The emigration sequence and cytology of acute inflammation produced by a variety of stimulants was studied in dogs using a modified skin window procedure. Control lesions revealed the typical acute inflammatory cycle with an early influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and a later increase in lymphocytes, hypertrophied lymphocytes and macrophages. Either fibrinogen, fibrin or proteolytic enzymes that promote fibrin formation selectively attracted eosinophils into the inflammatory site. Neither histamine nor albumin produced significant eosinophil migration in the 10 hours under study. The fluorescent antibody technic was employed to assess the level of cellular profibrinolysin. Only inflammatory eosinophils and bone marrow eosinophils were marked with rhodamine antiprofibrinolysin. Staining was confined to intra- and extracellular eosinophil granules and coalesced masses. The intensity of fluorescence varied somewhat and perhaps reflected profibrinolysin release into the inflammatory exudate. Exudative eosinophils like all members of the bone marrow eosinophilic series contain profibrinolysin localized in the specific granules. Eosinophils which migrate and collect at an inflammatory site clearly transport profibrinolysin to an area of fibrin deposition. Granule release of profibrinolysin provides one mechanism for fibrinolysis that likely facilitates wound repair.


Context. Despite the risk of aluminum (Al) toxicity in dialysis patients, little is known about its toxicokinetics (TK) in this population. A national contamination of dialysate solutions with Al provided the opportunity to study Al TK in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and to better understand the influence of covariates on its disposition. Methods. Al levels in serum and dialysate as well as other laboratory values were collected prospectively from 83 PD patients after correction of Al contamination. Population TK analyses were conducted with NONMEM VI using standard model discrimination criteria. Covariate analyses were also performed using stepwise forward regression followed by backward deletion. Results. After correction of Al exposure, serum levels declined in a biphasic manner, which was captured by the TK model. The TK of Al were best described by a 2-compartment model with linear elimination. Total creatinine clearance was a significant covariate for total clearance (CL). Mean parameter estimates for volume of central compartment (V1), CL, volume of peripheral compartment (V2), volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss), and intercompartmental clearance (Q) were 168 L, 8.99 L/day, 12 000 L, 12 168 L, and 4.93 L/day, respectively. Inter-individual variability for CL and V2 were 22.6 and 51.1%, respectively. Al distributional half-life was 8.5 days, while the terminal elimination half-life was 7.2 years. This model confirms that the large Vss reflects the widespread distribution of Al in bone, lungs, liver, and other tissues. Conclusion. This study describes the first population Al TK model in a large group of PD patients, which includes a covariate effect. The model confirms the extensive half-life and tissue distribution of Al in a dialysis-dependent population.


A clinical economic evaluation was conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of filtration of i.v. mannitol injections. Clinical decision analysis was used to model the costs and benefits of using filter needles for undiluted, i.v. push injections of mannitol 25%. Sensitivity analysis conducted by varying all uncertain variables to test best and worst case scenarios revealed that the use of filter needles is a cost-effective measure in all relevant scenarios.


Soil reinforcement has been, since the beginning of the last century, one of the most attractive type of material for engineers. It allows the soil properties to be changed to better suit the requirements of the structure being built. Despite the high embodied carbon, Portland cement is still widely used to improve the strength of soils and, more importantly, reduce the maintenance frequency of infrastructure assets, this, in return, may justify its application. In this research, a comprehensive laboratory triaxial testing programme was developed, in order to better understand the behaviour of a cemented and un-cemented crushed limestone, used as base and sub-base in UK. The material is well graded and the samples were prepared by dynamic compaction, very dense state, with 0, 1 and 2% of cement. The triaxial tests were performed under a variety of confining stresses, monotonic shearing and cyclic stress ratios. Results derived from the monotonic shearing were interpreted using critical state soil mechanics concept, including the changes in peak strength, changes in stiffness, yielding points, stress-dilatancy behaviour, etc. Similar samples were tested under a high number of cyclic loading and different stress ratios. To evaluate the effect of the cyclic shearing on the samples, monotonic shearing was performed afterwards and also interpreted in the same way. The cyclic stage was interpreted based on shakedown theory and the methodology proposed by BS EN 13286-7 (2004) in order to rank the material behaviour. It was also shown that particle breakage was as low as did not change the results. Distinct critical state lines, for different cement contents, were found, regardless of the shearing method used. The results also show that the addition of cement is beneficial to the behaviour of the soil, stabilising the mixtures by reducing the volume changes during the cyclic stage. This improves the long term performance of these materials in the long term, by reducing maintenance costs.


Abstract : High-efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting red, amber, green, blue, and ultraviolet light have been obtained through the use of an InGaN active layers instead of GaN active layers. Red LEDs with an emission wavelength of 680 nm which emission energy was smaller than the band-gap energy of InN were fabricated mainly resulting from the piezoelectric field due to the strain. The localized energy states caused by In composition fluctuation in the InGaN active layer seem to be related to the high efficiency of the InGaN-based emitting devices in spite of having a large number of threading dislocations. InGaN single-quantum-well-structure blue LEDs were grown on epitaxially laterally overgrown GaN (ELOG) and sapphire substrates. The emission spectra showed the similar blue shift with increasing forward currents between both LEDs. The output power of both LEDs was almost the same, as high as 6 mW at a current of 20 mA. These results indicate that the In composition fluctuation is not caused by dislocations, the dislocations are not effective to reduce the efficiency of the emission, and that the dislocations form the leakage current pathway in InGaN.


Hand pose estimation is more challenging than body pose estimation due to severe articulation, self-occlusion and high dexterity of the hand. Current approaches often rely on a popular body pose algorithm, such as the Convolutional Pose Machine (CPM), to learn 2D keypoint features. These algorithms cannot adequately address the unique challenges of hand pose estimation, because they are trained solely based on keypoint positions without seeking to explicitly model structural relationship between them. We propose a novel Nonparametric Structure Regularization Machine (NSRM) for 2D hand pose estimation, adopting a cascade multi-task architecture to learn hand structure and keypoint representations jointly. The structure learning is guided by synthetic hand mask representations, which are directly computed from keypoint positions, and is further strengthened by a novel probabilistic representation of hand limbs and an anatomically inspired composition strategy of mask synthesis. We conduct extensive studies on two public datasets - OneHand 10k and CMU Panoptic Hand. Experimental results demonstrate that explicitly enforcing structure learning consistently improves pose estimation accuracy of CPM baseline models, by 1.17% on the first dataset and 4.01% on the second one. The implementation and experiment code is freely available online1. Our proposal of incorporating structural learning to hand pose estimation requires no additional training information, and can be a generic add-on module to other pose estimation models.


Background In rice, panicle apical abortion is a common phenomenon that usually results in a decreased number of branches and grains per panicle, and consequently a reduced grain yield. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism of panicle abortion is thus critical for maintaining and increasing rice production. Results We reported a new rice mutant panicle apical abortion 3 ( paa3 ), which exhibited severe abortion of spikelet development on the upper part of the branches as well as decreased grain size over the whole panicle. Using mapping-based clone, the PAA3 was characterized as the LOC_ Os04g56160 gene, encoding an H + -ATPase . The PAA3 was expressed highly in the stem and panicle, and its protein was localized in the plasma membrane. Our data further showed that PAA3 played an important role in maintaining normal panicle development by participating in the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rice. Conclusions Our studies suggested that PAA3 might function to remove ROS, the accumulation of which leads to programmed cell death, and ultimately panicle apical abortion and decreased seed size in the paa3 panicle.


Background: Iron from the stock acquired during foetal life and the ingestion of milk is not sufficient to cover the needs of the piglets during their first weeks of life. In organic farming, systematic supplementation with iron is problematic due to a strong limitation in pharmaceutic treatments. Methods: Erythroid parameters around weaning were measured in piglets from organic outdoor and indoor farms, and related to indicators of the inflammatory status. Blood samples were collected from 28.9±2.6 piglets/herd at 42.0±3.2 days of age and 11.9±3.0 kg live weight (mean ± SD) in 21 farms from the west part of France. Among the 11 outdoor farms, only one had supplemented piglets with 200 mg iron while among the 10 indoor farms, only one had not supplemented piglets, one had supplemented them with 100 mg, 8 with 200 mg and one with 400 mg. Results: Compared to outdoor piglets without supplementation, piglets kept indoors and receiving 200 mg iron had lower haemoglobin concentration (105 vs 118±2 g/l, mean ± SE) and red blood cell volume (56 vs 60±1 fl) (P<0.005). The reduction in haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell volume was more pronounced in indoor piglets supplemented with 100 mg of iron and even more when they had not received iron. The plasma concentration of haptoglobin was lower in outdoor than in indoor piglets (0.51±0.06 vs 0.78±0.09 g/l) whereas no effect of housing was observed for markers of oxidative stress (dROM, BAP). In the 14 farms where sow parity was known, the haemoglobin concentration was lower in piglets from primiparous than from multiparous sows (109 versus 114±2 g/l, P < 0.001). Conclusion: With the exception of soils where the content of bioavailable iron is very low, piglets from outdoor farms do not require iron supplementation, unlike those raised indoors.


