Acquiring and performing leisure skills for a teacher does not denote the criterion of ultimate functioning for a teenager. One important criterion for community leisure participation by teenagers includes engaging in those activities with friends. The primary purpose of the present study was to investigate the degree to which leisure skills acquired and demonstrated through instruction would generalize when students were provided opportunities to engage in those same activities with a peer. A secondary purpose was to determine the impact of leisure skill competence by the student with disabilities on social interactions with peers while engaging in leisure activities. A tertiary purpose was to examine the attitudes of the teenagers without disabilities who participated in the study. Results indicated that the increase in skills demonstrated with the instructor were associated with an increase in the demonstration of those same skills when engaged in the activity with a peer. Correlations were calculated between leisure skill demonstration by the student with disabilities and specific social behaviors. Only the skill defined as "cooperative participation" was highly correlated. Attitude scores of the high school peers showed a statistically significant increase following the 4 months of interaction. The implications for intervention approaches to facilitate the acquisition and generalization of leisure skills for students with severe disabilities are discussed.


The community service program was carried out with encouragement to improve the ability and understanding of word classes in English for kindergarten teachers, especially TKIT Al-Islah, Jombor Village, Mojolaban District, Sukoharjo. The material presented consists of pronoun, verb, adjective, noun, and adverb. Service activities in the form of this training begin with pretest questions and end with post tests. The evaluation showed an increase in word classes knowledge in English where the pretest results were 72 to 90 during the posttest. Thus, it is expected that teachers can develop English learning materials by utilizing their word classes knowledge.


The arylsulfanylpyrazolone and aryloxanylpyrazolone scaffolds previously were reported to inhibit Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 dependent protein aggregation and to extend survival in the ALS mouse model. However, further evaluation of these compounds indicated weak pharmacokinetic properties and a relatively low maximum tolerated dose. On the basis of an ADME analysis, a new series of compounds, the arylazanylpyrazolones, has been synthesized, and structure-activity relationships were determined. The SAR results showed that the pyrazolone ring is critical to cellular protection. The NMR, IR, and computational analyses suggest that phenol-type tautomers of the pyrazolone ring are the active pharmacophore with the arylazanylpyrazolone analogues. A comparison of experimental and calculated IR spectra is shown to be a valuable method to identify the predominant tautomer.


THE Heads of the UK Veterinary Schools may feel unable to comment on the wisdom or advisability of opening another UK veterinary school ( VR , November 17, 2012, vol 171, p 509) but as one of the generation of the profession who have lived and worked through a golden era of our profession – free university tuition, well-funded and high quality veterinary research and education, a highly-regarded profession and an expanding one within a thriving national economy – I must do so. To be blunt, this is suicidal for the veterinary profession in the longer term.

Of course the University of Surrey, in proposing a new veterinary …


The present article is a contribution to the analysis of the relationship between regions and municipalities in the State of Parana concerning the medical-hospital admission hierarchy process by the Sistema Unico de Saude - SUS (Public Health System)


This article reviews the principle of minimum description length (MDL) for problems of model selection. By viewing statistical modeling as a means of generating descriptions of observed data, the MDL framework discriminates between competing models based on the complexity of each description. This approach began with Kolmogorov's theory of algorithmic complexity, matured in the literature on information theory, and has recently received renewed attention within the statistics community. Here we review both the practical and the theoretical aspects of MDL as a tool for model selection, emphasizing the rich connections between information theory and statistics. At the boundary between these two disciplines we find many interesting interpretations of popular frequentist and Bayesian procedures. As we show, MDL provides an objective umbrella under which rather disparate approaches to statistical modeling can coexist and be compared. We illustrate the MDL principle by considering problems in regression, nonparametric curve estimation, cluster analysis, and time series analysis. Because model selection in linear regression is an extremely common problem that arises in many applications, we present detailed derivations of several MDL criteria in this context and discuss their properties through a number of examples. Our emphasis is on the practical application of MDL, and hence we make extensive use of real datasets. In writing this review, we tried to make the descriptive philosophy of MDL natural to a statistics audience by examining classical problems in model selection. In the engineering literature, however, MDL is being applied to ever more exotic modeling situations. As a principle for statistical modeling in general, one strength of MDL is that it can be intuitively extended to provide useful tools for new problems.


A passive mechanical wafer alignment technique, capable of micron and better alignment accuracy, was developed, fabricated and tested. This technique is based on the principle of elastic averaging: It uses mating pyramid (convex) and groove (concave) elements, which have been previously patterned on the wafers, to passively align wafers to each other as they are stacked. The concave and convex elements were micro machined on 4-in (100) silicon wafers using wet anisotropic (KOH) etching and deep reactive ion etching. Submicron repeatability and accuracy on the order of one micron were shown through testing. Repeatability and accuracy were also measured as a function of the number of engaged elements. Submicrometer repeatability was achieved with as little as eight mating elements. Potential applications of this technique are precision alignment for bonding of multiwafer MEMS devices and three-dimensional (3-D) interconnect integrated circuits (ICs), as well as one-step alignment for simultaneous bonding of multiple wafer stacks. Future work will focus on minimizing the size of the elements.


This article presents a short-term interest rate monetary model; it generalises Junca and Rodriguez's interest rate formation model and captures the exogenous and endogenous factors determining monetary supply and short-term interest rate behaviour. Short-term interest rate rises with increased expectations of future inflation, external interest rate and future short-term interest-rate expectations. The model shows that a policy for controlling the amount of money could stabilise the short-term rate, as well as other interest rates.


In this work the implementation of a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) using a Nutt delay line FPGA-based and applied on a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) device is going to be presented in order to check the system's suitability for Time of Flight (TOF) measurements. In recent years, FPGAs have shown great advantages for precise time measurements in PET. The architecture employed for these measurements is described in detail. The system developed was tested on a dedicated breast PET prototype, composed of LYSO crystals and Positive Sensitive Photomultipliers (PSPMTs). Two distinct experiments were carried out for this purpose. In the first test, system linearity was evaluated in order to calibrate the time measurements, providing a linearity error of less than 2% and an average time resolution of 1.4 ns FWHM. The second set of measurements tested system resolution, resulting in a FWHM as good as 1.35 ns. The results suggest that the coincidence window for the current PET can be reduced in order to minimize the random events and thus, achieve better image quality.


We review the subject of angioneurotic edema with special emphasis on the more clearly defined entity of hereditary angioneurotic edema. The clinical presentations of the various forms of angioneurotic edema are discussed. Attention is directed toward the attempts that have been made to define this group of diseases in terms of their underlying biochemical mechanisms. A simplified schema of the serum complement system is presented. We conclude that only after we understand such biochemical interactions will we able to effect a more definitive form of therapy for the angioneurotic edemas.


The biggest issue of national economic development is the high rate of poverty. Several efforts and solutions in the form of financial help program had been conducted by the government to overcome poverty problems, especially through an integrated act to overcome poverty program (Gerdu-Taskin).This program aimed to decrease poor-people through self-independency using human developmental approach, enterprises, and environment; on 2007, which was developed to be the link of social economic security (Japes). Malang, one of district in East Java, became one of district who got financial help program. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the role of Gerdu-Taskin in powering up the poor-people and identifying each motivating and demotivating factors for Gerdu-Taskin to increase social welfare in the District of Malang. This study was taken place at Pandanrejo village, the subdistrict of Pagak, the District of Malang. It used explorative study by applying descriptive qualitative method. The result of study investigated that; first, the Gerdu-Taskin through the Financial Controlling Unit effectively played important role in powering up and improving the people-self-independency, especially in the study area at the south of Malang. Second, the implementation of Gerdu-Taskin program through "Anggrek" Financial Controlling Unit is as one of study area that effectively played important role in improving the rural-area institutional development. Third, the Gerdu-Taskin played important role in improving the social welfare in the District of Malang. The positive correlation between the both is able to be a role model to overcome poverty issues at other areas. Fourth, there are some problems appeared on the process of implementation of Gerdu-Taskin in Malang were the limited funds, corruption, the troubled-funds, the strong intervention of rural-area apparatus, the low support from both rural-area institution and the rural-area government, and the coordination among the manager programs in the district/ city had not yet gone well. Fifth, there were some advantages in Gerdu-Taskin program which was conducted by UPK in study area of Malang were the  circulating of funds went well, the competency of staff management was professional, skillful, especially the people around the area.


This paper begins with a brief review of the equation of motion for a generic floating body with modification to incorporate the influence of a power-take-off (PTO) unit. Since the damping coefficient is considered the dominant contribution to the PTO reaction force, the optimum non time-varying values are presented for all frequencies, recovering the well-known impedance-matching principle at the resonance condition of the coupled system. The construction of a laboratory-scale permanent magnet linear generator (PMLG), developed at the University of California at Berkeley, is discussed along with the basic electromagnetic equations used to model its performance. Modeling of the PMLG begins with a lumped magnetic circuit analysis, which provides an analytical solution to predict the magnetic flux available for power conversion. The voltage generated across each phase of the stator, induced by the motion of the armature, provides an estimate for the electromagnetic damping as a function of the applied resistive load. The performance of the PMLG and the validation of the proposed analytical model is completed by a set of dry-bench tests. Results from the bench test showed good agreement with the described electromechanical model, thus providing an analytical solution that can assist in further optimization of the PMLG.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


The surface-plasmon-polariton mode at the Ag-air interface of typical Al-alumina-Ag tunnel junctions and of novel Ag-Al-alumina-Ag tunnel junctions is excited in an attenuated-total-reflection arrangement. It is found that the photon-SPP coupling efficiency is determined principally by the amount of Al in the base electrode. The use of an extremely thin ( approximately 5 nm) Al base electrode or a base electrode ( approximately 20 nm thick) composed largely of Ag can lead to coupling efficiencies of up to 100%. These results indicate that the efficiency of light emission from prism-coupled tunnel junctions could possibly be increased by an order of magnitude over that previously observed. In addition, the fitting of theoretical curves to the experimental spectra affords a most useful characterisation, in terms of values for the dielectric function and thickness, of the thin films comprising the tunnel-junction structures. In particular the thickness of the alumina tunnel barrier in Al-alumina-Ag junctions is found to be approximately 2.2 nm, in good agreement with thickness values demanded by electron tunnelling studies.


