OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether manual or electric vacuum aspiration results in greater immediate confirmation of completed abortion at less than 6 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Five hundred pregnant women presenting for surgical abortion with mean gestational sac diameter of less than 12 mm or no visible sac on ultrasonography were randomized to manual or electric vacuum aspiration. Tissue examination was performed by operating physicians, not blinded to group assignment, and by trained medical assistants, blinded to group assignment. Patients with no products of conception on gross inspection underwent repeat aspiration as necessary and serial human chorionic gonadotropin monitoring. All patients were scheduled for follow-up visits. The primary outcome was detection of products of conception in patients with subsequently confirmed completed abortion. RESULTS: From April 2010 to October 2011, 252 patients were randomized to manual vacuum aspiration and 248 to electric vacuum aspiration. One hundred eighty-two (82%) patients in the manual vacuum aspiration group had products of conception identified and subsequently confirmed completed abortion compared with 164 (76%) patients undergoing electric vacuum patients (P=.13, relative risk 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64–1.07). In pregnancies of sac size 3 mm or less, including no visible sac, five of 29 (17%) patients undergoing manual vacuum aspiration had accurate identification of products of conception compared with four of 31 (13%) patients undergoing electric vacuum aspiration (P=.64, relative risk 0.85, 95% CI 0.44–1.63). Tissue reports of physicians and medical assistants had 90% concordance. Seventy-nine (16%) patients required human chorionic gonadotropin monitoring to confirm completed abortion. There were seven (1.4%) ongoing pregnancies, including four false-positive products of conception results and, among the latter, one presumed ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Our study supports providing abortions to women who request them before 6 weeks of gestation using either manual or electric vacuum aspiration. Early aspiration is highly effective, although human chorionic gonadotropin monitoring may be necessary to confirm complete abortion. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01085825. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I


It is difficult to speak too highly of Martindale as a source of information on drugs and medicines. Most pharmacists would not feel that their equipment was complete without the latest edition of Martindale, and it would represent a responsible attitude on the part of all prescribing doctors if they ensured that they had ready access to it, for the frequent questions that arise in day-to-day patient care. At almost any price it would be value for money, and this edition will prove a first-class investment for individuals as well as institutional and departmental libraries. Finally, it should be noted that this new edition is available online throughout the world. PAUL TURNER, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London EC1A 7BE.


PurposeDespite the plethora of research into country-of-origin (COO) effects, research that investigates the cognitive structures behind elite consumers' preferences for foreign brands remains limited. Hence, this study aims to investigate the cognitive structures behind foreign brand preference among professional elites in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachUsing the means-end chain (MEC) theory as the theoretical lens and building on the findings of 30 laddering interviews (semi-structured), a survey was conducted among 311 professional elites to uncover the key elements of the cognitive structures behind foreign brand preference.FindingsThe findings revealed that the cognitive structures behind foreign brand preference are influenced by a bundle of brand attributes, brand consequences and personal values of elites', which significantly influence their attitudes towards foreign brands. Multi-group analysis further revealed that the relationship between brand attributes and attitudes significantly differs across Chinese and US COOs where the path coefficient is stronger for elites' preference for Chinese brands.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind to explore the COO effects on consumer cognitive structures. The findings contribute to MEC theory and shed light on the understanding towards elites' preference for foreign brands.


Today great attention is paid to development of advanced technologies for production of ecologically safe, nonpolluting and biodegradable products, including without limitation cosmetic-hygiene detergents and household products. One of the main ingredients in formulation of such products is surfactants. For the purpose of widening of the assortment of such products it is essential to create new types of biodegradable surfactants derived from renewable, as a rule, plant raw materials. The object of this paper is development of technology for production of non-ionic surfactant, alkyl polyglycoside (APG), with improved characteristics on the basis of the alternative plant raw material, sunflower husks, being the waste by-product of sunflower processing, which is the most commonly available raw material in our country. The output of sunflower processing aiming at sunflower oil production is growing year by year and takes the leading place in the oil-and-fat industry, therefore processing of the waste product in the form of husks is of particular interest now. In the course of work the existing technologies of APG production were studied and their shortcomings were identified. According to such technologies alkyl polyglycoside is produced by combining glucose or aqueous syrupy solution of glucose with C10C16 alcohol. As the sources of starch, from which glucose is produced further, there are used rice, corn, potatoes or wheat. Such products represent no wastes and have rather high production cost. Fatty alcohols are produced from imported palm or coconut oil. The new technology suggested by us is based on usage of the available and cheap raw materials. Glucose syrup is made with the help of the method of hydrolysis of sunflower husks cellulose, and fatty acids are derived from the sunflower processing cycle at the stage of alkali refining of sunflower oil, comprising C16-C18 atoms. Analysis of organoleptic, physicaland-chemical characteristics and evaluation of consumer properties of the resulting alkyl polyglycoside were performed. It was established that according to the suggested method it is possible to produce a non-ionic surfactant with improved detergent (CCM) and foaming power (foam height, foam stability), and also having soft dermatological action. The alkyl polyglycoside, created and produced with the help of our technology, can be used as an alternate substitute of expensive foreign non-ionic surfactants, can be helpful for extension of the assortment of biodegradable foam detergents, nonpolluting and safe for the environment.


This thesis considers aspects of the regulation of growth rate and fibre properties in forest trees. These properties are both genetically determined and influenced by environmental stimuli. Induction of reaction wood is an environmentally induced process involving changes in growth rate and fibre properties that can be readily studied. Plant hormones are signalling agents that play important roles in the initiation and coordination of wood formation; in this thesis the plant hormones auxin and ethylene were investigated using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A novel MS technique for measuring the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in minute amounts of plant tissue was developed. Ethylene is often connected to stress responses in plants, and ethylene evolution is increased when reaction wood is formed. Here it is demonstrated that this increase is regulated by ACC oxidase, the enzyme catalysing the last step in the ethylene biosynthetic pathway. This is in contrast to most of the earlier findings that tended to indicate that ethylene production directly reflects the availability of ACC. Although ethylene is strongly up-regulated during reaction wood formation, its role in modulating the growth rate and fibre properties remains unknown. Further, it is demonstrated that reaction wood in both poplar (Populus tremula L.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is formed without changes in auxin concentration in the cambial tissues. This suggests that the previously held assumption that the difference in auxin concentration is key factor in the induction of reaction wood is unsound. Further, auxin concentrations were compared in hybrid aspen trees (Populus tremula L. x tremuloides Michx.) growing vertically at different growth rates. These trees showed good correlations between auxin levels and growth rates. The growth rate was mediated by increases in the cell cycling rate rather than in the width of the cell division zone. Thus, the growth rate in poplar was correlated to auxin levels in normal wood formation, but not during reaction wood formation.


An analysis was made of admission rates and patients hospitalized for status asthmaticus at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Despite reports of increasing morbidity and mortality due to status asthmaticus, no significant trend in the admission rate was noted. However, seasonal increases of asthma admissions did occur (October and November), but the increases could not be fully correlated with any environmental factors. In a study of 142 patients, 41 (31%) of the 131 patients who had roentgenograms showed evidence of pneumonitis, suggesting infection as an important factor in status asthmaticus. Acidosis, hypoxia, and hypercapnia result from severe asthma, and frequent clinical and laboratory monitoring of the condition of asthma patients for these serious complications is essential. In addition to the customary treatment of asthma, these abnormalities may be combated by assisted ventilation (intermittent positive pressure breathing by mask or endotracheal tube), muscle relaxants, and alkalizing agents (sodium bicarbonate or tromethamine).


Pain is an experience common to us all. There are various methods of attempting to measure pain in an individual. Pain threshold would appear to be the most useful of these as it is atraumatic and repeatable over long periods in healthy individuals. Various factors affect pain threshold such as anxiety. There are a number of ways of measuring pain threshold the requirement for these being similar, for example producing no tissue damage. Pain threshold appears to change in various clinical conditions such as osteoarthrosis of the hip once the painful condition is relieved the threshold may revert back to normal. Other painful conditions such as rheumatiod arthritis do not appear to alter the pain threshold. Pain threshold does not appear to be altered by analgesic drugs, however other drugs may alter the pain threshold.


Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) catalyzes the interconversion between dihydroxyacetone phosphate and D‐glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate in the glycolysis–gluconeogenesis metabolism pathway. The Helicobacter pylori TIM gene (HpTIM) was cloned, and HpTIM was expressed and purified. The enzymatic activity of HpTIM for the substrate GAP was determined (Km = 3.46 ± 0.23 mM and kcat = 8.8 × 104 min−1). The crystal structure of HpTIM was determined by molecular replacement at 2.3 Å resolution. The overall structure of HpTIM was (β/α)β(β/α)6, which resembles the common TIM barrel fold, (β/α)8; however, a helix is missing after the second β‐strand. The conformation of loop 6 and binding of phosphate ion suggest that the determined structure of HpTIM was in the "closed" state. A highly conserved Arg‐Asp salt bridge in the "DX(D/N)G" motif of most TIMs is absent in HpTIM because the sequence of this motif is "211SVDG214." To determine the significance of this salt bridge to HpTIM, four mutants, including K183S, K183A, D213Q, and D213A, were constructed and characterized. The results suggest that this conserved salt bridge is not essential for the enzymatic activity of HpTIM; however, it might contribute to the conformational stability of HpTIM. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


department, with the symptoms of gas− tric outlet obstruction. A gastric adeno− cancer metastatic to the liver had been diagnosed at an another institute 10 days previously. Endoscopy revealed pyloric obstruction due to advanced carcinoma of the gastric antrum. Abdominal comput− ed tomography showed the gastric ma− lignancy and liver metastases, and no le− sions of the small or large bowel. An un− covered, 20 mm " 12 cm, self−expandable metallic stent (Ultraflex; Boston Scienti− fic, Ireland) was deployed without any complication (l" Fig. 1 a). The patient be− gan to feed orally the next day, and we re− ferred him to the medical oncology de− partment for evaluation for chemother− apy. The patient was readmitted with abdom− inal pain and constipation 7 days after the stent placement. The abdomen was dis− tended with generalized rebound tender− ness. Endoscopy excluded stent migra− tion, and upright abdominal radiography revealed gas/fluid levels (l" Fig. 1 b). At laparotomy, although ascites was absent, he was found to have a tumoral infiltra− tion compressing the ileum (l" Fig. 2 a). A palliative side−to−side ileo−ileal anasto− mosis was performed (l" Fig. 2 b). Histo− pathological examination of the biopsy specimen taken from the ileal lesion re− vealed adenocarcinoma. The patient is still alive 45 days after the palliative op− eration for intestinal obstruction. Distal gastrointestinal tract obstruction may be concealed in gastric cancer pa− tients with gastric outlet obstruction as these patients cannot feed orally. This case demonstrates the importance of wide investigation for possible tumoral obstruction of the small or large bowel before a duodenal stent is placed for pal− liation.


