Adaptive acoustic output selection in ultrasound imaging promises to improve adherence to the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle. Demonstrated imaging sequences have balanced image quality and safety considerations based on transducer channel lag-one coherence to select Mechanical Index (MI), a measure of acoustic output. In this study, data were collected with an adaptive output selection tool on 9 pregnant volunteers to explore factors affecting the recommended output. The placenta, fetal abdomen, and fetal heart in each volunteer were repeatedly scanned. A statistically significant difference in recommended ALARA MI was observed between target structures (p < 0.001). Each target's underlying channel data signal magnitude correlated with the recommended ALARA MI used for scanning, suggesting the brightness of a target affects the selected ALARA MI. These findings imply that continued observance of the ALARA principle during clinical examinations requires adaptive output selection be performed with each new target structure, or each time a transducer or acoustic window shift causes a change in the target brightness,


The possibility of occurance of action potentials (AP) in neuronal terminals after preliminary excitation of a cortical area was studied in unanaesthetized, non-immobilized rabbits. It was found that a low-frequency subconvulsive stimulation of the sensorimotor cortex may lead to a spontaneous appearance of AP groups that spread antidromically toward the soma of callosal neurones in the opposite hemisphere. Groups of spontaneous antidromic AP were recorded in the cortex after the disappearance of convulsive activity caused by application of penicillin. It is assumed that the observed phenomena reflect a prolonged retention of increased excitability in the terminals of cortical neurones after the end of electrical stimulation or penicillin action.


A two-dimensional Yukawa liquid is studied using two different nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation methods. Shear viscosity values in the limit of small shear rates are reported for a wide range of Coulomb coupling parameter and screening lengths. At high shear rates it is demonstrated that this liquid exhibits shear thinning; i.e., the viscosity eta diminishes with increasing shear rate. It is expected that two-dimensional dusty plasmas will exhibit this effect.


We investigate some properties of Urysohn-Stieltjes integral operators. The as- sumptions will be formulated under which the operators in question transform the space of coati- nuous functions into itself or in the space of functions of bounded variation, are continuous or are compact. The solvability of an integral equation of Urysohn-Stieltjes type will be also discussed


Within the digestive organ surgery robot R&D project, our research team aims to develop a surgical robot training device with an interface identical to that of the actual device. The training device uses an organ model that changes shape in real time to train operators to grab, cut open, and cut off soft tissues and close wounds using the actual device. To increase the effectiveness of the training device, we added functions to save the movements of the robot in training and changes in the operation field. By recreating the situation during training, we were able to analyze in four dimensions (4D) various changes in the operation field that the operator cannot see during training. This new function not only enabled us to analyze the contents of the training in detail, but also to report any problems in development and design of the actual device.


A sample of 165 patients with myocardial infarction (MI) with ST segment elevation has been studied to construct a prediction model for one-year period complications (recurrent nonfatal IM or cardiac death). Polymorphic genetic markers (n = 32) with confirmed role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease were analyzed. The best model to stratify patients by risk of post-IM complications included variants rs4291 (A-240T) in the ACE gene, rs6025 (G1691A, Leiden mutation) in the F5, and rs5918 (Leu59Pro) in the IGTB3. C statistics for the genetic model was 0.75 (0.64; 0.86), p = 0.001, which is comparable with characteristics of the GRACE scale for the same patients' population: 0.73 (0.61; 0.85). Thereby, analysis of a limited number of genetic markers was sufficient to create risk prediction model for post-MI complications with comparable effectiveness to the model, which is currently in use in clinical practice. To confirm the clinical validity, the predictive model obtained in the study should be evaluated in independent samples of MI patients. Association analysis of individual genetic markers with patients' outcomes has revealed that T allele carrier status (AT and TT genotypes) rs4291 of the ACE and CG genotype rs328 of the LPL gene are risk factors for cardiac death during one year after MI; Leiden mutation (rs6025) of the F5 gene is related to the higher risk of recurrent non-fatal MI or death during one year; CC genotype of the rs10811661, located in 9p21 locus has a protective effect against recurrent MI or death within one year after acute event.


Traditionally, a great number of business applications were developed using the J2EE framework. This fact has led to the emergence of a multitude of tools, manuals, etc. that explain the different alternatives or features needed to implement them. The development of .NET Framework has resulted in a strong demand for the implementation of applications using this kind of architecture. However, the quantity or quality of the documentation available is far from the one available for J2EE. This detail is especially worrying when the main objective set is to reveal the concepts of framework from a teaching point of view. This paper describes the teaching approach followed to achieve the abovementioned aim, based mainly on a set of simple tutorials that show the technology basics and two complete applications (miniportal and minibank) in which the application of design patterns when dealing with a business application is presented.


Twenty new 2,5-disubstituted 1,3-dioxans were prepared, and their mesomorphic properties were investigated by optical polarizing microscopy and DSC; all of the compounds exhibit the nematic phase only. With fluorination in the mesogenic core, the melting and clearing points were reduced, but their nematic phase range only slightly shortened.


s Presented at The International Neuropsychological Society, Finnish Neuropsychological Society, Joint Mid-Year Meeting July 29-August 1, 2009 Helsinki, Finland & Tallinn, Estonia 1 WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 29, 2009 Presidential Address: Time, Language, and the Human Brain INS President: Michael Corballis


Fluorescence analysis, being a non-invasive technique, has become one of the most powerful and widely used techniques for microbiologists and chemists to study various types of sample from photosynthetic microbes to hydrocarbons. The work reported here focuses on experimental results of fluorescent features of photosynthetic microbial species (cyanobacteria) and also five different crude oil samples. The cyanobacteria samples were collected from the Baltic Sea at the end of July 2011 and were associated with cyanobacterial bloom events, and the crude oil samples were from various oil spill events. The aim of the study was to find fluorescent biosignatures of cyanobacteria (initially a species specific to the Baltic Sea) and the fingerprints of crude oil; oil spills can be difficult to differentiate from biogenic films when using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or sunglint contaminated optical imagery. All samples were measured using a Perkin Elmer LS55 Luminescence spectrometer over a broad range of excitation and emission wavelength from ultraviolet (UV) to near infrared (NIR). The results are presented in Excitation Emission Matrices (EEMs) that exhibit the fluorescent features of each sample. In the EEM of the seawater sample containing cyanobacteria, there is an intense emission peak from tryptophan with fluorescent excitation and emission peaks at 285 and 345 nm respectively. In addition, fluorescent signatures of phycocyanin and chlorophyll-a are present with excitation and emission centre wavelengths at 555 nm, 645 nm and 390 nm, 685 nm, respectively. Additionally, the fluorescence signatures of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in the EEMs of crude oil samples with excitation and emission peaks at 285 nm and 425 nm. This study underpins further research on how to distinguish cyanobacteria species by their fluorescence signatures and the potential role that PAHs play in detection of cyanobacteria fluorescence features.


OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between estrogen receptor beta gene (ER beta) polymorphism and unknown aetiology hypomenorrhea in Southwestern China .

METHODS
One hundred eumenorrhea women were chosen as control group and another 100 hypomenorrhea patients as case group from Southwestern China. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the Rsa I and Alu I in ER beta gene was analysed. The ER beta gene polymorphism genotype distribution in case group and control group was compared.

RESULTS
R allele frequency in case and control groups was 37.5% and 48.5% respectively, the OR was 0.64 (95%CI: 0.42-0.97), P= 0.026. A allele frequency in case and control groups was 18.0% and 11.5% respectively, the OR was 1.69 (95%CI: 0.93-3.09), P= 0.07. RFLP of Rsa I and Alu I in both groups were distributed with polymorphism.

CONCLUSION
ERbeta gene polymorphism has a relation with unknown aetiological hypomenorrhea. R allele may be the guard factor, and A allele may be its risk factor.


SUMMARY Central interneurons exiting the alpha lobe of the mushroom bodies were studied with respect to their plasticity by electrically stimulating their presynaptic inputs, the Kenyon cells. Special attention was given to the analysis of a single, identified neuron, the PE1. Three stimulation protocols were tested: double pulses, tetanus (100 Hz for 1 s), and tetanus paired with intracellular de- or hyper-polarization of the recorded cell. Double-pulse stimulations revealed short-term facilitation and depression, tuning the responses of these interneurons to frequencies in the range of 20–40 Hz. The tetanus may lead to augmentation of responses to test stimuli lasting for several minutes, or to depression followed by augmentation. Associative long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced in the PE1 neuron by pairing a presynaptic tetanus with depolarization. This is the first time that associative LTP has been found in an interneuron of the insect nervous system. These data are discussed in the context of spike tuning in the output of the mushroom body, and the potential role of associative LTP in olfactory learning. It is concluded that the honeybee mushroom body output neurons are likely to contribute to the formation of olfactory memory.


Emperor penguins Aptenodytes forsteri feed mainly on Pleurogramma antarcticum and Pagothenia borchgrevinki in the sea of Antarctica. Because these prey are not distributed uniformly, prey encounter rates during a dive change depending on where emperor penguins dive. In limited time and space, they should select areas in which prey are expected to be abundant. We hypothesized that the distribution of emperor penguins' dive directions was not uniform due to their selective dives. In order to test this hypothesis, dive paths were calculated with the data recorded by data loggers. Dive direction was obtained for each dive path, and the distribution of the dive directions was investigated. In five experiments of the total of six experiments, the dive directions were not distributed uniformly. This suggested that the emperor penguins had a preference about their dive directions. The dive directions were not related with ocean current direction, which was considered to be one of the factors affecting penguins' diving behavior. The emperor penguins may have decided where they dived according to their knowledge about prey distribution and/or the behavior of conspecific individuals.