Research on the human microbiome, the collection of microorganisms including bacteria, Archaea, and fungi living in and on the bodies of humans, is an exciting new frontier that promises to permanently change both the way human health is understood and how humans think about themselves and their relations with other organisms. We propose that the microbiome also has significant implications for conservation biology and provides a mechanism by which biologists who focus on the human body and on ecosystems can work together and learn from one another.

The human microbiome is extraordinarily diverse. Each human has over 100 trillion microbial symbionts (Costello et al. 2009), an order of magnitude more non-human cells than human cells. Although a bacterial cell contains 1000 times less DNA than a human cell, the collective microbial genome contains roughly 100 times more genes than the human genome (Foxman & Goldberg 2010). The human microbiota is distributed in distinct ecological communities that vary spatially and temporally on and within different parts of a human's body as well as across different human hosts.

Cataloging and annotating the function of the human microbiome is the subject of active, extensive research by several well-funded international consortia in China, the European Union, and the United States (e.g., http://nihroadmap/nih/.gov.hmp). The ability to document and explore the human microbiota is the result of new methods for sequencing nucleic acids, including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These new technologies allow comprehensive surveys of the composition of microbiomes, their functional capacities, and their physiological interactions with their hosts.

Growing understanding of the microbiome is changing what it means to be human. As Turnbaugh et al. (2007: 804) state, "If humans are thought of as a composite of microbial and human cells, the human genetic landscape as an aggregate of the genes in the human genome and the microbiome, and human metabolic features as a blend of human and microbial traits, then the picture that emerges is one of a human "supraorganism." Those who study human physiology are rapidly adopting this multigenomic perspective. Animal phenotypes, including those of humans, may be better understood as the dynamic outcome of the coexistence of multiple genomes than as a single individual's genome. We are learning that physiological functions of individuals, such as digestion and immunity, can be affected strongly by the microbiome (Dethlefsen et al. 2007). For example, the intestinal microbiome may contribute greatly to nutrient balance and to the transformation of drugs and other xenobiotics into bioactive forms (Souza et al. 2008). We are also gaining an understanding that disease can result not just from the presence of pathogens, but from the absence or altered composition of organisms in the microbiome. Variation in the structure and composition of the human microbiota is proposed as one of the correlates, if not the driver, of the increased prevalence of disorders such as obesity and asthma (Blaser & Falkow 2009).

Although a great deal of research is being conducted on the human microbiome, the professional conservation community appears to be largely unaware of these developments. We suggest that the concepts and methods used to study the human microbiome could be applied to meet conservation challenges such as captive breeding, reintroduction, invasions of non-native species, and undesirable effects of chemicals on native plants and animals.

Bringing animals into captivity and maintaining breeding populations is undertaken to protect or increase abundances of declining and rare species. Obstacles to these efforts such as callithricid wasting syndrome, which affects numerous marmoset and tamarin species, including the endangered cotton-topped tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) (Chalifoux et al. 1982), and heliocobacter gastritis, which affects cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in captivity, may be related to alterations of the species' microbiome as a result of changes in diet, social conditions, or medical treatment. Successful management of species in captivity may well require managing their microbiomes.

For diverse reasons, many of the numerous attempts to reintroduce species have not succeeded. A reason that generally has not been considered is that the microbiomes of reintroduced individuals may differ from those of wild individuals, which reduces the probability that reintroduced individuals will survive. Results of recent work on laboratory mice show that changes in diet lead to substantial and rapid changes in the composition of the microbiota (Faith et al. 2011). This result may provide evidence of one of the ways in which conditions in captivity before reintroduction, including controlled feeding and shifts in diet, affect an animal's microbiome and subsequent physiological function. Attention to the microbiome of animals slated for reintroduction may increase the success of reintroduction efforts.

Differences in microbiomes may affect the pattern and effects of invasions of non-native species. The interactions between non-native and native species may be affected by the transmission of microbiota among closely related species or those with similar diets (Ley et al. 2008). The historically unparalleled movement of people, domestic livestock, wild animals, plants, and microorganisms around the globe is accompanied by increases in novel interactions (Keesing et al. 2010). These movements appear to be associated with another emerging type of invasion, the transmission of infectious diseases of wild animals to humans (Jones et al. 2008). This increase in transmission may be associated with factors including changes in human and non-human microbiomes.

Many chemicals manufactured and used by humans, such as pharmaceuticals, recreational drugs, and byproducts of industrial processes and agriculture, are deposited in soil, rivers or lakes, and oceans. There has been extensive research on the effects of these chemicals on wild animals. However, there has been limited consideration of the effects of human-made chemicals on microbiomes as a possible mechanism behind the effects of these chemicals on animals. In particular, the widespread use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the agricultural industry can have a serious effect on nontarget species, including humans, via effects on members of microbiomes (Gaskins et al. 2002).

Just as conservation scientists have many exciting things to learn from the study of the human microbiome, those studying the human microbiome are borrowing from studies of ecology (Gonzalez et al. 2011) and evolution (Muegge et al. 2011) that are foundations of conservation science. Understanding of colonization and extinction dynamics may be applied to studies of microbial turnover during host ontogeny and throughout the host's life. Knowledge of colonization and extinction processes, which can be essential components of a successful conservation strategy, is necessary to understand what are now known as multigenomic organisms. Moreover, concepts that are commonly referenced by conservation biologists, such as island biogeography and metapopulation dynamics, can inform many of the research objectives of those who study microbiomes (Dethlefesen et al. 2006).

On a more practical basis, most research on animal microbiomes has been conducted on taxa that have been captive for decades or longer and hence on organisms subject to the selection processes that accompany captivity and domestication (Woodworth et al. 2002). The microbiomes of such organisms represent a small, and likely biased, sample of the diverse microbiomes yet to be discovered. It is now known that microbiome members confer novel metabolic capacities to their hosts (Hehemann et al. 2010). These capacities can be acquired in 2 ways: colonization by a new species or the development of novel metabolic traits by an existing member of the microbiome. Because microbes can easily exchange genetic material, the functional capacities of microbiomes (and therefore of their hosts) may not be highly constrained by the small number of evolutionary processes that affect how new traits appear in monogenomic eukaryotic organisms.

We suggest the microbiome research community can learn from emerging insights in conservation biology about non-native invasive species and novel communities. Although there are many incentives for manipulating the genomes of bacteria to increase their benefits for humans, an ecological perspective argues for great caution in such work. The introduction of new genes into a given ecosystem can have unanticipated effects; thus, we can assume there will be unanticipated effects of tinkering with the ecosystems of human microbiomes and those of other species.

Humans are dramatically reshaping Earth to serve the needs of a single species, implicitly thinking Homo sapiens can survive on its own. The lessons emerging from studies of the human microbiome reinforce those from conservation biology. Humans must relearn that they are tightly bonded to nature and remember that survival of the human species depends on a wide range of other life forms, whether in our forests or in our mouths.


On behalf of the Board of the Journal of Leukemia (JLU) and my co-editors I am proud to introduce you open access peer-reviewed online journal Journal of Leukemia. The Journal of Leukemia (ISSN: 2329-6917) started publishing in 2013 and has since then published several high quality papers and reviews. I am extremely thankful to the Editorial board, our readers and contributors (authors and reviewers) for making this journal a great success


Brazilian Web users are among the most active in social networks and very keen on interacting with others. Offensive comments, known as hate speech, have been plaguing online media and originating a number of lawsuits against companies which publish Web content. Given the massive number of user generated text published on a daily basis, manually filtering offensive comments becomes infeasible. The identification of offensive comments can be treated as a supervised classification task. In order to obtain a model to classify comments, an annotated dataset containing positive and negative examples is necessary. The lack of such a dataset in Portuguese, limits the development of detection approaches for this language. In this paper, we describe how we created annotated datasets of offensive comments for Portuguese by collecting news comments on the Brazilian Web. In addition, we provide classification results achieved by standard classification algorithms on these datasets which can serve as baseline for future work on this topic.


BACKGROUND
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the immediate outcome and complications of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and laparoscopic mesh colposuspension (LC) procedures in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS
One hundred and twenty-eight patients suffering from urodynamically confirmed SUI were recruited to this multicenter, randomized clinical trial. After randomization there were seven drop-outs--121 patients were operated upon: 70 patients in the TVT group and 51 in the LC group. The patients were evaluated according to the study protocol before operation and 6 weeks after it. The independent sample t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used to calculate statistical differences between the study groups.