Background Thrombocytopenia is a common hematological feature of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), affecting 10–40% of patients. Our objective was to characterize the frequency of thrombocytopenia in SLE and determine its time of onset during the course of the disease and its severity. We also sought to identify factors predicting the development of thrombocytopenia. Methods Single centre cohort analysis of 707 patients with SLE followed for up to 40 years. We reviewed the patients' clinical notes identifying the presence of thrombocytopenia, its time of onset and ascertained other clinical and serological features of the disease. Thrombocytopenia was classified as mild (100–149×109/L), moderate (31–99×109/L) or severe (≤30×109/L platelets). It was also classified as asymptomatic, with minor bleeding or with major bleeding. A case control analysis was conducted, using the patients in the lupus cohort that did not develop thrombocytopenia as a control group. Results 23% of patients (n=162) had thrombocytopenia prior to or during the course of SLE. Twenty-three patients (14.2%) had isolated Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) before the diagnosis of SLE. Median follow-up time was 19 years (IQR=13). Most patients (N=67, 41.4%) had mild thrombocytopenia. Most patients (n=96, 59.3%) developed asymptomatic thrombocytopenia and only 6 patients (3.7%) had major bleeding events in the context of thrombocytopenia. Patients of South Asian ethnicity had an increased risk of developing of thrombocytopenia (OR=3.33) compared to Caucasian patients (p=0.002).Haemolytic Anaemia (OR=5,49; p<0.001) and kidney involvement (OR=1.81, p=0.004) were also associated with a higher risk of developing thrombocytopenia. Conclusions Although a common manifestation of SLE, thrombocytopenia may be a marker of severe disease being associated with other organ involvement, notably lupus nephritis and other haematological complications, such as haemolytic anaemia.


Applications and uses for UAVs are rapidly expanding as the constituent technologies mature. One major drawback of UAVs is the length of time they can fly, which is limited by the energy storage. Solar cells can be added to the wing surface and provide additional power dependent on the sun, weight, wing surface area, and efficiency. Inverted Metamorphic Multi-junction (IMM) solar cells offer advantages over conventional cell technology because they are lighter, more efficient, and more mechanically flexible than crystalline Si allowing for coverage of the curved surface of the wing. NRL is building an UAV with IMM solar cells to improve flight endurance. The aircraft also incorporates the necessary power management system required to maximize the solar power available. In addition to solar cells, this plane will also utilize thermal updrafts to soar.


Context The Bay of Plenty (BoP) has one of the highest regional drowning rates in New Zealand. In 2017 Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) embarked on the development of a regional water safety strategy for BoP. This strategy was focused on reducing drowning deaths and injuries and building a culture of safe enjoyment around water in BoP. Process The development of the BoP regional water safety strategy was underpinned by direct engagement to build a consensus view on water safety interventions for BoP. A Project Leadership Group of representatives from regional organisations with interest in water safety was established to act as the owners of the BoP strategy development process. Analysis Regional water safety strategies seek to identify the priority work streams and investment priorities for water safety. To achieve this WSNZ had to ensure greater community ownership of drowning prevention/water safety activities. This meant facilitating regional ownership of both the development and implementation of regional strategy. Outcomes In June 2019 a BoP water safety strategy document was launched and in September 2019 a strategy manager was recruited to implement the BoP water safety strategy with funding provided by local and national funders. Initiatives that address the priority actions of the strategy were implemented. Learning Outcomes The most important lesson for WSNZ was the importance of 'hand holding' - maintaining a regional profile even after the strategy was being locally implemented, and being seen to continue to support the recruitment of funders and identification of initiatives.


A 3 year field experiment was conducted to study the productivity, soil fertility and N-use efficiency of intensified Rice-Wheat (R-W) systems by adding a third pre-rice crop of mungbean. System productivity, fertility and N use efficiency were evaluated under five N fertilizer levels (0, 50,100,150 and 200 % N of recommended dose, two straw retention (SR) levels (0 and 100%) and two tillage options (permanent raised bed and conventional tillage with planting on the flat (CTP) in a R-W- mungbean cropping system. Permanent beds with straw retention produced the highest productivity for all three crops in the sequence. Within each N rate the total system (rice-wheat-mungbean) productivity was greatest with 100% SR on PRB and least in CTP with no straw retention. At 100% of recommended fertilizer N rate, mean annual system productivity was 12.5 t/ha for PRB with 100% SR, 11.2 t/ha with PRB without SR and 10.3 t/ha with CTP without SR. N uptake and use efficiency were increased with increasing N levels with bed planting up to 150% N application (150 kg N ha-1) in wheat, 100% (80 kg N ha-1) in rice and 100% N (20 kg N ha-1 ) in mungbean for all three years. System productivity in N unfertilized plots increased when straw was retained due to increased supply and uptake of N. The results suggest that N fertilizer rates may be reduced when straw is retained. Soil organic matter in surface soil layers of the PRB had increased by 0.22% after 3 years (3 rice-wheat-mungbean crop cycles) with straw retention, with a greater increase with 100% SR. Straw retention is an important component of soil management and may have long term positive impacts on soil quality. Compared with conventional tillage with crop residues removed, the combination of PRB with nitrogen and residues retained appears to be a very promising technology for sustainable intensification of R-W systems in Bangladesh


This chapter aims to illustrate the role of culture for development over the life-span. First, theoretical approaches on development in culture are presented, starting from early anthropological to recent eco-cultural approaches. Then culture-specific conceptualisations of development over the life span are discussed, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Finally, recent studies on subjective theories, transmissions of values, and intergenerational relations are discussed as aspects of a more extended interpersonal relations approach to development in culture.


International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI) is pleased to present the end-of-project evaluation report of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Social Marketing Project for Child, Maternal, and Reproductive Health Products and Services in Madagascar (hereafter referred as PSI/M). This project was implemented by Population Services International in Madagascar (PSI/M) under USAID Cooperative Agreement Number 687- A-00-08-00032-00 during July 14, 2008 to September 30, 2012. The data collection phase for this evaluation was conducted between May – August 2012. PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION The purpose of this evaluation was two-fold: 1) Collect qualitative and quantitative information about PSI/M's implementation, progress and challenges, with particular emphasis on whether PSI/M successfully achieved the expected results of the project. Additionally, share any programmatic, management and/or financial obstacles that affected project implementation to inform future projects. 2) Inform USAID/Madagascar and key stakeholders on recommended strategies, structures or actions for future projects involving supply chain and distribution systems to increase efficiency and impacts, e.g., viability of community supply chain system; priority areas for local capacity building; gaps in management structure and oversight; consumer focus in product distribution and price determination, etc. PROGRAM BACKGROUND The goal of the PSI/M project was to improve the health status of the Malagasy people, and especially women and children. The purpose of the project was to increase the use of effective health products, services and behaviors in the areas of family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH), as well as the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), malaria, diarrheal disease, and pneumonia. Project strategies included engagement with the private sector and evidence-based social marketing. From 2008 to 2012, PSI/M supported the promotion, communication, research, and training for health services, and the social marketing of 16 subsidized health products in wholesale commercial, pharmaceutical, and community outlets (the former based at established supply points). As well, a selection of PSI/M products was made available for Top Reseau, which is a franchised network of private, clinic-based providers established by PSI/M in 2000 with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.1 Per USAID's request, PSI/M did a major overhaul of its project design for fiscal years (FY) 2011 and 2012. This was in response to the difficult political and socio-economic environment following the 2009 political crisis.2 To meet this request, PSI/M expanded its private sector support activities but the period of performance was decreased by one year. During FYs 2011—2012, PSI/M expanded activities with private sector partners, and strengthened the supply chains at the commercial, pharmaceutical, and community levels in order to absorb and distribute product inventories slated for national level distribution. PSI/M also expanded its portfolio of socially marketed products and related services, especially for maternal and child health (MCH) and expanded the range of services offered at the Top Reseau clinics. This evaluation it meant to be viewed in terms of these socio-political and programmatic challenges.


Tighter macroeconomic and financial policies helped to avert a deeper
crisis, and gross external reserves increased more rapidly in recent months, largely exceeding
the mid-2019 target. However, reserves are still below the level appropriate for commodityexporting
economies (5 months of imports) to absorb terms of trade shocks. Fiscal
consolidation has been tilted towards cuts in public investment. This, together with a lack of
significant progress in structural reforms, has weighed on growth which remains too low.
The outlook for 2019 and beyond foresees further improvement in regional reserves assuming
CEMAC countries remain committed to their program objectives and new programs with CAR
and Equatorial Guinea could start around end-2019. This outlook is subject to potentially
significant risks, including: a significant slowdown in global growth and associated decline in oil
prices; a deterioration in the security situation in some countries; and weaker implementation of
IMF-supported programs.