Reactions of silver(I) salts with 4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-tz) in a 1 : 1 molar ratio yield four new silver adducts, namely [Ag(4-NH2-tz)](CF3SO3) (1), [Ag(4-NH2-tz)1.75](ClO4) (2), [Ag(4- NH2-tz)1.75](BF4) (3) and [Ag(4-NH2-tz)1.75](NO3) (4). X-Ray analysis shows that 1 exhibits a 3D cationic [Ag(4-NH2-tz)]+ metal-organic framework of srs topology; 2, 3 and 4 are isostructural and display an infinite chain structure containing an Ag4tz6 cluster. Graphical Abstract Synthesis and Structures of Silver(I) Adducts with 4-Amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Metastases to the central nervous system (CNS) are the most common intracranial malignancy and are typically associated with survival times of only a few months. Lung and breast are the most common type of CNS metastasis, representing over half of such tumors. The molecular characteristics of these tumors as well as the factors driving cancers to metastasize to the CNS are poorly understood. This is due in part to inaccessibility of clinical samples and a lack of established, well-characterized models. In order to shed light on the molecular biology of these highly heterogeneous tumors and establish resources for preclinical testing, we are working to create both in vivo and in vitro models of CNS metastases originating from lung or breast cancer. We have thus far received surgical specimens from 7 lung and two breast CNS metastases. Of these, one was a spine metastasis and 6 were brain metastases. Each surgical specimen was used for the generation of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and cell lines. Of these specimens, we have successfully established continuous cell lines of CNS metastases originating from three lung adenocarcinomas, one squamous lung carcinoma and one ductal breast carcinoma. To verify the presence of metastatic carcinoma cells in culture, cell lines were characterized by immunofluorescence based on staining profiles obtained from each tumor's pathology report. Adenocarcinomas of the lung expressed cytokeratins typical of lung cancer (CK7, 8 and 18), as well as Napsin-A, a highly specific pulmonary marker. The squamous cell carcinoma of the lung expressed these as well as CK5/6 and p63-α, pathological markers of squamous differentiation. A metastatic ductal carcinoma of the breast expressed ER, Her2, GATA-3, and Vimentin. For the development of PDX models, tumors were initially implanted into flank of NOG mice and then passaged orthotopically for preclinical testing. Of nine implants, tumor growth was evident for 3 animals harboring adenocarcinoma of the lung, 2 with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, and 1 with breast carcinoma. Samples from metastatic tissue, xenograft tissue and primary tumors (when available) were flow sorted to identify different clonal subpopulations and sequenced for exome and RNA level changes. Genomic characterization of the different clones allowed reconstruction of the evolution of metastasis and identified therapeutically targetable genes. Studies are ongoing to develop personalized preclinical mouse studies based on the integration of multi-omics data derived from the models and patient tumors.

Citation Format: Kyle N. Johnson, Paul M. Gonzalez, Mario Sepulveda, Loren Gorgol, Jennifer Glen, Danielle M. DiPerna, Mark Bernstein, Steven A. Toms, Bodour Salhia. Establishment,characterization and utilization of models of central nervous system metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1183. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1183


Abstract To investigate lattice distortion evolutions of CrCoNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA), CrFeCoNi, and CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with temperature increasing from 300 to 1323 K, we conduct in situ synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray diffraction experiments. Electron backscattering diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge fine structure spectra (XANES) are further carried out to uncover variations of microstructure, morphology and oxidation resistance. Generally, the lattice will expand continuously with temperature increasing, however, the expansion rate is affected by grain growth and oxidation. The oxidation resistance of CrCoNi MEA is slightly higher than CrFeCoNi HEA, and much higher than CrMnFeCoNi HEA. The XANES spectra demonstrate higher oxidation resistance of Ni, Co, and Fe than Cr and Mn. Formation of local short-range order structures around Ni and Co is observed, but no such features are observed around Fe and Mn. The present findings are significant on deepening the understandings of correlations between atomic structure and mechanical properties in advanced HEAs. Graphic Abstract


It is well recognized that brain death starts to occur just 4-6 min after cardiac arrest, and few attempts at resuscitation succeed after 10 min of severe cerebral ischemia and anoxia. We sought to determine the therapeutic window of selective cerebral profound hypothermia of primates following severe cerebral ischemia in primates. Fourteen rhesus monkeys with severe cerebral ischemia were divided into four groups: normothermia (n = 3); profound hypothermia I (n = 4), with cooling initiated 10 min after ischemia; profound hypothermia II (n = 4), with cooling initiated 15 min after ischemia; and profound hypothermia III (n = 3), with cooling initiated 20 min after ischemia. Severe cerebral ischemia was induced by clamping both the internal and external carotid arteries, as well as the internal and external jugular veins. Profound cerebral hypothermia (15.8 degrees +/- 0.9 degrees C) was achieved and maintained for 60 min, and the animals were then re-warmed gradually. All four animals in hypothermia group I survived without any neurological deficits. Only 1 animal survived and 3 animals died in hypothermia group II. All 4 animals died in both hypothermia group III and the normothermia group. Neurological functions were normal in all surviving animals, and MRI scans showed no cerebral infarction in these animals. Microscopic examination showed no injured neurons in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the surviving animals, and showed that the heart, lung, liver, and kidneys were normal in these animals. Our data indicate that post-ischemic profound cerebral hypothermia provided significant cerebral protection with no systemic complications, and that the effective therapeutic window is more than 10 min, but less than 15 min, after severe cerebral ischemia.


In this study will be presented, how 20 millilitres of Silane Coupling Agent, adhered on 5 grams of Hollow Glass Bubbles (HGB), how the micro bubbles are looking before and after mixing, how to filter the hollow spheres from the agent and what needed to be taken in consideration when using coupling agents in processes. This paper will show how Silane Coupling Agent (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane, adhered on the Hollow Glass Bubble (HGB). It is expected to observe at HR-SEM (High- Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy) how the Hollow Glass Bubbles looks when the Silane Coupling Agent (KH-550) is applied on the filler vs when is not. During the process will be concluded, what risks should be taken in consideration, when using Silane Coupling Agents on Hollow Glass Spheres and what important information/ steps are needed to be taken in consideration before and after coupling treatment.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

OBJECTIVE: The newly discovered Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) may play a role in the etiology of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare neuroendocrine malignancy of the skin, as several studies have demonstrated MCV DNA in tumor tissues. However, MCV serologic data are sparse, with few studies investigating MCV DNA in tumor tissues and MCV antibodies within the same patients, and no published data on antibodies to MCV T-antigen. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate MCV antibody profiles in MCC cases versus controls and to examine the correlation between MCV DNA in tumors and MCV seroreactivity. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 33 patients diagnosed and/or treated for MCC at the Moffitt Cancer Center in 2006-08, including 25 males and 8 females, ages 53-88 years. Controls were comprised of 37 patients undergoing routine skin cancer screening exams who had no history of skin cancer and were determined to be negative for all types of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) by a nurse practitioner. Fresh-frozen tumor tissue was obtained from 15 MCC patients, including 9 from whom plasma was also obtained. Virus-like particle-based enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to measure IgG and IgA antibodies to the MCV VP1 capsid protein. Levels of IgG directed against MCV large T-antigen were also measured using ELISA. MCV DNA was measured in MCC tumor tissues using real-time polymerase chain reaction for the amplification of the small T-antigen region of the MCV genome. Differences in antibody levels across groups were assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Levels of IgG directed against the MCV capsid protein were higher among MCC cases than healthy controls (mean (SD)= 1876 (4001) in cases, 1521 (4889) in controls; p=0.005), as were levels of MCV capsid IgA (mean (SD) = 0.21 (0.25) and 0.09 (0.15) p=0.005). Although levels of IgG antibodies directed against the large T-antigen were slightly higher among MCC cases compared to healthy controls (mean (SD) =0.25 (0.27) vs. 0.19(0.07)), this difference was not statistically significant. MCV DNA was observed in 10 (67%) of 15 tumor tissues tested, with viral loads ranging from 7.1 to 15.6 viral copies per cell equivalent. Levels of IgG antibodies directed against MCV capsid and T-antigen were higher among the 6 MCV DNA-positive cases than the 3 MCV DNA-negative cases for whom plasma was available (mean (SD): capsid IgG: 1040 (1210) in MCV DNA-positive, 384 (494) in MCV DNA-negative, p=0.52; T-antigen IgG: 0.26 (0.26) in MCV DNA-positive, 0.15 (0.15) in MCV DNA-negative, p=0.52). CONCLUSION: MCV seroreactivity is associated with MCC, and MCV antibody levels are higher among MCC patients with MCV DNA-positive tumor tissues. A larger study is needed to confirm these associations with greater statistical power and provide the evidence needed to establish causality between MCV infection and MCC.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3772A.


Catholic health care has long been focused on the needs of the poor, yet its primary interaction with the poor is in the delivery of health care and not within leadership. The preferential option for the poor is one tool that leads to greater participation. Especially important is the hermeneutic element that Pope Francis emphasizes. While some government programs already include those who are poor in leadership, Catholic health care is only starting to grapple with the Pope's challenge. This essay explores inclusion of the poor in governance and strategic planning, revealing a better way to engage with those who are poor and give a better witness to the Gospel mandate for Catholic health care.


We report the case of a 30-year-old housewife who presented with fever and lower abdominal pain, and was diagnosed with an adnexal collection. Initial evaluation was suggestive of tubercular pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Subsequently, from a culture of pus aspirated from the collection grew out Nocardia species. She was treated with amikacin and cotrimoxazole and made a complete recovery. Clinical and laboratory evaluation for immunosuppression was negative. Primary abdominal nocardiosis is an unusual cause for PID and an important differential diagnosis for tuberculosis.