RESULTS
Immediate cure rates, defined as negative stress test with 300 mL saline in the bladder, were similar (92.9% in the TVT group and 88.2% in the LC group; p = ns). Return to normal voiding was faster in the TVT group (9.2 h in the TVT group vs. 24.4 h in the LC group; p = 0.004). Fewer analgesics were used in the TVT group and hospital stay was shorter in this group. Complication rates associated with the procedures were similar and the number of complications was small.

CONCLUSIONS
The immediate outcome of both procedures is the same. The rates of complications were similar. However, the TVT procedure seems to be less invasive and requires fewer hospital resources than LC.


Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration is a new pharmacodynamic biomarker developed from an emerging rare event technology showing prognostic potential for the management and monitoring of patients with colon, breast, and prostate cancer. As more evidence is gradually accumulating at multiple cancer institutes, CTC has the potential to become a surrogate marker for cancer prognosis. There are challenges in performing CTC testing, however this assay has the opportunity to become a key deliverable in oncology clinical trials. Our experience in the implementation of CTC testing in clinical trials over the past four years has led to recommendations for future CTC applications, including critical aspects such as sample accessioning and logistics, operational maintenance and method training, data collection and sufficient IT infrastructure to accommodate large data files in full scale trial operations. To have a successful trial using the CTC test as a monitored biomarker, the estimation of sample size for the clinical trial has to take into consideration the anticipated disqualification rate of collected samples. In our clinical trial experiences, 10% of samples submitted were disqualified for reasons ranging from insufficient sample volume to severe hemolysis. Sample logistics and transportation considerations are keys to successful sample management. Strict quality control (QC) measurements, a robust training program, effective data management, and proper maintenance of the CTC system are keys for delivering standardized results in a timely manner. Our results indicate that CTC testing can be effectively incorporated into large scale clinical trials and the data can be seamlessly integrated into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). CTC results may offer clinically useful information about patients and their response to therapy. From a patient perspective, the CTC test only requires a tube of blood and is well suited to multiple sampling time points during a clinical trial. Citation Format: Chengsen Xue, Kasia E. Cortes, Dorina Hura, Melissa L. Baptiste, Paradiso Renato, Joanne Cuomo, Thomas W. Mc Closkey. Circulating tumor cells: A key deliverable in oncology clinical trials. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4821. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4821


We propose a new synthesis algorithm that can efficiently search programs with local variables (e.g., those introduced by lambdas). Prior bottom-up synthesis algorithms are not able to evaluate programs with free local variables, and therefore cannot effectively reduce the search space of such programs (e.g., using standard observational equivalence reduction techniques), making synthesis slow. Our algorithm can reduce the space of programs with local variables. The key idea, dubbed lifted interpretation, is to lift up the program interpretation process, from evaluating one program at a time to simultaneously evaluating all programs from a grammar. Lifted interpretation provides a mechanism to systematically enumerate all binding contexts for local variables, thereby enabling us to evaluate and reduce the space of programs with local variables. Our ideas are instantiated in the domain of web automation. The resulting tool, Arborist, can automate a significantly broader range of challenging tasks more efficiently than state-of-the-art techniques including WebRobot and Helena.


Achilles tendinopathy (AT), which is increasing in prevalence, continues to puzzle clinicians around the world. AT comprises insertional and non-insertional AT (NIAT). This review will deal with NIAT, which is often related to changes in activities in sports and occupation, but can also be unrelated to activities that load the Achilles tendon. Recent studies demonstrate that extrinsic risk factors such as errors in training and occupational activities and intake of drugs that interact in tendon metabolism may lead to tendinopathy. In combination with intrinsic risk factors, lower limb biomechanical abnormalities and metabolic, inflammatory conditions, for example, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and genetic deviations, the risk of of AT is increased. Therefore, dysregulated mechanical loading and aberrant cellular signalling due to systemic metabolic/inflammatory imbalance and local hypoxia are suggested to cause NIAT. The exact aetiology and pathophysiology of NIAT are, however, not fully known and warrant further studies. NIAT is a condition that increases with ageing and characterised by pain during activity. Recent findings demonstrate that tendinosis is characterised by a fibrotic, failed healing response associated with pathological ingrowth of blood vessels and sensory nerves into a normally aneuronal/avascular tendon proper. This pathological sensory nerve sprouting may partly explain increased pain signalling, and partly by release of neuronal mediators contribute to causing the fibrotic alterations observed in NIAT. Establishing the differential underlying risk factors of NIAT should give better preventive strategies in patient education and counselling. Unravelling the common pathophysiological processes of NIAT may provide the means for future targeted therapies using combined surgical and biological approaches.


Swarm robotics is an approach to the coordination of large numbers of robots that has become an increasingly popular field of research in recent years, not least because properly engineered robot swarms are scalable, flexible, and robust, making them an attractive alternative to single-robot systems in many application domains. Since its inception, the field of swarm robotics has grown beyond its roots in purely decentralised control inspired by social insect behaviour, now often utilising hybrid centralised/decentralised control architectures that incorporate human operators who guide swarm actions during tasks such as firefighting, or the localisation of radiation sources. This kind of human-swarm interaction has attracted significant interest from the research community, spawning an entire sub-field of its own that investigates how human operators, supervisors, and team-mates can interact with robot swarms and receive feedback from them. To date, human-swarm control methods such as the use of graphical user interfaces and spatial gestures have received much attention, but there has been little investigation into the potential of controlling swarm robotic systems with an operator's voice. The few studies that have explored this idea are restricted to the use of specific predefined phrases that the human operator is required to learn, resulting in interactions that are unnatural in comparison to the way a human would normally express themselves in speech. In this paper, we present a novel architecture for conversational human-swarm interaction that addresses these issues, allowing swarm robotic systems to be engineered in such a way that a human operator can guide a swarm using spoken dialogue in a more natural manner.


Renal function was assessed in 42 stable outpatients who had been taking lithium for an average of 4 1/2 years. Impaired ability to concentrate the urine was found in 61% of the 41 patients who provided a urine sample for an osmolality measurement, and a moderate reduction in creatinine clearance was present in 12% of the entire group; 1 patient showed both defects. Urine microscopy revealed an excess of cells in 40%. It is suggested that lithium therapy produces a self-limiting lesion of the distal nephron that does not usually progress to chronic renal failure. The lesion is not dangerous, except that it may predispose to acute neurotoxic effects in the event of intercurrent illness or dehydration.


Given that one of the major challenges facing investors in Nigeria is high inflation rate, this study investigates whether stock market returns protect investors against inflation. Monthly All-share Index and monthly consumer price index from January 1985 to March 2011 were analysed for evidence of cointegration using the Engle and Granger two steps cointegration model. Results of the cointegration analyses indicate that the stock returns and inflation are cointegrated. Similarly, results of the error correction model suggest that stock returns and inflation converge to long-run equilibrium but the speed of adjustment to equilibrium is slow. The results also suggest that inflation does not have significant short-term effects on stock returns. The study therefore concludes that the Nigerian stock market protects investors' wealth against inflation in the long-run but not in the short-run. Key words: Stock Returns, Inflation Rate, Cointegration, Nigerian Stock Exchange.


It is increasingly practical to co-opt many native cellular components into use as elements of synthetic biological systems. We present the design and experimental investigation of the first exogenous genetic construct to be successfully targeted by RNA activation, a phenomenon whereby small double-stranded RNAs increase gene expression from sequence-similar promoters by a mechanism thought to be related to that of RNA interference. Our selection of activating RNA candidates was informed by a custom-written computer program designed to choose target sites in the promoter of interest according to a set of empirical optimality criteria drawn from prior research. Activating RNA candidates were assessed for activity against two exogenously derived target promoters, with successful candidates being subjected to further rounds of validation as a precaution against potential off-target effects. A genetic platform was assembled that allowed activating RNA candidates to be simultaneously screened both for positive activity on the target reporter gene and for possible nonspecific effects on cell metabolism. Several candidate sequences were tested to appraise the utility of this platform, with the most successful achieving a moderate activation level with minimal off-target effects.


Abstract A method is presented for correction of integrated X-ray intensities for preferred orientation of crystallites in a spinning specimen. It is based upon direct integration of the data obtainable from pole distribution of a single crystallographic plane. This pole distribution can be determined from measurements on a texture goniometer or, in special cases, from an ω-scan or from intensities of all reflections measured on a powder diffractometer only. The method was tested on four samples of magnesium and magnesium cadmium alloys and applied to hexagonal BN and α-Ti(N) surface layers. The method was developed with regard to application in phase analysis and thin film studies.


ABSTRACT Much of what we know about late Miocene vertebrates from the Brazilian Amazonia is based on the fossil record from several sites in the Solimões Formation. The Talismã site, one of the most important for vertebrate fossils in the formation, has produced an abundant and diverse fauna dominated by crocodylians, mammals, and turtles, but small vertebrates are still underrepresented. We report some isolated bones recovered from this site, providing the first Neogene records of anurans in Brazil. Two taxa are recognized, a distinct species of Pipa, and an unidentified species of the Rhinella clade, both of which are members of the extant Amazonian batrachofauna. These new fossils expand our knowledge of the late Miocene anuran assemblages from the region and contribute to the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the site.


