The southwest of the Indian Ocean comprises numerous islands of less than 3000 sq km (Comoros, Seychelles, Mascarene Islands). These small island territories have very fragmented and diversified environments. Satellite imagery and products at low and medium spatial resolution (usually from 4 kilometers to 250 meters) are not or poorly suited to the study of these areas. This is particularly the case for ecological studies such as the study of vector-borne diseases where the evaluation of interactions at a fine scale is critical to understand their spatial dynamics. To overcome this need, we realized a homogeneous land cover mapping of these small islands, by analysing SPOT 5 satellite images acquired between July 2013 and July 2014 by SEAS-OI Station. We used an object-based image analysis method to identify the 12 major classes of land cover / land use of these tropical islands. To improve the results of this classification, we used some data from the free and participative OpenStreetMap (OSM) database as training data. These data were first checked and even completed to ensure their quality. This information helped us in particular to improve our results on agricultural areas (sugar cane, market gardening) and to define more precisely the main roads. This methodology together with a good knowledge of the field has enabled us to achieve an overall accuracy of 85%, making it an operational product. In return, we fed the OSM database by integrating the classes for which we had the best accuracy (mangrove, surface water and forest). Indeed, OSM is a particularly interesting platform for releasing and disseminating land use data.


Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) activates both cell death and cell survival pathways. The activation of survival pathway renders most cancer cells resistant to TNF-induced cytotoxicity. We found that pretreatment with digitoflavone, a plant flavonoid, greatly sensitized TNFα-induced apoptotic cell death in several human pancreatic cancer cells. In search of the molecular basis of the sensitization effect of digitoflavone, digitoflavone was found to inhibit TNFα-induced activation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) which is the main survival factor in TNFα signaling. NF-κB suppression occurred through inhibition of IκBα kinase activation, IκBα phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, and NF-κB nuclear translocation. This inhibition correlated with suppression of NF-κB-dependent genes involved in antiapoptosis (mcl-1, bcl-2, bcl-xl, c-iap1, c-iap2, flip, and survivin), proliferation (c-myc, cyclin d1), and angiogenesis (vegf, cox-2, and mmp-9). In addition, digitoflavone can activate JNK through inhibition of NF-κB signaling, provide a continuous blockade of the feed-back inhibitory mechanism by JNK-induced NF-κB activation. This study found a novel function of digitoflavone and enhanced the value of digitoflavone as an anticancer agent.


This study was carried out to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) fruit juice locally used as an anthelmintic. The anthelmintic activity of the fruit juice on eggs, first stage larvae (L1) and adults of Heligmosomoides bakeri was examined by in vitro and in vivo tests. The fruit juice was prepared to obtain seven increasing concentrations. Distilled water and albendazole were used as negative and positive control groups, respectively. At the concentrations of 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml the fruit juice inhibited the hatching of eggs by 2.5, 10.5, 11.5, 13.5, 30.0, 90.25 and 100 %, and killed the larvae by 40.5, 37.5, 47.5, 55.0, 92.5 and 100.0 %, respectively. The plant caused a significant (P<0.05) deparasitization rate of 80.5 % of the adult worms at the dose of 800 mg/kg per os in mice. The data revealed dose-dependent anthelmintic activity, thus justifying its use in the traditional medicine.


Cross-culturally, the types of interactions that anthropologists have studied as "gossip" or "rumor" are opposed to types that constitute more authoritative texts. Instead of using participant structures to define such types of interactions, this opposition is used as a means to consider the evidential function of such descriptors. The discussion considers these issues from the perspective of non-Jewish, Latino labor migrants in Israel, whose usage of chisme ("gossip") versus rumor ("rumor") maps to in-group and out-group sources. The paper further considers how such frames were used in a short-lived weekly magazine, centered on the ritual chronotope of La Cancha (the soccer field), and also how a denunciation was quashed by producing an authoritative voice that condemned it as "chisme." [gossip, evidentiality, authority, publicity, voice]


In this paper, we propose the theoretical framework for a reconfigurable radiation pattern modulation (RRPM) scheme, which is reminiscent of the index modulation technique. In the proposed scheme, information is encoded using far-field radiation patterns generated by a set of programmable radiating elements. A considerable effort has been invested to allow for high transmission of the reconfigurable radiation pattern symbols; yet, the receiving system has received little attention and has always been considered ideal. Depending on the number of receivers and their respective positions, two variables are considered here for data transmission: the sampling resolution and the fraction of the covered space by the receiving antennas. Hence, we quantitatively investigate their effect on the bit-error-rate (BER) by making use of a limited number of measurements that approximate the behavior of the system under real-field conditions.


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

Metastatic cancer cells possess a unique capacity to survive without appropriate signaling from the extracellular matrix (ECM). The epithelial cells surrounded by proper ECM within tissues are designed to grow and differentiate whereas epithelial cells lacking suitable EMC are destined to anoikis, a form of apoptosis. The metastatic cancer cells resist anoikis to survive under the absence of ECM. Current study identifies a novel interplay between HER2 and sonic hedgehog signaling in promoting anoikis resistance. MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited an up-regulation of HER2 expression in cells cultured under anchorage- independent conditions as compared to adherent cells. Similar phenomenon was also observed in 4T-1 cells. The survival of MDA-MB-231 cells with stable HER2 overexpression (HH) was significantly enhanced when cultured under anchorage-independent conditions. However, the enhanced survival of MDA-MB-231 (HH) was reduced when HER2 was silenced using shRNA. These observations indicate the obligatory role of HER2 in anoikis resistance. Furthermore cells grown under anchorage-independent conditions induced the expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH). Increase in SHH was accompanied with enhanced expressions of PTCH2 and GLI2, the receptor and subsequent transcription factors of the sonic hedgehog signaling. Our results further showed that the induction of SHH was significantly higher in MDA-MB-231 (HH) cells relative to parent cells when cultured under anchorage-independent conditions, suggesting a correlation between HER2 and SHH signaling. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 and 4T-1 cells with cyclopamine (SHH signaling inhibitor) reduced the survival of cells under anchorage-independent conditions. Interestingly, cyclopamine treatment also inhibited the induction of HER2 during anchorage-independent culture conditions. Taken together, our study suggests a SHH-mediated induction of HER2 to promote anoikis resistance in breast cancer cells. Further mechanistic and in vivo studies are under progress. [Supported in part by R01 grant CA129038 (to S.K.S) awarded by the National Cancer Institute].

Citation Format: Parul Gupta, Sanjay K. Srivastava. A unique cross-talk between HER2 and sonic hedgehog signaling promotes anoikis resistance in breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1966. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1966


Behavioural parent training programs have been developed to address child behaviour problems through improvement in parenting practices. Ideally, programs would demonstrate effectiveness with all parents. The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program is widely reported as an effective, evidence-based program for parents. However, in this meta-analysis we demonstrate that there are significant differences in program effectiveness for mothers and fathers. We show that while Triple P has a large positive effect on mothers' parenting practices, it has a smaller effect on fathers' parenting practices. Considering that fathers make a significant and unique contribution to child development, we argue that it is important for parenting programs to assess their effectiveness with fathers as well as mothers.


Introduction: The co-stimulatory receptor GITR plays an important role in initiating the immune response in the lymph nodes and in maintaining the immune response in the tumor tissue. Binding of GITR to its natural ligand directly leads to increased anti-tumor T cell activation and their survival. It also reduces the suppressive abilities of Treg cells, further increasing the anti-tumor immune response. The HERA-technology developed by Apogenix targets the TNF-receptor superfamily and generates fully human hexavalent fusion proteins with high clustering capacity for the cognate receptor. Hexavalent HERA-ligands are pure agonists whose signaling capacity is independent of secondary Fcγ-receptor crosslinking. Here we report in vitro and in vivo properties of novel hexavalent HERA-GITRL constructs. Experimental procedures: For the assessment of in vivo stability, serum samples from a PK study with three HERA-GITRL constructs in CD1-mice were analyzed with respect to their drug levels employing a specific ELISA assay. For functional characterization of HERA-GITRL in vitro, immune cells were isolated from healthy-donor blood samples and profiled by multicolor flow cytometry (MC-FC). Subsequently, immune cells were cultured in growth media containing different HERA-GITRL constructs and anti-CD3. Changes in activation and memory markers on T cells (e.g. CD25, CD69, CD45RA, CD45RO), their proliferation rate (CFSE assay) and the intracellular staining of cytokines (e.g. TNF-α and IFN-γ) was assessed by MC-FC. Results: Minor modifications led to three HERA-GITRL drug candidates with unique pharmacokinetic properties / in vivo stability as explored in mice. Terminal half-life was between 61.7 and 200.6 hours. Stimulation of pan T cells as well as naive CD4+ T-lymphocytes by anti-CD3 was further augmented by HERA-GITRL as demonstrated by CD69 and CD25 expression. This effect was accompanied by an increased proliferation and an increased memory formation. Furthermore, we observed an increased level of intracellular TNF-α and IFN-γ in naive CD4+ T-lymphocytes incubated with anti-CD3 that could be further raised by the addition of HERA-GITRL. Conclusion: HERA-GITRL demonstrate excellent in vivo stability. Their ability to enhance proliferation and activation of naive CD4+ T cells and to induce memory formation render them as attractive candidates for immunotherapeutic treatments of cancer. Citation Format: Meinolf Thiemann, Christian Gieffers, David M. Richards, Christian Merz, Karl Heinonen, Mauricio Redondo Mueller, Viola Marschall, Jaromir Sykora, Harald Fricke, Oliver Hill. Novel hexavalent GITR agonists stimulate T cells and enhance memory formation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4963. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4963


Quantitative real-time RT-PCR is a very useful technique for estimating gene expression at the mRNA level. The expression of a tested gene has to be compared with that of a control gene. Various housekeeping genes have been used as control genes in different systems. In our study we tested several housekeeping genes in the model of gene expression after induction of apoptosis and differentiation. The myeloid cell lines were incubated with phorbol esters, butyric acid and combination of TNFalpha and IFNgamma to induce differentiation. Camptothecin was used for induction of apoptosis. Tested control genes included beta2-microglobulin, GAPDH, 18S ribosomal RNA and abl. GAPDH was found to be the best control gene in the apoptotic system. Different control genes were suitable for different systems where differentiation or senescence was induced. Our results show that attention should be paid to the choice of an appropriate control gene of quantitative real-time RT-PCR for different experimental models and various experimental conditions.


