detection limit of the conjugate is 0.37 nM which is extremely low and highly desirable for clinical applications of this system.


The Effect of Surgical Guides on Heat Generation During Guided Implant Surgery: An in Vitro Study Safa Tahmasebi, D.D.S., Amanda G. Hughart, B.S.D.H. Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the heat generated in bone by one implant drill system with and without using surgical drill guides. Temperature elevation during guided surgery was compared to that of conventional drilling in bovine femur specimens. Significant differences in temperature elevation between conventional osteotomy and guided surgical osteotomy were examined. Materials and Methods: Conventional and Surgically guided osteotomies were performed in 117 randomized measurements with K type thermocouples in an in-vitro study using bovine cortical bone. Using an internally and externally irrigated implant system, intermittent drilling at 2second intervals at a constant speed of 2,000 rpm was performed with the aid of a drill press. Drills were replaced after every 20 uses. Maximum temperatures at T1 (5mm) and T2 (10mm) were recorded with computer software with and without a surgical guide within 1 mm distance from the osteotomy site. Thermocouple distances were measured after each preparation using a digital caliper. Total drilling time was recorded for both experimental conditions. Using recordings from the computer software, time interval above 47°C was measured for both guide and no guide and at both thermocouple depths. Results: Higher maximum temperatures at both 5 mm and 10 mm were found with the use of surgical guides. Longer time interval of temperature elevations above 47°C was found when using a surgical guide. Finally, the drill time for both guide and no guide was found to be the same. Additionally, thermocouple distances were kept at a constant distance from the osteotomy site. Conclusion: We conclude that the use of surgical guides generated more heat than conventional implant drilling. Significant differences were found at maximum temperatures and threshold levels with and without the use of surgical guides. Further studies need to be conducted to establish methods of controlling elevated temperatures when guides are used in surgery.


We show examples of dynamical systems that can be solved analytically at any point along a period doubling route to chaos. Each system consists of a linear part oscillating about a set point and a nonlinear rule for regularly updating that set point. Previously it has been shown that such systems can be solved analytically even when the oscillations are chaotic. However, these solvable systems show few bifurcations, transitioning directly from a steady state to chaos. Here we show that a simple change to the rule for updating the set point allows for a greater variety of nonlinear dynamical phenomena, such as period doubling, while maintaining solvability. Two specific examples are given. The first is an oscillator whose set points are determined by a logistic map. We present analytic solutions describing an entire period doubling route to chaos. The second example is an electronic circuit. We show experimental data confirming both solvability and a period doubling route to chaos. These results suggest that analytic solutions may be a more useful tool in studying nonlinear dynamics than was previously recognized.


A survey of28 banana growers on the Lower South Coast (LSC) of KwaZulu-Natal showed that Banana Industry deregulation led to increased price variability and farm financial stress. This made farmers more aware of the need to improve their marketing skills, consider product diversification and improve fiuit quality. Respondents rated their willingness to take marketing risk as low relative to other fanners. Discriminant analysis identified growers who were more likely to be affected by the abolition of the Banana Board as those who (1) previously marketed most of their quality fiuit through the Board, (2) were less willing to take production risks, (3) were not sole owners of their fann business, (4) perceived the marketing potential on the LSC to be poor, and (5) had relatively high debt-asset ratios. After the Board was abolished, most fanners still chose not to market the fiuit themselves (due to relatively high opportunity cost of their time and low rating in product marketing skills relative to other fanners), but rather used marketing agents. Faced with increased price risk, farmers improved their market bargaining power with the agents by voluntarily fanning a private CO-Operative, which also provided them with more market information and


Since 1981, cancer has been the leading cause of death in Japan, and its upward trend remains continuing until now. In 2013, approximately 365,000 Japanese died of cancer, and the ratio of the number of cancer-related deaths to the total number of deaths was 28.8%, implying that approximately 1 out of 3.5 deaths in Japan are caused by cancer. In recent years, immunotherapies are rapidly developed and recognized as an important anti-cancer treatment modality in addition to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. In particular, the"immune checkpoint blockade therapy"has been attracting tremendous attention because of its potent clinical efficacy in the treatment of advanced cancers. The fundamental mechanism of the therapy is the induction of anti-tumor immune responses by disrupting the immunosuppressive mechanisms in the tumor milieu. Antibodies for the immune checkpoint blockade have been approved as clinical drugs in some countries, including in Japan, and a large number of clinical trials are currently in progress to further expand its application. However, several critical issues remain, one of which is the identification of biomarkers associated with clinical benefits or adverse events. In this review, we discuss recently reported genome-based biomarkers predictive for clinical benefits of immune checkpoint blockade therapies, namely activation of b-catenin signaling pathway and DNA mismatch repair deficiency.