This article deals with the main concepts of Transcultural Psychiatry and their applications to everyday psychiatric practice. Transcultural psychiatry has undergone a conceptual reformulation in the last two decades. Having started with a comparative approach, which focused on the diverse manifestations of mental disorders among different societies, it broadened its scope, aiming at present to incorporate social and cultural aspects of illness into the clinical framework. Therefore, transcultural psychiatry now focuses more on what is called the illness experience than on the disease process, the latter understood as illness as it is viewed by health practitioners. Western medicine, of which psychiatry is a part, is grounded in positivist epistemological principles that stress the biological processes of disease. The intention of the paper is to develop an interest in alternative but also complementary ways of thinking. Modern transcultural psychiatry interprets some epidemiological and clinical aspects of major mental disorders (such as schizophrenia and depression) in a different light. However, it also distances itself from the absolute relativism of antipsychiatry, centering on clinical facts and helping clinicians in their primary task of alleviating suffering. An important contribution in addressing this task is the formulation of a cultural axis within the DSM model of multiaxial evaluation. A clinical vignette of a cultural formulation applied to a clinical discussion of a case is described.


Critics argue that the American criminal justice system is rife with "ugly disproportionalities" and "brutal penalties on the undeserving." One particularly brutal punishment is the sentence of life without the possibility of parole (LWOP). The punishment, conceived decades ago as a substitute for the death penalty, scarcely exists in the rest of the world. Today, while capital punishment wanes in the United States, steadily increasing numbers of defendants are sentenced to LWOP. Furthermore, according to a recent ACLU Report, over 3,000 of the 50,000 inmates serving LWOP were convicted of nonviolent offenses. There is no uglier disproportionality than a defendant, guilty of a minor crime, banished to prison for the remainder of his life.This Article questions this narrative and therewith the contemporary wisdom as to the brutality of American criminal justice, at least in its imposition of LWOP sentences. The author conducted a detailed study of every inmate sentenced to LWOP in eight states. In a few states, it is impossible to find a single inmate sentenced to LWOP for any crime other than murder or the most serious violent crimes. Even in jurisdictions that impose LWOP for crimes labeled "nonviolent," the inmates are few in number and often present aggravating factors, such as extensive criminal histories or previous violent crimes. Inevitably, criminals sentenced to LWOP will vary in culpability, and some will appear not to merit this punishment. Drawing attention to their plight can spur executive clemency in individual cases. But accusations that the American legal system is rife with "ugly disproportionalities," at least insofar as this claim is applied to LWOP sentences in the states, appear to have little merit.


Background The Ecuadorian earthquake in April 16th was the second strongest and deadliest in 2016 worldwide, with approximately one million people affected. In this paper, we analyze the psychological impact and the relationship between mental health events and various social determinants related to the earthquake, nine months after the event.Methods We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, applying anonymous surveys to 319 adolescents 13-19 years old. Suicidal tendency, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) were evaluated via the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS), Spence Children's Anxiety Scale , Okasha Suicidality Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in addition to an adapted seven-questions survey aimed for measuring social determinants related to the earthquake.Results We found a high prevalence of suicidal ideations and behavior, posttraumatic stress, depression and anxiety compared to international studies. Even though adolescents currently living in shelters had higher levels of anxiety, their suicidal tendency was significantly lower than those living in their own home or in the home of relatives. Finally, social determinants are not associated with suicidality and mental health events, with the exception of economic damage suffered by the family.Conclusions High levels of depression, post-traumatic stress and anxiety in high school students, especially in those who have suffered serious economic damage, may possibly be due to factors inherent to the political and social conditions in this area.


Crystalline Pt nanoparticles were electrolessly deposited on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The density and uniformity of Pt nanoparticles on MWNTs were found dependent on the PAA grafting density, while their morphologies were tailored by the addition of NO3 and Cu 2+ ions. The catalytic activity and selectivity of hydrogenation of R,� -unsaturated aldehyde, citral, on Pt/MWNTs nanocomposites with different morphologies was studied. The irregularly shaped polycrystalline Pt nanoparticles showed the highest conversion of citral, 92.2%, in comparison to 24.7% from Pt/active carbon, 45.0%, and 40.4% from polyhedrons and polypods Pt single crystals on MWNTs, respectively. The unusually high conversion on Pt/MWNTs suggests a synergistic effect between the PAA grafted MWNTs and the Pt nanoparticles. In the study of the selectivity of hydrogenation, tetraand octahedron Pt nanoparticles showed the highest ratio of geraniol/nerol, 5.2, ∼3 times higher than that of Pt/active carbon, whereas those of irregularly shaped polycrystalline and tetra- and octapods of single crystalline Pt on the MWNTs are 1.9 and 2.2, respectively. Electron diffraction patterns revealed that in the case of tetra- and octahedral Pt particles on the MWNT surface only the {111} facet was exposed, which might induce steric hindrance for the cis-isomers but not for the trans-isomers, whereas the {111} facets were deformed in tetrapods and octapods.


The aim of this paper is to provide a well-detailed insight into the theories of international law enforcement information exchange and by this to provide guidance to strategic level decision makers how to improve their work and efficiency. The author tries to achieve this goal by introducing the relevant scientific theories in the field of organisational cooperation and adapting  these 'civilian' concepts to the specific law enforcement context. The theoretical  evaluation identifies three main environments, organisational, legal and technological (Yang and Maxwell, 2011), to find the supporting and hindering factors of law enforcement cross-border information exchange. Within the organisational environment the author examines how the bureaucratic organisational structure, the diverse organisational culture, trust, reciprocity and leadership influences the information sharing process. Under the policy environment, the impact of the national and EU legislation is introduced. Furthermore, the consequences of various data protection and privacy regulations, lack of harmonised national legislation and diverse interpretation of the policies are outlined under this section. Lastly, the characteristics of the hindering and supporting technological environment is detailed. Here we discuss the issue of interoperability, homogeneity and the state of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system and its impact to the exchange process. Based on the findings, the necessary conclusions are deducted and recommendations are elaborated which helps to eliminate barriers and thereby to create a supportive organisational environment. The most important recommendations are: to avoid coercive bureaucracy; to promote transformational leadership style and shared organisational culture; to establish a unified and harmonized legal background for cross-border information exchange; to create an information exchange friendly ICT environment and to ensure interoperability, homogeneity.


Abstract Arizona is a mineral rich state that relies on a mix of surface and ground water supplies for drinking water requirements. Small, rural water systems relying on groundwater frequently encounter elevated metal(loid) measures, particularly inorganic arsenic (As +3, +5). Such contaminant occurrences can be associated with adverse health outcomes including cancers. The Hopi Environmental Health Project examined drinking water quality and water consumption behaviors from 76 homes on Hopi lands over a four-year period. Water samples were analyzed for 28 elements and compared to US Environmental Protection Agengy (EPA) maximum contaminant levels (MCL). Only municipal/piped water had a mean arsenic concentration (11.01 µg/L) exceeding the MCL (10.0 µg/L). All other water types and elements occurred below MCL when detected. A lifetime cancer and hazard quotient associated with arsenic consumption through each water type was performed and piped/municipal water was found to carry the greatest risks (9.96 cases per 10,000 people). Results from this study showed the potential for multiple contaminants to be present in drinking water from Hopi lands and the need for further health assessment of routine exposure to low doses of contaminant mixtures through drinking water.


Quantifying the effect that nanofiber mat chemistry and hydrophilicity have on microorganism collection and inactivation is critical in biomedical applications. In this study, the collection and inactivation of Escherichia coli K12 was examined using cellulose nanofiber mats that were surface-functionalized using three polyelectrolytes: poly (acrylic acid) (PAA), chitosan (CS), and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (pDADMAC). The polyelectrolyte functionalized nanofiber mats retained the cylindrical morphology and average fiber diameter (~0.84 µm) of the underlying cellulose nanofibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements confirmed the presence of polycations or polyanions on the surface of the nanofiber mats. Both the control cellulose and pDADMAC-functionalized nanofiber mats exhibited a high collection of E. coli K12, which suggests that mat hydrophilicity may play a larger role than surface charge on cell collection. While the minimum concentration of polycations needed to inhibit E. coli K12 was 800 µg/mL for both CS and pDADMAC, once immobilized, pDADMAC-functionalized nanofiber mats exhibited a higher inactivation of E. coli K12, (~97%). Here, we demonstrate that the collection and inactivation of microorganisms by electrospun cellulose nanofiber mats can be tailored through a facile polyelectrolyte functionalization process.


Abstract Support vector machine (SVM) techniques and deep learning have been prevalent in object classification for many years. However, deep learning is computation-intensive and can require a long training time. SVM is significantly faster than Convolution Neural Network (CNN). However, the SVM has limited its applications in the mid-size dataset as it requires proper tuning. Recently the parameterization of multiple kernels has shown greater flexibility in the characterization of the dataset. Therefore, this paper proposes a sparse coded multi-scale approach to reduce training complexity and tuning of SVM using a non-linear fusion of kernels for large class natural scene classification. The optimum features are obtained by parameterizing the dictionary, Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) parameters, and fusion of multiple kernels. Experiments were conducted on a large dataset to examine the multi-kernel space capability to find distinct features for better classification. The proposed approach founds to be promising than the linear multi-kernel SVM approaches achieving 91.12 % maximum accuracy.