Growing evidence shows that there is an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases among gout patients, especially coronary heart disease (CHD). Screening for CHD in gout patients based on simple clinical factors is still challenging. Here we aim to build a diagnostic model based on machine learning so as to avoid missed diagnoses or over exaggerated examinations as much as possible. Over 300 patient samples collected from Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital were divided into two groups (gout and gout+CHD). The prediction of CHD in gout patients has thus been modeled as a binary classification problem. A total of eight clinical indicators were selected as features for machine learning classifiers. A combined sampling technique was used to overcome the imbalanced problem in the training dataset. Eight machine learning models were used including logistic regression, decision tree, ensemble learning models (random forest, XGBoost, LightGBM, GBDT), support vector machine (SVM) and neural networks. Our results showed that stepwise logistic regression and SVM achieved more excellent AUC values, while the random forest and XGBoost models achieved more excellent performances in terms of recall and accuracy. Furthermore, several high-risk factors were found to be effective indices in predicting CHD in gout patients, which provide insights into the clinical diagnosis.


The use of an effective and simple left ventriculo-femoral shunt in dogs with occlusion of the thoracic aorta is described. This


This article aims to identify the nature the management of the bodies of employees in the context of "post Taylorian" work. In spite of work becoming increasingly abstract, the spatial organisation of bodies and the focus on bodily well-being, have an important place in modern management, which may seem intriguing. The assumption is made here that it is a question of modelling the identity and representations of the executives, engineers, and experts, making them aware that they are subordinate employees like the others, by managing their spatial inscription which evokes for them the image of controlled work forces. If Taylorism aimed to bring man closer to the machine state, modern management uses bodies as vectors of disciplinarisation, the only identity incorporated being that of a subordinate, an individual experience comprised of narcissistic aspirations and satisfactions linked not so much to respect for professionalism but to a benevolent concern for well-being.


Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonize land plants in almost every ecosystem, even in extreme conditions, such as saline soils. In the present work, we report the mycorrhizal capacity of rhizosphere soils collected in the dry desert region of the Minqin Oasis, located in the northwest of China (Gansu province), which is characterized by several halophytes. Lycium spp. and Peganum nigellastrum were used as trap plants in a greenhouse experiment to identify autochthonous AMF associated with the halophytes' rhizospheres. Morphological observations showed the typical AMF structures inside roots. Twenty-six molecularly distinct AMF taxa were recovered from soil and root DNA. The taxonomical diversity mirrors the several AMF adapted to extreme environmental conditions, such as the saline soil of central China. Knowledge of the AMF associated with halophytes may contribute to select specific fungal isolates to set up agriculture strategies for protecting non-halophyte crop plants in saline soils.


INTRODUCTIONOver time, much has changed and evolved in education and teaching techniques. The age of chalk and blackboard allowed students to take notes and highlight key concepts; however, this old-school teaching-learning process was constrained rigorously by the lack of creativity.Without enough diversification in learning and practicing, students always feel difficulty in fully understanding what they learned in the classroom. These troubles consequently cause frustrations, which will discourage students' incentives and interests.The combination of teaching and modem technologies has started ever since the late 20th century, when the use of computer technology and internet started to be applied widely. This also brought profound influence on teaching at all levels. In Vachris (1999) and Coates et al. (2004), the authors analyzed the effectiveness and potential problems of online teaching of Economics at various universities including Christopher Newport University, SUNY Oswego and University of Maryland. The importance of internet technology and how it should be included in the teaching of Economics have also been discussed thoroughly in Agarwal and Bay (1998), Katz and Becker (1999), and Becker (2000). Besides economics, the teaching of many other subjects has also been profoundly influenced by various online applications and it has received plenty of attention ever since the beginning of the 21st century (Bates and Poole, 2003; Switzer and Csapo, 2005; Lawless and Pellegrino, 2007; Bolliger and Wasilik, 2009; Dede and Richards, 2012).As we can find from all these studies, educators have always been searching for a better way to motivate students. Finding an effective homework system, for example, is one of the proposed solutions. How can students' learning interests be stimulated? This new system should be refreshing, eye-catching, and convenient. With a high-tech design and user-friendly interface, both students and teachers can benefit greatly from it. The entire teaching-learning process, therefore, becomes more efficient and better fits our education goals.SaplingLeaming is a good example of this advanced homework program. Being Internetbased, it allows students round-the-clock access to their online assignments and tutorials. It provides various types of questions: multiple choice, matching, and calculation, as well as figure drawing. Featuring an attractive layout, the assignments present diversified methods for the students to practice, study, and truly understand what they have learned. As a result, students feel more attracted and excited, with learning willingness and motivation.SaplingLeaming also brought a great advantage to the teachers as well. Its online test banks include a vast ocean of questions at different difficulty levels, with abundant flexibility in designing homework; immediate help from professional teaching assistants makes things even easier. The grading system offers alterative options; teachers can choose how many times the questions can be accessed and how many points will be deducted each time an incorrect answer is entered.Moreover, it provides accurate feedback on students' work. Upon the completion of each question, a detailed explanation will also be given to help the students fully understand what the relevant knowledge is, as well as how to apply it appropriately. This instant feedback greatly enhances students' impressions of their exercises, as well as how to apply practically their knowledge.In the College of Business Administration (COBA) at Alabama State University, we started using SaplingLeaming during the Spring Semester in 2013. To be specific, the courses are preliminary, such as Principles of Economics I (Principles of Macroeconomics) and II (Principles of Microeconomics). The reason we chose these courses is because they are required for all business majors. Therefore, it avoids potential selection bias. What's more, it gives us a larger sample size for our tests to proceed. …


The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of roe deer and fallow deer on Silver fir planted in small clusters after a clear cut in the Vallombrosa Forest (Florence, Italy). We measured height and deer impact on all firs planted in various sized clusters (from 6 to 59 fir per cluster, distance between firs in the cluster: 15-20 cm). Six years after planting, almost all the young fir were impacted by deer and often showed deviated stem growth as a result of past browsing. The majority of the silver fir saplings were less than one meter high, and were significantly smaller than firs planted inside a fenced control area. Plant position inside the cluster did not affect stem height and number of deer impacts. Height and impact incidenc ewas instead related to fir density within each cluster. We conclude that in a situation of maximum susceptibility to deer impact such as the one we have analyzed, planted firs are strongly affected by deer and cluster planting does not seem successful in reducing this impact.


ABSTRACT Particular types of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) and genital tract infections have been independently associated with risk of HIV-1 acquisition. We examined whether immunity in women using injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), combined oral contraceptives (COC), or no HCs differs by the presence of cervicovaginal infections. Immune mediators were quantified in cervical swabs from 832 HIV-uninfected reproductive-age Ugandans and Zimbabweans. Bacterial infections and HIV were diagnosed by PCR, genital herpes serostatus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), altered microflora by Nugent score, and Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans infection by wet mount. Generalized linear models utilizing Box-Cox-Power transformation examined associations between levels of mediators, infection status, and HCs. In no-HC users, T. vaginalis was associated with broadest spectrum of aberrant immunity (higher interleukin 1β [IL-1β], IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein 3α [MIP-3α], β-defensin 2 [BD2], and IL-1 receptor antigen [IL-1RA]). In women with a normal Nugent score and no genital infection, compared to the no-HC group, COC users showed higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1RA, while DMPA users showed higher levels of RANTES and lower levels of BD2, both associated with HIV seroconversion. These effects of COC were blunted in the presence of gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and an abnormal Nugent score; however, RANTES was increased among COC users with herpes, chlamydia, and abnormal Nugent scores. The effect of DMPA was exacerbated by lower levels of IL-1RA in gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes, SLPI in gonorrhea, and IL-1β, MIP-3α, and IL-1RA/IL1β ratio in trichomoniasis. Thus, the effects of HC on cervical immunity depend on the genital tract microenvironment, and a weakened mucosal barrier against HIV may be a combined resultant of genital tract infections and HC use. IMPORTANCE In this article, we show that in young reproductive-age women most vulnerable to HIV, hormonal contraceptives are associated with altered cervical immunity in a manner dependent on the presence of genital tract infections. Through altered immunity, hormones may predispose women to bacterial and viral pathogens; conversely, a preexisting specific infection or disturbed vaginal microbiota may suppress the immune activation by levonorgestrel or exacerbate the suppressed immunity by DMPA, thus increasing HIV risk by their cumulative action. Clinical studies assessing the effects of contraception on HIV susceptibility and mucosal immunity may generate disparate results in populations that differ by microbiota background or prevalence of undiagnosed genital tract infections. A high prevalence of asymptomatic infections among HC users that remain undiagnosed and untreated raises even more concerns in light of their combined effects on biomarkers of HIV risk. The molecular mechanisms of the vaginal microbiome's simultaneous interactions with hormones and HIV remain to be elucidated. In this article, we show that in young reproductive-age women most vulnerable to HIV, hormonal contraceptives are associated with altered cervical immunity in a manner dependent on the presence of genital tract infections. Through altered immunity, hormones may predispose women to bacterial and viral pathogens; conversely, a preexisting specific infection or disturbed vaginal microbiota may suppress the immune activation by levonorgestrel or exacerbate the suppressed immunity by DMPA, thus increasing HIV risk by their cumulative action. Clinical studies assessing the effects of contraception on HIV susceptibility and mucosal immunity may generate disparate results in populations that differ by microbiota background or prevalence of undiagnosed genital tract infections. A high prevalence of asymptomatic infections among HC users that remain undiagnosed and untreated raises even more concerns in light of their combined effects on biomarkers of HIV risk. The molecular mechanisms of the vaginal microbiome's simultaneous interactions with hormones and HIV remain to be elucidated.