Two patients with long QT syndrome, who had episodes of syncope, underwent recordings of the monophasic action potential (MAP) from the right ventricle. Intracoronary administration of acetylcholine (ACh) induced prolongation of MAP duration and caused Torsade de Pointes (Tdp) in both patients. In one patient, intravenous atropine administration did not induce any change in MAP duration. In the other patient, ACh was administered after atropine. According to the results of the present study, abnormal regulation of the muscarinic receptor-mediated K-channel may be involved in the mechanism causing prolongation of MAP duration caused by ACh administration.


In this paper, the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infectious model with Cytotoxic TLymphocyte (CTL) response delay and its effect on the stability of equilibrium has been investigated. The boundedness and non-negativity solutions of the proposed model were verified. The local stability of virus-free equilibrium and the infected equilibrium were determined by the basic reproduction number R0. Further, the existence of Hopf bifurcation at the infected equilibrium of CTL response was also observed. Using different set of parameters, the empirical findings in the study are shown with numerical simulations.


The research of the last decades was important for understanding the regularities of functioning the donor-acceptor system, which is a chief mechanism for the assimilate redistribution between plant organs in ontogenesis. By the dynamics of the change in the arrival of donor-acceptor assimilates, we may establish the regularities of the system functioning and the peculiarities of their endogenous regulation at the early stages of plant development, when the capacity of the "request" for the plastic substances for the acceptor, the sensitivity to the effects is the highest. The intensity of the usage of deposited substances in cotyledons and their redistribution between vegetative and generative organs of plants, bean-rhizobial complexes, which are additional consumers of assimilates in legumes, can become an indicator of regulation in ontogenesis phases, biochemical balance in plants and culture productivity. In modern literature, the information about the bacterothera acting as a consumer of assimilates in the process of symbiotic nitrogen fixation is negligible. Although it is clear that the capacity of the process of fixing atmospheric nitrogen is possible only in the conditions of plastic substances and energy inflow to the bacteroids, which can provide the process of photosynthesis by itself. Under shortage conditions of photochemical reactions' products, there is an incomplete restoration of the productivity level of total CO2 fixation and the rate of oxidized compounds assimilation in the cell, vacuoles and apoplast of leaves was observed and the pH of the apoplastic fluid increased the invertase activity, stimulating the cleavage of the sucrose in the apoplast of the leaf. In addition, applied growth stimulants increase the dry mass of plants and the net productivity of photosynthesis contribute to the accumulation of various forms of carbohydrates in the roots and fruits. In stems and leaves there was a tendency of sugar and starch content decrease. Drugs significantly reduce the content of all forms of nitrogen in the roots, stems and fruits, and increase the content of protein nitrogen in the leaves. The drug induces a strong development of the photosynthetic apparatus: laying more leaves, prolonging their active functioning, increasing the size of chlorenchymal cells and chloroplastogenesis improving. This is accompanied by increase of plastic compounds formation in leaves, followed by their outflow to the generative organs that leads to carpogenesis intensification, increassing of yield quantity and improved yield structure, oil content and quality in flax seed was also improved. Light is one of the key factors in the environment which not only provides the process of autotrophic feeding, but also launches the program of photoromogenesis through the system of photoreceptors (phytochromes, cryptocrons, and phototropinum). This provides the de-etiolation, the formation of chloroplasts, leaf blades and, as a consequence provides the transition to autotrophic feeding. Seedlings in legumes, such as lupins, are endowed with a characteristic hypocotyle germinatting in the dark that demonstrates an exorbitantly high growth gradient with an elongated zone below the apex. Thus, germination in the dark – scotomorphogenesis is a regulator of inflow and outflow, accumulation of auxin in the hypocotyl growth zone. The practice leads to the production of high and sophisticated plants with a large number of leaves as a result of darkening, as well as low levels and quality of the crop. The usage of growth regulators can minimize the adverse effects of nitrogen feed abnormalities. The usage of retardants and growth promoters can be an effective means of improving the nutritional value and regulating the synthesis processes in subsequent stages of ontogenesis, taking into account the biochemical composition unique in its ratio.The obtained review of the theoretical material gives reasons for further experimental research and creating recommendations for introduction of the growth regulators usage of different orientations to optimize the productive process of legumes.


Summary Purified preparations of chronic bee-paralysis virus were obtained by clarifying water extracts of paralysed bees with ether and carbon tetrachloride; the virus particles were concentrated from the clarified extracts either by centrifugation or precipitation with ammonium sulphate. The preparations contained particles of three sizes, all approximately 220 A wide and ellipsoidal in outline, but about 410, 540 or 640 A long with sedimentation coefficients (S 20, w) of 97, 110 and 125 respectively. The shortest particles contained least nucleic acid, and preparations containing mostly short particles were less infective than those containing mostly long ones. The particles contained ribose nucleic acid with a molar base ratio of G 20%—A24%—C28%—U28%. When incubated in cold acid or alkali solutions (1 n), the virus particles formed empty rounded protein shells.


Ulcerative colitis is a bowel disease of unknown cause. This research is a proof-of-concept exercise focused on determining whether it is possible to identify the genes associated with ulcerative colitis using artificial intelligence. Several machine learning and artificial neural networks analyze using an autoimmune discovery transcriptomic panel of 755 genes to predict and model ulcerative colitis versus healthy donors. The dataset GSE38713 of 43 cases from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona was selected, and 16 models were used, including C5, logistic regression, Bayesian network, discriminant analysis, KNN algorithm, LSVM, random trees, SVM, Tree-AS, XGBoost linear, XGBoost tree, CHAID, Quest, C&R tree, random forest, and neural network. Conventional analysis, including volcano plot and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), were also performed. As a result, ulcerative colitis was successfully predicted with several machine learning techniques and artificial neural networks (multilayer perceptron), with an overall accuracy of 95–100%, and relevant pathogenic genes were highlighted. One of them, programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1, CD274, PDCD1LG1, B7-H1) was validated in a series from the Tokai University Hospital by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, artificial intelligence analysis of transcriptomic data of ulcerative colitis is a feasible analytical strategy.


Background: Collaborative working relationships (CWR) between community pharmacists and physicians may help for the provision of better services for the patients, to detect medication therapy mistakes and to make better choices for the patients benefit. The aim of this study is to understand the opinion of physician on the possibilities of better CWR among pharmacist and general practitioners Methods: Surveys is selected in structured quantitative survey method. A questionnaire survey conducted by the 15 closed and 3 open questions. The empirical study was conducted in Panevezys from 2014-03-01 to 2014-05-16. Given the sample selection criteria, questionnaires entered into a 8 Panevezys City clinics. Questionnaires were given to 182 general practicioners. The Return rate of questionnaires 68%. The statistical analysis was performed using MS Excel statistical package. Results: 77 % of respondents believe that the cooperation between the doctor and pharmacy specialist is required in today's health care. 56 % of respondents considered that the Therapeutic drug monitoring should be performed by a physician. 79 of 123 respondents believe that interprofessional collaboration between a pharmacy specialist and the doctor is a key factor for a safer medication. 60 % of physicians (74 respondents) are cooperating with the pharmacy specialist for the patient's health related issues. 74 % of respondents have received a phone call from a pharmacy technician for false prescription , incompatibilities, diagnoses , and so on. Most of the physicians the need of collaboration with pharmacy professionasl in their daily professional practice rated with 6 points out of 10. 40 % of the respondents believe that the pharmaceutical care services and future patient's medical records could influence pharmacy specialist's and physician's collaboration. Conclusions: Poor interprofessional collaboration (IPC) can negatively affect the delivery of health services and patient care. Interventions that address IPC problems have the potential to improve professional practice and healthcare outcomes.


Taiwan has suffered from widespread haze and poor air quality during recent years, and the control of indoor air quality has become an important topic. This study relies on Multi-Agent theory in which collected air quality was used in calculations and after agents make decisions in accordance with pre-written rules to construct and indoor air quality control system and conflict resolution mechanism, which will serve to maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. As for implementation, the simulated system used the Arduino open source microcontroller system to collect air quality data and turn on building equipment in order to improve indoor air quality. This study also used the graphic control program LabVIEW to write a control program and user interface. The implementation verifies the feasibility of applying multi-agent theory to air quality control systems, and an Individual intelligent agent has the basic ability to resolve their own conflicts autonomously. However, when there are multiple factors and user status are simultaneously involved in the decision-making, it is difficult for the system to exhaust all conflict conditions, and when context control surpassing the restrictions of binary logic rule-based reasoning, it is necessary to change the algorithm and redesign the system.


The study estimates the influence of consumer characteristics on the consumption of four nut-containing products, that is, the consumption of nuts as a snack, in salads, covered in chocolate, and in ice cream. Gender, age and education are among the characteristics that frequently influence nut consumption. Female, older, and non-white respondents consumed nuts as a snack more often than male, younger, and white consumers did. Chocolate-covered nut consumption was associated with higher income and rural consumers while nut-flavored ice cream was consumed more frequently by older rather than younger respondents and respondents from larger households.


Aromatase, a cytochrome P450 enzyme, catalyses the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of estrogens. Many processes in male and female development and reproduction and especially in the growth of hormone-dependent cancers, are dependent on estrogens. Therefore, controlling estrogen production by inhibition of aromatase is a logical treatment strategy. Two classes of aromatase inhibitors, steroidal and non-steroidal compounds, are now coming into use. Among the steroid substrate analogs, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione has been shown to be effective in breast cancer patients with advanced disease and was recently approved for treatment in the United Kingdom. Several highly potent and selective non-steroidal inhibitors are now in clinical trials. The variety of compounds that act as aromatase inhibitors should provide breast cancer patients with a number of new treatment options.