Chemical analyses of < 0.15-mm (< 100 mesh) fractions from Holocene stream sediment in Chimney and Spring Canyons in Logan County, northeastern Colorado, reveal values of uranium in excess of the regional background (3.8 ppm). These values reach a maxima of 60.2 ppm U. Chimney Canyon sediment ranges from 4.4 to 5.5 ppm U, and is composed of volcanic glass, quartz, and minor amounts of plagioclase, calcite, mica, and mixed-layer illite-smectite. Heavy minerals are rare and consist mainly of biotite and hornblende. Spring Canyon sediment ranges from 3.7 to 60.2 ppm U and is composed of quartz, potassium, and plagioclase feldspar, calcite, mica, and mixed-layer illite-smectite. Heavy minerals are common and include ilmenite, magnetite, hornblende, epidote, and zircon. Content of uranium in samples of bedrock from the Brule, Arikaree, and Ogallala Formations ranges from 1.8 to 16.3 ppm U, and varies according to the composition of the detrital fraction and the amount and type of cement. Poorly cemented arkose and vitric siltstone contain between 1.8 to 2.9 ppm and 4.0 to 5.7 ppm U respectively. Bedrock cemented by micrite contains from 6.3 to 9.1 ppm U and silicified bedrock contains between 12.1 and 16.3 U. Petrographic studies reveal that initial deposition of the bedrock was followed by: (1) mechanical infiltration of clay, bioturbation, and precipitation of mixed-layer illite-smectite; (2) precipitation of sparry calcite or micrite; (3) dissolution of framework grains, including volcanic glass; (4) destruction of mixed-layer illite-smectite and the development of caliche structures; and (5) precipitation of opal-CT and chalcedony. Mica fission-track maps show that uranium is homogeneously distributed within micrite, opal-CT, and chalcedony cements. Fission-track density indicates that opal and chalcedony contain more uranium than micrite. Sparry calcite cement contains no uranium. Four major conclusions result. (1) The content of uranium in Holocene stream sediment is related to the detrital composition of the parent bedrock. Uranium in the Chimney Canyon sediment occurs in volcanic glass, which is derived from tuffaceous siltstone of the Brule Formation, whereas the uranium in Spring Canyon sediment is contained in heavy minerals, which are derived from the Ogallala Formation. (2) Uranium in the bedrock is contained in volcanic glass, heavy minerals (mainly zircon, iron-titanium oxides, and monazite), and in cements of micrite, opal, and chalcedony. (3) Uranium in micrite, opal, and chalcedony is derived from intrastratal dissolution of volcanic glass. Volcanic glass is also the source for silica precipitated as opal or chalcedony. (4) The postdepositional alt rations observed in this study represent the earliest stages of mobilization of uranium required for the development of an epigenetic deposit. End_of_Article - Last_Page 572------------


Background: Early identification of sepsis is important for initiating appropriate treatment for decreasing the risk of in-hospital mortality. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) and quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) in predicting 3-days in-hospital mortality in suspected sepsis.
Methodology: A cohort study was conducted at the emergency department of Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi. One-hundred and thirty-two suspected cases of sepsis having age 18-75 years were selected through convenience sampling. PCT level and qSOFA score were obtained for predicting 3-days in-hospital mortality.
Results: Of the study patient, 50.8% were male, and 49.2% were female, with a mean age of 53.7 ± 18.3 years. The mean qSOFA score was 1.8 ± 0.5, and the mean PCT level was 2.7 ± 12.5 ng/ml. The combined QSOFA and PCT 3-days in-hospital mortality prediction was 31.1%, while the actual mortality rate was 28.0%. The combined qSOFA score and PCT level sensitivity was 62.2%, specificity 81.1%, positive predicted value 56.1%, negative predicted value 84.7%, and diagnostic accuracy 75.8%.
Conclusion: The combined use of QSOFA and PCT improves the 3-day in-hospital mortality prediction in suspected cases of sepsis.


This experiments were conducted to determine the effect of allelopathy and autotoxicity in alfalfa. Among several alfalfa cultivars, the substances exudated from seven cultivars including Medicago sativa, c.v. Luna, Sparta, Magnum, Husky, Milkmaker, Challenger and Anchor inhibited the germination and seedling growth of radish, ranging from 60 to 80%. When allelopathic substances were exudated from the soil of the alfalfa-cultivated field, the increased levels of substance retarded the germination rate and seedling growth of radish and alfalfa. The inhibition rate was about 80%, compared with that of control. Thus, this study indicates that the allelopathy and autotoxicity substances of alfalfa influenced the germination and seedling growth in alfalfa itself and radish. When allelopathic substances were analysed by using gas chromatograph, several kinds of phenol compounds were detected as follows; Salicylic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, coumaric acid, and ferulic acid.


Princeton Architectural Press's classic reprint series was established in 1981 to make rare volumes on architecture available to a wider audience. The books' beautiful reproductions and finest quality printing and binding match those of the originals, while their 9-by-12-inch format makes them accessible and affordable. New introductions bring a modern voice to these texts, updating them to become invaluable contemporary resources.


Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of orally administered Streptococcus faecium M74, Lactobacillus casei spp., Streptococcus thermophilus spp., and Lactobacillus bulgaricus spp. on growth, development of digestive organs, intestinal microflora, and local mucosal immunity of piglets. Mixed-sex piglets were used in the experiments. Bottle feeding of S. faecium M74 plus L. casei spp. increased weight gain in piglets of different litters, but not in piglets of the same litter. The S. thermophilus spp. plus L. bulgaricus spp. cultures improved only weight gain for 12 to 21 days of age. There was no significant effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) administration on plasma glucose, urea, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, albumin, and globulins. The number of lactobacilli was higher and the enterococci and coliforms lower in the groups fed LAB than in the control group. The ratio of lactobacilli to coliforms increased in the intestinal contents of the LAB groups. The pH values of the gut contents were not affected by treatments. Although a significant effect on the size of the digestive organs was not found, the liver weight was smaller and the intestinal length shorter in the treated than in the control group. There were no significant differences in the level of interleukin-2 in the tissues of the jejunum and ileum. However, in the group given S. faecium M74 plus L. casei spp. the interleukin-2 concentration in the ileal tissues increased from 3.74 (control) to 7.43 ng/g. The histological structure of the ileal epithelium of the group of piglets given S .faecium M74 plus L. casei spp., showed an increase in the phagocytic activity of the cells. Some differences in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in the location of the implanted microvilli were observed in the group given S. thermophilus spp. plus L. bulgaricus spp.


Abstract
This study aims to study the policies and measures adopted in order to attract FDIs to the extractive industry and to maximize their effects on the Albanian economy. Emphasis is put on fiscal policy and the allocation of tax revenues received from FDIs in the extractive industry. To conduct the study I have used theories explaining the reason behind FDI decisions and the mainstream theories in taxation of extractive industries.
The Albanian state was in the beginning of the 20th century establishing itself as an industrial state. A Part of this undertaking was the establishment of a large extractive industry, which was the foundation of the industrial sector. After the events of the 90s the extractive industry regained attention and it is now playing an important role for the development of the Albanian economy. Albania early imposed a royalty of 2 percent in addition to the regular taxation obligations, to attract new investments. This has since then been changed to a new level of 4-10 percent depending on the sector. However, both output and investments remained at a seemingly low level until recent years where there has been a boom in investments, output, research and development activities.


Blockchain technology (BT) is probably going to produce ground-breaking changes in supply chains, healthcare, IPR etc. BT provide better transparent methods to remove various issues faced in these areas. It improves the benefits by adapting the BT in various fields. It improves health management, identify fake drugs sold in the market, etc. The improved technology of BT can be used in various legal areas like improve IP rights management, working of IP offices etc. In this paper we look into the brief about how BT can be used in the above area.


The intent of this paper is to study the various forces and stress acting on a rotor shaft of a standard rotavator which is subjected to transient loading. The standard models of rotavator, having a progressive cutting sequence was considered for the study and analysis. The study was extended to various available models having different cutting blade arrangement. The study was carried on different papers and identifies the various forces acting on a Rotor shaft of a rotavator. The positions of the torque and forces applied are varied according to the model considered. The response was obtained by considering the angle of twist and equivalent stress on the rotor shaft. This paper presented a methodology for conducting transient analysis of rotor shaft of a rotavator,


Common geometric models for proteins and other molecules are the space filling diagram, the solvent accessible surface, and the molecular surface. We describe software that computes metric properties of these models, including volume and surface area. It also measures voids or empty space enclosed by the protein, and it keeps track of surface area contributions of individual atoms. The software is based on 3-dimensional alpha complexes and on inclusion-exclusion formulas with terms derived from the simplices in this complex.<<ETX>>


A 45-year-old man was treated with WHO multibacillary multidrug therapy for borderline leprosy and high dose daily Clofazimine for lepra reaction. Along with the expected side effect of skin pigmentation, the patient also noticed darkening of previously grey hair. This colour persisted eight months after completing multibacillary multidrug therapy.


Summary form only as given. A Le-Blanc transformer is a special winding connection transformer for the single-phase power supply of electrified railway and it has been installed in the electrified railway of Taiwan (Tairail) for more than twenty years. It is well-known that the main electrical protection of large capacity transformers is differential protection. As the special winding connection and current relationship of Le-Blanc, differential relays are not easy to apply directly without using the special turn ratio current transformers. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to design a differential protective scheme that is built by normal turn ratio current transformers connected for Le-Blanc transformers. According to the phasor combination method, a two-relay differential protective scheme that combines the primary line currents to match the secondary line current phases of Le-Blanc is proposed in this paper. For evaluating the performance of the proposed scheme, a practical design example using the parameters of a Tairail's Le-Blanc transformer and some scaled down data of the field test system in their laboratory are also presented in this paper.


In hard disk drives (HDDs), the ramp load/unload (LUL) technology has proved to be a better alternative to the contact start-stop approach due to the advantages of increasing areal density and greater durability. However, the application of the LUL ramps in HDDs introduces the possibility of collisions between the disk and ramps since the ramps must slightly overlap the disk's outer radius. Therefore, it is important to study the ramp effects on the HDDs response during a shock. A reduced model of a deformable ramp is developed and implemented into a multi-body operational shock model. Numerical analyses using three different ramp models (no ramp, rigid ramp, and deformable ramp) are carried out to study the HDDs failure dependence on the different ramp models.