Iota-carrageenan can both enhance agglutinating antibody responses and trigger reaginic antibody production against a protein associated antigen in rats. The present study investigates the strain specificity of this phenomenon and compares the adjuvanticity of high and low molecular weight iota-carrageenan with a series of structurally distinct polysaccharides (pectin, pectic acid, dextran and dextran sulphate). Using ovalbumin as the test antigen, high molecular weight iota-carrageenan induced a potent ovalbumin specific reaginic antibody response in PVG and Hooded Lister strain rats, an intermediate response in Sprague Dawley rats and a weak response in DA, AO and F344 strain rats. Further studies in PVG rats revealed that the nature and magnitude of the antibody response induced was influenced by the type of polysaccharide carrier used. Thus, whereas, high molecular weight carrageenan enhanced the agglutinating antibody (agglutinin) response and simultaneously elicited de novo reaginic antibody production to co-administered ovalbumin, low molecular weight carrageenan facilitated reaginic antibody production but had no effect on the agglutinin response. Pectin and dextran had no effect on the agglutinin response and failed to elicit reaginic antibody production. Conversely, pectic acid and dextran sulphate enhanced the agglutinin response and elicited a transient reaginic anti-ovalbumin response.


Several machine learning algorithms and feature subsets from a variety of particle and magnetic field instruments on-board the Cassini spacecraft were explored for their utility in classifying orbit segments as magnetosphere, magnetosheath or solar wind. Using a list of manually detected magnetopause and bow shock crossings from mission scientists, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression (LR) and recurrent neural network long short-term memory (RNN LSTM) classification algorithms were trained and tested. A detailed error analysis revealed a RNN LSTM model provided the best overall performance with a 93.1% accuracy on the unseen test set and MCC score of 0.88 when utilizing 60 min of magnetometer data (|B|, B θ , B ϕ and B R ) to predict the region at the final time step. RF models using a combination of magnetometer and particle data, spanning H+, He+, He++ and electrons at a single time step, provided a nearly equivalent performance with a test set accuracy of 91.4% and MCC score of 0.84. Derived boundary crossings from each model's region predictions revealed that the RNN model was able to successfully detect 82.1% of labeled magnetopause crossings and 91.2% of labeled bow shock crossings, while the RF model using magnetometer and particle data detected 82.4 and 74.3%, respectively.


There is a diplomatic impasse between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the African Union (AU) regarding accountability for mass atrocities committed in Africa. The AU accuses the ICC of bias against African rulers, in effect, 'Africans', while the ICC insists that as a permanent legal institution, it affords justice to all victims of egregious crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. And so Africans, victims of these crimes, deserve justice too. Since the indictment of the Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, twice for crimes against humanity and then for genocide, the ICC has elicited antipathy from some African rulers and their supporters who perceive it as an adjunct of imperialism encroaching on Africa's sovereignty. However, sovereignty entails responsibility to protect (R2P). The AU Constitutive Act of 2000 affirms this under the non-indifference principle. It is therefore counter-intuitive to accede to international norms and concurrently invoke 'absolute sovereignty' as  some African rulers attempt to do. Africa's conflicts are characterised by mass atrocities owing to weak states that are unable and often unwilling to protect citizens and dispense justice. In some cases these states are themselves perpetrators of heinous crimes, which necessitates intervention by the international community. Historically, realpolitik, self-preservation and geopolitics have marred international criminal justice, and Africa's relationship with the West is steeped in humiliation making some African rulers suspicious of Western-dominated institutions. The perception that the ICC dispenses lopsided justice stems from this history. This paper argues that the choice between justice and peace is a false one since the two mutually reinforce each other, while impunity, if not checked, portends instability in Africa. Keywords: Africa, Kenya, African Union, ICC, R2P, ethnicity, international criminal justice


Digital intravenous ventriculography (DIV) has become increasingly recognized as a useful and reliable approach for evaluating left ventricular (LV) performance. While it might be assumed that the hemodynamic changes caused by intravenous injection of contrast media are less than those caused by direct LV injection, these responses have not actually been compared. Accordingly, the hemodynamic effects of IV and direct LV contrast injections were compared in eight anesthetized dogs instrumented with two pairs of ultrasonic dimension crystals, one to measure LV endocardial segment length and one to measure LV internal dimension, and a LV high-fidelity pressure catheter. The alterations in LV dimension and pressure were similar using both injection techniques, though they were less marked with IV injection. Both routes of injection caused a significant decline in LV pressure (P less than 0.05) which was greatest at 30 seconds after injection, and a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in end-diastolic dimension (which was greatest between 10-30 seconds) and extent of change in LV diameter (P less than 0.01). The afterload reducing effects of the contrast media increased the rate of LV segment length shortening slightly after LV injection but not with IV injection. These data demonstrate no important differences in the hemodynamic response to IV and LV injection of contrast media. The induced hemodynamic changes after IV administration were relatively small in magnitude and transient in duration and probably not sufficient to obviate quantitative analysis of LV dimensions and function by digital intravenous angiography.


An experiment was conducted to evaluate 14new genotypes and released varieties of Pigeon Pea for their resistance or tolerance to bud Weevil Indoza cladustheresiae (Dolla Torre) under natural infestation in pesticide free field about one month prior to observation. In order to assess the degree of infestation 50 buds were randomly picked up from each replication. Bud weevil incidence was recorded with actual larvas inside the buds with the help of magnifying lense and digital USB microscope. On the basis of mean infestation among 14 treatments (4 checks and 10 genotypes) the genotype PT 0911-5-1-1 (5.67 %) and AKTE-1905 (5.67 %) followed by Rajeshwari (10.67 %), BDN 2013-41 (10.67 %) and BDN 2018-2 (10.67 %) were found to be less susceptible whereas genotype BDN-711 (40.67%) and BDN-716 (50.00%) were found to be most susceptible genotypes to bud weevil incidence released varieties


Crosslinked guar gum-g-polyacrylate (cl-GG-g-PA) superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared to explore their potential as soil conditioners and carriers. The hydrogels were prepared by in situ grafting polymerization and crosslinking of acrylamide onto a natural GG followed by hydrolysis. Microwave-initiated synthesis under the chosen experimental conditions did not exhibit any significant improvement over the conventional technique. The optimization studies of various synthesis parameters, namely, monomer concentration, crosslinker concentration, initiator concentration, quantity of water per unit reaction mass, particle size of backbone, and concentration of alkali were performed. The hydrogels were characterized by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and solid-state 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Swelling behavior of a candidate hydrogel [GG-superabsorbent polymer (SAP)] in response to external stimuli, namely, salt solutions, fertilizer solutions, temperature, and pH, was studied. The GG-SAP exhibited significant swelling in various environments. The effect of GG-SAP on water absorption and the retention characteristics of sandy loam soil and soil-less medium were also studied as a function of temperature and moisture tensions. The addition of GG-SAP significantly improved the moisture characteristics of plant growth media (both soil and soil-less), showing that it has tremendous potential for diverse applications in moisture stress agriculture.


Fish habitat of the Edisto River Basin in South Carolina was evaluated using a geographic information system (GIS). A committee of fisheries biologists was formed to evaluate fish habitat within the Basin, and the GIS was used to compile and analyze data and generate maps to represent quality of fish habitat. United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1:24,000-scale digital line graph (DLG) hydrography data were assigned values for data on species composition, predesig- nated protected areas, riparian habitat, dams and impoundments, ditches and channelization, and water quality. Criteria were developed to evaluate fish habitat in the Basin. Each criteria was assigned a point value, and these values were to- taled and subdivided into Value Classes 1, 2, and 3 representing high, moderate, and low quality fish habitat, respectively. Value Class 1 consisted of 92% of the main river reaches and the entire estuarine portion of the Basin. Value Class 2 included many tributaries of the northern upstream half of the Basin. The middle portion of the Basin contained most of the Value Class 3 reaches. Greater than 75% of the 11,000 km of Basin streams contained good fish habitat. Fish habitat was analyzed using a GIS over a larger area and with more comprehensive data sets than fisheries biologists traditionally use. Fisheries biologists could benefit from using GIS products in the prioritization of sampling efforts and in locating mitigation and restoration sites. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast. Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 49:153-166


The events that occurred at Ukrainian NPPs in 2015 and the first six months of 2016 have been analyzed in the areas that characterize operational safety.
The paper presents results of NPP operational events analysis carried out to identify common features and trends that indicate whether there were (or not) inconsistencies during investigation of events, and provides information on the current level of NPP safety. Negative trends have been determined for each NPP site that identify the areas to be improved and require control of the regulatory authority. Causes of negative trends are analyzed individually.
Events with common characteristics were evaluated, with the results to be used for the development and implementation of preventive measures to avoid the reoccurrence of such events. Safety-important areas have been determined for inspections and recommendations have been provided to the operator on the improvement of the operating experience feedback system and increase in the level of operational safety.


