In this paper, single-precision floating-point IEEE-754 standard Adder/Subtractor and Multiplier modules with high speed and area efficient are presented. These modules are designed, simulated, synthesized and optimized by using Mentor Graphics Tools, and they are implemented on an FPGA based system by using the Xilinx Tool (ISE). A comparison between the results of the proposed design and a previously reported one is provided. The effect of normalization unit at the single-precision floating-point multiplier and adder/Subtractor modules on the area, and speed is explained. An FIR filter is implemented on FPGA as an application example.


In 2010, Poonen gave the first example of failure of the local-global principle that cannot be explained by Skorobogatov's etale Brauer-Manin obstruction. Motivated by this example, we show that the Brauer-Manin obstruction detects non-existence of rational points on a sufficiently fine Zariski open cover of any variety over an imaginary quadratic or totally real field. We provide some evidence for why this is expected to happen more generally over any number field, some of which relates to the section conjecture in anabelian geometry. We then prove a result about the behavior of the etale Brauer obstruction in fibrations of varieties using the etale homotopy obstruction of Harpaz and the second author. We finally use that result and other techniques to further analyze Poonen's example in light of our general results.


Implication, justification, and propagation are three important Boolean problems that have to be solved during many tasks in electronic design automation (EDA) for digital circuits. As they constitute the key components of automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) most algorithms that tackle these problems originate in ATPG research. Due to their fundamental nature these ATPG-based methods have successfully been adopted by logic synthesis and formal verification where they have helped advance the fields of netlist optimization and Boolean equivalence checking. Despite their high importance and wide applicability, the data structures and algorithms suggested so far have proven to be suboptimal and inflexible in several respects. Therefore, we propose IGRAINE, a fast and flexible engine for performing implication, justification, and propagation in combinational circuits that is specifically optimized with respect to these tasks. Due to its modular design, IGRAINE is easily included into new applications that require ATPG-based methods. Our approach is based on a new implication graph (IG) model which forms the core of IGRAINE. Contrary to other IG models, the proposed IG represents all information on the implemented logic function as well as the topology of a combinational circuit in a single graph model. In order to demonstrate the performance of the presented IG-based algorithms for implication, justification, and propagation, we provide experimental results for stuck-at and path delay fault ATPG as well as Boolean equivalence checking. They show that TIP outperforms the state-of-the-art in SAT-based and structure-based ATPG. A comparison with tools for Boolean equivalence checking demonstrates the high effectiveness of our approach.


The T cell antigen-specific receptor (TCR) on most mature T cells is a multisubunit complex composed of 7 chains: alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, and either a zeta-zeta homodimer (zeta 2) or a zeta-eta heterodimer (zeta eta). We have derived a series of TCR variants and mutants from the antigen-specific murine T cell hybridoma, 2B4.11, permitting detailed analyses of the assembly and transport of the TCR. Loss of the zeta chain resulted in markedly reduced cell surface TCR expression. This was due to enhanced degradation of the other TCR chains in a post-Golgi, probably lysosomal, compartment. Loss of the beta chain, delta chain, or the combination of delta and zeta chains, also resulted in loss of cell surface TCR expression. Unlike the zeta loss variants, in these cases the other TCR chains were retained in the ER. Epsilon, gamma, and zeta could survive for prolonged periods in the ER, while the alpha, beta, and delta chains were rapidly and efficiently degraded. In another series of studies, variants that were deficient in the eta chain but that expressed normal levels of zeta 2-containing TCRs were analyzed for their functional properties. A positive relationship was found between the presence of zeta eta and the ability to respond to mitogenic stimuli with increases in phosphoinositide hydrolysis and, in one well characterized variant, increases in intracellular Ca2+. Despite this, late biological responses such as interleukin 2 (IL-2) production and inhibition of transformed growth were relatively normal. These results call into question the putative cause-and-effect relationship between some early biochemical events and these late biological responses. Further, they suggest a model in which zeta eta-containing TCR complexes are largely responsible for activation-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis.


Vegetation, which is generally considered a co-variable controlled by climate in studies of pedogenesis, can itself alter the balance of soil-forming processes by modifying the microclimate. The chaparral and pine biosequence at the San Dimas Experimental Forest (SDEF) in southern California offers an opportunity to determine the effect of individual species on soil microclimate and related soil properties. Soil temperature and moisture were monitored under pure stands of Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri B. Don), chemise (Adenostoma fasciculatum Hook, and Arn.), and scrub oak (Quercus dumosa Nutt.). Despite the appreciable differences in soil morphology that have evolved under pine compared with oak, the microclimates created by the dense canopies and thick litter layers (7-10 cm) of these two vegetation types were similar. Average monthly soil temperatures within the top 65 cm ranged from about 8 to 20°C under pine and 7 to 18°C under oak. Average monthly water contents ranged from 8 to 32% (by volume) under pine and 6 to 32% under oak. In contrast, average monthly soil temperatures within the top 65 can under chemise ranged from 6 to 23°C and average monthly water contents were 6 to 36%. Diurnal variation in soil surface temperature under chamise was much more pronounced than under oak and pine because of the relatively open canopy and thin litter layer. Microclimate created by chamise may play an important role in the decomposition rate of litter, but appears to have little influence on soil processes occurring within the mineral soil, Soil macrofaunal communities appear to have a greater effect than microclimate in causing the divergent soil morphologies under oak and pine.


In this paper, we successfully demonstrated gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) improvements by millisecond flash anneal (MFLA) on a DRAM product. Fundamental studies on blanket wafers and the device characteristics of product wafers showed positive results. These proved that MLFA has good potential for DRAM application. The periphery NMOS off current was reduced by 36%. This off-current improvement reduced the standby current by 5% in a DRAM functional test. The GIDL reductions for an NMOS array and periphery N- and PMOSs were 14.5%, 15%, and 39%, respectively. A model for GIDL improvement by MFLA application to DRAM production was proposed. It is believed that the main GIDL-impacted factor was the high electric field caused by defect-assisted tunneling and junction profile abruptness under the gate edge. Bright field and weak-beam dark-field TEM images showed perfect dislocation loops and fault dislocation loops staying in the {113} plane with a size of around 17 x 20 nm in the junction area. These defects could be one of the leakage sources for a defect-assisted trap charge, leading to trap-assisted tunneling.


As a widely used material in underground engineering, clay-cement slurry grouting is characterized by poor initial anti-seepage and filtration capacity, low strength of the resulting stone body, and a tendency to brittle failure. In this study, a novel type of clay-cement slurry was developed by adding of graphene oxide (GO) as a modifier to ordinary clay-cement slurry. The rheological properties of the improved slurry were studied through laboratory tests, and the effects of varying amounts of GO on the slurry's viscosity, stability, plastic strength, and stone body mechanical properties were analyzed. The results indicated that the viscosity of clay-cement slurry increases by a maximum of 163% with 0.05% GO, resulting in a decrease in the slurry's fluidity. The stability and plastic strength of GO-modified clay-cement slurry were significantly enhanced, with the plastic strength increasing by a 5.62 time with 0.03% GO and a 7.11 time with 0.05% GO at the same curing time. The stone body of the slurry exhibited increased uniaxial compressive strength and shear strength, with maximum increases of 23.94% and 25.27% with 0.05% GO, respectively, indicating a significant optimization effect on the slurry's durability. The micro-mechanism for the effect of GO on the properties of slurry was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a diffraction of X-rays (XRD) test. Moreover, a growth model of the stone body of GO-modified clay-cement slurry was proposed. The results showed that after the GO-modified clay-cement slurry was solidified, a clay-cement agglomerate space skeleton with GO monolayer as the core was formed inside the stone body, and with an increase in GO content from 0.03% to 0.05%, the number of clay particles increased. The clay particles filled the skeleton to form a slurry system architecture, which is the primary reason for the superior performance of GO-modified clay-cement slurry when compared with traditional clay-cement slurry.


Descriptions of neurotransmitter cycles in chemical synapses are generally accomplished in the field of macroscopic molecular biology. This paper proposes a new theoretical approach to model these cycles with methods of the non-relativistic quantum field theory (QFT) which is applicable on small neurotransmitters of nano size like amino acids or amines. The whole cycle is subdivided into the standard five phases: uptake, axonal transport, release and reception. Our ansatz is concentrated to quantum effects, which are relevant in molecular processes. Examples are quantization of momentums and energies of all small transmitters, definition of the density-based quantum information, quantization of molecular currents, because densities of them generate quantized particles. Our model of the neurotransmitter cycle of chemical synapses was created by the emphasis of possible essential quantum effects; therefore, we neglect many additional molecular aspects that do not lead us to quantum impacts. We elucidate the ramification of our quantum-based approach by the definition of particular Hamiltonians for each of the five phases of the neurotransmitter cycles and by the calculation of the corresponding molecular dynamics. The transformation from the particle representation to usual wave functions yields the probability to find at the same time neurotransmitters of different energy states at different positions. Our results have far-reaching implications and may initiate animated discussions. The validation or the disconfirmation of our hypothesis is still open.


The fate and behavior of five commonly occurring aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), namely toluene, ethyl benzene, and o-, m-, and p-xylene, were investigated in sewage sludge-amended soil. Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate VOC concentrations in sludge-amended soil for different soils and at different sludge application rates over 31 days. Results indicated that VOC loss rates decreased with increased soil organic matter content and increased sludge application rate. VOC loss rates in spiked samples were found to be comparable to those in unspiked samples over 31 days. Results from laboratory experiments also indicated that abiotic loss processes were more important than biological degradation for the removal of VOCs from sewage sludge-amended soil. VOC loss rates were also compared in a field study where sludge was applied to grassed and plowed plots.


Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive and the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The clinical use of rituximab has improved the treatment response and survival of patients with DLBCL. The introduction of rituximab biosimilar into healthcare system has helped in providing a cost-effective treatment to B-cell lymphoid malignancies as standard of care and has improved access to patients worldwide. The aim of this study was to observe the real-world effectiveness and safety of Reditux™ and Ristova® in DLBCL patients. Methods Observational study in adults with DLBCL receiving Reditux™ or Ristova® across 29 centers in India (2015–2022). Effectiveness and safety were assessed up to 2 years after first dose. Results Out of 1,365 patients considered for analysis, 1,250 (91.6%) were treated with Reditux™ and 115 (8.42%) with Ristova®. At 2 years, progression-free survival (PFS) 69% [hazard ratio (HR), 1.16; 95% CI, 0.80–1.67], overall survival (OS) 78.7% (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.78–1.86), response rates, quality of life (QoL), and overall safety in both the cohorts were comparable. The best overall response rate (BORR) at 6 months was comparable with no statistically significant differences between the Reditux™ and the Ristova® cohorts (89.2% vs. 94.3%). In multivariate analysis, BCL-2 and VAS were significant prognostic factors for PFS. Conclusion Reditux™ and Ristova® were comparable in real-world setting. Clinical Trial Registration ISRCTN registry, identifier (ISRCTN13301166)


Many government (and donor) policies in post-genocide Rwanda have been justified in the name of "reconciliation". Yet, reconciliation is almost never defined - in the Rwandan context, or in the literature. This thesis unpacks this nebulous concept by analysing the discourses and expectations of different constituencies - the RPF government, a group of non-govemment elites, the Top Five donors to the country, and respondents from two rural communities. Despite great variance in personal circumstance, significant areas of consensus are found. For example, establishing degrees of responsibility - and punishment - for the genocide was broadly welcomed. However, one way in which this was implemented, through a government prisoner release programme that amounted to "institutionalised forgiveness", was not widely supported. An in-depth study of the rural communities is also undertaken to unearth what factors had an impact on the reconciliation process. Based on these data, three explanatory factors are posited for patterns of reconciliation and non-reconciliation, or, as per the definition of grassroots respondents, for coexistence and non-coexistence. First, at the individual level, life stories since 1994 mattered more in explaining behaviours and attitudes today than experiences during the genocide. Second, the level, depth, breadth and type of social interactions were equally influential, reinforcing the validity of Sociology's "Contact hypothesis". Third, the RPF's top-down style is associated with a negative impact, suggesting the government's strategy is self-defeating. Indeed, the imposition of "mandatory" reconciliation behaviours contradicted one of the pillars of the RPF reconciliation strategy, i.e. the promotion of independent thinking in order to rout out an alleged Rwandan tradition of obedience. Overall, the thesis debunks several misconceptions about reconciliation and about Rwandan politics and society. For example, ethnic heritage did not have an explanatory or predictive quality; more important were class distinctions or, as respondents put it, distinctions between "high" and "low people".


Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the deadliest tumor type with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. PDAC is characterized by abundant desmoplastic stroma, driving tumor progression and metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the key pro-tumorigenic stromal cells in pancreatic tumor, mainly derived from pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). In this study, we identified integrin alpha5 (ITGA5) as a novel target overexpressed in PSCs and studied the value of ITGA5 as a prognostic and therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. Then, we designed a novel peptide against ITGA5 and investigated its therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo. In human patient tumor samples (n=137), 66% of the patients were positive for ITGA5 and the expression of ITGA5 was co-localized with α-SMA, as shown with immunostaining. Overall, clinical data analysis revealed that the overexpression of ITGA5 (log-rank p=0.022) was significantly linked to poor overall survival. In vitro, activation of human PSCs (hPSCs) with TGF-β1 significantly induced ITGA5 expression in PSCs. Importantly, knockdown of ITGA5 in PSCs led to a dramatic reduction of ECM proteins and other fibrotic markers (RT2 profiler array), when activated with TGFβ. Next, knockdown (KD) of ITGA5 in hPSCs led to the reprogramming of their phenotype, as shown of the reduced proliferation and TGF-β induced contractility. The reprogramming of ITGA5-KD hPSCs was at least attributed to the inhibition of FAK, Smad2 and AKT signaling. Next, ITGA5-KD-PSCs showed lower migration compared to Ctr-shRNA-PSCs, attributed to loss of FAK, Rac, Cdc4 signaling. Furthermore, ITGA5-KD-PSCs had a substantial decrease in cell adhesion and 3D spheroid formation compared to control shRNA-PSCs. In vivo, coinjection of Panc-1 and hPSCs in SCID mice showed an increased fibrosis and tumor growth compared to Panc-1 tumors. Interestingly, tumors formed with Panc-1+ hPSCs (ITGA5-KD) had a reduced fibrosis and tumor progression. Then, we examined our novel peptide against ITGA5 in vitro and found a strong inhibition of TGF-β-mediated differentiation and phenotypic changes of PSCs. Intriguingly, treatment of the coinjection (Panc-1 + PSC) tumors with the peptide either intratumoral or i.p. twice a week significantly reduced the tumor growth. The reduced tumor growth might be attributed to the reduction in fibroblasts compared to vehicle groups, as shown with desmin expression. In conclusion, we demonstrate that ITGA5 is a key prognostic and therapeutic target in pancreatic tumor stroma and that inhibition of ITGA5 with our novel peptide could be a promising approach to abolish pancreatic tumor progression. Citation Format: Praneeth Kuninty, Sanne de Geus, Ruchi Bansal, Jonas Schnittert, Peter Kuppen, Alexander Vahrmeijer, Arne Ostman, Cornelies Sier, Jai Prakash. Targeting ITGA5 in pancreatic stellate cells as a novel strategy to restrain pancreatic tumor growth [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B208.


The recodification of criminal law realised in the Slovak Republic in 2005 brought several new elements to criminal proceedings. One of them was the expansion and significant strengthening of the discretion of the public prosecutor in criminal proceedings. However, this authority of the public prosecutor's office is, in many cases, perceived sensitively and controversially in Slovak society, especially in connection with many cases and scandals, when the prosecutor simply stated that 'the act did not occur'. One of the related problems is the fact that the injured party in the Slovak Republic has essentially no powers that would, independently of the prosecutor's office, ensure the control of the prosecutor's discretionary powers directly through an independent and impartial court. This situation also stems from the fact that the public prosecutor's office has a prosecution monopoly in Slovak criminal proceedings. However, the current prosecution monopoly of the prosecutor's office is not a rational consequence of its historical development in our territory but a consequence of the coup d'état in 1948 and the subsequent onset of the communist regime. The possibility for other entities (e.g., the injured party) to exercise their rights through criminal law institutions has thus been minimised.

Based on the above, the aim of this paper is to examine the existing scope of the discretion of public prosecutors in Slovakia, analyse the possibilities of controlling the exercise of these powers, and answer the question of how to improve the current possibilities of the control.


Abstract: Prescribed burning is used in many geographical areas for multiple and integrated objectives (wildfire prevention, habitat conservation, grazing management). In Europe the collaboration between researchers and fire professionals has brought to implement this technique over increasing areas (~104 ha year-1), effectively and efficiently. In Italy prescribed burning has not been much studied and it is rarely applied. A new interest is recently rising. Some Regions particularly threatened by wildfires have updated their legislation and set up procedures to authorize prescribed fire experiments and interventions. From 2004 to 2011 several scientific, operative and training experiences have been carried out at a regional level (Basilicata, Campania, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piemonte, Sardegna, Toscana). The present paper aims to: (i) document and compare these regional programs; (ii) discuss their frameworks and limitations; (iii) provide information about objectives, prescriptions, methods and results. The study has involved Universities, Forest Corps, Civil Protection, Municipalities, Parks and professionals from Italy and other Countries. Interventions have regarded integrated objectives (fire hazard reduction; habitat conservation; forest and grazing management), and involved several vegetation types (broadleaved and conifer forests; Mediterranean and Continental shrublands; grasslands). Studies on fire behaviour and ecology have helped to set prescriptions for specific objectives and environments. Results have been transferred to professionals through training sessions. Several common elements are outlined: integrated objectives, multidisciplinary character, training and research products. Ecological questions, certification to the use of fire, communication to local communities and the proposal of new studies, are some of the issues outlined in the discussion. The present study is the first review at national level and we hope it will help to deepen the meaning and limitations of a technique which is an effective tool to prevent wildfires when integrated in the forest and land planning process.


What are the criteria for admitting an elderly polymorbid patient to intensive care ? The multidimensional geriatric evaluation is a tool to screen for geriatric syndromes, with the division of elderly patients into 3 categories: robust, vulnerable and dependent. Targeting certain co-morbidities such as cognitive disorders, delirium, frailty, polymedication and malnutrition, allows clinicians to estimate the risks of mortality and functional and cognitive handicaps during a stay in intensive care. Based on a review of the literature, this article offers some guidelines for triage of older patients for admission to intensive care, using an ethical, multidisciplinary approach that takes into account the patient's fears and preferences.


