Fertility change in Brazil is analyzed using data from censuses from 1940 to 1980 and the PNAD surveys of 1976 and 1984. Topics covered include regional fertility differentials differences by ethnic group and color and the impact of educational status on marital fertility. Consideration is given to methodological problems. (ANNOTATION)


Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in optical fibers are quickly growing in appeal and are being considered by researchers for use as mechanical and chemical sensors in fiber reinforced composite airframes to provide inexpensive, high sensitivity and high density sensor coverage. Such FBG detection systems offer the advantages of being rapid, sensitive, radiation-hard and low density. To date, typical silica-glass optical fibers have been studied. However, the ultimate sensitivity of FBGs in silica fiber is limited by the relatively low photosensitivity of silica glass which leads to low reflectivities of the FBGs. In this project, advantage is taken of the significantly higher photosensitivity of chalcogenide glasses, glasses based upon the chalcogenide elements, S, Se, and Te to inscript FBGs in selected chalcogenide optical fibers, specifically As2S3. Time stability, power level dependence, and temperature dependence were measured for the FBGs written in multi-mode As2S3 optical fiber. FBGs were inscripted in multi-mode arsenic sulfide (As2S3) glass fibers at 1550 nm by He-Ne laser irradiation using the interferometric and phase mask techniques. In the set up, a broadband light source centered at 1550 nm with a bandwidth of 100nm at half intensity (Agilent Broadband light source 83437A) and an OSA (Agilent HP86412B) were used to analyze the inscribed FBGs and the reflectivity around 1550 nm. Multiple transmission dips were obtained from the FBGs writing experiment using both the interferometric and phase mask techniques that were caused by same mode reflection and neighboring mode coupling. Using the interferrometric method, we obtained FBGs with maximum reflectivity 46.6% at 1526.6 nm. The average effective index change in the glass caused by the He-Ne laser irradiation inducing the FBGs is estimated to be +0.000482. Using a 0/-1 order phase mask, we obtained FBGs of maximum reflectivity 61.9% at 1548.8 nm and the average effective index change is estimated to be +0.000491.


The induction of the beneficial and detrimental effects by reactive carbonyl species in yeast has been investigated. In this study, we have presented evidence that glyoxal and methylglyoxal at low concentrations were able to induce a hormetic adaptive response in glucose-grown but not fructose-grown yeast. The hormetic effect was also TOR-dependent. The mutation in genes encoding either TOR1 or TOR2 protein makes yeast highly sensitive to both α-dicarbonyls studied. Simultaneous disruption of TOR1 and TOR2 resulted in higher yeast sensitivity to the α-dicarbonyls as compared to parental cells, but double mutant survived better under carbonyl stress than its single mutant counterparts. The data obtained are consistent with the previous works which reported high toxicity of the α-dicarbonyls and extend them with the report on the beneficial TOR-dependent hormetic effect of glyoxal and methylglyoxal.


The mathematics model of mechanism which forms the spot face of rolling wheel is offered. It allows solving tasks involved in design and calculation of wheel propeller of different constructions, determining theirs numerical and qualitative characteristics when moving on different types of surface.


Abstract This article examines the nature of Allied strategic bombing on the Netherlands in the Second World War. It discusses the endless controversy on strategic bombing, and adds the policy of bombing occupied countries, especially the Dutch involvement in bombing policy development, a quantitative analysis of bombing on the Netherlands, and three case studies to the existing narrative. The paper concludes that Allied bombing policy towards the Netherlands sought to maintain a balance between the usefulness of bombing and the risk of collateral damage. Further, it reveals the absolute magnitude of the bombing campaign in the Netherlands, which contrasts with existing history. This article concludes that the nature of strategic bombing on the Netherlands, notwithstanding the fact of sincere intentions and restrained policies, was that the execution of the bombardments regu- larly failed to attain the defined bombing goals. These failures caused extensive collateral damage, as illustrated by three case studies: bombardments on Amsterdam, Nijmegen, and The Hague.


ABSTRACT This study explores the relationship between national belonging, acquiring citizenship, and migration. Taking high profile examples from international sports events, it seeks to unveil the complexities behind the question: who may represent the nation? The historical models of jus sanguine (blood ties) and jus soli (territorial birthright) are well-known markers and symbols of citizenship and nationality. The study proposes an ideal-type model of thick, thin, and in-between forms of citizenship. This model clarifies and provides direction to the empirical understanding of 'citizenship as claims-making', as recently suggested by Bloemraad [(2018). Theorising the power of citizenship as claims-making. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 44(1), 4–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2018.1396108]


A new test application scheme is proposed for low-power scan testing, which is able to compress test data significantly. A combination of a scan architecture and an existent test compression scheme can compress test data even better. Test power can be reduced greatly based on the new test application scheme, according to which only a subset of scan flip-flops shifts a test vector or captures test responses in any clock cycle. Test response data can be another important problem. A new test response compaction scheme called selective test response collection is proposed to reduce test response data. Selective test response collection combines with a structure-based test response compactor, according to which many test response data can be dropped. Experimental results show that the proposed test application scheme can efficiently reduce test power, compress test stimulus data, and compact test response data while test application cost can be well-controlled.


Caerus Therapeutics (Caerus) is developing a monoclonal antibody directed to a cancer specific epitope on CD66c (CEACAM6) designated 109.12. CD66c has been shown in preclinical studies to be expressed on the colorectal cancer stem cell population but not on normal intestinal stem cells, making this a potential target for a therapeutic antibody. Previous attempts by other companies to develop anti-CD66c antibodies were unsuccessful due to cross-reactivity with CD66c on normal tissues. Caerus has developed a monoclonal antibody to a cancer-specific, glycan epitope that is only expressed in the adult during malignant transformation, enabling the targeting of CD66c on both cancer stem cells (CSCs) as well as bulk tumor without cross-reactivity with CD66c on normal cells. The glycan epitope recognized by the antibody has a novel structure not previously described that is highly protein-specific and site-specific. The specificity is due to a unique dual-recognition determinant for the site-specific glycosylation. In addition to its expression on colorectal tumorspheres, the epitope recognized by the 109.12 antibody is expressed by a wide variety of cancers including colon, pancreatic, lung stomach and a subtype of breast cancer. The biological role of CD66c in malignancy and tumor dissemination is well documented; the specificity of the antibody for a CD66c epitope only expressed in malignant cells offers multiple opportunities for immunotherapy and diagnosis of a diverse spectrum of cancers. Citation Format: Jeff Holderness, Amy Turner, Sam dolezal, Steve Wolpe, Michael Pierce, Cohava Gelber. Novel monoclonal antibody targeting cancer stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2485. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2485


Background Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is associated with diabetes mellitus, increasing morbidity and mortality. Some cross-sectional studies associated CAN with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of high-dose vitamin D (VD) supplementation on CAN in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) patients. Methods We performed a prospective study with 23 patients diagnosed with T1DM and CAN. Subjects with VD levels <30 ng/ml received 10,000 IU/day; the ones with VD levels between 30–60 ng/ml were given 4,000 IU/day for 12 weeks. Results There was an improvement in CAN parameters related to resting heart rate variability, such as time domain parameters [Maximum RR interval (0.77 ± 0.11 vs 0.94 ± 0.51 s, p <0.05), Mean length of regular RR intervals (0.71 ± 0.10 vs 0.76 ± 0.09 s, p <0.05) and Standard deviation of all NN intervals (0.02 ± 0.01 vs 0.03 ± 0.02 s; p <0.01)] and frequency domain parameters [Low Frequency (1.9 ± 0.5 vs 2.5 ± 0.9 s, p < 0.001), Total Power (2.5 ± 0.4 vs 2.8 ± 0.6 s, p <0.05)]. In addition, there was a correlation between absolute VD level variation and posttreatment High Frequency (%), as well as among percent variation in VD level and end-of-study Low Frequency/High Frequency ratio (r=0.6, p<0.01; r= -0.5, p<0.05, respectively). Conclusion Our pilot study is the first to suggest a strong association between high-dose vitamin D supplementation and improved cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in T1DM patients. It occurred without any variation in HbA1C, blood pressure levels, lipids, and insulin dose. Clinical Trial Registration http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN32601947, identifier ISRCTN32601947.


Background: Closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation is the standard of care for displaced supracondylar fractures of humerus in children. Although it is routinely performed in supine position, some authors recommend prone position to be advantageous as it aids in gravity reduction and avoids elbow hyperflexion. This study was conducted to compare the ease of manipulation and pinning, clinical, and radiologic outcomes in supine versus prone position. Methods: Fifty-two children with acute, grade III supracondylar humerus fractures without vascular injury were included in the study. They were grouped into prone (n=26) and supine (n=26) based on computer-generated block randomization. The duration of procedure, number of radiation exposures, attempts at closed reduction, and attempts at placing the pins were analyzed. Functional and radiologic outcomes were assessed for a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Results: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the duration of procedure (P=0.422), number of radiation exposure (P=0.470), attempts at closed reduction (P=0.904), and attempts for pinning (P=0.745) and the final clinical and radiologic outcomes. One patient in prone group had cubitus varus of 8 degrees. Functionally, 2 in the supine group and 3 in prone group had poor outcomes. Conclusions: There is no significant difference in the ease of reduction and pinning between supine and prone positions. Grossly displaced fractures with skin puckering are difficult to manipulate in prone position. Supine position is ideal for closed reduction and pinning of all patterns of type III supracondylar fractures. Level of Evidence: Level I—a prospective randomized study.