The rotational branching ratio in the photoelectron spectrum of has been investigated using synchrotron radiation. At the photon energy , the S branch has a considerably higher relative intensity than when excited with He I (, or with Ne I (, ) radiation.


A compact temperature sensor based on a broadband microfiber coupler tip is demonstrated. The thermometer dynamic range spans from room temperature to 1511 with a response time of tens of milliseconds. This is the highest temperature measured with a silica optical fiber device. A resolution of 0.66 was achieved for a coupler tip diameter of . Better resolution can be achieved with smaller sized microfiber coupler tips.


Many types of switching fabrics have been proposed for use in ATM networks. Multistage Interconnection Networks (MINs) constitute a large class of ATM switching systems that are widely used in today´s internetworking. One of the most veil-known types of multistage networks is the banyan network. The banyan network is attractive for its simple routing scheme and low hardware complexity, but its throughput is very limited due to internal blocking and output contention. In this paper, we propose an input-buffered dual-banyan switch model with multiple switching fabric between switch input and output to avoid internal and Head-of Line blocking. By performance analysis and simulation, we show that our model has a lower ceil delay and 96% throughput which is much better than other banyan-type switch architecture.


Abstract : The results of a recently completed experimental and analytical study showed that the capillary limit of a helically-grooved heat pipe (HGHP) was increased significantly when the transverse body force field was increased. This was due to the geometry of the helical groove wick structure. The objective of the present research was to experimentally determine the performance of revolving helically-grooved heat pipes when the working fluid inventory was varied. This report describes the measurement of the geometry of the heat pipe wick structure and the construction and testing of a heat pipe filling station. In addition, an extensive analysis of the uncertainty involved in the filling procedure and working fluid inventory has been outlined. Experimental measurements include the maximum heat transport, thermal resistance and evaporative heat transfer coefficient of the revolving helically-grooved beat pipe for radial accelerations of \a(r)\ = 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0-g and working fluid fills of G = 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5. An existing capillary limit model was updated and comparisons were made to the present experimental data.


The purpose of this paper is to again call attention very briefly to an almost ideal operation for the relatively rare but distressing deformity, epispadias; and, further, to describe a modification of the original operation which the writer found it necessary to make in the single case on which he had the opportunity of operating. This operation, described by Cantwell1in 1895, performed by Herbert Page,2in 1898, and again by Parham and Martin2in 1900, seems not to have gained the recognition it deserves, and not to have found its way into the recent text-books of surgery. Bryant voices the sentiment of practically all the textbook writers when he says: "The ability to secure as satisfactory results in this deformity as have been secured in hypospadias has not yet been attained." The procedures usually recommended are similar to the plastic operations applicable to the condition of


ABSTRACT In this article we discuss the applicability of several new measurement models to the construction of personality scales, and we contrast these models with more traditional approaches in common usage, such as the principal factor analysis model. Our goal is to illustrate how nonlinear item-response models can be profitably used in personality research. We describe the development of a 30-item Negative Emotionality scale that was constructed using nonlinear factor analysis and item-response theory. We also show how traditional (linear) factor analysis can produce misleading results when it is applied to personality items with dichotomous response formats (e.g., true/false, agree/disagree). No formal training in modern measurement theory is assumed of the reader as we describe the nonlinear models that are used in this study in nontechnical language with a minimum of mathematics.


Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a benign, locally
aggressive, highly vascular tumour often occurring at the superior margin of the
sphenopalatine foramen occurring exclusively in adolescent males.
JNA is uncommon and accounts for approximately 0.5% of all head and
neck neoplasms.
The median age at diagnosis is 15 years. Presenting symptoms commonly
include nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Approximately 20% of patients have
evidence of skull base invasion at the time of diagnosis. JNAs may be hormonally
dependant. Hagen et al studied androgen receptor binding in cultured tumour
fibroblasts from 3 patients with JNA and demonstrated that cell proliferation
increased with testosterone and decreased with antiandrogens.
Spontaneous regression is unlikely but has been observed with increasing
age. The main stay of treatment of JNA is surgical excision. Preoperative role of
devascularizaion is discussed.
In this study , 32 cases were analysed. Nasal obstruction and epistaxis were
the common symptoms noticed in almost all cases.
CT scan was done in all cases . MRI and MRA was done in 7 cases. These
investigations were used to accurately assess the extent of the tumour,vascular
supply of the tumor and plan appropriate surgical procedure. Staging based on
Radowski ' s system, a widely accepted and comprehensive staging system was
employed. Intracranial spread was noted in three cases.
Carotid angiogram with embolistion was done in ten cases. The typical
capillary phase tumour blush was seen in all cases. The internal maxillary artery
was the feeding vessel in all cases. One patient died following the procedure and
another patient had quadriparesis.
External carotid artery ligation in our opinion is a safe and effective method
for decreasing blood loss during surgery. Combined with hypotensive anaesthesia
provides a very good blood less field, essential for complete tumour removal
the efficacy of a particular devascularisation procedure evaluated based on local
control and complications. External carotid artery ligation is the best procedure in
preoperative devascularisation of JNA excision. Death and cerebrovascular accident mainly in embolised ,recurrent
cases.Embolisation better avoided in recurrent cases.No major complication
encounterd in external carotid artery ligation,both primary aswellas recurrent
cases.In our study external carotid artery ligation was the best way to devascularise
the surgically managed advance cases of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.


Tumor cells often develop drug resistance through overexpression of membrane transport proteins that effectively efflux anticancer agents. The pharmacologies of the two best-studied transporters, P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and MRP1, are partially overlapping but distinct. To improve the therapeutic potential of drug resistance reversing agents, we have developed a program to identify compounds with selectivity for Pgp or MRP1. Screening of a commercial library of compounds identified indoloquinoxaline compounds with transporter selectivity, and certain examples were synthesized and further evaluated. 1,4-Dibutoxy-6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline and 4,7-dibutoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzimidazole-2-spiro-3-indolin-2-one were synthesized by condensation of 3,6-dibutoxy-1,4-diaminobenzene and isatin. Neither compound was cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells, nor did either one affect the sensitivity of MCF-7/VP or HL-60/ADR cells at doses up to at least 20 microM, indicating that they do not antagonize MRP1. In contrast, each compound, at doses as low as 0.25 microM, sensitized NCI/ADR cells to vinblastine, actinomycin D, Taxol, and doxorubicin, indicating that they effectively reverse Pgp-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR). Furthermore, the compounds sensitized two additional cell lines that overexpress Pgp to this panel of anticancer drugs. However, these compounds did not affect the sensitivities of MCF-7 or T24 cells to these cytotoxic drugs, and did not alter the sensitivities of any of the tested cell lines to cisplatin or 5-fluorouracil. Both compounds enhanced the intracellular accumulation of [3H]vinblastine by NCI/ADR cells, but did not inhibit photoaffinity labeling of Pgp by [3H]azidopine at concentrations up to at least 100 microM. Therefore, these novel nontoxic indoloquinoxalines selectively sensitize Pgp-overexpressing cells to drugs that are subject to transport by this protein, without modulating the sensitivities of MRP1-overexpressing or non-Pgp cells to cytotoxic drugs. Because of this transporter selectivity, we predict that these compounds will be effective MDR modulators in vivo.


Formulas were developed to define tremor dominant (TD) and postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD) phenotypes of Parkinson's Disease (PD) using the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS). TD and PIGD designations, based on the original Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), provided useful designations for classifying different phenotypes of PD. With the advent of the MDS‐UPDRS, a valid set of calculations for these phenotypes is needed.


Three-dimensional media is a unique and efficient means to virtually visit/observe objects that cannot be easily reached otherwise, like the International Space Station. The advent of auto-stereoscopic displays and stereo projection system is making the stereo media available to larger audiences than the traditional scientists and design engineers communities. It is foreseen that a major demand for 3D content shall come from the entertainment area. Taking advantage of the 6 months long permanence on the International Space Station of a colleague European Astronaut, Thomas Reiter, the Erasmus Centre uploaded to the ISS a newly developed, fully digital stereo camera, the Erasmus Recording Binocular. Testing the camera and its human interfaces in weightlessness, as well as accurately mapping the interior of the ISS are the main objectives of the experiment that has just been completed at the time of writing. The intent of this paper is to share with the readers the design challenges tackled in the development and operation of the ERB camera and highlight some of the future plans the Erasmus Centre team has in the pipeline.


The karyotypes of Biomphalaria tenagophila collected from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were studied using the air-drying method. Somatic cells of this species had 2n=36. The 18 chromosome pairs were identified and classified into 3 groups. The diploid cell has 7 pairs of metacentric, 8 pairs of submetacentric, and 3 pairs of subtelocentric chromosomes. Observed chromosomes ranged from 2.4 to 6.4 µm, and the total length was 122.3 µm. This is the first report on the chromosome of B. tenagophila.


The memory wall and global data movement have become the dominant performance bottleneck for many scientific applications. New characterizations of data access streams and related benchmarks to measure their performances are therefore needed to compare HPC systems, software, and programming paradigms effectively. In this paper, we introduce a novel global data access benchmark, Apex-Map. It is a parameterized synthetic performance probe and integrates concepts for temporal and spatial locality into its design. We measured Apex-Map performance for a whole range of temporal and spatial localities on several advanced processors and parallel computing platforms and use the generated performance surfaces forperformance comparisons and to study the characteristics of these different architectures. We demonstrate that the results of Apex-Map clearly reflect many specific characteristics of the used systems. We also show the utility of Apex-Map for analyzing the performance effects of three leading parallel programming models and demonstrate their relative merits.