Concept formation lies at the center of learning and cognition. Unlike much work in machine learning and cognitive psychology, research on this topic focuses on the unsupervised and incremental acquisition of conceptual knowledge. Recent work on concept formation addresses a number of important issues. Foremost among these are the principles of similarity that guide concept learning and retrieval in human and machine, including the contribution of surface features, goals, and `deep' features. Another active area of research explores mechanisms for efficiently reorganizing memory in response to the ongoing experiences that confront intelligent agents. Finally, methods for concept formation play an increasing role in work on problem solving and planning, developmental psychology, engineering applications, and constructive induction. This book brings together results on concept formation from cognitive psychology and machine learning, including explanation-based and inductive approaches. Chapters from these differing perspectives are intermingled to highlight the commonality of their research agendas. In addition to cognitive scientists and AI researchers, the book will interest data analysts involved in clustering, philosophers concerned with the nature and origin of concepts, and any researcher dealing with issues of similarity, memory organization, and problem solving.


This study aimed to distinguish the contribution of stream fragmentation and poor habitat and water quality to the decline in riverine fish species. The species presence was related to the number of barriers between a specific lowland stream section and the main river and to the length of the stream section remaining between two barriers. To investigate the relationship between the absence of fish species and poor ecological water quality, the EQR and stream velocity indices were compared between accessible sites where the fish was either present or absent. 79% of the 1039 km lowland stream length was disconnected from the river Meuse by one or more barriers and 34% by more than 5 barriers, while 28% of all stream sections were shorter than 2.5 km. Only 2% of sites scored a very good water quality, while all study sites were characterized by (very) slow flowing waters (<0.15 m/s). As many fish passages are built to improve connectivity, fish passages do not improve habitat quality. Gudgeon and stone loach were hardly affected by stream fragmentation, and only slightly by too short stream sections. Ide was moderately affected, while the migratory species chub and dace were severely affected by stream fragmentation. Chub and dace were also sensitive to poor habitat and water quality. Distinguishing the effects of stream fragmentation, habitat deterioration, and poor water quality on lowland stream fish distribution increased the understanding of the reasons for the presence and absence of species and may aid effective management and restoration efforts.


Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a condition at which more than 50% functional loss to the renal system or kidneys. In this condition reabsorption process of nephrons will get damage which results in abnormal constituents in urine. This in terms leads to stress in the body, alters or affects different metabolisms. 40 subjects were selected from the outpatient department of Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals. They were divided into two groups. Group I (Control group) – Normal healthy individuals – 20 in numbers. Group II (Study group) – Chronic Renal failure patients (CRF) – 20 in numbers. 5ml of blood will be collected for the separation of serum. The serum was separated and analyzed for Melanaldehyde and Superoxide dismutase by TBARS method and Pyrogallol Autoxidation method using ERBA CHEM 5 plus analyzer. There is a significant increase in (MDA) lipid peroxidation (p<0.005) as well as there is a substantial decrease in (SOD) superoxide dismutase (p<0.005) in Hypothyroidism patients.Our study revealed that there is an imbalance of antioxidant status in Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) cause Cardio Vascular Diseases as well as other metabolic disorders. By estimating antioxidant status will be helpful to treat the condition before they were getting worse.


We propose a new approach to visual programming which adopts principles and elements from dynamic multimodeling for structured procedural programming, especially graphics programming. Unlike most traditional visual programming languages which simply replace syntactic parts of program with graphical objects, we applied the principles of dynamic model types in modeling and simulation to create program models and execute/simulate them. With this approach, computer programs are constructed by visual modeling instead of textual writing. The motivation for a method using dynamic model types in graphics programming is also tied to several emerging research areas: novice user interfaces, programming visualization, customized icons, and a broader view of aesthetics within programming. Metaphoric icons are extensively used for the visual representation of program model elements. Rube, a Web and XML-based modeling and simulation framework, provides the necessary environment for the construction, visualization and execution of program models.