The process of gaining ethics approval is an essential step in conducting research. This paper acts as a beginners guide to the process of ethics approval for first time and student applicants, and offers some tips to planning for ethics approval as part of the research methodology to minimise any potential revisions the ethics committee may request. The paper also briefly discusses how seeking ethics approval can improve research practices and benefit research design


Abstract Cynara scolymus L., popularly known as artichoke, is consumed as food and used as tea infusions for pharmacological purposes to treat liver dysfunctions and other conditions. Scientific data on the safety and protective effect of artichoke in human-derived liver cells is missing. This study investigated the genotoxic and modulatory effect of a liophilized extract suspended in water of C. scolymus L. leaves. Four extract concentrations (0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL) were evaluated using the comet assay on human hepatocyte cultures, HepG2 cells. Genotoxicity was assessed after two treatment periods, 1 and 24 h. Antigenotoxicity was evaluated against oxidative lesions induced by hydrogen peroxide in pre-, simultaneous and post-treatment protocols. Artichoke leaves aqueous extract induced genotoxic effects in HepG2 cells after 1- and 24-h treatments. In turn, extract concentrations of 0.62, 1.25 and 2.5 mg/mL, exhibited a protective effect in pretreatment, compared to hydrogen peroxide alone. However, in simultaneous and post-treatment protocols, only the lowest concentration reduced the frequency of DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. In addition, in the simultaneous treatment protocol, the highest artichoke extract concentration increased hydrogen peroxide genotoxicity. It can be concluded that artichoke is genotoxic, in vitro, to HepG2 cells, but can also modulate hydrogen peroxide DNA damage.


We studied the molecular mechanisms of lateral organ formation from the shoot apical meristem (SAM) through isolation and characterization of genes. An Arabidopsis PINHEAD/ZWILLE gene is thought to play an important role in SAM formation. We have isolated a homologous gene of rice called OsPNH1 and investigated the expression pattern around the SAM by in situ analyses. In wild types, OsPNH1 expression was detected in the developing young leaf primordia rather than in the SAM itself. In the early stage of primordia development, OsPNH1 was expressed in the center of the leaf primordia and its expression was focused on expected regions of the midvein and large vascular bundles. The earliest expression of OsPNH1 was observed in the specific region of the SAM, which would produce the next leaf primordia (P0). In sho (shoot organization) mutant leaves, which are narrow-like tendrils, the region of OsPNH1 expression was observed only in the midvein and in a few vascular bundles throughout primordia development. Based on these expression analyses, we believe that the OsPNH1 gene plays a role in lateral organ formation from the SAM.


Morphogenesis is a precise and robust dynamic process during metazoan embryogenesis, consisting of both cell proliferation and cell migration. Despite the fact that much is known about specific regulations at the molecular level, how cell proliferation and migration together drive the morphogenesis at the cellular and organismic levels is not well understood. Here, using Caenorhabditis elegans as the model animal, we present a data-driven phase field model to compute the early embryonic morphogenesis within a confined eggshell. By using three-dimensional time-lapse cellular morphological information generated by imaging experiments to set the model parameters, we can not only reproduce the precise evolution of cell location, cell shape and cell-cell contact relationship in vivo, but also reveal the critical roles of cell division and cell-cell attraction in governing the early development of C. elegans embryo. In brief, we provide a generic approach to compute the embryonic morphogenesis and decipher the underlying mechanisms.


Proposes a new layout method using the magnetic spring model for object diagrams used in the Object Modeling Technique (OMT). In our new method, there are two main characteristics. Firstly, our new method considers the interactive layout. User can use the layout function many times during the drawing of the diagram. The result of the layout is suitable for continuing to draw the diagram smoothly. Secondly, our method can avoid the overlapping of nodes with a new definition of the distance between nodes. We have implemented the new layout method into an object diagram-drawing CASE tool. We compare the results of the new layout method with results of the old layout method. We have made sure that our new layout method is more suitable for the interactive layout than the old layout method was, and that it avoids node overlaps.


Gangliosides are thought to be involved in tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness as so far demonstrated by the addition of exogenous gangliosides to the culture medium. To better understand the direct influence that alterations in ganglioside synthesis can exert on these functional aspects of cell biology, in the present study, we investigated the behaviour of C6 rat glioma cells after stable transfection with the human CMP-NeuAc:NeuAcα2-3Galβ1-4GlcCer α2,8-sialyltransferase (SAT-II, EC 22.214.171.124) gene. The enzyme synthesizes ganglioside GD3 by adding a sialic acid residue to ganglioside GM3. Stable transfection of the constructs into C6 cells and expression of the human SAT-II gene were evaluated using PCR and RT-PCR amplification, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the ganglioside profile was performed by conventional HP-TLC and identity of de novo synthesized species was assessed by TLC immunostaining. Results show that whereas C6 parental cells and C6 cells transfected with the empty expression vector synthesize, almost exclusively, ganglioside GM3, de novo synthesis of GD3 is clearly observed in clones expressing the α2,8-sialyltransferase. Subcutaneous grafting in athymic nude mice of cells expressing high levels of GD3 induces tumors growing faster and more aggressively than controls. In in vitro assays, the same cells demonstrate increased proliferation rate, motility and invasiveness. Chemotaxis and chemoinvasion were assayed using the modified Boyden chamber. Data obtained suggest that endogenously neosynthesized GD3 is able to modify proliferation rate, motility and invasion of C6 rat glioma cells, enhancing the features of malignancy of this tumor cell line.


This paper discusses nonverbal TAM (Tense-Aspect-Mood), focusing on the completive perfective stative aspect marked by -on in Marori (a Papuan language of Southern New Guinea). The nonverbal aspect is grammatical in nature, with its coding local but possibly imposing a nonlocal morphosyntactic constraint on the clausal auxiliary verb. In terms of Nordlinger and Sadler's (2004) typology, Marori nonverbal aspect marking belongs to two types: the Independent Nominal and the Propositional Nominal Aspect types. It is demonstrated that its broad aspectual meaning, in terms of Reichenbach's notation, is [E-R,S], which is exactly the same as the Present Perfect in English. While having this similar broad meaning as with English, its morphosyntactic realisation and constraints in the grammar are quite different. An LFG analysis accounting for the distribution of -on is proposed, making use of the inside-out mechanism to account for the non-local constraint of -on, which extends to the clausal TAM.


Multiple tissues and systems in the organism undergo modifications during aging due to an accumulation of damaged proteins, lipids, and genetic material. To counteract this process, the cells are equipped with specific mechanisms, such as autophagy and senescence. Particularly, the immune system undergoes a process called immunosenescence, giving rise to a chronic inflammatory status of the organism, with a decreased ability to counteract antigens. The obvious result of this process is a reduced defence capacity. Currently, there is evidence that some pathogens are able to accelerate the immunosenescence process for their own benefit. Although to date numerous reports show the autophagy–senescence relationship, or the connection between pathogens with autophagy or senescence, the link between the three actors remains unexplored. In this review, we have summarized current knowledge about important issues related to aging, senescence, and autophagy.


The aim of this thesis is to investigate experimentally whether cross-linguistic variation in the structure of languages can be motivated by their external environment. It has been sug-gested that variation does not only result from cultural drift and language-internal mecha-nisms but also from social or even physical factors. However, from observational data and correlations between variables alone, it remains difficult to infer the exact underlying mech-anisms. Here, I present a novel experimental approach for studying the relationship between language and environment under controlled laboratory conditions. I argue that to arrive at a causal understanding of linguistic adaptation, we can use a cultural evolutionary approach and simulate the emergence of linguistic structure with humans in the lab. This way, it can be tested which pressures shape linguistic features as they are used for communication and transmitted to new speakers. I focus primarily on cases where linguistic conventions emerge in referential communication games in direct face-to-face interaction. In these set-tings, I test whether specific conventions are more adaptive to solve the same problem un-der different conditions or affordances imposed by the environment. A series of silent-gesture experiments shows that systematicity (the design feature giving language its com-positional power) is sensitive to the communicative environment: Dyads creating novel ges-tural communication systems to communicate pictorial referents are more likely to system-atize traits and create categories that are functionally relevant in the given environment. Ad-ditionally, environmental features, such as the size of the meaning space and visibility of referents, affect the degree to which participants rely on systematic rather than simple ho-listic gestures. This 'experimental semiotics' approach thus models how environmental fac-tors could motivate basic linguistic structure.However, for complex real-world phenomena, such as the hotly debated relationship between spatial language and environment, it is difficult to design simple experiments that isolate variables of interest but retain the necessary level of realism. It has been proposed that topography (e.g., landmarks like rivers, slopes) and sociocultural factors (e.g., bilingual-ism, subsistence style, population density) can affect whether speakers rely on an egocentric or geocentric Frame of Reference (FoR) to encode spatial relations, but it remains hard to disentangle the exact contribution of these variables to the cross-linguistic variation we ob-serve.I tackle this issue with a novel paradigm: interactive Virtual Reality (VR) experiments that allow for an unprecedented combination of ecological validity and experimental con-trol. In networked VR settings, participants are immersed in realistic settings such as a for-est or a mountain slope. By having dyads solve spatial coordination games, I show that speakers of English, which is usually associated with an egocentric FoR, are less likely to use egocentric language (e.g., "the orb is to your left") if there are strong environmental af-fordances that make geocentric language more viable (e.g., "the orb is uphill from you"). Further experiments address whether the cultural 'success' of egocentric left/right could be motivated by its applicability across environments. For this, I combine VR with the 'exper-imental semiotics' approach, where the game is solved via a novel visual communication channel. I show how the movement data in the 3D world can be correlated with invented signals to measure which FoR participants rely on. In contrast to the English data, I did not find an advantage for geocentric systems in the slope environment, and overwhelmingly egocentric systems emerged. I discuss how this could relate to task-specificity and native language background. More generally, I show how this new way of studying spatial lan-guage with interactive VR games can be used to test hypotheses about linguistic transmis-sion and material culture that could help explain the origins of the egocentric FoR system, which is regarded a fairly recent cultural innovation.Taken together, the thesis comprises several studies testing the relationship between linguistic and environmental variables. Additionally, VR is presented as a novel tool to study spatial language in controlled large-scale settings complementing more traditional fieldwork. More generally, I suggest that VR can be used to study the evolution of language in complex, multimodal settings without sacrificing experimental control.