Abstract Since European settlement of Australia, the dry open forests and woodlands of central Victoria have been extensively cleared and most large trees harvested, resulting in a decline of arboreal mammal populations. The Powerful Owl, which was formerly reliant on these prey species, still persists in the region but at very low densities and uncertain viability. Previous research has shown that Powerful Owls select home-ranges with more large trees and hollows than the forest at large, but the amount of such habitat that is required remained undefined. Four adult Powerful Owls (two males and two females) from four pairs occupying geographically separate territories in box-ironbark forest were radio-tracked over 1–6 months. Home-range size was much greater than previously assumed for this species (minimum convex polygon of 4774, 2896, 1770 and 1382 ha). Range-length was 5.7–8.9 km, and on average 5–12% of each home-range was used during a single night. Core foraging areas comprised many, typically small, patches scattered across the entire home-range. Selection of roosting sites was flexible and did not constrain spatial use of home-range, with 96% of roosts in very small to medium-sized trees, which are widely distributed. The finding of unexpectedly large foraging ranges suggests that enhancement of habitat quality and mammalian prey abundance in currently occupied home-ranges is the foremost goal for forest managers if a viable population is to be sustained.


Introduction: Lycopene is a red carotenoid that is effective in controlling body weight. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating peptide that plays a key role in the regulation of energy balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene on ghrelin serum level in adult female rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 32 adult female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats including monitoring, control, experiments receiving lycopene (at concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/kg). The animals were fed by gavage of lycopene. Twenty-nine days after the start of the experiment and after weighing the animals, cardiac puncture was performed and serum ghrelin level was measured. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan's test at P ≤ 0.05.Results: The concentration of lycopene 10 mg/kg significantly decreased the ghrelin hormone as well as the average body weight more than the control group (P ≤ 0.05).Conclusion: Lycopene reduces body weight by decreases serum ghrelin levels. Keywords : Lycopene, Ghrelin, Body Weight, Rat


Management and proper approach to pediatric palm burns remains unclear. Our burn center's approach includes early, aggressive range of motion therapy, combined with a period of watchful waiting, reserving grafting only for those palms that do not heal in a timely manner. We reviewed our experience using this approach over a 10-year period. We performed a retrospective review of all pediatric patients with palm burns admitted to our burn center from 1994 to 2004. A total of 168 patients (194 palms) were included in the study. The average patient was 1.3 years old. A total of 168 of the injured palms (87%) healed without need for surgery. The average time to healing was 13 days (range 5–34). The 19 patients (26 palms, 13.4%) who underwent excision and grafting were managed with thick split thickness skin grafts. Of these, four patients (five palms, 19.2%) underwent secondary reconstruction, at an average of 166 days after the initial surgery. Of the 168 (87%) palms managed without surgery, only three patients (four palms) required late reconstruction (2.4%). Reconstructive procedures consisted of full-thickness skin grafts (n = 7) and z-plasty (n = 2). We have found that the majority of patients in this study healed without need for acute or reconstructive surgery. We therefore recommend aggressive hand therapy and conservative surgical management of palm burns in children.


The purpose of this paper is to examine the policy options with the best prospects to improve the performance and competitiveness of housewives' groups in the cottage food industry in Thailand. The analytical framework is based on an analysis of private and value chain-level net benefits from alternative policy actions and research and training initiatives. Seven candidates for policy implementation with the best prospects for success are examined: industrial policy; improving food quality; branding and labelling; encouraging strategic alliances; increasing the managerial role of members in housewives' groups; educating members of housewives' groups and group leaders; and improving the organisational structure of housewives' groups. A suitable institutional setting is essential for policy success. We describe a chain governor and cooperative research centre for cottage foods that would fit neatly into the existing policy milieu in Thailand. This paper highlights the potential to improve the performance of housewives' groups and stimulate its growth as a key income-generating activity for rural households in developing countries.


Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of acellular dermal matrix allograft in repairing the defect of oral mucosa. Methods Forty-two cases of large superficial defects in oral cavity were repaired by acellular dermal matrix. Defect areas included vestibule, tongue, the floor of mouth, buccal mucosa, palate, gingival and lip. Defect size was between 2.25 cm2 and 12 cm2. The basement membrane side of acellular dermal matrix was exposed to oral cavity, and another side was attached to the surgical wound surface. It was fixed by suture, reverse strapping and prepared template to overlaid large superficial defect of oral mucosa. The patients were followed up from 3 months to 1 year after operation. Results The wounds were completely healed in 40 cases, partially healed in 2 cases. There was no failure case. The healing was divided into two types: epithelialization healing pattern in 12 cases, attached healing pattern in 30 cases. Contraction of grafts occurred at 2-4 weeks. The contraction rate was 3.7%±1.1% at fourth week. Scarring did not appear. Conclusion The clinical result of acellular dermal matrix allograft in repair the defect of oral mucosa is good. Acellular dermal matrix can be taken as a substitute to autograft of skin.


A variety of para-substituted NCN-pincer palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes [MX(NCN-Z)] (M=Pd(II), Pt(II); X=Cl, Br, I; NCN-Z=[2,6-(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)C(6)H(2)-4-Z](-); Z=NO(2), COOH, SO(3)H, PO(OEt)(2), PO(OH)(OEt), PO(OH)(2), CH(2)OH, SMe, NH(2)) were synthesised by routes involving substitution reactions, either prior to or, notably, after metalation of the ligand. The solubility of the pincer complexes is dominated by the nature of the para substituent Z, which renders several complexes water-soluble. The influence of the para substituent on the electronic properties of the metal centre was studied by (195)Pt NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Both the (195)Pt chemical shift and the calculated natural population charge on platinum correlate linearly with the sigma(p) Hammett substituent constants, and thus the electronic properties of predesigned pincer complexes can be predicted. The sigma(p) value for the para-PtI group itself was determined to be -1.18 in methanol and -0.72 in water/methanol (1/1). Complexes substituted with protic functional groups (CH(2)OH, COOH) exist as dimers in the solid state due to intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions.


Prenylated Rab GTPases occur in the cytosol in their GDP‐bound conformations bound to a cytosolic protein termed GDP‐dissociation inhibitor (GDI). Rab–GDI complexes represent a pool of active, recycling Rab proteins that can deliver Rabs to specific and distinct membrane‐bound compartments. Rab delivery to cellular membranes involves release of GDI, and the membrane‐associated Rab protein then exchanges its bound GDP for GTP. We report here the identification of a novel, membrane‐associated protein factor that can release prenylated Rab proteins from GDI. This GDI‐displacement factor (GDF) is not a guanine nucleotide exchange factor because it did not influence the intrinsic rates of nucleotide exchange by Rabs 5, 7 or 9. Rather, GDF caused the release of each of these endosomal Rabs from GDI, permitting them to exchange nucleotide at their intrinsic rates. GDF displayed the greatest catalytic rate enhancement on Rab9–GDI complexes. However, catalytic rate enhancement paralleled the potency of GDI in blocking nucleotide exchange: GDI was shown to be most potent in blocking nucleotide exchange by Rab9. The failure of GDF to act on Rab1–GDI complexes suggests that it may be specific for endosomal Rab proteins. This novel, membrane‐associated activity may be part of the machinery used to localize Rabs to their correct intracellular compartments.


A&stmcr-We have recently introduced new transforms, called polynomial transforms, which are defined in rings of poiynomials and give efficient algorithms for the computation of multidimensional DFT's and convolutions. In this paper we present a method for computing one-dimensional convolutions by polynomial transforms. We show that this method is computationally efficient, even for large convolutions, and can be implemented with FFT-type algorithms, while avoiding the use of trigonometric functions and complex arithmetic. We then extend this technique to complex convolutions and to multidimensional convolutions.


New mechanisms of conditionality enacted through current reforms of the UK welfare system are framed within contested narratives about the characteristics, rationalities and conduct of welfare users. In the problem figuration of welfare reform the orientations and conduct of welfare recipients have been conceptualised and depicted across a spectrum ranging from cynical manipulators gaming the system and subverting the original ethos of the welfare state to vulnerable individuals experiencing compounded disadvantage. This paper aims to strengthen the conceptualisation of cynical manipulation and vulnerability and to empirically investigate how narratives of these ideas are deployed by key stakeholders in the welfare system and the extent to which manipulation or vulnerability are present in the orientations and conduct of individuals in receipt of welfare support.