Abstract In recent years, artificial intelligence has gradually become the core driving force of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and is exerting a profound impact on all aspects of human life. With the rapid development of Internet big data and high-performance parallel computing, relevant research in computer vision has made significant progress in the past few years, becoming one of the important application branches in the field of artificial intelligence. The exercise of image classification forming part of computer vision tasks involves a large amount of computation, and training based on traditional deep learning (DL) classification models typically involves slow training and low accuracy in many parameters. Thus, in order to solve these problems, an image classification model based on DL and SAE network was proposed. Firstly, the main research of computer vision task-image classification is introduced in detail. Then, the combination framework of deep neural network and SAE network is built. At the same time, the deep neural network was used to carry out convolution operation of the parameters learned by SAE and extract each feature of the image with neurons, so as to improve the training accuracy of the deep neural network. Finally, the traditional deep neural network and SAE network were used for comparative experiment and analysis. Experimental results show that the proposed method has a certain degree of improvement in image classification accuracy compared with traditional deep neural network and SAE network, and the accuracy reaches 97.13%.


For 1D acoustic wave propagation in the frequency domain, the complex non-linear Riccati differential equation describes the dependence of the plane-wave reflection response in depth, defined as the upgoing part of the wavefield divided by the downgoing part of the wavefield at that depth. In the case that the model is a velocity gradient interface expressed in terms of a "smooth" Heaviside function defined by the Fermi–Dirac function, the Riccati equation is shown to have analytical solution for the reflection response. The solution accounts for all internal scattering in the gradient zone. The solution of the Riccati equation for the reflection response is obtained by introducing the Riccati equation for the reciprocal of the reflection response which can be related to a second-order self-adjoint linear differential equation. The two latter equations obey the same radiation condition. Further, a connection between the second-order linear equation and the Heun equation is obtained, both characterized by having four regular singular points. By a change of variables, the Heun equation can be transformed into Gauss' hypergeometric equation, whereby the solution is expressed as the sum of two linearly independent functions containing hypergeometric functions. The advantage of applying the Heun-to-hypergeometric reduction to the non-linear Riccati equation is that solutions to the hypergeometric equation are well known. The two functions allow us to analytically determine the Riccati solution because the ratio of the linearly independent functions at infinity is constant. In contrast to the classic frequency-independent reflection coefficient from two layers in welded contact, the reflection coefficient at the surface associated with the gradient interface depends on frequency. In the limit of zero frequency, the reflection coefficient approaches the classic one. We implement the iterative solution of the integral form of the Riccati equation and show that the solution builds up non-linearly to the correct solution.


This article examines definitions of cause in the epidemiological literature. Those definitions describe causes as factors that make a difference to the distribution of disease or to individual health status. In philosophical terms, they are "difference-makers." I argue that those definitions are underpinned by an epistemology and a methodology that hinge upon the notion of variation, contra the dominant Humean paradigm according to which we infer causality from regularity. Furthermore, despite the fact that causes are defined in terms of difference-making, this doesn't fix the causal metaphysics but rather reflects the "variational" epistemology and methodology of epidemiology. I suggest that causality in epidemiology ought to be interpreted according to Williamson's epistemic theory. In this approach, causal attribution depends on the available evidence and on the methods used. In turn, evidence to establish causal claims requires both difference-making and mechanistic considerations.


Bats and pangolins are considered to be potential hosts of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, based on its genome similarity to coronaviruses of these species (Bat-CoV-RaTG13 and Pangolin-CoV). The receptor-binding domain (RBD), a functional component of the spike protein, is responsible for binding of SARS-CoV-2 by human ACE2 receptors and is also key to cross-species viral transmission. We performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using structures of hACE2 in complex with the RBD of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, Pangolin-CoV and Bat-CoV-RaTG13, respectively. By analyzing the hydrogen-bonding network at the RBD–hACE2 interface and estimating the binding free energies between RBD and hACE2, we found Pangolin-CoV bound hACE2 in a similar state as did SARS-CoV-2, and both of them bound hACE2 more strongly than did Bat-CoV-RaTG13 or SARS-CoV. We further identified two major adaptation mutations of SARS-CoV-2-RBD, which may have significant roles in regulating the recognition and binding between RBD and hACE2. Our results add to existing evidence that Pangolins have the potential to act as an intermediate host for SARS-CoV-2, and provide guidance for future design of antiviral drugs and vaccines.


While lecturers in Institutes of Technology have traditionally designed courses, and; employed teaching approaches and strategies and methods of assessment forstudents; who are 18 years of age and have just completed the Leaving Certificate, they are now; having to cater for increasing numbers of mature students whose approaches to; learning and pedagogical needs are quite distinct from the mainstream student. A; study in Institutes of Technology, using semi-structured interviews,as undertaken; to ascertain the level of understanding and insight lecturers have of mature students; and how their pedagogical approach may have been extended to include them in the; learning environment. While respondents revealed a high level of awareness of the; needs of mature students, reflecting many of the theories and approaches expounded; by educational theorists, the growing number of such students in mainstream classes; was found to have presented many unprecedented challenges for which little or no; provision had been made in terms of staff developm


We show that if X is any proper complex variety, there is a weight decomposition on the real schematic homotopy type, in the form of an algebraic G_m-action. This extends to a real Hodge structure, in the form of a discrete C^*-action, such that C^* x X -> X^{sch} is real analytic. If the fundamental group is algebraically good, and the higher homotopy groups have finite rank, this gives bigraded decompositions on the complexified homotopy groups. For smooth proper varieties, the Hodge structure can be recovered from the cohomology ring with coefficients in the universal semisimple local system.


Free inflation of cylindrical rubberlike membranes is examined in this study. The material is assumed to obey the classical Mooney-Rivlin constitutive equation. The membrane profile is interpolated by cubic B-spline functions with natural end boundary conditions. The macro element formulation is detailed. The non-linear system obtained is solved by the Newton-Raphson algorithm associated with an arc-length continuation method. Numerical illustrations are given in order to demonstrate the method efficiency.


In this paper, we present a novel approach for discovering kinetically metastable states of biomolecular conformations. Several kinetically-aware metrics which encode both geometric and kinetic information about biomolecules are proposed. We embed the new metrics into k-center clustering and r-cover clustering algorithms to estimate the metastable states. Those clustering algorithms using kinetically-aware metrics are tested on a large scale biomolecule conformation dataset. It turns out that our algorithms are able to identify the kinetic meaningful clusters.


This article considers the design of a high-speed mechanism as a multi-objective optimization problem wherein the kinematic and dynamic criteria are optimized simultaneously. The kinematic criteria include minimization of the structural error and a minimization of deviation of the transmission angle from its ideal value. The dynamic criterion used is minimization of the peak torque required to drive the input link over a cycle. A Stackelberg (leader–follower) game theoretic approach is proposed to solve the multi-objective problem. Three variants, wherein both the kinematic and the dynamic criteria are treated as the leader, are considered. The design variables are the mechanism dimensions. A computational procedure using sensitivity information is proposed for approximating rational reaction sets needed for capturing exchange of information between the leader and the follower problems. A numerical example dealing with the design of a path generating four-bar mechanism is presented. It is shown that significant improvement in both kinematic and dynamic performance measures is simultaneously achieved using the proposed approach.


Preliminary investigations were carried out on the extractable organic matter in aerosols and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air of Guangzhou, Hongkong and Macao. Based on the types and abundances of biomarkers in the aliphatic and aromatic fractions of the extracts, as well as contaminant assemblages, a brief discussion has been made on the sources of organic compounds in air. Our studies reveal that organic compounds from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, especially from vehicular exhaust, predominated both in aerosols and among VOCs in these samples. However, geological dust and modern living plants also contributed to the organics in ambient air.


BACKGROUND
Naturally occurring kidney disease (KD) in pet rabbits has not been fully characterized. It has been previously suggested that proteinuria, especially when associated with isosthenuria, may be an early indicator of KD prior to azotaemia in rabbits. The aim of the current study was to assess the diagnostic utility of the urinary protein dipstick test (UPDT) for detecting proteinuria in rabbit urine samples as a useful diagnostic tool in clinical setting.

METHODS
Three hundred urinalyses from 156 pet rabbits were retrospectively analysed by comparing the UPDT with the urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) to assess its diagnostic performance in detecting proteinuria, defined as UPC > 0.3. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (NPVs) were determined.

RESULTS
When urine-specific gravity (USG) was ≤1.024 and a UPDT result of >0 was considered proteinuric, the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were both 100%. Following the same criteria, specificity and PPV decreased to 92.1% and 92.5% when USG was ≤1.038. NPVs were poor.

CONCLUSION
In rabbits, a UPDT result > 0 is indicative of proteinuria (UPC > 0.3) when the USG is ≤1.024. In all other cases, proteinuria should be measured using the UPC.


Determination of chronic lymphatic leukemia immunological phenotype, performed by the authors, was based upon the study of quantitative expression of membrane differentiation antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes. The research included study of co-expression of adhesion molecules, belonging to the following families: beta 2 integrins (CD 11 beta, CD 18), immunoglobulins (CD 50), and CD 38 on tumor blood B-lymphocytes of various CD-types and T-lymphocytes in chronic leucosis. The authors developed a functional model of trans-endothelial migration of peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic chronic lymphatic leukemia, taking into account their membrane adhesive characteristics and serum level of CD 50. The researchers determined clinical importance of the expression of linear and adhesive antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes, and soluble HLA-1 (sHLA-1) serum levels in patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia.