ABSTRACT Suryo Adhi Tama. D1214072. "Communication Style Between Islamic Organisations ( Cae Study : Communication Style Between Two Islamic Organisations ; Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah In Ambulu Village, Jember Regency, East Java )." Communication Department, Faculty Of Social Sciences And Politics, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. 2016. Communication Style is a particularity of every person and vary between one people to another. The difference between the styles of communication from one person to another can be identified by characteristics of the model in communication, communicating procedures, a way of expression in communication, and given response or indicated at the time of communication ( Ardianto, 1999). The way of communication between Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is associated with gap in social aspects such as job, education, etc. Regarding to these issue, a study was conducted to determine how communication styles that occur in the community in the Ambulu village, both within the NU and Muhammadiyah society. To answer the problem formulation, this study uses analysis communication style and hight context / low context culture. Where the communication style as what is in the NU and Muhammadiyah society, then linked to the culture of high-level communication / low between them. Assertive communication style is done by NU and Muhammadiyah as well. These two organizations have the same communication level and balanced, no more dominant organisation among others. Passive communication styles are applied in a communications between people to people and the teenagers to the ulema (moslem theologian), or from teenagers to older people and ulema. Based on the analysis of public communication style between NU and Muhammadiyah which associated to the high context culture, it has tendency to be on the high context culture. Passive communication style that has a tendency to high context culture. The more often a person face the situation that inspires a sense of tolerance, it will influencing their social behaviour. Such behaviuor is unconsciously also used when a person communicates assertively or on the same level. Thus creating an attitude of hospitality that impact the creation of tolerance among others. Keywords : Communication style, High Context and Low Context Communication, NU, Muhammadiyah.


In Aspergillus nidulans, the principal transcription factor regulating nitrogen metabolism, AREA, belongs to the GATA family of DNA‐binding proteins. In seeking additional GATA factors, we have cloned areB, which was originally identified via a genetic screen for suppressors of areA loss‐of‐function mutations. Based on our analysis, areB is predicted to encode at least three distinct protein products. These arise from the use of two promoters, differential splicing and translation initiating at AUG and non‐AUG start codons. All the putative products include a GATA domain and a putative Leu zipper. These regions show strong sequence similarity to regulatory proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Dal80p and Gzf3p), Penicillium chrysogenum (NREB) and Neurospora crassa (ASD4). We have characterized three classes of mutation in areB; the first are loss‐of‐function mutations that terminate the polypeptides within or before the GATA domain. The second class truncates the GATA factor either within or upstream of the putative Leu zipper but retains the GATA domain. The third class fuses novel gene sequences to areB with the potential to produce putative chimeric polypeptides. These novel gene fusions transform the putative negative‐acting transcription factor into an activator that can partially replace areA.


Lee, Y.-S.; Park, S.-H.; Cho, Y.-H.; Lee, W.-J, Jung, H.-S.; Lee, M.-J., and Kim, S.-H., 2019. Classification of halophytes from airborne hyperspectral imagery in Ganghwa Island, Korea using multilayer perceptron artificial neural network. In: Jung, H.-S.; Lee, S.; Ryu, J.-H., and Cui, T. (eds.), Advances in Remote Sensing and Geoscience Information Systems of Coastal Environments. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 90, pp. 243-250. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Surveying methods have limitations when investigating the vegetation of mudflats, which are difficult to access due to tidal variations. The use of remote sensing data to explore inaccessible targets and regions is an effective approach to analyzing vegetation species. Recently, hyperspectral images, composed of several tens to several hundreds of spectral bands, have been effectively utilized to classify and analyze halophytes using spectral reflectance differences. In this study, halophytes were classified from an airborne hyperspectral image of the Dongmak beach using an artificial neural network (ANN) approach. Dongmak beach is located on Ganghwa Island, Korea, where mudflats are well developed. Since the hyperspectral image has many spectral bands, it was tried to reduce the number of bands. To do this, the statistical values of halophytes and mudflats from all of the hyperspectral bands were first calculated by using several methods, including parallelepiped, Mahalanobis distance, minimum distance, spectral information divergence, and a spectral angle mapper. The statistical images were then used to classify halophytes and mudflats by applying a multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN). The achieved accuracy of the MLP-ANN classification was about 95.02 %. Some areas composed of halophytes were misclassified as mudflats. These results will reduce the time and cost of field investigations in large areas.


Three-dimensional (3D) flower-like PbTe dendrites have been successfully fabricated in high yield through a simple, facile solvothermal method in the presence of β-cyclodextrin. The as-prepared products were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM). Some reaction factors influencing the formation of flower-like PbTe dendrites were systematically investigated. The possible growth mechanism of the flower-like PbTe dendrites was proposed to be an oriented attachment accompanied by an Ostwald ripening process. Thermoelectric transport measurements indicated that the obtained PbTe has a Seebeck coefficient of about 313.3 and 349 μV K−1 at the temperatures of 300 and 400 K, up to about 18% and 32% higher than that of the bulk PbTe at room temperature. Our work provides a very simple, convenient, and fast route to synthesize PbTe flower-like dendrites which are potentially useful in thermoelectric devices.


This article takes issue with the uncritical way in which claims of 'culture', 'tradition' or 'local knowledge' are used in science and policymaking around the Balinese irrigators' association (subak). The growing problems of Balinese irrigated agriculture are increasingly framed in 'cultural' ways that are not neutral: such accounts of irrigated agriculture in relation to Balinese culture deeply influence the world of policymaking. In this article we discuss the emergence of Tri Hita Karana (THK; 'the three causes of well-being') as an ideology, scientific concept and policy concept in irrigated agriculture and the subak domain. We argue that this ideological concept is not simply 'local wisdom', 'tradition' or 'culture' but requires critical scientific scrutiny as part of wider processes of socio-political change. How is it mobilised? What does its growing popularity mean for our knowledge of Balinese irrigated agriculture, of policy processes directed at the subak and of the workings of policies in real-life contexts?


Abstract : Computers and related technologies, such as smart phones and video games, are now a common part of everyday life. Many people spend a large portion of their waking hours using and socializing through these devices, forming what is known as a cyberculture. Personnel security investigative and adjudicative standards were developed before these products were widely available; however, cyberculture bears relevance to personnel security due both to the presence of existing security issues and potential effects on psychological outcomes and workplace performance. Although cyberculture has many beneficial effects, this project evaluates how participation can negatively affect personnel security and employee performance. This initial report provides context, outlines presently actionable findings and strategies, highlights some questions that cannot yet be answered, and draws on outside research to guide future research. Information from many sources was examined, including academic research journals, other federal organizations, news reports, and cyber environments, to understand cyber activities relevant to personnel security. Participation is widespread in U.S. society and popular among all age groups. Some cyber activities, such as foreign associations, can be reportable per existing investigative criteria, so procedures should be updated appropriately and promptly. Other topics require research before action is recommended. One concern is how online disinhibition, where people who become more willing to disclose personal information, deceive, or become hostile, affects personnel security. Increased willingness to disclose may amplify the counterintelligence concerns for individuals targeted by hostile parties. There are also many potential negative effects on impulse control, mental health, physical health, and workplace behavior. Future research is intended to further guide policy, workforce awareness, investigations, and adjudications.


Genetic variation in plant response to atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) may have influenced paleo‐vegetation dynamics and could determine how future elevated CO2 drives plant evolution and ecosystem productivity. We established how levels of relatedness – the maternal family, population, and provenance – affect variation in the CO2 response of a species. This 2‐year growth chamber experiment focused on the germination, growth, biomass allocation, and survivorship responses of Acer rubrum to four concentrations of CO2: 180, 270, 360, and 600 μL L−1– representing Pleistocene through potential future conditions. We found that all levels of relatedness interacted with CO2 to contribute to variation in response. Germination responses to CO2 varied among families and populations, growth responses depended on families and regions of origin, and survivorship responses to CO2 were particularly affected by regional identities. Differences among geographic regions accounted for 23% of the variation in biomass response to CO2. If seeds produced under subambient CO2 conditions behave similarly, our results suggest that A. rubrum may have experienced strong selection on seedling survivorship at Pleistocene CO2 levels. Further, this species may evolve in response to globally rising CO2 so as to increase productivity above that experimentally observed today. Species responses to future atmospheric CO2 and the accompanying biotic effects on the global carbon cycle will vary among families, populations, and provenances.


Background: Intercellular adhesive molecules are essential for the integrity of body tissue. A tumor's potential for invasion and metastasis depends on the structural changes of those molecules through the mutations of tumor cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of E-cadherin and ß-catenin in breast carcinoma, and its effect on the outcome and survival of patients. Material and Methods: Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of histological sections of different types of breast cancer for E-cadherin and ß-catenin was performed in 88 breast tumors. Follow-up of the patients for a period of more than 5 years or until death was possible in all cases. Results: IHC staining for both E-cadherin and ß-catenin was strongly positive in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Complete loss of expression was shown in 71% and 61% respectively, in infiltrating lobular carcinoma. Significant difference in loss of E-cadherin and/or ß-catenin expression (p < 0.002) was found between grade 2 and grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), regardless of tumor size, status of axillary nodes, age, or ethnicity. Conclusions: The loss of expression of adhesive molecules is correlated with the grade of IDC tumors and the type of breast tumor, and it is not an indicator of prognosis.


Aim : To analyze the prevalence and possible associated factors with the Sleep Apnea – Hypopnea Syndrome (SAHS) among patients evaluated for Lung Transplantation (LT) Methods: Transversal descriptive study of a cohort of patients evaluated for LT, with a standard polysomnography (PSG), from September 2008 to February 2012. SAHS was defined as the presence of Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥ 10 and excessive daytime sleepiness symptoms. Severity of these symptoms was evaluated by Epworth sleepiness scale. Anthropometric, clinical and blood test measurements were also analyzed in all patients Results: During this period a number of 52 patients were studied, 50% of them were man, average age was 54,8 years (SD ± 9.96). Principal LT indication pathologies were due to COPD (46.2%), Pulmonary Idiopathic Fibrosis (15.4%) and Usual Interstitial Pneumonitis (11.5%). PSG were performed with supplementary oxygen in 96.2% of the cases. AHI average was 8,26 (SD±1.4). SAHS was diagnosed in 13 patients (25%). Among these, 8 (61.5%) had COPD. Next table shows relationships between groups and principal analyzed variables. Conclusions: In this serie of LT candidate patients, prevalence of SAHS is high. We have not found anthropometric, clinical nor blood test data significantly associated with the diagnoses of SAHS which can contribute to make a clinical pretest suspect. Performance of a standard polysomnography in LT candidates is probably recommendable.