Several gneissified granitic bodies occur in the southern region of Goias State, Brazil, hosted in metasedimentary sequences of the Araxa Group. Two of these rock bodies are located in the outskirts of Mairipotaba and Crominia, Professor Jamil Safady District, and display peraluminous, calc-alkaline compositions, been classified as S-type. These granitic bodies show low to medium content of alkali, large ion lithophile elements enrichment (Cs, Th, U, Ba, Rb, K) and light rare earth elements in relation to heavy rare earth elements and to high field strength elements (Zr, Y, Nb, Ta, Hf). They also exhibit negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, P and Ti, similar to the chemical composition of magmas originated in magmatic arcs. Geochemical comparison between these rocks and the metasediments of the Araxa Group, in accordance to the geological context, indicates that the sources of the magma that originated these granitic bodies are metasediments from the Araxa Group.


periodontitis. Evidence shows periodontally infected patients may be at a higher risk of thrombotic accidents via induced systemic inflammatory mediators' production and increase in serum levels of autoantibodies such as anticardiolipin antibody. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of anti-cardioli pin antibody (ACLA)-IgG and -IgM, and to investigate the systemic levels of inflammatory markers of cardiovascular diseases like high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with chronic periodontitisin (CP) as well as to examine the relationships between these mediators and clinical periodontal parameters. Subjects and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 45 patients with CP (20 with sever periodontitis and 25 with moderate periodontitis) and from 30 healthy age matched individuals served as controls. Clinical periodontal parameters used in this study were plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing. The levels of serum ACLA-IgG, ACLA-IgM, hs-CRP and IL-6 were determined using enzymelinked immunosorbent assays. Results: The current results revealed that serum levels of ACLA-IgG, hs-CRP and IL-6 were significantly higher in patients group as compared to healthy control group (p 0.05). Concerning the comparison between two patient groups, sever CP group showed significant elevation in serum levels of ACLA-IgG, hs-CRP and IL-6 (p 0.05). Furthermore, in regards to the correlation between serum ACLA-IgG, ACLA-IgM, hs-CRP and IL-6, and clinical periodontal parameters, IL-6 level was showed significant positive correlation with clinical attachment level, whereas hs-CRP was showed significant positive correlation with each of probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing. Moreover; linear positive correlation was noticed between ACLA-IgG and clinical attachment level. Conversely, ACLA-IgM level did not show any correlation with clinical parameters of periodontitis (p>0.05). Conclusion: Elevation in prothrombotic autoantibodies, ACLA-IgG and inflammatory mediators (hs-CRP and IL-6) factors may increase inflammatory activity in atherosclerot ic lesions and potentially increasing the risk for cardiovascular events.


PurposeTo assess the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection in patients suffering from intractable periorbital pain after acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG). Patients and MethodsIn this prospective randomized intervention study, 19 patients suffering from periorbital pain after an AACG attack were injected with BoNT-A or placebo for pain relief. Patients were assessed on days 1, 2, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90. The main outcomes were mean change of visual analog rating scale (VARS) and index scores measured through a quality-of-life questionnaire (EQ-5D), and changes in the visual analog scale (VAS), all of which were assessed at each visit. A secondary outcome was the frequency and nature of adverse events and the number of patients who withdrew from the study as a result. ResultsIn the treatment group (n=10), the mean index score of EQ-5D and VAS changed significantly from the placebo group (by 0.299 and 2.61, respectively) from day 2 (P<0.01). The VARS of EQ-5D also disclosed significant changes from day 2 (17, P<0.01). In addition, efficacy was maintained mainly between days 2 and 60 but declined slightly by day 90. The most frequently reported treatment-related adverse events in the treatment and placebo groups were local tenderness (21%), subcutaneous hemorrhage (10.5%), and conjunctivitis (10.5%). No severe adverse events were reported during the study or follow-up period. ConclusionsBoNT-A is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of periorbital pain after an AACG attack. Its effects may be maintained for 3 months.


The release process for the fabrication of freestanding oxide microstructures relies on appropriate, controllable and repeatable wet etching procedures. SrTiO3 is among the most employed substrates for oxide thin films growth and can be decomposed in HF:water solution. Such process is strongly anisotropic and is affected by local defects and substrate cut-plane. We analyze the etching behavior of SrTiO3 substrates having (100), (110), and (111) cut-planes during immersion in a 5% HF:water solution. The etching process over the three substrates is compared in terms of pitting, anisotropy, macroscopic etch rate and underetching effects around HF-resistant (La,Sr)MnO3 thin film micropatterns. The release of targeted structures, such as the reported (La,Sr)MnO3 freestanding microbridges, depends on the substrate crystallographic symmetry and on the in-plane orientation of the structures themselves along the planar directions. By comparing the etching evolution at two different length scales, we distinguish two regimes for the propagation of the etching front: an intrinsic one, owning to a specific lattice direction, and a macroscopic one, resulting from the mixing of different etching fronts. We report the morphologies of the etched SrTiO3 surfaces and the geometries of the underetched regions as well as of the microbridge clamping zones. The reported analysis will enable the design of complex MEMS devices by allowing to model the evolution of the etching process required for the release of arbitrary structures made of oxide thin films deposited on top of STO.


This paper shows how a methodical development and configuration of modular product family concepts and their effects on economic targets can be implemented in SysML. For this purpose, different sources of inconsistency between different methodical tools are highlighted and the need for research is shown. As a solution approach, a methodical framework is presented, which can be used to implement product development methods for the developing of modular product family modeling by means of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in the modeling language SysML. By applying the framework, it is shown on the one hand how a product family of vacuum cleaner robots as a simple example can be modularized in a methodical, model-based manner. On the other hand, a configuration system and an impact model of modular product families are connected with the system model and applied to a product family of laser systems as an industrial use case. This made it clear that the framework can be used to model various methodical topics of product family modeling in a consistent manner, to enable higher-level analyses with the use of MBSE tools. This can reduce errors, decrease effort and increase traceability across different methodical tools.


Metabolites of antitumor cyclic hexapeptides, RA-VII and -X which were isolated from Rubia cordifolia were studied by hepatic microsomal biotransformation in rats and in bile juice of rabbits to which these drugs were administered intravascularly. Their structures and conformations were elucidated by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, temperature effect on NH protons and nuclear Overhauser effect experiments. Specific N-demethylation of Tyr-3, O-demethylation and hydroxylation at aromatic rings of Tyr-3 and -5 were observed. Compared with metabolites of RA-VII, most of RA-X was excreted unchanged in the bile juice. Relationship among their structures, conformations and antitumor activities is also discussed.


Narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) method that was first launched by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) Rel- 13 with the purpose of enabling low-cost, low-power and wide-area cellular connection for the Internet of Things (IoT). As the demand for over-the-air services grows and with the number of linked wireless devices reaching 100 billion, wireless spectrum is becoming scarce, necessitating creative techniques that can increase the number of connected devices within a restricted spectral resource in order to satisfy service needs. Consequently, it is vital that academics develop efficient solutions to fulfill the quality of service (QoS) criteria of the NB-IoT in the context of 5th generation (5G) and beyond. This study paves the way for 5G networks and beyond to have increased capacity and data rate for NB-IoT. Whereas, this article suggests a method for increasing the number of connected devices by using a technique known as symbol time compression (STC). The suggested method compresses the occupied bandwidth of each device without increasing complexity, losing data throughput or bit error rate (BER) performance. The STC approach is proposed in the literature to work with the conventional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to reduce bandwidth usage by 50% and improve the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). Specifically, An STC-based method is proposed that exploits the unused bandwidth to double the number of connected devices while keeping system performance and complexity. Furthermore, the {\mu}-law companding technique is leveraged to reduce the PAPR of the transmitted signals. The obtained simulation results reveal that the proposed approach using the {\mu}-law companding technique increases the transmitted data by twice and reduces the PAPR by 3.22 dB while maintaining the same complexity and BER.


This study aims to determine the Descriptions of Student Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) of Singkawang STKIP physics education students. In addition, this research also aims to. This research is quantitative descriptive. Validity and reliability tests in this study will use rasch modeling with the help of Winsteps software. Through this research will be obtained the exposure of HOTS data of Singkawang STKIP physics education students on wave and optical material so that it is expected to be the basis for further research. In this research, HOTS description of students is produced, namely: (1) HOTS students at the highest ability are owned by LD02 (measure = +2.56 logit) to the lowest ability possessed by LD09 (measure = -2.42) with a standard level of difficulty of the problem with a logit value of 0.48 (2) most students experience difficulties when formulating the physics equation and the calculation process (3) analyzing is the ability that is most dominated by students with logit values in a row of - 0.71 and -0.67 followed by creative ability with logit values of -0.12 and -, 028, respectively, the ability to evaluate with logit values of 0.00, 0.95 and 0.82, respectively. , (4) item reability is a matter of 0.71 (Reliable good category), (4) the ability of students is low as 0.12 means that the HOTS students are low.


The receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the main protease (Mpro) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) play a crucial role in the entry and replication of viral particles, and co-targeting both of them could be an attractive approach for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection by setting up a "double lock" in the viral lifecycle. However, few dual RBD/Mpro-targeting agents have been reported. Here, four novel RBD/Mpro dual-targeting peptides, termed as MRs 1-4, were discovered by an integrated virtual screening scheme combining molecular docking-based screening and molecular dynamics simulation. All of them possessed nanomolar binding affinities to both RBD and Mpro ranging from 14.4 to 39.2 nM and 22.5–40.4 nM, respectively. Further pseudovirus infection assay revealed that the four selected peptides showed >50% inhibition against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus at a concentration of 5 µM without significant cytotoxicity to host cells. This study leads to the identification of a class of dual RBD/Mpro-targeting agents, which may be developed as potential and effective SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.