An escape room is a strategy that engages learners and allows them to participate actively in a lesson. This article describes the implementation of an escape box as an escape room lesson and teaching method during an inpatient nursing skills day with a multidisciplinary team. Participants totaled 75 and included nurses, respiratory therapists, and advanced practice nurses. Learning goals included the promotion of knowledge, teamwork, and collaboration to develop a teamwork approach in an emergency situation. The outcomes demonstrated that an escape box as an escape room format is an effective teaching methodology to increase learner engagement and enhance learning in continuing education with a multidisciplinary team. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(2):85-89.].


Computation of convolutional neural network (CNN) requires a significant amount of memory access, which leads to lots of energy consumption. As the increase of neural network scale, this phenomenon is further obvious, the energy consumption of memory access and data migration between on-chip buffer and off-chip DRAM is even much more than the computation energy on processing element array (PE array). In order to reduce the energy consumption of memory access, a better dataflow to maximize data reuse and minimize data migration between on-chip buffer and external DRAM is important. Especially, the dimension of input feature map (ifmap) and filter weight are much different for each layer of the neural network. Hardware resources may not be effectively utilized if the array architecture and dataflow cannot be reconfigured layer by layer according to their ifmap dimension and filter dimension, and result in a large quantity of data migration on certain layers. However, a thorough exploration of all possible configurations is time consuming and meaningless. In this paper, we propose a quick and efficient methodology to adapt the configuration of PE array architecture, buffer assignment, dataflow and reuse methodology layer by layer with the given CNN architecture and hardware resource. In addition, we make an exploration on the different combinations of configuration issues to investigate their effectiveness and can be used as a guide to speed up the thorough exploration process.


General misconception exists in America as to the exact meaning and correct production of the Rose position. The idea is prevalent that almost any dorsal decubitus of the patient, with his head hanging over the end of the table, the top of which is usually horizontal with the floor, constitutes the Rose position. The result is that operations performed in such a position are almost always unsatisfactory and that blood and other fluids, especially in difficult prolonged technics, are generally drawn into the trachea or esophagus, in spite of efforts at active suction-drainage. I have frequently been present when operators have announced to by-standers that they were operating in the Rose position. I have never seen the Rose position correctly, or even approximately, assumed in America. I have often been present at the operations of Mr. Rose, in London, and have been greatly impressed by Mr. Rose's unusually terse reply


We clarified the relationship between occupational dysfunction and social isolation among community-dwelling adults. We used a self-administered questionnaire with a cross-sectional study for 2879 independently living older adults in Kasama City, Japan. Participants responded to a self-reported questionnaire in November 2019. Occupational dysfunction and social isolation were assessed. The participants were classified into two groups: healthy occupational function group, and occupational dysfunction group. To examine the relationship between occupational dysfunction and social isolation, we performed a logistic regression analysis with social isolation as a dependent variable and occupational dysfunction as an independent variable. In the crude model, the occupational dysfunction group had a higher risk of social isolation than the healthy occupational function group (odds ratio (OR) = 2.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.63–2.55; p < 0.001). In the adjusted model, the occupational dysfunction group had a higher risk of social isolation than the healthy occupational function group (OR = 1.51; 95% CI, 1.17–1.94; p = 0.001). The results showed that occupational dysfunction was significantly associated with social isolation. These results can be used in constructing a support method for social isolation from a new perspective.


In this paper, the structural stability, optoelectronic and magnetic properties of silicene and germanene monolayers Janus-functionalized simultaneously with hydrogen and alkali metal atoms (Li and Na) are investigated systematically by using first-principles calculations. The calculated results of the ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and cohesive energies indicate that all functionalized cases have good stability. Meanwhile, the calculated band structures show that all functionalized cases retain the Dirac cone. Particularly, the cases of HSiLi and HGeLi show metallic nature but retain semiconducting characteristics. Besides, the above two cases can present obvious magnetic behavior and their magnetic moments are mainly originated by the p states of Li atom. The metallic property and weak magnetic character can also be found in the case of HGeNa. While the case of HSiNa exhibits the nonmagnetic semiconducting property with a indirect band gap of 0.42 eV calculated by the HSE06 hybrid functional. It is also found that the optical absorption in the visible region of silicene and germanene can be effectively improved by Janus-functionalization. Specifically, a high optical absorption of visible light in an order of 4.5 × 105 cm−1 can be observed in the case of HSiNa. Furthermore, in the visible region, the reflection coefficients of all functionalized cases can also be enhanced. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the Janus-functionalization method to modulate the optoelectronic and magnetic properties of silicene and germanene, expanding their potential applications in the fields of spintronics and optoelectronics.


In this paper, we introduce DLoVe, a new paradigm for designing and implementing distributed and nondistributed virtual reality applications, using one-way constraints. DLoVe allows programs written in its framework to be executed on multiple computers for improved performance. It also allows easy specification and implementation of multi-user interfaces. DLoVe hides all the networking aspects of message passing among the machines in the distributed environment and performs the needed network optimizations. As a result, a user of DLoVe does not need to understand parallel and distributed programming to use the system; he or she needs only be able to use the serial version of the user interface description language. Parallelizing the computation is performed by DLoVe, without modifying the interface description.


Biofilters at water treatments plants (WTP) are responsible for biologically stable water, but their effectiveness can be influenced by various factors. To determine the efficacy of the biofiltration process, so-called, natural organic matter (NOM) fractionation technique can be used, which enables the evaluation of distribution between hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic groups. Additionally, several methods were used for determination of living microorganisms in biomass of biofilters. The results of the current study showed that the biodegradation and biological activity processes in biofilters at WTP do not occur. The live microorganisms represented only 28% of the total cell count, which was 50% than reported. Nevertheless, NOM fractionation methods used in this research can be easily applied and useful for evaluation of full scale biofilter activity. Keywords—biofilters, biomass, biostability, fractionation


The purpose of the researcher was to investigate workaholism in Family Practice Physicians in the state of Kansas. The sample size included 147 subjects. The independent variables investigated included gender, age, size of community practiced in, marital status, and marital satisfaction. The dependent variable was the score from the Work Addiction Risk Test. All null hypotheses were tested at the .0500 level. Five composite null hypotheses were tested with three-way analysis of variance (general linear model). A total of 15 comparisons were made plus 6 recurring. Of the 15 comparisons, 5 were for main effects and 10 were interactions. Of the 5 main effects, 1 was statistically significant at the .0500 level. None of the 10 interactions was statistically significant. The results of the present study appear to support the following generalizations. 1) practicing Family Physicians who reported the lowest marital satisfaction have higher work addiction than those who are not married, 2. the gender of Family Physicians is not associated with work addiction. 3. the age of Family Physicians is not associated with work addiction. 4. the size of community in which Family Physicians practice is not associated with work addiction. 5. the marital status of Family Physicians is not associated with work addiction, and 6. Practicing Family Physicians do not appear to be work addicted.


This paper employs a time-varying framework to examine the informational efficiency of China's A-share and B-share markets, with a focus placed on the following issues: changing weak-form efficiency, the leverage effect, and information transmission in return volatility. We find that the A-share markets perform better than the B-share markets in terms of efficiency-improving; significant leverage effects exist in three of four markets but with different signs; and no weak and strong volatility transmissions characterise different pairs of markets. Market segmentation is also documented, as evidenced by no co-movements in the long-run behaviour of the four Chinese share markets.


Estrogen receptors were measured in normal canine lymph nodes and neoplastic tissue from dogs with lymphoma, using a commercially available [3H]estradiol dextran-coated charcoal assay. Using the same assay, estrogen receptors were detected in the positive-control tissues--dog uterus, rat uterus, and lyophilized bovine uterus. Specific binding of [3H]estradiol was not detected in rat skeletal muscle or in any of the canine lymphoid tissues, indicating that the specimens did not contain estrogen receptors.


Our objective was to determine effects of feeding lamb's peony byproducts, including stem and leaves (PSL), root (PR), and seeds meal (PSM), on growth, rumen fermentation, slaughter parameters, and meat quality. Sixty-four lambs (14.0 ± 2.1 kg) were allocated into eight treatments based on BW: no additives (CON), 0.15% aureomycin (CONA), low/high levels of PSL (5%/10% PSL replaced 5%/10% Chinese hay), PR (basal diet with 0.5%/1.0% PR), PSM (5%/10% PSM replaced 5%/10% soybean meal). Growth, digestibility, and rumen fermentation had dose responses whereas slaughter parameters, meat quality, or amino acids indexes were not. Peony byproducts increased DMI (p < 0.001) compared to CON, but higher levels were more advantageous (p = 0.003). However, low levels of peony byproducts decreased the NH3 -N concentration, but increased total volatile fatty acids mole percent more than high levels of that (p < 0.001). All peony byproducts increased dressing percentage (p < 0.05), increased pH and tenderness than CON (p < 0.05). In addition, PSL and PSM improved amino acid profiles of meat compared to CON, and were even better than CONA (p < 0.05). Therefore, peony byproducts not only improved animal growth but also reduced the frequency of antibiotic use in animal feeding.