The authors assemble a fascinating collection of topics from analytic number theory that provides an introduction to the subject with a very clear and unique focus on the anatomy of integers, that is, on the study of the multiplicative structure of the integers. Some of the most important topics presented are the global and local behavior of arithmetic functions, an extensive study of smooth numbers, the Hardy-Ramanujan and Landau theorems, characters and the Dirichlet theorem, the $abc$ conjecture along with some of its applications, and sieve methods. The book concludes with a whole chapter on the index of composition of an integer. One of this book's best features is the collection of problems at the end of each chapter that have been chosen carefully to reinforce the material. The authors include solutions to the even-numbered problems, making this volume very appropriate for readers who want to test their understanding of the theory presented in the book.


Stimulated macrophages generate potent anti-microbial reactive oxygen and nitrogen species within their phagosomes. There is mounting evidence that ubiquitination plays a role in modulating macrophage bactericidal functions. Recently, we demonstrated that the ubiquitin ligase NKLAM was a component of the macrophage phagosome. In this present study we investigated the effects of NKLAM on macrophage generation of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species. Stimulation with LPS induced wild type (WT) macrophages to produce NO in a time and concentration-dependent manner. NO production was attenuated in NKLAM-knock out (KO) macrophages. We also found that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression was lower and that iNOS translocation to the maturing phagosome was defective in KO macrophages. In vivo, intraperitoneal injection of LPS induced a time-dependent increase in serum nitrite (NO metabolite) in both WT and KO mice. However, nitrite levels in KO mice were lower than in WT mice. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a potent killing mechanism; however the role of ubiquitination in regulating ROS generation is unclear. To this end, we investigated ROS production in WT and KO macrophages and found that ROS production was defective in KO macrophages stimulated with either PMA or Escherichia coli. Collectively, our data implicate NKLAM as a potent modulator of macrophage oxidative killing functions.


Objective. We aimed to establish the prevalence and clinical associations of anti-HMG-CoA-reductase (anti-HMGCR) in a large UK cohort with juvenile myositis. Methods. There were 381 patients investigated for anti-HMGCR using ELISA. Results. Anti-HMGCR autoantibodies were detected in 4 patients (1%). These children had no or minimal rash and significant muscle disease. Muscle biopsies were considered distinctive, with widespread variation in fiber size, necrotic fibers, and chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates; all had prolonged elevation of creatine kinase and all ultimately received biologic therapies. Conclusion. Anti-HMGCR in UK children with myositis are associated with severe disease that is poorly responsive to standard treatment.


Mutations in the leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are a cause of familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). Nonetheless, the biological functions of LRRK2 remain incompletely understood. Here, we observed that LRRK2 is recruited to lysosomes that have a ruptured membrane. Using unbiased proteomics, we observed that LRRK2 is able to recruit the motor adaptor protein JIP4 to permeabilized lysosomes in a kinase-dependent manner through the phosphorylation of RAB35 and RAB10. Super-resolution live cell imaging microscopy and FIB-SEM revealed that once at the lysosomal membrane, JIP4 promotes the formation of LAMP1-negative lysosomal tubules that release membranous content from ruptured lysosomes. Released vesicular structures are able to interact with other lysosomes. Thus, we described a new process that uses lysosomal tubulation to release vesicular structures from permeabilized lysosomes. LRRK2 orchestrates this process that we name LYTL (LYsosomal Tubulation/sorting driven by LRRK2) that, given the central role of the lysosome in PD, is likely to be disease relevant.


ABSTRACT Lactobacillus equigenerosi NRIC 0697T was isolated from the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy thoroughbreds. This strain produced unique spherical or oval cells, which is rare in the genus Lactobacillus. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this strain.


July 27, 2014

We are in the midst of an exciting and yet challenging time — a period of momentous change in higher education and healthcare. The changes are so great, and they are happening so quickly, that it can be difficult to process them and to respond appropriately and swiftly. In fact, "responding swiftly" is often seen as an oxymoron in our profession. I believe we can do better.

Where are the changes? I see them in three broad categories: cost, quality and access in both education and healthcare.

I will refer to them as access, affordability and accountability.

And what do these changes feel like? Some pessimists might liken them to a tsunami or an avalanche. But I prefer to view them optimistically — after all, I'm from the "wild and wonderful" state of West Virginia, where we don't have tsunamis or avalanches. But we do have whitewater rafting. And that's a powerful metaphor for navigating rapid change.

Have you ever been whitewater rafting? If you have, please raise your hand. Ok, well today let's fix that for the rest of you.

This morning I'm going to take you on a whitewater rafting adventure — where the skills and commitment of everyone in the raft are necessary to make it safely to the finish. Where — like higher education and healthcare — the environment is complex and requires constant adaptation. And where things are only partially under your control!

So what can we learn from a whitewater rafting trip? Let's gear up and get ready to go down the rapids.

First, you need the right equipment — a helmet, life vest and a paddle. You will also need knowledge of whitewater rafting.

You need an experienced guide, and you need to follow directions. A successful rafting crew has good leaders, and good followers — which are key in higher education and health care today.

You need to be agile and to demonstrate initiative in the face of unexpected difficulties. You will be dealing with fluidity, uncertainty and disorder. There will be lots of twists and turns, which will require continuous revision and realignment.

You need to pace yourself. Skilled rafters know not to dive in and ride the whitewater to the end. Instead they navigate the rapids in stages. Between bursts of activity, they pull off to little pools called eddies — to catch their breath, jump in and take a swim, and prepare for the next stage. A rafting adventure can easily take all day!

You need to be confident, without being reckless. You need to expect competitors on the journey; you won't be the only rafter on the river. But if you listen to your guide and follow the river, you'll have a great journey. And you need to anticipate and respond to unexpected changes — such as waterfalls, and your raft overturning on top of you!

These are the skills we can use as we face the challenges in higher education and healthcare. Fortunately for AACP, we have excellent committees and councils to help us navigate the rapid changes. My charges to them will focus on changes in higher education (by the Academic Affairs Committee) and health care (the Professional Affairs Committee). Argus, Research & Graduate, and Advocacy will also be given charges. For structure, I have asked each committee to focus on three main areas: access, affordability and accountability.

When I was asked to select members to be on these committees and councils, I found an embarrassment of riches! I had a huge list of volunteers for each one. So thank you to all who volunteered to serve. Please know, it was extremely difficult to choose from so much talent! Today I'm going to give you a sample of the challenges they will address.

The Academic Affairs Standing Committee, chaired by Kari Franson, will identify issues and problems affecting the administrative and financial aspects of member institutions. Among the key questions they will address are:

• Access: Why should students attend class when excellent teachers and coursework can be delivered in the comfort of their homes?

• Affordability: How can we speed up the time spent on learning through concepts such as assessment of prior knowledge, and competency-based education (mastery vs. seat time)? I'm asking them to propose more affordable models of education.

• Accountability: How might tools like the new Gallup/Purdue assessment instrument introduce different methods to measure the quality of education?

This year, the Advocacy Committee, chaired by Bob Mangione, will examine the topics of access, affordability, and accountability in pharmacy education and their alignment with these same issues across higher education. Key questions this committee will consider include:

• Access: With attention to, but not limited to underrepresented minorities, what are best practices at AACP member institutions that focus on individual access to professional pharmacy programs?

• Affordability: With a primary focus on tuition and cost of attendance, describe best practices of how AACP member institutions ensure the value of a professional degree. This description should discuss the return on investment of a pharmacy degree.

• Accountability: With attention to accreditation, describe best practices of how AACP member institutions hold themselves, their faculty and their students accountable for the creation and execution of a high-quality educational experience.

The Argus Commission will study how access to — and use of — "big data" will influence the future of academic pharmacy from the perspectives of curriculum/education, research, clinical practice, population health, community engagement and public policy. Jeff Baldwin will chair the commission this year.

The Commission will answer the question: What role should AACP play in assisting members with "big data" in the context of current efforts to employ the principles of "knowledge management" to the work of the Association?

The health care environment continues its evolution with the Affordable Care Act and its focus on improving health and healthcare, and reducing costs. Both academic and professional pharmacy must ensure that new and current pharmacists are competent to meet these goals. The Professional Affairs Committee, chaired by Charles Taylor, will examine the contributions of experiential education, in the context of the emerging accreditation standards, to ensure the development of "practice-ready" graduates who are educated for current and future practice.

Elements necessary for access to exemplary experiential sites will be studied. Evaluation of student pharmacist readiness for, and contributions to, IPPEs and APPEs should be considered to illustrate the value to practice sites.

Accountability: What are the essential elements of successful relationships with practice sites that support student development of professional responsibilities? The committee will also review and evaluate how well the experiential education curriculum aligns with the recently approved JCPP Consensus Practice Model and what assessments might need to be developed to document accountability and improve that alignment.

I believe it is time for a major reassessment of our graduate degree programs. The Research and Graduate Affairs Committee, chaired by Natalie Eddington, will examine and establish a competency-based, best-practice education model that provides guidance to colleges and schools of pharmacy offering graduate degrees and postdoctoral training. The Committee will also seek input from funding agencies who award graduate and postdoctoral fellowships and from future employers — such as academic, government and pharmaceutical industries — to ascertain that the needs of the future workforce are met.

In closing, I want to say how honored and excited I am to be installed as AACP President at this time — a time of great challenge and great opportunity. When I was asked to run for the presidency, I asked my husband Jim, my Chancellor and my team what they thought, and they said "get in the boat!" To Jim and family, Dr. Colenda, and the WVU faculty and staff — thank you for your love and support.