OBJECTIVE
To study the relative contributions of mean airway pressure (mPaw) and tidal excursion (V(T)) to ventilator-induced lung injury under constant perfusion conditions.

DESIGN
Prospective, randomized study.

SETTING
Experimental animal laboratory.

SUBJECTS
Fifteen sets of isolated rabbit lungs.

INTERVENTIONS
Rabbit lungs were perfused (constant flow, 500 mL/min; capillary pressure, 10 mm Hg) and randomized to be ventilated at identical peak transpulmonary pressure (pressure control ventilation [30 cm H2O and frequency of 20/min]) with three different ventilatory patterns that differed from each other by either mPaw or V(T): group A (low mPaw [13.4+/-0.2 cm H2O]/large V(T) [55+/-8 mL], n = 5); group B (high mPaw [21.2+/-0.2 cm H2O]/small V(T) [18+/-1 mL], n = 5); and group C (high mPaw [21.8+/-0.5 cm H2O]/large V(T) [53+/-5 mL], n = 5).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Continuous weight gain (edema formation), change in ultrafiltration coefficient (deltaKf, vascular permeability index), and histology (lung hemorrhage) were examined. In group A, deltaKf (0.08+/-0.08 g/min/cm H2O/100 g) was less than in group B (0.28+/-0.19 g/min/cm H2O/100 g) or group C (0.41+/-0.29 g/min/cm H2O/100 g) (p = .05). Group A experienced significantly less hemorrhage (histologic score, 5.4+/-2.2) than groups B (10.3+/-2.1) and C (11.1+/-3.0) (p < .05). A similar trend was observed for weight gain. In contrast to tidal excursion, mPaw was found to be a significant factor for lung hemorrhage and increased Kf (two-way analysis of variance; p < .05). Weight gain (r2 = .54, p = .04) and lung hemorrhage (r2 = .65, p = .01) correlated with the mean pulmonary artery pressure changes that resulted from the implementation of the ventilatory strategies. The difference between the changes in mPaw and mean pulmonary artery pressure linearly predicted deltaKf (p = .005 and .05, respectively, r2 = 0.73).

CONCLUSIONS
Under these experimental conditions, mPaw contributes more than tidal excursion to lung hemorrhage and permeability alterations induced by mechanical ventilation.


Linearization of integrated optic intensity modulators significantly reduces the two-tone intermodulation distortion. The resulting intermodulation distortion produced by these modulators then varies as the input power to the fifth-order link system, the overall intermodulation product is a combination of third-order and higher-order terms. The authors determine the dynamic range of a cascaded microwave network consisting of a preamplifier, a high-dynamic-range fiber-optic link with a highly linear modulator, and a postamplifier. An expression is found that relates the intermodulation power at the output to the relative suppression from the signal level. As an example, a hypothetical 10-GHz low-distortion fiber-optic link that has a dynamic range of 125 dB in a bandwidth of 1 Hz is cascaded with various preamplifiers, and it is shown that the dynamic range of the system is reduced by as much as 20 dB, depending on the third-order intercept of the amplifier.


Tax revenues are fundamental budgetary resources for the majority of governments around the world. Consequently, the goal of identifying efficient strategies that facilitate an increase in tax compliance should be on the agenda of all tax authorities. By surveying 358 Romanian taxpayers, our study analyzes how tax literacy influences tax compliance, thus contributing to the existing literature, which reports few results on this topic. Using moderation analysis, we find that tax literacy is one of the key elements shaping tax compliance. Respondents who reported more neutral social representations of taxation concepts turned out to be more tax literate and more willing to comply voluntarily. The level of tax literacy was estimated using a tax literacy index created for this purpose. Our study provides policy makers with a starting point for understanding how taxpayers comprehend taxation concepts and how they relate to the tax system. Equipped with such information, those charged with designing tax policy could help raise literacy among taxpayers, making the role of tax collection more salient and ultimately improving tax compliance.


Throughout his life, Pablo Picasso had close friendships with writers and an abiding interest in the written word. This groundbreaking book, which draws on the collections of Yale University, traces the relationship that Picasso had with literature and writing in his life and work. Beginning with the artist's early associations with such writers as Gertrude Stein, Guillaume Apollinaire, Max Jacob, and Pierre Reverdy, the book continues until the postwar period, by which time Picasso had become a worldwide celebrity. Distinguished authorities in art and literature explore the theme of Picasso and language from historical, linguistic, and visual perspectives and contextualize Picasso's work within a rich literary framework. Presenting fascinating archival materials and written in an accessible style, Picasso and the Allure of Language is essential reading for anyone interested in this great artist and the history of modernism.


This paper describes the operational experience of using blended or heavy fuels for inland marine service. The experience outlined here is with a vessel retrofitted to specifically use 2000 Redwood No. 1, seconds, fuel and designed to increase blended fuel-oil viscosity rising as high as 3500 Redwood. An engine teardown was performed and no abnormal wear was noticed.


This study explores how information helps housing consumers make informed decisions and discusses potential market outcomes. We analyse the interaction between the disclosure of information on property conditions and the disparity between home sellers' willingness to accept (WTA) and home buyers' willingness to pay (WTP). Three hypotheses are derived and validated through field experimental investigation within the property market. We find that a WTA–WTP disparity exists. The identified policy instrument for information disclosure appears to function as expected. The WTA–WTP disparity is considerably reduced after information disclosure, and market liquidity and efficiency are improved. This study is an important complement to prior research on how information changes the behaviour of consumers in housing markets. Findings can inform central governments about the wider benefits of smart disclosure in the future, as well as the scope, format and structure of information supplied to general housing consumers to promote efficiency.


Diffraction algorithms with adjustable magnification are dominant in holographic projection and imaging. However, the algorithms are limited by the Nyquist sampling conditions, and simulation results with inappropriate parameters sometimes appear with aliasing. At present, many diffraction algorithms have been proposed and improved, but there is a need for an overall analysis of their sampling conditions. In this paper, some classical diffraction algorithms with adjustable magnification are summarized, and their sampling conditions in the case of plane wave or spherical wave illumination are analyzed and compared, which helps to select the appropriate diffraction algorithm according to the specific parameter conditions of the simulation to avoid aliasing.


Abstract—Using a waste material such as crumb rubber (CR) obtained by waste tires has become an important issue in respect to sustainability. However, the CR modified mixture also requires high manufacture temperature as a polymer modified mixture. For this reason in this study, it is intended to produce a CR modified mixture with warm mix asphalt additives in the same mixture. Asphalt mixtures produced by pure, 10%CR, 10%CR+3% Sasobit and 10%CR+0.7% Evotherm were subjected to aging procedure in the laboratory and the field. The indirect tensile repeated tests were applied to aged and original specimens. It was concluded that the fatigue life of the mixtures increased significantly with the increase of aging time. CR+Sasobit modified mixture aged at the both field and laboratory gave the highest load cycle among the mixtures.


Echis carinatus (EC) is known as saw-scaled viper and it is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Envenoming by EC represents a major cause of snakebite mortality and morbidity in the Indian subcontinent. Zinc (Zn++)-dependent snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) present in Echis carinatus venom is well known to cause systemic hemorrhage and coagulopathy in experimental animals. An earlier report has shown that ECV activates neutrophils and releases neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that blocks blood vessels leading to severe tissue necrosis. However, the direct involvement of SVMPs in the release of NETs is not clear. Here, we investigated the direct involvement of EC SVMPs in observed pathological symptoms in a preclinical setup using zinc (Zn++) metal chelator, Tetraethylthiuram disulfide (TTD)/disulfiram. TTD potently antagonizes the activity of SVMPs-mediated ECM protein degradation in vitro and skin hemorrhage in mice. In addition, TTD protected mice from ECV-induced footpad tissue necrosis by reduced expression of citrullinated H3 (citH3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in footpad tissue. TTD also neutralized ECV-induced systemic hemorrhage and conferred protection against lethality in mice. Moreover, TTD inhibited ECV-induced NETosis in human neutrophils and decreased the expression of peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) 4, citH3, MPO and pERK. Further, we demonstrated that ECV-induced NETosis and tissue necrosis is mediated via PAR-1-ERK axis. Overall, our results provide an insight into SVMPs-induced toxicities and the promising protective efficacy of TTD can be extrapolated to treat severe tissue necrosis complementing ASV.


We construct a kneading theory à la Milnor - Thurston for Lozi mappings (piecewise affine homeomorphisms of the plane). As a two-dimensional analogue of the kneading sequence, the pruning front and the primary pruned region are introduced, and the admissibility criterion for symbol sequences known as the pruning front conjecture is proven under a mild condition on the parameters. Using this result, we show that topological properties of the dynamics of the Lozi mapping are determined by its pruning front and primary pruned region only. This gives us a solution to the first tangency problem for the Lozi family, moreover the boundary of the set of all horseshoes in the parameter space is shown to be algebraic.


Although ultrasound-based drug delivery has only seen limited clinical use for transdermal drug delivery, there has been considerable momentum in research aimed at using ultrasound for a wide variety of medical applications. Ultrasound-mediated gene therapy using sonoporation and targeted delivery has progressed from in vitro proof-of-concept studies to produce biological effects in angiogenesis and diabetes studies. These techniques have also been used for cancer therapy, thrombolysis, and disruption of the blood-brain barrier in animal models. It is also worth noting that ultrasound can facilitate targeted drug delivery through thermal means, in addition to the mechanisms associated with cavitation. Ultrasound hyperthermia can be used to target thermally sensitive drug-carrying liposomes or to induce gene expression through localized heat shock response.