Background The main objective of this study is to evaluate bladder, prostate and proximal urethral dynamic function and also to evaluate urinary tract stones and calcifications in patients with alkaptonuria.Methods Thirty-eight patients were prospectively divided into two groups. Study group (A) involved 17 patients of an average age of 42 years (30–63 years). Control group (B) involved 21 patients of an average age of 37 years (31–62 years). All patients from the two groups underwent uroflowmetry assessment (peak flow rate, shape of the flow rate chart and voided volume) and ultrasonography for the kidneys and urinary bladder for two phases (full bladder and empty bladder). Finally, all patients had their prostate gland assessed in regard to calcification, prostatic stones and prostatic urethral stones.Results Group A—Bladder volume ranged between 400 and 520 cc. The peak flow rate was between 7 and 23 ml/sec, with an average of 18.6 ml/sec. Flow rate curves shape were acceptable to normal bell shape curve in 11 patients. Seven patients (41%) had prostate calcification of 5–35% of prostate size.Group B Bladder volume ranged between 290 and 510 cc. The peak flow rate was 8–27 cc/sec with an average of 20 ml/sec. Normal bill shape voiding curves were observed in 17 patients (80%). Four patients (19%) had prostate calcification of 2–12% of prostate size. Renal measurements on ultrasonography were the same in both groups.Conclusion Patients with Alkaptonuria had a slightly reduced peak urinary flow rate compared to the normal control group, but this was not statistically significant. The incidence of prostatic calcification was higher in alkaptonuria patients and they tended to develop prostate calcification at an earlier age than the control group. Regular urological assessment is recommended for all patients with alkaptonuria over the age of 30 years to detect early urological symptoms of the disease.


This review's purpose is to describe for the practicing clinician the current knowledge about patient compliance to cholesterol‐altering drugs and about procedures for compliance management applicable to clinical practice in the United States. Compliance is defined for four commonly measured major steps and, based on recent electronic monitoring data, for three quantitative categories of active medication‐taking. The concepts and definition of compliance are undergoing evolutionary changes due to the measurement and availability of new dimensions through electronic monitoring of patient compliance. Substantial non‐compliance to cholesterol‐altering drugs has been reported in nine large clinical trials for primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, in two HMOs, and, using electronic monitoring of compliance, in one clinical trial and a selected practice. The risks of treatment discontinuation increased continuously during treatment and totaled from 6 to 30% after 5 years. Patterns of day‐to‐day partial compliance are emerging. Procedures and knowledge for clinical management of compliance are described including methods of measuring compliance, risk factors for non‐compliance, standards for compliance performance, epidemiology of compliance, procedures for managing compliance at the start of therapy and for addressing compliance problems during established treatment, simple office assessment of compliance by brief interview questions, compliance aids, prediction of compliance, and education and training of medical‐care personnel in compliance management.


OBJECT
Data concerning an association between the ENG gene intronic insertion polymorphism and intracrahial aneurysms (IAs) remain inconsistent. In this study the authors investigated whether this polymorphism is associated with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by a ruptured IA in a Polish population.

METHODS
One hundred nineteen patients with aneurysmal SAH and 119 sex-matched healthy volunteers were studied. The insertion ENG gene polymorphism in intron 7 was identified using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand chain polymorphism method. The distribution of the insertion allele did not differ between the SAH (13%) and control (16%) cases (p = 0.36). The homozygous insertion/insertion genotype frequencies in these cases were 3.4 and 0.8%, respectively (p = 0.18).

CONCLUSIONS
The authors failed to find an association between the intronic insertion polymorphism of the ENG gene and aneurysmal SAH in a Polish population.


In this review article some of the key ideas presented in the scholarship of Ogbu Kalu on African Christianity generally, and African Pentecostalism specifically, are discussed. The review commends Professor Kalu for broadening the historiography of Pentecostalism beyond North America and Europe to global phenomena with multiple access points. It further praises Kalu for pioneering the role of cultural moorings upon the shape of African Christianity. The review however highlights the limitations of a purely contextual and historiographical approach, and invites the discourse to participate in the broader global historical and theological Pentecostal conversation.


Balb c-mice were immunized orally twice within 10 days with a live influenza vaccine (A PR 8/34, H1 N1). Specific antibodies were determined in sera, uterus homogenates and uterus lavage fluids. In all compartments specific antibodies of IgG class were estimated by means of an enzymimmunoassay. Regarding estrogen cyclus of mice the antibody titers were divided into diestrus, proestrus, estrus and metestrus. We have not seen any cyclic changes of antibody titers. The results support the concept of a common immune mucosal system. The continuous antibody titers during genital cyclus are evident for using oral vaccination aiming to induce secretory antibodies in genital tract.


Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) accounts for less than 1% of cutaneous malignancies. As the lesion may mimic benign entities, clinicians' differential should include rare entities to improve outcomes by early intervention. We present a case of primary MCC in the nasal vestibule requiring partial rhinectomy, suprahyoid lymphadenectomy, and radiation therapy.


This paper analyses the practical faults existing in enhanced dynamic frame slotted ALOHA (EDFSA) algorithms, and discusses the strategy to improve the efficiency of anti-collision algorithm in RFID system. EDFSA algorithm divides the tags into a number of groups and allows only one group of tags to respond when the number of tags is much larger than optimal efficiency tags. However the efficiency of the system can still be improved. We propose a new anti-collision algorithm called by the name of variant enhanced dynamic frame slotted ALOHA algorithm (VEDFSA) to improve the efficiency of the system that can solve the problem above by dynamic divide tags into groups during the anti-collision solving procedure.


ABSTRACT A security deal struck between the Solomon Islands and China in April 2022 has been depicted as the precursor to the establishment of a Chinese naval base in the Pacific. Fed by the proximity of an Australian federal election, these fears have stimulated lurid images in the Australian press of Beijing's aircraft carriers being stationed off Brisbane's coast creating a Pacific version of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. In this paper, we examine the provisions of the 'framework agreement', explore its rationale and consider the likelihood that the predicted naval base eventuates. We also investigate Chinese extraterritoriality on the global stage and Chinese commercial activity in the Solomons since the switch in diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 2019. We argue that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare signed the deal primarily in response to domestic pressures, in particular the danger of a repeat of major riots that took place in the capital in November 2021. The most pressing risk is not Chinese warships or nuclear missiles stationed in Honiara, but repression to handle urban unrest without the restraint required of Australian, Papua New Guinean, Fijian or New Zealand police officers.


The food and feeding habits of some anuran species in south-western Nigeria were investigated. Individuals of eighteen anuran species were selected randomly from collection made from the various survey sites which represented all the anuran families observed in the study. Morphometric measurements and analysis of the stomach contents of these selected species were carried out. High occurrences were recorded for stomachs that were 25% and 50% full while lower occurrences were observed for those that were 75% and 100% full. Anuran species having the lowest percentage (12.5%) of empty stomachs was Amietophrynus maculatus while Phrynobatrachus latifrons had the highest percentage (41.7%) of empty stomach. The order Coleoptera constituted the largest occurrence of insects observed in the stomach of anurans followed by the order Hymenoptera. Larger prey organisms were observed in the diets of larger anuran species such as Amietophrynus maculatus and Hoplobatrachus occipitalis , but were absent in diets of smaller anuran species such as Phrynobatrachus latifrons and Arthroleptis variabilis . Fossorial species ( Hemisus marmoratus and H. guineensis ) had isopterans as their major food item where as arboreal species ( Leptopelis boulengeri, L. hyloides and Hyperolius guttulatus ) had high occurrences of ants, bees and wasps in their diets. The morphology and habitat of anuran species have to a large extent a great influence on the food and feeding habits of these species as most species observed were generalist or opportunistic feeders taking prey roughly in proportion to their abundance in the habitat. Keywords : anuran, morphometric measurement, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, generalist and opportunistic feeders.


Human γδ T-cell lymphoma is a rare clinicopathologic entity with aggressive course and poor prognosis. The etiology and pathogenesis of γδ T-cell lymphoma is unknown. We show here that mice with deficiency in inhibitory helix-loop-helix protein Id3 (Id3(-/-)) developed γδ T-cell lymphoma that resembled human γδ T-cell lymphoma. The Id3(-/-) mice with lymphoma showed splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and lymphadenopathy with involvement of bone marrow, thymus, kidney, and lungs between 6 and 15 months of age. Phenotypic analysis revealed that lymphomatous cells were cluster of differentiation (CD)3(+), γδ T-cell receptor (TCR)(+), and αβ TCR(-), and expressed CD8(+)CD4(-), CD4(+)CD8(-), or a mixture of the two. Id3(-/-) γδ T-cell lymphoma used predominantly Vγ1.1, some Vγ3, yet no Vγ2 TCR, and some showed increased levels of the oncogene c-Myc. Strikingly, adoptive transfer of the γδ T-cell lymphoma into syngeneic Rag1(-/-) mice resulted in aggressive γδ T-cell lymphoma, identical to the Id3(-/-) donor. Thus, our data demonstrate that Id3 regulates the development of γδ T-cell lymphoma in mice, raising a possibility of Id3 gene mutation in human γδ T-cell lymphoma. Our model will provide a tool for studying the molecular mechanisms and development of human γδ T-cell lymphoma.


This article presents the potential of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among youths formerly associated with the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in Northern Uganda. Through investigating life narratives of 12 such youths, this study aims to discover the potential of PTG as a consequence of a forced time period with the LRA. By means of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the narratives revealed four themes: social support; participation; self perception, and faith in God. These four themes are found to resemble four of the five factors measuring PTG. Basic values and cultural understanding, however, makes the possibility of PTG very doubtful. Yet, a matching review of the four themes and PTG compose a foundation of how to focus future interventions, with an increased potential for growth, among youths formerly associated with the LRA.