Sonic hedgehog (Shh), produced by the notochord and floor plate cells of the neural tube, plays a critical role in organizing dorsal–ventral patterning in the developing neural tube. We have investigated neural tube development in mouse embryos homozygous for the Fused toes (Ft) mutation, a deletion composed of genes of the Iroquois B (IrxB) cluster and of Fts, Ftm, and Fto. In Ft mutants starting from embryonic day 10.5, the floor plate appeared to degenerate and the notochord failed to undergo ventral displacement from the spinal cord. Consistent with the loss of Shh signalling from the floor plate, V3 neuron generation was reduced in Ft/Ft embryos and the domain of motor neuron generation expanded ventrally at the expense of V2 neurons. These data support the idea that Ft genes play an important role in dorsal–ventral patterning of the neural tube acting to define the extent of motor neuron generation; moreover, the data reveal a previously unanticipated function for Ft genes in the maintenance of the floor plate. Developmental Dynamics 233:623–630, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Wireless communications, and in particular wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, has undergone a tremendous evolution in the past decades. After the release of the WLAN standard IEEE 802.11a/b in 1999, Wi-Fi technology soon became pervasive, thanks mainly to its deployment on the unlicensed ISM band. However, high traffic, especially in hotspots and areas with dense deployment of Wi-Fi access points (APs) (e.g., stations, airports, etc.) has caused major issues and a severe degradation of communications quality. The latest WLAN standards (e.g., 802.11ac, 802.11ax) have largely succeeded in improving the link quality and data rate by adopting state-of-the-art PHY layer technologies, e.g., OFDMA, MU-MIMO. However, improvement of the MAC layer in these standards is not noticeable due to restrictions such as hardware limitation and backward compatibility issues for legacy APs. As an effort to improve the MAC layer for the next-generation WLAN standard, in this paper we propose a simple algorithm with low computational complexity for channel selection in Wi-Fi networks. The main idea is to take advantage of the potential of the IEEE 802.11ax MAC to avoid major standard modifications. For this purpose, we employ the channel utilization ratio (CUR), which is measured periodically by each AP based on its channel sensing. Time-averaged CUR values are weighted based on a Gibbs sampling approach and a probability associated to each channel is updated. Finally, a channel is selected based on the aforementioned probabilities in predefined time slots. Simulation results show that the proposed approach can improve the system throughput by up to 5% and transmission delay by up to 20%.


Based on information security single item estimation and good enough security theory, decision-making of Internet banking security control proposal is researched in this paper. Internet banking security control decision-making should be executed through asset single item estimation and whole integration estimation this two layers separately. Substitutive of security proposal is discussed, which show that three steps of integration estimation should be cost option, technology feasibility option and security scheme merit rating. On the basis of cost option, technology feasibility option of security choice scheme is executed based on P2DR security theory and optimization option of security scheme is realized using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model of improved layer analysis method.


Rock joints with unequal close-open behavior have significant influences on stress wave propagation across them. A stress wave of sufficiently large amplitude does not only mobilize the nonlinear deformation of joints, but also force the joints to close and open. In the present study, the Bandis-Barton model and the Coulomb-slip model are adopted to describe the normal and tangential behavior, respectively, of the closed joints. However, when the joints are open, both sides of the joints behave as two free surfaces. The improved time-domain recursive method is employed to derive wave propagation equations for three cases, i.e. the joint is closed but does not slide, the joint is closed and slides, and the joint is open. Then, the normal and tangential relative displacements of joints, as well as the energy attenuation coefficient, are calculated. A comparison of transmitted waves based on different methods is conducted to verify the validity of the present approach. Eventually, parametrical studies show that the higher in-situ stress causes the smaller energy attenuation coefficient, and the wave energy attenuation is also dependent on the frequency and amplitude of the incident wave, the incident angle, the joint spacing and the joint number.


Numerous underlying causes of power-quality (PQ) disturbances have enhanced the application of situational awareness to power systems. This application provides an optimal overall response for contingencies. With measurement data acquired by a multi-source PQ monitoring system, we propose an interactive visualization tool for PQ disturbance data based on a geographic information system (GIS). This tool demonstrates the spatio–temporal distribution of the PQ disturbance events and the cross-correlation between PQ records and environmental factors, leveraging Getis statistics and random matrix theory. A methodology based on entity matching is also introduced to analyze the underlying causes of PQ disturbance events. Based on real-world data obtained from an actual power system, offline and online PQ data visualization scenarios are provided to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed framework.


This study examined the effects of skill-based maximal intensity interval training on aerobic and anaerobic performance variables among female futsal players. The study included 12 elite female futsal players (training group, TG) from university league division I and 12 physically active female sports-school students (control group, CG). The CG completed volleyball and basketball courses (each 2 hours per week) as part of their school programs; the TG completed an 8-week training program (non-sequential, 4 days per week). Aerobic and anaerobic performance variables were measured before and after the training program via a 20m shuttle run and running anaerobic sprint tests (RAST). Average anaerobic power, fatigue index and VO2max of TG improved by 10.7%, 22.1% and 9.6% (p<0.05), respectively. These findings demonstrate that skill-based maximal intensity interval training had significant effects on both aerobic and anaerobic performance variables of female futsal players. The results suggest that this training model may be useful as a training efficiency tool among futsal coaches.


The paper aims to contribute to the European education policy literature through an analysis of what I refer to as 'discretional policies', which are now instrumentally used by the EU but that have so far been largely overlooked by this literature, and to the literature on transparency of qualifications. The paper argues, first, that the education policy literature—as other policy literatures—has overlooked individual 'discretional policies', to which greater attention should now be paid as they are employed by EU institutions to bypass Member States in particularly difficult policy areas and to try to address their often alleged detachment from citizens. Second, the paper looks at the crucial aspect of the effectiveness of discretionary policies and their consequences for individuals and Member States, with reference to a case study of the Europass framework in education and training.


An important area of Equitation Science is rein tension; which is used to control ridden and unridden horses primarily using the application of negative reinforcement. Rein tension is affected by several variables including the rider, horse and equipment, although not all aspects of these variables have been studied. The work undertaken for this thesis comprised of three separate yet interlinked sections. The first identified (by qualitative questionnaire) the most commonly used bridle, reins and bit types and why the equestrian population use them. The results produced determined which rein and bit types would be trialled in the second and third sections. Rubber reins were the most commonly used (49.45%); while the snaffle family were highlighted to be the most popular bit type (84.71%). Section two evaluated the rein tension applied by 5 rein types (rubber, continental, laced leather, thick leather and thin leather). Rein type significantly affected rein tension (One-way Analysis of Variance; F4,1060=20.13; P<0.001); was highest for rubber (12.928±0.377N) and continental reins (12.399±0.54N) and lowest for laced (9.730±0.377N), thick (9.618±0.368N) and thin reins (9.157±0.352N). The third section aimed to produce baseline data for the snaffle family of bits. 14 bit types were trialled across 29 horse and rider dyads. Bit type had a significant effect on rein tension (One–way Analysis of Variance; F13,506=18.35; P<0.001). Overall, the results show rein tension varies significantly with rein and bit type. Given the impact of rein tension on the horse's welfare understanding these variables is essential for ethical and sustainable equitation.


We present the Corotational Cut Finite Element Method for real-time surgical simulation. Users only need to provide a background mesh which is not necessarily conforming to the boundaries/interfaces of the simulated object. The details of the latter, represented by its surface or/and its internal interfaces, which can be directly obtained from binary images, are taken into account by a multilevel subelement embedding algorithm applied to elements of the background mesh that are cut by the surface/interfaces. To stabilize the system matrix when elements are cut by the surface/interfaces with very small intersections , we propose to move the background node(s) of the concerned cut elements by a distance proportional to the element size. This approach is simple but it can avoid the stability issues in such situations. Moreover, this approach does not include additional parameters as, e.g. ghost penalty method [1]. Dirichlet boundary conditions can be implicitly imposed on the surface using Lagrange multipliers, whereas traction or Neumann boundary conditions, which is/are applied on parts of the surface, can be distributed to the background nodes using shape functions. The implementation is verified by convergence studies with optimal rates. To verify the reliability of the method, it is applied to various needle insertion simulations (e.g. for biopsy or brachytherapy) into brain and liver models while considering frictional interactions between the needle and the tissue. Numerical results show that the present method can make the discretization independent from geometric description, and it can avoid the complexity of mesh generation of complex geometries while retaining the accuracy of the standard Finite Element Method. The proposed methodology is very suitable for real-time and patient specific simulations as it improves the simulation accuracy by automatically, and properly, taking the geometry of the simulated object into account.

References
[1] E. Burman et al, Int J Numer Meth Engg, vol. 104, no. 7, pp. 472-501, 2015.