Naked mole-rats (NMRs) are the longest-lived rodents, showing minimal aging phenotypes. An unsolved paradox is that NMRs exhibit low intracellular anti-oxidant defence despite minimal aging. Here, we explained a link between these "contradicting" features by a phenomenon termed "senescent cell death (SCD)"—Senescence induced cell death in NMR cells due to their inherent vulnerability to reactive oxygen species and unique metabolic system. In NMR skin, we observed few senescent cells during aging or after ultraviolet irradiation, suggesting suppression of senescent cell accumulation in NMR tissue. We discovered that senescent NMR-fibroblasts induce SCD through retinoblastoma protein activation accompanied by autophagy dysregulation, increased oxidative damage and accelerated H2O2-releasing metabolic pathways. During senescence, NMR cells showed resistance to metabolic remodelling unlike mice. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into how extraordinary aging resistance is accomplished in NMR. This will contribute to the development of senolytic drugs to regulate age-related diseases.


Effects of pulp type, refining and filler type on the pore characteristics and physical properties of paper were investigated. HwBKP, SwBKP and BCTMP are used to study the effect of pulp type in this study. The effects of each filler (PCC, GCC and talc) and the combination of PCC/GCC were also studied. Highest bulk, pore volume and light scattering are obtained from BCTMP and PCC. It was found that the pore size and pore volume are important in light scattering in paper structure. It was found that PCC was the most effective filler for the improvement of the bulk and light scattering because of the increase in pore volume which can scatter light, but the increase of PCC content was not so effective in the improvement of bulk.


This paper presents a new joint frame synchronization and frequency offset estimation algorithm for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems as a modification to Zhang's method (Zhang et al., 2005). By designing a new training preamble weighted by PN sequence, the timing estimator is improved (at least 3dB with low SNR). By estimating time offset first, the computational load is greatly reduced with no loss in frequency offset estimation accuracy. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by computer simulations in terms of timing error rate (TER) together with computational complexity.


This paper introduces and examines the insert paranaense in the National Production and Use of Biodiesel Program (PNPB). State of Parana if emphasize in the scenario national by persistent in the technological development process interested use of biodiesel, started in the 1970's. In this period, was realized many exams, that ones analyzed the effects about of mixture of alcohol or biodiesel in the diesel. This process was followed by construction of an infra-structure research, institutional and, consolidation of association between the public e private sectors. In 2003, the paranaense govern instituted the Bioenergy Paranaense Program and, in 2004, the Brazilian Govern instituted the PNPB. Although, State of Parana not yet provided to conduct all potential agricultural and technological to installation of a competitive productive structure nationally and internationally. Also, State of Parana not provided to stimulate the integration of small farmer in the chain productive of biodiesel.


Handling uncertainty in an appropriate manner during the real operation of a cyber-physical system (CPS) is critical. Uncertain production scheduling as a part of CPS uncertainty issues should attract more attention. In this paper, a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) uncertain model for batch process is formulated based on a unit-specific event-based continuous-time modeling method. Utility uncertainty and uncertain relationship between production rate and utility supply are described by fuzzy theory. The uncertain scheduling model is converted into deterministic model by mathematical method. Through one numerical example, the accuracy and practicability of the proposed model is proved. Fuzzy scheduling model can supply valuable decision options for enterprise managers to make decision more accurate and practical. The impact and selection of some key parameters of fuzzy scheduling model are elaborated.


With the multi-polarization trend of the world, the cooperation and conflicts between the superpower the United States and rising China have been augmenting simultaneously, among which the mutual criticism upon democracy turns out to be one of the most remarkable controversies. Bilateral condemnations concentrate on the judgment that the democracy of the counterpart is superficial, insufficient or even autocracy at all, therefore the mutual understandings of democracy in both countries appears harsh and prejudicial. Through analyzing and comparing the essential democratic institutions of the United States and China, similarities and differences in political practices of both countries are to be analyzed. On the basis of comparison, assisted by the Radial Network Model of Stereotypes, the process of stereotyping and prejudice on democracy is to be studied to discover its origin as bilateral political antagonism and hostility between different ideologies. From the perspective of Majority and Minority Identities, the development divergence and interaction between the minority identity of China's democracy and majority identity of American democracy are examined, leading to the proposition of Identity-Empathy in democracy between the two countries.


Gastro retentive drug delivery systems have been widely used to prolong retention of dosage forms in stomach. Among the various approaches, the floating bilayer tablets formulation offers sustained drug release as well as prolonged gastric retention, along with the added advantage of liquid oral dosage form. The present study was an attempt to formulate and evaluate floating bilayer tablets of Epleronone by using various polymers like guar gum, ethyl cellulose, SSG, CCS. The prepared floating Bilayered tablets were evaluated for hardness, Weight variation, thickness, friability, drug content uniformity, and in-vitro dissolution studies. Based on various evaluation parameters formulation F3 (IR) & F12 (SR) was selected as optimized formulation. From the above floating buoyancy studies shows that F12 shows higher Total floating time than other formulations. It was observed that Formulations F3 (IR) & F12 (SR) gave maximum drug release within time. All formulations were subjected for drug release kinetics studies viz. Zero order, first order, Higuchi matrix, Peppas model equations and the formulations of sustained release (SR) formulations followed zero order release with non-fickian diffusion mechanism.


Mandelic acid and its derivatives are important chiral analogs which are widely used in the pharmaceutical synthetic industry. The present study investigated the enantiomeric separation of six mandelic acids (mandelic acid, 2-chloromandelic acid, 3-chloromandelic acid, 4-chloromandelic acid, 4-bromomandelic acid, 4-methoxymandelic acid) on the Chiralpak AD-3 column by supercritical fluid chromatography. The influences of volume fraction of trifluoroacetic acid, type and percentage of modifier, column temperature, and backpressure on the separation efficiency were investigated. And the enantiomer elution order was determined. The results show that, for a given modifier, the retention factor, the separation factor, and the separation resolution decreased gradually with increasing the volume ratio of the modifier. At the same volume ratio of modifier, the retention factor of the mandelic acid and its derivatives increased in the order of methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol, except 3-chloromandelic acid. The separation factor and the separation resolution decreased with the increase of column temperature (below the temperature limit). The backpressure affected the enantioseparation process: As the backpressure increased, a corresponding decrease in retention factor was observed. Under the same chiral column conditions, the SFC method exhibited faster and more efficient separation with better enantioselectivity than the HPLC method.


A simple photographic technique was developed to indirectly estimate body mass data for southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) cows (postlactation), yearlings, and immature males and females. Regressions of mass on both photographic and morphometric variables (together and separately) yielded useful, predictable models. Using such variables, the best estimation of the actual mass was for postlactation cows, with a 95% confidence interval of ± 2.66% of the predicted body mass. Although combining photographic and morphometric variables produced the most reliable models specifically for cows and yearlings, the most practical model contained only the morphometric variables length and girth squared. Side area was the best correlated single photographic variable and this corresponded with other studies. Photogrammetry could be useful when animals cannot be sedated and are located on a flat surface, but it does require animals to be motionless when approached. Thus, the procedure may be more suited to bulls rather than other age classes and could have a role in studies where large numbers of mass estimations are rapidly required. If sedation is utilized in smaller animals, then the use of body length and girth is the most suitable indirect mass estimation technique to avoid the use of heavy weighing equipment.


ABSTRACT Palginõmm, V.; Orviku, K.; Suursaar, Ü.; Kont, A.; Tõnisson, H., and Rivis, R., 2018. Lessons Learned from Record-High Storm Surges and Associated Inundations in Pärnu, SW Estonia. In: Shim, J.-S.; Chun, I., and Lim, H.S. (eds.), Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2018 (Busan, Republic of Korea). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 85, pp. 1391–1395. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Due to changes in atmospheric circulation and warmer winters, the frequency of strong westerly storms associated with high sea level in ice-free sea conditions has increased over the last half-century on the western coast of Estonia including in Pärnu City. During the last 50 years Pärnu has suffered from two remarkably high storm surges and associated inundations – in 1967 (2.53 m above mean sea level) and in 2005 (2.75 m). This paper addresses the problem of coastal floods in Pärnu, analyzing different action plans in order to protect the city against floods, which may get even more disastrous due to climate change induced sea level rise. Our analysis showed that application of adaptation measures seems to be the most reasonable option for Pärnu, while the expenses on building a protective dam exceeds the potentially avoidable losses. A managed retreat was not acceptable either because the city would lose its identity as a famous summer resort with excellent sandy beaches. Dissipation of storm surge water over adjacent low-lying uninhabited territories would not give any clear effect reducing the high water level only by 5 centimetres as maximum. In case of adapting to temporary extensive floods, a more efficient warning system and better communication between the authorities and the local people are needed.


To identify a simple indicator for detection of follicular vitellogenesis stage of cultured Caspian brown trout, the changes of plasma calcium and estradiol-17β along with ovarian histology were investigated over a reproductive cycle. For this purpose, the blood and gonad samples were taken monthly over a six months period. According to results, the concentrations of plasma calcium increased significantly during October and November but then declined steadily until the end of experiment. Estradiol-17β concentrations were low throughout the experiment, a clear peak was observed in October. Histological observations showed that all examined females were in vitellogenesis when the peak of plasma calcium and estradiol-17β were observed. Also, significant positive relationship was found between plasma calcium and estradiol. The good fitness of plasma calcium and estradiol-17β peak with histological observations suggests that plasma calcium could be a good and simple indicator for detection of follicular vitellogenesis stage in the cultured Caspian brown trout.