Material, orientation and topography of episcleral buckling procedures are examined concerning the motility and the binocular functions of the eyes after retinal detachment surgery. The preoperative binocular state is of peculiar interest because also congenital palsies and heterophorias may be followed by a postoperative disturbance of the binocular vision. Some points that may contribute to a reduction of the amount and duration of these disturbances are discussed.


To evaluate the effect of feasible strategies to mitigate dairy herd's environmental impact in a homogeneous area, the actual level of N excretion and conversion efficiency was determined in fifteen farms located in the North-West of Italy. Main factors affecting N efficiency (feeds consumption and composition, live weight, productions, milk urea and reproductive indexes) were recorded for cows (C), heifers (H, 12-24 months) and young heifers (YH, 6-12 months). N requirements, retention, excretion and efficiency were calculated. N excretion was respectively 131.39, 60.88 and 47.49 kg/year/head for C, H and YH and 14.07 kg/year per litre of milk in C. Feed N conversion efficiency was respectively 28.40, 8.90 and 6.64 in C, H and YH. In the studied farms N efficiency could be increased acting on the most important factors affecting N utilisation, so reducing the environmental impact of dairy cattle.


The novel organic–inorganic molecular brush composed of macrocyclic oligomeric silsesquioxane (MOSS) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) (denoted by PNIPAAm@MOSS) was synthesized via the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) approach. In bulk, the organic–inorganic molecular brushes were microphase-separated; the spherical MOSS microdomains with the diameter of 10–50 nm were dispersed into a continuous PNIPAAm matrix. Depending on the lengths of PNIPAAm chains, the PNIPAAm@MOSS molecular brushes were capable of self-assembling into cylindrical or spherical nano-objects in aqueous solutions as evidenced by transmission election microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Both micro-differential scanning calorimetry (Micro-DSC) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy showed that the MOSS backbones exerted significant restriction of coil-to-globule transition of PNIPAAm chains.


The antibiotic gramicidin A (1.10(-6) M) increases the K+ conductance of normal and detubulated frog skeletal muscle fibres in isotonic K2SO4 solution to a steady-state level, which is reached in 6--9 min, and corresponds to 8058 +/- 1669 and 5767 +/- 902 Om-1. 10(-6)/cm2, resp. There is no correlation between the initial K+ conductance and the value of the steady state of gramicidin A-induced conductance (r = 0.24). According to the dimer hypothesis, the dissociation rate constant of the garmicidin channels was found to be 0.006 +/- 0.0001 sec-1. This result supports the suggestion of a higher stability of gramicidin channels in muscle compared to the bimolecular lipid membranes.


Abstract Purpose: To evaluate binding of P-selectin targeted microbubbles (MB) in tumor vasculature; a whole-body imaging and biodistribution study was performed in a tumor bearing mouse model. Methods: Antibodies were radiolabeled with Tc-99 m using the HYNIC method. Tc-99 m labeled anti-P-selectin antibodies were avidin-bound to lipid-shelled, perfluorocarbon gas-filled MB and intravenously injected into mice bearing MDA-MB-231 breast tumors. Whole-body biodistribution was performed at 5 min (n = 12) and 60 min (n = 4) using a gamma counter. Tc-99 m-labeled IgG bound IgG-control-MB group (n = 12 at 5 min; n = 4 at 60 min), Tc-99 m-labeled IgG-control-Ab group (n = 5 at 5 min; n = 3 at 60 min) and Tc-99 m-labeled anti P-selectin-Ab group (n = 5 at 5 min; n = 3 at 60 min) were also evaluated. Planar gamma camera imaging was also performed at each time point. Results: Targeted-MB retention in tumor (60 min: 1.8 ± 0.3% ID/g) was significantly greater (p = 0.01) than targeted-MB levels in adjacent skeletal muscle at both time points (5 min: 0.7 ± 0.2% ID/g; 60 min: 0.2 ± 0.1% ID/g) while there was no significant difference (p = 0.17) between muscle and tumor retention for the IgG-control-MB group at 5 min. Conclusions: P-selectin targeted MBs were significantly higher in tumor tissue, as compared with adjacent skeletal tissue or tumor retention of IgG-control-MB.


Using interview data on LGBT young people's policing experiences, I argue policing and security works as a program of government (Dean 1999; Foucault 1991; Rose 1999) that constrains the visibilities of diverse sexuality and gender in public spaces. While young people narrated police actions as discriminatory, the interactions were complex and multi-faceted with police and security working to subtly constrain the public visibilities of 'queerness'. Same sex affection, for instance, was visibly yet unverifiably (Mason 2002) regulated by police as a method of governing the boundaries of proper gender and sexuality in public. The paper concludes by noting how the visibility of police interactions with LGBT young people demonstrates to the public that public spaces are, and should remain, heterosexual spaces.


This paper explores key factors supporting institutional transformation in private, non-profit universities in the Southeast. Beginning with a review of relevant literature on higher education today, organizational transformation, and change in colleges and universities, it proceeds to analyze the successful growth and change achieved by Belmont University, High Point University, and Elon University over the last seven years. Through interviews with key leaders at each institution and subsequent thematic coding, the study identifies nine critical factors supporting transformational change in private universities: focused, visionary leadership; strategic planning; building facilities, then endowment; expansion of graduate programs; intentional community relations; faculty and curriculum development; mission-centrism; market niche, and lower-need students. The study finds key differences in financial management, pace of change, and stage in the transformation process. The author recommends further study in these areas as well as in the sustainability of transformational change in the university setting, the relationship between presidential leadership and strategic change, and in the effectiveness of strategic planning frameworks.


Developments in technology allow the use of different tools and methods for educational purposes. New technologies affect the health sector quickly and provide convenience in many applications. It is expected that virtual reality will be used widely in healthcare services in the near future. With regard to nursing and other health professions, a major concern around the world is the limited opportunities available for practice in the clinical setting, mainly due to the lack of clinical placement sites and the priority of patient safety. Many studies have highlighted the theory-practice gap between the theoretical abstractions learned in academic education and the practical skills required for their application in real-world professional practice environments. User training in biomedical services is the most important step in preventing malfunctions and making the right intervention to the patient. Virtual reality is already used in many areas such as surgical planning, surgery applications, phobia treatment, stress disorders in the health sector, It is to adapt the augmented virtual reality technology to the health sector to make education healthier and more efficient with this study. We predict that this gap between theory and practice in education can be overcome with VR simulation, taking into account clinical concerns and insufficiencies.


Indian Banking industry is witnessing an unprecedented competition. To stay ahead, banks are coming up with plethora of services to lure customers. Services including 24-hours banking, Service at door step, Telephone banking, Internet banking, Extended Business Hours (EBH), Speedy processing are only a few to mention. Greater part of today's bank transactions take place somewhere else other than in branch premises. This shows the growth of "virtual" banks in India. With convenience, speed, efficiency and effectiveness, these virtual banks, in effect have opened up a new world of possibilities and brought major changes in providing a broad range of services. Virtual banks are now seen as an answer to the challenge of designing a new service channel that is fully secure, functional and which customers can readily learn to use and trust it. Virtual banking, a powerful "value added" tool, has become the focal point for banks to attract and retain customers. Though, the aim of these services is to satisfy customers, there is a need to understand customer awareness, perception and importantly the level of satisfaction. In the present research work, attempts are made to measure these issues on four virtual banking services offered by banks in Berhampur city. These services include Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Telephone Banking, Internet Banking and Integrated Voice Response System (IVRS). This is possibly going to be reflected in the feedbacks from the selected sample respondents, based on a structured questionnaire of a 3-point Likert scale. The questionnaire, containing demographics of the customer, issues of awareness, perception and the level of satisfaction are very well interpreted with the help of simple random sampling method. Through the findings of the study, we wish to express that, banks have to do a lot to take advantage of virtual banking services.


Music therapy can decrease illness- and treatment-related symptoms for adults in medical settings. In these environments, service users often decide to accept or decline music therapy after a brief introduction by the music therapist. As there is limited literature exploring the challenges related to these introductions, the purpose of this interpretivist study was to describe how music therapists introduce music therapy in the form of patient-preferred live music (MT-PPLM) in adult medical settings to augment the likelihood of patients accepting treatment. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine participants who had experience providing MT-PPLM in adult medical settings. In this exploratory interpretivist study, we used an inductive approach to thematic analysis and incorporated member-checking to augment trustworthiness and credibility of the results. We identified three themes (supported by eight subthemes depicted in parentheses): (A) Offer patient a unique interaction through verbal and nonverbal techniques (Provide opportunities for patient control; Engage patient through nonmedical dialogue; and Use affect and body language to convey a different demeanor); (B) Clarify expectations related to patient and session (Avoid the word "therapy"; Use the music to explain the intervention; and Mention clinical benefits to describe what the patient can expect from the session); and (C) Respond to patient's verbal and nonverbal communication (Assess patient and adapt introduction; and Validate patient's response). The findings offer introductory techniques for music therapists that may increase the likelihood of adults in medical settings accepting MT-PPLM. Implications for clinical practice, ethical considerations, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.