ABSTRACT Advanced ballistic and cruise missiles have become a salient feature of the Middle Eastern security landscape. More states are either developing indigenous production capabilities or importing these missiles than ever before and their use has also become a frequent occurrence in regional conflicts. Despite that the issue remains one of the least examined aspects of regional arms control. This research article surveys the historical and contemporary missiles landscape in the Middle East and the evolution of regional debates aimed at arms control. It demonstrates the disconnect between a regional arms dynamic marked by competitiveness and a fragmented and underdeveloped ideational and normative arms control framework. The article identifies some of the challenges in addressing missiles control in the region and proposes a taxonomy of modalities for addressing missiles control including cross-cutting themes that can frame the substance and content of regional missiles control.


4‐repeat (4R) tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by cerebral accumulation of 4R tau pathology. The most prominent 4R‐tauopathies are progressive‐supranuclear‐palsy (PSP) and corticobasal‐syndrome (CBS) characterized by tau accumulation in subcortical nuclei as well as cortical neuronal dysfunction, as shown by PET‐assessed hypoperfusion and glucose hypometabolism. Yet, there is a spatial mismatch between subcortical tau deposition patterns and cortical neuronal dysfunction and it is unclear how these two pathological brain changes are interrelated. Here, we hypothesized that subcortical tau pathology induces diaschisis‐like neuronal dysfunction in functionally connected cortical regions.


Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a cool season food legume in the family of Fabaceae. The exploration of genetically variable accessions is the key source of germplasm conservation for future selecting parents for breeding. PCR based analysis employing RAPD and ISSR marker are one of the established techniques of estimation of genetic diversity. Twelve chickpea accessions were analyzed by ten RAPD and ISSR primers of which all primers gave amplification products. The results showed that the level of DNA polymorphism in these accessions is low. RAPD analysis yielded 5.9 bands per primer while ISSR analysis produce 2.8 bands per primer. The average percentage of molecular polymorphism as produced by RAPD and ISSR primers was 67%. The cluster dendrogram demonstrated a similarity coefficient range of 0.10 to 0.66 due to RAPD markers, whereas ISSR markers showed 0.60 to 0.80. The variability index worked out in the present study ranges from 0.49 to 0.78. The present study determines DNA polymorphism in chickpea accessions as revealed by RAPD and ISSR markers. Overall the study ascertained that RAPD and ISSR marker provide powerful tools in revealing genetic diversity in chickpea.


In recent years, bio-healing based on microbial induced carbonate precipitation in cracks has been widely exploited to improve concrete properties and thus increase its durability. In this context, the present study aims to explore the possibility of using nine bacterial isolates as biohealing agent of cementitious materials; these bacteria (coded B1 to B8) were obtained from the three different rocky sites, i.e., 795 L1 (limestone rock site), 795 L2 (ordinary soil site), and 812 (clayey site); situated in Oulad Rahmoun (Constantine-Algeria). The primary identification showed that eight isolates belonged to a Bacillus genus, and one isolate B8 developed particularly morphological characterized by branched and septate hyphae. The isolates B4 and B8 were selected for their ability to produce calcium carbonate in precipitate calcium (PC) liquid and solid media after five days of incubation. The addition of urea in PC liquid media accelerated the formation of calcite which appeared after 3 days of incubation. The growth curve of both selected isolates on LB liquid medium showed that B8 was characterized by a long exponential growth phase (up to 72 hours) compared to B4 which had an exponential phase up to 48 hours, which could explain the largest amount of calcite precipitate observed in the case of B8 cultivated in PC liquid medium. Results of the bio-healing experiment carried on cementitious batches showed that a beginning of a slight repair of the cracks from the 11th day was only observed in the case of the bacterium B8 but the bio-healing capacity was absent in the control. This bio-healing agent was identified as Micromonospora echinospora (NCBI-NO139612), according to N-Blast of 16S-DNA sequence. In conclusion, the present study is the first to isolate M. echinospora species from rocky sites; and to describe it as an efficient bacterial agent in concrete bio-healing applications.


Abstract Of all the social sciences, social policy is one of the most obviously policy-orientated. One might, therefore, expect a research and funding agenda which prioritises and rewards policy relevance to garner an enthusiastic response among social policy scholars. Yet, the social policy response to the way in which major funders and the Research Excellence Framework (REF) are now prioritising 'impact' has been remarkably muted. Elsewhere in the social sciences, 'research impact' is being widely debated and a wealth of concerns about the way in which this agenda is being pursued are being articulated. Here, we argue there is an urgent need for social policy academics to join this debate. First, we employ interviews with academics involved in health inequalities research, undertaken between 2004 and 2015, to explore perceptions, and experiences, of the 'impact agenda' (an analysis which is informed by a review of guidelines for assessing 'impact' and relevant academic literature). Next, we analyse high- and low-scoring REF2014 impact case studies to assess whether these concerns appear justified. We conclude by outlining how social policy expertise might usefully contribute to efforts to encourage, measure and reward research 'impact'.


A column study was conducted to assess the potential Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb movement through a reconstructed soil profile to which surface composted sewage sludge was applied. Sewage sludge was mixed into the top 100 mm of each column at the rates of 357 (H), 223 (M) and 22 Mg·ha-1 (L). Treatment H was calculated according to the critical soil concentration and treatments M and L were calculated according to the amount of metals which may be added to agricultural land on 10 yr average (M) and 1 yr (L) according to European legislation. Soil columns were leached with 5 000 ml of water. After leaching, soil columns were sampled at depth intervals of 0 to 100, 100 to 300, 300 to 500 and 500 to 840 mm. Metal balance accounted for over 97% of metals and over 86% of metals were retained in the first 100 mm of the column. The average percentage of metals leached decreased in the order Cd (0.04%) > Cu (0.02) ~ Ni (0.02) ~ Zn (0.02) > Pb (0.01) ~ Cr (0.01). The maximum metal concentration in leachates was lower than the limit value for irrigation water but metal concentrations exceeded the drinking water levels for Pb and Ni in all treatments. Thus, harmful health effects may result from the application of sewage sludge.


Objectives: To identify the impact of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status on postoperative length of stay (LOS) and to document the cost due to LOS after surgical management of the 8 most common lower extremity and 2 most common upper extremity isolated orthopaedic fractures. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: All patients who presented and underwent one of the 10 selected isolated orthopaedic surgical procedures at a large tertiary care center between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010. Patients/Participants: Charts for patients undergoing the 10 selected isolated orthopaedic surgical fracture procedures more than 10 years were reviewed. Thirteen thousand seven hundred seventy-six distinct operations were identified. One thousand three hundred ninety-eight distinct operations were included in analysis after selection. Intervention: This was an observational study. Patients who received operative management for isolated orthopaedic fractures were identified utilizing a CPT code search for analysis in a retrospective chart review. Main Outcome Measurements: LOS and cost secondary to LOS. Results: ASA physical status proved the strongest predictor of postoperative LOS for the 8 most common lower extremity and 2 most common upper extremity isolated orthopaedic procedures. ASA was also a significant predictor of inpatient cost for all isolated orthopaedic procedures included in the study with the exception of CPT code 27536. Conclusions: ASA classification is an indicator for variance in LOS and total inpatient cost for hospitalized patients. Given that ASA classification is a universally collected data point, this method can be used in almost any hospital system and for any operative service. In addition, this study provides a foundation for many other studies to be conducted which will include multiple institutions and fracture types, such that ASA can be used as a more generalizable predictor of LOS and inpatient cost in orthopaedic trauma patients. This model may be used to accurately predict a patient's postoperative course and the expected cost to the health care system of a given procedure. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


This article provides an account of using reflexive participatory methods including study advisory group membership to evaluate a perinatal wellbeing service in an economically deprived area of Scotland. There is little qualitative research that explores the experiences of women accessing perinatal mental health services. This article draws on feminist values and narrative theory to explore the practice, process and ethics of using participatory methods with women in the perinatal period. We explore the blurring of intervention and research group boundaries to consider the service and study advisory group as a space which provided the conditions for collective care and re-storying the self. We explore the study advisory group as an extension of the intervention itself, highlighting the role of community in research practices and in interventions, for women who experience perinatal mental health difficulties. We reflect on the 'sticky' practice of navigating epistemic and decision-making power in participatory research, including the dual positionalities of being two academic researchers who come to research with therapeutic training in counselling, psychotherapy and social work. We call for reflexive, community-oriented and flexible approaches when using participatory methods with populations that might be considered vulnerable, marginalised or stigmatised.


The purpose of the study is to show the practices of delegating some of human resource management responsibilitie from HR department to line managers and to identify the challenges faced. In this paper a descriptive research approach is used and designed for fifty line managers, few middle and top level managers. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data interview questions were designed to get the necessary feed back with respect to the study. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented using tables. It was found that 80 % of the overall FLMs responded HRM activities were devolved to them, while only 20% not devolved or had no such plan at the time of this study. Based on the findings the study concluded that line managers of Ethiopian Electric Utility are involved in various activities and at the same time they had faced with some challenges. The study recommended that HR professionals should work hard to improve their performance contribution, some HRM activities practiced by line managers as shown in the response and the intention of not considering HR activities as a core component by First line managers are the weaknesses observed that shall be improved.


Procedures used for investigating DNA-protein interactions, such as the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) or DNasel footprinting, require that exogenous nucleic acids (or synthetic equivalents) be added to the reaction mixture to prevent or reduce the nonspecific interaction of nuclear proteins with the labeled probe of choice, especially when proteins are obtained from crude nuclear extracts. One of the most potent, and likely the most widely used, non-specific competitor is the synthetic polymer poly(dI-dC).poly(dI-dC). Its addition to the reaction mixture prior to crude nuclear proteins has unquestionably proven very efficient in reducing nonspecific interactions by facilitating detection of the complexes of interest. However, in certain instances, the use of crude extracts alone does not provide adequate answers and the need to further enrich such extracts becomes absolutely necessary. In this study, we provide evidence that amounts of poly(dI-dC).poly(dI-dC) well below those currently described in the literature substantially impair, or even totally prevent, the detection of specific DNA-protein complexes in EMSA when enriched, gel-fractionated or commercially purified nuclear proteins are used, therefore indicating the need to precisely optimize the amount of such a competitor in DNA-protein interaction studies.