Through multi-source data analyses of regional automatic station data, wind profiling radar, lightning information, new-generation weather-radar echo data and conventional observations in Fujian Province, and others, this paper finds out aspects to focus on for potential forecasts and the nowcasting of wide-range gale weathers with thunderstorms and hail weathers in west Fujian Province on April 26th, 2016. Thus providing a basis for future forecasting of such catastrophic meteorological activities. Results of analyses showed that being affected by the eastward moving of upper troughs and the eastward and southward moving of low-level vortex shears, cold air and warm air strongly intersected in west Fujian Province; noticeable cold and warm advection formed the temperature frontal-zone; and under the triggering of the ground convergence line, impetuses formed by the strong convergent uplift before the south troughs forcibly produced wide-range squall lines, hails and other strong convective weathers. The squall line was caused by baroclinic frontogenesis. Hails with a diameter of up to 3 cm happened in the prefrontal warm zone. Supercells were generated and developed in the 80 km hot low-pressure convergence zone before the squall line moved along the direction at about 25° to the right of the mean wind field of the environment, belonged to right-shifting hailstorms, were of characteristics representing the hook echo and were of characteristics that the strength of the echo was high. On the afternoon of 26th, on the ground, temperature and humidity strongly increased. Fujian was located in the warm zone in the south side of the inverted trough. The specific humidity at 850 hPa was higher than 12 g/kg. The positive temperature change lasted for 24 hours. In the inland, the ridge was warm, while the trough was cold. Strong vertical wind shears that reached 20 m/s at 925 - 500 hPa and others were beneficial environmental conditions for forming the process of strong convective weather of baroclinic frontogenesis for this time.


Abstract Optogenetics has revolutionized the field of neuroscience. Within the last decades the development and use of optogenetics gained enormous importance for the identification of functional synaptic connections. Employing optogenetic tools in anatomically defined pathways offers a straightforward strategy to demonstrate neuronal sufficiency, even during state-dependent activity within a neuronal network. Hunger, thirst, fatigue or motivation each impact an animal's behavior and determine the internal states that tune neuronal pathways to generate context-appropriate actions. In particular, higher order brain processes, such as learning and memory formation, are often state-dependent and here optogenetics can provide the means to identify and investigate the neuronal pathways involved. Our aim with this article is to focus on the possibilities and limitations of optogenetic tools for dissecting the neuronal circuits underlying learning and memory formation in Drosophila, while emphasizing what these approaches can tell us about neuronal circuit function in general.


1. By matings with fertile bucks at different intervals of time after a mating with a vasectomised buck (to induce ovulation) the time of insemination in the rabbit can be moved successively nearer to, at, and after the time of ovulation. 2. From inseminations 5 hours before to 2 hours after ovulation the percentage of matings which are fertile, the average litter size, and average number of young permating fall gradually and at a constant rate until absolute sterility is obtained. Does which produce large litters when mated normally (10 hours before ovulation) may be made to produce small litters by mating shortly before or after the time of ovulation. 3. The ova are only capable of fertilisation while they are in, or as they leave, the plug at the top of the Fallopian tubes, i.e. up to about 6 hours after ovulation. They are incapable of fertilisation as they begin to move down the tube and acquire a layer of albumen around them. 4. As a result of a mating made about the time of ovulation the apex of the "sperm swarm" arrives at the top of the tube in time to fertilise only those ova which still remain in the plug. The apex of the "sperm swarm" contains relatively few spermatozoa, and so small litters are produced. 5. By "double matings," of dominant and recessive coloured bucks on recessive coloured does, with a time interval between them, it is possible to measure the relative sizes of the "sperm swarms" at the tops of the tubes at different intervals of time after mating. 6. The size of the "sperm swarm," and so the interval of time over which it is possible to obtain fertilisation as a result of mating later than normal in relation to the time of ovulation, varies considerably in different males. 7. The speed at which the sperms ascend the female tract is apparently not affected by the presence in them of male and female sex-determining elements. 8. The duration of pregnancy is prolonged by reducing the size of the litter. With the prolongation of pregnancy the proportion of young born dead increases. Various possible causes for these facts are discussed. 9. While there is but little constant increase in the weight of the individual young due to the prolongation of pregnancy from 31 to 34 days, there is a large increase in the individual weight due to reduction in the number of young in the litter. 10. It is probable that the size of individual young is limited by the amount of some internal secretion or metabolic product of the mother.


The effects of CO2 and H2 O addition on premixed oxy-fuel combustion are investigated with experiments and numerical simulations on the laminar flame speed of CH4 /O2 /CO2 /H2 O(v) and CH4 /O2 /N2 /H2 O(v) mixtures, at atmospheric pressure and for a reactants inlet temperature Tu = 373 K. Experiments are conducted with steady laminar conical premixed flames over a range of operating conditions representative of oxy-fuel combustion with flue gas recirculation. The relative O2 -to-CO2 and O2 -to-N2 ratios, respectively defined as O2 /(O2 +CO2 ) (mol.) and O2 /(O2 +N2 ) (mol.), are varied from 0.21 to 1.0. The equivalence ratio of the mixtures ranges from 0.5 to 1.5, and the steam molar fraction in the reactive mixture is varied from 0 to 0.45. Laminar flame speeds are measured with the flame area method using a Schlieren apparatus. Experiments are completed by simulations with the PREMIX code using the detailed kinetic mechanism GRI-mech. 3.0. Numerical predictions are found in good agreement with experimental data for all cases explored. It is also shown that the laminar flame speed of CH4 /O2 /N2 mixtures diluted with steam H2 O(v) features a quasi-linear decrease when increasing the diluent molar fraction, even at high dilution rates. Effects of N2 replacement by CO2 in wet reactive mixtures are then investigated. A similar quasi-linear decrease of the flame speed is observed for CH4 /O2 /CO2 H2 O-diluted flames. For a similar flame speed in dry conditions, results show a larger reduction of the burning velocity for CH4 /O2 /N2 /H2 O mixtures than for CH4 /O2 /CO2 /H2 O mixtures, when the steam molar fraction is increased. Finally, it is observed that the laminar flame speed of weakly (CO2 , H2 O)-diluted CH4 /O2 mixtures is underestimated by the GRI-mech 3.0 predictions.© 2010 ASME


This report analyses the legal foundations for the design and implementation of PES schemes in the Lao PDR and provides recommendations to address potential legal barriers. Key challenges that may limit the supply effectiveness and efficiency of PES schemes in the Lao context include investment risks to buyers and sellers; liability risks to agents; potentially high transaction costs due to administrative requirements; and restrictions in the range of legally eligible ES supply actions. Drivers of these challenges include aspects of the land tenure system; land use restrictions (including access) that may limit the range of eligible supply actions; approval and registration requirements that may apply to some supply actions; requirements of business registration and the payment of taxes that may apply to ES sellers; feasibility of PES contracting and enforcement; and potential challenges in establishing an impartial, accessible and fair mechanism for grievance, conflict resolution and redress.


We conjecture for a linear stochastic differential equation that the predictability of threshold exceedances (I) improves with the event magnitude when the noise is a so-called correlated additive-multiplicative noise, no matter the nature of the stochastic innovations, and also improves when (II) the noise is purely additive, obeying a distribution that decays fast, i.e., not by a power law, and (III) deteriorates only when the additive noise distribution follows a power law. The predictability is measured by a summary index of the receiver operating characteristic curve. We provide support to our conjecture-to compliment reports in the existing literature on (II)-by a set of case studies. Calculations for the prediction skill are conducted in some cases by a direct numerical time-series-data-driven approach and in other cases by an analytical or semianalytical approach developed here.


This paper promotes philosophical arguments for a practice based view to e-HRM, as an alternative to evidence based management, to close the gap between HRM academics and practitioners. A reflexive theorizing of HR work is proposed, encouraging diversity in epistemological and ontological assumptions to support a mindful problemization of empirical work. In my study of an HR transformation project at Sandvik Corporation I argue for a positioning of e-HRM studies towards a deeper acknowledgment of situated work practices. I also propose some contemporary discussions within organization studies and information systems research, acknowledging especially the entanglement of technology and every day practices, and ethnography as a strategy of investigation. Finally I conclude with a discussion of the contribution of this research approach to the study of e-HRM.


Quiha is rapidly growing sub-city in terms of population and spatial growth in the last two decades. The city is characterized by mixed and conflicting land uses due to lack of adopting proper spatial decision support techniques. The aim of the study is to assess the existing land use and propose a method to facilitate land suitability analysis. Accordingly, the current urban land use of the sub-city was assessed; maps were generated for the possible suitable areas for urban land use development by using GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis. Mainly, seven criteria, i.e. land use/land cover, flood hazards, slope, road proximity, aspect, elevation and distance from the airport were used for the urban land use development. As per the suitability map, the total study area was divided into four different suitability categories such as highly suitable 20%, moderately suitable 19%, low suitable 19% and unsuitable 42%. The suitability map validation was assessed using the techniques of ground truth verification and sensitivity analysis. Finally, the suitability map was compared with the existing land use. Accordingly, 22% of the land from the highly suitable category is already being used for the settlements and military camps, 20% of the land from the low suitable category is being used for settlements, while 58% are classified as forest and reserved from the category of unsuitable. In this suitability analysis study, optimal suitable area for the urban land use development approximately matches with the preferences of the local land use experts. Cite this Article Vanum Govindu, Ataklti G/Selassie. Land Suitability Analysis for Urban Land Use Development. Journal of Remote Sensing & GIS. 2016; 7(2): 27–40p.


This study examines the relationship between the degree of external social and environmental regulatory pressures and firms' integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) criteria into executive compensation contracts. Building on the notion that firms operate in settings in which external regulatory pressures and internal corporate governance conditions interact, we investigate how internal corporate governance mechanisms moderate the relationship between external regulatory pressures and adoption of CSR criteria in executive compensation contracts. The analysis of a worldwide, longitudinal sample of 2,328 firms listed in 37 countries during 2003 through 2015 reveals that the degree of regulatory pressure on firms to operate in socially and environmentally sound ways positively influences their adoption of CSR criteria in executive compensation contracts (i.e., conformity effect). Regulatory pressures evoke heterogeneous responses among firms within a country though, depending on their interaction in the corporate governance bundle. Corporate governance mechanisms have moderating effects: a greater degree of board independence strengthens the conformity effect, whereas blockholder ownership weakens it. This study advances understanding of how the corporate governance bundle of external regulatory pressures and internal corporate governance mechanisms affects the adoption of a relatively recent, important corporate governance practice in the boardroom.