Abstract Two series of experiments investigating the nature of category structure are presented. The studies focused on object categories and event categories. It was found that, for both objects and events, property centrality (a rating of how important the property is to the category) is not entirely predicted by property typicality (how frequently the object or event possesses that property). By contrasting conditions in which adult subjects rank-ordered properties according to various criteria, it was found that causal theories about the role of the properties in the categories strongly predicted property centrality, although recognitional and definitional factors did play some role. This relationship held for both familiar and newly acquired categories. Recent empirical work on the attribution of causal relationships to sequences of events is reviewed. The evidence from both the past work and the current studies indicates that humans do indeed have causal theories which they use to categorise objects...


We propose a new materials design concept based on the use of regular assemblies of topologically interlocked elements. A particular implementation of this concept, viz. a layer of tetrahedron-shaped elements, was studied in some detail. The packing arrangement in the layer is such that each individual element is held in place by its immediate neighbours. This structure can provide a load-bearing skeleton of a composite material. A second phase, serving as a matrix or binder, can be selected to provide special structural or functional properties such as thermal or sound insulation, fluid transport, controlled electrical conductivity, etc. It is envisaged that strong and flexible composite materials with high impact resistance can be created on this basis. A model specimen assembled according to this topological principle was tested with respect to its stiffness and load bearing capacity. First experimental and theoretical results show that a layer consisting of many interlocked elements has a much larger mechanical compliance than its monolithic counterpart, and can withstand considerable deformations. Other possible shapes of three-dimensional elements interlocked into a monolayer and the principles of their generation are discussed. The design principle proposed opens up new avenues for creating multifunctional composite materials. Crown Copyright # 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.


Introduction: Ricebakanae disease caused by Fusarium fujikuroiis one of the most important diseases of rice in Iran and in the world. Studies show that the disease has spread to a wide range of paddy fields worldwide, with losses in Japan up to 20%, in India up to 15%, and Thailand's northern and central areas have been reported to be 7.3% -14.7%. Symptoms include rice foot blackness and yellowish and then wilting of infected plants. The pathogen is more likely to attack the foot rot which is a sign of the abnormal growth of contaminated plants in the farm. Infected seedlings are slender and taller than healthy plants, and highly infected plants may die before or after transplantation. The tillering is reduced, consequently the leaves die in a short time. The fungus causes the disease threats the human and animal health through the production of phytotoxins. Identification of Fusarium species is currently confusing, on the other hand, several Fusarium species have always been isolated together with rice contaminated with the disease. Therefore, it is not clear which species of this fungus are the main reason of the disease. This fungus is soil-borne and has a long life in heavy soils. It has also a global expansion and is active in most parts of the world. Rice foot rot disease in all major rice producing countries in the world is considered as a seed disease and the transmission of the disease agent from one season to another season is mainly due to contaminated seed, but soil-borne fungus can be as well. Currently, treating the seeds with fungicides is the best method to control this disease, however using chemical pesticides can lead to environmental pollution. In this situation, it is important to achieve a healthy alternate method. For this purpose, biological control is one of the ways in which today a large investment is being made around the world. Materials and Methods: Samples of rice exhibiting the symptoms of bakanae were randomly collected from different parts of Gilan province, Iran. Pieces of organs with rot symptoms were cut and they were surface-disinfected after washing with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. At the next step, they were washed with distilled water and dried on filter papers. Then, they were cultured in Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) culture medium and were placed in an incubator at 28°C for 3-5 days. Afterward, they were placed on a water-agar medium for purification and morphological identification. In this research, from a total of 80 samples collected from rice farms in Gilan province, 18 bacterial strains were isolated and the antagonistic ability of 8 strains of bacteria in the laboratory and greenhouse was investigated. For this purpose, in laboratory, dual culture method, volatile compounds, siderophore and antibiotic production were used. These bacterial strains were inoculated into rice under greenhouse conditions, and then the severity of the disease was determined in the tested treatments. After calculating the severity of the disease, the height of the rice bushes was measured by the ruler. To measure the fresh weight, the rice bush with the roots was removed from the soil and measured by a scale. Each bush was then separately placed for 48 hours in an oven at 80-90°C. After leaving the oven, each of the bushes was re-weighed. This weight was recorded as dry weight. Results and Discussion: A total of 18 isolated bacterial strains, 8 bacterial strains including Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus circulans, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens (N47), Pseudomonas fluorescens (149) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (CHA0) were identified and used for biological control studies in laboratory and greenhouses. P. putida with 39.99 % in the dual culture, B. subtilis with 31.01% in the volatile metabolites, in the method of siderophore production, P. fluorescens (N47) and B. subtilis with 52.10 % and 45.85 % respectively, and in the antibiotic production, P. putida with 59.21% had the greatest effect on inhibiting the mycelial growth of the disease causative agent. Based on the results of the analysis of variance under greenhouse conditions, there was a significant difference between treatments for severity of disease, fresh weight, dry weight and plant height at 1% probability level. Among the studied bacteria, the least severity of the disease belonged to the treatment with P. putida and B. subtilis, respectively. Regarding height, the highest height was related to treatment with P. putida and B. subtilis and in terms of fresh weight and dry weight, the highest weight was related to P. putida. Conclusion: According to the results of biocontrol studies in laboratory and greenhouse conditions, P. putida and B. subtilis strains were the most effective bacteria for controlling rice foot-rot disease.Therefore, isolating and identifying these bacterial strains as much as possible can be promising for the greater effectiveness of biocontrol methods in the management of rice crown-rot disease control.


Glycyrrhizin (GL), extracted from the Glycyrrhiza glabra L., is active triterpenoid saponin components. However, due to its impermeability across the gastrointestinal mucosa, oral bioavailability of the drug was relatively low. To improve its oral bioavailability, formulation of GL as sodium deoxycholate/phospholipid-mixed nanomicelles (SDC/PL-MMs) has been performed in this study. GL-SDC/PL-MMs were produced by a film dispersion method and then investigated using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), zeta potential measurement, as well as its physical stability after storage for 10, 20, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. To verify the theoretical hypothesis, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic studies based on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury was investigated. Results showed that a narrow size distributed nanomicelles with a mean particle size of 82.99 ± 7.5 nm and a zeta potential of −32.23 ± 1.05 mV was obtained. In the pharmacokinetics, GL-SDC/PL-MMs show a significant superiority in AUC0–t, Cmax and other pharmacokinetic parameters compared with the control group. In the pharmacodynamic studies, compared with the bifendate control group, GL-SDC/PL-MMs showed an equivalent effect in reducing alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and improving the pathological changes of liver tissue. These results revealed that SDC/PL-MMs could enhance GL absorption in gastrointestinal tract and pharmacodynamic effect in the treatment of acute liver injury caused by CCl4, and SDC/PL-MMs might be a good choice for oral delivery of poor bioavailability drug like GL.


OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the reliability, sensitivity, specificity and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for the diagnosis of sciatica associated with disc herniation of the bell test (BT) and the hyperextension test (HT).

METHODS
According to magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scanning or myelography findings, patients were classified as having sciatica associated with disc herniation (group A) or sciatica without disc herniation or sciatica of other mechanical origin (group B). Four clinical manoeuvres [bell test (BT), hyperextension test (HT), Lasègue's sign (LS) and the crossed Lasègue's sign (CL)] were tested by three investigators. Intra- and interobserver reliabilities were calculated using the kappa correlation coefficient or the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the four manoeuvres were calculated. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the best set of variables predicting sciatica caused by disc herniation.

RESULTS
Seventy-eight patients (43 in group A, 35 in group B; 33 males) with a mean age of 50+/-16 yr were included. Interobserver reliabilities ranged from 0.58 to 0.64 for the BT, 0.35 to 0.50 for the HT, 0.27 to 0.47 for LS and 0.43 to 0.72 for CL. LS had the best sensitivity (0.77-0.83) and CL the best specificity (0.74-0.89), while PPV and NPV were equivalent for the four manoeuvres (0.55-0.75 for PPV and 0.45-0.59 for NPV). The best PPV was observed for the association of HT with CL (0.67-0.85). Stepwise logistic regression analysis did not allow us to propose a set of variables predicting sciatica caused by disc herniation.

CONCLUSION
This study suggests that clinical values of the BT and HT are of interest, and are similar to those of LS and CL.


We show that the following algorithmic problem is decidable: given a 2-dimensional simplicial complex, can it be embedded (topologically, or equivalently, piecewise linearly) in R3? By a known reduction, it suffices to decide the embeddability of a given triangulated 3-manifold X into the 3-sphere S3. The main step, which allows us to simplify X and recurse, is in proving that if X can be embedded in S3, then there is also an embedding in which X has a short meridian, that is, an essential curve in the boundary of X bounding a disk in S3 \ X with length bounded by a computable function of the number of tetrahedra of X.


A bootstrap technique for nearest neighbor classifier design is proposed. Our primary interest in designing a classifier is in small training sample size situations. Conventional bootstrapping techniques sample the training samples with replacement. On the other hand, our technique generates bootstrap samples by locally combining original training samples. The nearest neighbor classifier is designed on the bootstrap samples and is tested on the test samples independent of training samples. The performance of the proposed classifier is demonstrated on three artificial data sets and one real data set. Experimental results show that the nearest neighbor classifier designed on the bootstrap samples outperforms the conventional k-NN classifiers as well as the edited 1-NN classifiers, particularly in high dimensions.