This paper presents analytical and measured results on the effects of injection pattern design on piston thermal management in an Opposed-Piston, Two-Stroke (OP2S) diesel engine. The OP2S architecture investigated in this work comprises two opposing pistons forming an asymmetric combustion chamber with two opposing injectors mounted on the cylinder wall. This unique configuration offers opportunities to tailor the injection pattern to control the combustion heat flux and resulting temperatures on the piston surfaces while optimizing combustion simultaneously. This study utilizes three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with state-of-the-art spray, turbulence and combustion models that include detailed chemistry to simulate the in-cylinder combustion and the associated flame/ wall interactions. In addition, the measurements comprise a real-time thermocouple system, which allows for up to 14 locations to be monitored and recorded on the intake and exhaust pistons. The CFD results are shown to predict the measured performance and emissions characteristics with very good correlation. Using the CFD model results, hot spot areas on the piston surfaces-resulting from impingement of the injection plumes during the combustion event-are computed. A proprietary telemetry system using thermocouples at key locations on the piston is deployed to measure the effects of injector clocking and injection spray angle on the piston temperatures. It is demonstrated that the trends in the computed hot spot areas for different injection patterns correlate well with trends in the measured temperatures. Furthermore, the investigations show that the clocking angle and the spray angle are two critical levers that can be optimized using CFD simulations for piston thermal management in the OP2S configuration. The results of this investigation demonstrate the effectiveness of experimentally correlated combustion-CFD simulations to unlock the potential of the OP2S configuration for improved piston thermal management.


The ester methyl [4-[2-[(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)amino]ethoxy]phenoxy]acetate (8) has been identified as the most interesting member of a series of selective beta 3-adrenergic agonists of brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis in the rat. In vivo it acts mainly via the related acid 10. Potency was generally markedly reduced by placing substituents on the phenyl ring of the phenoxypropanolamine unit of 8; only the 2-fluoro analogue 16 had comparable potency to 8. Other structure-activity relationships are discussed. Further testing of 8 (ICI 198157) has shown that in the rat it stimulates the beta 3-adrenergic receptor in brown adipose tissue at doses lower than those at which it affects beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic receptors in other tissues. It increases metabolic rate, as judged by an increase in oxygen consumption, and in the genetically obese Zucker rat it causes a reduced rate of weight gain. This class of compound may be useful in the treatment of obesity in man.


Xanthomonas leaf blight of onion, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. allii, is a yield-limiting disease in Colorado, for which few effective management strategies are available. The effects of rates of nitrogen fertilization and levels of seed contamination by X. axonopodis pv. allii on epiphytic populations of the pathogen and subsequent disease development were determined in field studies over two years. Epiphytic populations of a rifampicin-resistant mutant were quantified from bulked, asymptomatic leaf tissue using a leaf wash assay. There was no significant relationship between nitrogen fertilization treatment and epiphytic population development, but excessive nitrogen (> 200 kg/ha) fertilization increased disease severity 27 to 50% compared with non-fertilized and low (112 kg/ha) nitrogen fertilizer treatments in 2004. Seed inoculated with various levels of X. axonopodis pv. allii did not result in persistent epiphytic populations of the bacterium or development of symptoms, even at 10 7 CFU/g of seed. The results of these studies suggest moderate rates of nitrogen fertilization may reduce severity of Xanthomonas leaf blight compared to higher rates, and that seed contamination by X. axonopodis pv. allii may be of limited importance for disease development under the semi-arid conditions of furrow-irrigated onion production in Colorado.


The present study contributes to the evaluation of the impact of the various activities developed around the Bay of Dakhla in Morocco through the study of the physico-chemical quality of the waters and sediments of the Bay. For this purpose, a spatial and temporal monitoring of the physicochemical and metallic pollution indicator parameters was conducted between May 2014 and March 2015. The main physicochemical descriptors of water quality were monitored, namely: temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved O2, nutrients (ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates) and chlorophyll (a). A qualification of the waters of the Bay was drawn up based on water quality assessment grids. The quality of the sediments was assessed through the determination of granulometry, the total organic carbon content and the contents of the main metallic trace elements (cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium, copper and zinc). The results of the present study show the beginning of nutrient enrichment of the water bodies of the bay, especially the stations located near the urban area, where 1.83 mg l−1 of nitrates, 0.37 mg l−1 of phosphate and 7.42 μg l−1 of chlorophyll (a) were recorded. For the sediment, the maximum concentrations of metallic trace elements were recorded in the station near the harbour basin. These results allowed to establish a quality grid for the waters of the bay, generally qualified as "Good", except for the sites located near the urban area for which the quality is qualified as "Average". The sediment quality of the bay was assessed according to the criteria established by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. The levels of metallic trace elements remain below the toxicity thresholds, except for the sediments taken from the harbour basin.


Nature cannot be dominated. Peasants know this almost by instinct. It betrays, steals and takes what has been given. The winter is long and difficult, and when the first cold falls on the valleys, everyone knows it is time to re-gain their homes, and being afraid is not considered a weakness. Nature is that through which humans share a common destiny with animal species. What is offered in exchange is beauty, the symphonic power of this energy that rises from the earth.


An iterative numerical computational algorithm is presented to design a plate of shell element subjected to membrane and flexural forces. Based on equilibrium consideration, equations for capacities of top and bottom reinforcements in two orthogonal directions have been derived. The amount of reinforcement is determined locally, i. e., for each sampling point, from the equilibrium between applied and internal forces. One case of design is performed for a hyperbolic paraboloid saddle shell (originally used by Lin and Scordelis) to check the design strength against a consistent design load, therefore, to verify the adequacy of design practice for reinforced concrete shells. Based on nonlinear analyses performed, the analytically calculated ultimate load exceeded the design ultimate load from 14-43% for an analysis with relatively low to high tension stiffening, γ =5∼20 cases. For these cases, the design method gives a lower bound on the ultimate load with respect to Lower bound theorem. This shows the adequacy of the current practice at least for this saddle shell case studied. To generalize the conclusion many more designs-analyses are performed with different shell configurations.


Summary: A female and a male sibling aged 15 and 8 yr developed almost normally for 3 yr, then gradually deteriorated intellectually and physically. Both patients showed marked hyperargininuria (up to 370 times normal), prominent lysinuria, cystinuria, and ornithinuria, and a milder generalized amino aciduria. In plasma, arginine was 600–1000 μM (4–7 times normal), but other amino acids were not increased. The levels did not change in response to increased protein intake from 1–3 g/kg/day. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), arginine was 70–100 μM (3–5 times normal) and numerous other amino acids were also high. Plasma ammonia was generally normal, but rose to 250 μg/dl (5 times normal) after increased protein intake and, occasionally, other stresses. The erythrocyte arginase activity level was <1% of normal and half normal in the mother and three healthy siblings. White blood cell arginase activity was less than 5% of the lowest normal control. Liver obtained at open biopsy in the older sibling was deficient in arginase activity (1.5% of normal), but had levels of the other four urea cycle enzymes that were within the normal range. Electron microscopic and histochemical studies revealed patchy severe hydropic changes, increased cellular glycogen, normal mitochondria, and dilated endoplasmic reticulum.Speculation: The pathogenesis of the neurologic abnormalities in patients with arginase deficiency may in part be the perturbation of intra-cellular amino acid levels secondary to the elevated levels of arginine.


A pregnancy from a family at risk for fucosidosis was monitored. Determinations of fucosidase and mannosidase were performed on the serum and white blood cells of several members of the family, om amniotic fluid and amniotic fluid cells of the fetus at several passages, and on fibroblast cell lines from index cases. The fetus was diagnosed as being free from the disease. This conclusion was confirmed after birth by fucosidase determination in plasma and white cells from cord blood, and in the placenta. Fluctuations in fucosidase activity were observed in extracts from cultured amniotic cells at various passages. The possible causes of this variability are discussed.


In this paper we develop and numerically explore the modeling heuristic of using saturation attempt probabilities as state dependent attempt probabilities in an IEEE 802.11e infrastructure network carrying packet telephone calls and TCP controlled file downloads, using enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA). We build upon the fixed point analysis and performance insights. When there are a certain number of nodes of each class contending for the channel (i.e., have nonempty queues), then their attempt probabilities are taken to be those obtained from saturation analysis for that number of nodes. Then we model the system queue dynamics at the network nodes. With the proposed heuristic, the system evolution at channel slot boundaries becomes a Markov renewal process, and regenerative analysis yields the desired performance measures. The results obtained from this approach match well with ns2 simulations. We find that, with the default IEEE 802.11e EDCA parameters for AC 1 and AC 3, the voice call capacity decreases if even one file download is initiated by some station. Subsequently, reducing the voice calls increases the file download capacity almost linearly (by 1/3 Mbps per voice call for the 11 Mbps PHY)


The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model is a simple and low-cost model that allows screening of a large number of pharmacological samples. It is used in preclinical research as an intermediate step between in vitro and in vivo experiments and does not require approval by the animal experiment ethics committee. Latest studies show that MRI is a suitable imaging modality for evaluating drug delivering systems with the CAM-model. However, appropriate hardware for high-resolution MR imaging of the CAM model is still missing. To fill this gap, we designed, constructed, and evaluated a transceiver solenoid coil for in ovo imaging at 7T.


A simple, quick, sensitive, accurate and precise method has been developed for evaluating the catalytic active sites of titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1). The catalytic active sites of titanium silicalite zeolite depend on the effectively active species (EAS) in TS-1 which react with specific substrates quickly. However, the EAS was hard to be evaluated with conventional instruments and techniques in the past. In this paper, the EAS was formed in TS-1 upon interaction with H2O2, and its presence could be confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy which has an absorption peak at 385 nm. The absorbance at 385 nm was found to be linearly related to time, and when the absorbance and the increasing rate of absorbance (k) increased, the catalytic performance of TS-1 enhanced.