Although I belong to multiple professional organizations, AACP is my home, complete with mentors, friends and colleagues. I am truly blessed to have grown professionally, and this organization has been the key to much happiness.

Today, I feel the same exhilaration that I experience during a whitewater journey. And I truly hope that we will carry the whitewater lessons through our next year together. With your support and active participation, I know we will achieve great success for the academy and for our profession. Thank you for your attention.


Texture plays a major role in the determination of fruit quality in apple. Due to its physiological and economic relevance, this trait has been largely investigated, leading to the fixation of the major gene PG1 controlling firmness in elite cultivars. To further improve fruit texture, the targeting of an undisclosed reservoir of loci with minor effects is compelling. In this work, we aimed to unlock this potential with a genomic selection approach by predicting fruit acoustic and mechanical features as obtained with a TA.XTplus texture analyzer in 537 individuals genotyped with 8,294 SNP markers. The best prediction accuracies following cross-validations within the training set (TRS) of 259 individuals were obtained for the acoustic linear distance (0.64). Prediction accuracy was further improved through the optimization of TRS size and composition according to the test set. With this strategy, a maximal accuracy of 0.81 was obtained when predicting the synthetic trait PC1 in the family 'Gala × Pink Lady'. We discuss the impact of genetic relatedness and clustering on trait variability and predictability. Moreover, we demonstrated the need for a comprehensive dissection of the complex texture phenotype and the potentiality of using genomic selection to improve fruit quality in apple. Highlight A genomic selection study, together with the optimization of the training set, demonstrated the possibility to accurately predict texture sub-traits valuable for the amelioration of fruit quality in apple.


This paper applies inverse theory to the estimation of the implied risk-neutral probability density function (PDF) from option prices. A general framework of inverting option prices for the implied risk-neutral PDF is formulated from the option pricing formula of Cox and Ross [J. Financial Econ., 1976, 3, 145–166]. To overcome the non-uniqueness and instability inherent in the option inverse problem, the smoothness requirement for the shape of the PDF and a prior model are introduced by a penalty function. Positivity constraints are included as a hard bond on the PDF values. The option inverse problem then becomes a non-negative least-squares problem that can be solved by classic methods such as the non-negative least-squares program of Lawson and Hanson [Solving Least Squares Problems, 1974 (Prentice-Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ)]. The best solution is not the one that gives the best fit to the observed option prices or provides the smoothest PDF, but the one that gives the optimal trade-off between the goodness-of-fit and smoothness of the estimated risk-natural PDF. The proposed inversion technique is compared with the models of Black–Scholes (BS), a mixture of two lognormals (MLN), Jarrow and Rudd's Edgeworth expansion (JR), and jump diffusion (JD) for the estimation of the PDF from the option prices associated with the September 2007 NYMEX natural gas futures. It is found that the inversion technique not only gives the best goodness-of-fit, but also a significantly better model resolution. An empirical study for the last three months of the September 2007 futures contract shows that the shapes of the estimated PDFs become more symmetric as the futures contract becomes closer to the expiration date. The dispersion of the estimated PDFs decreases with decreasing time to expiry, indicating the resolution of uncertainty with passing time.


In supervised learning, it has been shown that label noise in the data can be interpolated without penalties on test accuracy. We show that interpolating label noise induces adversarial vulnerability, and prove the first theorem showing the relationship between label noise and adversarial risk for any data distribution. Our results are almost tight if we do not make any assumptions on the inductive bias of the learning algorithm. We then investigate how different components of this problem affect this result, including properties of the distribution. We also discuss non-uniform label noise distributions; and prove a new theorem showing uniform label noise induces nearly as large an adversarial risk as the worst poisoning with the same noise rate. Then, we provide theoretical and empirical evidence that uniform label noise is more harmful than typical real-world label noise. Finally, we show how inductive biases amplify the effect of label noise and argue the need for future work in this direction.


Gemtuzumab Ozogomicin (GO) is a humanized IgG4 anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody covalently linked to the powerful antitumour antibiotic, calicheamicin. CD33 expression is found on myeloid (mature and immature), erythroid, megakaryocytic, and multipotent progenitors but is absent from normal CD34+ pluripotent haematopoietic stem cells and non-haematopoietic tissues. GO has been used successfully in de novo and refractory/relapsed CD33+ AML, and in other CD33+ leukaemias, including ALL - the main rationale being it selectively targets the CD33+ blast population while sparing the CD33– haematopoietic stem cell compartment. Although myelosuppression is the main toxicity seen in the vast majority of patients (>95%) receiving GO at doses ranging from 6 to 9mg/m2, it is the liver injury, especially veno-occlusive disease (VOD)-like syndrome, that is unique and the most significant drug-related toxicity observed. Previous studies have shown that patients who develop VOD-like syndrome have higher circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced levels of the natural anti-coagulants protein C and anti-thrombin, suggesting that a pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant state is induced in the liver, however no specific mechanism has been elucidated to account for the liver toxicity. One possible explanation is that GO binds to CD33+ Kupffer cells and/or other CD33+ cells residing in the hepatic sinusoids and in doing so induces state of pro-inflammation and pro-coagulation which in turn causes the sinusoidal fibrosis, centrilobular congestion, and hepatocyte necrosis, the histological hallmark of this process. To investigate this possibility, the CD33+ AML cell line, THP1, and the CD33– hepatocyte cell line, HepG2, were treated with increasing concentrations of GO. Secreted levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-8 were measured by sandwich ELISA. Cell surface expression levels of Tissue Factor (TF), the critical initiator of the pro-coagulation pathway, were analysed by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation was measured by the WST-1 assay. A statistically significant ( P <0.001) pro-coagulant but not pro-inflammatory response was observed following GO exposure in both cell lines. THP1 cells showed upregulation of TF expression after 24 hour incubation with GO but no significant increase in TNF-α or IL-8 levels. Neither cell line showed a significant change in proliferation levels after treatment with GO. These results suggest that the initial response to GO treatment is pro-coagulant. After the first treatment, there will be fewer CD33+ blast cells, leaving more GO molecules free to ligate to CD33+ targets in the liver, therefore repeated administration of the drug increases the pro-coagulant state and perpetuates the liver injury. Continuous injury of the liver initiates an inflammatory response through autocrine and paracrine loops. This serves as the initiation signal for fibrosis. If the cycle of inflammation and coagulation proceeds unchecked, the fibrogenic cascade is continued leading to the development of VOD-like syndrome.


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The research problem: trying to answer for the effectiveness of CT system in the formulation of derivatives as a fundamental structure underlying the derivation and to identify the site tomography system of derivation and the extent of his contribution to the drafting. Research methodology and mechanisms: the approach adopted Find descriptive benefited from taking vernacular mechanism to measure the shift away from classical through its approach based on the CT system.


Aims Participatory postnatal women's groups have been shown to have significant impact on maternal and neonatal mortality in low-income countries. It is not clear however whether this approach can be used to address maternal and child health issues in other settings, such as the UK. We carried out a systematic review to answer the question: 'Can postnatal women's groups (employing participatory and non-participatory approaches) improve health outcomes for mothers and children in high-income countries (HIC)?' Methods We included randomised controlled trials testing any group-based intervention conducted in the postnatal period in HIC. Studies were included if they measured any health or social outcome in the mother or child. MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane database were searched. Results Six trials fitted our criteria. The trials utilised diverse frameworks for intervention, investigating a total of 3,149 women. Studies were heterogeneous in key factors (population, intervention and outcomes). Three focused on single health outcomes – two on postnatal depression and one on physical activity (PA). The remainder examined broader or multiple health and social indicators such as health service use, depression and social support. Cramp et al. showed a significantly higher change in frequency and volume of PA among participants receiving a cognitive behavioural therapy intervention compared with controls. The other trials reported no significant differences between trial arms, however, possibly due to difficulties in retention, loss to follow-up, underpowered sample sizes. A recurring concern among those conducting these trials of group support was intervention uptake and attendance. Reid et al. reported participation as low as 18%. A further concern was the higher proportion of women from 'middle class' than 'working class' backgrounds reporting attendance. Conclusion There is limited evidence testing the use of postnatal group based interventions to improve health outcomes. Only 6 RCTs were identified and only one, examining physical activity, showed a positive effect, possibly due to difficulties in uptake, retention and underpowered samples. Further research should assess the use of lay support workers in community settings on group attendance and outcomes.


This study presents a 32-to-46-GHz two-stage low noise amplifier (LNA) with a three-winding transformer-based input matching network. The proposed matching network provides a broadband noise and input matching for the entire operating range without performance degradation. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed circuit configuration, the LNA is implemented using a 65-nm bulk complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The measured LNA achieved a gain of > 19.2 dB at 32–46 GHz with a peak of 21.5 dB at 32 and 45 GHz, simultaneously. The minimum noise figure of the fabricated LNA was 2.2 dB at 36.5 GHz, and remains below 3.2 dB across 14 GHz. The input and output return losses were < - 10dB from 32 to 45.5 GHz (effective bandwidth). The third-order input intercept (IIP3) point was -7.6 dBm at 38 GHz at the lowest gain when dissipating 22 mA with a 1-V supply voltage.


Gram positive, moderately thermophilic, acidophilic bacteria which can oxidize mineral sulphides are likely to be used industrially in mineral processing. In comparison with the Gram negative Thiobacillus ferrooxidans which is currently used commercially, the best- characterized moderate thermophiles were shown to require enhanced concentrations of CO2 in air (i.e. greater than 0.033% (v/v)) for optimal growth. The influence of the supplied CO2 concentration was examined with growth of moderate thermophile strain BC1 and of T. ferrooxidans with ferrous iron as the substrate. Various aspects of CO2 utilization by these bacteria were examined with a view to explaining the requirement of the Gram positive thermophiles for a higher CO2 concentration.