Background: Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) is one of the representative prescriptions for tonifying qi and promoting blood circulation. This formula has been widely used in Chinese clinical practice for treatment and prevention of ischemic cerebral vascular diseases. However, the mechanism and active compounds of BYHWD used in clinical practice for ischemic stroke are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to understand the potential active components of BYHWD and further explore its mechanism of improving ischemic stroke. Methods: This study was based on network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis. The compounds of BYHWD were obtained from public databases. Oral bioavailability as well as drug-likeness were screened by using absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) criteria. Then, components of BYHWD, candidate targets of each component and known therapeutic targets of ischemic cerebral were collected. A network of compound-target genes and compound-ischemic cerebral was established by means of network pharmacology data sources. The enrichment of key targets and pathways was analyzed by using string database and DAVID database. In addition, we verified three key targets predicted by western blot analysis (IL6, VEGFA and HIF1A). Results: Network pharmacology analysis results of BYHWD identified 7 herbs, 42 compounds and 79 target genes associated to cerebral ischemia. The 10 key compounds were baicalein, beta-carotene, Baicalin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, isorhamnetin, Bifendate, formononetin,Calycosin, AstragalosideIV, Stigmasterol, sitosterol, Z-ligustilide, Dihydrocapsaicin. Core genes in this network were IL6, TNF, VEGFA, HIF1A, MAPK1, MAPK3, JUN, STAT3, IL1B and IL10. And pathways TNF, IL-17, Apoptosis, PI3K-Akt, Toll-like receptor, MAPK, NF-kappa B and HIF-1 signaling pathway, etc. related to ischemic stroke were identified. In vitro experiments, The results showed that compared with the control group (no treatment), BYHWD could significantly inhibit the expression of IL6 and increased the expression of HIF1A and VEGFA. Conclusions: Network pharmacology analysis can reveal close interactions between multi-components and multi-targets, and enhance our understanding of the potential effects of BYHWD in cerebral ischemia.


The aim of the studies was to describe the detailed sleep/wake patterns before, during, and after a period of work that forces individuals to deviate from their normal sleep/wake pattern. Possible countermeasures to experienced problems was evaluated in intervention designs. Measures of sleep included activity monitoring, sleep and wake diaries and questionnaires. Also performance measures during work were obtained. It was found that in connection to both a westbound and an eastbound flight almost all subjects adapted to local bed times on layover. This increased the wake span during outward and homeward flight days to between 21-28 hours. During flight days napping was found to be very common, especially during flights. Sleep efficiency dropped below 90% during layover in both flight directions, disturbed by awakenings, and gradually returned to normal across four recovery days. Sleepiness symptoms increased during layover, peaked to encompass 25% of the return flight day and gradually decreased across recovery days. The eastbound flight was shown to contain more sleep difficulties and to be more dependent on nap sleep. A possible countermeasure to jet lag was tested in an intervention study, letting crews retain their home-base sleep/wake pattern on layover after westward flight. This reduced jet lag symptoms and sleepiness on layover but not at home. Another intervention was evaluated when a group of shift workers changed from rotating three shift (8-hour) to a 12-hour shift schedule. The data showed that quick changes (8h rest) in the 8-hour schedule increased sleep problems and fatigue. Health, perceived accident risk or reaction time performance was not negatively affected; alertness improved and subjective recovery time after night work decreased in the 12-hour schedule. It was concluded that the change was positive in most respects, possibly due to shorter sequences of work days, longer sequences of consecutive days off, and the elimination of quick changes. A detailed analysis of morning work including use of polysomnography (EEG) showed that preceding sleep was reduced to 5 hours and 12 minutes. Subjective ratings demonstrated that morning work was associated with more apprehension of difficulties in awakening and insufficient sleep. The present studies demonstrate that sleep related problems are frequent for both shift workers and air crew. The particular characteristic of each work schedule pose different problems, either it involves night work, quick changes, early morning work, time zone crossings or long work hours. The studies further demonstrate that a change of either work hours or sleep strategies can decrease some of these problems.


ObjectiveIntense endurance and strength training mark virtually opposite parts of basic motor skills. Extreme high load physical demands are getting sparer but endurance demands are still present. Therefore, healthy controls and endurance and strength trained athletes at competition level were exposed to a submaximal endurance test of their back muscles.In this pilot study 38 healthy male subjects participated: physically inactive controls (C, n=12), endurance trained (ET, n=13), and strength trained subjects (ST, n=13). All participants were asked to finish a ten minutes back muscle endurance test at 50% of their upper body weight. ResultsMaximum holding times were shortest in the ST group (469±142 s; ET 600±0 s; C 600±0 s), but statistical significance could only be proven for ET vs. ST (p<0.01). Hedges gs values for comparisons of maximum holding times showed relevant differences among all groups: ET vs. ST 10.64; ET vs. C 2.38; ST vs. C 0.78. Values of perceived exertion increased over time with lowest values for the ET group, except after the first minute. Especially between 180s and 420s ST group showed highest exertion values, but between group differences could not be determined.


Diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is often a complication in patients with Alzheimer's disease due to high blood sugar induced by diabetic mellitus. Ergothioneine (EGT) and hispidin (HIP) are antioxidants present in Phellinus linteus. Methylglyoxal (MGO), a toxic precursor of advanced glycated end products (AGEs), is responsible for protein glycation. We investigated whether a combination EGT and HIP (EGT + HIP) protects against MGO-induced neuronal cell damage. Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were preincubated with EGT (2 μM), HIP (2 μM), or EGT + HIP, then challenged with MGO under high-glucose condition (30 μM MGO + 30 mM glucose; GLU + MGO) for 24–96 h. GLU + MGO markedly increased protein carbonyls and reactive oxygen species in PC12 cells; both of these levels were strongly reduced by EGT or HIP with effects comparable to those of 100 nM aminoguanidine (an AGE inhibitor) but stronger than those of 10 μM epalrestat (an aldose reductase inhibitor). GLU + MGO significantly increased the levels of AGE and AGE receptor (RAGE) protein expression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the cytosol, but treatment with EGT, HIP, or EGT + HIP significantly attenuated these levels. These results suggest that EGT and HIP protect against hyperglycemic damage in PC12 cells by inhibiting the NF-κB transcription pathway through antioxidant activities.


Dendrimers are nanoparticles with unique features including globular 3D shape and nanometer size. The availability of numerous terminal functional groups and modifiable surface engineering permit modification of dendrimer surface with several therapeutic agents, diagnostic moieties and targeting substances. The aim. To enlighten the readers regarding design, development, limitations, challenges and future directions regarding anticancer bio-dendrimers. Materials and methods. The data base was represented by such systems as Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed. gov, Google-Academy. A search was carried out for the following keywords and combinations: Polypropylene imine (PPI); Poly-L-lysine (PLL); polyamidoamine (PAMAM); cancer; drug delivery; dendrimers. Results. High encapsulation of drug and effective passive targeting are also among their therapeutic uses. Herein, we have described latest developments in chemotherapeutic delivery of drugs by dendrimers. For the most part, the potential and efficacy of dendrimers are anticipated to have considerable progressive effect on drug targeting and delivery. Conclusion. The newest discoveries have shown that the dendritic nanocarriers have many unique features that endorse more research and development.


Brassinosteroid (BR) is an essential hormone in plant growth and development. The BR signaling pathway was extensively studied, in which BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) functions as a key regulator. Here, we carried out a functional study of the homolog of BZR1 in Medicago truncatula R108, whose expression was induced in nodules upon Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 inoculation. We identified a loss-of-function mutant mtbzr1-1 and generated 35S:MtBZR1 transgenic lines for further analysis at the genetic level. Both the mutant and the overexpression lines of MtBZR1 showed no obvious phenotypic changes under normal growth conditions. After S. meliloti 1021 inoculation, however, the shoot and root dry mass was reduced in mtbzr1-1 compared with the wild type, caused by partially impaired nodule development. The transcriptomic analysis identified 1319 differentially expressed genes in mtbzr1-1 compared with wild type, many of which are involved in nodule development and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Our results demonstrate the role of MtBZR1 in nodule development in M. truncatula, shedding light on the potential role of BR in legume–rhizobium symbiosis.


The distributed modeling of flow paths within karstic and fractured fields remains a complex task because of the high dependence of the hydraulic responses to the relative locations between observational boreholes and interconnected fractures and karstic conduits that control the main flow of the hydrosystem. The inverse problem in a distributed model is one alternative approach to interpret the hydraulic test data by mapping the karstic networks and fractured areas. In this work, we developed a Bayesian inversion approach, the Cellular Automata‐based Deterministic Inversion (CADI) algorithm to infer the spatial distribution of hydraulic properties in a structurally constrained model. This method distributes hydraulic properties along linear structures (i.e., flow conduits) and iteratively modifies the structural geometry of this conduit network to progressively match the observed hydraulic data to the modeled ones. As a result, this method produces a conductivity model that is composed of a discrete conduit network embedded in the background matrix, capable of producing the same flow behavior as the investigated hydrologic system. The method is applied to invert a set of multiborehole hydraulic tests collected from a hydraulic tomography experiment conducted at the Terrieu field site in the Lez aquifer, Southern France. The emergent model shows a high consistency to field observation of hydraulic connections between boreholes. Furthermore, it provides a geologically realistic pattern of flow conduits. This method is therefore of considerable value toward an enhanced distributed modeling of the fractured and karstified aquifers.