Background
The clinical effectiveness of soft corneal contact lens for correction of myopia has been confirmed.Theoretically, aspherical soft hydrophilic corneal contact lens has better visual qualify for myopic eyes, and the lenses have been applied widely.But abnormal tear film, even many cornea and conjuctiva diseases caused by soft contact lens have been reported, so the effectiveness and safety of aspherical soft hydrophilic corneal contact lens are worth concerning.

Objective
This clinical trail was to compare the effectiveness and safety between aspherical and NUV soft hydrophilic contact lens for myopic eyes.

Methods
A randomized, double-blind and controlled clinical study was performed under the approval of Ethic Committee of Qingdao Municipal Hospital and informed consent of each patient.One hundred and forty eyes of 70 myopic patients were enrolled in Qingdao Municipal Hospital from July to October, 2012.The subjects were randomized into the trial group and control group using random number table.Aspherical soft hydrophilic contact lenses were worn in the trial group and NUV soft hydrophilic contact lenses were worn in the control group.The characteristics of the lens surface, outcomes and the eye number in different scores of ocular signs and symptoms were assessed before and 15 minutes, 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month after wearing lenses.

Results
The sores of humidity of anterior surface, the sediment in anterior and posterior surface are 0 in both lenses in various time points after wearing.The corrected visual acuity of all the subjects were ≥1.0.The eye number of 2-3 scores in various ocular signs was 0 in both groups, but the eye number of 1 score in palpebral conjunctival congestion and limbus congestion were more in the trail group than those in the control group in different time points (all at P 0.05). There was no eye for 2-3 scores of eye symptoms in both groups.The eye number for 1 score in foreign body sensation increased in the target-trail group compared to the control group at various time points (P=0.002, 0.006, 0.005, 0.005). However, there was no statistically significant differences in the eye number for 1 score in visual clearness and stability between the two groups at the follow-up duration (all at P>0.05).

Conclusions
Aspherical soft hydrophilic corneal contact lens has good outcomes in corrected visual acuity for myopia like NUV soft hydrophilic contact lens, but the wearing of aspherical soft hydrophilic corneal contact lens induces more ocular discomfortableness.

Key words:
Contact lenses, hydrophilic/adverse effects; Myopia; Aspherical lens; Effectiveness; Safety; Randomized controlled clinical trail


The centrality of universities in public research systems has grown over time as interactions with industry take place. This interaction poses two problems. One concerns individual scientists and the potential trade-off between core research activities and those required to successfully develop and commercialize scientific inventions. A second dilemma arises with the tension between the industry's need to rely on clear and solid intellectual property rights and the totality of scientific enterprises.


Based on a synthesis of the research literature, seven principles for effective classroom assessment are presented. These principles included the need for classroom assessment to be student-centered, aligned with clear learning targets, based on multiple methods, able to account for a variety of student skills, aimed at reducing bias, reliable and valid, and efficient. The discussion addresses ways of promoting these principles at the pre-service and in-service levels and underscores the importance of changing the current Western zeitgeist that diminishes the central importance of classroom assessment data.


Despite bamboo's noteworthy durability, the incidental effects of smoke treatment on the mechanical properties of bamboo culms, including its underlying mechanisms, have not been fully investigated. This study investigated the effects of smoke treatment on the flexural strength of Madake bamboo's (Phyllostachys bambusoides) hierarchical structure. Results in small clear specimens displayed an asymmetrical flexural behaviour regardless of the applied treatment, and the parameters of flexural strain and specific energy absorption, demonstrated by modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture, were found to differ. Concerning compression, parenchyma cells had good ability to absorb large deformation, indicated by their large increase in specific energy absorption. In addition, a distinct difference was found between smoke-treated bamboo and untreated bamboo as the capacity of its outermost fibres to withstand greater tensile load was impaired, indicated by the reduction in flexural strain. Thermal degradation caused an increase in the hydrophobicity of bamboo's outermost layers, thereby engendering higher brittleness in the smoked bamboo. This work highlights critical changes in the mechanical properties of smoked bamboo, which can be addressed in future studies to improve its strength as a sustainable construction material.


Effective teachers create a motivational climate that engages students in course activities in ways that lead to increased learning and achievement. Although researchers have identified motivational climate variables that are associated with students' engagement and achievement, less is known about how these variables are related in different courses and cultures. The purpose of the two studies presented in this paper was to contribute to this research literature by examining these associations within the context of college English courses in two Chinese universities. Specifically, we investigated the relationships between students' perceptions of the motivational climate (i.e., perceptions of empowerment/autonomy, usefulness, success, interest, and caring), cognitive and behavioral engagement, and achievement. This is the first study to examine the connections between all of these variables in one path model in college English courses in China. We administered surveys at two different Chinese universities (n = 332 and 259) and used regression and path analysis to examine the relationships among the variables. We demonstrated that (a) students' perceptions of the motivational climate were related to their cognitive engagement, (b) cognitive engagement was related to their behavioral engagement, and (c) behavioral engagement predicted their achievement. These findings are consistent with and extend the growing body of literature on motivational climate and engagement, and they highlight the importance of some motivational climate perceptions over others as significant predictors of cognitive engagement. We conclude that effective English language teachers in China do the following: help students to believe that they can be successful, trigger and maintain students' interest, and empower students by providing them with choices in activities and assignments.


The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between work and all rounded human development. Our central thesis was that is indispensable in human perfection. Our study was primarily conceptual. Through library research, we obtained concepts and views regarding work, which we subjected to critical scrutiny and argumentation in order to determine and evaluate their meaning, underlying assumptions implications and justification. However, we attempted to contextualize our study within the Kenyan situation, through fieldwork strictly for the purpose of providing some empirical evidence for work related claims that would otherwise appear to be purely speculative. The findings of this study suggest the likelihood that work is regarded solely as a means to material rewards by most workers in Kenya. This materialistic attitude towards work was argued to be a probable manifestation of alienation on the following grounds; first, it estranges the worker from his/her own personhood. By focusing solely on the material aspect of work, the worker disregards the significance of the spiritual dimension of work and the corresponding spiritual dimension of the worker. The worker loses sight of personhood as the appropriate end of his/her work. Secondly, be regarding acquisition of material rewards as the sole goal of work, the worker tends to view and treat human beings as mere means serving selfish material ends. This adversely affects human relationships. Human beings are alienated from one another. The materialistic conception of work estranges the worker from enjoyment of and fulfillment in his/her work. Work is regarded as a necessary evil and exertions avoided like the plague. This negative attitude towards work evident among some Kenyans was traced to poverty, institutionalized prejudices and the structure of some work activities. Poverty tends to reduce work to a "survival" activity. Institutionalized prejudices, for instance, polarization of manual and intellectual work alienate workers from one another. The structure of some work activities, for instance, too much bureaucracy and authoritarianism make workers lose control of as well as enthusiasm in their work. The findings above provided some evidence for work-related claims contained in our first and second premises stated thus: 1. The view of work solely as a means to material rewards as opposed to the view of work as also a means to the development of human persons is widespread in contemporary Kenyan society. 2. The view of work solely as a means to material rewards is a probable manifestation of alienation. This study established that work is indispensable in human material as well as spiritual development. This finding is grounded on a holistic view of humans as material-spiritual beings who were perfectible. The distinctive human features of rationality, creativity, individuality, morality and sociality are not only utilized but also improved through work. As such, work can be regarded as a rational and conscious ingredient of transforming human beings into human persons. The study recommends the promotion of professionalism at work as a viable means to ensure that the material as well as spiritual dimensions of human beings are given the attention they deserve.


Current technology trends indicate that power- and energy efficiency will limit chip throughput in the future. Current solutions to these problems, either in the way of programmable or fixed-function digital accelerators will soon reach their limits as microarchitectural overheads are successively trimmed. A significant departure from current computing methods is required to carry forward computing advances beyond digital accelerators. In this paper we describe how the energy-efficiency of a large class of problems can be improved by employing a hybrid of the discrete and continuous models of computation instead of the ubiquitous, traditional discrete model of computation. We present preliminary analysis of domains and benchmarks that can be accelerated with the new model. Analysis shows that machine learning, physics and up to one-third of SPEC, RMS and Berkeley suite of applications can be accelerated with the new hybrid model.


We use Novalis Body system for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in lung and liver tumors. Novalis system is dedicated to SBRT with image-guided patient setup system ExacTrac. The spinal bone is the main landmark in patient setup during SBRT using ExacTrac kV X-ray system. When the target tumor is located laterally distant from the spinal bone at the midline, it is difficult to ensure the accuracy of the setup, especially if there are rotational gaps (yaw, pitch and roll) in the setup. For this, we resolve the problem by using a virtual isocenter (VIC) different from isocenter (IC) .We evaluated the setup accuracy in a rand phantom by using VIC and checked the setup errors using rand phantom and patient cases by our original method during the setup for IC. The accuracy of setup using VIC was less than 1.0 mm. Our original method was useful for checking patient setup when VIC used.


Chondrocalcinosis is an arthropathy caused by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate-dihydrate microcrystals (CPPD) in the joints and occasionally in the tendons and ligaments. In our region it is almost always seen in its sporadic form in elderly subjects. The patients can be without symptoms or present four different clinical entities: an acute arthritis which can resemble and even be mistaken for an attack of gout or a septic arthritis; an inflammatory polyarthritis suggesting a rheumatoid arthritis; most frequently it appears as a benign polyarthrosis; sometimes it runs a destructive course capable of seriously damaging one or several joints. In certain cases chondrocalcinosis is associated with another metabolic disease. Familial forms have been described in some countries. Factors which induce the formation of the deposits of CPPD in the articular cartilages, fibrocartilages, the synovium and occasionally in the tendons and ligaments remain obscure. In contrast to urate gout, chondrocalcinosis appears to be due to a disturbance of pyrophosphate metabolism localized almost exclusively in the articular region. Its association with polyarthrosis rather frequently leads to destructive arthropathies. No etiological treatment for chondrocalcinosis exists at the present time. Therapy is limited to the administration of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and physiotherapy.