During autotrophic growth under C02~limitation (i.e. aeration with air, 0.033% (v/v) COo), strain BC1 and T. ferrooxidans both showed an approximate three-fold increase in RuBisCO synthesis and were capable of similar maximum RuBisCO and PRK activities. RuBisCO substrate affinities (A^,) for strain BC1 were 43.5 pM (CO2) and 67.5 pM (RuBP) and for T. ferrooxidans were 47 pM (CO2) and 85 pM (RuBP), again apparently indicating no major differences in the activity of these Calvin cycle enzymes. Both types also appeared to possess only the form I RuBisCO (LgSg).

T. ferrooxidans was shown to induce a high affinity CO2 uptake system following growth under C02-limitation, which allowed the bacteria to show a maximum rate of CO2 uptake from air (0.03% (v/v) C02). The moderate thermophile strains BC1 and ALV did not induce a high affinity system under CO2 limitation, and required 0.1% (v/v) CO2 in air for the maximum rate of C02 uptake, which was a similar maximum rate to that of T. ferrooxidans.

After harvesting and resuspension, strains BC1 and ALV, but not T. ferrooxidans had an obligate requirement for a "regeneration" period in the presence of an energy source (ferrous iron) before CO2 uptake could be demonstrated. This period may have been necessary for de novo protein synthesis.

The presence of some unfixed carbon in the strain BC1 cytoplasm possibly indicated a less efficient utilization of accumulated CO2 in comparison with T. ferrooxidans. The presence of carboxysomes in T. ferrooxidans could have contributed to the efficient CO2 utilization; they were not observed in the Gram positive moderate thermophiles.

Three membrane polypeptides (approximate molecular weight 93, 62 and 35 kDa) and two apparently soluble and potentially acid-stable polypeptides appeared to increase in concentration in T. ferrooxidans following growth under COo-limiting conditions.

A recently obtained enrichment culture of moderate thermophiles from an Icelandic hot spring was found to be capable of relatively efficient growth on ferrous iron under air, in comparison with strain BC1. Electron microscopy revealed that attempts to isolate a pure culture which was capable of such growth had left a culture which comprised two types of bacteria. One of these bacteria appeared to be morphologically similar to strain BC1 whereas the other appeared to be a previously undescribed organism. A harvested and resuspended mixture of these two types (from growth under C02-limitation) possessed a high affinity CO2 uptake system (kinetically equivalent to that of T. ferrooxidans). The relative contribution of these two types to the efficient CO2 utilization awaits their separation. The correlation of good growth under air with the presence of high affinity transport systems, rather than with different "efficiencies" of CO2 fixation in the Calvin cycle, nevertheless appears established for the iron- oxidizing acidophiles.


Quantitative studies of the meiofauna of marine littoral sediments have been attempted only recently. Much of the work has been done in sheltered areas such as the Danish waddens (Muus, 1967), and in estuaries (Barnett, 1968; Capstick, 1959; Rees, 1940; Riemann, 1966), or in tideless areas such as the Baltic (Fenchel & Jansson, 1966; Fenchel, Jansson & von Thun, 1967; Jansson, 1968). Beaches exposed to tides and wave action have received less attention. Renaud-Debyser (1963) studied quantitative temporal variations in the meiofauna of beaches at the Bassin d'Arcachon, France, and Island of Bimini, Bahamas. Renaud-Debyser & Salvat (1963) have compared quantitatively the meio- and macrofauna of four beaches in the English Channel and six on the Atlantic coast of France. Schmidt (1968, 1969) has analysed quantitatively the distribution and population dynamics of the meiofauna of a number of beaches on the Island of Sylt off the German North Sea coast. Recently Mclntyre (1969) has reviewed the ecology of the meiobenthos. Subsequent to Mclntyre's review, in the U.S.A. quantitative investigations of the Gastrotricha (Hummon, unpublished) and Tardigrada (Pollock, 1970) of Massachusetts beaches have been made. Tropical beach meiofauna has been studied in India (Mclntyre, 1968), on the east coast of Malaya (Renaud-Mornant & Serene, 1967) and in Tuamotu, Polynesia (Salvat & Renaud-Mornant, 1969).


Rotating Savings and Credit Associations known as tontines in Cameroon and elsewhere in French-speaking Africa are one of the most popular mechanisms to finance projects in countries where access to credit markets is constrained. In this study, we analyze the effect of participation to business tontines on the performance of firms. Using a data set on manufacturing firms, we examine in particular the hypothesis that social networks associated to tontines allow to gain access to credit, to surmount deficiencies in the formal credit market and improve performance. We observe that tontines positively affect firms' growth and employment. Moreover, our results support the hypothesis that tontines' resources are used to finance cash flow instead of increasing capital or investments.


With the popularization of informatization and the rapid development of modern service industry in the modern society, numerous providers are seeking customers to sell their services. In the meantime, customers' requirements are much different and they are having a much wider range of options. The study describes the servitization of real resources by studying on service resources so that they become service resources. The paper discusses the individualized requirements of customers. A service model is set to help both providers and customers to take part in services.


Abstract. The analysis of a data area or segment containing steep transitions between regions with different textures (for example a cloud and its background) leads to addressing the problem of discontinuities and their impact on texture analysis. In that purpose, an original one-dimensional analytical model of spectrum and roughness function has been worked out, with a discontinuity between two fractal regions, each one specified by its average µ, standard deviation σ, spectral index β and Hurst exponent H . This has the advantage of not needing the generation of a fractal structure with a particular algorithm or random functions and clearly puts into evidence the role played by the average in generating spectral poles and side lobes. After validation of the model calibration, a parametric study is carried out in order to understand the influence of this discontinuity on the estimation of the spectral index β and the Hurst parameter H . It shows that for a pure µ-gap, H is well estimated everywhere, though overestimated, and β is overestimated in the anti-correlation range and saturates in the correlation range. For a pure σ-gap the retrieval of H is excellent everywhere and the behaviour of β is better than for a µ-gap, leading to less overestimation in the anti-correlation range. For a pure β-gap, saturation degrades measurements in the case of raw data and the medium with smaller spectral index is predominant in the case of trend-corrected data. For a pure H -gap, there is also dominance of the medium with smaller fractal exponent.


Deciding business portfolio, investment approach, and parenting management style need to understand how the fit of the parent company and its business, and the degree of potential of value creation by the parent. So, it is important to measure the fitness. This research which analysed factors affecting the characteristics of business and the parent company, offers a model to measure fitness. The proposed model has been implemented in a holding company and its results can be used to develop corporate strategy.


This paper summarises some of my product cycle models addressing the role of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection when all forms of R&D, including imitation, are costly. While the settings considered differ, the models all share the feature that a strengthening of IPR protection makes R&D more difficult, and thus causes firms to waste scarce resources "reinventing the wheel". Taking the perspective that stronger IPR protection increases the cost of R&D demonstrates how weak IPR protection can aid a country's development by enabling its firms to make efficient use of scarce resources and thus further advance the country's technology frontier.


Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer in the adults, and up to 50% of patients die from hematogenous visceral metastases which are extremely resistant to chemotherapy. Using oligonucleotide expression array analysis of mRNA from primary uveal melanomas, we found that the Jag 2 ligand was 1.9 fold more expressed in tumors which metastasized than those which did not. Other Notch pathway members were also significantly induced in the metastatic cohort. We then used quantitative RT PCR to analyze mRNA extracted from a second cohort of 30 snap-frozen primary tumors, and confirmed that elevated Jag 2 mRNA levels were significantly associated (p = 0.048) with the metastatic Class 2 signature as compared to non-metastatic Class 1 uveal melanoma. To directly examine the importance of Jag 2 in driving cellular growth and invasion, we introduced the ligand into a uveal melanoma cell line, Mel 290, which has low baseline levels of Notch activity as measured by expression of the pathway targets Hes1, Hey1 and Hey2. The Jag 2-GFP-MSCV-infected cells showed a 2.5 to 6 fold induction of Notch targets Hey 1 and Hes1, indicating that pathway activity had been induced. While overall growth of the Jag 2-GFP-MSCV infected cultures as measured by MTT increased only slightly, overexpression of Jag 2 induced an approximately 3 fold increase in clonogenic growth in soft agar. Finally, we assayed the migratory properties of the cells using a wound-healing ("scratch") assay, as well as their ability to invade Matrigel. Jag 2 expressing cells showed increased motility in both of these tests, with a significant (p = 0.0003) approximately 2 fold induction of transwell invasion capacity. Our data suggest that expression of the Notch ligand Jag 2 may play an important role in uveal melanoma growth and metastasis.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1415. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1415


AUSTRIAN UNIVERSITIESVIENNA-- The Austrian government earlier this week approved plans for a major shake-up of the country's university system. Proponents say the proposal, if approved by Parliament, would infuse fresh blood into a system that has become sclerotic. Some critics, however, are angry over a loss of permanent jobs, while others charge that the reforms will be half-hearted and underfunded.