Knowledge of flow regime, holdup and pressure drop is needed in order to design gas and oil pipelines confidently and to minimize construction and operating costs. Previous public studies of two-phase flow in inclined pipes have used small diameter pipes two inches in diameter or less, and have primarily used air and water as the working fluids at low pressure (near one atmosphere). Present design methods are based upon the results of these experiments. In most advanced analyses available today, the flow regime transition is governed by a Froude number, the balance between inertial and buoyancy forces.

The primary objective of the work has been to obtain experimental data to challenge the present two-phase flow analysis methods for large pipe size, high gas density, and pipe inclination. Present analysis and design methods for two-phase flow in pipelines are based on correlations of data from small pipes of order 2-inches diameter or less, for air-water flows at pressures near one atmosphere. To achieve this objective, Creare performed experiments in an existing test facility with a special test section assembled for this project. Pipe diameter and gas density are closer to prototypical oil and gas pipeline conditions than previous experiments reported in the literature. The key experimental results include flow regime observations, pressure drops, and holdup measurements. The instrumentation in the test facility allows detailed characteristics of the flow such as slug velocity, slug frequency, liquid film velocity, and slug length to be measured in the slug flow regime.


This paper summarizes the the activities carried out by Working Group 4 of COST 271 Action. The structure of this Working Group included four Working packages that were dealing with different aspects of the same overall problem related to space plasma variability and irregularities effects
on advanced satellite systems. General comments about the most relevant achievements and possible future lines of research are given.


The background of this research departs from a thought about the
phenomenon of the economic behavior and the religiosity which is in the
community of Banjarese traders in the city of Banjarmasin. This has been going
on for a long time from pre-history era to new-order era until today. Which are
suspected of carrying out religious traditions spiritual elements in the souls of
traders, this so far has not been studied using Sufistic Analysis. Therefore, this
study was directed there to see the extent of the role of the Sufistic Dimension in
the economic behavior and the religiosity of the community of Banjarese traders.
This study aims to study the economic behavior and the religiosity of the
community of Banjarese traders and to understand the Sufistic Dimension by
using Sufistic Analysis and Max Weber's theory. He suggested that religion has
implications for religion and economics. Prof. Jacquen Austry argued that the
Islamic concept of economics has perfection in economic practice compared to the
concept of Capitalism and Socialism because it is based on the basis of Islamic
teachings, namely the holy Al-Qur'an and the As-Sunnah which are absolute
truths. This type of the research is Sufistic Research related to the Anthropology
and Sociology of religion. This research uses a qualitative approach based on both
of behavior and religiosity that exists in the community of Banjarese traders. The
research method is descriptive. There are several techniques for collecting data in
the field, namely observation, interview and documentation. Data Analysis was
done by three steps, Data Reduction, Data Presentation, and Conclusion
Drawing/Verification. This study uses Triangulation techniques as a technique the
validity of data.
The results of this study indicates that economic behavior and religiosity of
community of Banjarese traders have complementary relationships. That gives
rise to the understanding and belief in the Sufisitic Dimension which is considered
important in understanding mystical privileges to open the invisible divine veils,
but it can be felt as a belief in the blessing media in the area of Ihsan in seeking
of sustenance from God, then transforms the understanding of exoteric values into
esoteric characteristics according to the religious experience of the community of
Banjarese traders when entering the transcendental region.


The focus of this study was the relationship among adolescents' negative thoughts, depressive mood, and family environment. Three hundred eleven students (aged 16 and 17 years) in public and private schools served as subjects. They were administered the Family Environment Scale, the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Family cohesion was found to be related to the degree of negative thoughts and depressive mood of the adolescents, but perceived control within the family was not.


This is a comparison of two very different hydrology models, both designed to predict runoff from ungaged rural catchments. One is the commonly used and conceptually simple Soil Conservation Service curve number method. The other is a process oriented model based on the Green and Ampt equation. The Green and Ampt model employs newly developed techniques for parameterizing the Green and Ampt equation based on readily available soil and vegetation information. Annual, monthly and daily predicted runoff were compared to observed on six uncalibrated rangeland catchments located in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Nebraska and Idaho. Model parameterization was based strictly on individual catchment characteristics. No model calibration was performed. Results indicate that the Green and Ampt model is a potentially useful tool for predicting runoff. These results are important because they demonstrate the utility of complex physically based models as management tools for predicting land use impacts to runoff and infiltration.


One can talk about the relationship between Economics and Politics in two distinct, and at the same time, intermingled framework; classic and modern relationship. The first one emerges from the dawning of economic science itself. Due to that natural relationship between economics and politics, economics was called "Political Economy". The second relationship between economics and politics is much more novel one. This is analyzing politics by using economic methodology. Nevertheless, both the above approaches are in the context of famous expression that is "Political Economy". By benefiting from the interdisciplinary method, this article is highlighting the potential relationships between economics and politics. Meanwhile, one of the key mission of this note is concentrating on some substantive relationships between these two distinct disciplines and their interdisciplinary dimensions.


The aim of the study was assessment of the qualities of laser-assisted myringotomy (LAM) as a treatment for acute and secretory otitis media. Laser-assisted myringotomy was performed on 65 children (113 ears) mean age 6.2 years diagnosed with secretory otitis media (80%), recurrent secretory otitis media (11%) and acute otitis media (9%). Myringotomy was performed under general anesthesia using the OtoLAM device (ESC/Sharplan, Israel). In 64 ears pressure equalisation tubes were inserted after fenestration of the tympanic membrane with laser. Adenoidectomy alone or with tonsillectomy was performed at the same time in 51 cases. Laser tympanostomies remained patent for 7-32 days. All tympanostomies healed with no noticeable scarring. LAM appears to be a safe, and easy to performed, alternative technique in the treatment of otitis media.


In recent years, with the rapid development of smartphone devices and mobile cellular network technology, real-time virtual reality feedback software and games based on mobile phone cameras have developed rapidly. However, current existing real-scene item matching algorithms usually need to rely on Internet connections or require the high-performance computing power of devices to meet the demand. For this reason, this paper proposes a real-scene item registration algorithm based on the SURF algorithm, which has the advantages of good real-time performance, low calculation amount, and easy implementation. It can be adopted and further developed in real-scene software for item recognition and registration used in games and intelligent robots.


Since its introduction by Raphael Lemkin during the Second World War, cultural genocide has served as a conceptual framework for the non-physical destruction of a group. Following a vigorous debate over the legitimacy of the concept by states fearing prosecution for ethnocidal acts, namely Australia, the United States, Sweden, and Canada, cultural genocide/ethnocide was abrogated from the 1948 Genocide Convention. This pivotal move has shifted the frame of analysis and has sparked a contentious debate about the distinguishing elements of the physical destruction of a people and their cultural dissipation. The achievements of the indigenous peoples' movement throughout the 1980s reignited the debate surrounding cultural genocide within the international arena. This paper is both a survey of cultural genocide of indigenous populations of North America, South America, and Australia, as well as the role of indigenous social movements within the international arena. It analyzes the development of cultural genocide within international law by Raphael Lemkin, its subsequent debate by the United Nations' Ad Hoc Committee on Genocide, its omission from the Genocide Convention, and its reintroduction by indigenous peoples' mobilization to the international arena. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (Philippines), the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, and various findings of the ICTY relating to cultural genocide, the conference findings of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe relating to minorities, along with Lemkin's original reference to the term, will be used as frameworks for illuminating the extent and gravity of such crimes.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine whether serum thymosin beta4 (Tβ4) can be a useful noninvasive biomarker to differentiate between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL).

METHODS
The study included 24 NAFL patients and 21 NASH patients. The levels of Tβ4, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine acid (8-OhdG), liver function parameters, blood lipid, and glucose were detected in the venous blood of all patients. The NAFLD histological activity score (NAS) was examined in biopsy specimens from all patients. Statistical analysis was performed in order to find differences between the two abovementioned groups. In addition, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Tβ4 levels were performed in NAFL and NASH patients and the cut-off value was determined. Associations between the variables were tested using correlation coefficient calculations. Statistical significance was set at a p value of < 0.05.

RESULTS
Serum Tβ4 content was 5.12 ± 1.87 mg/l in the NAFL group and 2.98 ± 1.35 mg/l in the NASH group (p < 0.001). Serum Tβ4 content and NAS, histological features of hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation and ballooning, ALT, glucose and 8-OhdG levels were negatively correlated (p < 0.05 for all) in the NASH group. The correlation coefficient values were -0.530, -0.562, -0.574, -0.438, -0.446, -0.426 and -0.563, respectively. On the basis of ROC analysis, the best predictive Tβ4 cut-off value for detecting NASH was 3.94 mg/l (85.7% sensitivity and 79.2% specificity, which were higher than those of ALT).

CONCLUSION
Serum Tβ4 level can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of NASH and was negatively correlated with the oxidation state of the liver.


Chromogobius britoi is a recently described and poorly studied goby currently known only fromthe Macaronesian islands of Madeira and the Canarian archipelago. This species was capturedfor the first time on the Atlantic mainland coast of Europe (at Arra´bida Marine Park,Portugal). The habitat, depth preferences and morphological characters of the species arerevised.


Objective:To explore the comparative value of CT plain scan,CT cerebral perfusion imaging(CTP),diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)and MSCT angiography(CTA)in the acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease,and to find a reasonable procedure of imaging examination for acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Methods:Examinations of conventional CT,CT cerebral perfusion imaging,diffusion-weighted imaging and MSCT angiography were underwent in 30 cases with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Results:In the 30 cases,plain CT showed the resulting ischemia and infarction in 12 cases.The sensitivity of DWI and CTP for diagnosing acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease were 73.3%,83.3%;The predictive value of positive cases of DWI and CTP were 95.7%,92.6%.Differences in sensitivity and the predictive value of positive cases were not statistically significant among DWI and CTP.CTA demonstrated the involved cerebral arteries for patients of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease in 27 cases.Conclusion:Conventional CT is the first method of case selection in diagnose in clinic.CTP and DWI are both highly sensitive methods for detecting acute brain ischemia.CTA is helpful in finding the involved cerebral arteries.According to patients'clinical manifestation and economy condition,we cleverly choose these methods.