The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of primary school fourth grade students about an implementation of technology-supported process writing approach within the scope of Turkish course. This study used a qualitative methodology. The participants were selected using the typical case sampling method, a purposive sampling method. A total of 27 primary school fourth grade students, 14 girls and 13 boys, participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the descriptive analysis. According to the results, the students stated that they learned new things in terms of using technology, had fun, realized the importance of helping each other and were proud when sharing their products during their implementation of technology-supported process writing approach.


Recently available instruments dedicated to the clinical assay of hydrogen in breath were tested and the results compared with those from a conventional thermal conductivity gas chromatograph. We found the Quintron Model 12 Microlyzer and the GMI Exhaled Hydrogen Monitor to give much faster and more sensitive results than the Gow-Mac 550 conventional gas chromatograph, and their readout is digital rather than graphical. Linearity of response, accuracy, and precision were similar for all those instruments. Maintenance requirements and performance characteristics of the three instruments are compared in detail and practical advice is given on daily operation.


— The increasing carbon emission caused by human and industrial activity has a destructive impact on earth. Agroforestry as one of model in forest management has played an essential role in carbon sequestration through vegetation growth. Information about the potency of biomass is important to evaluate carbon stock in the forest. The study was conducted to determine the potential of stored biomass and carbon stocks managed by the Dusung of agroforestry Toisapu Negeri Hutumuri, Sirimau Protected Forest in Ambon. The study was conducted using nondestructive method in three main plots (PU) for observing vegetation at the level of poles, trees, understorey, litter, and dead organics. Observation parameters include plant biomass stocks and carbon stocks potency. The calculations for tree and pole level biomass stocks were 50.78 kg /m2, the understory was 0.26 kg/m2, litter 4.343 was kg / m2, and dead organics was 4.41 kg/m2. Assuming the amount of carbon uptake of 46%, the amount of carbon stored for trees and poles is 233.58 tons C/ha, the understorey is 1.196 tons C/ha, litter is 19.977 tons C/ha, dead organics are 20.286 tons C/ha, and soil has 0.044 tons/ha. The total value of carbon stocks stored above the soil surface in the agroforestry Dusung system in Ambon is 275. 092 tons C/ha and its good contribution on mitigation of climate change.


OBJECTIVES
An increasing number of elderly patients are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared the surgical resection rate, operability and survival in this age group (≥75 years) to younger patients using centralized databases in Iceland.

METHODS
The study population comprised all patients diagnosed with NSCLC in Iceland from 1991 to 2014. A total of 140 elderly patients (≥75 years) with NSCLC underwent pulmonary resection and were compared with 550 surgically resected patients less than 75 years, with respect to resection rate, short and long-term survival and complications of surgery. Reasons for exclusion from surgery were registered for elderly surgical candidates (stages IA-IIB).

RESULTS
Surgical resection rate in the elderly group was 18% compared to 32% in the younger age group ( P <  0.001). The most frequent reasons for not operating on elderly patients in stages IA-IIB were poor pulmonary function (58%), heart disease (17%) or multiple comorbidities (17%). The rate of major complications following surgery was comparable in the elderly versus the younger age group, 13 vs 11%, respectively ( P =  0.578). The same was true for 30 day mortality (2 vs 1%, P =  0.397). Five-year overall survival was 40% vs 44% ( P =  0.019) and cancer-specific survival 51% vs 50% ( P =  0.802).

CONCLUSIONS
Elderly patients with resectable NSCLC according to stage are frequently excluded from surgery due to comorbid conditions. Although the operated patients may represent a selected group, their favourable 30-day and long-term survival indicate that more elderly patients with NSCLC could be operated on.


The role of in situ rain water harvesting (RWH) in water resources conservation is well recognized in semiarid areas, such as the highlands of northern Ethiopia. However, in fringe areas of malaria endemicity, the potential impact of such schemes on vector populations and malaria transmission is not well documented. We therefore investigated the impact of such environmental interventions on Anopheles vector breeding and malaria burden, in a cross sectional survey undertaken in March/April 2005 in 4 villages in northwestern (3 in Hadegti and Hibret subdistricts; (s.d) 1800masl.) and central (Endachewa s.d.; 2050masl) zones of Tigray, in northern Ethiopia, where large scale construction of half-moon ponds (HMP) and ditches was in progress. A total of 990 blood slides taken from under 10 children revealed 268 infections of which 90.7% were P. falciparum, 7.5% P. vivax and 1.9% mixed. All of these were from Hadegti and Hibret s.d. where HMPs predominated, revealing a slide positivity rate of 35.6% (range 30.7 – 41.7%) and 3.6%, respectively. The majority (>77%) of the malaria positive cases resided in households located within 750 meters of the RWH structures, indicating that proximity to mosquito breeding sites was an important determinant of malaria in the villages. Over 33.8 % of the aquatic habitats in these villages were colonized by Anopheles aquatic stages, of which all were identified morphologically as An. gambiae sensu lato (presumably An. arabiensis). HMPs were found to be more productive than the smaller ditches, where water stayed longer for the aquatic stages to reach maturity to the adult mosquito. Hence, such environmental interventions require due consideration and need to be integrated with appropriate malaria control strategies. Key words: In situ Rain water harvesting, Malaria, Anopheles arabiensis, Tigray, Ethiopia.


Hexagonal nano-crystalline boron carbonitride (h-BCN) films grown on Si (100) substrate have been precisely investigated. The films were synthesized by radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition using tris-dimethylamino borane as a single-source molecular precursor. The deposition was performed by setting RF power at 400 - 800 W. The reaction pressure was at 2.6 Pa and the substrate temperature was recorded at 700°C - 800°C. Formation of the nano-crystalline h-BCN compound has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The diffraction peaks at 26.3° together with a small unknown peak at 29.2° were elucidated due to the formation of an h-BCN structure. The films composed of B, C, and N atoms with different B-N, B-C, C-N chemical bonds in forming the sp2-BCN atomic configuration studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Orientation and local structures of the h-BCN hybrid were studied by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements. The dominant presence of p* and s* resonance peaks of the sp2-hybrid orbitals in the B K-edge NEXAFS spectra revealed the formation of the sp2-BCN configuration around B atoms like-BN3 in h-BN. The orientation was suggested on the basis of the polarization dependence of B K-edge and N K-edge of the NEXAFS spectra.


This paper critiques the journey of pedagogical change over three mobile learning (mlearning) project iterations (2009 to 2011) within the context of a Bachelor of Architecture degree. The three projects were supported by an intentional community of practice model involving a partnership of an educational researcher/technologist, course lecturers, and course students. The pedagogical changes achieved over three years of sustained collaborative participatory action research illustrate the potential for using a community of practice model for supporting pedagogical transformation in broader educational contexts. The Architecture case study thus serves as an example of the ethical, sustained, and collaborative educational technology research called for by Reeves, Herrington, and Oliver (2005) and reiterated by others. We use the concept of the pedagogy-andragogy-heutagogy continuum as a measure of the pedagogical change achieved by the integration of mobile social media within the Architecture curriculum. From our experiences of utilizing mobile social media to support a pedagogical change towards heutagogy we develop a framework for scaffolding a move along the PAH continuum and explore the application of this framework to the establishment of a wider global community of practice (icollab11).


Trichuris trichiura infection is a common helminth infection, which is transmitted via soil, with worldwide distribution, especially in rural areas of developing countries. Occasionally, sporadic cases occur in non-endemic, developed areas due to the widespread of immigration. We experienced a case of Trichuris dysentery syndrome in a young North Korean defector, who had been suffering from chronic abdominal pain for 10 years. He is relatively short and thin compared with his older brother. Unexpectedly, the diagnosis, made by a colonoscopy, revealed numerous, small, white, and gently moving worms at the cecum and ascending colon. After 3 days of albendazole (400 mg once daily) administration, clinical symptoms subsided dramatically. On the follow-up colonoscopy, which was performed two months after the completion of his treatment, complete eradication was identified. Soil-transmitted helminths, including Trichuris trichiura, are disappearing becoming less prevalent in South Korea as a result of both national driving force and environmental improvement. However, these diseases should be considered when we meet foreign patients from developing countries, like North Korea, presenting chronic abdominal pain. Moreover, proper treatment of North Korean defectors and performing cohort studies of them would help to prepare for the possible unification era in the field of gastroenterology.


This study analyzes industrial wastewater management efficiency using a Chinese provincial dataset from 2004 to 2014. The weighted Russell directional distance model is used to evaluate the efficiency of management practices. Determinants analysis was conducted based on governmental policy, pollution abatement, and market factors to identify the main drivers of industrial wastewater management efficiency in China. The results indicate that the wastewater management efficiency improved in the eastern and central regions. However, there is a significant efficiency gap between provinces in the western region. Moreover, the main determinants of wastewater management efficiency differ among regions and pollutants.