The research aimed was to developed measurement experiment student worksheet base on scientific approach through inquiry process activity setting inclusive.  The research design was Thiagarajan  through define, design and development phases. The experiment student worksheet consists five phases activities, includes engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate who accommodate students with visual impairment work together with student regular. The worksheet design begins with real life activities, problems, and questions to learn about measurement to assess students prior knowledge. Students  explore  the content by adapting and implementing materials of an inquiry process activities. The final stages evaluate how they work and extend by applying it to new situation to their own experience. The conclusion has been found that the measurement experiment student worksheet design was accommodation to lay students to fully participate in experiment instruction in general classroom. The material layout and instruction sequence to increase students enthusiastic in doing an experiment.


The rheumatoid arthritis, is the inflammatory polyarthritis commonest in adults affecting about the 1 % of world population, more predominant in women than men and more frequent in those aged 30 and 50 and entails a high level of inability of patient. It is characterized by a symmetrical erosive synovitis with proliferation of conjunctival tissue (pannus), invading and eroding the cartilage and joint bones, and sometimes, by a multisystem affection. In most patients the disease follows a fluctuating chronic course, which it is not treated, provoke a progressive destruction, deformity and inability of involved joints. The disease evolves with high figures of rheumatoid factor and/or anticitrulline antibodies. These are essential features of an optimal treatment of this entity include: early differential diagnosis, initial treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the use of disease course modifying drugs, the potential use of oral low-dose glucocorticoid agents or intraarticular injections, and a periodical assessment of treatment fitting (radiological serum and functional monitoring of disease progression and of treatment-associated toxicity) and the educational and rehabilitations interventions of patient. To assess the new therapies for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the more uses models are: that of the arthritis induced by adjuvant drugs in rats and the arthritis induced by collagen in rats and mice. Other new models show limited data. Effectiveness of several compounds reveals that its therapeutic effect is more predictive of the clinical effect in the human being when models of arthritis due to adjuvant drugs and collagen than data from an only one model.


It has previously been shown that left ventricular volumes can be measured accurately from radionuclide gated blood pool scintigrams by quantitating the background-corrected and volume-normalized ventricular activity at end-diastole and end-systole. To determine if this same technique can be applied to the calculation of right ventricular volumes, simultaneous measurements of right ventricular stroke volume were performed using gated scintigraphy and the thermodilution technique in 60 patients without clinical or hemodynamic evidence of right-sided regurgitation. Three techniques for the acquisition of the radionuclide studies were evaluated. The best correlation between scintigraphic and thermodilutlon determinations of stroke volume was obtained for studies acquired with a 25' rotating slant hole collimator positioned in a 10 to 15" left anterior oblique projection with the collimator slant directed toward the cardiac apex along the axis of the interventricular septum: Thermodilution stroke volume = 4.2 (scintigraphic stroke volume) -I- 10.3 ml (correlation coefficient [r]= 0.66; standard error of the estimate = 9.3 ml; probability [p] <O.OOOl). This scintigraphic acquisition technique was superior to (1) a straight bore collimator positioned in a septal projection (30 to 50" left anterior oblique with 15' caudal tilt), and (2) a 25' slant hole collimator positioned in a similar septal projection with the collimator slant directed caudally. This method was evaluated prospectively in an additional 14 patients, and there was excellent agreement between stroke volumes obtained with thermodilution and scintigraphic methods (r = 0.96, p <O.OOl). In addition, measurements of right ventricular ejection fraction by the equilibrium method agreed closely with those obtained with a gated first pass technique (r = 0.94, p <O.OOl, n = 14). With use of the scintigraphic rlght ventricular ejection fraction and the relation between scintigraphic and thermodilution measurements of right ventricular stroke volume, right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes can be estimated. Thus, nongeometric radionuclide techniques may be used for the quantitation of right ventricular volumes.


Inhibition of notch signaling is known to induce differentiation of endocrine cells in zebrafish and mouse. After performing an unbiased in vivo screen of ∼2,200 small molecules in zebrafish, we identified an inhibitor of Cdk5 (roscovitine), which potentiated the formation of β-cells along the intrapancreatic duct during concurrent inhibition of notch signaling. We confirmed and characterized the effect with a more selective Cdk5 inhibitor, (R)-DRF053, which specifically increased the number of duct-derived β-cells without affecting their proliferation. By duct-specific overexpression of the endogenous Cdk5 inhibitors Cdk5rap1 or Cdkal1 (which previously have been linked to diabetes in genome-wide association studies), as well as deleting cdk5, we validated the role of chemical Cdk5 inhibition in β-cell differentiation by genetic means. Moreover, the cdk5 mutant zebrafish displayed an increased number of β-cells independently of inhibition of notch signaling, in both the basal state and during β-cell regeneration. Importantly, the effect of Cdk5 inhibition to promote β-cell formation was conserved in mouse embryonic pancreatic explants, adult mice with pancreatic ductal ligation injury, and human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Thus, we have revealed a previously unknown role of Cdk5 as an endogenous suppressor of β-cell differentiation and thereby further highlighted its importance in diabetes.


This study aims at evaluating the performances of a wrist-located device to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) based on photoplethysmography (PPG) technology. Twenty patients referred for catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias in whom episodes of sinus rhythm (SR) and AF coexisted were screened. Screening included a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and a PPG device placed at the wrist measuring cardiac pulsatility by means of infrared light. While reference cardiac interbeat (RR) intervals were obtained from the analysis of the ECG signals, RR intervals from the PPG signals were estimated by detecting systolic down-strokes on the optical waveforms. Classification of SR versus AF epochs was obtained via a support vector machine to which features extracted on 10-second windows were provided. Extracted features included mean, standard deviation, minimum, and interquartile range of RR within an epoch. A total number of 2213 epochs (1927 of AF, 286 of SR) were analyzed, providing classification accuracy of 93.85% for the PPG-based classifier and 98.93% for the ECG-based classifier. These preliminary results suggest that a wrist-located PPG-based monitor might be eligible for future screening of AF in large populations.


There are different variations in the branching pattern of the Aortic Arch (AA). The aim of the present study was to study and evaluation of anatomic variations of aortic arch branches and relationship with diameter of aortic arch by 64-row computed tomography angiography (CT angiography). This descriptive analytical study was performed on 503 human by using of CT Angiography (CTA) to evaluation of anatomic variations of aortic arch. Patients underwent three dimensional restoration of aorta arch images and its branches using MIP and VRT software following intravascular injection of vein material (100 mL) and conducting CT. Then, kind of their divisions were registered. Additionally, diameter of aorta arch was measured at its cross section immediately before and after separation of its first and last branches, respectively. This study was performed on 503 specimen that 269 (53.5%) was male and 234 (46.5%) was female. The most common AA branching pattern was found in 346 (68.8%) of 503 specimens. There was no significant correlation between sex and type of variations (p = 0.073). There was no significant correlation between type of AA variations and AA diameter in the early branching area (p = 0.446) and there is no significant correlation between type ofAA variations and AA diameter in the last branching area (p = 0.887). The different branching patterns of the AA observed in this study and the morphometric measurements taken can assist doctors in performing safe and effective surgeries in the superior mediastinum and also a safe interventional procedures.


The Morphogenetic Approach (MA) was developed to explain social structural change processes by sociologist Margaret Archer in 1995. MA became a remarkable and much-debated approach shortly in social sciences because of its unique consideration about structure and agency dualism. Although MA has been discussed intensively in the science world, its appropriateness to real world situations has slightly been questioned by scholars and it has been applied very few to social fields other than education. Starting from this gap, this study aims to introduce MA to property researchers and turn it into a practical methodological tool which may easily be used to explain any social change process in urban and property studies. The study attempts to test the suitability of this methodological tool for property market studies as an alternative social field and seeks the answer of this basic question: "Can we explain the change process of a property market with the help of concepts and methodological framework in MA?". An in-depth and comparative literature review method has been used in this methodology-focused research. The research reveals that despite some of its weaknesses, MA is a useful methodological tool which may be used in explaining the change process of a local property market. The study also makes some important theoretical contributions to the structure and agency dualism.


I arrived in Missoula, Montana, April 21, 1906, equipped for the bacteriologic and hematologic study of the so-called Rocky Mountain spotted fever and for the study of the infectious agent by means of animal inoculations. Although the period during which the disease occurs is very limited and the cases very few, it was possible to carry the investigations to a point which affords encouragement for the ultimate solution of some of the problems involved. At this time I wish to give a brief and preliminary presentation of the most important results obtained this year, reserving for a future date a more detailed interpretation of the experiments, when the bacteriologic and histologic studies will have been completed. It will be remembered that the confidence which was at first manifested in the report of Wilson and Chowning concerning the presence of a piroplasma in the blood and erythrocytes of infected patients was


Starting point of discussion in this paper is the well established concept of risk and risk management at organisations. However, this concept becomes currently challenged because of new stakeholders requirements as resilience and sustainability. This raises the question for organisations to what extent these three concepts are compatible in management processes and where, at best, a transformation from risk to resilience and sustainability (RRS) can take place. To answer this question a formal framework of management processes in general is presented. For this purpose the St. Gallen Management Model and the (risk) management process according to ISO-31000 is transferred to a Class Diagram (CD) to depict the common view of a management framework. Then, the attributes of classes are identified and specified for RRS by literature research and with regard to operational aspects resulting in a comparative CD. Maturity and level of usefulness are evaluated and ranked. As a result, organisations view RRS mainly as a monetary task which, then, enables them to male a (simplified) transformation towards integrative management processes. However, the usual more comprehensive definitions of these terms and their lack of standardisation contradict this simple approach. The paper shows the use of CDs to compare RRS management processes and the resulting interfaces and tasks for organisations.