This report analyses trends in agriculture for the US Southwest region, one of the most water stressed and productive agricultural regions in the world expected to face further water shortages in the future due to climate change and continued growth. It examines projected water risks by mid-century without additional policy action, and discusses the expected implications for the agriculture sector, based on a review of existing data and available publications. The region will likely continue to be a major agricultural producer by mid-century but will be affected by more variable and uncertain water supplies and increased water demand. Irrigated area is likely to decline, with lower value, water-intensive field and forage crops experiencing the greatest losses. Livestock and dairy are also especially vulnerable to water shortages and climate change. Trade and employment may be affected, although projections remain uncertain. Policy options can help mitigate these projected water risks, such as agricultural and urban water efficiency improvements, refined groundwater management, investment in water banks and recycled wastewater systems, and well-defined water transfers.


Distributed Generation (DG) is the generation of electricity from multiple renewable energy sources and is located closer to the user, or load. These days the DGs is developing rapidly because of the advantages it could bring into the system such as enhance the transmission efficiency energy as well as reduction of climate change. However, the penetration of a DG to the existing distribution system potentially may contributes too many impacts, with the power system protection being one of the major issues. This is because renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind-power generating systems produce intermittent electrical energy that is not fully compatible with existing electrical grid protection systems. The introduction of a DG into a distribution system brings about a change in the fault current level of the system and causes many impacts in the protection system, such as false tripping of protective devices, protection blinding, an increase and decrease in short circuit levels, undesirable network islanding and out of synchronism reclosers. The main goal of this assessment is to investigate the possible impacts that may occur on the grid protection system with the presence of the DG. In this assessment, different cases of simulation have been developed in the Power System Computer Aided Design (PSCAD) regarding to the distribution network without and with the presence of DG on the system and the results from this both cases have been compared. Based on the results from this assessment, penetration of DG increases the level of the fault current eventually causes the affect towards the unit and non-unit protection in the system. This condition leads to two main problems in protection system which are protection blinding and loss of coordination or sympathetic tripping. In the future works, author intended to find a suitable solution in order to mitigate either blinding of protection or loss of coordination/sympathetic tripping problems that arise when the DG is penetrated to the distribution network.


Sensor positioning has an important influence on the performance of array processing. The main contributions of this paper are criteria to evaluate and to optimize the performance of an array of sensors through its geometric configuration-the number and the positions of sensors. The distance between the observed and the desired directivity patterns has been used as a criterion. We propose a generalization of this criterion. We obtain a second criterion by an orthogonality measurement between two subspaces, respectively, containing the noise and the desired signals. This measurement is obtained by an integration of the variance of the signal estimated by an unbiased linear estimator. The output power of a minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) filter is considered as another criterion. Considering the channels between the desired sources and the array as a multidimensional communication channel, we obtain as a criterion the channel information capacity, which shows the maximum information that we may transfer by this channel. The simulation results confirm that the criteria are related and properly characterize the array configuration. For a linear equally spaced array and narrowband plane-wave signals, the classical results regarding the sensor spacing are confirmed. >


This paper reports the metrics‐based results of the Dst index part of the 2008–2009 GEM Metrics Challenge. The 2008–2009 GEM Metrics Challenge asked modelers to submit results for four geomagnetic storm events and five different types of observations that can be modeled by statistical, climatological or physics‐based models of the magnetosphere‐ionosphere system. We present the results of 30 model settings that were run at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center and at the institutions of various modelers for these events. To measure the performance of each of the models against the observations, we use comparisons of 1 hour averaged model data with the Dst index issued by the World Data Center for Geomagnetism, Kyoto, Japan, and direct comparison of 1 minute model data with the 1 minute Dst index calculated by the United States Geological Survey. The latter index can be used to calculate spectral variability of model outputs in comparison to the index. We find that model rankings vary widely by skill score used. None of the models consistently perform best for all events. We find that empirical models perform well in general. Magnetohydrodynamics‐based models of the global magnetosphere with inner magnetosphere physics (ring current model) included and stand‐alone ring current models with properly defined boundary conditions perform well and are able to match or surpass results from empirical models. Unlike in similar studies, the statistical models used in this study found their challenge in the weakest events rather than the strongest events.


An extent of the damage of Austrian pine trees was evaluated in urban greenery in selected sites in Slovak Republic during the years 2004–2005. Fungi Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.: Fr.) Dyko & B. Sutton (syn. Diplodia pinea (Desm.) J. Kickx fil) and Pestalotia sp. were diagnosed on all observed trees. Symptoms of the disease were recorded. S. sapinea was isolated successfully from needles and from cone scales. The growth rate of hyphae of mycelium and the mean daily growth were evaluated on three types of cultivated media at different temperatures. The highest mean daily growth of mycelium was recorded on maltose agar at 25°C after 24 hours of cultivation (31.7 mm). Conidia of S. sapinea and Pestalotia sp. on water agar began to germinate after 3 and 2 hours, respectively. After 6 hours the mean germination rate of conidia of S. sapinea was 81.75% (from cone) and 89.3% (from needles); for Pestalotia it was 88.5%.


The dynamic processes within the Earth leave their record in geophysical and geochemical variation about the general stratification with depth. A snapshot of current structure is provided by geophysical evidence, whereas geochemical information provides a perspective over the age of the Earth. The combination of information on the distribution of heterogeneity from geophysical and geochemical sources provides enhanced insight into likely geodynamic processes. A variety of techniques can be used to examine crustal structure, but the major source of information on seismic heterogeneity within the Earth comes from tomographic studies, exploiting surface waves for the lithosphere and body waves for the bulk Earth. A powerful tool for examining the character of mantle heterogeneity is the comparison of images of bulk-sound and shear-wave speed extracted in a single inversion, since this isolates the dependencies on the elastic moduli. Such studies are particularly effective when a common path coverage is achieved for P and S as, for example, when common source and receiver pairs are extracted for arrival times of the phases. The relative behaviour of the bulk-sound and shear-wave speeds allows the definition of heterogeneity regimes. For subduction zones, a large part of the imaged structure comes from S-wave speed variations. The narrow segments of fast wave speeds in the lower mantle, in the depth range 900 – 1500 km, are dominated by S variations, with very little bulk-sound contribution, so images of P-wave speed are controlled by shear-wave variability. Deep in the mantle, there are many features with high seismic-wave speed without an obvious association with subduction in the last 100 million years, which suggests long-lived preservation of components of the geodynamic cycle. The base of the Earth's mantle is a complex zone with widespread indications of heterogeneity on many scales, discontinuities of variable character, and shear-wave anisotropy. Discordance between P- and S-wave speed anomalies suggests the presence of chemical heterogeneity rather than just the effect of temperature.


Abstract. Seventy-four lichen species, identified from both modern and historical vouchers, are reported for Lizard Lick, Wake County, North Carolina. Like many granite flat rock areas in the southeastern United States, the Lizard Lick flora is a unique combination of Piedmont and Coastal Plain species. The Lizard Lick lichen flora shares 24 species in common with two similar, nearby granite flat rock sites, Temple Flat Rock Preserve and Turnipseed Nature Preserve. Species characteristic of granite flat rock habitats were found, including Peltula cylindrica and Pyrenopsis portoricensis; the latter collection represents the second record of this species for North America.


We measured glycation metabolites in the crystalline lens and the aqueous humor and the vitreous as the surrounding environment of the lens, and evaluated the effects of glycation on cataract lens in diabetic patients. The subjects were classified according to the presence or absence of diabetic mellitus (DM) into a DM group and non-DM group. In each group, glucose, ketoamine, and pentosidine were measured. As a substance associated with glycation, the amount of protein was also determined. In the cataract lens, the glucose and ketoamine values were similar in the two groups, but the pentosidine value was significantly higher in the DM group than in the non-DM group (p < 0.05). In the aqueous humor, the glucose, ketoamine and pentosidine values were similar in the two groups. In the vitreous, the glucose value was similar in the two groups, but the ketoamine and pentosidine values were significantly higher in the DM group (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). The protein value was significantly higher in the vitreous in the DM group (p < 0.05). Thus, definite progression of glycation was observed in the cataract lens and vitreous in the DM group. These results suggest that cataract is advanced by glycation in both the lens and the surrounding environment.


A mesoporous SiO2/Cu2O–graphene composite, a novel material, was successfully synthesized using a self-assembly method with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). During the reaction, Cu2O and silica nanoparticles were loaded on the graphene sheets. The mesoporous structure, morphology, pore diameter, pore volume, and surface area of the mesoporous SiO2/Cu2O–graphene composite photocatalysts were obtained via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FT-IR spectra, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms using the BET and BJH method and photocurrent analyses. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue trihydrate (MB), and reactive black B (RBB) in an aqueous solution under visible light irradiation was observed via UV spectrophotometry after measuring the decrease in their concentrations. The mesoporous structure of silica nanoparticles with a large surface plays a major role in the increased photodegradation as well as in the decomposition by the catalysts. Through recycling experiments, we conclude that the mesoporous SiO2/Cu2O–graphene composite had good stability during photocatalysis under visible light irradiation. The mesoporous SiO2/Cu2O–graphene nanocomposite is expected to become a candidate material for photodegradation with excellent performance.