Datacenters are witnessing a rapid surge in the adoption of serverless functions for microservices-based applications. A vast majority of these microservices typically span less than a second, have strict SLO requirements, and are chained together as per the requirements of an application. The aforementioned characteristics introduce a new set of challenges, especially in terms of container provisioning and management, as the state-of-the-art resource management frameworks, employed in serverless platforms, tend to look at microservice-based applications similar to conventional monolithic applications. Hence, these frameworks suffer from microservice-agnostic scheduling and colossal container over-provisioning, especially during workload fluctuations, thereby resulting in poor resource utilization.
In this work, we quantify the above shortcomings using a variety of workloads on a multi-node cluster managed by Kubernetes and Brigade serverless framework. To address them, we propose \emph{Fifer} -- an adaptive resource management framework to efficiently manage function-chains on serverless platforms. The key idea is to make \emph{Fifer} (i) utilization conscious by efficiently bin packing jobs to fewer containers using function-aware container scaling and intelligent request batching, and (ii) at the same time, SLO-compliant by proactively spawning containers to avoid cold-starts, thus minimizing the overall response latency. Combining these benefits, \emph{Fifer} improves container utilization and cluster-wide energy consumption by 4x and 31%, respectively, without compromising on SLO's, when compared to the state-of-the-art schedulers employed by serverless platforms.


We have examined how a Ginkgo biloba extract influences the damaging effects of ischaemia in the small-intestinal mucosa. We used a rat experimental model in which a ligated loop of the distal ileum was subjected to ischaemia and revascularization, and the ensuing mucosal damage assessed by lysosomal enzyme release and intestinal permeability measurements. We also determined the mucosal content of malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation product, and the mucosal activity of myeloperoxidase, a neutrophil granulocyte marker. Ischaemia and revascularization alone caused increased mucosal permeability to sodium fluorescein, increased N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase release from the mucosa into the lumen, increased malondialdehyde content in the mucosa, and increased myeloperoxidase activity in the mucosa. Intravenous injection of G. biloba extract caused a dose-dependent attenuation of all these effects of ischaemia. It is suggested, therefore, that G. biloba extract may protect the intestinal mucosa against ischaemic damage by reducing neutrophil infiltration and lipid peroxidation.


This paper focuses on recent moves to forge stronger linkages between the Māori social science academy and the policy industry. A critical appraisal of this development is offered, with particular attention given to the desirability of enhancing the academy's role in the policy process, given the policy industry's continued privileging of Eurocentric theory and research methodologies within the developing evidence-based environment. The paper ends with a discussion of the possibilities and problems associated with engagement with the policy industry, particularly as these relate to the various roles members can (or are forced to) take; either as 'insiders' (such as policy workers and contract researchers), or independent, critical 'outsiders'. The author concludes that the best that insiders can hope for are incremental, largely ineffective changes to Māori policy, while independent members of the academy are best placed to speak on behalf of Māori, Māori communities, hapu and iwi.


To deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, several restrictive measures have been put in place that cause significant disruption to lifestyle habits. We conducted a review of the literature to study the impact of these changes on the body weight of populations. We observed changes in eating habits (increase in the number of snacks and consumption of sugary products), a decrease in physical activity and an increase in stress that can exacerbate eating disorders. Increased efforts must be made to support patients during this difficult time, including public health measures to counteract these behaviours in order to prevent health complications.


Since 1998, the Ain-Karim Vineyard has been growing different grape varieties for the production of high-altitude tropical wines in the municipality of Sutamarchan, located in the Alto Ricaurte region of Boyaca (Colombia). Pruning is used to limit the number and length of branches, generating a suitable balance between plant vigor and production; thereby, regulating fruit quantity and quality and ensuring reserves for the subsequent production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three pruning types (short = two buds on two spurs; long = five buds on three spurs and mixed = combination of short and long pruning types) on the fruit quality of  V. vinifera , Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc varieties. To accomplish this, a completely randomized two-factor design was used. Physicochemical variables of fruit quality (fresh cluster weight, water content, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA), technical maturity index (TMI), and pH) were determined at harvest. The long pruning type presented the highest values for the fresh cluster weight and TSS of the fruits from both varieties and a higher TMI in the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. These results indicate that, under the conditions of the vineyard, long pruning is the most suitable.


Normally root canal-treated teeth are covered with crowns to prevent fracture, which becomes challenging in cases where the tooth is extensively damaged. In such instances, various restorative methods such as post-core and endocrowns have been in use. The former methodology in recent times is being discouraged owing to impending tooth weakening. Due to this reason, an uncommon type of reconstruction, endocrowns are preferred. We carried out a comparative review of restorations for endodontically treated molars.


The recent adoption of bathroom bills restricting trans* people's access to public bathrooms of their choice in the United States has elicited a vigorous public debate invoking benevolent sexism, heteronormativity, and partisanship. This analysis includes 9,764 online comments posted on the 13 most-shared articles or blog posts about trans* bathroom accommodation from September 2015 to September 2016. The common themes in such discussions were arguments promoting benevolent sexism, including that women and girls need protection by men and from men and that sex differences are natural. Results showed that support for trans* access to public bathrooms was most prevalent in discussions on left-leaning sites, whereas opposition was most prevalent in discussions on right-leaning sites. Most, but not all, benevolent-sexism themes were prevalent in comments on right-leaning sites. The results are discussed in the context of their theoretical implications for the literature of benevolent sexism and heteronormativity.


: Background: Subsolid pneumatic grips, including unadulterated glass grips (GGNs) and partially compacted grips, had got huge danger of lazy accidents. The Lung Imaging Reporting in addition Information Scheme takes care of the board rules, which are based on the evaluation of ACEs and requires free support. Purpose: Reviewing the lung RADS assessments of the disasters of sub solids handles using handles from NLST and balancing lung RADS with the NELSON basic procedure, similar to the Brock University calculator. Methods: The existing research was conducted at Lahore General Hospital Lahore from February 2018 to March 2019. For this audit study, subsections of GGNs and PSNs remained searched in NLST. The thoracic radiologist examined standard and continuation CT images, established that they remained correct subsolid grips, and evaluated grips. The basic result for every handle was improvement of the threat inside the subsequent time frame (center, 7.6 years). The grips remained layered rendering to lung RADS, NELSON basics in addition Brock model. For assessments, handle subsections remained biased according to repetition in NLST teaching list. Handle stratification models stayed attempted by means of favored, working brand applications. Results: A total of 640 handles were measured, 434 of them subsolid. During construction 310 handles were designated as Lung-RADS Class 3, through the threat degree of 4%, which stays more striking than 2% for Lung-RADS (P = .005). The proportion of GGNs less than 12 mm (two of 134, 2.4%) stayed more modest than that of GGNs evaluating 11-21 mm (12 of 154, 7%) (P = .02). The hazard rate for lung RADS arrangement 5 was 16% (16 out of 69), which is more important than described 3% for lung RADS (P, .002). The Brock model provided healthier damage than Lung RADS in addition NELSON Starter Plan (an area below favored working mark Twist = 0.79, 0.71 and 0.68, independently; P = .03 for Brock typical versus NELSON primer arrangement). Conclusion: Subsolid handles appointed Lung Imaging Reporting in addition Data System Classes 3 and 4 had the huge danger than definite. The Brock-Chance-Analyst showed a better performance than all estimation based presentation plans, for example Lung-RADS.


River restoration guided by research Human activities have altered the flow regimes of many of Earth's rivers, with negative impacts on biodiversity, water quality, and ecological processes. In a Review, Palmer and Ruhi explain how restoration designs now attempt to mimic ecologically important aspects of natural flow regimes, guided by insights into how variations in flow affect biota and ecosystem processes. To be successful, such efforts must go beyond accounting for flood pulses to restore natural flow variability and achieve hydrological connectivity between a river and its surroundings. Science, this issue p. eaaw2087 BACKGROUND Early civilizations developed around seasonal river floodplains, and the natural rhythm of rivers remains critical to humans today. We use streams and rivers to meet drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower needs by storing and moving water in complex ways, at the times and places of our choosing. Consequently, many of Earth's rivers have flow regimes that are "unnatural" in magnitude, frequency, duration, and timing. The rise in river degradation globally has motivated research on the link between hydrologic alteration and declines in valued biota. At the same time, largely fueled by new technologies and methods, research has expanded to understand the patterns in, and drivers of, riverine processes like primary production, in both near-pristine and degraded rivers. A third line of research, stymied by how difficult it has been to restore degraded rivers, has called for process-based restoration, building on knowledge from the other two research thrusts. Today's hydroecological science seeks to understand the mechanisms whereby flow regimes affect biota and ecosystem processes, and the interplay between them, in a three-way interaction we call the flow-biota-ecosystem processes nexus. ADVANCES By shifting the focus from static patterns at sites to dynamic processes along river networks, advances are being made to understand the interactions and feedbacks at the nexus. Fueled by increasingly available time-series data and novel modeling, emerging research ranges from studies on regime-based properties such as flow periodicity and its change, to studies on river network structure and associated spatial variation in flow and water chemistry. These studies demonstrate how flow variability influences long-term persistence of riverine assemblages, and they are disentangling the direct effects of flow on communities and ecosystem processes from its indirect effects (e.g., via species interactions, light-blocking turbidity). Changes in temporal patterns in flow magnitudes can increase risk of community collapse and alter key ecosystem processes such as primary production. Growing research shows that storm flows not only enhance inputs and downstream export of terrestrially derived carbon to rivers but, when associated with sustained hydrologic connectivity with soils, exert particular influence on water chemistry and biogeochemical processes that can influence food webs. Increased availability of environmental sensors has stimulated research, showing that extreme flows may impart disproportionate impacts on stream metabolism, but the relationship can depend on the predictability of those flows. Research combining changes in flow patterns with stable isotope analyses is revealing how temporal fluctuations in habitat, and in the quality and quantity of basal resources, influence trophic pathways and resulting food-web structure. Evidence suggests that restoring particular facets of a flow regime can produce desirable conservation outcomes, but context is paramount. Restoration actions going beyond discrete flow events and enhancing groundwater-influenced river habitat or redirecting subsurface flow paths may be critical in future climates. OUTLOOK Our understanding of the flow-biota-ecosystem processes nexus is still incomplete and is a frontier research topic. Challenges include connecting organismal and ecosystem-level processes, and understanding the role of microbial communities as intermediaries. Capturing the effects of watershed-level physical and biogeochemical heterogeneity, and parsing out direct, indirect, or cascading effects of flow alteration on biota and processes would also reduce uncertainty in restoration outcomes, particularly in novel, nonstationary environments. Understanding how much flow restoration alone can achieve in urban watersheds is an urgent need, as is translating findings from hydroecology to design green infrastructure and flow release programs from reservoirs. These management tools may offer growing opportunities to experiment with flow regimes, which will assist in refining process-based river restoration. Both solid science, and effective translation into practice will be needed to curb the fast pace of global river ecosystem degradation. River flow regimes have shaped the life history strategies of plants and animals over evolutionary time scales. River regulation and associated alteration of flow and thermal regimes alter organismal development, often shifting important events such as insect emergence, depicted here by Palingenia mayflies entering their winged, flying stage to mate. PHOTO: CHRISS_NS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM River ecosystems are highly biodiverse, influence global biogeochemical cycles, and provide valued services. However, humans are increasingly degrading fluvial ecosystems by altering their streamflows. Effective river restoration requires advancing our mechanistic understanding of how flow regimes affect biota and ecosystem processes. Here, we review emerging advances in hydroecology relevant to this goal. Spatiotemporal variation in flow exerts direct and indirect control on the composition, structure, and dynamics of communities at local to regional scales. Streamflows also influence ecosystem processes, such as nutrient uptake and transformation, organic matter processing, and ecosystem metabolism. We are deepening our understanding of how biological processes, not just static patterns, affect and are affected by stream ecosystem processes. However, research on this nexus of flow-biota-ecosystem processes is at an early stage. We illustrate this frontier with evidence from highly altered regulated rivers and urban streams. We also identify research challenges that should be prioritized to advance process-based river restoration.