Cost-volume-profit analysis shows the relationship between these factors. The figures expressed in a break-even chart can be used planning control ad decision making. The relation ships can also be helpful in understanding how all costs must be covered in menu pricing. Involved in these relationships is the contribution to overhead and profit or contribution ratio. This study used the food service operation of H hotel. Assumed the FC would be 10% of the High Volmue, the VC would be 76% of the high volume. And in the CVP of individual meals, selected labor cost of the VC, assumed labor cost would be 35% of the volume.


The conductivities of CuSO4 and CdSO4 in aqueous disaccharide (sucrose and trehalose) solutions were measured together with the densities, viscosities, and relative dielectric constants of the aqueous disaccharide solutions at 298.15 K. The limiting molar conductivities (Λ0) and association constants (KA) were derived from the Lee−Wheaton conductivity equation. From the obtained conductivity data, the values of the Walden product (Λ0η0) were also calculated. The ion−ion and ion−solvent interactions are discussed.


Penetration, development and reproduction of a Harmony pathotype of Meloidogyne arenaria was studied on two resistant grape rootstocks, 10-23B and RS-3. Associated resistance mechanisms were examined microscopically. Cabernet Sauvignon was used as a susceptible control. The plants were inoculated with freshly hatched second-stage juveniles (J2). Significantly more J2 penetrated roots of Cabernet than 10-23B by 4 days after inoculation. Penetration was delayed by one week in roots of RS-3. Cabernet roots contained a greater number of nematodes coupled with faster development than that found in resistant rootstocks. Hypersensitive responses were expressed in the presence of penetrating J2 in resistant rootstocks only. This occurred along the root epidermis, among the cortical cells and along the differentiating vascular bundle. Cortical necrosis halted or delayed migration of J2 to vascular tissues and vascular necrosis prevented establishment of successful feeding sites which arrest


Clinical trials conducted during the past five years have yielded important results that have allowed us to refine our approach to stroke prevention. Treatment of isolated systolic hypertension prevents stroke and is generally well tolerated. New antiplatelet agents (clopidogrel and the combination of aspirin plus high-dose dipyridamole) have been shown to be effective in reducing vascular events in survivors of ischemic stroke, although aspirin remains the mainstay of antiplatelet therapy for stroke prevention. Several clinical trials support the benefit of lipid-lowering agents ("statins") in reducing stroke. Warfarin reduces stroke for high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation. Carotid endarterectomy is highly beneficial in reducing stroke for symptomatic patients with severe carotid stenosis (greater than 70 percent), but the benefit is less for symptomatic patients with a moderate degree of stenosis (50 to 69 percent) and for patients with asymptomatic carotid disease of any severity.


We present results from broadband measurements derived with a fast 5 × 5 MIMO channelsounder in a typical, large-scale as well as a small-scale, non-mobile, in-room office scenario where we focus on Line-ofSight (LOS) transmission channels. We assume the positions of transmitter and receiver being random variables and therefore derive a spatial statistic from our measurements across the room areas. The accessible MIMO spectral efficiency is compared to its theoretic counterpart which would have been obtained provided that the LOS signal existed without any reflections. The LOS signal component is shown to be beneficial to the MIMO spectral efficiency mainly due to its SNR-enhancing impact, an advantage which can hardly be balanced by any measures in the Non-LOS case. The statistical results generally indicate the spectral efficiency staying fairly high and only slightly dependent upon the current geometric antenna setup for both scenarios. Additionally, we investigate the transmission bandwidth's impact on the spectral efficiency's variations over the measured positions resulting in hints on the smallest, appropriate bandwidths in terms of keeping those variations low.


We offer a unified framework to analyze the determination of employment, employee effort, wages and profit sharing when firms face stochastic revenue shocks. We apply a generalized Nash bargaining solution, which extends the wage bargaining literature by incorporating efficiency wage considerations, profit sharing and exogenous capital structure. The profit sharing instrument is demonstrated to have positive effort-enhancing and wage-moderating effects, which exactly offset the negative dilution effect in equilibrium. We show that introduction of profit sharing decreases equilibrium unemployment if the benefit replacement ratio is high enough, whereas the reverse holds if the benefit replacement ratio is below this threshold. (JEL: J51, J41, G32)