This paper aims to develop an effective method to estimate the human in a frame of video stream. The paper has been threefold, first the preprocessing steps are performed using background subtraction results in foreground extraction and need training images to determine the relationship between foreground pixels and human oriented feature, second an Expectation Maximization based method has been used to cluster individuals in a low resolution scene. The cluster model is used to represent each person. Third the number of people is used as a priori for locating individuals based on feature points. The KLT tracker is used to track the people. Then the methods for estimating the number of people and for locating individuals are connected. Finally, a model is constructed to test the proposed system. Evaluation results on a number of images and videos and comparisons with previous methods are given.


The extraction of compounds present in Cannabis sativa biomass from Colombian crops was studied using a semi-continuous lixiviation process. To this effect, three extraction stages were implemented, in which successive transfers were carried out at fixed times, seeking to emulate a continuous countercurrent process. In this way, the intention is to provide the Colombian agroindustry with an extraction method that is efficient and requires a lower initial investment than other techniques such as supercritical fluid extraction. Absolute ethanol was used as solvent, and constant temperature and stirring speed were applied. The obtained results indicate that, once the process is stabilized, extracted mass percentages (with respect to the total mass on a dry basis) of 10,5% at 40 °C and 9,5% at 19 °C are achieved, which are competitive compared to the 11,07% achieved through Soxhlet extraction. Besides, the proposed process is clearly a better alternative than a single-stage extraction method, through which it was possible to extract 5% of the mass. Five cannabinoids were identified in the obtained extract, and, with the proposed process, it was possible to extract 66% of cannabidiol present in the original biomass.


Surgical specimens of non-small cell lung carcinomas of 167 previously untreated patients were analyzed for expression of c-fos, c-jun, c-myc and c-neu products and for resistance to drugs. Because most of the patients were treated only by surgery, an in vitro test was used to determine the resistance. For the detection of the oncoproteins the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex method was used. An association between the resistance and c-fos and c-jun proteins was found (c-fos p = 0.01, c-jun p = 0.09), whereas a correlation between resistance and expression of c-neu and c-myc products was not observed. P-glycoprotein 170 was detected immunohistochemically in 91 tumors using the monoclonal antibody JSB-1. There was a significant correlation between the resistance measured by the in vitro test and P-glycoprotein 170 expression (p < 0.001). Also a significant correlation between the c-fos and c-jun proteins and the expression of P-glycoprotein was found (c-fos p = 0.017, c-jun p = 0.036). In contrast, no significant relationship was found between the expression of the c-neu or c-myc products and the expression of P-glycoprotein 170. Thus, there exists a significant relationship between resistance, P-glycoprotein 170, and c-fos and c-jun products in human non-small cell lung carcinomas. P-glycoprotein 170 may be regulated by the c-fos/c-jun protein complex, which binds specifically to AP-1.


A phantom has been designed and fabricated to explore the potential benefits of tissue harmonic ultrasound imaging (THI) in prostate brachytherapy. Transverse and sagittal images of the phantom were acquired using 6, 9 and 12 MHz ultrasound frequencies in brightness (B) mode and 10 and 12 MHz in THI mode. The imaging parameters such as dead zone, depth of penetration, geometrical accuracy, axial and lateral resolution, contrast resolution and signal to noise ratio (SNR) in B‐mode were compared with those in THI‐mode. It was found that the dead zone is 1mm at all frequencies of both B‐mode and THI‐mode. The depth of penetration decreases insignificantly in THI mode, while contrast resolution and SNR improves. The axial resolution in THI mode (12 MHz) is ∼45% higher than B‐mode (6 MHz). The lateral resolution in THI mode (12 MHz) is ∼50% higher in the near zone and ∼10% higher in the far field than corresponding values in B‐mode (6 MHz). In general harmonic images are clearer, less noisy and display fewer artifacts than B‐mode images. This phantom study demonstrates that THI‐mode has the potential to provide better images of the prostate, which may help in prostate volume identification and improved treatment planning. An improvement in target localization has a potential to improve the treatment outcomes and reduction in the treatment related complications.


Bošković (2005, 2008) outlines a phase-based analysis of adjunct extraction in determinerless languages like Serbo-Croatian (SC). The analysis is modeled on recent phase-based analyses of P(reposition)-stranding (see Abels 2003, 2012) wherein the richness of the functional structure of the PP determines whether extraction is possible. This squib identifies a problem for a unified analysis of these two phenomena. Bans on adjunct extraction are obviated under sluicing while bans on P-stranding are not.


This paper presents new methodologies based on Mack's amplitude method to estimate the start of transition in hypersonic wind tunnels when the second mode dominates the transition process. The methodologies rely on linear stability computations, measured or modeled tunnel noise, and experimentally determined second-mode breakdown amplitude and receptivity correlations. The first technique uses the measured pitot pressure fluctuations and correlations for the receptivity coefficient to estimate the initial amplitudes. The second technique replaces pitot pressure measurements with a freestream noise spectral amplitude model based on the parameters found in Pate's correlation. The rationale behind this new model and new insight into Pate's correlation are provided. The methods can successfully correlate Tunnel 9 and Tunnel F cone measurements at Mach numbers between 9 and 10, unit Reynolds numbers between 1.8 and 30 million per meter, and nose-tip radii between 1.5 and 12.7 mm. The standard error between the...


The purpose of this study was to investigate secondary mathematics teachers' use of the graphing calculator in their classrooms, The study examined whether algebra teachers are currently using this technology in their classrooms, their perceptions toward the technology, and any changes in the curriculum or instructional practices. A survey methodology was used in this study. The findings indicated that the use of the graphing calculator is still controversial to many algebra teachers. Teachers of algebra I were using graphing calculators to a significantly lesser degree than teachers of algebra H. However, modifications of the algebra curriculum are beginning to appear in classes using graphing calculators. Finally, a majority of algebra teachers responded that the graphing calculator was a motivational tool.


The state-of-the-art thermal interface materials (TIMs) for electronic cooling is briefly reviewed with an emphasis on the emerging trend of employing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for enhanced thermal conduction across interfaces. Previous studies on CNT TIMs, however, indicated that despite the high thermal conductivities of CNTs themselves, heat conduction is limited by the direct contact interface between CNTs and the target surface. This has greatly limited the practical application of CNT TIMs. In this study, we thermally welded a thin indium layer between the CNT surface and the target surface, and observed an order of magnitude increase in thermal conductance ~106 W/m2 middot K across the interface compared with direct contact interface. With vacuum and cryogenic temperature compatibility, indium assisted CNT TIMs may find their future applications in areas from electronic chip cooling, cryogenic pumps, to thermal management in spacecrafts


This study describes the collaborative literacy activity that occurred in one teacher's sociodramatic play center in two situations: when she taught a multi-age (k-2) class and a year later when she taught a same-age kindergarten. In each situation, 15 hours of free play were videotaped and a detailed transcript was made of the action and dialogue that occurred. We analyzed the data to compare the collaborative literacy interactions that occurred in the play center under the two grouping arrangements and to test the assumption that collaborative learning always flows from "experts" to "novices," a basic tenet of the zone of proximal development. Our findings showed that the children in the multi-age group engaged in a larger amount and a broader range of collaborative literacy activities than did the children in the same-age kindergarten. We also found the collaborative interactions that occurred in the play center were more complex than the zone of proximal development would lead one to believe. Many collaborative interactions in both groups were multi-directional in nature, with the "expert" and "novice" roles not firmly set.


The performance of an individual flow that belongs to a DiffServ class aggregate is an actual issue when the flow refers to QoS-demanding applications, like Voice over IP. However, through a careful choice of a control flow, a performance inference about flow aggregate individuals can be achieved. Computer simulations with synthetic VoIP traffic allow us to establish a method that relates delay and delay jitter metrics of a reference flow to infer about individual performance of flows belonging to the same DiffServ class aggregate. The evaluation was carried out for homogeneous flow aggregates (flows generated by the same voice codec) as well as non-homogeneous (several codecs). Extensive simulations and statistical analysis allowed us to conclude about the control flow characterization, its accuracy to represent the performance of individual flows of the aggregate and the impact of the VoIP traffic models over the achieved results.


Oil palm is rapidly expanding in Southeast Asia and represents one of the major drivers of deforestation in the region. This includes both industrial-scale and smallholder plantations, the management of which entails specific challenges, with either operational scale having its own particular social and environmental challenges. Although, past studies addressed the mapping of oil palm with remote sensing data, none of these studies considered the discrimination between industrial and smallholder plantations and, furthermore, between young and mature oil palm stands. This study assesses the feasibility of mapping oil palm plantations, by typology (industrial versus smallholder) and age (young versus mature), in the largest palm oil producing region of Indonesia (Riau province). The impact of using optical images (Sentinel-2) and radar scenes (Sentinel-1) in a Random Forest classification model was investigated. The classification model was implemented in a cloud computing system to map the oil palm plantations of Riau province. Our results show that the mapping of oil palm plantations by typology and age requires a set of optimal features, derived from optical and radar data, to obtain the best model performance (OA = 90.2% and kappa = 87.2%). These features are texture images that capture contextual information, such as the dense harvesting trail network in industrial plantations. The study also shows that the mapping of mature oil palm trees, without distinction between smallholder and industrial plantations, can be done with high accuracy using only Sentinel-1 data (OA = 93.5% and kappa = 86.9%) because of the characteristic backscatter response of palm-like trees in radar scenes. This means that researchers, certification bodies, and stakeholders can adequately detect mature oil palm stands over large regions without training complex classification models and with Sentinel-1 features as the only predictive variables. The results over Riau province show that smallholders represent 49.9% of total oil palm plantations, which is higher than reported in previous studies. This study is an important step towards a global map of oil palm plantations at different production scales and stand ages that can frequently be updated. Resulting insights would facilitate a more informed debate about optimizing land use for meeting global vegetable oil demands from oil palm and other oil crops.