Graphitic pencil leads (PLs) are inexpensive writing accessories, readily available in stationery shops. Because the round filaments have high conductivity, they are excellent candidates for sustainable electroanalytical sensor fabrication. Here, we show that dip-coated carbon nanotube (CNT) surface deposits can stably enhance the faradaic redox response of cylindrical pencil lead electrodes (PLEs), with just ten simple sequential immersions of assembled PLEs in an aqueous suspension of CNTs producing significant improvement in their analytical performance. Cyclic (CV) and differential pulse (DPV) voltammetry of ferricyanide with unmodified and CNT-modified PLEs confirmed the reproducibility of the modification procedure and the reliability of the extent of signal amplification, as well as the stability of the response. A series of DPV tests with drugs, an environmental pollutant, an enzyme–substrate redox label and an industrial chemical proved the practical applicability of the proposed CNT-PLEs. Based on their observed properties, PLEs with dip-coated CNT deposits are suggested as cost-effective tools for advanced electroanalysis and as green platforms for enzyme biosensor construction.


APELL is a coordinated planning process designed to improve, first, community awareness and, second, preparedness for technological accidents and natural disasters that could have impacts on the community. Its overall goals are to help communities prevent loss of life, damage to health, well-being and livelihoods, minimize property damage, and protect the environment. These same goals apply regardless of the nature of the emergency, whether it is a technological accident, a natural disaster or a combination of events such as might occur following an earthquake or tsunami disaster or smaller scale events such as lightning storms. The tools and assets available to a community for both preparedness and response are typically not different between these sorts of events. As a result, the APELL planning process is equally applicable to preparedness planning for technological or natural disasters.


ABSTRACT: The Japanese morning glory has an extensive history of genetic studies and over 200 different spontaneous mutant lines have been described. Of these, we identified that two mutable alleles, flecked and speckled, for flower variegations are caused by integration of transposable elements, belonging to the En/Spm family, into the DFR‐B and CHI genes for flower pigmentation, respectively. The mutable flaked allele of the common morning glory bearing variegated flowers is caused by insertion of a new transposable element, Tip 100, into one of the CHS genes for pigmentation and that Tip 100 belongs to the Ac/Ds family. These results are discussed with regard to spontaneous transposon mutagenesis and generation of floricultural traits of morning glories.


Previous studies have indicated that the transcription signature of antibody-secreting cells is closely associated with the induction of the unfolded protein response pathway (UPR). Here we have used genome-wide and single cell analyses to examine the folding patterns of plasma cell genomes. We found that plasma cells adopt a cartwheel configuration and undergo large-scale changes in chromatin folding at genomic regions associated with a plasma cell specific transcription signature. During plasma cell differentiation, Blimp1 assembles into an inter-chromosomal transcription hub with genes associated with the UPR, biosynthesis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as well as a cluster of genes linked with Alzheimer's disease. We suggest that the assembly of the Blimp1-UPR-ER transcription hub permits the coordinate activation of a wide spectrum of genes that collectively establish plasma cell identity.


Cross comparison of satellite-derived land surface phenology (LSP) and ground measurements is useful to ensure the relevance of detected seasonal vegetation change to the underlying biophysical processes. While standard 16-day and 250-m Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation index (VI)-based springtime LSP has been evaluated in previous studies, it remains unclear whether LSP with enhanced temporal and spatial resolutions can capture additional details of ground phenology. In this paper, we compared LSP derived from 500-m daily MODIS and 30-m MODIS-Landsat fused VI data with landscape phenology (LP) in a northern U.S. mixed forest. LP was previously developed from intensively observed deciduous and coniferous tree phenology using an upscaling approach. Results showed that daily MODIS-based LSP consistently estimated greenup onset dates at the study area (625 m × 625 m) level with 4.48 days of mean absolute error (MAE), slightly better than that of using 16-day standard VI (4.63 days MAE). For the observed study areas, the time series with increased number of observations confirmed that post-bud burst deciduous tree phenology contributes the most to vegetation reflectance change. Moreover, fused VI time series demonstrated closer correspondences with LP at the community level (0.1-20 ha) than using MODIS alone at the study area level (390 ha). The fused LSP captured greenup onset dates for respective forest communities of varied sizes and compositions with four days of the overall MAE. This study supports further use of spatiotemporally enhanced LSP for more precise phenological monitoring.


The use of magnesium, which is the latest metal of our age, is increasing in parallel with the advances in industry and technology. Due to its lightness, durability and long life, its usage is increasing in the automotive and space-craft industries. As a result of the advances in magnesium use, there are innovations in welding methods as well. The desired mechanical properties can't be obtained after welding. While there are some difficulties in fusion welding of magnesium material and its alloys, some of them can't be joined by fusion welding at all. Weldability of a material is the property that plays an important role in enabling its wider use and determines the method of producing products out of this material. Magnesium plates were joined successfully by friction stir welding method. Welded joints are exposed to various mechanic stresses and especially to dynamic loads. Cracks are observed to occur due to dynamic loads. Plates were joined in butt position and the mechanical properties of the occurring joint are examined.


The interest of this able and well-written book is not mainly literary, nor solely religious, as philosophy and theology were in close alliance. After an appreciative description of the poem, and a balanced estimate of Langland's knowledge of theology based on an examination of his Latin quotations, two chapters are devoted to the description of Man; then follow chapters on Predestination, the Atonement, and the Sacrament of Penance. In the Conclusion the author expresses her opinion that "Piers Plowman helped to prepare the way for the English Reformation, the characteristic of which is its catholicity," that it "is a theological poem, and that the key to it is the problem of the salus animarum as that presented itself to our fourteenthcentury forefathers" (p. 159). If philosophy is as complete an interpretation of the world and life as the mind of man can compass, this problem may fall within its province. For readers of exclusively technical interest in philosophy, Chapters III and IV may advance a claim, for the author here deals competently with contemporary thought in the sphere now assigned to psychology. To enter into any details would demand more space than the book can claim, although it deserves this brief mention and commendation.


Flor yeasts are Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains noted by their ability to create a type of biofilm in the air-liquid interface of some wines, known as 'flor' or 'velum', for which certain proteins play an essential role. Following a proteomic study of a flor yeast strain, we deleted the CCW14 (covalently linked cell wall protein) and YGP1 (yeast glycoprotein) genes-codifying for two cell surface glycoproteins-in a haploid flor yeast strain and we reported that both influence the weight of the biofilm as well as cell adherence (CCW14).


. Users of secure messaging tools, especially in communities attuned to the risks of State-based and other forms of censorship, are becoming increasingly skeptical about the fact of delegating their data to centralized platforms, endowed with substantial power to filter content and block user profiles. This paper analyses the role that informational architectures and infrastructures in federated social media platforms play in content moderation processes. Alongside privacy by design, the paper asks, is it possible to speak of online "safe(r) spaces by design"? The paper argues that federation can pave the way for novel practices in content moderation governance, merging community organizing, information distribution and alternative techno-social instruments to deal with online harassment, hate speech or disinformation; however, this alternative also presents a number of pitfalls and potential difficulties that need to be examined to provide a complete picture of the potential of federated models.


On the 14 March 2012, the Specialized Administrative Court of Pavlodar city fined JSC National Company "KazMunayGas" (hereinafter – KazMunayGas) a total of KZT 438,6 mn for entering into an…


This paper was presented at the 2016 IFLA World Library and Information Congress News Media Satellite Meeting on News, new roles & preservation advocacy: moving libraries into action. This paper provides and overview of the partnership between the University of North Texas and the Dallas/Forth Worth affiliate station of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC 5/KXAS) to preserve the content of the oldest television news station in Texas, including discussions of copyright, funding, and access to audio/visual collections.


Purpose: To describe the gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound imaging features of vascular canals in human femoral condylar epiphysis. Material and Methods: Vascular canals in the femoral condylar epiphysis were examined using gray-scale and Doppler US. The study was performed in 45 volunteers (aged <1 month-72 years) who comprised 1 subject with short stature, 1 subject with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and 43 subjects with normal growth. Results: In the 8-year-old and younger group (n=34), vascular canals were observed in 32 subjects (94%), whereas vascular canals were not observed in the 9-year-old and older group (n=11). Vascular canals were visualized as hyperechoic lines and dots. With Doppler US, blood flow in the vascular canals was observed in 20 of the 32 subjects (62.5%). Spectral Doppler analysis was possible in 15 subjects, in all of whom only arterial waveforms were observed. Conclusion: US was helpful to delineate the vascular canals and flow therein. The detection and evaluation of vascular canals and blood flow therein may prove useful in understanding growth.