Macro-invertebrates may serve as vectors of fish and human exposure to heavy metals and little or no information exist on the heavy metals concentrations in macro-invertebrates of Dadin kowa Dam. Therefore, the need to determine the heavy metals concentration in the most available macro-invertebrates (Anax junius, Pontala flavescences, Lanistes libycus, Nepa cinerea, Dyticus dauricus) of the Dam. All samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Bulk scientific, model 205). The result indicates that the concentration pattern of heavy metals in all the macro-invertebrates were in the order of Mg>Mn>Co>Cr>Ni>Cu>Cd>Pb. The bio-concentration factors were calculated in order to know the relationship between the concentrations of heavy metals in the macro-invertebrates and their surrounding environment (sediment). The pattern of bio-concentration factors in A. junius, P. flavescences, L. libycus, N. cinerea and D. dauricus were in the order of Co>Mn>Cu>Cr>Mg>Cd>Ni>Pb,Cu>Mn>Co>Cr>Mg>Cd>Ni>Pb,Co>Mg>Mn>Cu>Cr>Cd>Ni>Pb,Cu>Mn>Cr>Mg>Co>Ni>Cd>Pb and Mn>Cu>Cr>Mg>Cd>Pb>Co>Ni respectively. The result suggests that heavy metals uptake by the macro-invertebrates do not exclusively depend on the concentration levels by sediment exposure alone but may largely depends on their feed, feeding habits and biochemical needs of individual macro-invertebrates. The bio-concentration factors estimated here provide a useful tool for predicting fish and human exposure to Heavy metals via macro-invertebrates.


Multivariate analysis on 15 habitat variables and quantitative data on foraging and interactive behaviour were used to investigate habitat selection in the White-plumed Honeyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus) and the Fuscous Honeyeater (Lichenostomus fuscus) at an area of sympatry in woodland in New England Tablelands. Thirty-nine plots from four sites were used to examine significant differences in habitat utilization during the breeding period. The White-plumed Honeyeater associated strongly with narrow belts of riverine Casuarina while the Fuscous Honeyeater was associated with Eucalyptus in the extensive eucalypt woodland. The narrow ecotone was used by both species, but the two occurred together only in an extremely narrow zone. Changes in foraging activities were observed between this overlap zone and non-overlap zone. Both niche breadth and overlap in relation to four measures of foraging were reduced in plots where species were in joint occurrence compared with where they were not, although overlap in most measures of foraging remained high. The number of encounters between the two highly aggressive and abundant species was not great. Thus, the species appear generally to avoid each other. The observed spacing pattern may result from prior experience of intense aggressive interactions. Distinct habitat features could provide easily recognized cues for the maintenance of local horizontal separation. Other factors such as slight differences in morphology, habitat preference, foraging and physiology may enhance differences in habitat selection.


ROSAT is a scientific spacecraft designed to perform the first all-sky survey with a high-resolution X-ray telescope and to investigate the emission of specific celestial sources. The mission can be broadly divided into three phases: calibration, survey and pointing. This paper describes the mission planning aspects of the project and a software system which has been developed to perform the different functions required of the ROSAT project.


Introduction: Viral Hepatitis is not drawing the attention from all levels of stakeholders while the prevalence and incidence is silently growing. As World Health Organization has adopted a resolution to raise the profile, attention and resources towards fight against Hepatitis, this article could help sensitize readers about the need and possible way forward in their respective settings. Aims: To Raise the profile of Hepatitis and draw attention of Policymakers, Professional bodies and stakeholders from Public and Private sector. Methods and Material: This article is a review of the existing information, basis the sources mentioned and author's efforts in this regard. Results: The adoption of resolution WHA 63.18 by the World Health Assembly in 2010 and subsequent discussion in WHA 2014 offers immense opportunity to understand the gaps in policy and practice and collate the existing knowledge or generate new information, to excite policymakers and guide them take informed decisions. Conclusions: Hepatitis is a much serious issue than we all believe, only concerted efforts by public health community could lead the way forward. Key Message: Viral Hepatitis impacts all Health Care Professionals, being a major occupational hazard. Thus, it is our community, which should lead comprehensive approach to excite and guide policymakers take informed decisions in fight against Viral Hepatitis.


The paper contains a description of fatigue life tests of titan-steel bimetal. The study involved specimens made of bimetal which was a combination of S355J2 steel and SB G1 265 titanium, which was imposed in the material by explosive cladding method. The research shows that the fatigue life of specimens made of native material, derived from cladded plate is less than the life of specimens of titanium-steel bimetal.


This research aimed to describe husbands' social support and anxiety in mothers who have experienced mom-shaming in Malang city. A quantitative and descriptive correlational approach was used. The study aimed to determine whether there was a relationship between these two variables. Data were collected using The Husband's Social Support Scale and The Mother's Anxiety Scale. 118 women participated with the following characteristics: (a) mothers who have experienced mom-shaming; (2) mothers who have double roles such as a role as a wife and mother; and (3) residence in Malang. The research findings produced a Pearson correlation of -0.349 with a p-value < 0.05. Based on this result, it can be concluded that there is a negative correlation between husbands' social support and mothers' anxiety.
Keywords: husbands' social support, anxiety, mom-shaming


abstract:Rabi'a Al-Adawiya (ca. 717–801) and Julian of Norwich (ca. 1343–1416) offer fertile ground for comparative study, but they have yet to be studied together in depth. This article is the first sustained comparative analysis of these two crucial voices, each dominant in research on Islamic and Christian love respectively. There are powerful correspondences between the contemplatives' approaches to divine love. Both Julian and Rabi'a seek an apprehension of the ineffable Beloved in their prose and poetry respectively. Attention will rest primarily on these women's approaches to divine familiarity and indwelling; these approaches are enshrined in their prayer practice and in their imaged enclosures.


A gradient method for finding the optimum allocation of load to the energy resources of a hydrothermal system, suitable for use with digital computers, is presented. The operating restrictions are treated simultaneously with the optimization procedure by the use of slack variables. Transmission losses are taken into account.


ABSTRACT Biomineralization is the process by which biominerals, minerals composed of bioinorganic matter possessing a controlled structure and orientation and a biomacromolecular assembly with an ordered structure that acts as a 3D template, are formed. In this study, we investigated the fabrication of organic/inorganic hybrid gels by bioinspired mineralization in peptide hydrogels. An Ac-(VHVEVS)3-CONH2 peptide was used as a multifunctional template with a mineral source supply capability and structural controllability that facilitates the formation of hydrogels via self-assembly. Hydrogels with varying viscoelastic strengths were prepared from the designed peptide by controlling the concentration of calcium ions added as cross-linking agents. The peptide hydrogel supplied carbonate anions as the mineral source through the hydrolysis of urea and mineralized CaCO3 with controlled morphology on the peptide network. With increases in the concentration of calcium ions added, the morphology of the mineralized CaCO3 changed from a fibrous structure to a thin film. This implies that the nucleation and growth mechanisms of CaCO3 formed by bioinspired mineralization were affected not only by the morphology and supply rate of the mineral source by the peptide network acting as a multifunctional template, but also by the viscoelastic strength of the hydrogel that served as a 3D reaction field. Graphical abstract


This paper proposes a frequency-domain method of substructure identification for local health monitoring using substructure isolation method (SIM). The first key step of SIM is the numerical construction of the isolated substructure, which is a virtual and independent structure that has the same physical parameters as the real substructure. Damage identification and local monitoring can be then performed using the responses of the simple isolated substructure and any of the classical methods aimed originally at global structural analysis. This paper extends the SIM to frequency domain, which allows the computational efficiency of the method to be significantly increased in comparison to time domain. The mass-spring numerical model is used to introduce the method. Two aluminum beams with the same substructure are then used in experimental verification. In both cases the method performs efficiently and accurately.


We discuss the structure of the non-anticommutative N = 2 non-linear σmodel in two dimensions, constructing differential operators which implement the deformed supersymmetry generators and using them to reproduce the classical action. We then compute the one-loop quantum corrections and express them in a more compact form using the differential operators.


The study included 26 patients with stage Ia1 – Ib1 cervical cancer who underwent organ-preserving surgery (transabdominal trachelectomy). To visualize sentinel lymph nodes, lymphoscintigraphy with injection of radioactive lymphotropic isotope, 99mTc-labelled nanocolloid, was performed the day before surgery. Intraoperative identification of sentinel lymph nodes using gamma probe was carried out to assess which lymph nodes had taken up the radionuclide. Detection of sentinel lymph nodes in cervical cancer patients can accurately predict the pelvic lymph node status, assess the stage of the disease, individualize the extent of surgery and determine indications for organpreserving surgery.


When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place-- What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? (Ps 8:4) Introduction TO BEHOLD THE HEAVENS AND GAZE upon the infinite expanse of a star-studded sky, indeed to ponder any vista of creation's splendor is to be drawn not merely into the mystery of creation, the intricacies of cause and effect; rather, to ponder the mystery of things is to be inevitably drawn into the meaning of the human person. The splendor of being thrusts us back upon ourselves and calls us to question the meaning of our own existence. (1) Does our Catholic intellectual tradition help us navigate such questions? Is there a distinctive Catholic voice crying in the wilderness? If we are to live up to the claim made by Pope Paul VI in Populorum progressio and echoed again by Pope John Paul II in Veritatis splendor in which they speak of the Church as "an expert in humanity," we cannot be indifferent to these fundamental issues. (2) Ever ancient, ever new, the Church enters again into that perennial contemplation of creation and creature; it is an ancient exercise now framed in the more contemporary language of "environment," "stewardship," and "care of the earth." Without diminishing the necessary contributions of scientists, economists, philosophers, and theologians of other traditions, I propose that Catholicism, with its comprehensive theological anthropology and vision of the created order, is especially prepared to illuminate some of the most fundamental aspects of this complex problem. In contrast to those who have suggested that Christianity itself is the source of our environmental problems, I propose that the Church is our principal hope for renewing the face of the earth. All those who are concerned about the issues surrounding the care of the environment should recognize in the tradition of our common faith not the cause of the problem, but the hope for a way forward. This bold claim has to overcome the inertia in the minds of those who see the Church, perhaps Christianity more generally, as the source of many of our environmental problems. Christians and Creation In a famous essay published in 1967 titled "The Historical Roots of our Ecologic Crisis," Professor Lynn White Jr. traces the roots of the current problem to that era in Western Christianity (around A.D. 1000) when a shift in the character of theological reflection upon the created order emerges--away from what might be considered a more contemplative and iconic appreciation, toward a greater emphasis on the analysis of the order of causality and the nature of the divine rationality at work. (3) From this point on, White suggests, there emerged an increasing identification between knowing the world (scientia) and technically manipulating the world (techne), between the most reliable knowledge of the order of things and our technological domination of things, with techne usurping the more contemplative, speculative character of a traditional scientia. Clearly, the transition didn't happen overnight, but by the time of the eighteenth century, the positing of the existence of God became increasingly unnecessary in constructing an understanding of the created order. Nature no longer disclosed the creative power of a personal God as much as a faceless system of a mechanistic order of causes. White's thesis that the origins of our ecological crisis have their roots in Christianity has been frequently repeated in one form or another ever since, as others have suggested that religion, especially Western Christianity, is responsible for many of the environmental challenges we are now facing. Roderick Nash, in his well-known work titled Wilderness and the American Mind, takes up this thesis about the Christian roots of our ecological distress, citing White's essay specifically. …