This work deals with time-dependent creasing characteristics of coated paperboard. The knowledge of dynamic bending moment (resistance) acting on a hinge which is folded onto a creased line, is important in order to adjust a few of boxing condition. The correlation between the dynamic bending resistance and several primary problems such as the time-dependent residual strains on actual processing phenomenon was not sufficiently discussed in the past. It is difficult to estimate various time-dependent responses from a quasi-static initial stiffness of a creased part, such as the maximum peak bending moment and the gradient of bending moment. Therefore, a prototype Crease Stress Tester (CST) has been applied to seek the dynamic bending moment and its residual deformation. In order to reveal the relaxation characteristics of bending angle during the folding and returning back motion from a tracking angle of 90°, a white-coated paperboard of 0.3 mm thickness was scored with a creaser knife and a grooved face counter plate under a specified feed velocity, and then the bending and release test was carried out up to the second round folding under a couple of indentation depth of crease forming (nominal shear strain). Through this work, the followings were found: (1) The release response of folded angle during returning back was characterized and approximated by a logarithmic function of elapsed time; (2) The release of folded angle depends on the bending rotation velocity.


An evolutionary fuzzy neural network (EFNN) is used for automatic design of rule base controllers of nonlinear delayed systems. The ideal rule base for thermal regulation is designed for a Cartesian and radial partition of the error state space. New solutions for closed-loop controller learning and the rule base adjustment of delayed systems are proposed. We show that this adjustment is an anticlockwise rotation of the rule base mapping over the error state space. The structure of a controller using EFNN for nonlinear and delayed thermal regulation converges to the advanced hypothesis.


BACKGROUND
The influence of freezing on the changes during ripening is better described for salted fish than marinades. Therefore in the present study the effect of preliminary freezing of raw material on the ripening of carcasses and fillets marinated during 18 days at a temperature of 10 °C, in brine with 6% salt and 5% acetic acid was examined.

RESULTS
In both cases the marinating of thawed frozen material resulted in larger mass losses and decrease of the value of meat colour parameters. The semi-marinades from raw herring were characterised by higher values of total estimation based on sensory analysis. The statistical analysis showed weak correlation between the discriminants of sensory assessment and the studied physicochemical parameters of semi-marinades.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the semi-marinades from raw fish are characterised by higher sensory quality, better colour parameters and higher yield than those from frozen thawed fish.


The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between pre-operative peritumoral edema and survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We searched for studies involving patients with GBM who underwent pre-operative imaging (magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography) in which the peritumoral edema was assessed as a prognostic factor for survival. 7 retrospective studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. 2 studies found that pre-operative peritumoral edema was an independent prognostic factor for decreased survival. 1 study found that survival was dependent on the severity of the peritumoral edema (minimal and severe: increased survival; moderate: decreased survival). 2 studies found that pre-operative peritumoral edema was a predictor of decreased survival based on univariate but not multivariate analysis. 1 study found that there was no relationship between pre-operative peritumoral edema and survival, while the remaining study found that patients with peritumoral edema had decreased survival compared with patients without peritumoral edema. There was considerable heterogeneity between the studies regarding the patient characteristics. The results of our systematic review are inconclusive; the available evidence does not definitely support or rule out an association between pre-operative peritumoral edema and survival. Hence, further, well-designed, prospective studies are clearly needed.


Recurrence analysis is introduced as a means to investigate syntactic coordination between child and caregiver. Three CHILDES (MacWhinney, 2000) corpora are analyzed and demonstrate coordination between children and their caregivers in terms of word-class n-gram sequences. Results further indicate that trade-offs in leading or following this coordination reflect individual differences between children at varying levels of development. Further analyses characterize the syntactic patterns that are coordinated, and results are consistent with recent language acquisition research on syntax acquisition. Overall, recurrence analysis reveals that there is a process of child-caregiver coordination taking place in ongoing conversation at the level of syntactic description.


We here present an approach for the optical in situ characterization of hydrogen bond networks (HBNs) in binary mixtures of water and organic solvents (OSs), such as methanol, ethanol, and acetonitrile. HBNs are characterized based on (i) the analysis of experimental molar Raman spectra of the mixture, (ii) partial molar Raman spectra of the mixture constituents, and (iii) computed ideal molar Raman spectra of the mixture. Especially, the consideration of the partial molar Raman spectra provides insights into the development of hydrogen bonds of molecules of one species with their neighbors. The obtained Raman spectra are evaluated with respect to the centroid of the symmetric stretching vibration Raman signal of water and to the hydroxyl stretching vibration of alcohols. We show the influence of composition and temperature on the development of the HBN of the mixtures, the HBN of water, and the HBN of the OS molecules.