Evolution by natural selection is the driving force behind the endless variation we see in nature, yet our understanding of how changes at the molecular level give rise to different phenotypes and altered fitness at the population level remains inadequate. The reproductive fitness of an organism is the most basic metric that describes the chance that an organism will succeed or fail in its environment and it depends upon a complex network of inter- and intramolecular interactions. A deeper understanding of the quantitative relationships relating molecular evolution to adaptation, and consequently fitness, can guide our understanding of important issues in biomedicine such as drug resistance and the engineering of new organisms with applications to biotechnology. We have developed the "weak link" approach to determine how changes in molecular structure and function can relate to fitness and evolutionary outcomes. By replacing adenylate kinase (AK), an essential gene, in a thermophile with a homologous AK from a mesophile we have created a maladapted weak link that produces a temperature-sensitive phenotype. The recombinant strain adapts to nonpermissive temperatures through point mutations to the weak link that increase both stability and activity of the enzyme AK at higher temperatures. Here, we propose a fitness function relating enzyme activity to growth rate and use it to create a dynamic model of a population of bacterial cells. Using metabolic control analysis we show that the growth rate exhibits thresholdlike behavior, saturating at high enzyme activity as other reactions in the energy metabolism pathway become rate limiting. The dynamic model accurately recapitulates observed evolutionary outcomes. These findings suggest that in vitro enzyme kinetic data, in combination with metabolic network analysis, can be used to create fitness functions and dynamic models of evolution within simple metabolic systems.


Exploiting the benefits afforded by runtime partial reconfiguration (PR) on modern field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)requires PR-capable applications and associated PR-architectures, both of which are challenging tasks due to competing implementation metrics(e.g., area, power, operating frequency, etc.) and results in unmanageable design spaces. PR design space exploration (DSE) techniques and tools assist designers in efficiently and effectively exploring this design space. This paper presents the first, to the best of our knowledge, formulation-level PR DSE tool — FoRSE. FoRSE leverages the application's PR-architecture and mathematical FPGA device models and vendor-specified PR technology to generate Pareto-optimal sets of PR-floorplans and devices based on designer-designated implementation metrics. FoRSE can prune an application's implementation design space by three to four orders of magnitude in approximately 15 seconds.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of polymorphism of CYP450IA1 gene in the susceptibility of lung cancer.

METHODS
The polymorphism of CYP450IA1 gene in 149 lung cancer patients and 208 healthy controls were investigated by PCR technique.

RESULTS
The high inducibility genotype (Val/Val type) of CYP450IA1 in lung cancer patients was 16.1%, which was significantly higher than that of controls, 8.7%. According to pathological classification of lung cancer, it was indicated that VAl/Val type in squamous carcinomas was the highest, 21.54%, which was significantly higher than that of controls (8.7%) and adenocarcinomas (8.00%). The Val/Val type in small cell carcinoma reached 17.6%. The relative risks were estimated according to smoking condition and CYP450IA1 genotype. Taking the risk of the category with non-smoking and non-high inducibility genotype (Val/ Val) to be at a baseline of 1.0, the odds ratio was 1.6 (P < 0.05) in non-smoking in non-smoking and Val/Val type 4.8 in smoking and Val/Val type (P < 0.001). The relative risk of Val/Val type was 2.2 times as non-Val/ Val type for smoking people.

CONCLUSIONS
Development of lung cancer was associated with the high inducibility genotype of CYP450IA1. And Val/Val genotype of CYP450IA1 gene might be an important host hereditary marker for susceptibility to lung cancer.


The research reported on in this dissertation is concerned with the macro-molecular constitution and geometrical organization of the soft-tissue comprising the matrix of the nacreous portion of the shell of Haliotis rufescens, the Red abalone. Nacre is one of literally legions of intricate biomineralized structures that exist in nature and has long served as a paradigm for elegant and optimized structural design. Biomineralization involves, inter alia, the uptake and synthesis of elements and compounds from the environment and their incorporation into highly optimized functional structures. Nacre has a structure described as a brick wall like with a matrix of biopolymer layers that are preformed and serve as a template into which nanocrystalline tiles of CaCO₃ precipitate. The matrix, or what are known as inter- lamellar layers, are of particular interest as they impart both toughness and strength to the composite ceramic nacre structure. The work first involved a histochemical mapping of the macromolecular structure of the interlamellar layers; this revealed the locations of proteins and functional molecular groups that serve as nucleation sites for the ceramic tiles. Parallel studies on the nacre of Nautilus pompilius, the Chambered Nautilus, revealed the generality of the findings. Of particular interest was determining both the content and layout of chitin within these layers. In fact it was determined that chitin was organized as mostly unidirectional architecture of fibrils, with a certain fraction of fibrils laying at cross directions. Most remarkably, it was found that the fibrils possessed a very long range connectivity that spanned many tiles. This was determined by systematic atomic force (afm) and analytical optical histochemical microscopy. These findings were further verified by a unique form of mechanical testing whereby tensile testing was conducted on groups of interlamellar layers extracted from nacre. Mechanical testing led to a quantitative visco-elastic constitutive model for these layers and, in turn, to a complete mechanical/structural model for the complete nacre composite. Further verification was obtained via micro- and nano-indentation experiments which were modeled via detailed FEM numerical simulations. Nano-indentation also allowed a detailed assessment of the nano-structure and properties of the ceramic tiles which are best described as nano-scale composites composed of protein infiltrated CaCO₃ nano-grains within a biopolymer matrix. The role of water content, i.e. moisture content, was also determined via, in part experiments conducted on dehydrated nacre. These findings lead to a pathway for specifying optimal bio-mimicked or bio-inspired synthetic materials


Two approaches are described that permit automatic stepped-frequency data acquisition and rapid calculation of several antenna parameters. These parameters include antenna factor, intrinsic gain, realized gain, antenna input impedance, voltage standing wave ratio and site attenuation. The effects of antenna impedance on the meaning and accuracy of antenna measurements are emphasized throughout. The technique now used at the National Institute of Standards and Technology for calibrating the antenna factor at frequencies from 25 to 1000 MHz uses a standard open-circuit half-wave receiving dipole to measure the electric field strength. This approach is compared with a three-antenna method that uses an accurate automatic network analyzer with 120 dB dynamic range to measure insertion loss between the transmitting and receiving antennas. A field site having a 30*60 m ground screen, which acts as a good reflector, is used. Thus, the effects of ground reflection are calculated and compensated for. The new insertion loss technique permits faster measurements with greater repeatability and reduction in calibration uncertainty, especially at frequencies above 75 MHz.<<ETX>>


The objective of the present study is an analysis of gender stereotypes in advertisements in the Eva magazine and eva.bg, in 2020. For this purpose, the content analysis method is used to analyze a systematic random sample of over 500 advertisements, both print and online. Observation is made about the differences between the femlale image in print and in online advertising in the same media.
The results indicate that women are generally portrayed in a stereotypical way, supporting the notion that sexism is prevalent in advertisements. Results provide evidence of gender role stereotypes. Portrayal of women varies considerably – from "decorative" female images; through polarizing depictions of women in "dependent" or "non-traditional" roles; to portrayals of women as housewives or equal to men. The comparison of results with those of other researches shows that female image stereotypes in advertising are very similar to the previous ones described by Goffman and Kang. Implications and future research directions are discussed.


This paper proposes a new access architecture on mobile cloud, which introduces a middle layer sitting between mobile devices and their cloud infrastructure. This middle layer is composed of cloudlets which are deployed by cloud services providers, such as wireless network access points (APs), to improve the performance of mobile cloud service sand be different from traditional mobile operator mode. Then based on this new architecture,we improve our previous (Attribute- basedencryption) ABE access control scheme on cloud for mobile cloud, which is proposed to offload the main amount of computations to the cloudlet as the function of cloud. Simulation results demonstrate the new access control scheme takes into consideration response time constraints and network status of access task execution, while satisfying certain network security for mobile cloud.


Hippocrates stated in 460-C.370 BC that, "All diseases begin in the Gut." This statement may be beginning to have meanings in the advent of new diseases such as Nodding Syndrome (NS) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Interestingly, a recent publication from China in the journal of microbiology in 2017 suggests that high grain diet had dynamically shifted the composition of mucosa-associated microbiota and induced mucosal Injuries in the colon of Sheep. NS is a devastating childhood neurological disorder characterized by atonic seizure, cognitive impairment, head nodding, wasting and stunted growth. In addition, NS in Northern Uganda is clustered in time (those who were in IDPs), in space (discretely observed on either sides of the two rivers of Aswa and Pager) and in person (onset mainly between the ages of 5-15 years) and therefore exhibits spatial temporality. The first case of NS was noticed in Kitgum district in 1997, one year after the reported displacement of that community into IDP. Prior to that internal displacement, there were no reported cases of NS. The same scenario occurred in the IDPs of Odek, Gulu district where the population was displaced into IDPs in 2001 and approximately a year later in 2002, cases of NS began to appear. In the IDPs, children that eventually developed NS fed nearly exclusively on food ration provided by relief agencies and roughly a year later, cases of NS began to appear. In the other East African countries, there were no reported cases of NS prior to internal displacement and dependence on food ration. The observed common factors in the three East African regions where NS occurs at endemic proportion are perhaps: Internal displacement and feeding on relief food. These researchers suggest that NS may have perhaps resulted from dietary and environmental factors during IDPs which may have been foreign to their GIT and links this observation to the concept of microbiota-gut-brain axis.


P92 is one of the important steels for super heater tubes used in combustion plants. However, in fossil fuel fired environments the formation of oxides and sulfides are challenging the material. To understand early corrosion mechanisms, which are important for process prediction, high temperature in-situ ageing experiments of Fe-Cr-Mn alloys in SO2 and SO2+H2O atmosphere were performed, applying energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD) analysis.