In order to investigate fundamental features of mag-netohydrodynamic (MHD) channel flows a closed liquid-metal circuit has been designed and manufactured in the MEKKA laboratory at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. This loop, which uses GaInSn as a model fluid, provides a flexible tool for studying properties of MHD lows and testing techniques for measuring electric potential and velocity for later use during experiments in ITER test blanket modules. Of particular interest is for instance the investigation of the stability of laminar MHD duct flow, the onset of turbulence and formation of quasi-2D turbulent structures as expected in intense magnetic fields. The main features of the loop are described and some numerical results used during its design are outlined.


In order to understand better the way in which the emerging field of citizenship education is being characterised we reflect on work emerging from a higher education network (citizED) for citizenship education. Three of the four authors of this article are closely involved in that network. CitizED was established with funding from the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) (now the Training and Development Agency for Schools, TDA) in order to establish a network and provide resources to support the initial training of citizenship teachers. We analysed download data from the network's website, a sample of the resources produced by the network, and interviewed a sample of users and developers. In this article we identify who is using the resources, how they are using them and what form of citizenship education is developing as a result. We argue that there is now a clear citizenship teacher education community that uses common resources for a variety of purposes. We suggest that there is some consensus in relation to the official characterisation of citizenship, but that 'turf wars' still exist in this contested field.


Monogenic hyperlipidemias are a group of inherited disorders characterized by elevated plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins. High plasma concentrations of lipids are the most frequent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Monogenic hyperlipidemias are a minor cause with respect to multifactorial hyperlipidemias. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and lipid panel measurements. Genetic testing is useful for confirming diagnosis and for differential diagnosis, recurrence risk calculation and prenatal diagnosis in families with a known mutation. Monogenic hyperlipidemias can have either autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance. (www.actabiomedica.it)


Group I allergens, from eight different clinically important grass pollens of the Pooideae (rye-grass, canary, Kentucky bluegrass, orchard and timothy), Chloridoideae (Bermuda grass) and Panicoideae (Johnson grass, maize) were isolated by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subjected to limited partial proteolysis and cyanogen bromide cleavage. The generated digests were visualised on gels by silver staining. Replicate gels were blotted and screened with Lolp I-specific mAb FMC A1 and IgE binding to an allergic human serum pool, to determine the degree of antigenic and IgE-binding similarities, respectively. The highest antigenic and IgE-binding similarities were between orchard and rye-grass pollens, both in the same tribe Poeae, and among the closely related grass genera. No peptide mapping of major grass pollen allergens has previously been undertaken. This study proves peptide mapping is a powerful method for the preliminary identification and internal amino acid microsequencing of common antigenic and IgE-binding determinants of allergens, providing information that is useful in the development of reagents for the treatment of grass-pollen-associated allergies.


This dissertation investigates two ways in which personality psychology should move beyond the traditional approach of measuring personality with broad domains composed of trait descriptors, as exemplified by the Big Five taxonomy. The first study (Chapter 2) suggests an alternative to the traditional approach of aggregating personality items into domains. Mounting evidence indicates that, compared to domains, narrower measures of personality account for more variance in criteria and describe personality-criterion relationships more accurately. Analysis of individual personality items is the most granular approach to studying personality and is typically performed with statistical learning techniques (SLTs). The first study: (a) champions a new statistical learning technique, BISCUIT; (b) finds that BISCUIT provides a balance between prediction and parsimony; and (c) replicates previous findings that the broadness of the Big Five traits hinder their predictive power.The second study (Chapter 3) suggests an alternative to the traditional approach of measuring personality with trait descriptors, or "traditional personality items." Of the three patterns commonly associated with personality (cognitions, emotions, and behaviors), behaviors are the least studied; traditional personality items tend to measure cognitions and emotions. Historically, yearlong patterns of specific behaviors have been thought of as criteria of personality measures, but the second study posits they should be classified as personality items because they measure patterns of behavior, a component of personality. The second study reviews and extends two pilot studies that indicated behavioral frequencies predict life outcomes, sometimes better than traditional personality items. The second study: (a) estimates the extent to which behavioral frequencies strengthen personality-criterion relationships above traditional personality items; (b) determines that some criteria are differentially predicted by personality item type; and (c) publishes an updated, public-domain item pool of behavioral frequencies: the BARE (Behavioral Acts, Revised and Expanded) Inventory.


Anaerobic metabolism of most aromatic acids is initiated by coenzyme A thioester formation. Rhodopseudomonas palustris grows well under anaerobic, phototrophic conditions with many aromatic acids, including benzoate and 4-hydroxybenzoate, as a carbon source. A coenzyme A ligase that reacts with 4-hydroxybenzoate was purified from 4-hydroxybenzoate-grown cells of R. palustris. This enzyme required MgATP, reduced coenzyme A, and 4-hydroxybenzoate, benzoate, or cyclohex-1,4-dienecarboxylate for optimal activity but also used phosphopantetheine, cyclohex-2,5-dienecarboxylate, and 4-fluorobenzoate at lower rates. The 4-hydroxybenzoate-coenzyme A ligase differed in molecular characteristics from a previously described benzoate-coenzyme A ligase from R. palustris, and the two ligases did not cross-react immunologically. The gene encoding the 4-hydroxybenzoate enzyme was cloned and sequenced. The deduced gene product showed about 20% amino acid identity with bacterial coenzyme A ligases involved in aerobic degradation of aromatic acids. An R. palustris mutant carrying a disrupted 4-hydroxybenzoate-coenzyme A ligase gene was unable to grow with 4-hydroxybenzoate under anaerobic conditions, indicating that the enzyme is essential for anaerobic degradation of this compound.


A 16-stage constant-threshold-voltage type charge pump was designed and fabricated in a standard CMOS 0.18-/spl mu/m process. With an input clock voltage of less than 1.2 V, the maximum possible output voltage is 14.8 V, with a 65 psec rise time. The charge pump employs metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors in order to minimize the chip area (0.8 /spl times/ 0.9 mm/sup 2/). This circuit is intended for generating on-chip actuation voltages for microelectro-mechanical devices and systems (MEMS).


During surgical intervention in medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients, diagnosed with either mesial temporal lobe sclerosis (MTS)‐ or tumor (T)‐associated TLE, biopsies were taken from the anterior temporal neocortex and the hippocampal region. Synaptosomes, isolated from these biopsies were used to study intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i), and glutamate and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) contents and release. All synaptosomal preparations demonstrated a basal [Ca2+]i of about 200 nM, except neocortical synaptosomes from MTS‐associated TLE patients (420 nM). K+‐induced depolarization resulted in a robust increase of the basal [Ca2+]i in all preparations. Neocortical synaptosomes from TLE patients contained 22.9 ± 3.0 nmol glutamate and 4.6 ± 0.5 nmol GABA per milligram synaptosomal protein, whereas rat cortical synaptosomes contained twice as much glutamate and four times as much GABA. Hippocampal synaptosomes from MTS‐associated TLE patients, unlike those from T‐associated TLE patients, contained about 70% less glutamate and 55% less GABA than neocortical synaptosomes. Expressed as percentage of total synaptosomal content, synaptosomes from MTS‐associated TLE patients exhibited an increased basal and a reduced K+‐induced glutamate and GABA release compared to rat cortical synaptosomes. In MTS‐associated TLE patients, only GABA release from neocortical synaptosomes was partially Ca2+‐dependent. Control experiments in rat synaptosomes demonstrated that at least part of the reduction in K+‐induced release can be ascribed to resection‐induced hypoxia in biopsies. Thus, synaptosomes from MTS‐associated TLE patients exhibit a significant K+‐induced increase in [Ca2+]i, but the consequent release of glutamate and GABA is severely impaired. Our data show that at least part of the differences in glutamate and GABA content and release between human biopsy material and fresh rat tissue is due to the resection time. J. Neurosci. Res. 60:686–695, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Partially compatible binary mixtures of linear flexible polymers are considered in the presence of a wall which preferentially adsorbs one component. Using a Flory-Huggins type mean field approach, it is shown that in typical cases at two-phase coexistence the wall is always « wet », i.e. coated with a macroscopically thick layer of the preferred phase, and the transition to the non wet state occurs at volume fractions of the order of 1/~N (where N is the chain length) at the coexistence curve. Both first and second order wetting transitions are found, and the variation of the surface layer thickness, surface excess energy and related quantities through the transition is studied. We discuss both the validity of the long wavelength approximation involved in our treatment, and pos- sible fluctuation effects for « critical wetting », comparing our results to Monte Carlo simulations of wetting in Ising models. The relation of our results to previous work and possible experimental consequences are also briefly mentioned.