In the first article in this two-part series (Vol 8(11): 730-34) the issue of cervical screening and the cervical smear test was described and discussed. This article looks at colposcopy. When a woman receives an abnormal smear test result, she will often require further examination of the cervix in order to identify the degree and area of dyskaryosis. Colposcopy can often provoke feelings of fear and anxiety in women and the nurse must help to alleviate these fears and anxieties. Colposcopy and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia are discussed and the treatment (if any) is outlined.


Indonesia's economy in the banking sector is experiencing ups and downs. There are times when it grows rapidly, and under certain conditions there are a number of banks experiencing problems and eventually being revoked their licenses. Revocation of business license is done as a last step in the efforts to heal the bank if the bank's difficulties interfere with its business continuity or endanger the banking system. It is a mandate from Law No. 7 of 1992 on Banking as amended by Law No. 10 of 1998. This paper wants to reveal the understanding, legal basis, liquidation factors to analasis revocation of business license and liquidation of banks in Indonesia. The method used in this study is the normative juridical approach method, in which the research conducted is by examining library research materials, which relate to the title being studied. This study concluded, first, OJK can revoke bpr business license because the condition of a bank endangers the banking system. Like the level of difficulty experienced in conducting business activities, the bank is unable to fulfill its obligations to other banks. Second, the bank has difficulties that jeopardize the continuity of its business and actions to overcome them are not enough to overcome the difficulties faced by the bank.


Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) has been shown to enhance learning by promoting peer interactions. With the support of collaborative learning flow patterns (CLFP), the collaboration process within the socalled CSCL macro-scripts can be further structured and constrained. However, social dynamics within tasks, even within scripts, have the potential to hinder the collaborative element as students might not participate sufficiently in conversations. To determine if participation in discussions between students was balanced within a CSCL script we analysed data from an implementation of the Pyramid CLFP. The data showed that student participation varied across different groups, with some groups and students not initiating conversation between them. Socially shared regulation is a social form of regulation where students regulate their learning as a group rather than as individuals through the means of discussion, negotiation, and perspective taking. As research has shown that for collaborative learning to be successful students need to engage in fruitful discussions and support each other to regulate their learning, we propose the implementation of a social awareness feature mirroring group participation through learning analytics in a CLFP tool (PyramidApp) to promote socially shared regulated learn-


Transitioning from a face-to-face teaching environment to online teaching requires a shift in paradigm by stakeholders involved (i.e., instructors and students). This chapter provides an extensive literature review to help novice online instructors understand the nature of online teaching presence to help position their students towards more active participation. Premised on the Community of Inquiry framework (Garrison, Anderson & Archer, 2000) and constructivism, we highlight a conceptual framework of four iterative processes for developing online teaching presence: preparations for facilitation, designing the facilitation, implementing the facilitation, and assessing the facilitation. Based on this framework, strategies are articulated for overcoming the challenges of online learning through shared stakeholder responsibility.


African economies depend largely on agriculture. Most people in Africa spend most of their lives in rural areas. Agriculture is an important sector of African industry and economy, it employs more than half of the population and accounts more than half of the national income. Due to population increase the food security remains an issue. In accordance of the lack of domestic capacities of African countries to deal with the problem, it is particularly important to increase assistance from developed countries. African States are expected to demonstrate the ability to implement policies that will change with the funds received / while receiving funds. However, for various reasons, despite numerous aid packages, it/Africa remains backward. This article examines the impact of foreign aid on agricultural productivity and the impact of the quality of management on development aid flows. As examples, it was decided to take such countries as Ghana, Cameroon and Mali. The purpose of this article is to confirm the hypothesis that development assistance correlates positively with the productivity of agriculture. The second hypothesis suggests that development aid flows respond to the quality of public administration. As for the results, the impact between the variables was recorded, but the results were ambiguous.


Agricultural input and output status in southern Xinjiang, China is introduced, such as lack of agricultural input, low level of agricultural modernization, excessive fertilizer use, serious damage of environment, shortage of water resources, tremendous pressure on ecological balance, insignificant economic and social benefits of agricultural production in southern Xinjiang, agriculture remaining a weak industry, agricultural economy as the economic subject of southern Xinjiang, and backward economic development of southern Xinjiang. Taking the Aksu area as an example, according to the input and output data in the years 2002-2007, input-output model about regional agriculture of the southern Xinjiang is established by principal component analysis. DPS software is used in the process of solving the model. Then, Eviews software is adopted to revise and test the model in order to analyze and evaluate the economic significance of the results obtained, and to make additional explanations of the relevant model. Since the agricultural economic output is seriously restricted in southern Xinjiang at present, the following countermeasures are put forward, such as adjusting the structure of agricultural land, improving the utilization ratio of land, increasing agricultural input, realizing agricultural modernization, rationally utilizing water resources, maintaining eco-environmental balance, enhancing the awareness of agricultural insurance, minimizing the risk and loss, taking the road of industrialization of characteristic agricultural products , and realizing the transfer of surplus labor force.


1. Despite partial degeneration of the larval muscles and reorganization of the nervous system, pupae of the privet hawk moth, Sphinx ligustri , show simple behaviour patterns including abdominal flexion and twirling, and a movement which closes the gin trap.

2. The gin trap closes when the motor neurones driving muscles in the ipsilateral half of the adjacent anterior segment discharge together in a brief high-frequency volley.

3. The system which excites the volley is restricted to these motor neurones and is activated only by input at a high frequency from triggering receptors.

4. A second system excites efferent neurones in several segments and is driven by triggering and non-triggering receptors. Therefore at low input frequencies the discrimination between the two kinds of receptors disappears.

5. Motor patterns associated with twirling movements drive the efferent neurones in a sequence which interferes with their simultaneous response to triggering inputs.

6. The arrangement of the closure system shows that the afferent neurones are separated from the efferent neurones by at least one interneurone.


ABSTRACT Stink bugs are economically important pests that damage a wide range of crops in the southeastern United States. Stink bug feeding on developing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ) bolls may result in reduced yield and loss of fiber quality; similarly, feeding on developing soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] pods can reduce yield and seed quality. During 2009 and 2010, the seasonal abundance and reproductive biology of Chinavia hilaris (Say) and Nezara viridula (L.) were investigated in replicated 1.62–2.83-ha farmscapes containing equal proportions of corn (Zea mays L.), cotton, peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), and soybean. Crops were sampled weekly by using whole plant examinations in corn and sweep net sampling in cotton, peanut, and soybean. In 2010 only, adults were dissected to rate their reproductive development, and nymphs were classified to instar. No C. hilaris adults or nymphs ever were observed in corn; however, nymphs were observed in cotton and soybean during late September with peak abundance occurring just after the autumnal equinox. The peak of late-instar nymphs was followed within 2 wk by a peak of nonreproductive adults. More adults were observed in soybean than cotton. In contrast, N. viridula nymphs and adults were found across all crops and had multiple generations throughout the growing season. Results from this study indicate that C. hilaris and N. viridula are different in voltinism, phenology, and use of hosts. These data provide knowledge of stink bug biology and population ecology at the landscape level and are useful for designing and implementing stink bug management programs.


Localization of lead-zinc deposits in the mid-Wales ore field, United Kingdom, occurred where cross-cutting mineral veins were deflected by pre-existing sets of ac joints. Such deposits are frequently attributed to the infilling of open spaces formed by the intersection of premineralization fractures. This concept is not supported by the presence of analogous open spaces in unmineralized fracture systems. It is suggested that some ore shoots in the mid-Wales lodes were formed by the opening of ac fractures under the hydraulic pressure of the ore fluids during the mineralization process. Any planar anisotropy in a rock can affect the development of a hydraulically formed mineral vein, and the suggested mechanism probably operated during the formation of deposits in other ore fields.