This letter shows the existence of multiple equilibria that arise from the use of the state model of the unified power flow controller (UPFC). These multiple equilibria can arise from a common power injection model for the same terminal conditions of shunt bus voltage and series active and reactive power injections. The multiple equilibria result in two or more sets of eigenvalues, some of which may indicate an unstable operating condition. Therefore, the use of the UPFC power injection model must be used with caution to ensure stable operation of the UPFC.


We investigate the drainage of aqueous foams (water+SDS) by ESR using two different nitroxide labels: a water soluble probe and a labelled surfactant. We show that the rotational motion of the probes slows down as the films of the foam become thinner and that confinement takes place. We also experiment with and discuss the influence of the incorporation of a hydrosoluble polymer (PEO).


In this thesis I have undertaken a detailed molecular analysis of a conserved protein complex instrumental in genome stability. I have used the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in conjunction with FRET (Fluorescence resonance energy transfer) to come up with a refined molecular architecture of the cohesin complex. This analysis involved the construction of an extensive panel of strains combining pair-wise FRET donor and acceptor fluorophores on subunits of the cohesin complex. This study has revealed many new and interesting insights into the functioning of the complex, which would not have been possible by many conventional biochemical techniques. For example we have shown that cohesin complexes exist as monomers using this analysis. The Sccl subunit could be mapped to the heads in a conformation somewhat different to current models. Current thinking depicts Sccl as a bridge between the otherwise distal Smcl and Smc3 heads. Here we show instead that Sccl likely adopts a conformation with its C-terminus sitting in a groove between the Smcl and Smc3 heads. It was also revealed that the Smcl and Smc3 heads are constitutively together. We also provide new information on the mode of interaction of Pds5 with the cohesin complex. Additionally I have generated mutant alleles of the Smcl and Smc3 subunits of the cohesin complex. These mutant proteins are impaired in ATP hydrolysis. Such mutants have afforded us the opportunity to assess when during the cohesin cycle ATP hydrolysis is required. I have shown that ATP hydrolysis is crucial for cohesin loading onto chromatin, with the mutant alleles showing substantially reduced kinetics of chromatin recruitment. Additionally, ATPase activity seemed not to be required for either cohesion establishment or cohesin relocation along chromosomes. This study provides us with crucial new molecular details on the functioning of the cohesin complex - a master regulator of genome stability.


The most high calcium requirement occurs in adolescence than other age stages due to the rapid skeletal growth. The intake of calcium can be obtained from high-calcium foods or food ingredients that have been fortified with calcium. Mocaf is a product of flour from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is processed with the principle of modified cassava cell fermentation so that it has the color whiter than usual cassava flour and neutral flavor. Shell eggs is one of waste containing calcium is high enough, so that it can be used as fortifikan. This study aims to determine the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood of rats given standard feed ingredients coupled with mocaf fortified with calcium from the shells of eggs. Experimental animals divided into four, namely group 1 was given a standard feed (control group), group 2 was given a standard feed + mocaf fortified calcium from eggshell with a dose of 5%, group 3 was given a standard feed + mocaf fortified calcium from eggshell with a dose of 10% Group 4 was given the standard feed + CaCO3 at a dose of 5%. Treatment was given for 7 weeks. Blood sampling performed on the first and eighth week. The results showed the highest rates of blood calcium levels before treatment contained in the group 2 is 10.31 mg / dl and the lowest 9,78mg / dl in group 1. After the treatment is given the highest rates of blood calcium levels found in the group 3 is 12.04 mg / dl and the lowest 9.95 mg / dl in group 1. There is the effect of calcium on the eggshell of the blood calcium level, and there are differences in the level of calcium in the blood before and after treatment. There are differences in phosphorus levels before and after treatment, but there was no difference between treatment groups phosphorus levels. Keywords: Calcium, Phosphorus, Rats, MOCAF


So far as I am aware there is no spirometer tip on the market which can be cleaned easily. In view of the thousands of spirometer tests that are made each year in our various gymnasiums, this fact assumes a serious hygienic significance. A recognition of these facts justifies me, I believe, in presenting this device to the medical profession and particularly to those men engaged in anthropometric work. This mouth-piece (A) is made of wood, bevelled on one end to fit easily between the lips. The other end is made to fit snugly in the bore of the rubber tubing (B) which leads to the spirometer. These may be made anywhere. The Narragansett Machine Company of Providence, R. I., has furnished me with tips at the rate of three dollars a thousand. Each mouth-piece is used but once. It is then thrown away. At one-third of a cent apiece


Innovative valorization of naturally abundant and renewable lignocellulosic biomass is of great importance in the pursuit of a sustainable future and biobased economy. Ionic liquids (ILs) as an important kind of green solvents and functional fluids have attracted significant attention for the catalytic transformation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into a diverse range of products. Taking advantage of some unique properties of ILs with different functions, the catalytic transformation processes can be carried out more efficiently and potentially with lower environmental impacts. Also, a new product portfolio may be derived from catalytic systems with ILs as media. This review focuses on the catalytic chemical conversion of lignocellulose and its primary ingredients (i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) into value-added chemicals and fuel products using ILs as the reaction media. An outlook is provided at the end of this review to highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with this interesting and important area.


medical officers themselves should be the principal participants, with community medicine holding a watching brief. The report of Dr Preston's Working Party on Community Health Doctors, of which I have read only the BMJ summary (17 February, p 503), is very disappointing. In effect it preserves the clinical medical officers as a group by renaming them "community clinicians," but it appears that they would still be generalists rather than specialists, and would remain in some sort of hierarchical relationship to the specialist in community medicine (child health) although this is somewhat disguised as "monitoring." The traditional control of clinical medical officers and their work by the medical officer of health is protected by the statement in the summary that "The area medical officer . . . must be able to take . . . the ultimate decision on the disposition of the work of community clinicians in times, of emergency or difficulty." Consultant community paediatricians would be grafted on as an afterthought with an uncertain role. The situation is further confused by the simultaneously published report on the state of community medicine (17 February, p 503), which leaves me uncertain about the future status of the specialist in community medicine (child health). Perhaps the greatest stumbling block to progress will be our rigid and irrational career structure in hospital medicine. A suitable title for the type of doctor proposed by Dr Whitmore and his colleagues might be specialist in child health, but what grade would this be? Such doctors must have clinical independence, but the existing consultant grade would not be suitable, since, on the one hand, training to that degree is probably not essential, and, on the other, insistence on this would close the doors to a large number of competent parttime married women doctors, whom we cannot afford to lose. This is an all-too-familiar dilemma which blocks progress again and again on many fronts and is one of the most urgent problems facing the profession. If worthwhile progress is to be made in the development of child health services, and the Court Report is not to be wasted, it will require an energetic lead locally from paediatricians, and especially university departments, coupled with imaginative action by colleges, faculties, and the British Paediatric Association at national level. B W RICHARDS


The purpose of this paper is to consider the application of the direct interaction approximation (DIA) [R. H. Kraichnan, J. Math. Phys. 2, 124 (1961); Phys. Fluids 8, 575 (1965)] to the non-Markovianized stochastic models in the turbulence problem. For illustration, a linear damped stochastic oscillator described by a stochastic equation is considered. This process is shown to lead to a functional equation, and construction of solutions of this equation is addressed within the framework of a continued fraction representation. The relation of the DIA solution to the perturbative solution is discussed in the Laplace transform framework, and qualitative differences between the time evolutions of the two solutions are pointed out. The perturbative solution is shown to exhibit an oscillatory behavior indefinitely, in contradiction to the fact that the linear stochastic oscillator in question is damped. The DIA solution, on the contrary, is shown to exhibit a decaying behavior in accord with the latter property. The DIA procedure is applied to the problem of wave propagation in a random medium, which is described by a stochastic differential equation, with the characteristics of the medium represented by stochastic coefficients. The results are compared with those given by the perturbative procedure.


Spunbond is a nonwoven web produced from the component filament and the filament has been disclosed. According to the present invention, the multi-component filament comprises a crimp increasing additive. Specifically, the crimp increasing additive is applied to the polymer component having a slow solidification rate. The additive manufacturing the web by increasing the crimp, allows the manufacture in a highly low filament crimped fibers linear density, and improving the unbonded web integrity of the production from the filament, with the improved elasticity and fabric properties do. The additives incorporated into the filaments is a random copolymer of butylene and propylene.


Eleven states have reduced antipsychotic use in nursing home residents by at least 15%, meeting a CMS partnership goal set last year.


This article investigates religious ideals persistent in the datafication of information society. Its nodal point is Thomas Bayes, after whom Laplace names the primal probability algorithm. It reconsiders their mathematical innovations with Laplace's providential deism and Bayes' singular theological treatise. Conceptions of divine justice one finds among probability theorists play no small part in the algorithmic data-mining and microtargeting of Cambridge Analytica. Theological traces within mathematical computation are emphasized as the vantage over large numbers shifts to weights beyond enumeration in probability theory. Collateral secularizations of predestination and theodicy emerge as probability optimizes into Bayesian prediction and machine learning. The paper revisits the semiotics and theism of Peirce and a given beyond the probable in Whitehead to recontextualize the critiques of providence by Agamben and Foucault. It reconsiders datafication problems alongside Nietzschean valuations. Religiosity likely remains encoded within the very algorithms presumed purified by technoscientific secularity or mathematical dispassion.