With the goal of understanding the true extent of intimate partner violence (IPV), researchers have put tremendous effort over the past 20 years developing, revising, and assessing IPV screening instruments. The enhancements made in IPV instrumentation reflect our improved understanding of the nature of IPV. Unfortunately, as is often the case with progress, we are presently at the stage where IPV researchers have an arsenal of multiple IPV screens that are, in some cases, slightly different, whereas in others, the differences are sizeable. This article explores the evolution and variation of a sample of IPV screens. To further progress in IPV research, we must make conscious decisions concerning the best tool for our individual research. Simultaneously, we must enhance our understanding of how these IPV screening instruments overlap so that comparisons of IPV prevalence or incidence across time and population are possible.


Fossil energy is widely used since the 1900s to satisfy the global increasing energy demand. However, combustion is a process releasing pollutants such as CO2 and NOx. One of the major challenges of the 21th century is to reduce these emissions and car man- ufacturers are involved in this race. To increase fuel efficiency of piston engines, some technical solutions are developed such as 'downsizing'. It consists in reducing the engine size while maintaining its performances using a turbocharger to increase the trapped mass in the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, downsizing can lead to abnormal com- bustions: intense cycle to cycle variations can appear, the fresh mixture can auto-ignite (ignition before spark-plug ignition) leading to knock or rumble. Large Eddy Simulation has proven to be a reliable tool to predict these abnormal combustions in real engines. However, such computations are performed using models to predict the flame propagation in the combustion chamber. Theses models are generally based on correlations derived in cases where turbulence is assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic. Defining theo- retically or numerically such a turbulence is a simple task but experimentally it is more challenging. This thesis focuses on a apparatus used in most experimental systems: fans stirred vessel. The objective of this work is twofold:
1) characterize the turbulence generated inside the vessel to check wether it is homo- geneous and isotropic or not,
2) finely characterize laminar and turbulent combustion in this setup in order to in- crease the knowledge in this field, and thereby improve models used.
First, a laminar flame propagation study has been conducted to address both confine- ment and curvature effects on the laminar flame speed in a spherical configuration. The main difficulty to perform the simulation of the whole configuration consists in finding a numerical method able to compute accurately the flow generated by one fan and able to handle six fans simultaneously too. Two numerical methodologies have been tested. First an Immersed Boundaries method was implemented. Despite good results obtained on academic test cases, this method was shown to be unadapted to compute accurately the flow generated by one fan. On the other hand, a numerical approach, coming from turbomachinery calculations and based on code coupling (called MISCOG), demonstrates its ability to do it and it is used to compute the flow generated by the six fans inside the closed vessel. Non-reacting flow is first analyzed and reveals a zone at the vessel center of around 6 cm of diameter where mean velocity is near zero and turbulence is almost homogeneous and isotropic. After that, the premixed fresh mixture is ignited depositing a hot gases kernel at the vessel center and the turbulent propagation phase is analyzed. In particular, it is shown that the amount of energy deposited at ignition is a critical parameter.


This study analyses the main determinants of the nominal effective exchange rate using quarterly time series data covering the period 2000 to 2017. The Augmented Dickey Fuller test confirms that all the with the exception of interest rate were non stationary in levels. This study employs the reduced form Vector Auto-regression (VAR) and Johansen and Juselius cointegration to estimate the long run relationship between exchange rate and other key variables. The VAR is used following the Mundell-Fleming model which argues that, in an open economy with external trade and financial transactions the key macro variables interact and influence each other with lags. The impulse response functions are used to investigate the monetary policy transmission mechanism (MPTM). The study indicates that money supply, terms of trade and inflation were negative while gross domestic product and interest rate were positively related to exchange rate . The variables were found to have a long run relationship.  The estimate of the speed of adjustment indicates that when nominal effective exchange rate deviates from the equilibrium, it returns to the equilibrium quickly because of its coefficient of adjustment which is 0.25.


: Twenty-five patients with calcification of both vertebral arteries were examined. The following neurological syndromes associated with this pathology were revealed: paroxysmal and permanent vegetovascular dystonias, asthenoneurotic, convulsive, cochleovestibular and spinal myelopathy associated with lateral amyotrophic sclerosis.


The losses of supercritical CO2 radial turbines with design power scales of about 1 MW were investigated by using computational fluid dynamic simulations. The simulation results were compared with loss predictions from enthalpy loss correlations. The aim of the study was to investigate how the expansion losses are divided between the stator and rotor as well as to compare the loss predictions obtained with the different methods for turbine designs with varying specific speeds. It was observed that a reasonably good agreement between the 1D loss correlations and computational fluid dynamics results can be obtained by using a suitable set of loss correlations. The use of different passage loss models led to high deviations in the predicted rotor losses, especially with turbine designs having the highest or lowest specific speeds. The best agreement in respect to CFD results with the average deviation of less than 10% was found when using the CETI passage loss model. In addition, the other investigated passage loss models provided relatively good agreement for some of the analyzed turbine designs, but the deviations were higher when considering the full specific speed range that was investigated. The stator loss analysis revealed that despite some differences in the predicted losses between the methods, a similar trend in the development of the losses was observed as the turbine specific speed was changed.


ABSTRACT Src tyrosine kinases are central components of adhesive responses and are required for cell spreading onto the extracellular matrix. Among other intracellular messengers elicited by integrin ligation are reactive oxygen species, which act as synergistic mediators of cytoskeleton rearrangement and cell spreading. We report that after integrin ligation, the tyrosine kinase Src is oxidized and activated. Src displays an early activation phase, concurrent with focal adhesion formation and driven mainly by Tyr527 dephosphorylation, and a late phase, concomitant with reactive oxygen species production, cell spreading, and integrin-elicited kinase oxidation. In addition, our results suggest that reactive oxygen species are key mediators of in vitro and in vivo v-Src tumorigenic properties, as both antioxidant treatments and the oxidant-insensitive C245A and C487A Src mutants greatly decrease invasivity, serum-independent and anchorage-independent growth, and tumor onset. Therefore we propose that, in addition to the known phosphorylation/dephosphorylation circuitry, redox regulation of Src activity is required during both cell attachment to the extracellular matrix and tumorigenesis.


PURPOSE
(1) Investigation of dependence between first symptoms of the rosacea and with surviving of critical life events. (2) Description of the dissimilarity in intensity of the stress at illness and healthy. (3) Estimation of impact of stressful situations for escalating of changes in course of the disease. (4) Comparison of the subjective estimation of patients' health.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
40 persons with rosacea, in the age of 25-75 years, were examined and 40 healthy volunteers, matched to the sex, age, social-economic background. The Holms' and Rahes' modified Social Readjustment Rating Scale questionnaire was applied and the WZS questionnaire by Sek and Szałdziński.

RESULTS
Investigations showed dissimilarities of events met in the number and intensity of the stress between sick people and volunteers. Symptoms of the acne are escalating as a result of caused emotions with primary evaluation. The image of the subjective estimation of patients' health is showing their motivation to recover.

CONCLUSIONS
(1) Patients with rosacea in the period before the occurring of first symptoms of the disease, comparatively with persons from the control group, they experienced the bigger number of critical life events. (2) The stress intensity resulting from the number of critical life events, is significantly higher at sick people in the relation to the control group. (3) At patients with rosacea emotions resulting of the estimation of the primary stressful situation tightening symptoms of the disease. (4) The subjective estimation of patients' health is essential predicate of psychodermatological therapy releasing potential health possibilities at the patient.


Recent work in feature-based classification has focused on nonparametric techniques that can classify instances even when the underlying feature distributions are unknown. The inference algorithms for training these techniques, however, are designed to maximize the accuracy of the classifier, with all errors weighted equally. In many applications, certain errors are far more costly than others, and the need arises for nonparametric classification techniques that can be trained to optimize task-specific cost functions. This correspondence reviews the linear machine decision tree (LMDT) algorithm for inducing multivariate decision trees, and shows how LMDT can be altered to induce decision trees that minimize arbitrary misclassification cost functions (MCF's). Demonstrations of pixel classification in outdoor scenes show how MCF's can optimize the performance of embedded classifiers within the context of larger image understanding systems. >


The propose of this literature review was to determine area of automotive injury information that may add to knowledge of injury type, frequency, severity, and cause. This paper is a review of the literature concentrating on the period between 1965 and present. Literature on car, van, or light truck occupants has been reviewed for injury frequencies, types, and locations. Current experimental biomechanical articles are also included. A search was made for descriptions of injury frequency, restraint effectiveness, and the causes of specific injuries. Medical and engineering journals, texts, and books were reviewed. For convenience, this report is divided into sections by body region with an overview introduction on the anatomy of the specific region.


Red emissive carbon dots (R-CDs) have received great attention in biological fields due to their deep tissue penetrability, great bioimaging capability, low interference from auto-fluorescence, and potential for optoelectronic applications. Herein, excitation-independent, highly acid-sensitive R-CDs were successfully obtained via one-step microwave treatment of o-phenylenediamine (o-PD) and phosphoric acid and carefully purified by column chromatography. The relationship between the fluorescence emission and surface groups of the R-CDs was studied in detail using XPS, NMR, and fluorescence spectroscopy, and the different mechanisms of action of the R-CDs and acid in H2O and ethanol were determined. The excellent anti-interference ability and biocompatibility of the R-CDs were confirmed, and the probes were successfully used for imaging A549 and Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells in extreme acidity. Finally, based on their relatively high quantum yield and long wavelength emission, the application potential of the R-CDs in the fabrication of red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) was investigated.