Background

Any preoperative diagnostic assessment that can predict the success of the operation in acromegaly will provide a positive impact on overall remission rates. The aim of this study is to present whether signal intensity on T2-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging could predict postoperative results in acromegaly patients.
Methods

We analyzed our surgical results in regard to T2-weighted images in newly diagnosed consecutive 124 patients with acromegaly, operated between 2014 and 2019. The T2-intensity of the pure somatotroph adenomas was correlated with the clinical, radiological, surgical and histopathological characteristics of the acromegaly patients.
Results

We found a predominance of T2-hyperintensity in our series (45%) and the T2-hypointense pure somatotroph adenomas were detected in only 34% of our patients. Total resection was performed in 72% of newly diagnosed acromegaly patients in this series. Accordingly, total resection was achieved in 69% of the T2-hyperintense group, 77% of the T2-hypointense group and 69% of the T2-isointense group. The surgical remission rates for the T2-hyper-, hypo- and isointense groups were 55%, 80%, and 69%, respectively. The surgical remission rate in the T2-hyperintense group was significantly lower than those of hypo- and isointense groups in newly diagnosed acromegaly patients.
Conclusions

This study demonstrates a close relationship between the T2 signal intensity and the surgical remission rates in acromegaly. T2 signal intensity seems to be an indicator of the degree of surgical resection completeness in pure somatotroph adenomas. The implications suggest that preoperative T2-intensity may directly predict the probability of post-surgical remission as an important independent factor in patients with newly diagnosed acromegaly.


Horizontal transfer of mobile genetic elements within Staphylococci is of high biomedical significance as such elements are frequently responsible for virulence and toxic effects. Staphylococcus-encoded repressor proteins regulate the replication of these mobile genetic elements that are located within the so-called pathogenicity islands. Here, we report structural and functional characterization of one such repressor protein, namely the Stl protein encoded by the pathogenicity island SaPIbov1. We create a 3D structural model and based on this prediction, we investigate the different functionalities of truncated and point mutant constructs. Results suggest that a helix-turn-helix motif governs the interaction of the Stl protein with its cognate DNA site: point mutations within this motif drastically decrease DNA-binding ability, whereas the interaction with the Stl-binding partner protein dUTPase is unperturbed by these point mutations. The 3D model also suggested the potential independent folding of a carboxy-terminal domain. This suggestion was fully verified by independent experiments revealing that the carboxy-terminal domain does not bind to DNA but is still capable of binding to and inhibiting dUTPase. A general model is proposed, which suggests that among the several structurally different repressor superfamilies Stl-like Staphylococcal repressor proteins belong to the helix-turn-helix transcription factor group and the HTH motif is suggested to reside within N-terminal segment.


Much work has been performed on learning mechanisms for neural networks. A particular area of interest has been the use of neural networks for image processing problems. Two important pieces of work in this area are unified. An architecture and learning scheme for neural networks called generative back propagation has been previously developed and a system for image compression and filtering based on 2-D Gabor transformations which used a neural network type architecture described. Daugman's procedure is exactly replicated, a procedure which used a four layer neural network as a two-layer generative back propagation network with half of the units. The GBP update rule is shown to perform the same change as Daugman's rule, but more efficiently.


This paper considers the problems of evaluating the benefits of an investment in information technology and systems against a background of institutional change. It is based on a case study in the National Health Service and follows the progress of a project to introduce benefits realisation in NHS Trusts. The case illustrates the importance of personal, hands‐on attention to benefits management and calls attention to the different contingencies faced by managers in attempting to introduce evaluation or benefits realisation schemes. It concludes that, where managers face "certain" contingencies, formative evaluation will be beneficial, but where the contingencies are uncertain, structural changes in the organisation may be more effective in achieving benefits. The paper ends with a plea for evaluation activities to be re‐integrated into their organisational context.


This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis among blood donors in a tertiary care hospital of Andhra Pradesh, a six-year experience. All the blood donors who came to Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences hospital to donate blood during 2004-2009 and people who gave voluntary written consent were selected for the study. Seroprevalence of antibodies against HBV, HCV and HIV was studied by ELISA in voluntary and replacement blood donors from 2004 to 2009. RPR was done for screening of syphilis. Blood samples of 8097 persons were tested. The seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis was found to be 0.39%, 1.41%, 0.84% and 0.08% respectively. Infections were slightly more common among replacement donors compared to voluntary donors. There was a gradual decrease of TTIs in blood donors over the years.


The psychobiological model of endurance performance proposes that endurance performance is determined by a decision-making process based on perception of effort and potential motivation. Recent research has reported that effort-based decision-making during cognitive tasks can be altered by non-conscious visual cues relating to affect and action. The effects of these non-conscious visual cues on effort and performance during physical tasks are however unknown. We report two experiments investigating the effects of subliminal priming with visual cues related to affect and action on perception of effort and endurance performance. In Experiment 1 thirteen individuals were subliminally primed with happy or sad faces as they cycled to exhaustion in a counterbalanced and randomized crossover design. A paired t-test (happy vs. sad faces) revealed that individuals cycled significantly longer (178 s, p = 0.04) when subliminally primed with happy faces. A 2 × 5 (condition × iso-time) ANOVA also revealed a significant main effect of condition on rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during the time to exhaustion (TTE) test with lower RPE when subjects were subliminally primed with happy faces (p = 0.04). In Experiment 2, a single-subject randomization tests design found that subliminal priming with action words facilitated a significantly longer TTE (399 s, p = 0.04) in comparison to inaction words. Like Experiment 1, this greater TTE was accompanied by a significantly lower RPE (p = 0.03). These experiments are the first to show that subliminal visual cues relating to affect and action can alter perception of effort and endurance performance. Non-conscious visual cues may therefore influence the effort-based decision-making process that is proposed to determine endurance performance. Accordingly, the findings raise notable implications for individuals who may encounter such visual cues during endurance competitions, training, or health related exercise.


In a randomised, crossover trial, 20 patients with electrocardiographically proven coronary heart disease and exercise-inducible angina pectoris, the antiischemic effect of gallopamil (3 x 50 mg) and molsidomine (2 x 2 mg) were studied. Both therapies showed a clear anti-ischemic effect in bicycle exercise tests. The average ST-segment depression at maximal comparable workload was reduced from 0.16 mV (without medication) to 0.06 mV with gallopamil and 0.09 mV with molsidomine, the difference between the two therapies was significant (p less than or equal to 0.05). The increase in the heart rate, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure during exercise, were less marked with both therapies. The correlation between rate-pressure product and average ST-segment depression showed a better reduction in ST-segment depression at comparable myocardial O2-consumption for gallopamil in comparison with molsidomine. It is concluded that gallopamil improves myocardial perfusion and microcirculation in ischemic areas more than molsidomine.


An army ant colony does not welcome outsiders. Yet within the nests of most species of army ants, quietly stealing nourishment from their unwitting hosts, live tiny beetles that have evolved to look, smell, and behave just like their hosts. They have managed this evolutionary feat not just once, but at least a dozen times, new research shows. There are other classic examples of parallel evolution, but those species had a recent common ancestor, whereas the rove beetles have been diverging for more than a hundred million years. And just as ant colonies are jackpots for ant look-alike rove beetles, so, too, are termite nests. Based on a morphologically based family tree, other researchers propose that an adaptation of some beetles for living and hunting in sand helped protect the first beetle parasites from the termite attack. Now, some of these rove beetles have come to look and act just like the termites.


Background Checkpoint inhibitors as well as adoptive cell therapy hold great promise for cancer therapy and encouraging treatment responses have already been demonstrated in different cancer indications. Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. Standard therapy has very limited efficacy in the majority of patients. Analysis of the GB tumor microenvironment (TME) has shown prominent immunosuppressive features including expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells and increased frequency of FOX-P3 positive regulatory T cells. While the surrounding brain is HER2-negative, GB tumors are frequently HER2-positive, suggesting HER2 as a promising target for adoptive immunotherapy. Previous results from mouse glioma models showed efficacy of CAR-NK cells (NK-92/5.28.z) targeted against HER2 as monotherapy with relatively small tumors, but not with advanced late-stage tumors. Materials and Methods The murine glioma cell line GL261 was transfected with HER2. Tumor cells were implanted either subcutaneously or orthotopically into C57BL/6 mice and treated either with HER2-specific NK-92/5.28.z cells alone or in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody. Effects on tumor growth and survival were determined. Lymphocyte infiltration and immunosuppressive TME were characterized in high-dimensional high-throughput analysis via RNAseq and multiplex IHC. Results Combined treatment with NK-92/5.28.z cells and anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade resulted in synergistic effects with tumor regression and long-term survival even of advanced-stage tumor bearing mice. Analysis of TME showed enhanced cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration and altered profiles of exhaustion markers in tumor and immune cells, leading to an altered TME after combined treatment with NK-92/5.28.z cells and anti-PD-1 antibody. Conclusions These data demonstrate that efficacy of NK-92/5.28.z cells can be enhanced in combination with checkpoint blockade, resulting in successful treatment of advanced tumors refractory to NK-92/5.28.z monotherapy. Furthermore, the combination therapy induces a cytotoxic rather than immunosuppressive TME, leading to a primed immune system. To address this question in a clinical setting, we are preparing a combination therapy cohort as part of our ongoing phase I clinical study (CAR2BRAIN; NCT03383978). Disclosure Information F. Strassheimer: None. M.I. Strecker: None. T. Alekseeva: None. J. Macas: None. M.C. Demes: None. I.C. Mildenberger: None. T. Tonn: None. P.J. Wild: None. L. Sevenich: None. Y. Reiss: None. P.N. Harter: None. K.H. Plate: None. W.S. Wels: None. J.P. Steinbach: None. M.C. Burger: None.