Low agricultural productivity, land degradation and poverty are severe interrelated problems in the East African highlands. While the proximate causes of such problems are relatively well known, the underlying causes are many and complex, and depend upon many site-specific factors that vary greatly across the diverse circumstances of the region. Thus, no "one-size-fits-all" policy, institutional or technology strategy is likely to suffice to generate sustainable development. While common elements of successful strategies do exist, such as security and macroeconomic stability, the appropriate portfolio of investments in physical, human, natural and social capital will likely be different in different circumstances. In this paper, we argue that the appropriate strategy for sustainable development depends greatly upon the "pathways of development" that are feasible in a given location. Development pathways represent common patterns of change in economic livelihood strategies, such as continued semi-subsistence mixed crop-livestock production or commercialization of high-value perishable crops. We argue that such development pathways will be largely determined by three factors determining comparative advantage: agricultural potential, access to markets, and population density. Based on a typology of situations in the East African highlands using these variables, we develop hypotheses about the potential pathways of development in different situations, and the policy and institutional requisites to achieve sustainable development of such pathways. We also argue that the choice of development pathway largely conditions the opportunities for particular resource management technologies, and develop hypotheses about the technological strategies that may be feasible within particular development pathways. We conclude the paper with hypotheses about the priorities for policy intervention to achieve sustainable development in the East African highlands. Among these, we suggest that the highest priority for road and irrigation development should be areas close to urban markets with high agricultural potential; that development of input and output markets and credit systems will be most critical in such areas; that increasing food security through increased food crop production or other means is likely to be a key to realizing the potential for more commercial production; that subsidies on the costs of transporting fertilizer to remote, high-potential, food deficit areas should be considered as a lower cost alternative to food aid; and that intensified and more private use of hillsides and grazing areas for sustainable uses such as tree planting may have potential to achieve more rapid and sustainable development of lower potential areas. We emphasize that these are only hypotheses, and that policy research is needed to assess their validity in different contexts of the East African highlands.


Phosphate bacteria (PB) are able to release P-adsorption by soil. PB effectiveness in releasing adsorption P controled by quorum sensing (QS) signal. PB produces a QS signal as N-acyl homoserine lactones (N-HSL). The aim of this study are to determine the type of N-HSL as QS signal of PB (Pseudomonas trivialis, P. putida and P. fluorescens) and find the source of N-HSL from root extracts of some plants (rice, corn, bamboo, banana and peanuts). Analysis of N-HSL using HPLC (Hitachi UV-VIS detector L-2420), L-2200 autosampler (20 mL), L-2130 pump and column C OOF-4250-CO/10 μm LaChrom Ultra 18 (2 μm) 100 A 150 x 4.60 mm 10 m KPOW 490065-1 (Phenomenex), temperature 60° C, flow rate of 0.9 mL/minute and a gradient of 30-100 % in 1.0 minutes. Standard N-HSL is C4-HSL, 6, 8, 10, 12 homoserine lactones (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany) was dissolved in acetonitrile (Merch, India) with a concentration of 50 mM. P-dissolved by PB determined by staining NVM and a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 413 nm. PB population is determined by the OD (optical density) at a wavelength of 600 nm. PB populations on medium Pikovskaya influenced by PB isolates, the type of P sources and duration of incubation. N-HSL generated by PB highest is Butanoyl (C ) homoserine lactones. PB isolates 9 and Ca4 phosphate sources produce N-HSL most. Root extract of rice, corn, bamboo, bananas and peanuts can be a source of N-HSL. Soluble phosphorus from medium Pikovskaya influenced by the type of PB isolates and source of P.


Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that causes increased morbidity and mortality. The treatment of the disease has considerably advanced with the addition of biological agents targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Adalimumab (ADA) is one of the currently available five TNF inhibitors for clinical use in RA. It is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody which may be prescribed as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Areas covered: This review summarizes the recent available data on efficacy and safety of ADA in patients with early and established RA as well as improvement of quality of life and finally we provide data on biologic drug comparison. Expert opinion: ADA has been evaluated in various randomized placebo-controlled trials in RA, prospective observational studies as well as open-label extensions of the original double-blind trials providing experience and data about the long-term efficacy and safety of the drug. Effectiveness of the drug is sustained, while in most cases RA patients treated with ADA experienced a slower radiographic progression and consequently less disability and improved health-related quality of life outcomes. Clinical trials demonstrated no new safety signals and a safety profile consistent with that of the anti-TNF class.


This study analyses how children from 4 to 6 years use written notation in subtraction problem solving. Thirty children from kindergarten to first levels were asked to solve four problems (two of the kind change and two of comparison), which involved numerical sets greater and smaller than 10. These problems were in a context which intented to give more sense for use of written notation. The written notation was analysed from two perspectives: the effect of the written notation in the solving process and the types of notations produced by the children. We observed that written notation help children in doing their calculations, allow them to follow their process of thinking and improve the representation of mathematical operations. We concluded that solving problems using written notations could be an interesting alternative for Kindergarten.


An optimized photoelectric detector will increase the precision of a spectrometer, thus indicates an important way to develop high performance spectrometer. With an eye to this, a model describing the process that spectrogram is integrated and sampled by photoelectric detector and restored after low-pass filtering is developed. Based on the model, the influence of the characteristic parameters of the detector on the spectral line in the frequency domain is analyzed and the relation between the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the spectra line and the integral interval, sampling space and sensitivity of the detector is deduced. The conclusion indicates that both the integral interval and sampling space should be 1/6 of the FWHM for a spectral line with gaussian profile as a result of compromise between accuracy and feasibility. Moreover, the critical point deciding the right situation for scanner and array detector is given. Other guide line to optimize the photoelectric detector and increase accuracy is suggested also.


The 252 rank completely diagonalized Hamiltonian matrix of the 3d 5 configuration with trigonal symmetry have been established by group theory, crystal field theory and irreducible tensor operator method. The spectral fine structure, zero-field splitting parameters, and Jahn-Teller effect, as well s the influence of spin doublet state and spin quartet state on the ground-state energy levels in LiNbO 3 ∶Fe 3+ crystals were studied with this matrix. The results show that the contribution of spin quartet state on the ground- state energy levels is the most important, the contribution of spin doublet state is weak but can not be neglected. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experiments. On their basis, the influence of spin-orbit interaction and spin-spin interaction on the spectra fine structure and zero-field splitting parameters were further studied, and we found that the influence of spin-orbit interaction is dominant, but the influence of spin-spin interaction can not be neglected. The research shows this substance has J-T effect in the spectral structure of spin quartet state. The reason is the combined action of spin-orbit interaction and trigonal distortion.


Public organizations are increasingly paying attention to strategic communication. However, the extant literature on public sector communication is predominantly descriptive, exploring how strategic communication is performed in practice, with little emphasis on why strategic communication has become so popular. Drawing on organizational institutional theory together with reports from a case study of strategic communication in Danish local governments, we take a first step towards explaining "all this communication". Our results reveal how normative and mimetic institutional pressures occur, as key external stakeholders support and legitimize strategic communication while communicating general, yet detailed, instructions for performing strategic communication in a context of radical organizational changes. Moreover, we demonstrate how local governments translate strategic communication somewhat differently than external stakeholders, causing not only isomorphism but also heterogeneity in organizational strategies. Based on the empirical findings, we argue that strategic communication issues might benefit from being interpreted in a broader socio-political context rather than as a simple management tool for professionalizing public sector communication.


OBJECTIVE
Sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, NANA) is an essential component of mucins, glycoproteins and gangliosides and therefore important for the function of cell membranes, membrane receptors and the normal development of the brain. The capacity of the metabolic pathway for the synthesis of sialic acid from glucose and other carbohydrate sources in preterm infants and term-born neonates is currently unknown.

METHODS
In the present study the overall nutritional sialic acid supply of infants was analysed by means of HPLC-based determination of sialic acid concentrations in a total of 51 human milk samples obtained from nursing mothers at different stages of lactation. The data were compared with 3 commercial preterm infant formulas, 7 adapted infant formulas, 11 partially adapted infant formulas, 4 follow-up and 2 soy-based formulas.

RESULTS
The sialic acid concentration in colostrum and transitory human milk was 1300 +/- 322 mg/l. After the 10th day of lactation the concentration dropped to 983 +/- 455 mg/l (p < 0.01). Preterm infant formulas contained 197 +/- 31, adapted formulas 190 +/- 31, partially adapted formulas 100 +/- 33, follow-up formulas 100 +/- 33 and soy-based formulas 34 +/- 9 mg sialic acid/l, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
Formula-fed infants obtain less than 20% of the amount of sialic acid supplied if breast-fed. A sufficient sialic acid supply may be essential in very-low-birth-weight infants and neonates at risk for the normal development of brain function.


The effect of pH on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of glycerol monolaurate (monolaurin) against four strains of Listeria monocytogenes at 35°C in tryptic soy broth supplemented with 0.6% yeast extract was investigated. Our results demonstrate that the MIC of monolaurin was lower than MIC values reported for other common food antimicrobials such as potassium sorbate, tertiary butylhydroquinone, propyl paraben, and butylated hydroxyanisole. The MIC of monolaurin was reduced by decreasing the pH value of the medium. A 3-fold MIC reduction occurred when the pH decreased from pH 7.0 (10 μg/ml) to pH 5.0 (3 μg/ml).