The differentiation and subsequent development of plant tissues or organs are tightly regulated at multiple levels, including the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational, and posttranslational levels. Transcriptomes define many of the tissue-specific gene expression patterns in maize, and some key genes and their regulatory networks have been established at the transcriptional level. In this study, the sequential window acquisition of all theoretical spectra-mass spectrometry technique was employed as a quantitative proteome assay of four representative maize tissues, and a set of high-confidence proteins was identified. Integrated analysis of the proteome and transcriptome revealed that protein abundance was positively correlated with mRNA level with weak to moderate correlation coefficients, but the abundance of key proteins for function or architecture in a given tissue was closely tempospatially regulated at the transcription level. A subset of differentially expressed proteins, specifically tissue-specific highly expressed proteins, was identified, for example, reproductive structure and flower development-related proteins in tassel and ear, lipid and fatty acid biosynthetic process-related proteins in immature embryo, and inorganic substance and oxidation reduction responsive proteins in root, potentially revealing the physiology, morphology, and function of each tissue. Furthermore, we found many new proteins in specific tissues that were highly correlated with their mRNA levels, in addition to known key factors. These proteome data provide new perspective for understanding many aspects of maize developmental biology. Raw proteomics data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD008464.


Riparian forests are known to be critical environments for biodiversity maintenance. The leaf anatomy of Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong., Bauhinia aculeata L., Inga vera Willd., Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth., Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. and Cecropia peltata L., growing along an altitudinal gradient (682–800 – 1030 m a.s.l.) on the high basin of the Tocuyo river were studied, in order to evaluate the possible foliar phenotypic plasticity that makes possible their adaptation at this altitudinal range. Leaf blade samples were collected from adult trees growing at two different altitude; these samples were fixed in FAA and processed using classical techniques in optical microscopy. The leaf histology was similar at both altitudes for all taxa, but differences were detected between them on quantitative anatomic characteristics, which varied depending on the species. The features with higher plasticity were: adaxial stomatal density (amphistomatic leaves), trichome density, palisade parenchyma thickness and leaf thickness. I. vera seems to be the taxon in which lower plasticity in the blade's anatomical characters was evident, while G. ulmifolia was the species with the highest phenotypic plasticity in the altitudinal gradient, showing more heliomorphic characteristics as altitude increased, which confers it adaptive advantages to this species for colonizing riparian forest ecosystems.


We report on the fabrication and characterization of silicon oxynitride (SiON) layers for applications as planar optical waveguides in the 1550 nm wavelength region. The optically guiding SiON waveguide core layer has a relatively high refractive index of 1500 and is sandwiched between two silicon oxide cladding layers with a lower refractive index of 1450. The SiON layer is deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using silane, nitrous oxide, and ammonia as gaseous precursors. Waveguide bends with a radius of curvature as small as 1.5 mm can be realized because of the high refractive index difference achievable between core and cladding layers. This allows the fabrication of compact, relatively complex integrated optical waveguide devices, The deposition process and the characterization of the SiON films are discussed. The strengths of this high refractive index contrast planar waveguide technology are illustrated using the example of an optical add/drop filter for wavelength division multiplexing applications in the field of optical communication systems.


At a time when archaeology has turned away from questions of the long term and large scale, this collection of essays reflects on some of the big questions in archaeology and ancient history: how and why societies have grown in scale and complexity; how they have maintained and discarded aspects of their own cultural heritage; and how they have collapsed. In addressing these long-standing questions of broad interest and importance, the authors develop counternarratives – new ways of understanding what used to be termed cultural evolution. In essays that encompass the Middle East and Egypt, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, the American Southwest, and Mesoamerica, the fourteen essays offer perspectives on long-term cultural trajectories; on cities, states, and empires; on collapse; and on the relationship between archaeology and history. The book concludes with a commentary by one of the major voices in archaeological theory: Norman Yoffee.


Let $D$ and $U$ be linear operators in a vector space (or more generally, elements of an associative algebra with a unit). We establish binomial-type identities for $D$ and $U$ assuming that either their commutator $[D,U]$ or the second commutator $[D,[D,U]]$ is proportional to $U$.
Operators $D=d/dx$ (differentiation) and $U$- multiplication by $e^{\lambda x}$ or by $\sin \lambda x$ are basic examples, for which some of these relations appeared unexpectedly as byproducts of an authors' previous medical imaging research.