The application of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the prediction of the thermal decomposition behavior of lignocellulosic biomass (three types of woody biomass and three types of herbaceous biomass) was successfully performed along with statistical analysis. The thermal degradation behaviors of the woody and herbaceous biomass were different because of their different chemical compositions. Herbaceous biomass was degraded at lower temperature than woody biomass. The weight-loss profiles as a function of temperature were obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at a heating rate of 25°C/min under nitrogen gas. The weight-loss percentage at 10 temperatures in the range 150–600°C was predicted by a wavelet partial least squares (PLS) model, which showed significantly better predictive performance than the ordinary PLS model. The results show that the data predicted by the wavelet PLS model was well fitted to the original data by TGA, in which the root-mean-square error in prediction values less than 5.5 suggested that NIR spectroscopy was applicable for rapid analysis to characterize the thermal decomposition behavior of lignocellulosic biomass for energy production. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009


Methods to assess the fatigue strength of spot welds in built-up structures are used on a daily basis in the automotive industry. Efficient and reliable numerical methods make it possible to achieve designs with low weight, low manufacturing costs and good durability within short development cycles, since the number of prototypes built can be reduced. To refine the existing methods further, this thesis investigates the fatigue behaviour of spot welded joints. Experiments as well as three-dimensional elastic and elastic-plastic finite element simulations were carried out to investigate the influence of welding residual stresses, spatial variation in yield stress, and fatigue properties on fatigue crack initiation at spot welds. It was found that tensile residual stresses relax for higher loads, and that linear elastic fracture mechanics could be used to predict the early growth of fatigue cracks initiating at the spot weld perimeter. The fatigue crack propagation through the sheet thickness at peel and shear loaded spot welds was then studied experimentally with interrupted fatigue tests. These tests showed that fatigue life was much shorter for a shear loaded weld than for a peel loaded one when both were subjected to the same initial stress intensity factor range. This was taken into account by a new fatigue life prediction method for built-up structures. A new shear correction factor takes the crack propagation into account, although only the initial stress intensity factor range is used for the fatigue life prediction. The method was verified with fatigue data from eight specimens. The effects of mean stress on the fatigue life of peel and shear loaded welds were investigated experimentally. The results observed could be explained by crack closure. This was found both experimentally and with elastic-plastic finite element simulations. Fatigue tests with variable amplitude loads were also conducted. It was found that the Palmgren-Miner cumulative damage rule can give non-conservative results by up to a factor of four, because of load interaction effects. To avoid this, a new fatigue life prediction method for variable amplitude fatigue of spot welds was developed and verified experimentally. The method is based on crack closure and linear damage accumulation.


Ocinebrina nicolai Monterosato, 1884 a marine mollusc belonging to the Muricidae family is reported from Algarve, south coast of Portugal for the first time and is a new record for the biodiversity of the Portuguese malacological fauna and northeastern Atlantic waters. This species with a medium-size shell for the genus (14–16 mm) was initially sampled during a baseline project that studied marine biotopes in the central Algarve region. This short note presents a brief diagnosis of the species, provides local information on geographical distribution, habitat, and compares it with other congeneric species found in Portugal: Ocinebrina aciculata (Lamarck, 1822) and Ocinebrina edwardsii (Payraudeau, 1826).


OBJECTIVE
To recognize abdominal epilepsy in adults.

MATERIAL AND METHOD
Case report.

RESULTS
Case 1: A 21-year-old woman with DM type I presented with a 2-month history involving four episodes of severe abdominal pain and vomiting, each of which lasted four to five days. She had a recurrence every two weeks. The EEG revealed 'spike and wave ' and she was started an intravenous phenytoin that resolved the symptoms. Case 2: A 20-year-old woman with DM type I was admitted with a 2-month history of recurring severe left upper quadrant pain associated with occasional nausea but no vomiting. She experienced two more episodes of generalized tonic-clonic seizures and was treated with 300 mg phenytoin given orally The abdominal pains gradually subsided and she was symptom-free within two days. An EEG showed frequent sharp waves. She was treated with 10 mg intravenous diazepam and her symptoms and sharp waves disappeared within two minutes. Case 3: A 46-year-old man with DM type I was admitted with a four-month history of recurring severe epigastric pain and vomiting. His physical examination, laboratory tests, and extensive investigation for a primary GI disorder revealed nothing unusual. The EEG revealed spike and wave and he was treated with intravenous AED (phenytoin) loading after which the symptoms disappeared.

CONCLUSION
Physicians should consider abdominal epilepsy in diabetics with recurrent, intractable abdominal pain in whom extensive investigations for primary gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are unremarkable.


Inorganic nanomaterials including gold nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, graphene, magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots and layered double hydroxides have become one of the most active research fields in biochemistry, biotechnology and biomedicine. Benefiting from the facile synthesis/modification, intrinsically physicochemical properties and good biocompatibility, inorganic nanomaterials have shown great potential in bioimaging, targeted drug delivery and cancer therapies. This Feature Article summarizes recent progress on various inorganic nanocarriers, including the background, synthesis, modification, cytotoxicity, physicochemical properties as well as their applications in biomedicine.


The modified SHA1 algorithm has been developed by expanding its hash value up to 1280 bits from the original size of 160 bit. This was done by allocating 32 buffer registers for variables A, B, C and D at 5 bytes each. The expansion was done by generating 4 buffer registers in every round inside the compression function for 8 times. Findings revealed that the hash value of the modified algorithm was not cracked or hacked during the experiment and testing using powerful online cracking tool, bruteforce and rainbow table such as CrackingStation and Rainbow Crack and bruteforcer which are available online thus improved its security level compared to the original SHA1.


In this study, multistacked InAs submonolayer (SML) quantum dots (QDs) were sandwiched in an InGaAs/GaAsSb dot-in-a-double-well (DDwell) structure to enhance the crystal quality and optical properties of QDs. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the InAs SML QDs with the DDwell structure was 5.5 times higher than that of conventional InAs/GaAs SML QDs because of the reduced number of nonradiative recombination centers and the enhanced carrier hole confinement. The PL results of the DDwell structure exhibit two peaks that represent the carrier overflow from SML QDs to InGaAs quantum wells (QWs) and hence the radiative recombination in InGaAs QWs because of the shallow carrier confinement of SML QDs. Among the compared samples, the DDwell structure exhibited the highest activation energy of 101.8 meV. Furthermore, the carrier thermal escape was suppressed in these InAs SML QDs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that the microstructures of the InAs SML QDs demonstrated larger dots for the DDwell structure, thus verifying that the emission wavelength elongated in the PL measurement. These improved optical properties of the InAs SML QDs with the DDwell structure were attributable to the improved crystal quality because of the use of Sb surfactants and additional volume for carrier recombination provided by the InGaAs quantum well. The DDwell structure can thus be applied in optoelectronic devices to obtain advanced performance.In this study, multistacked InAs submonolayer (SML) quantum dots (QDs) were sandwiched in an InGaAs/GaAsSb dot-in-a-double-well (DDwell) structure to enhance the crystal quality and optical properties of QDs. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the InAs SML QDs with the DDwell structure was 5.5 times higher than that of conventional InAs/GaAs SML QDs because of the reduced number of nonradiative recombination centers and the enhanced carrier hole confinement. The PL results of the DDwell structure exhibit two peaks that represent the carrier overflow from SML QDs to InGaAs quantum wells (QWs) and hence the radiative recombination in InGaAs QWs because of the shallow carrier confinement of SML QDs. Among the compared samples, the DDwell structure exhibited the highest activation energy of 101.8 meV. Furthermore, the carrier thermal escape was suppressed in these InAs SML QDs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that the microstructures of the InAs SML QDs demonstrated larger dots ...


We calculate third- and fifth-order Raman spectra of simple atoms interacting through a soft-core potential by means of molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations. The total polarizability of molecules is treated by the dipole-induced dipole model. Two- and three-body correlation functions of the polarizability at various temperatures are evaluated from equilibrium MD simulations based on a stability matrix formulation. To analyze the processes involved in the spectroscopic measurements, we divide the fifth-order response functions into symmetric and antisymmetric integrated response functions; the symmetric one is written as a simple three-body correlation function, while the antisymmetric one depends on a stability matrix. This analysis leads to a better understanding of the time scales and molecular motions that govern the two-dimensional (2D) signal. The 2D Raman spectra show novel differences between the solid and liquid phases, which are associated with the decay rates of coherent motions. On the other hand, these differences are not observed in the linear Raman spectra.


A 9-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat with dysuria, anorexia, vomiting, and lethargy was admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital. A large, firm mass was palpable in the ventral cervical region. Hypercalcemia, azotemia, and nonregenerative anemia were evident on serum biochemical analysis and CBC, and multiple uroliths were detected by abdominal radiography. At necropsy, light microscopy of the ventral cervical mass revealed a parathyroid adenocarcinoma. Light microscopy of sections of the kidneys revealed multifocal, chronic, lymphocytic/plasmacytic, tubulointerstitial nephritis, as well as moderate multifocal acute tubular necrosis. On quantitative analysis, the uroliths were composed of calcium oxalate. Determination of serum calcium concentration is indicated in cats with calcium oxalate urolithiasis to aid in detection of primary hyperparathyroidism.