Abstract—The authors sought to determine trends in the incidence of ALS in Olmsted County from 1925 to 1998. Seventy-seven cases of ALS were identified during the period studied. The incidence rate remained stable at 1.7 cases per 100,000 people per year. Mean age at onset was 63 years. Mean survival was 23 months from diagnosis. Mean survival for patients <60 years old was 31 months; for patients aged ≥60 years, it was 20 months (p = 0.02). Mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 13 months. Neither survival nor time to diagnosis changed significantly over time.


We present dynamical models of NGC 4494, which we built using our iterative method presented in a previous paper. These models are live N-body models consisting of equal-mass particles, and they are in steady state as confirmed by a fully self-consistent evolution. Our goals were of twofold. The first one - namely to test whether our iterative method could indeed be used to construct galactic models following given observational constraints, both photometric and kinematic - was fully achieved. Our method allowed us to go beyond a simple spherical model and to make full sets of rotating, axisymmetric models without any limitations to the velocity distribution. Our second goal was to understand the structure of NGC 4494 better, and more specifically to set constraints on its halo mass. For this we tried three families of models: without halo, with a light halo and with a heavy halo, respectively. Our models reproduce well the photometry and the kinematics, the latter except for specific regions where some non-equilibrium or non-axisymmetric structure could be present in the galaxy (e.g. the kinematically decoupled core). However, the lower-order moments of the velocity distribution (up to and including the second order) do not allow us to discriminate between the three haloes. On the other hand, when we extend the comparison to the higher-order moments of the velocity distribution obtained from the long-slit data, we find that our light halo model fits the data better than the no halo, or the heavy halo models. They also reproduce the shape of the angular dependence of the PNe velocity dispersion in the outermost parts of the galaxy, but not the amplitude of its azimuthal variation. This may imply that a more general class of models, such as triaxial, may be necessary for a better fit.


This paper examines how South Korean understanding of what it means to be-or to have been-a citizen of the DPRK has evolved during the last decade. How does South Korean popular culture reflect that evolution and, in turn, shape ongoing transformations in that understanding? Is the South Korean imagination being enlarged to make room for an inclusive but heterogeneous identity that accepts both parts of the divided nation? Or, conversely, is a hardening of mental boundaries inscribing cultural/social difference in tandem with the previous decade's (anything but linear) progress in political/economic rapprochement? In examining these questions, this paper samples key discursive sites where the South Korean imaginary expresses itself, including music, advertising, television comedy programs, film and literature.


Recent reforms of initial teacher education (ITE) in the learning and skills sector (LSS) in England are standards based and emphasise subject specialism. The reforms are underpinned by objectivist epistemological assumptions which are incompatible with socio‐cultural theories of professional knowledge, and ignore the diverse teaching roles and contexts in the sector and wider systemic issues. A qualitative scoping study found that LSS in‐service trainee teachers drew on three types of knowledge resources, or clusters of 'rules' for practice, in their teaching: these were related to their subject/vocational area, generic teaching and learning processes and specific learners and groups. Trainees generated knowledge resources through participation in their workplace, ITE course and other social contexts, and from embedded and encoded workplace knowledge. Trainees' beliefs, values and prior experiences were both a knowledge resource and influenced their engagement with knowledge generation activities. It is argued that using a knowledge resources perspective, which recognises how trainees generate knowledge and seeks to bridge gaps in their access to knowledge resources, would be more effective in supporting trainees' development than the current reforms.


Abstract The differential susceptibility to parenting model was examined in relation to toddler self-regulation in a prospective longitudinal study of infants born preterm or low birth weight. We followed 153 mother–infant dyads across five time points between the infant's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay and 24 months postterm. Assessments of infant temperament, quality of early parenting interactions, contextual variables, and toddler effortful control and behavior problems were conducted. Results supported differential susceptibility and dual risk models in addition to documenting main effects of early parenting on children's emerging self-regulation. Our data suggested that preterm or low birth weight infants who were prone to distress or rated by mothers as more difficult were particularly susceptible to the effects of early negative parenting.


The esterification of acetic acid with n-butanol was studied in the presence of ion-exchange resin catalysts such as Amberlyst-15 to determine the intrinsic reaction kinetics. The effect of various parameters such as temperature, mole ratio, catalyst loading, and particle size was studied. Kinetic modeling was performed to obtain the parameters related to intrinsic kinetics. Pseudohomogeneous model was developed The rate expressions would be useful in the simulation studies for reactive distillation. In this work, the synthesis of butyl acetate, starting from n-Butanol and acetic acid, using batch reactive distillation on acidic polymeric resins is


This text includes five papers delivered at ALCTS' preconference, on "Bibliographic Control of Conference Proceedings", and covers cataloguing, reference/interlibrary loan, and collection development. It includes examples of the problems of conference proceedings for the public services.


According to Kultepe texts in the Assyrian Trade Colonies Period (B.C. ±1975-1723) in Anatolia grape was known well fruit. Inside of Kultepe tablets is understood native public's has been earned by farming and animal husbandry from Ib period documents which especially Kultepe's late phase representing that native public's was more active role in the trade. Their cultivation of the indigenous fruits are grapes which was the first place. Grape, wine and fruit were as well as being consumed after some actions. Depending on the grape growing the viticulture was widespread in Anatolia. In debt bills belonging to the natives ina /ana/ warki qitip ka/irānim" "at vintage / until vintage / after vintage" in the form of the loan will be paid in order to specify it when the use of the agricultural terminology dating, viticulture, social and economic lives of the native people that was shaped and in Anatolia adopted as a cultural show that was an agricultural activity. Although inside of Kultepe tablets that had been a wine production center in Anatolia there is no direct information about the texts in which the expressions passing between the lines, Tegarama and Zalpa that are cities in the ancient Anatolia suggest that there might be centres of the wine production.


The reactions of 1,2-unsaturated sugars (glycals) are considered in this review in relation to problems of the enantiospecific synthesis of natural products, their fragments, and their analogues. The reactions occurring both with retention of the heterocycle and those carried out with the aim of obtaining open chain chiral units are discussed. It is shown that the use of glycals as a stock of chiral substances which determine the configuration of the asymmetric centres in the target products of multistage synthesis is promising. Schemes for the synthesis of natural products of different types are considered: O- and C-glycosides, nucleosides, oligosaccharides, pheromones, antibiotics, toxins, glycosphingolipids, etc. The bibliography includes 161 references.


Many studies on measurement and characterization of wireless LANs (WLANs) have been performed recently. Most of these measurements have been conducted from the wired portion of the network based on wired monitoring (e.g. sniffer at some wired point) or SNMP statistics. More recently, wireless monitoring, the traffic measurement from a wireless vantage point, is also widely adopted in both wireless research and commercial WLAN management product development. Wireless monitoring technique can provide detailed PHY/MAC information on wireless medium. For the network diagnosis purpose (e.g. anomaly detection and security monitoring) such detailed wireless information is more useful than the information provided by SNMP or wired monitoring. In this paper we have explored various issues in implementing the wireless monitoring system for an IEEE 802.11 based wireless network. We identify the pitfalls that such system needs to be aware of, and then provide feasible solutions to avoid those pitfalls. We implement an actual wireless monitoring system and demonstrate its effectiveness by characterizing a typical computer science department WLAN traffic. Our characterization reveals rich information about the PHY/MAC layers of the IEEE 802.11 protocol such as the typical traffic mix of different frame types, their temporal characteristics and correlation with the user activities. Moreover, we identify various anomalies in protocol and security of the IEEE 802.11 MAC. Regarding the security, we identify malicious usages of WLAN, such as email worm and network scanning. Our results also show excessive retransmissions of some management frame types reducing the useful throughput of the wireless network.


The Indigo Blue dye is widely used in the textile industry, specifically in jeans dyeing, the effluents of which, rich in organic pollutants with recalcitrant characteristics, end up causing several environmental impacts, requiring efficient treatments. Several pieces of research have been conducted in search of effective treatment methods, among which is electrocoagulation. This treatment consists of an electrochemical process that generates its own coagulant by applying electric current on metallic electrodes, bypassing the use of other chemical products. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential use of iron slag in the electrocoagulation of a synthetic effluent containing commercial dye Indigo Blue and the effluent from a textile factory. The quantified parameters were color, turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity, sludge generation, phenol removal, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total organic carbon (TOC). The electrocoagulation treatment presented a good efficiency in removing the analyzed parameters, obtaining average removal in the synthetic effluent of 85 % of color and 100 % of phenol after 25 min of electrolysis. For the effluent from the textile factory, average reductions of 80 % of color, 91 % of turbidity, 100 % of phenol, 55 % of COD, and 73 % of TOC were measured after 60 min of electrolysis. The results obtained demonstrate the potential of using iron slag as an electrode in the electrocoagulation process in order to reuse industrial waste and reduce costs in the treatment and disposal of solid waste.


Malaysia is working towards transforming into a knowledge-driven economy where the generation and the utilization of knowledge contribute significantly to economic growth and wealth creation. Knowledge being singled-out as one of the key factor in driving growth and creating value. This notion has an expansive implication on how industry, academia and government must now work closer to make active contribution. Universities are now driven to find their way to better deliver. Drawing upon Mintzberg's five definitions of strategy: plan, ploy, pattern, position and perspective [1], this paper reviews the elements of strategic planning in the context of a higher education institution in facilitating their strive to deliver in responding to those emerging demands. It also demonstrates how the Balanced Scorecard framework can potentially help structure a more comprehensive thought-through process in shaping strategies. It concludes with a set of guidelines for strategy making.