ObjectivesThe overall aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of and annoyance due to the noise from wind turbines in populated areas of Poland.Material and MethodsThe study group comprised 156 subjects. All subjects were asked to fill in a questionnaire developed to enable evaluation of their living conditions, including prevalence of annoyance due to the noise from wind turbines and the self-assessment of physical health and well-being. In addition, current mental health status of the respondents was assessed using Goldberg General Health Questionnaire GHQ-12. For areas where the respondents lived, A-weighted sound pressure levels (SPLs) were calculated as the sum of the contributions from the wind power plants in the specific area.ResultsIt has been shown that the wind turbine noise at the calculated A-weighted SPL of 30-48 dB was noticed outdoors by 60.3% of the respondents. This noise was perceived as annoying outdoors by 33.3% of the respondents, while indoors by 20.5% of them. The odds ratio of being annoyed outdoors by the wind turbine noise increased along with increasing SPLs (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.22–3.62). The subjects' attitude to wind turbines in general and sensitivity to landscape littering was found to have significant impact on the perceived annoyance. About 63% of variance in outdoors annoyance assessment might be explained by the noise level, general attitude to wind turbines and sensitivity to landscape littering.ConclusionsBefore firm conclusions can be drawn further studies are needed, including a larger number of respondents with different living environments (i.e., dissimilar terrain, different urbanization and road traffic intensity).


This presentation introduces the current state of our group work in advanced geocomputing with a focus on our ongoing research efforts in high performance computational model and software PANDAS (Parallel Adaptive static/dynamic Nonlinear Deformation Analysis System) and its related applications in deep mining issues. PANDAS, a novel supercomputer simulation tool, has been developed for simulating the highly non-linear coupled geomechanical-fluid flow-thermal systems involving heterogeneously fractured geomaterials at different spatial and temporal scales. A few of benchmark and application examples are presented to demonstrate its stability and usefulness in simulating the deep mining related issues.


Abstract : This study reports the results and analysis of a series of policy exercises conducted under RAND's 'The Day After ...' project on the implications of nuclear proliferation for U.S. national security strategy and policy in the post-Cold War world. The study results and their apparent implications should be of considerable interest to defense planners and policy analysts who are working on the framing, analysis, and presentation for decision making of the U.S. and global national security problems attendant on nuclear proliferation-and the proliferation of other so-called weapons of mass destruction. The study results also should be of interest to the broad spectrum of individuals in the U.S. Congress, media, academia, and like institutions globally who are tracking and engaging in some fashion the emerging post-Cold War international security issues agenda and associated U.S. and global decision making. The report should have special appeal to individuals with an interest in political-military gaming and especially to those interested in exercises with a strong open field in terms of strategy and policy contents.


Primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) with adrenal insufficiency is a rare entity that has a unique presentation and prognosis when compared to other high-grade B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL). Radiologic characteristics and image-guided biopsy are helpful in diagnosis. Current chemotherapy of choice is CHOP [Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunomycin (doxorubicin), Oncovin (vincristine sulfate) and Prednisone]. More cases need to be documented to formulate an effective approach to PAL.


Abstract The infectivity of encysted larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum in mice, after being frozen in the freezer of a household refrigerator (-2 to -4 o C), was evaluated. The larvae used in the experiment, which were obtained from laboratory-infected rats and mice, were 6 months old. Those recovered from naturally infected eels were of unknown age. Each group of larvae was placed in a blockglass containing physiological saline, kept in the freezer for 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 or 48 hours, and fed to clean mice, 5 larvae per mouse. Both the 6-month-old and the unknownage encysted larvae lost their infectivity completely after being frozen for 48 hours. When the larvae were rolled up inside the mice flesh and frozen at the same temperature for 48 hours, they could still infect clean mice, with an infectivity of 20.0%. It was concluded that although G. spinigerum encysted larvae could survive several days in the freezer of a household refrigerator they lost their infectivity only after 1-2 days. However, the mimetic infected meat containing encysted larvae resisted this freezing temperature for at least 48 hours. Keywords : G. spinigerum, infectivity, frozen, encysted larvae, mice, eels


Many checklist databases encounter common challenges. While they may fulfill the requirements of scientific name collection and species inquiries successfully, they often fall short in recording and presenting diverse opinions on scientific name usage over time and among different scholars. Moreover, due to the rapidity of classification changes and limited workforce for database maintenance, these checklists usually cannot be updated promptly. Last but not least, exchanging checklists poses a complex challenge such as name matching for synonym, homonym, orthographic variations and misapplied names. Therefore, an ideal database design should maintain neutrality and objectivity by recording comprehensive taxonomic history information of scientific names. The database can then present multiple views on scientific name usage after integrating data, allowing users to judge and interpret for themselves.
 "Catalogue of Life in Taiwan" (TaiCOL*1) is the national database established in 2003 aiming to provide the most updated species checklist of Taiwan. However, it faces the challenges aforementioned. To design the database model, we conducted a method study to investigate how taxonomy works. Our findings identified key concepts (e.g., scientific name, name usage, similarities or differences in name usage, and namespace) for building the database structure to connect and interpret nomenclatural and taxonomic information. Furthermore, to effectively manage the vast amount of complex taxonomic history, we aim to develop a tool as the core for TaiCOL data management, enabling taxonomy researchers to assist in enriching the content of the database while completing scientific names management and research work. Additionally, we surveyed the nomenclature codes (Ride 1999, Turland 2018) and interviewed taxonomists in zoological and botanical fields to understand their working methods, processes, and writing conventions. This ensured that our tool aligns with the taxonomy research workflow and meets the needs of various biological disciplines.
 "Scientific Names Management Tool"*2 is now available for use and undergoing continuous optimization. It is not limited to use in Taiwan, but only scientific names labeled as "existing in Taiwan" will be integrated into the TaiCOL portal. For public use, the taxa are generated or updated for the TaiCOL portal through logical processing based on the latest classification results from the tool. Although the TaiCOL portal currently presents only one taxonomic view, the different usages of scientific names and various species information can be traced by giving the references. As for checklist exchange, in case of discrepancies or conflicts, alternative usages will be provided during name matching. In the future, users can have the option to choose references to obtain different taxonomic views of checklists.


The ability of gold nanoparticles grafted with soft, adaptive organic layers made of two types of thiol molecules, n-alkyl and mesogenic ones, to form spontaneously long-range positionally ordered structures is shown. It was found that molecular structure of mesogenic thiols as well as the n-alkyl thiols can affect the type of the phase. A number of structures, smectic, undulated smectic and columnar phases, were obtained thanks to the self-segregation of mesogenic and simple n-alkyl ligands at the nanoparticle surface.


The propagation of small disturbances in a mixed convection boundary layer flow over a horizontal plate is considered. Employing an asymptotic analysis with respect to a small buoyancy parameter K = Gr/Re2 a triple deck structure of the perturbed flow field is found. Two effects contribute to the pressure perturbation in the lower deck: The displacement of the outer field and the buoyancy in the main deck. Linearizing the perturbation equations and taking the Fourier transform with respect to time and the coordinate parallel to the wall the dispertion relation is derived. Considering the case that the buoyancy induced pressure dominates the displacement induced pressure upstream travelling waves are found. These waves are confined to the boundary‐layer and exist only in the case of the flow over a cooled plate. Furthermore a stationary downstream growing mode exists which indicates that the solution of the boundary layer equations is not unique.


In the practice and teaching of what is currently, perhaps misleadingly, understood as personality type, "function" is a given construct, mostly appended to a type-associated questionnaire. Discussion or explication of what "functions" are usually presumes they are cognitive processes (undefined). Any debate consists of issues of order and direction, or statistical investigations seeking their location within the MBTI, notwithstanding transparent evidence to the contrary. But what did C.G.Jung say and what did he mean by it? In this paper, I examine the origins, presumptions, understanding and use of this term, in particular that of C.G.Jung and his contemporaries. Comments are made on more recent presumptions. No publications of Isabel Myers or Katherine Briggs are examined; Jungian and other "personality type" questionnaires are not discussed. This paper is intended as a contribution to the history of ideas and does not comprise a review or exposition of Jung's


The objective of this work is to determine various modes of locomotion and in particular identify the transition time from one mode of locomotion to another as accurately as possible. Recognizing human daily activities, specifically modes of locomotion and transportation, with smartphones provides important contextual insight that can enhance the effectiveness of many mobile applications. In particular, determining any transition from one mode of operation to another empowers applications to react in a timely manner to this contextual insight. Previous studies on activity recognition have utilized various fixed window sizes for signal segmentation and feature extraction. While extracting features from larger window size provides richer information to classifiers, it increases misclassification rate when a transition occurs in the middle of windows as the classifier assigns only one label to all samples within a window. This paper proposes a hierarchical signal segmentation approach to deal with the problem of fixed-size windows. This process begins by extracting a rich set of features from large segments of signal and predicting the activity. Segments that are suspected to contain more than one activity are then detected and split into smaller subwindows in order to fine-tune the label assignment. The search space of the classifier is narrowed down based on the initial estimation of the activity, and labels are assigned to each sub-window. Experimental results show that the proposed method improves the F1-score by 2% compared to using fixed windows for data segmentation. The paper presents the techniques employed in our team's (The Drifters) submission to the SHL recognition challenge.